CHICAGO, Ill. (April 26, 2026) – Chicago State University honored the academic and leadership achievements of its student-athletes and athletic representatives during the 69th Annual Honors Convocation Ceremony, held April 26, 2026, at the Jones Convocation Center. The event highlighted the commitment, resilience, and scholarly excellence that define Cougar Athletics.
In total, 11 student-athletes were named to the President’s List, 10 earned distinction on the Provost’s List, and 20 were recognized on the University Dean’s List for the 2025–2026 academic year.
Major Individual Honors
Several student-athletes received distinguished university awards recognizing academic achievement, leadership, and service:
- Jamal Ibrahim — Alice Smith Memorial Award
- Efrain Rivas — DESR Chairperson’s Recreation, Sports Management & Therapeutic Recreation Scholarship Award
- Victor Herrera — Lottie C. Patarini Scholarship Award
- Victor Herrera — College of Education Certificate of Merit for Physical Education
- Bryanna Boroze — Strengthening Community in Physics TEAM-Up Scholarship
- Thomas Herzog — College of Arts & Sciences Certificate of Merit for History
- Zeynep Ertam — College of Arts & Sciences Certificate of Merit for Psychology
- Nadjema Morille — Outstanding Senior in Management Information Systems Award
- Jacob Draaisma — College of Business Certificate of Merit for Finance
- Nadjema Morille — College of Business Certificate of Honor for Management Information Systems
- Aarushi Bhanot — College of Business Certificate of Merit for Management Information Systems
- Jaden Laster — College of Health Science & Pharmacy Certificate of Merit for Pre-Physical Therapy
- Bill Okumu — College of Health Science & Pharmacy Certificate of Merit for Public Health
- Taylor Norris — Black McDonald’s Operators Association Scholarship
President’s List (2025–2026)
Eliza Covrig, Jacob Draaisma, Marcus Freeman III, Nayella George, Thomas Herzog, Brianna Hill, Leya Landin, Rylan Ross, Daisy Ruto, Queanna Taylor, Aaron Zhao
Provost’s List (2025–2026)
Yaseen Ads, Aarushi Bhanot, Lena Cleveland, Zeynep Ertam, Jack Geist, Victor Herrera, Tianna Klysh, Nadjema Morille, Carel Ray Jr., Efrain Rivas
University Dean’s List (2025–2026)
Paris Bass, Braelon Bush, Tenese Buttry, Kyara Champagne, Doyel Cockrill III, Jasmine Cruz, Alexis Fallejo, Chauncey Gibson, Jamal Ibrahim, Lionel Larvadain III, Jaden Laster, Hilary Odhiambo, Bill Okumu, Maxx Peters, Lucas Polkinghorn, Jayden Quezada, Kendrick Scott Jr., Chad Valdes Jr., Kitali Youmans Jr., Daniel Zatsepin
Chicago State Athletics congratulates all honorees for their outstanding accomplishments and their continued commitment to academic and athletic excellence.
