Meet the CASL and COB Medallion winners

Every semester, UM-Dearborn honors a select group of students with Medallion Awards. Chosen by faculty from their respective colleges, graduates are recognized for their outstanding quality of character, intellect, integrity and academic record.

Three Dean’s Medallion recipients are awarded per college with one of those students receiving the Chancellor’s Medallion. This semester’s Chancellor’s Medallion winner comes from the College of Arts, Sciences and Letters. These students will be recognized during the May 2 commencement celebrations.

Here are the CASL and the College of Business recipients.  Among their accomplishments, they have conducted microbiology research to better understand environmental impacts in urban watersheds and merged business and law education to help serve the community. 

Awardees from the College of Education, Health and Human Services and CECS will be featured April 16.

Chancellor’s Medallion

Somtochukwu (Somie) Opara

Degree: Bachelor of Science in microbiology 

Awards, Honors and Distinction: James B. Angell Scholar (W24); University Honors (W23-F25); Dean’s List (F22-F25); Distinguished Research Award in Microbiology (2024); Honors Scholar (2026) 

Scholarships: Academic Excellence Scholarship (2022-26)

Academic Achievements and Internships: Somie conducted research for several years with Professor of Microbiology Sonia Tiquia-Arashiro, with a focus on environmental microbiology. He was a 2025 Summer Undergraduate Research Experience student researcher for the project “Electron Microscopy Techniques and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometry as Tools to Characterize Biosorption of Lead by Bacterial Strains from an Urban Watershed.” Remarkably, Somie has co-authored four research publications as a UM-Dearborn undergraduate, including one as first author. He has also presented his research at the Michigan Branch of the American Society for Microbiology Annual Meeting. Tiquia-Arashiro noted that Somie’s research displays both exceptional early achievement and sustained scholarly impact.

In the classroom, Somie stood out for his intellectual engagement and depth of understanding. Somie also applied his microbiology knowledge as a laboratory assistant for BIOL 440, a senior-level microbiology lab course, where he helped support advanced student learning in a hands-on environment. Somie was regarded as engaging, upbeat and highly communicative, and for approaching tutoring and service with a genuine desire to help others. From serving as a Knack tutor in Organic Chemistry 2, a course taken by all chemistry and life sciences students, to volunteering in the CASL dean’s office, Somie was known for his graciousness and readiness to help. 

Extracurricular and Community Projects: Knack tutor; Beaumont Hospice volunteer; Ozone House crisis line volunteer; Wolverine Welcome Day student ambassador; Natural Sciences Department student ambassador 

As a crisis line volunteer, Somie provided frontline support to individuals facing family crises, housing insecurity and other urgent challenges by connecting them to community resources and documenting formal referrals to ensure they received the assistance they needed. 

Future Plans: Somie plans to attend medical school after graduation. He intends to specialize in sports medicine to aid in the prevention and treatment of injuries.

Dean’s Medallion

College of Arts, Sciences and Letters

Evelyn Diakiw

Degree: Bachelor of Science in biochemistry 

Awards, Honors and Distinction: William J. Branstrom Freshman Prize (W23); James B. Angell Scholar (W24); University Honors (F22, W23, W25); Dean’s List (F22-W25); General Chemistry award (2024); Distinguished Research in Chemistry award (2025); Honors Scholar (2026) 

Scholarships: Academic Excellence Scholarship (2022-25)

Academic Achievements and Internships: Evelyn has distinguished herself through a deep commitment to scientific inquiry and hands-on research. While completing her degree in biochemistry, she was extensively involved in laboratory research that reflects both intellectual curiosity and technical skill. From 2023-2026, Evelyn conducted research with Professor of Chemistry Krisanu Bandyopadhyay, focusing on the optimization of in situ synthesis of copper nanoparticles. This research was supported in part through an Exp+ Student Independent Research Grant awarded to Evelyn. She presented her work in the Surfaces and Colloids Division poster session of the Spring 2025 American Chemical Society conference. She will present more recent advances at the upcoming 2026 ACS conference and is currently contributing to a manuscript in preparation with Prof. Bandyopadhyay. According to Prof. Bandyopadhyay, Evelyn’s contributions extended beyond her own research: her work has been incorporated into an ACS grant application, and she has had a significant multiplier effect through mentorship and training of both undergraduate and high school student researchers in lab procedures, instrumentation usage and safety. 

Evelyn has also been a strong ambassador for the natural sciences department through both her participation in Chemistry Club and Biochemistry Club and through broader campus engagement. Examples of her efforts include organizing a STEM symposium, a career panel and an industry tour for fellow students interested in the physical sciences. Associate Professor of Biochemistry Peter Oelkers notes that Evelyn has truly worked her way through college, balancing full-time coursework, research responsibilities and student organization activities while also working up to five nights per week at Meadowbrook Country Club.

Extracurricular and Community Projects: Chemistry Club (president), Biochemistry Club, Chemistry Laboratory Assistant 

Future Plans: Evelyn is interested in pursuing a career in science. She plans to work as an industry scientist for a year after graduation while she applies to graduate programs in biochemistry. 
 

Peyton Henry

Degree: Dual Bachelor of Arts in criminology and criminal justice and in psychology, with a minor in Hispanic studies, professional language and cross-cultural competency certificate

Awards, Honors and Distinction: William J. Branstrom Freshman Prize (W23); James B. Angell Scholar (W24, W25); University Honors (F22-W23, W24-F24); Dean’s List (F22-W23, F24-F25); Distinguished Student Leader (2025) 

Scholarships: UM-Dearborn Dean’s Scholarship (2022-26); New Metropolitan Detroit NANBPWC Scholarship (2022-26); Andy and Cheryl Chapekis Scholarship (2023); Rob and Liz Haar Scholarship (2023)

Academic Achievements and Internships: Peyton completed a National Forensic Academy session at the University of Tennessee at Martin in summer 2025, gaining experience in a range of crime scene investigation techniques, including analysis of fingerprints, ballistics, forensic photography and forensic anthropology. She also participated in UM-Dearborn’s Cold Case Partnership with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department in Fall 2025.

Peyton was exceptionally visible on campus through her work with student organizations, including serving as president of the Criminology and Criminal Justice Collective. Outside of the CCJC, Peyton worked as a student program assistant for Dearborn Support and also worked with the Student Food Pantry as both a volunteer and an employee, extending her service-oriented outlook to the broader campus community.

Extracurricular and Community Projects: Criminology and Criminal Justice Collective (president, treasurer); InterVarsity Christian Fellowship; Henry Ford College Metropolitan Symphony Band; Deaf and American Sign Language Club; La Mezcla; Student Affairs Advisory Committee; Coordinated Community Response Team; Student Food Pantry volunteer 

Future Plans: Peyton is enrolled in the Criminology and Criminal Justice 4+1 program. She intends to complete her master’s degree in Fall 2026. 

College of Business

Alyssa Fakih

Degree: Bachelor of Business Administration in general business with a pre-law concentration

Awards, Honors and Distinction: University Honors (W25); Honors Scholar (W26); Dean’s List (F23-F25); UM-Dearborn Writing Awards: Writing in the Public Sphere Honorable Mention (2025)

Scholarships: UM-Dearborn Dean’s Scholarship (2023-26); University of Detroit Mercy Law School Dean’s Scholarship

Academic Achievements and Internships: Alyssa originally planned to study medicine out of a desire to help people in need, but as she progressed through the Henry Ford Early College program and visited Henry Ford Hospital, she realized advocacy was an equally important method of service. She has been pursuing her degree with a pre-law concentration to improve her critical thinking skills and ability to navigate complex environments, while applying the in-class concepts to real-world situations at her jobs. 

Alyssa worked at Fakih & Associates Law Office in 2021 as a receptionist and was promoted to legal assistant in 2023. In this role, she helped prepare trial materials and maintained confidentiality and procedural compliance. Since 2024, she has worked for both Superior Title Agency and Issa Fawaz Law as an assistant, gaining experience in real estate law and taking on greater responsibilities within the firms. Her supervisor and firm founder, Issa Fawaz, described Alyssa as organized and dependable, with a work ethic and character typically associated with experienced professionals. 

Extracurricular and Community Projects: Parliamentarian of the Pre-Law Association; vice president of opportunities for Minorities Network Initiative; founding secretary of Circle K International, UM-Dearborn chapter; secretary of Criminology and Criminal Justice Collective; volunteer tutor for elementary students in the community; community events volunteer at Underground Pilates Studio  

Future Plans: Alyssa will begin attending the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law this fall after receiving a significant scholarship offer. She hopes to one day build a legal practice focused on family law and serving families in her community. 

Adam Haag

Degree: Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting and finance

Awards, Honors and Distinction: James B. Angell Scholar (W24); University Honors (F22-F23, F24-F25); Honors Scholar (W26); Dean’s List (F22-F25); Daktronics NAIA Scholar Athlete Award (2023-2025)

Scholarships: Dr. Nancy J. Foran Memorial Scholarship (2024-26); John L. Wessinger Internship Scholarship (2024-25); Nancy Keskeny Scholarship (2025-26); Excellence Scholarship (2022-26)

Academic Achievements and Internships: Adam completed his first internship as a tax preparer for Datamatics in winter 2024. He trained in preparing individual income tax returns for clients from all over the United States, which required knowledge of tax laws in several states, as well as federal tax law. During the summer of 2024, he served as a refinery accounting intern for Marathon Petroleum Corp. and worked on reconciling, cost-saving initiatives and weekly invoice reports. Adam received a return offer from Marathon to serve as an income tax intern at the corporate headquarters in the summer of 2025, and more recently interned at Alta Equipment Group supporting core accounting operations and processes. His supervisor from Marathon, Andrew Grove, praised Adam’s exceptional interpersonal skills and ability to produce high-quality work while also reducing processing time.

Extracurricular and Community Projects: Chi Alpha Sigma: National College Athlete Honor Society; UM-Dearborn Men’s Cross Country team; Feed My Starving Children volunteer; Friends in Need Food Shelf volunteer; YMCA volunteer; Hope House volunteer; Challenged Champions Equestrian Center volunteer; UM-Dearborn MLK Day of Service volunteer

Future Plans: Adam will continue his education through UM-Dearborn’s 4+1 program to earn his Master of Science in accounting and prepare to sit for the CPA exam. This summer he will also participate in an internship at Deloitte in the Audit and Assurance department to gain experience in public accounting.

Shannon McHenry

Degree: Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting

Awards, Honors and Distinction: University Honors (F25); Dean’s List (F24-F25)

Academic Achievements and Internships: Shannon began her academic journey at Schoolcraft College and was inspired to pursue a career in accounting after enrolling in an introductory business course. Throughout Shannon’s time in the Accounting program in the College of Business, faculty have highlighted her success as the result of a work ethic that prepares her for a professional career.

Extracurricular and Community Projects: Financial Management Association; Gleaners Food Bank volunteer

Future Plans: Shannon plans to pursue a Master of Science in accounting to improve her skills in taxation and auditing, and to further prepare for the CPA exam. This summer, she will participate in a tax and audit internship at Wipfli and take advantage of the firm’s resources for the CPA exam.