Montana Technological University announces Outstanding Student Awards for 2025
Montana Tech announced this week student honors for its graduating class of 2025. Valedictorian honors are awarded for academic excellence to attain the associate of applied science degree and the bachelor of science degree. The bachelor of science valedictorian award is given to the graduating senior at Montana Tech who has achieved the highest grade point average overall in his or her years of study at the university. The recipient must receive his or her first baccalaureate degree and have earned all academic credits at Montana Tech. The 2025 valedictorians are: Emaleigh Cimorelli, Nursing; Ethan Heggem, Mechanical Engineering, Justin Morgan, Electrical Engineering, Dawson Roesti, Biological Sciences and Challis Westwater, Biological Sciences.
The associate of applied science valedictorian award is given to the graduate who has achieved the highest grade point average overall in his or her years of study toward a first associate of applied science degree. The recipient must have earned all academic credits at Highlands College. The 2025 associate of applied science valedictorians are Abbey Hanni, Radiologic Technology and Grace Horton, Radiologic Technology.
The university also awarded the 2025 Highest Scholastic Standing in the Arts & Sciences Award to Emaleigh Cimorelli, Nursing; Dawson Roesti, Biological Sciences; and Challis Westwater, Biological Sciences.
Montana Tech also announced the recipients of the Chester H. Steele Honor Awards. The Chester H. Steele Honor Award is given to recognize the outstanding graduating senior or seniors in engineering with the highest scholastic achievement. The 2025 awardees are Ethan Heggem, Mechanical Engineering and Justin Morgan, Electrical Engineering.
The second Chester H. Steele Award is presented to an outstanding graduate in mining/geology selected based on scholastic achievement. The 2025 awardee is Arlo Eades, Mining Engineering.
The Montana Society of Engineers also announced the recipients of the 2025 Gold Medal Award. For nearly 100 years, the Montana Society of Engineers has presented an outstanding senior graduating in engineering from Montana Tech with the award. The 2025 awardee is Ethan Heggem, Mechanical Engineering.
The following students received their department’s Outstanding Student Award. Department faculty chose students based on scholastic achievement, character, and community service. These students have demonstrated exceptional achievement within their departments and Montana Tech.
Macey Havens, Associate of Science
Cody West, Automotive Technology
Challis Westwater, Biological Sciences
Amira Bolton, Business
Jenna Jordan, Chemistry & Geochemistry
Rilee Green Draper, Civil Engineering
Russell Martello, Civil Engineering Technology
Ethan Schlepp, Computer Science
Rylee Mitchell, Construction Management
Zachary Young, Construction Technology-Carpentry
Garrett Pruttis, Cybersecurity and Network Administration
Jacob Sriraman, Data Science
Justin Morgan, Electrical Engineering
Halle Cogley, Environmental Engineering
Taylor Liva, Exercise & Health Science
Katherine Bonsell, Geological Engineering
Anthony Ray, Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences
Jacob Sriraman, Mathematical Sciences
Evan Guengerich, Mechanical Engineering
Taylor Nielsen, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering
Arlo Eades, Mining Engineering
Margaret Nielsen, Nursing
Shaena Jackson, Petroleum Engineering
Rob McGilvray, Pre-Apprentice Line
Klayton Kovatch, Precision Machining Technology
Sharlei Graham-Bernisto, Radiologic Technology
Rylan Signalness, Safety, Health & Industrial Hygiene
Dylan Good, Software Engineering
Abigail Johnson, Welding and Metals Fabrication
Michael Ure, Writing
Student Volunteer Award
Malachi Warneke
Montana Athletes in Service Award
Abby Clark
Student Employee of the Year:
Dylan Baldwin
Outstanding Leadership in a Student Club Nominees:
Chloe Nelson
Student Nurses Association
Student Club Advisor of the Year:
Kristin Cullen
Student Nurses Association
Charlie Oredigger Champion of Character Awards
Evan Guengerich
Madeline Thomas
Dr. Douglas Galarus