The University of Utah Honors College is thrilled to congratulate all of the exceptional undergraduate researchers recognized in this year’s 2025 Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) Awards and affiliated scholarships. These awards recognize undergraduate researchers who are making exceptional contributions to their fields and communities—and this year, Honors College students represent a significant share of these prestigious honors.
2025 OUR Award Winners from Honors
Seventeen students across the University were named OUR Award recipients this year. We are thrilled to share that eight of them—nearly 50%—are Honors College students, once again showcasing the extraordinary impact of our community, which comprises just 10% of the undergraduate population.
Congratulations to our OUR Award-winning Honors students:
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Sophia Blankevoort (Business)
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Kelsey Cox (Education)
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Elise LeMonnier (Fine Arts)
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Sofia Flowers (Honors)
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Jasmine Aguilar Lopez (Humanities)
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Olivia Raines (Medicine)
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Corrine Orton (Science)
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Hanna Farra (Social & Behavioral Science)
These students exemplify the Honors College mission of pursuing the highest academic and personal aspirations, engaging in research that matters, and collaborating across disciplines to address complex problems.
Additional Prestigious Recognitions
In addition to the OUR Awards, several Honors students were selected for other competitive scholarships that align closely with the values of the Honors College’s values of leadership, impact, and interdisciplinary excellence:
Dedicated to promoting charitable activities in Ogden and the surrounding area, the Dee Foundation supports projects that further the well-being of residents in Northern Utah. This year’s Honors recipients—Jeff Dillon, Sofia Flowers, Audrey Glende, and Jonah Simmons—are each conducting work that reflects the Honors College’s commitment to social impact and community well-being.
Frances Family Fund Scholarship
This scholarship honors undergraduate researchers in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Congratulations to Sarah Dallas and Isabelle Hong, both from the Honors College, for their selection.
Parent Fund Undergraduate Research Scholarship
Awarded to students with exceptional research proposals, this scholarship recognizes both merit and promise. Congratulations to Honors student Delaney Miller for receiving this award and continuing to advance the Honors College’s goals of depth, leadership, and innovation.
Valadi N. Venkatesan Research Award
This award honors students conducting research focused on real-world problems. We are incredibly proud of Sarah Dallas, who also received the Frances Family Fund award, for being recognized with this distinction.
Leading the Way in Undergraduate Research
These awards continue to reinforce what we in the Honors College see every day: our students are leaders, thinkers, and changemakers. Whether addressing community needs in Northern Utah, advancing artistic and humanistic scholarship, or developing solutions to complex real-world issues, Honors students are shaping the future with integrity, intellect, and purpose.
To view the Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher Awardees and the Outstanding Undergraduate Research Mentor Awardees, visit https://our.utah.edu/awards.
Congratulations again to all of this year’s awardees! Your work inspires us, and we can’t wait to see what you do next.