This year during Honors Day, Samuel Guggenheimer and Mary Sellers Shaw were recognized as the University’s outstanding freshmen of the year. Guggenheimer and Shaw received the award for their hard work during the school year in both their academics and student organizations.

“Sam is an excellent student who is extremely well read and articulate,” said Bill Stewart, professor of political science. “Sam has a great future ahead of him, I expect him to succeed in whatever he does.”

Guggenheimer said he is interested in Alabama politics, though he is from Ohio, and Stewart said Guggenheimer understands the political differences in both states well.

While taking 22 credit hours this semester, Guggenheimer said he’s involved in the Model United Nations, as well as with Freshman Forum.

“My hardest classes were undoubtedly Calculus 3 and German 102,” he said. “Both required a large amount of time spent with the material outside the classroom, and at times, it took some creative juggling to reach my academic goals.

“I feel incredibly honored to have received the award,” he said. “I have worked with so many great freshmen students this year, and to have been chosen from among them to be recognized is a distinct honor.”

Jacqueline Morgan, associate dean of the Honors College, said Shaw is every professor’s dream.

“She has a lust for learning and wants to give back to the larger community,” Morgan said.

Shaw is involved in Morgan’s seminar on citizenship, which is related to the University Fellows Experience.

“We have interacted on a number of occasions — I have known Mary since her sophomore year in high school,” Morgan said. “I’m thrilled that she has gotten this award. She doesn’t seek the limelight.”

Shaw said she was excited to receive the honor of being named an outstanding freshman.

“I never imagined when I came to the University that I would have the opportunity to get involved the way I have this year,” Shaw said. “My parents worked out an elaborate plan just to get me to the awards ceremony, and I was completely clueless until my name was announced.”

Shaw said her honors introduction to religious studies was a challenge for her.

“It was challenging because it required me to face difficult issues in our world today, but it also broadened my knowledge of other religions and belief systems that, before this class, I had little to no exposure to,” she said. “For me, my goal is to simply do the things I love.”