Purdue HTM Honors Top Students, Faculty, and Staff at 2026 Awards Ceremony

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The White Lodging–J.W. Marriott, Jr. School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Purdue University celebrated a year marked by national recognition and outstanding student achievement during its 2026 Awards Ceremony, honoring individuals who demonstrated excellence in academics, leadership, service, and industry engagement.

The ceremony spotlighted a program continuing to rise in prominence, now ranked No. 3 in the United States and No. 7 globally, according to the Shanghai Rankings. Faculty, students, alumni, and industry partners gathered to recognize a cohort of honorees described as embodying the school’s mission to develop “Experience Engineers.”

Hailey Davis Named Outstanding Senior

Among the afternoon’s most prestigious recognitions, Hailey Davis was named both the Outstanding Senior in Hospitality and Tourism Management and the Overall Outstanding Senior for 2026, placing her at the top of an already highly accomplished class.

Davis distinguished herself through unmatched academic excellence, earning Dean’s List and Semester Honors recognition every term, alongside a consistent 4.0 GPA. Her performance was supported by numerous scholarships, including the White Family Scholarship and Belin Family HTM Scholarship, as well as a study abroad experience in Florence, Italy.

Beyond the classroom, Davis emerged as one of the program’s most influential student leaders. She rose through the ranks of the Black Tie Dinner – the school’s premier student-run event – to serve as president, guiding one of its most visible and impactful initiatives. She also led as captain and treasurer of the Purdue Dance Team, earning honors such as All-Big Ten Spirit recognition, and held leadership roles in Phi Mu.

Her leadership style, rooted in organization, compassion, and service, extended into community work, from volunteering in assisted living facilities to supporting Habitat for Humanity. Following graduation, Davis will begin her career in Marriott’s highly competitive Voyager Program in Chicago, where she will serve as a food and beverage manager.

Schoolwide Honors Reflect Top Student Achievement

In addition to Davis’ distinction as Outstanding Senior, several students were recognized as the top performers across the entire school. These included:

• Outstanding Freshman: Abby Nutt (Retail Management)
• Outstanding Sophomores: Georgia Gordon (Retail Management) and Michael Horton (Financial Counseling and Planning)
• Outstanding Junior: JT (James) Odom (Selling and Sales Management)

Each of these students demonstrated not only academic excellence but also leadership, initiative, and a commitment to service.

Lazarus Award Honors Teaching Excellence

The ceremony also highlighted faculty excellence, particularly through the Bruce I. Lazarus Undergraduate Teaching Award, presented to Dr. Shawn Bucher.

Named after a distinguished Purdue educator, the Lazarus Award recognizes exceptional teaching impact. Since joining Purdue, Bucher has earned praise for his ability to connect classroom concepts to real-world industry applications, particularly in accounting and hospitality operations.

Students credited him with clarity, engagement, and a commitment to ensuring understanding, while his broader contributions included curriculum innovation, experiential learning initiatives, and founding the Purdue chapter of the Society for Hospitality and Foodservice Management.

Cohen Award Supports Faculty Development

The Arnold I. Cohen Faculty Development Award was awarded to Dr. Jonathon Day, recognizing his leadership in sustainable tourism and destination management.

Day’s work focuses on improving quality of life in destination communities through strategic collaboration and sustainable practices. The award will support his continued professional development, including participation in Strategic Doing training and engagement with Destinations International.

These initiatives will further strengthen his ability to integrate real-world insights into research and teaching while expanding industry partnerships.

Career Achievement and Graduate Excellence

The Ray Kavanagh Career Trajectory Award honored Daniela Morones and Austin Francis for their professional growth, leadership, and career readiness.

Graduate students were also recognized for excellence in research and teaching. Reed Davisson and Xi Chen earned top master’s awards, while Roya Alavipour and Dohyung Bang were recognized for doctoral-level teaching and research excellence.

Celebrating a Community of Leaders

Throughout the ceremony, speakers emphasized that the honorees represent the future of industries driven by service, innovation, and human connection. From hospitality and finance to retail and sales, students demonstrated the ability to apply knowledge in meaningful, real-world ways.

As Purdue HTM continues to expand its programs and experiential learning opportunities, the achievements of this year’s award winners signal a strong trajectory for both the school and its graduates.