Hillsdale College Recognizes Outstanding Seniors and Top Academic Graduates
The top five academic graduates from the class of 2026 were announced during the College’s annual Commencement ceremony.
HILLSDALE, Mich. — Hillsdale College recognized the top academic graduates of the class of 2026 as well as the outstanding senior man and woman during its 174th Commencement ceremony on May 9.
Faculty and staff voted for the outstanding seniors from among candidates nominated by the class of 2026. The winners addressed the graduating class at the President’s Commencement Dinner on May 1.
Kevin Michael Pynes of Lincoln, Nebraska, was outstanding senior man. He graduated with a major in English and a minor in German. At Hillsdale, he was involved in the Hillsdale College Tower Players, the branch of the Theatre Department that puts on plays, as well as performing with the College Choir and Chamber Choir. He was a member of the Kappa Mu Epsilon math honorary and an original member of the Society of St. Stephen organized by the Chaplain’s Office. He served as director of the Writing Center, where he was also a tutor, and he spent a month studying abroad in Würzburg, Germany.
Ashley Joy Poole of Houston, Texas, was outstanding senior woman. She graduated with a major in applied mathematics and a minor in Spanish. At Hillsdale, she was a member of the Chi Omega sorority, Kappa Mu Epsilon math honorary, and Pi Kappa Delta forensics honorary. She also belonged to Greek InterVarsity, InterVarsity’s Soma Ministries, and the Federalist Society and competed on the Mock Trial Team. She was named a George Washington Fellow and spent a semester in Washington D.C. through the Washington-Hillsdale Internship Program. On campus, she worked in the Admissions Office and volunteered through the GOAL program with Crossroads Farm and Widows Connecting Point.
The top five academic graduates of the class of 2026 were announced during the Commencement ceremony.
Ashley R. DeVore of Lexington, Kentucky, was class co-valedictorian. She graduated with a major in politics and a minor in dance. At Hillsdale, she was named a George Washington Fellow and spent a semester studying and interning in Washington, D.C. through the Washington-Hillsdale Internship Program. She also participated in Tower Dancers and InterVarsity’s Soma Ministries and volunteered with the Widows Connecting Point GOAL Program.
Noah Tom Larrick of Cambridge, Ohio, was class co-valedictorian. He graduated with a major in biochemistry. At Hillsdale, he competed on the Charger Football Team, played several intramural sports, and served on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. He belonged to the American Chemical Society, the Pre-Professional Society, and Athletes InterVarsity. He worked at campus athletic events and volunteered with the GOAL program Guys with Ties mentoring local elementary school students.
Patrick J. McDonald of Mashpee, Massachusetts, was class salutatorian. He graduated with a major in history major and a minor in politics. At Hillsdale, he competed on the mock trial and debate teams, belonged to the Alexander Hamilton Society, participated in the Collegiate Scholars Program, played intramural soccer, and worked in the President’s Office. He was also named a Winston Churchill Fellow and spent a semester studying and interning in Washington D.C. through the Washington-Hillsdale Internship Program.
Erik Christopher Teder of Bloomington, Minnesota, graduated in the top five with majors in applied mathematics and physics. At Hillsdale, he was a member of the American Chemical Society, the Hepcats Swing Club and the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia music honorary. He performed with student bands, contributed to the Winona yearbook, and volunteered with the GOAL program A Few Good Men.
Anna Katharin MacPhee of Conifer, Colorado, graduated in the top five with a major in economics and a minor in French. While at Hillsdale, she served on the Student Federation, first as a class representative, then as the secretary, and finally as treasurer. She also served as the historian for the Classical Liberal Organization. She was a member of the Praxis political economy club, the Omicron Delta Epsilon economics honorary, and the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, as well as a fellow of Hillsdale’s Hutchison Center for Commerce and Freedom. She spent a summer abroad studying French at the Institut de Touraine.