Denison University announces Francesca Gunn as the recipient of this year’s Kussmaul Award, recognizing the Denison student who best exemplifies friendly relations between Granville and the University. The award was presented at the Granville Chamber of Commerce April meeting, where Denison President Adam Weinberg provided remarks.
Gunn, a senior majoring in biochemistry, has left an indelible mark on the community through her extensive volunteer work and leadership. She has served as vice president of Denison’s equestrian team and volunteered at the Granville Heart of a Warrior Farm, supporting individuals with special needs through therapeutic interactions with horses. Gunn’s community involvement includes roles at the Granville Fire Department, Licking Memorial Health Systems, Hospice of Central Ohio, Middleton Senior Living Facility, and LifeTown Columbus.
On campus, Gunn demonstrated exceptional leadership as president of the First-Generation Network, president of the Denison Community Service Association Medical Volunteers, and vice president of the Pre-Med Association. She has contributed as a clinical research peer fellow and peer learning strategist. Her plans include a gap year dedicated to medical school applications, travel, and personal enrichment.
This year’s runners-up have made significant contributions to Denison’s community as well. They include:
- Megan Broderick, a senior from Simsbury, Connecticut, majoring in psychology with a concentration in neurosciences, was nominated by Kirsten Fox from the Mortar Board National College Honor Society. Broderick is the current director of the local Camp Kesem organization, which provides free summer camps, day programs, and virtual meet-ups for youth facing parents with cancer.
- Amber Croonquist, a senior majoring in biology from Champlin, Minnesota, was nominated by Douglas Wagner from the Granville Veterinary Clinic, where she has volunteered for three years. Croonquist has helped with cleaning, assisting, and shadowing the veterinarians and earned credits toward her veterinary school application.
- Jonah Richardson, a senior majoring in data analytics from Columbia, Maryland, was nominated by Coach Kyle Bergeron from Granville Schools. Richardson has been a valuable contributor to the middle school and high school wrestling programs.
More about the Kussmaul Award
Since 1947, the Louis Kussmaul Friendship Award has been jointly presented by Denison University and the Granville Area Chamber of Commerce. The Award honors the memory of Louis Kussmaul, a Granville printer who worked for his brother William H. Kussmaul, publisher of the Granville Times from 1890 to 1899. It is given annually to the Denison University student — traditionally a senior — who has contributed the most to building friendly relations between Denison and the Granville community. The Award serves as a formal recognition of students who have given of themselves to the Granville community during their Denison years.