Denison University announces Davidson Jump ’26 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.
Jump, a health, exercise, & sport studies major and graduate of Granville High School, has been a driving force in connecting the university and the community. Three years ago, as a Kappa Sigma pledge, he impressed upon his fellow pledges — and later his brothers — the importance of engaging with and contributing to Granville.
As chairman of Kappa Sigma’s community service committee, Jump developed numerous service programs and activities for the chapter. Two signature initiatives, Pancakes for Patriots and Country Fest, raise funds for local veterans’ organizations. He also established the 9/11 Cookout at the Granville Fire Station to honor local first responders and their families; the third annual event took place in September 2025.
Last semester, Jump organized the first Kappa Sigma community service event at the Robbins-Hunter Museum, a building owned by the fraternity from 1930 to 1956. Brothers assisted in decorating the museum for the holidays in what became a well-received tradition the chapter intends to continue.
Beyond chapter-wide events, Jump has helped his fraternity identify individual service opportunities at the Granville Historical Society Museum and with other local organizations. This year, in addition to his service leadership, Jump served as vice president of the chapter.
President Weinberg with Kussmaul Award runners-up Alyson “Aly” Marshall ’27, Reed Nobili ’27, and Hayoung Lee ’26 (not pictured: Ray Vo ’27).
This year’s Kussmaul Award runners-up have made significant contributions to Denison’s community as well. They include:
- Hayoung Lee ’26, a double-major in biology and health, exercise, & sport studies, will continue her education at Duke University’s physical therapy program. As Denison Community Service Association’s health equity coordinator, she oversees five service committees and leads campus blood drives for the American Red Cross, collecting 174 units of blood in just two semesters. She led the Denison International Student Association to win the 2025 Campus Organization of the Year, serves as an officer for Best Buddies and Pre-Med Association, and as treasurer of the Delta Phi Lambda charter chapter, advocates for Asian awareness, and leads volunteer efforts at the Look Up Center.
- Alyson “Aly” Marshall ’27, co-president of the Denison Newman Catholic Club, has strengthened campus ministry through collaboration with St. Edward the Confessor staff members. She facilitated a listening session for Denison students with St. Edward’s strategic planning committee, where students shared hopes and ideas for strengthening the relationship between the parish and college. Marshall also runs for the Denison cross country and track teams, was named a 2024-25 Denison Top-50 Student Athlete, and serves on the Denison Student-Athlete Advisory Council.
- Reed Nobili ’27, has strengthened ties to Granville through his work with St. Edward the Confessor. As co-president of the Denison Newman Catholic Club, he has worked closely with St. Edward’s staff to strengthen campus ministry, bringing students to weekly Sunday Masses and other events. Most significantly, he has assisted St. Edward’s strategic planning committee by attending meetings, reviewing survey questions, and providing data analytical insight — all while competing on Denison’s track and field team.
- Ray Vo ’27, is a transfer student who immediately built relationships across Granville after arriving in fall 2024. Vo volunteers at Whiskers Animal Rescue, performs with the Community Choir and American Roots Ensemble, mentors high school golfers at Denison’s golf course, and plays rounds with longtime Granville residents. He has visited different churches in Granville to know the community more deeply, provides photography services for local families, and created a podcast highlighting the work of Licking County snowplowing crews.