2023-24 Top Ten Freshmen

About the Top Ten Freshmen Award

Ten freshmen are selected each year from an Alumni Association panel for their exceptional achievement in academics and community engagement. The University of Tulsa will honor its 2023-24 Top Ten Freshmen during Homecoming week, November 2-5. 

The 23-24 Top Ten Freshmen are: Nick Elliott of Overland Park, KS; Kinlie Gililland of Fort Worth, TX; Ben Golla of Houston, TX; Evan Kamriguel of Broken Arrow, OK; Anna Lackner of Tomball, TX; Sievhoung Ly of Ardmore, OK; Gwenith Madhan of Tulsa, OK; Chetna Mandurai of Katy, TX; Ethan McFarland of Lee’s Summit, MO; Lauren Wyand of Rogers, AR.

Nick Elliott is an applied mathematics major from Overland Park, Kansas. He is involved with Peer Mentors, Future Alumni Council, Kappa Alpha Order and the TU Barbell Club.

“I put my stamp on TU by taking on leadership roles and being a die-hard fan of all things TU. When I first came to campus, I was shy and afraid of the new journey that I had begun. Orientation, and my peer mentor, helped break me out of my shell by inspiring me to be myself. I was able to meet many new people and quickly adjust to college life…I hope that in my time here, I can repay the debt that I already owe to TU for all it has done for me (in more ways than just my tuition). Reign Cane!”

Kinlie Gililland is a biochemistry major from Fort Worth, Texas. She is involved in University Ambassadors and One Hope Tulsa.

“As a University Ambassador, I am able to connect with prospective families as they experience their first taste of our university. I adore the fact that this position allows me to introduce them to my TU: a beautiful and safe place to nurture existing passions and develop new ones. This school has developed me in innumerable ways, and it is such a blessing to be able to give back.”

Ben Golla is a mechanical engineering major from Houston, Texas. He is involved in Future Alumni Council, Orientation HOST Team, TU Catholic Student Leadership, Pi Kappa Alpha, TU Symphony Orchestra, Tulsa Undergraduate Research Challenge, Make a Difference Engineering, Students for Sustainability, and Sustainable Energy Initiative.

“TU’s commitment to its students’ growth on an extracurricular level was no less evident during my freshman year. I was intentional in my participation in student organizations, only joining causes I was truly passionate about and could meaningfully contribute to. To my surprise, there was little barrier-to-entry to such organizations, all of which fostered a desire for leadership development and community fellowship. TU’s size is advantageous in this respect, as the influence of each individual organization is more tangible than that of a larger university.”


Evan Kamriguel is an mechanical engineering and mathematics major from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. He is involved in ARK, NOVA Fellowship Group, Make a Difference Engineering, Reformed University Fellowship and serving as an Orientation Host.

“I believe that I made my mark at TU by being an active part of many different academic efforts and organizations at the university, large and small. My interest in supporting and mentoring fellow students led to my job as an Orientation Host this summer. I was thrilled to welcome new TU students to campus, hoping to ease their transition to college life. I remembered all the enthusiastic students who helped me during Orientation Week, and I wanted to do the same for other students.”

Anna Lackner, a chemical engineering and energy management major from Tomball, Texas. She is involved in many extracurricular activities including the TU Rowing Team, American Chemical Engineering Honor Society, Tulsa Energy Management Student Association and Student Association Judicial Council.

“It was important to me to continue to develop the skills I had worked on in high school, while sharing my perspective and experiences with my new peers in college. Being from Houston, I was too far from my family to visit during the semester, and I experienced homesickness at the beginning of my freshman year. Anyone going out of their way to be kind to me, lifted me up and helped me to feel at home. I realized that I could be one of those people for others, by actively participating in my degree programs and interests. I hope I was able to make The University of Tulsa feel like home for someone else and contribute to the organizations that helped me continue to develop who I am.”


Sievhoung Ly is a chemical engineering major from Ardmore, Oklahoma. She is involved with many extracurricular activities at TU including the Asian American Student Association, American Institute of Chemical Engineers and TEDxUTulsa.

“By demonstrating my commitment to learning, I set a high standard for myself and contributed positively to the academic environment at TU. I recognized the importance of a well-rounded college experience. I joined several student clubs and organizations related to my interests. My involvement in these extracurricular activities not only enriched my personal growth but also contributed to the vibrancy of the campus community.”

Gwenith Madhan is an electrical engineering major from Tulsa, Oklahoma. She is actively involved in TU Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and TU Society of Women Engineers.

“Collaborating with the department and instructor…we made plans to organize events, conduct resume workshops, and make the class more collaborative to foster an inspiring environment. As a result, this semester projects a higher retention rate among freshmen, highlighting the success of our collaboration with the department and instructors in creating a more encouraging classroom atmosphere. This experience left me feeling inspired, knowing that I could make a positive change for others, and I am ready to face future challenges with the same determination.”

Chetna Mandurai, is a chemical engineering major from Katy, Texas. She is involved with many extracurricular activities including Asian American Student Association, South Asian Student Association, LeBlanc Research Group, TEDxUTulsa and TU Society of Women Engineers.

“The first thing that stood out to me about TU was the strength of academics on campus-the chemical engineering faculty were very accessible, and this combined with the amazing 9:1 student to faculty ratio made me feel that I was really recognized on campus…My first year at TU was marked by a supportive and collaborative environment, academically and socially, and I am very pleased with my choice to attend TU and I am looking forward to building further upon these experiences in the upcoming years.”

Ethan McFarland, a computer science major from Lee’s Summit, Missouri, is involved in a number of extracurricular activities including the Cyber Corps Program, Tulsa Undergraduate Research Challenge, Martial Arts Club, Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity and the TU Symphony Orchestra.

“While the academics, clubs, and resources at TU amaze me, it is the relationships I have built with the people here that keep me motivated to succeed. I have been gifted with immense amounts of inspiration in all aspects of my freshman year. My classmates, professors, and friends each contribute something different to make TU special. With this in mind, I strive today to ensure that my experience is passed on to others.”

Lauren Wyand, a biochemistry major from Rogers, Arkansas, is a member of a number of student organizations including Peer Mentors, Kappa Alpha Theta, Global Medical Brigade, Honors Student Association, Leadership TU, TU Baptist Collegiate Ministry, TU Leading Women of Tomorrow, TU Plant Club and WomENS.

“In my short time as a Peer Mentor, I can confidently say I have matured exponentially. The experience helped me develop my leadership skills, but also my confidence. I now am the bubbly person who tries to say hi to everyone I know and noticed I am no longer fearful of rejection. My circle has grown and have loved getting to impact my students. Being a Peer Mentor has been a hard experience, but getting to pass on what others did for me is easily my favorite memory of TU. While yes, I hope I have left a mark on the university I love, ultimately TU has put its stamp on me.”

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2019-20 Top Ten Freshmen