History, Political Science, and International Relations Students Receive Donald Carmony & Roland Nelson Awards

Written by Ella Shelburn

Last spring, UIndy students Laura Allende Castilla ‘25 (International Relations, Business Administration and Management) and Aidan Sprague ‘26 (History, Secondary Education) received awards for their academic excellence within the Department of History and Political Science. 

Allende Castilla received the Donald F. Carmony Award, an endowed scholarship awarded to a rising senior student with the highest grade point average within a history, political science, or international relations major. Sprague received the Roland T. Nelson Scholarship, which is given to a rising junior student with the highest grade point average within a history, political science, or international relations major. 

Allende Castilla, an international student within the Ron & Laura Strain Honors College and a member of the UIndy Swim team, appreciates the support of both her professors and family through her time at UIndy. 

“The members of this department have always welcomed me warmly, creating a supportive environment that feels like a true ‘home away from home’ and they have offered me unique opportunities that have enriched my education and growth. The close relationships I have built with dedicated professors, who are true experts in their fields, have profoundly shaped my academic journey,” Allende Castilla said. “I am also deeply thankful for my family, whose unwavering support has made this achievement possible and has been a constant source of strength despite being 4,500 miles away.”

Dr. Jyotika Saksena, professor of international relations and president of the UIndy Faculty Senate, is impressed by Allende Castilla’s work in class and is currently assisting her with her Honors project that seeks to examine the global awareness of the UIndy student body.

 “Laura is very hardworking, diligent and an excellent writer. She was a natural choice for the award,” said Saksena. “She is currently working on her Honors project with me titled, ‘The Need for Global Awareness in an Interconnected World: A Quantitative Study of the University of Indianapolis Student Body.’ The goal is to understand the levels of global awareness among the student body of our university. International education is one of the goals of our strategic plan and her project will help us better understand our student body. She has already done a survey of over 450 UIndy students.”

In addition to pursuing a double major, Sprague is also a member of the UIndy Wrestling team.  He is grateful to be recognized for his hard work in class and appreciates the help of his professors.

“I would say that winning this award is a huge honor to me. Being recognized by Dr. Frantz encapsulates the hard work that I have put in,” said Sprague. “More than that, I have a deep sense of gratitude for the professors that have poured into me and have built my educational prowess into what it is today!” 

Dr. Ted Frantz, chair of the History and Political Science Department and professor of history, is proud of Sprague’s hard work and believes he will succeed as a teacher in the future.

“Aidan’s status as the top junior reflects that he possesses a passion for learning and a zest for life,” said Frantz. “He has a bright future as a classroom teacher in front of him.” 

Dr. Frantz is also impressed with Allende Castilla and Sprague both being student athletes while excelling academically. 

“I am struck that both of these honorees are student-athletes. They understand that the pursuit of excellence takes on many forms,” said Frantz. “We are thrilled to honor their achievements.”