This year’s graduating students and their beloved faculty added another set of golden-inscribed pages to the AUBG books of excellence, commemorating their achievements. Commendable grades, outstanding achievements in academics and beyond, community engagement, and excellence in teaching are what we celebrated during the Honors Convocation 2025.
On the stage, faculty in their traditional robes stood alongside the ethereal AUBG choir, while diagonally across, Provost J.D. Mininger, Dean of Faculty Robert White, Dean of Students Sabina Wien, and Student Governmnet President Lilia Petrova joined to open the evening with the “St. St. Cyril and Metodii” hymn. Across from them, the audience followed, placing hands symbolically over their hearts in a gesture of gratitude for the institution.
“AUBG is a vibrant learning community,” said Provost J.D. Mininger. “From Broadway musicals, to published scholarly articles, from demanding classes and challenging and insightful public talks and debates to sports competitions and community involvement, the education here at AUBG is rigorous and all-encompassing. So tonight, we get to celebrate our many and varied success stories.”
This year, AUBG honored 95 scholarship recipients whose achievements exemplify the highest standards of academic excellence. The Dean’s List honor was also bestowed upon those who attained a semester Grade Point Average between 3.8 and 4.0, while those with a Cumulative Grade Point Average between 3.8 and 4.0 after completing at least two semesters at AUBG received the Presidential Scholar distinction.
Presidential Medalist
The Presidential Medal is one of the most cherished student awards each year. It commends the core principles of the liberal arts tradition at AUBG embodied in one driven student.
This year’s recipient of the prestigious Presidential Medal is Marko Mazepa. A senior double-majoring in Political Science and European Studies, Marko ranks high among the top-performing students of his class, while securing consecutive top placements in the University Council Essay Competition and publishing several creative works.
Marko’s dedication stretches beyond the classroom and into the realms of community and civic engagement. He led initiatives supporting the integration of Ukrainian refugees in Bulgaria, co-organized a historic citizens’ assembly on refugee integration, and secured funding for civic projects that combined education, advocacy, and support for displaced families.
On campus, Marko played a transformative role in student life as President of the Model UN Club, Head of the MentiFY Program, and co-organizer of key cultural events like the Taste & Dance Fest and AUBG’s Got Talent.
His ultimate goal is to advance the cause of marginalized communities across Europe and beyond, and he is hopeful that his master’s degree will best support him in achieving it.
“Marko Mazepa’s academic rigor, moral courage, leadership, and profound sense of responsibility to the global community make him a truly deserving recipient of the AUBG Presidential Medal 2025,” said Provost Mininger.
Outstanding achievements in academics
Each year, the AUBG departments recognize exceptional students in our majors and minors, as presented below:
- Information Systems: Anton Kovachev and Mariela Nikolova
- Computer Science: Lyuboslav Gigov, Petya Dimkina, and Suela Carkaxhija
- Physics: Lyuboslav Gigov
- Mathematics: Mihaela Shumarska and Eldi Hoxha
- Alexander Canchev Memorial Student Award: Nikita Volzhin
- Journalism and Mass Communication: Lora Slavova
- Economics: Denis Milanov and Lyubomir Yanchev
- Business Administration: Denis Milanov
- Business Administration – Accounting: Valeria Gerganova
- Business Administration – Finance: Thea Kociraj
- Business Administration – Management: Lyubomir Yanchev
- Business Administration – Marketing: Eva Kortezova
- Modern Languages and Cultures (Special Award): Monika Gocevska
- Modern Languages and Cultures – French: Kalina Grancharova
- Modern Languages and Cultures – German: Joana Mihova
- Modern Languages and Cultures – Spanish: Alexandra Hristova
- Literature: Zlatara Chakarova and Niya Manditsch
- Creative Writing: Boyan Bozhinov
- Music – Harp: Anastasiia Komarova and Mariya Haydushka
- Music – Vocal Studies: Ana Dimova
- Psychology: Teona Sima and Maria Dzhupanova
- Philosophy: Suela Çarkaxhija
- History and Civilization: William Haslam
- European Studies: Owen Kemerer and Manuela Bozhudova
- Political Science and International Relations: Valeria Gerganova
Executive MBA
The EMBA faculty recognized two remarkable students from the EMBA program for their outstanding achievements – Veroslav Tsenov and Alexey Yakushkin.
Faculty Recognition
These remarkable student achievements wouldn’t be possible without the support and scholarly excellence of the AUBG professors who challenge, educate, and encourage our students.
Faculty Emeritus Award
The title of Faculty Emeritus was bestowed upon a distinguished member of the AUBG faculty, loved by many students – Professor Emeritus Dimitar Christozov. For over three decades, he has left an indelible mark on the AUBG academic community through his scholarly excellence and dedicated service. Throughout his time at AUBG, Professor Christozov served multiple terms as Chair of the Computer Science Department, a tenure as Interim Provost in Spring 2020, and has recently published a book titled “Quantitative Measures and Warranty Coverage of the Risk of Misinforming”.
“This was an amazing journey. I met amazing colleagues. I met amazing students. I worked a lot. And I wish all of you who are graduating now to have a long, learning career. This is just the start,” said Professor Christozov as he accepted the award.
Faculty Research Award
The AUBG Faculty Research Award honors the contributions of an AUBG faculty member who enjoys in their field, as demonstrated by the recognition of their work as distinguished and influential at the international level.
This year’s recipient of the Faculty Research Award is Professor Jean Crombois, Chair of the Political Science and European Studies Department, a historian of international affairs, EU policy expert, and widely published scholar of European integration and diplomacy.
The Cosmina Tanasoiu Excellence in Teaching Award
This award honors master teachers at AUBG and preserves the legacy of the late Professor Cosmina Tanasoiu – one of the most inspiring and dedicated educators in the university’s history.
This year’s recipient of the Cosmina Tanasoiu Excellence in Teaching Award is Professor Didar Erdinc, a long-standing member of the AUBG community who has served in leadership roles both within her department and across the broader faculty. She has been recognized not only for her professionalism and profound subject knowledge, but also for the special human touch she brings to the classroom.
Outstanding Faculty Advisor
The role of professors at a liberal arts institution reaches far beyond the classroom. At AUBG, professors are not only teachers and scholars; they are mentors, guides, and architects of dreams – helping students shape their futures both inside and outside the university walls.
The recipient of the Outstanding Faculty Advisor award is Dean Dr. Robert White. He has played – and will continue to play – a truly unique role in the lives of many.
“With a calm voice and carefully chosen words, he has genuinely and profoundly changed lives,” said Dean Wien.
Student Recognition
During the ceremony, Dean Sabina Wien invited students to the stage to recognize those who have made remarkable contributions to the university and student life.
- Al Cyrus Award for Theater: Neda Aleksov, Anastasiya Dimitrova, and Aprajita Jayaram
- Outstanding Student Athlete Leaders: Nikolay Pavlov and Martin Pavlov
- Annual University Council Essay Competition: Preslava Gyuzleva, Marko Mazepa and Asia Haslam
- Outstanding Student Advisor: Alexandrina Mehandzhiyska
- Outstanding Subject Tutor: Adriana Nashkova
- Outstandign Writing Tutor: Vasil Kalchev
- Outstanding MentiFYer: Marko Mazepa and Iren Dimitrova
- Outstanding Resident Assistant: Daniela Georgieva, Nikolay Pavlov and Iren Dimitrova
- Outstanding Student Leader: Lyubomir Yanchev, Emil Hayrumyan, Sara Jakimovska, Maha Afif and Gabriela Tsvetanova
- Outstanding Contribution to Community and Civic Engagement: Viktoria Nikolova
- Outstanding Contribution to Shared Governance: Lilia Petrova and Iren Dimitrova
- Filitsa Sofianou-Mullen Creative Writing Competition, Poetry: William Haslam for “The Shooting”, Marta Gakharia for “O’Philia”, and Preslava Gyuzeleva for “Sestina”
- Filitsa Sofianou-Mullen Creative Writing Competition, Prose: Niya Manditsch for “The Shipyard”, Silvia Srebreva for “Losers”, and Maria B. Hristova for “Stiffness”
The Honors Convocation 2025 once again brought excellence to the stage. Seeing all the award recipients alongside their beloved faculty and leadership filled us with pride for the talent and sincerity cultivated at AUBG. To all the graduating seniors – good luck in your future endeavours! And to all the current students – may you be inspired to follow in the footsteps of these exemplary role models.
