Against a backdrop of the Boise foothills and downtown skyline, Boise State University celebrated one of its most prestigious traditions: the 43rd annual Top Ten Scholar Award ceremony. Held in the Stueckle Sky Center and livestreamed to guests across the country, the evening brought together alumni, staff, faculty, family and friends to honor the academic and personal achievements of the university’s top graduates.
The 2025 Top Ten Scholars include Nuha Akhtar and Sarah Cole from the College of Engineering; Angel Casiano from the School of Public Service; Anthea Fisher, Nicholas Lloyd and Marco Notarainni from the College of Business and Economics; Danilla Kowalczuk and Matthias Aleksander Ryan from the College of Arts and Sciences; Jonas Milton from the College of Health Sciences; and Stella Stigers from the College of Education.
Presented by the Boise State Alumni Association, the Top Ten Scholar Award is among the highest honors an undergraduate can receive. Scholars are selected not only for their outstanding academic record — maintaining at least a 3.8 GPA — but also for their excellence in research, leadership, service and experiential learning. Each recipient is nominated by their college dean and undergoes a rigorous selection process.
Andrew Finstuen, dean of the Honors College and interim dean of the College of Education, opened the ceremony with remarks that honored the university’s legacy while celebrating the journeys and character of its scholars.
“Tonight, we recognize not only academic achievement,” he said, “but what it means to live a deeply engaged life with curiosity and wonder and perspective.”
Reflections from the Top Ten Scholars
Each scholar delivered a speech as unique and powerful as their journey. They reflected on their academic experiences, shared the challenges they overcame and honored the faculty or staff member who inspired them most during their time at Boise State.
Mechanical engineering major Nuha Kamal Akhtar recounted how a chance encounter with the campus machine shop turned into a three-year passion project and a chosen family. She spoke about the mentors who saw her potential and stood by her through academic challenges and a cancer diagnosis. “Where I am now has been decades in the making,” she said, in heartfelt recognition of her family’s sacrifices across generations.
Angel Casiano, a public service major and aspiring lawyer, spoke of defying the expectations placed on him as a Latino from a rural community. After overcoming a life-threatening illness, he recommitted to his promise of making the most of a second chance. “As long as there was a chance, there was hope,” he said. His journey included internships in Washington, D.C., and mentorship that helped him reclaim his dreams.
Sarah Cole reflected on her unlikely start in nuclear research as a high school intern. She credited her professors and small cohort in the Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering for helping her grow as she balanced scientific rigor with the friendships that made her college experience unforgettable.
Music and business double major Anthea Fisher expressed how her “village,” from professors to campus ministry, helped her see the fusion of art and entrepreneurship as a powerful career path. “This award may have my name on it,” she said, “but it belongs to everyone who helped me get here.”
These are only a few of the inspiring and passionate remarks shared by this year’s Top Ten Scholars, reminding everyone in attendance of the transformative power of a Boise State education. Learn more about this year’s honorees and their honored faculty on the Top Ten Scholars webpage.
Becoming BOLD
When these Top Ten Scholars crossed the commencement stage, they also entered a new chapter of their Boise State journey, joining the vibrant and growing community of Broncos Of the Last Decade (BOLD). As members of the Class of 2025, they are now part of the thousands of recent alumni who continue to shape the university’s legacy through connection, service and leadership.
BOLD represents all Boise State graduates from the past ten years. Through this group, the Boise State Alumni Association helps graduates grow their careers, build relationships and stay engaged with the Bronco network wherever life takes them. From local meetups and professional development events to lifelong support from the Bronco community, BOLD ensures that Boise State remains a meaningful part of life beyond graduation.