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Oreon E. Scott Legacy Award
Oreon E. Scott was a former Drake governing board member who turned his success as a St. Louis real estate businessman into a lifetime of philanthropy for the Disciples of Christ Church, which founded Drake in 1881.
Given annually since 1949, the Oreon E. Scott Legacy Award recipient is considered to be the most exemplary graduating senior at Drake University. Excellence in scholarship, leadership, service, and involvement are hallmarks of the Oreon E. Scott Award winner. As part of their honor, the recipient will have the opportunity to speak at commencement in May.
Each student nominated for this award must be enrolled as a full-time undergraduate student at Drake University graduating in 2026, and must have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA.
NOMINEE OR HEAD NOMINATOR: Please compile all materials listed below in one email and send them to Kristin Economos Novotny at kristin.economos@drake.edu by April 12, 2026.
Submission Requirements:
- A minimum of three letters of nomination from faculty, staff, and/or students. Nomination letters should highlight the senior’s achievements in four areas: scholarship, leadership, involvement, and service
- A copy of the nominee’s current resumé
- A 250-word statement from the nominee describing evidence of their leadership values and impact as a student leader at Drake University.
2026 Recipient: Emerson Whittemore
We were pleased to award Emerson Whittemore as the 2026 Oreon E. Scott Outstanding Senior Award on May 3rd at the Drake Student Leadership Award ceremony. Emerson received strong letters of support, all indicating her contributions to our campus community.
Emerson maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA while pursuing majors in Spanish and Sociology with a minor in Leadership Education and Development. Faculty describe her as a student who approaches learning with both rigor and purpose, using her academic work to elevate issues of equity, mental health, and human connection. One nominator shared that she “distinguishes herself not only through the quality of her work, but through the way she engages in the learning process—with intention, curiosity, and a commitment to understanding others.”
Across campus, Emerson has led with integrity, empathy, and a deep commitment to developing others. From serving as Executive Vice President of the Student Alumni Association to Student Body Secretary and multiple executive leadership roles within Kappa Kappa Gamma, she has consistently built community while holding high standards of accountability. One nominator wrote, “She does not pursue leadership for recognition—she shows up, fully and consistently, to serve others, build community, and make Drake stronger.”
Emerson’s impact extends far beyond Drake. As a bilingual crisis counselor, she has supported more than 150 individuals in moments of acute need, offering calm, compassionate guidance in high-stakes situations. She has also worked with immigrant and refugee communities while facilitating human rights and mental health programming internationally. One nominator described her as “a leader who connects purpose with action, showing up in spaces where care, advocacy, and human dignity matter most.”
As you can see, Emerson’s presence can be felt across nearly every corner of our university. Whether mentoring first-year students, strengthening alumni connections, or supporting peers through moments both big and small, she leads with consistency, humility, and heart. As one nominator shared, “Her impact is real, lasting, and deeply felt—woven into the fabric of Drake through the people she has supported and the communities she has strengthened.”
Emerson excels in all categories of scholarship, leadership, service, and involvement, not only at Drake University, but also within her surrounding community. She truly represents everything that defined Oreon E. Scott.
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