The University of South Carolina hosted the annual Awards Day Ceremony on the Horseshoe lawn. This tradition is a celebration of the outstanding achievements of our remarkable students. The College of Nursing recognizes those who have demonstrated excellence in academics, research, service, clinical performance, leadership and community engagement. The awards given this year are as follows: 

Outstanding Service to the College of Nursing: Cassandra Fallon

This award is given to the student who has consistently volunteered time for the improvement of the college, university, and the nursing profession. 

Cassandra Fallon has demonstrated sustained and meaningful service to the college through her Supplemental Instruction (SI) leadership in the Program for Academic Support Services (PASS) program. As a pathophysiology SI leader, she helped establish and strengthen an academic support initiative benefitting BSN and MEPN students. Over multiple semesters, she served as both an SI Leader and Peer Coach, with structured review sessions and mentorship. Cassandra's dedication to improving educational accessibility is complemented by her strong academic performance and Honors scholarship.

 Outstanding Undergraduate Clinical Performance Award: Reece Adler

This award is presented to a student who has displayed evidence of a high level of critical thinking in the clinical area and/or extraordinary patient-centered care. 

Reece Adler distinguished herself in clinical settings by demonstrating advanced knowledge, critical thinking, and professionalism. From the beginning of her MS2 rotation, she exhibited the confidence and capability of an experienced nurse, with an impressive ability to synthesize information and apply it effectively in patient care.

Outstanding Undergraduate Community Service Award: Madeline Schiller

This award is given for evidence of sustained community service either within a group or individually. 

After her acute lymphoblastic leukemia diagnosis in 2015, Madeline transformed her patient experience into service outreach. In 2017, she established a fundraiser to help families of pediatric cancer patients facing financial hardship, raising more than $25,000 to support their essential needs during treatment. Later, she co-founded The Kevin Schiller Foundation in 2025 to honor her father’s legacy. Madeline raised over $50,000 in scholarships for students pursuing careers in finance, including trade opportunities for underserved youth.

Outstanding Leadership Award: AllanDave Cabanayan

This award is given to the outstanding student who has consistently been recognized by peers, faculty, and organizations as an excellent leader.

AllanDave’s dedication to student success is evident in his work as a Peer Coach and Peer Leader within the PASS program and the university's Student Success Center. He consistently supported his peers, earning their trust through attentive communication and adaptable teaching, while empowering them to build confidence and develop effective strategies for success. AllanDave's professionalism, empathy, and genuine commitment to helping others make him a highly impactful leader.

As a founding member of the First-Generation Student Advisory Board, AllanDave has demonstrated a strong commitment to leadership by advancing initiatives that promote access, belonging, and student success, including outreach and First-Generation Week planning. Through his work with HOSA - Future Health Professionals at the collegiate, state, and international levels - including co-founding Philippines HOSA - he has also shown strong collaboration, organization, and the ability to build lasting programs.

The Undergraduate Nursing Impact Award: Ryan McDonald

This award is given to the student who contributes to the development of nursing's mission of advocacy to support health equity and social justice, particularly for vulnerable populations. 

Ryan was recognized for her sustained commitment to nursing advocacy through scholarship, service and leadership focused on underserved communities. Her Honors Thesis examined healthcare providers’ attitudes toward patients experiencing homelessness, highlighting implicit biases that may impact equitable care. Contributing over 100 hours to this research, she presented her findings locally and later was selected to present at the International Council of Nurses conference. Through her Graduation with Leadership Distinction (GLD) ePortfolio, Ryan explored health disparities and her role in advancing compassionate, patient-centered care. She also volunteered with Hannah House and contributed over 600 hours to USC Dance Marathon, supporting pediatric patients and their families. Ryan’s dedication to addressing systemic barriers and promoting health equity reflects the true spirit of this award.

Academic Excellence Award: Allison Klauser

This award is given to a traditional senior student with the highest institutional GPA based on the highest institutional credit hours earned at USC. 

Additional Awards Day Recipients 

Also recognized at this year’s ceremony were students honored at the university level for their outstanding achievements. Collene Belue, Abigail Braun, Alexandra Brittain, Alison Hinojosa, and Natalie Holland were named USC Outstanding Seniors. Michael Ciolino and Maura Hamilton received the President’s Award. Messiah Sugick was recognized as a recipient of the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship. These honors reflect the continued excellence and impact of USC Nursing students across the university and beyond.