Marshall Hurst received the Dean’s Excellence Award for graduate students at BU Wheelock’s 2025 Convocation.

Commencement

BU Wheelock Students Honored for Academic Achievement

Three BU Wheelock students were recently honored with the of the college’s annual student awards, given in recognition of outstanding academic performance and dedication to BU Wheelock and the broader community. This year’s undergraduate honorees were Carolina Tramontina Ceribelli, who received the Dean’s Academic Excellence Award and the Golden Key Award, and Chelsie Nacelus, who received the Currier Award in Scholastic Achievement. Graduate student Marshall Hurst received the Dean’s Academic Excellence Award for graduate students. The awards were presented at events during BU’s 2025 Commencement weekend.

Chelsie Nacelus

Currier Award in Scholastic Achievement

Given annually to a student in their fourth academic year who demonstrates outstanding scholastic achievement

Chelsie Nacelus specialized in Teaching & Learning with a focus on global citizenship & education and minored in English. While at BU, she served in many roles, including as a transitional mentor, peer mentor, research assistant, and resident assistant. She also worked with Agganis Arena, Teach For America, and Brookline Public Schools, and served on the leadership teams of four student organizations, including the student editorial team for Wheelock’s undergraduate newsletter. Nacelus will return to BU Wheelock in the fall to pursue a master’s degree in English Education for Equity & Justice.

Carolina Tramontina Ceribelli

Dean’s Academic Excellence Award, Undergraduate

Given annually to a senior who has achieved academic excellence during their time at BU Wheelock. 

Golden Key Award

Given to a senior who epitomizes the vibrant spirit of the BU Wheelock community. Awardees are selected by their fellow undergraduates.

While at BU Wheelock, Carolina Tramontina Ceribelli specialized in Teaching & Learning, with a focus on STEM learning, action, and impact, and minored in mathematics. She participated in several student organizations, serving as a dean’s host and as president of the BU Wheelock Student Government for two years, as well as leading the Urban Garden Initiative. As a student, she contributed to faculty research and also completed her field placement in a mathematics classroom at Somerville High School. After taking a gap year, she will return to BU Wheelock to pursue a master’s degree in mathematics education.

Marshall Hurst

Dean’s Academic Excellence Award, Graduate

Given annually to a graduate student who has achieved academic excellence during their time at BU Wheelock. 

Marshall Hurst completed a master’s degree in Deaf education. While at BU Wheelock, he served in many roles, including teaching assistant, research assistant, and outreach specialist. As a core member of the Deaf Center research team, he took on increasing responsibility, leading studies on late-signing deaf children and mentoring junior researchers. His leadership in creating accessible ASL content from academic research has reached more than 2 million people, transforming how information is shared with and within the deaf community. Following graduation, he will return to the Texas School for the Deaf, where he completed his practicum, to begin a full-time position.