ALMA — Alma College seniors Owen Denk, of Webberville, Mich.; Mallory Fenskie, of Midland, Mich.; and Jake Lasceski, of St. Johns, Mich. are the 2026 nominees for the Barlow Trophy, Alma’s most prestigious award for a graduating senior.

Established in 1949 by Dr. Joel Barlow, a 1929 honors graduate of Alma College, the award recognizes academic achievement for students in the top 10 percent of their class as well as meaningful contributions to campus and community life.

The Barlow winner, determined by a vote of Alma’s Student Congress and faculty, will be announced at a special event honoring academic accomplishments on Thursday, April 2, at the Thomas Andison Chapel. Read more about each nominee:

Owen Denk

A young man in a blue suit, white shirt, and red-striped tie stands in front of a plain gray background, looking confidently at the camera.

Owen Denk

During his time at Alma College, Owen Denk has combined academic excellence with leadership in athletics, research and campus organizations. A biochemistry major with a minor in mathematics, Denk has contributed to research and laboratory work while serving as a mentor to peers in science and mathematics courses.

Denk has been an active member of Alma’s iGEM (International Genetically Engineered Machine) team, helping lead projects that apply genetic engineering to address environmental challenges. The team earned a gold medal at the international iGEM competition in Paris in 2023 for developing a biosensor capable of detecting pollutants in soil. Denk later served as the team’s secretary as the group continued its work studying white-nose syndrome in bats.

Beyond the classroom, Denk is a four-year member of the Alma College football team and a starting offensive lineman. He has been recognized as an Academic All-American and Academic All-District honoree, in addition to earning Academic All-Conference honors and the MIAA Academic Elite Award.

Denk has also contributed to campus life through involvement in Chemistry Club, the Pre-Med Club and community outreach activities. His volunteer work includes mentoring younger students at a local gym and assisting veterans through service at the Lansing Veterans Affairs Clinic.

Owen is a gifted student who brings enthusiasm, curiosity and leadership to everything he does, wrote a faculty member in support of his nomination. He has had a positive impact on the college and community while pursuing academic excellence.

Mallory Fenskie

A young woman with long brown hair and blue eyes smiles at the camera. She is wearing a green blazer over a floral top, and stands in front of a plain gray background.

Mallory Fenskie

Throughout her time at Alma College, Mallory Fenskie has distinguished herself as a campus leader committed to advocacy, service and global engagement. Her work has focused on strengthening the campus community while fostering meaningful dialogue around complex social issues.

Fenskie, a secondary education/history and social studies major, has held several leadership roles in student organizations, including serving on the executive board of Student Congress and as chapter president of Alpha Xi Delta. In those roles, she worked to improve communication between students and campus leaders and helped expand opportunities for student engagement and leadership.

She also co-chaired Alma’s chapter of the Young Democratic Socialists of America, organizing campus panels and discussions addressing major global issues and encouraging thoughtful civic engagement among students from across disciplines.

Fenskie’s global experiences have been shaped by the Posey Global Fellowship, through which she has traveled internationally four times. Her fellowships included teaching global affairs to students in India, conducting environmental education and research in New Zealand, and participating in archaeological fieldwork in Peru.

In addition to her leadership roles, Fenskie has served as a tutor for history and education courses and contributed to research on the long-term impacts of Michigan’s PBB contamination crisis.

Mallory embodies the mission of Alma College, wrote a faculty member supporting her nomination. She combines intellectual curiosity with a deep commitment to service, leadership and thoughtful dialogue.

Jake Lasceski

A man with short brown hair wearing a blue suit, white dress shirt, and striped tie, smiles slightly in front of a plain dark gray background.

Jake Lasceski

Jake Lasceski has demonstrated leadership across academics, athletics and student governance during his time at Alma College. A business major, Lasceski has distinguished himself both inside and outside the classroom.

Lasceski served as president of Student Congress, where he helped create standing committees focused on key student issues such as housing, dining and student employment. In that role, he worked with students and administrators to advocate for policy improvements and strengthen communication across campus.

He has also served as the student representative to Alma College’s Board of Trustees and as vice president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Through those roles, he has represented Alma students at national NCAA conventions and advocated for policies affecting Division III athletes.

A captain of the men’s tennis team, Lasceski has earned multiple academic honors, including MIAA Academic Elite recognition and Academic All-District honors. He has also worked as a resident assistant, tutor and supplemental instructor while completing internships with organizations including Steelcase, PepsiCo and the Michigan House of Representatives.
Lasceski’s global engagement includes a Posey Global Fellowship in Ecuador, where he volunteered with an organization supporting children experiencing poverty.

Jake stands out not only for his academic success but also for his leadership and commitment to supporting others, wrote a faculty member recommending him for the award. He is a role model who exemplifies the values of Alma College.