Formerly known as Mr. and Ms. Cardinal, the Cardinal Awards are presented by UofL’s Student Activities Board and is based on academic excellence, co-curricular activities and service to the university.

Ford is a Woodford R. Porter Scholar and a Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Scholar. She serves as the regional publications chair for the National Society of Black Engineers, the American Institute of Chemical Engineers, and the Speed School Mentoring Program. She has performed many hours of service in the community with Fed with Faith Program, as a West End School Tutor, Cabbage Patch Settlement House Volunteer, and a speaker for the Black Achievers Engineering Cluster. 

Goli is a Barry Goldwater Scholar, a Henry Vogt Scholar, and a KEES Scholar. He serves as the founder of both the Louisville Social Innovation Lab and the Droplet Water Project, and serves as a member of the Indian Student Association. The Droplet Water Project is a philanthropic project to help college students get involved in a global effort to provide access to clean drinking water by expanding clean water intervention from Cachipay to Tauramena, in Colombia. He has been involved in research in diabetes care and treatment at the University of Louisville and Harvard Medical Schools.

Tipton is a senior biology and psychology major from Louisville who is involved in the Student Government Association, raiseRED and REACH. He will attend medical school at UofL in the fall. He plans to stay in Louisville and open free clinics to help those who are less fortunate. 

“I was raised in a Louisville environment. I couldn’t imagine going anywhere else,” Tipton said. “Nothing has brought me more pride than being a Louisville Cardinal.”

Griffiths is a senior sport administration major from Greensburg, Kentucky. She serves as a student ambassador, has worked four years in the UofL Football office and has performed community service for raiseRED, the Lord’s Kitchen and the American Cancer Society.

“I’ve been fortunate enough to be a tour guide for the past two years, so I get to sell this place every single day … I tell them Louisville is a place where everyone feels like they have a place,” Griffiths said. 

Learn more about these extraordinary students: 

Mr. Cardinal Kevin Jacob, a biology major from Louisville, is a Trustees Scholar, a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity and the director of programming for the Student Activities Board. In 2016, he created a new program called Cards Against Hunger. He has also volunteered with the Kids Center for Pediatric Therapies. Jacob is interested in pursuing a career in the medical field. 

“Just being at UofL, you have all these opportunities presented to you and I wanted to take advantage of every single thing that I could,” he said. 

Ms. Cardinal Alisha Davis-Kent, an industrial engineering major from Louisville, is a Porter Scholar, a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, the National Society of Black Engineers, the Student Activities Board and the National Pan-Hellenic Council. The first-generation college student has also spent time as a mentor for local children. 

“Both of my parents instilled in me the importance of education, not just coming to school and reading some books, but having the discipline to grow and develop yourself,” Davis-Kent said. “I believe UofL offers a warm space where you can be who you are and you can come in imperfect and write your own story. You have the support behind you to accomplish the things that you dreamed of since you were little and the things you could have never imagined that you would be able to accomplish.”

Check out more of their stories below: 

Jewell, who majors in political science, is a Harlan Scholar, Woodford R. Porter Scholar, Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholar and McConnell Scholar. He serves as a Student Government Association Arts and Sciences senator and the Club Programming Committee chair. He has also served as president of the Society of Porter Scholars and as a member of the UofL Honors program, Students Stimulation Conversation and the Task Force Freshman. 

“I chose UofL because it was one of the only schools where I really felt like I had a family already at the university and people who were truly interested in my progression not just as a student but as a person in general,” Jewell said. 

Morgan, who majors in English and Spanish, is a Governor’s Scholar and a Vogt Scholar. She serves as the SGA’s Arts and Sciences Council president and executive staff. She has served a

s a member of the PEACC Program, the raiseRED Marathon, Order of Omega president and Chi Omega Sorority.

“I chose UofL because it’s very different from where I’m from. It’s a lot more diverse, which I think offers a lot of growth as an individual,” Morgan said. “Everyone is so encouraging and willing to help you learn not only about other people but about yourself.”

Each year, UofL bestows an award to an outstanding senior man and woman as Mr. and Ms. Cardinal. This award is based on academic achievement, extracurricular activities, contributions to the university, an explanation of what the “Mr. and Ms. Cardinal Award” means to the applicants as well as an interview by a panel of judges.

Check out a video of Mr. and Ms. Cardinal below.