Outstanding Eller Seniors to Receive Awards at Commencement

Every year, the University of Arizona recognizes seven graduating seniors during Commencement for their extraordinary accomplishments in and out of the classroom. 

Nominated by faculty and peers, this year's student award winners were selected based on their determination, notable achievements and positive contributions to their families and communities.

This year, two of the seven students recognized are Eller students, Imon Contractor '26 BSBA (Operations and Supply Chain Management) and Nicholas Davis '26 BSBA (Accounting), who will both me receiving the Merrill P. Freeman Medal. 

The Merrill P. Freeman Medal is named in honor of Merrill Freeman, who served the U of A as a regent and chancellor. The award goes to students who demonstrate outstanding moral character, dedicated service to campus and meaningful engagement with the community. 

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Imon is an Army veteran and honors student at the Eller College of Management, where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in operations and supply chain management. She has been recognized as the Eller Scholar of the Year and serves in multiple leadership roles focused on strengthening student community and engagement. 

Before enrolling at the U of A, she attended the United States Military Academy at West Point and served as a signals intelligence analyst in the United States Army. In this role, she supported senior leaders through intelligence analysis and cross-unit coordination in high-pressure environments. Following her military service, she carried forward a strong sense of responsibility, discipline, and care for others – values that continue to shape the way she leads and serves.

At the U of A, Imon has continued her commitment to service through leadership roles on the Eller College's Dean's Council and with the Association for Supply Chain Management, where she works to build inclusive, people-centered communities. Professionally, she completed a supply chain management internship with Knight-Swift Transportation, leading a capstone project that was implemented by the company and resulted in measurable operational improvements.

After graduation, Imon will begin her career as a business management associate at General Mills and plans to pursue an MBA. She hopes to lead with empathy, integrity, and purpose, using business as a platform to serve others and create meaningful, lasting impact. Outside of her academic and professional pursuits, Contractor is also an endurance athlete, having completed an Ironman 70.3 and aspiring to complete a full Ironman in the future.

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Nicholas is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in accounting. A first-generation college student from Cleveland, Tennessee, Davis has dedicated his time at the university to academic excellence and service to the Tucson community.

He has made a meaningful impact through mentorship and nonprofit engagement, participating in service initiatives such as Feed My Starving Children, Serve Our City, and Light the Night, an event honoring individuals and families affected by blood cancers. His fundraising and community outreach has helped raise more than $500,000 for a local nonprofit and organized events throughout Arizona.

Nicholas has also served as a volunteer with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program through United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona, where he uses his accounting knowledge to help low- to moderate-income families in Tucson file their tax returns free of charge.

He has demonstrated strong academic achievement during his time at the university. He is a recipient of the Dean's List with Distinction award, the McCord Scholarship, and recognition as a Deloitte Foundation Scholar, along with additional honors from the W.A. Franke Honors College and Eller.

Nicholas is an active member of the Accounting Student Association and Beta Alpha Psi, the international honor society for accounting and finance students. Through Beta Alpha Psi, Davis supports underclassmen as they navigate upper-division coursework and pursue internships with accounting firms. He also serves as an exam proctor and participates in the organization's community service initiatives. In addition, he is a student member of the Arizona Society of CPAs, where he connects with professionals across the state and gains insight into the accounting profession.

After graduation, Nicholas will complete an internship with Deloitte and begin graduate studies at Eller, where he will pursue a master's degree in accounting. He plans to become a certified public accountant and hopes to use his financial expertise to support nonprofit organizations and strengthen financial stewardship within the community.

Imon and Nicholas will receive their awards at the university's 162nd Commencement ceremony which will be held at Casino Del Sol Stadium on Friday, May 15, at 7:30 p.m.

A version of this article is available at news.arizona.edu and was written by the University of Arizona Communications Team.