Aiden Pickett, a psychology and computer science major at Missouri University of Science and Technology, has been named a 2026 recipient of the Remington R. Williams Award. 

Pickett, from O’Fallon, Missouri, has served as the president of S&T’s Student Council, a resident hall assistant, St. Pat’s Knight, KMNR radio DJ, Honors College member, IEEE HKN honor society member, Psi Chi honor society member, served on the College of Arts, Sciences, and Education Student Advisory Board and worked in two university laboratories.  

The University of Missouri Board of Curators awarded the scholarship to seven students who attend UM System universities: four from the University of Missouri-Columbia, and one each from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, University of Missouri-St. Louis and S&T. Each recipient receives $1,000 and a leadership medal to wear at their graduation. The students will also be recognized during a Board of Curators meeting at their university. 

The Remington R. Williams Award recognizes exceptional student leaders who inspire and advocate for their fellow students. To be considered for the award, students must be involved in at least two student organizations and hold a major leadership position in at least one, and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA. Each of the seven awardees were nominated by a student, faculty or staff member, and all embody the exceptional commitment to others that defined Williams during his time as a law student at UMKC and a master’s student at UMSL. 

Williams served as student representative to the UM Board of Curators from 2020 until his death in June 2022. He was a model of committed student leadership, and the board created this award to honor his legacy of kindness, collaboration and service. 

Pickett was nominated by Dr. Mo Dehghani, chancellor; Dr. Robin Gore, vice chancellor of student success; Dr. Clair Reynolds Kueny, chair and associate professor of psychological science; Dr. Casey Canfield, associate professor of engineering management and systems engineering; and a fellow student.  

“Aiden’s leadership centers around how he can best support other students and enhance their S&T experiences,” Dehghani wrote in his nomination. “He initiated “Say Anything” input sessions, inviting students to share concerns and perspectives, then forwarding those concerns with campus leadership in a respectful and solution-oriented manner. Aiden’s efforts to advocate for students are demonstrated in his ability to lead recent efforts to increase library access and to expand fitness center hours in response to S&T student needs.”