Saint Rose Honors 124 Students for Academic Achievement

The College of Saint Rose has recognized 124 undergraduate and graduate students for their distinguished academic achievement with special awards.

The students were recognized with certificates mailed to their homes and a video posted for the community in lieu of what would have been the annual on-campus Honors Convocation. The on-campus ceremony was not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

General Awards

Academic Achievement Awards
This award is presented to the outstanding member of each class – first-year, sophomore, and junior – who has achieved the highest cumulative grade-point average (GPA) in his or her class.
Awardees:
Class of 2023: Madeline Yeung, Biology
Class of 2022: Shane George, Psychology (B.S.)
Class of 2021: Emily Brynes, Communication Sciences and Disorders B.S./M.S.Ed

Saint Rose of Lima Awards
These awards, given to a four-year student and a transfer student, are presented to graduating seniors in recognition of the highest academic achievement during study at the College.
Awardees:
Four-Year Student: Tina Marie Ceriello, Communication Sciences and Disorders
Transfer Student: Meghan M. Tompkins, Early Childhood and Childhood Education: Birth-6th Grade

Special Awards

Artist Scholar Award
The award is presented to a graduating senior in the art department. Equal emphasis is placed on artistic accomplishment and scholarly achievement.
Awardee:
Gabriela Gordon

Jack Fragomeni Memorial Music Award
The award recognizes a junior who plays guitar and shows the most improvement since their first year. Recipients are selected by the music faculty. The award is named in honor of the late Jack Fragomeni, a jazz guitarist and part-time Music Department faculty member for 25 years.
Awardee:
Gabriel Klingler-Horn

Hy Rosen Award for Excellence in Painting and Drawing
The award is named for the renowned political cartoonist for the Times Union for nearly half a century. His generosity has made it possible for the art department to create this award, which is presented to an outstanding art student or students who has/have demonstrated a high level of skills, understanding, innovation, and insights in painting and drawing.
Awardees:
Lily Wai Brennan
Raina Briggs

Inez and Nicholas Tarquin Artist Scholar Award
This award is presented to a talented junior art major or majors with a GPA of 3.5 or better and who has/have demonstrated artistic and academic talent. Karene Faul, former chair of the Art Department at The College of Saint Rose, established the award in memory of her mother and father.
Awardees:
Sarah Sampson
Kaylee Sterns

Sister Patricia Kane Writing Award in Journalism
This award, named for the founder of the journalism program at The College of Saint Rose, is presented by the Communications Department faculty based upon a review of submissions by students majoring in communications.
Awardee:
David J. Meister

Sister Rita Agnes Casey, CSJ, Endowed Music Award
The award is presented to a female senior music major who has demonstrated commitment to continuing music studies. It is given in honor of Sister Rita Agnes Casey, one of the College’s founders and chair of the music department from its inception in 1920 until 1957.
Awardee:
Jessica E. Veneto

Senior Writing Award
The honoree is selected from a group of candidates who submitted three anonymous writing samples to judges from outside the College’s community.
Awardee:
Lexi Aaron Rose Paddon

The Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award
The recipient for this award is selected by the music faculty, guided solely by consideration of excellence and merit. This award is an honor award and the student, in his/her senior year, is to be known as a Presser Scholar.
Awardee:
Juliana Christina Rivelli

Robert Sheehan Music Scholar Award
This award is presented to a sophomore or junior vocal or keyboard music student who has exhibited outstanding dedication to the department and exceptional progress and promise in music, from academic and applied performance perspectives. The award is made possible by friends and family of J. Robert Sheehan, former chair of the College’s music department, in recognition of his many years of service.
Awardee:
Thomas Odell

William and Camille Ruggiero ’37 Endowed Honors Internship Award
This award supports tuition expenses for students participating in the honors internship program in the summer between their junior and senior years. It was established by Camille George Ruggiero, a History and Political Science major at Saint Rose who planned a gift from her estate to support student studies.
Awardees:
Kayla Archie
David F. Hamlin
Savanna Liverio
Dominic Meola
Anne-lynsha Momperousse
Miranda Vogel
Anika Weiss

James J. Carr III Award for Business Beyond the Classroom
This award honors students who have at least a 3.0 GPA and have distinguished themselves by outstanding performance in an internship, field study, or faculty-directed research. It was established in 2013 in the memory of James J. Carr III, a pioneer of the restaurant boom in downtown Albany.
Awardee:
Shawn Alan Miller

Senior Class Scholar-Athlete Award
This award is presented to one male and one female student who fit the following criteria: the student has attended The College of Saint Rose for at least four semesters; the student has been a member of a varsity sport for at least two seasons, including their senior; the student must be a graduating senior or enrolled in a combined program and successfully completed the undergraduate portion of the program; and the student must have the highest cumulative GPA (with a minimum of 3.5). The awardees are selected by the Athletics Department in conjunction with the faculty liaison to the Athletics Department.
Awardees:
Niv Fogel
Tina Marie Ceriello

American Institute of Chemists Award
This national program honors outstanding seniors majoring in chemistry, chemical engineering or biochemistry. The award is presented on the basis of “a demonstrated record of ability, leadership, and professional promise.”
Awardee:
Cassie Owens

Marie Chirico Bello ’48 Award
This award is presented to a full-time undergraduate science major who shares Marie Chirico Bello’s passion for science, demonstrated through high academic achievement in science. It was established in 2011 in honor of the 85th birthday of Marie Chirico Bello ’48, who majored in biology and minored in chemistry at Saint Rose.
Awardee:
Comfort Obeng

General Chemistry Award
This award is given to the best student(s) in general chemistry at the College, based upon GPA, motivation, and interest in chemistry.
Awardees:
Katherine Cummings
Nicholas Lyford
Sophia Schaub

Computer Science Award
This award is for a computer science junior (rising senior) with the highest GPA in computer science.
Awardee:
Niva Maharjan

Sally Fox Memorial Award in Microbiology
This award is presented to a junior or senior who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement in biology, biochemistry, or medical technology. It was established by Dr. Sally Fox, a professor of Microbiology at Saint Rose from 1967-1983, when she retired. When Fox passed away, her family and friends endowed the award in her memory.
Awardee:
Eric Szillus II

Michael D. Normandin Innovative Computing Technology Award
The award recognizes a student who has used computer technology to create solutions within the world of music or business. It is named for Michael D. Normandin ’87, who has decades of real-world computer technology leadership and experience.
Awardee:
Zechariah Allen

Sister Noel Marie Cronin Excellence in Mathematics Award
This award is presented to a senior mathematics major who has met specific academic criteria and who has demonstrated originality, creativity, initiative, and integration of knowledge in course work.
Awardee:
Sarina Biski

Sister Theresa Wysolmerski, CSJ, Award for Excellence in Biology
This award is presented to an outstanding full-time undergraduate biology, biology: adolescence education, medical technology, biology/cytotechnology, or childhood education (biology concentration) major who meets specific academic criteria and has demonstrated academic excellence, breadth of interest, and general social concern.
Awardee:
Abigail Clancy Kronau

The Honorable Loretta A. Preska Endowed Award
In celebration of Judge Preska’s 15th anniversary as U.S. District Judge for the Southern District of New York, her law clerks established the award in fall 2007 as an expression of their admiration and gratitude for her “grace, wit and friendship” and in recognition of her loyalty to her undergraduate alma mater.
Awardee:
Katherine Aurelia Miller

Dr. Anne Toolan Rowley Endowed Award
This award recognizes a student who demonstrates outstanding scholarship and exemplary service to children and adults with communication needs in language and literacy, including speaking, listening, reading, and writing.
Awardee:
Jenna Hopper

Joyce Coon Memorial Award
This award is presented to a graduate student in the communication sciences and disorders program who has demonstrated academic excellence in the area of adult neurogenic communication disorders and swallowing and, also, has demonstrated the personal qualities that were exemplified by Joyce Coon – compassion, caring, and collaboration with others. It was established in memory of Coon, who received her bachelor’s degree in communication sciences and disorders from Saint Rose in 2004 and who had been pursuing her graduate degree in that same program.
Awardee:
Lauren N. Christian

Clayton Trag Rock & Roll Rebel Annual Scholarship
This award is given to a junior music major who is a talented rock and roll, jazz, or blues musician with financial need and a 3.5 GPA in music courses.
Awardee:
Victoria Christie

Nicholas J. Birchak ’06, G’08 Strength of Character Resident Assistant Award
This award is given to a resident assistant who is returning to the position for next year and who is in good academic standing at either the graduate or undergraduate level. This RA must have encouraged residents to actively expand their generosity, compassion, and goodwill, as evidenced through their programming, resident interaction, and feedback, or otherwise observed by the professional staff. Additionally, this RA must have shown commitment to giving back to their community outside of their RA work and should either have worked to overcome adversity or helped others to do so.
Awardee:
Gabriela Emmanuel Clarke

Dr. Mark Ylvisaker Memorial Award
This award recognizes a student who presents the compassion and scholarly dedication for which Dr. Mark Ylvisaker, a longtime professor at Saint Rose until his passing in 2009, was known.
Awardee:
Lexi Morgan Drake

Sister Charleen Bloom, CSJ, Scholarship Award
This award is given to a new graduate student who demonstrates high academic scholarship, leadership, strong interpersonal skills, and a commitment to “serve thy dear neighbor.”
Awardee:
Fiona Beaton

Dr. Huey C. Bogan Award for Creativity in Teaching
This award is given to a graduate student studying childhood education who is also a member of Kappa Delta Pi, an education honors society and is noted by the education faculty as demonstrating a passion for lifelong learning and creativity in teaching. It is named in honor of Dr. Huey C. Bogan, a childhood education professor at Saint Rose for 16 years who passed away in 2009.
Awardee:
Gabrielle Marie Andrea

Outstanding Senior Awards

Recipients of this award are chosen by department faculty among students in the senior class who typically have at least a 3.5 GPA and have distinguished themselves by their performance and other academic activities in their departments.

Arts and Humanities Outstanding Senior Awardees:
Raina Briggs, Studio Art
Anna P. De Sorbo, Philosophy and Religious Studies
Kyle Johnson, Music (BA)
Belinda Ligotino, Music Industry
Anne Lin, Graphic Design
Christina Mattern, English
Lindsey McGowan, English: Adolescence Education
David J. Meister, Communications
Sunny Nowacki, English
Jessica E. Veneto, Music Education

Huether School of Business Outstanding Senior Awardees:
John Braun, Finance
Meghan E. DiVirgilio, Human Resource Management
Marissa Isabella, Accounting
Jordyn Jamal, Business Economics
Ajah Ochoa, Business Administration
Phillip J. Proper, Marketing
Cody Snyder, Finance
Samuel Statham, Financial Planning

School of Mathematics and Sciences Outstanding Senior Awardees:
Robinson Acosta, Cybersecurity
Sarina Biski, Mathematics
Sienna Bourbeau, Criminal Justice, Behavior & Law – Generalist Concentration
Adriana L. Crimi, Forensic Psychology
Gina Maria Crispo, Criminal Justice, Behavior & Law – Generalist Concentration
Caitlyn Dabagian, Biology: Ecology/Environmental Science Track
Patricia Dean, Psychology, Clinical/Counseling Concentration
Hellen Jumo, Chemistry
Shannen Kerin, Biology: Cell/Molecular Track
Skyler Kimmel, Psychology, Industrial/Organizational Psychology Concentration
Jared Kossover, Criminal Justice, Behavior, & Law – Law Concentration
Erica Ashley Martinez Psychology, School Psychology Concentration
Marissa Mele, Criminal Justice, Behavior, & Law – Criminology/Criminal Behavior Concentration
Ce’Nedra Morales, Forensic Science
Abigail Pierce, Medical Technology
Katerine Rice, Mathematics: Adolescent Education
Charles Saez, Biochemistry
Stephanie Smith, Psychology, Health Psychology Concentration
Olivia Stebbins-Hopkins, Psychology
Kieran Sullivan, Computer Science
Tina Lynn Turbiasz, Social Work
Emilee C. Wagner, Forensic Psychology

Thelma P. Lally School of Education Outstanding Senior Awardees:
Ashley Atkins, Childhood Education/Special Education
Trevor Bowerman, Childhood Education/Special Education
Tonya Ellis, Childhood Education/Special Education
Hannah M. Feldman, Early Childhood Special Education
Abigail Emily Ferris, Childhood Education
Danielle Lucy Patterson, Communication Sciences and Disorders
Kellsey Diane Rounds, Early Childhood Education
Kayleigh Margaret Smith, Childhood Education/Special Education

Outstanding Graduate Student Awards

Departmental faculty select their outstanding graduating students in each of the programs of graduate study. Award criteria are determined by each of the departments.

Huether School of Business Outstanding Graduate Student Awardees:
Mike Berkowitz, Financial Planning (Adv Cert)
Niv Fogel, Finance/Business Administration (BS/MBA)
Louis Greco, Business Administration (MBA)
Giovanni C. Holmquist, Business Administration (MBA)
Sage Kristin LaMonica, Dual-Degree Program (BS/MBA)
Kristian G. Quackenbush, Accounting (Business Administration/Professional Accounting – 150 Credit Hour Program – BS/MS)
Ridina Shakya, Business Administration (MBA)
Khun Thiri, Accounting

School of Mathematics and Sciences Outstanding Graduate Student Awardees:
Catrina M. Giorgio, Social Work
Carl Nico Laborera, Master of Science in Computer Information Systems/Bachelor of Science in Computer Science
Christopher Nerf, Computer Science
Shawn Michael Sutton, Computer Information Systems

Thelma P. Lally School of Education Outstanding Graduate Student Awardees:
Kathryn L. Blackman, School District Business Leader (CAS)
Lydia Ruth Calabro, Educational Psychology
Evan Lloyd Denning, Adolescence Education – Social Studies
Sarah Flannery, School District Leader (CAS)
Dakota W. Fuller, School Counseling
Kathleen M. Garrity, Early Childhood Education
Whitney Greene, Adolescence Education/Special Education (BA/MSED) Social Studies
Alexandra C. Hays, Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Benedette Herbst, Communication Sciences and Disorders
Alyssa Hobart, Communication Sciences and Disorders
Thomas J. Kearney, Childhood Education/Special Education
Krystan A. Luke, Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Megan Macarelli, Childhood Education/Special Education
Thea MacFawn, School Building Leader (CAS)
Katie P. Williams Morrison, Childhood Education
Elena M. Pollack, Adolescence Education – English
Marissa Amber Rakos, Adolescence Education/Special Education (BA/MSED) Mathematics
Christopher Schichtl, Childhood Education
Réanna Lynn Terano, Adolescence Education/Special Education (BA/MSED) Biology
Dennis Turner, Curriculum and Instruction
Joseph Nelson Van Ullen, College Student Services Administration
Elizabeth A. Venatta, School Counseling
Jessica R. Werner-DeLong, Adolescence Education/Special Education (BA/MSED) English Language Arts
Brittany Whitford, Early Childhood Education
Hali Winch, Professional Special Education