Saint Rose honors students for academic achievement at 2022 Honors Convocation

Saint Rose recognized more than 100 students for their distinguished academic achievement at the Honors Convocation held on April 30 in Picotte Recital Hall. President Marcia White, joined by the deans of the four schools and many other faculty and administrators, presented the awards to the students. Students were also recognized for their induction into various academic honors societies.

Academic Achievement Awards

This award is presented to the outstanding members of each class who have achieved the highest cumulative grade-point average (GPA)

Class of 2023

• Nick Koenig, Psychology (BS)

Class of 2024

• Rylee Desso, Early Childhood and Childhood Education Birth –Grade 6

Class of 2025

• Katy McPeak, Childhood Education/Special Education
• Lauren Parete, Social Studies: Adolescent Education/Special Education (Dual Degree, BA/MSED)

Special Awards

Saint Rose of Lima Awards
The award is presented to two graduating seniors who have maintained the highest cumulative average during their entire course of study at the College. One award is presented to a four-year student, the second to a transfer student.

Four-Year award: Shane S. George, Psychology, Research Honors Concentration (BS)
Transfer Student award: Aidan Carrick Sullivan, Psychology (BA)

Biagiotti-Burton Endowed Award
This award is given to History and Political Science majors who are selected for their courage, honesty, and community involvement.

Awardee: Elizabeth French

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: Mia Giovanna Longo

Gariba Abdul-Korah Memorial Award
This award, named for our late colleague Dr. Gariba Abdul-Korah, goes to the student with the broadest international perspective. This might include study abroad, service with an international agency/organization, study of an international problem, or plans to attend graduate school in international politics, law, or history.

Awardee: Edidiong Mark Edem

The Honorable Loretta A. Preska Endowed Award
This award is presented to a student who meets the following criteria: First preference given to an undergraduate student planning to attend law school, who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement. Second preference will be given to an undergraduate student majoring in the sciences, who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement.

Awardee: Megan Frederick

Jack Fragomeni Memorial Music Award
The award is presented to a junior guitar student who has shown the most improvement since his or her 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: Matthew Maiorano

J. Robert Sheehan Music Scholar Award
This award is presented to a sophomore or junior vocal or keyboard music student, who, as determined by the Music faculty, 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: Alexis Nicole Cummings

Michael D. Normandin Innovative Computing Technology Award
This award is presented to a full-time undergraduate or graduate student majoring in Computer Information systems or Music Industry. The recipient need not be an academic achiever, but a student who demonstrates ambition, enthusiasm, and creativity in computer use to solve a problem. It is named for Michael D. Normandin ’87, who has decades of real-world computer technology leadership and experience.

Awardee: Eyobed Tadesse

Sister Patricia Kane Writing Award in Journalism
This award, named for the founder of The College of Saint Rose journalism program, is presented to a Communications major. Students are invited to submit pieces of journalism that meet the following criteria: compelling, accurate writing that adheres to standard journalistic convention and foregrounds the student’s ability to source a story and deliver accurate information in a timely fashion.

Awardee: Jehlani Commander

Sister Rita Agnes Casey, CSJ Endowed Music Award
This 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.

Awardees: Paige Menneci, Brianna Marie Moss

Sister Rosaleen Gilroy, CSJ History-Political Science Award
This award honors the graduating senior carrying the highest cumulative GPA in the History-Political Science major.

Awardee: Camden R. Malone

Senior Writing Award
The honoree is selected from a group of candidates who submitted three anonymous writing samples to judges from outside the College community.

Awardee: Megan Frederick

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 outside the classroom 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: Sarah Sharkey

William and Camille Ruggiero ’37 Endowed Honors Internship Award
This award was established in 2011 to honor William and Camille Ruggerio, who were deeply interested in business and in many aspects of giving back to their communities. This award supports students participating in the Honors Internship Program in the summer between junior and senior year.

Awardees: Ahmed Lakrafli, Jolie Poulsen, Rae-Anne Richards, Sciorra Christania Saint-Louis, Logan W. Simms

Dr. Anne Toolan Rowley Endowed Award
This award recognizes a graduate 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: Anna Paula Ribeiro

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 exemplified by Joyce Coon – compassion, caring, and collaboration. 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 the program.

Awardee: Taylorann R. Torre

Dr. Huey C. Bogan Award for Creativity in Teaching
This award recognizes an outstanding graduate student who exemplifies the qualities of Dr. Bogan, including academic excellence, creativity, and passion for education. Dr. Bogan, a Childhood Education professor at Saint Rose for 16 years, passed away in 2009.

Awardee: David Witbeck

Dr. Mark Ylvisaker Memorial Award
This award is presented to an outstanding undergraduate or graduate student who exemplifies the qualities of Dr. Ylvisaker: a love of and great aptitude in learning and scholarship, innovative and successful efforts in helping others to communicate, and a genuineness and warmth that is evident to all.

Awardee: Abbey Wicklund

Sister Charleen Bloom, CSJ, Scholarship Award
Awardee: Victoria Zhushma

The Michael Welshhaun Memorial Award
This award recognizes a Communications Sciences and Disorders student who has used technology to improve the communication ability of someone with complex communication challenges.

Awardee: Emma Bagnato

American Institute of Chemists
Awardee: Isabel Jayasinghe

General Chemistry Award
This award is presented to the best student or students in general Chemistry at the College. Award criteria include GPA and motivation for and interest in Chemistry.

Awardee: Hannah Parsons

Donna L. Reittinger Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Psychological Research
This award recognizes a senior-level student graduating in December or May of the academic year PSY 498 is taken. Students must have completed all of PSY 498 successfully. Eligible students must have at least a 3.0 GPA in psychology and an overall GPA of 3.0.

Awardee: Shane S. George

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. It was established in 2011 in honor of the 85th birthday of Marie Chirico Bello ’48, who majored in Biology and minored in Chemistry.

Awardee: Ciera Lundy

Sister Noel Marie Cronin Excellence in Mathematics Award
Awardee: Arba Goskova

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: Samah Alharbi

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

Awardees: Colleen Quaglia, Camden R. Malone

Mary P. VanDerzee Memorial Award
This award is presented to a sophomore or junior (in any degree program) who is registered with the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities. A minimum 3.00 GPA is required, and applicants must complete an application (includes a 200-300 word essay).

Awardee: Josh Myers

Outstanding Senior Awards

The award recognizes graduating seniors who have at least a 3.5 GPA and who meet other criteria specified by the department faculty in which they study.

School of Arts and Humanities

• Jehlani Commander, Alexandra Mulligan, Communications
• Laura Nickel, Music Industry
• Paroma Lahiri, Music Performance
• Elizabeth Diaz Sartillo, Music Education
• Megan Frederick, Lilian Surgent, Bobbi Le’Rae Valentin , English
• Andrew Vogt, English: Adolescence Education
• Ethan Lawrence, History: Adolescence Education
• Edidiong Mark Edem, Political Science
• Cheyenne Haemmerle, Scott Jones, Social Studies

Huether School of Business

• Trisha Roshanie Deonarain, Accounting
• Meenakshi Coondiah, Trevor Goodemote, Finance
• Leslie Marcelino Torres, Human Resources Management
• Sophia Isabel Rijo, Management
• Megan Mayer, Marketing

Graduate Honors

• Allison DellaPorte, Josie Hubbard, Michelle Miller Kalinsky, Karilyn Korec, Business Administration Administration/Bachelor of Science
• Sharleen Mary Quartararo, Administration/Bachelor of Science
• Nicholas J. Moore, Master of Science in Accounting/Bachelor of Science in Accounting
• Jacob Palladino, Master of Science in Business Analytics/Bachelor of Science in Finance
• Sean Dadey, Master of Business in Finance
• Dominic Meola, Master of Business in Financial Planning

Thelma P. Lally School of Education

• Liliana Battibulli, Carolyn M. Brussel, Childhood Education/ Special Education
• Emily K. Goldup, Erin McLoughlin, Inclusive Early Childhood
• Emily McCarthy, Communication Sciences and Disorders Education/ Special Education
• Ashley H. De Kraai, Lauren Jane Owens, Early Childhood Education/Childhood Education B–6
• Sara Stelter, Math Adolescence (Dual Degree) BA/MSED

Graduate Honors

• Jennifer Gardy, Adolescence Education Science
• Delaney Shepardson, Adolescence Education Social Studies
• Emily M. Paolicelli, Adolescence Education/Special Education: English (BA/MSED)
• Katherine Rice, Adolescence Education/Special Education: Mathematics (BA/MSED)
• Sarah Katherine Suters, Childhood Education/Special Education
• Alexandra DelVecchio, Liana Frauenberger, Katelyn Harrington, Theresa Mulvey, Samantha Rioux, Elizabeth Mary Tornatore,
  Childhood Education/Special Education and Literacy (Accelerated 4 + 1)
• Witness Joseph Bazar, Hannah Taranto, Clinical Mental Health Counseling
• Sarah E. Franzken, Jenn Kay Keenan, Communication Sciences and Disorders
• Michaela Marotta, Curriculum and Instruction
• Kristen Dietz, Julia Engster, Early Childhood/Childhood Education B-6
• Sarah Shomo, Educational Psychology
• Sharon Rosemarie Edwards-Grant, Higher Education Administration and Leadership
• Hannah Feldman, Helen Pindiak, Literacy B-12
• Dianna Valerie Rumpf, School Counseling
• Alexander Santana, School Building Leader (CAS)
• Ysmeli Rosa, School District Business Leader (CAS)
• Erin Bennett, Educational Leadership, Building (CAS)
• Jacqueline Vandenburgh, Educational Leadership, District Leader (CAS)

School of Mathematics and Sciences

• Sarah Elizabeth McMullan Biology, Cell/Molecular Biology Track
• Erin Leather, Forensic Psychology, Legal Concentration
• Ahmed Tarig Abdu, Biochemistry Cell/Molecular Biology Track
• Kaitlin Anderson, Forensic Science
• Jen Bartlett, Daniel Kelley, Daniel Klein, Alex Risenhoover, Computer Science
• Arba Goskova, Mathematics
• Elizabeth Nicole Flores, Medical Technology
• Andrew J. Lule, Maeve Meg Laural Rochester, Criminal Justice, Behavior & Law
• Marielle St. Aubin, Psychology
• Emily Meyer, James Cunniffe, Cybersecurity
• Abigail Guenther, Psychology,Clinical/Counseling Concentration
• Shane S. George, Psychology, Research Honors Concentration
• Hannah Emily Curran, Forensic Psychology
• Julia Plumadore, Psychology, School Psychology Concentration
• Emily McGovern, Forensic Psychology, Clinical Concentration
• Melissa Ann Kollar, Social Work

Graduate Honors

• Hanfei Luo, Miguel Calderon, Computer Science
• Jessica Marie Sokol, Social Work

HONOR SOCIETIES INDUCTEES

Honor Societies are national or international organizations who recognize students for academic excellence usually within a specific academic discipline. Each one has its own set of requirements for membership. Separate induction ceremonies are held by each of the individual Honor Societies.

Alpha Phi Sigma: Criminal Justice Honor Society
Moderator: Dr. Ian MacDonald, Dean of the School of Mathematics and Sciences

• Keara Merges
• Molli Opramolla

Delta Delta Epsilon: International Honor Society in Forensic Science
Moderator: Dr. Sara Alvaro, Associate Professor of Chemistry

• Kaitlin Anderson

Delta Mu Delta: International Honor Society in Business
Moderator: Dr. John Dion, Assistant Professor of Marketing

• Meenakshi Coondiah
• Michelle Kalinsky
• Meghan Saggese
• Sean Dadey
• Jonathon Manning
• Logan Simms
• Raj Dontireddy
• Kevin Miller
• Harry Soederlind
• David Hamlin
• Kelly Nevin
• Ella Wolfe
• Josie Hubbard
• Gabriel Nish

Kappa Delta Pi: International Honor Society in Education
Moderator: Dr. Kristi Fragnoli, Professor of Teacher Education

• Christina Anderson
• Christopher Carballo
• Jennevieve Keenan-Fenson
• Arleen Alava
• Deborah Corbin
• Alyssa Rowland
• Ashley Angelo
• Julia Greco
• Jessica Staiger
• Megan Bradley
• Margaret Harjus
• Jacqueline Weinfeld
• Laritza Caizachana
• Kyanna Joseph

Phi Alpha: International Honor Society in Social Work
Moderator: Dr. Donna Van Alst, Assistant Professor of Social Work

BSW Inductees:

• Marlene Countermine
• Matthew Smith
• Alexis Till
• Dianne Gardner
• Mekkel Styno

MSSW Inductees:

• Aileen Burke
• Jess Gruss
• Hannah Weatherwax
• Valerie Curcio
• Martha Kennedy
• Gianna DelGregario
• Bethany Czernicki
• Kara Lewis
• Grace Magee
• Kerry DelTosta
• Madeleine O’Rourke
• Erin Shay
• Gabby Flint
• Liz Schneider
• Jessica Sokol
• Jessica Goldberg
• Carli Voellm
• Tina Turbiasz
• Zoe Zuelsdorf

Psi Chi: The International Honor Society in Psychology
Moderator: Dr. Ross Krawczyk, Assistant Professor of Psychology

• Matthew Gerson
• Caleb Linder
• Amanda Thomas
• Rhiannon Bornt

Tau Sigma: National Honor Society for Transfer Students
Moderator: Michael Richter, Coordinator of Education Advising/Placement Center

• Jordan Araya
• Breyanna Fordyce
• Nicole Lencewicz
• Jennifer Bartlett
• Michaela Frisbee
• Eleanor Petrucco
• Breannah Bebon
• Dianne Gardner
• Brooke Ross
• Olivia DeAngelo
• Allyson Guido
• Logan Simms
• Megan Dillon
• Caitlyn Hennessy
• Alexis Smith