Special awards ceremonies are held at the end of the academic year to recognize the outstanding academic and leadership achievements of deserving students. Academic departments present awards and prizes to students who are outstanding in specific areas of study and achievement. The College presents awards to students who have shown outstanding leadership and service through their co-curricular endeavors..
ACADEMIC AWARDS
Anthropology
Antia Volland Award - This award is presented to the graduating senior Anthropology major who most exemplifies in his or her work the vision of anthropology practiced by founding department member Anita Volland, emphasizing the importance of the four fields, the centrality of the culture concept, and great intellectual curiosity.
Gordon McEwan Endowed Award for Archaeology - This award, was endowed by the Wright Family Foundation, under the direction of Kenneth R. and Ruth M. Wright. The selection criteria are:
- Wagner College student(s) in good academic standing
- Participant(s) in a Wagner College study abroad program
- Eligible program must have an experiential learning component in the field of Archaeology
In the event that there is no applicable study abroad program, an achievement award may be made to a deserving student in the Department of Anthropology for independent study
Art
The Richard Gaffney Memorial Grant is given to support student work in art.
Robert D. Boody Memorial Award in Art - The income from a fund given by friends of the late Robert D. Boody is presented annually to a student completing the junior or senior year who, in the judgment of the art faculty, is an outstanding art student.
The Wagner College Award in Art is presented to the art major with the highest grade point average.
Biological Sciences Department
The Biological Sciences Award is presented to the underclass student showing the highest academic promise in a major within the Department of Biological Sciences.
The Robert D. Blomquist Memorial Award - The income from a fund given by friends of the late Robert D. Blomquist, a 1967 Wagner graduate, is presented annually to a student completing the junior year who, in the judgment of the biology faculty, is an outstanding biology student and of good moral character.
The Norman L. Freilich Memorial Award - Established by his wife Lillian and their daughters in memory of Dr. Norman L. Freilich, a graduate of the Class of 1935, this award is presented to a graduating student who has been accepted into medical or dental school.
The Microbiology Award at the undergraduate level is presented to a graduate in the discipline of microbiology whose scholastic achievement in the field of microbiology is outstanding. The award is given by faculty and staff in memory of Dr. Natale Colosi, former chair of the department.
The Microbiology Award at the graduate level is presented to a graduating master’s degree student in microbiology whose scholastic achievement in the field is outstanding. The award is presented in the memory of Dr. Natale Colosi, former chair of the department.
Kevin Sheehy Award is presented to a graduating senior in biology who has achieved the highest cumulative grade point average in the major. This award is given in memory of Dr. Sheehy, Class of 1967, who was a Tottenville High School biology teacher and a Wagner College trustee.
The Biopsychology Award is presented to a graduating senior in the Biopsychology major, who, in the judgment of the faculties of the Psychology and Biological Sciences Departments, has most demonstrated academic excellence in Biopsychology.
Business Administration
The Accounting Society Award is presented to the graduating senior who has completed and passed 6 units (or 24 credit hours) in accounting and who, in the judgment of the society, has shown outstanding academic achievement. The candidate must also exemplify standards of leadership and good moral character.
The Alpha Omicron Pi Award is presented to a graduating major in business administration who is judged by the Business Administration Department and Alpha Omicron Pi to be academically outstanding. Extracurricular activities on campus and elsewhere are also taken into consideration.
The Business Administration Award recognizes the student in the Business department with the highest Grade Point Average.
The Wagner Investment Group Legacy Award is presented to an undergraduate student for excellence in the investment world. This recipient is chosen by the Wagner Investment Group executive board and faculty advisor.
The Executive Leadership Challenge Award is presented to the graduating student in the M.B.A. for Executives Program who inspired and motivated others and displayed academic excellence and integrity.
The Executive Leadership Development Award is presented to the graduating student in the M.B.A. for Executives Program who displayed enthusiasm and achieved a high level of personal growth and leadership.
The Executive Teamwork Award is presented to the EMBA student whose conduct and efforts exemplify the concept of teambuilding and support for fellow students.
The Executive High GPA Award is presented to the EMBA student with the highest grade point average.
The Accelerated MBA Leadership Challenge Award is presented to the graduating student in the AccMBA Program who inspired and motivated others and displayed academic excellence and integrity.
The Accelerated MBA Leadership Development Award is presented to the graduating student in the AccMBA who displayed enthusiasm and achieved a high level of personal growth and leadership.
The Accelerated MBA Teamwork Award is presented to the AccMBA student whose conduct and efforts exemplify the concept of Teambuilding and support for fellow students.
The Accelerated MBA High GPA Award is presented to the graduating AccMBA student who has achieved the highest grade point average.
The TMBA Finance Award is presented to the Finance student who has achieved the highest GPA in the Finance major.
The TMBA Marketing Award is presented to the Marketing student who has achieved the highest GPA in the Marketing major.
The TMBA Healthcare Award is presented to the Healthcare student who has achieved the highest GPA in the Healthcare major.
The TMBA Management Award is presented to the Management student who has achieved the highest GPA in the Management major.
The TMBA International Business Award is presented to the International Business student who has achieved the highest GPA in the International Business major.
The Dan Waeger Award is presented to the graduating MBA student who personifies courage and perseverance in the face of extreme obstacles and adversity.
The Walter Rohrs Academic Excellence Award is presented to the graduating Business student who has achieved the highest GPA in all the Graduate Business Programs.
The Delta Mu Delta Prize is presented by the Alpha Beta chapter of Delta Mu Delta, national honor society in business administration, to the master’s degree candidate who has completed all degree requirements and attained the highest grade point average in the field of business administration.
Chemistry and Physics
The Lee Yorgey Davidheiser Prize in Chemistry is presented in honor of Dr. Davidheiser, Wagner’s pioneer chemistry professor and department chair, to a student majoring in chemistry, judged by the department, to be academically outstanding.
The Wagner College Award in Chemistry is presented to an underclass student for academic excellence in chemistry.
The Dreyfus Prize - The income from a fund given by Mrs. L. A. Dreyfus, in memory of her husband, is presented to a student who, in the judgment of senior chemistry professors, has done academically outstanding work in the department.
The Frank K. Bobbitt Memorial Award in Chemistry awarded by the family of the late Frank K. Bobbitt, a 1979 graduate of Wagner College, is presented annually to a student who, in the judgment of the chemistry faculty, is conscientious, cooperative, and shows scholastic achievement in the field of chemistry.
The Harvey Logan Memorial Award is presented to a student who has done academically outstanding work in physics.
Economics
The Economics Department Award is presented to a graduating senior who has demonstrated academic excellence in the field of Economics.
The Douglas Gee Morton Award - The income from a fund given by the parents of the late Douglas Gee Morton, a 1955 graduate of Wagner College, is presented annually to a student completing the junior or senior year who, in the judgment of the economics and business administration faculty, is an academically outstanding economics student and is of good moral character.
Education
The Education Department 5 C’s Award is presented to the undergraduate and graduate student who best personifies the 5C’s (commitment, competence, caring, community, and curiosity) with special attention to the dispositions of the teaching profession. This award reflects and supports the mission of the Education Department.
The Education Department Award is presented to the undergraduate and graduate student with the highest academic achievement in the department.
The Norval Calhoun Award – This award for excellence in education is presented to the outstanding senior for distinguished academic and teaching performance. Recognition is bestowed in memory of graduates and educators from Wagner College who have contributed to the professional education of teachers.
Norbert H. Leeseberg Education Award – This award is presented to two graduating education students, one at the undergraduate level and one at the graduate level, who best exemplify the academic scholarship and community spirit of Dr. Norbert H. Leeseberg.
The Education Department Chair Award is given to a graduating senior for outstanding achievement in teaching.
The Special Education Award goes to the teacher candidate who has shown unusual skill and sensitivity in working with special needs students and has clearly demonstrated potential for becoming an outstanding teacher of students with disabilities.
The Don Hartung Prize in Education is awarded to a senior education major intending to pursue a career in teaching.
The Katherine and Egon Wendel Award in Education is presented to the graduate student with a liberal arts or science baccalaureate degree who has demonstrated the highest potential as a future teacher during candidacy for the Master of Science in Education. Spanning the years from 1962–1990, Dr. Wendell was a professor of education, department chair, and academic vice president of the College. Katherine Wendell was an adjunct assistant professor of education and an active member of many College organizations.
English
The Jack J. Boies Award for Creative Writing is presented to a Wagner College undergraduate student for excellence in an annual creative writing competition. The award was created by the family and friends of Dr. Jack J. Boies, Professor of English at Wagner College from 1962 to 1985.
The English Literature Prize is presented to recognize a student with the highest distinction in English Literature.
The Thomas Kendris Award in Expository and Journalistic Writing is presented to the senior (not necessarily one who has majored in English) who has done outstanding work in the following areas: writing courses and journalism. Dr. Kendris was a member of the English Department from 1953 to 1983. The award was created by an alumnus of Wagner College.
The Academics for Activism Graduate School Fund aids English majors with senior standing applying to Ph.D. programs in English and/or Women/Gender Studies whose scholarship has a focus on issues concerning women, gender and sexuality, and/or marginalized groups.
Government and Politics
The Phyllis Andors Award for Government and Politics is presented in honor of the late chair of the history and political science department to an outstanding student majoring in Government and Politics.
The Verrazano Memorial Prize, donated by the Verrazano Memorial Committee, is presented to an academically outstanding government and politics major.
The International Affairs Award recognizes outstanding academic achievement in International Affairs.
History
The Phyllis Andors Award for History is presented in honor of the late chair of the history and political science department; this award is presented to an outstanding student majoring in History.
The Verrazano Memorial Prize donated by the Verrazano Memorial Committee, is presented to an academically outstanding History major.
The Christian P. Holmstrup History Award, funded by Dorothee Holmstrup in memory of her husband, the late Christian P. Holmstrup, Class of 1939, is presented to the student with the highest grade point average in history.
Mathematics and Computer Science Department
The Kurt Goedel Award for Excellence in Mathematics is presented by the mathematics faculty for outstanding performance and achievement in the field of mathematics. Based on the student’s GPA, as well as the class performance and impression he or she makes.
The Wagner College Prize in Mathematics is presented to a graduating senior majoring in mathematics who is judged to be the academically outstanding student in the department.
The Dorothy Schaffer Memorial Award is presented in memory of “Dot” Schaffer, a respected senior staff member of the Registrar’s Office, who died in 1981. This award is presented to an academically outstanding junior or senior majoring in computer science.
The Kappa Mu Epsilon Award is presented by the Mathematics Honor Society to a Mathematics or Computer Science major who excels in service and leadership.
Modern Languages
The Modern Languages Award is presented to a student who has demonstrated academic excellence in the study of German, French, Italian, or Spanish.
The Julio Cortázar Award is presented to a Spanish major who has achieved the highest distinction in the study of Latin American or Peninsular literature.
The Simone de Beauvoir Award is presented to a French Studies major who has achieved the highest distinction in the study of French or Francophone literature.
Music
The Academic Excellence Award in Music is presented to a student who has demonstrated academic excellence in Music.
The Music History Award is presented to encourage interest in music as a discipline of historical study. It is presented to a student who has shown a keen interest in music history, who has excellent writing ability and is able to transcribe early music, shows outstanding grades, who views music as a discipline of the Arts and Sciences, and who sees music in relation to history and to the other arts.
The Sigvart J. Steen Award in Music – This award, established in memory of Dr. Sigvart J. Steen, director of the Wagner College Choir from 1949 to 1968, is presented annually by the faculty of the Music Department to a student exhibiting excellence in choir performance.
The Wagner College Instrumental Music Award – This award is presented to a student who shows both outstanding musical talent and exemplary dedication to the bands of Wagner College.
Nursing
The Constance Byron Award - Monetary awards established by the family of Constance Byron, class of 1955, are presented to two nursing students who have displayed academic merit, leadership qualities, tenacious spirit, thoughtfulness, and caring for others. The awardees, one senior and one graduate student, are selected by the School of Nursing.
The Ellen Horrmann Award - An award presented to a student judged by the School of Nursing faculty as demonstrating academic excellence in nursing during clinical experience.
The Jane Bacher Award - An award presented by friends of the late Jane Bacher to a graduating nursing student who has achieved the highest cumulative index in community health nursing.
The Mary Burr Award - This award, established in memory of Mary Burr, is presented to the graduating nursing student who has achieved the highest cumulative grade point average in the School of Nursing.
The Community Health Nursing Award recognizes one junior and one senior nursing student who demonstrate volunteerism, thoughtfulness, caring, and patience while promoting the health of individuals, families and groups within the community.
The Promising Gerontological Nurse Award is given in memory of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Dowling, parents of Annemarie Dowling-Castronovo, an Assistant Professor in Nursing. This award recognizes a junior nursing student who demonstrates promise as a gerontological nurse as reflected in evidence-based clinical performance.
The Marie Picket Award is given to a nursing undergraduate student who has shown outstanding community service and is a role model in our community or abroad.
The Student Nurse Association Award recognizes academic merit and leadership in diverse community activities.
The Nursing Faculty Award is given to a compassionate student leader who is patient- and family-centered. The recipient of this award is selected by the Nursing faculty.
The Annemarie C. Sortino Nurse Educator Award – This award was established in May 2007 and is presented to a graduate student by Epsilon Mu Chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Society in recognition of creative and scholarly achievements that exemplify the late Dr. Sortino’s professional standards and values.
Philosophy/Religion
George G. Hackman Prize in Religious Studies - In recognition of the long and enduring contribution of Dr. George G. Hackman to the teaching of religion at Wagner College, this prize is presented to a graduating student who has achieved the highest academic average in all courses taken in the religion minor.
The Ministerial Prize - The income from a fund is awarded to a ministerial student who has made singular progress in some field of study. This prize was created by the late Reverend John Schott in honor of St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, Newark, N.J., and has since been increased, in memory of the Reverend Oscar E. Braune, former pastor of St. John’s, and in memory of the Reverend Matthias F. Walz, former pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church, Newark.
The Socrates Prize - This award recognizes outstanding thought, not in the traditional sense, but the kind of thinking that has application to human concerns in a community. In addition, the award winner must have demonstrated excellence in philosophy.
Physician Assistant Studies
The Wagner College Physician Assistant Awards are presented to the students in the junior and senior year of the Physician Assistant program with the highest overall grade point average.
Psychology
The Gertrude Aull Award is presented to the underclass student who has the greatest potential as a psychologist as judged by the psychology department faculty. The award is named for Dr. Gertrude Aull who was the first chair of the psychology department, a scholar, and a practicing psychotherapist.
The Psychology Department Award - This award is presented to a psychology major who, in the judgment of the Psychology Department faculty, has most demonstrated academic excellence in psychology.
The Robert deCsipkes Memorial Prizes in Psychology, established by the family of Robert deCsipkes, class of 1966, these awards are presented to two graduating seniors majoring in psychology who, in the judgment of the department faculty, have outstanding research potential and outstanding and clinical potential in psychology.
Sociology
Hertha Troll Meyer Memorial Award – The family and friends of Hertha Meyer have endowed this award to be presented annually to the graduating senior in the Department of Sociology who best exemplifies the ideals of scholarship and service.
Wright Mills Award - This award is presented to the underclass student majoring in the Department of Sociology who has demonstrated outstanding academic potential and embodies the spirit of the sociological imagination.
Theatre
Theatre Awards - Wagner College Theatre presents an award to the most outstanding student in Performance and to the most outstanding student in Design, Technology and Management.
The Bob Gabriel Memorial Endowed Award for Theater- This award was established by Eva Lazar Laszlo in memory of her late husband, Bob. This award is presented to a senior Theater major with an interest in Italian and/or Italian American Culture with proven history of outstanding performance in theatre.
The Nathan and Ruth Wolff Prize in Dance. - This award, established by Derish Wolff and Dr. Maureen Robinson ‘67 H’03 in memory of Nathan and Ruth Wolff, is presented to a graduating senior whose contribution to dance has been consistently outstanding during his or her four years.
LEADERSHIP AWARDS
The Advisor Recognition Award is presented to an advisor who has dedicated valuable time and energy to a student organization.
The Class of 2008 Scholarship was created by the Class of 2008 and has been designated for a junior entering their senior year who shows outstanding qualities in academics as well as school service.
The Co-Curricular Competency Program Award is presented to students who have achieved competency through engaging in service to the campus and/or community, providing written and oral reflection of their activity and learning, and who have demonstrated an eagerness to apply their learning in new ways.
The Community Service Award is presented to a student who has committed to community service through campus organizations.
The David M. Delo Award was established to honor former Wagner College President David M. Delo and is presented to a fraternity earning the highest academic average during the preceding two semesters.
The Elsie N. Delo Award was established in honor of former Wagner College President David M. Delo’s wife and is presented to a sorority earning the highest academic average during the preceding two semesters.
The Distinguished Leader Award recognizes superior qualities of cooperation, decision-making, and management.
The Diversity Action Council Award was established by the Diversity Action Council to recognize individuals who have exemplified, supported, or furthered diversity initiatives on the Wagner College campus.
The Interfraternity Council Award is presented for exemplary service to the Interfraternity Council (IFC), recognizing leadership abilities, good academic standing, and involvement with philanthropic activities.
The Internationalization Action Council Award was established by the Internationalization Action Council to recognize individuals who have exemplified, supported, or furthered internationalization initiatives on the Wagner College campus.
The L. Willard Knight Memorial Award was established by the brothers of Tau Kappa Epsilon in memory of a brother, the late L. Willard Knight, a magna cum laude 1959 graduate. This award is presented to a fraternity member with the highest grade point average over the preceding two semesters.
The Leader on the Horizon Award was established to recognize a student who shows promise as a leader on campus.
The Michele Connors Tellefsen ’71 Alpha Delta Pi Leadership Award is given to a dedicated leader in the Gamma Pi Chapter as she transitions from being an active to an alumnae member.
The New Organization Award is presented to an organization new within the past three years, which has responded to a need within the Wagner College community and has set a tone for other groups to follow.
The Outstanding Service in Communication Award recognizes a student who has contributed mightily to one or more of the media organizations on campus: The Wagnerian student newspaper, the Nimbus literary journal, the Kallista yearbook, or WCBG radio.
The Resident Assistant Award is presented to a student who has served as a leader in the Residential Education community. The recipient must exhibit strong social skills, the ability to work with a diverse student population, supervise day-to-day operations in the Residence Halls, and execute well-rounded programming for resident students.
The Student Government Award is presented to an SGA officer for exemplary service. The recipient is selected by the SGA executive cabinet for outstanding work, dedication to the student body, and exemplary leadership abilities.
The Juliette Tyor Outstanding Student Employee Award recognizes the qualities of honesty, dependability, initiative, leadership, and campus involvement.
The Greek Senate Award is presented in recognition of service to the Greek community, developing unity and direction.
The Panhellenic Council Award is presented for exemplary service to the Panhellenic Council and for high academic achievement.
The Alumni Merit Award is presented to a senior who has demonstrated outstanding service, loyalty, and dedication to the Wagner College community through participation in organizations and activities.
The Joseph T. Gabrielline Memorial Award was established in honor of a member of the class of 1983, and is presented to a graduating senior who has demonstrated such superior qualities as leadership, honor, scholarship, and service.
The Periclean Senior Award honors a graduating senior who exhibits an abiding and active sense of social responsibility and civic concern through his/her academic work or community activities. In the spirit of honoring public and community service, this award also goes to the site of the student’s placement.
The Julie M. Barchitta Award for Civic Engagement is presented to a graduating senior who has excelled at bridging academic achievement and contributions to the community through participation in the Civic Engagement Certificate Program.
The Sir Peter L. Cardiello Award is given to a student with a history of outstanding leadership who demonstrates an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, the desire to make a difference, and above all, a creative and entrepreneurial spirit. This student demonstrates visionary leadership, undoubtedly leaving a legacy at the College by embodying the true Wagner spirit of “learning by doing.”
The Thomas Carroll Award for Environmental Sustainability is given in memory of Wagner College’s Vice President for Finance and Administration. Among the many contributions that Tom made to the College was his commitment to making Wagner a greener campus, and his enthusiasm in leading the campus toward a more environmentally sustainable future.
OVERALL ACADEMIC & LEADERSHIP AWARD
Dr. Donald W. Spiro Award - This award is Wagner College’s most prestigious, recognizing outstanding academic and co-curricular achievements over the course of a student’s career.