On Thursday, May 23, at Wagner College’s annual Senior Awards Banquet, 66 students from around the globe were recognized for academic excellence and community engagement.
Marianna T. Agliata of Brooklyn, New York, won the Nursing Faculty Award, which recognizes a compassionate student leader who is patient and family-centered. The nursing faculty selected her for this award due to her exemplary kind and caring nature when interacting with patients, their families, and her peers. Agliata graduated with a bachelor of science degree.
Alyssa M. Ahern of Cincinnatti, Ohio, won the Wagner Investment Group Legacy Award, presented to an undergraduate student for excellence in the investment world. Alyssa is a sister of Alpha Delta Pi and active in the Student Government Association. She also serves as treasurer of the Wagner Student Investment Group and an editor of the Wagnerian student newspaper. Ahern graduated with a bachelor of science degree.
Bareah Alam of Staten Island, New York, won the Joseph T. Gabrielline Memorial Award for superior qualities of leadership, honor, scholarship and service. She is involved in Nimbus, the Muslim Student Association, the Pre-Health Society, peer tutoring, the Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honor society, the Phi Alpha Theta history honor society, the Kappa Mu Epsilon math honor society and the American Association of University Women. Alam is a past winner of the Dreyfus Prize in Chemistry and was an editor of the student newspaper, the Wagnerian. Alam graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of science degree.
James R. Alicea of Old Bridge, New Jersey, was the top award winner, earning four distinctions, including:
- The English Literature Prize, the highest distinction in the study of English literature;
- The Academics for Activism Graduate School Fund award, designated for an English major from the Class of 2013 who will be doing graduate study toward either a Ph.D. or a law degree, whose focus of graduate study will be on issues concerning women, gender and sexuality, and/or marginalized groups;
- The Verrazano Memorial Prize for outstanding academic achievement in the study of government and politics — Alicea has the highest GPA among government majors — and,
- The Dr. Donald W. Spiro Award for Best Academic Achievement, the most prestigious student award given at Wagner College, recognizing outstanding academic and co-curricular achievement.
Alicea is graduating with a double major in government & politics and English. He completed a senior honors thesis entitled, “Jamaica Kincaid and the Effects of Colonial Education on Caribbean Society.” His cumulative GPA is a perfect 4.0, the highest in the senior class. Alicea was active on campus as a peer tutor, a student member of the Community Standards Review Board, and a member of the Pre-Law Society and the Psychology Club. He has traveled to England through the Expanding Your Horizons program and has worked as an intern for New York City Councilwoman Debi Rose. He will be attending Cornell Law School in the fall, with aspirations to become a criminal defense attorney. Alicea graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree.
Marie-Laurence Archambault of St. Hubert, Quebec, won two distinctions:
- The Julia M. Barchitta Award for Civic Engagement, for bridging academic achievement and contributions to the community through participation in the Civic Engagement Certificate Program, and
- The Thomas Carroll Award for Environmental Sustainability, recognizing dedication in leading the campus toward a more environmentally sustainable future.
Archambault demonstrated outstanding dedication to teaching sustainable environmental practices to other students on campus, hoping to instill in them a lifelong commitment to safe environmental practices that can lead to global change. This year, she worked with the United Nations to bring a program to campus that taught business students about companies that use green energy to produce, market and sell products. Working in a variety of on-campus leadership roles, off-campus volunteer positions, and internships, Archambault spread her message by working closely with the Northfield Local Development Corporation to host a Port Richmond clean-up day that sought to both physically clean up the community and educate businesses about practices that will save them money and help the environment. Archambault graduated with a bachelor of arts degree.
Gina M. Auricchio of Brooklyn, New York, won two distinctions:
- The Microbiology Award for outstanding scholastic achievement, and
- The Michele Connors Tellefsen ’71 Alpha Delta Pi Leadership Award, given to a dedicated leader in Wagner’s ADPi chapter as she transitions from being an active to an alumnae member.
A senior in Wagner’s 5-year microbiology bachelor’s/master’s degree program, Auricchio has a cumulative 3.92 GPA. She did research in the Johns Hopkins Summer Internship Program, and she is a member of the Beta Beta Beta biology honor society and the Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honor society. She also belongs to the Biology Club, the Microbiology Club, Alpha Delta Pi sorority, the Student Government Association and the Pre-Law Society. Auricchio graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of science degree.
Gregory J. Balaes of Staten Island, New York, won the Joseph T. Gabrielline Memorial Award for superior qualities of leadership, honor, scholarship and service. The outgoing Student Government Association president, Balaes is an active member of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity, the Biology Club, the Beta Beta Beta biology honor society and the Pre-Health Society. In addition, he founded Wagner College’s Pre-Dental Society and was instrumental in organizing Wagner’s inaugural health fair as well as the Wagner Cares initiative for Hurricane Sandy relief on Staten Island. Balaes will be attending Rutgers School of Dental Medicine. Balaes graduated with a bachelor of science degree.
Sutton K. Bantle of Springfield, Virginia, won the Alpha Omicron Pi Award for academic excellence in the study of business administration and exemplary participation in campus activities. Bantle is a business major and economics minor as well as a very active member of the Student Government Association and a sister of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. As an undergraduate, she earned the Leader on the Horizon Award. She is a peer leader and a peer tutor who belongs to the Wagner Student Investment Group, the Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honor society and the Delta Mu Delta business honor society. Bantle also served this year as one of the co-chairs of Songfest, a major dance competition among campus organizations. Bantle graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of science degree.
Judith M. Betz of Ashburn, Virginia, won the Community Service Award, recognizing commitment to community service through campus organizations. Betz is president of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee, secretary of the Biology Club, treasurer of the Beta Beta Beta biology honor society and a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honor society. She is a co-founder of the Wagner Cares initiative, which provided support for the Staten Island community affected by Hurricane Sandy. Her outstanding service, commitment to volunteering, and leadership in Wagner Cares more than justify her recognition with this award. Betz graduated cum laude with a bachelor of science degree.
Alex M. Boniello of Wood-Ridge, New Jersey, won the Theatre Award in Performance. Boniello has been seen on the Wagner stage as Jesus in “Jesus Christ Superstar,” Officer Barrel in “Urinetown,” Frank in “School for Lies” and Mark Cohen in “Rent.” Boniello graduated cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree.
Melanie D. Brook of Oceanside, New York, won the Theatre Award in Performance. Brook has performed in “Rent,” “Spring Awakening” and “Jesus Christ Superstar” while at Wagner. Brook expects to graduate in August with a bachelor of arts degree.
Michael A. Bullard of Saranac Lake, New York, won the Nathan and Ruth Wolff Prize for excellence in dance. Bullard was a member of the cast of Wagner’s production of “Guys and Doll.” He also starred on the international production of “West Side Story,” where he performed the role of Baby John in Berlin and Paris. This month, he flies to Naples to resume performing, followed by a seven-week run in London. Bullard graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree.
Yalin Chen of Quazhou, China, won two distinctions:
- The Accounting Society Award, and
- The Internationalization Action Council Award, given to a student who has furthered, exemplified or supported internationalization at Wagner College.
Chen is a business major with a concentration in accounting. She is active on campus as a peer tutor and is vice president of the Accounting/Business Society. Chen has been involved with internationalization on campus in a variety of ways. An ambassador for visiting delegates and a spokeswoman for study-abroad programs, she has participated in community service events, peer mentoring and tutoring. Chen has often taken new international students under her guidance and helped them assimilate quickly with her broad network of friends and experiences. Chen graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of science degree.
Michael V. Chicolo of Staten Island, New York, won the Psychology Department Award for academic excellence. Michael’s papers on imagination, prejudice in television, aggression in the movies, and social mimicry and likeability impressed his professors with their insight and clarity. Chicolo graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree.
Tatum L. Colitz of Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, won the Norbert Leeseberg Undergraduate Award, given to a student who exemplifies the academic scholarship and community spirit of Dr. Leeseberg. Since freshman year, Tatum has displayed a commitment and dedication to the education profession by eagerly engaging in activities related to teaching and learning, receiving rave reviews for her scholarship and community spirit. An athlete who is passionate about educating the whole child, Tatum exemplifies the positive influence a reflective and dedicated educator can make in engaging and motivating students toward academic success. She has a wonderful, caring demeanor and constantly seeks ways to enhance her pedagogy by staying abreast of the latest educational practices. Colitz graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree.
Kristen Costello of Staten Island, New York, won the Mary Burr Award for the highest cumulative grade point average among nursing students. Costello graduated with a bachelor of science degree.
Erin E. Cuevas of Westminster, California, won the Alumni Merit Award for outstanding service, loyalty and dedication to the Wagner College community through participation in organizations and activities. Erin has worked with the Major Gifts staff in our Institutional Advancement Office since 2011, quickly grasping the concept of prospect research. Her dedication and commitment to the Institutional Advancement Office has helped Wagner College develop and maintain stronger relationships with its alumni, parents and friends. Cuevas graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of science degree.
Jenna M. DeMartini of New York, New York, won the Norval Calhoun Award for distinguished academic and teaching performance. She is a creative, thoughtful and dedicated student who brings true passion and commitment to her work, ensuring inclusive pedagogical practices based on individualized needs. DeMartini’s ability to connect with her students during student teaching was superb; she went the extra mile to create an educational environment that was welcoming to all students. DeMartini graduated with a bachelor of arts degree.
John V. DeMartino of Staten Island, New York, won the Dorothy Schaffer Memorial Award for outstanding achievement in the study of computer science. A mathematics major, DeMartino posted a GPA of 3.98. DeMartino graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of science degree.
Kelly A. Dennis of Staten Island, New York, won the Dreyfus Prize for academically outstanding work in the study of chemistry. She has been accepted as a graduate student in chemistry at the University of Southern California, where she will pursue a Ph.D. in chemistry. Dennis graduated cum laude with a bachelor of science degree.
Allein DeOcera of Old Bridge, New Jersey, won the Wagner College Physician Assistant Award for the highest overall grade point average among seniors in the P.A. program. DeOcera graduated cum laude with a bachelor of science degree.
Gia M. DeStefanis of Holbrook, New York, won the Kurt Goedel Award for Excellence in Mathematics for outstanding performance and achievement in the field of mathematics, based on student’s GPA and performance in class. She is a double major in mathematics and physics. In the summer of 2011, DeStefanis was selected for a competitive and prestigious internship with Brookhaven National Lab, where she studied gas electron multiplier detectors. She presented a paper at the Eastern Colleges Science Conference and published in the Wagner College Undergraduate Research Journal. DeStefanis is on the Dean’s List and a Megerle Scholar. DeStefanis graduated with a bachelor of science degree.
Amanda J. Diekmann of Valhalla, New York, won the Mary Burr Award for the highest cumulative grade point average in the nursing program. Diekmann graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of science degree.
Mirabai S. Dougé of Brooklyn, New York, won the Simone de Beauvoir French Award outstanding work in the study of French literature and the French language. Dougé chose to major in French because her family is from Haiti and she wanted to be able to communicate with them in their own language. Her love of French eventually led her to Haiti herself, where she participated in Wagner’s Alternative Spring Break. Dougé exemplifies everything that a professor can hope to find in a language student. In addition to her raw talent, she displays the highest sensitivity toward cultural differences. Dougé graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree.
Julia Dweck of West Hollywood, California, won the Robert deCsipkes Memorial Prize for outstanding research in psychology. Dweck completed her departmental honors thesis on the role of stress and sleep deprivation on eating behavior. She is so committed to research that she returned to Wagner after her graduation in December 2012 to do more research. She was the coauthor of an Association for Psychological Sciences presentation on the affects of weather on classroom attentiveness and disruptive behavior. Dweck graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of science degree.
Joanna Emilio of Brooklyn, New York, won two distinctions:
- The Kevin Sheehy Award in Biology for the highest cumulative grade point average in the biology major, and
- The Dr. Norman L Freilich Memorial Award, given to a graduating student accepted into medical or dental school.
Emilio is a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa leadership honor society, the Pre-Health Society and the Promising Student Society. She is president of the Beta Beta Beta biology honors society. Emilio has a 4.0 GPA in the biology major and will attend the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine in the fall. Emilio graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of science degree.
Nicolette M. Faison of Elmont, New York, won the Verrazano Memorial Prize for outstanding academic achievement in the study of history.
Mark J. Fealey of Staten Island, New York, won the Dr. Norman L Freilich Memorial Award, given to a graduating student accepted into medical or dental school. Fealey will attend Cornell Veterinary School in the fall. Fealey graduated cum laude with a bachelor of science degree.
Kevin A. Ferreira of Union, New Jersey, won two distinctions:
- The Periclean Senior Award, recognizing an abiding and active sense of social responsibility and civic concern through academic work or community activities, and
- The Sir Peter L. Cardiello Award, given in memory of a man who embraced life and learning and who consistently displayed a positive attitude and thought process embodying the saying, “What the mind can conceive, the mind can achieve.”
Starting as a first-year student, Ferreira became involved in a variety of initiatives in Port Richmond, a predominantly immigrant community on Staten Island, first supporting economic development through an internship with the Northfield Local Development Corporation. Since his sophomore year, Ferreira has actively engaged himself at El Centro del Inmigrante, a service center for immigrant workers, which led to his deep engagement with immigration issues and his recent efforts to advocate for immigration reform. More recently, as parent coordinator at Port Richmond’s New World Preparatory School, a charter school that serves the predominantly undocumented English Language Learner community, he has made an important and ongoing contribution to educational improvement. Working to develop their parent academy from the ground up, Ferreira acts as translator, coach, curriculum developer and professional development coordinator. He has provided extensive direct service to a variety of agencies, but he has also learned how to bring about change at a legislative level. He is also a model student who uses what he learns to inform his community work. Ferreira graduated cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree.
Daniel J. Ford of Staten Island, New York, won the Hertha Troll Meyer Memorial Award for exemplary scholarship and service in the study of sociology and anthropology. Ford graduated cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree.
Mark J. Gilbert of Dallas, Pennsylvania, won two distinctions:
- The Socrates Prize for outstanding thought that has application to human concerns in a community, and
- The Juliette Tyor Outstanding Student Employee Award, recognizing qualities of honesty, dependability, initiative, leadership and campus involvement.
For 4 years, Gilbert worked as a student employee in Wagner College’s Center for Student Engagement. In their nomination letter, the CSE staff wrote, “Mark has been consistently reliable and dependable, which has made him an asset to our staff and office as well as the campus community.” Gilbert graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree.
KellyAnn Glorioso of Belmar, New Jersey, won the Marie Picket Award, given to an undergraduate nursing student who has delivered outstanding community service and is a great role model, in our community or abroad. Glorioso graduated with a bachelor of science degree.
Elizabeth Harrington of Warwick, Rhode Island, won the Marie Picket Award, given to an undergraduate nursing student who has delivered outstanding community service and is a great role model, in our community or abroad. Harrington graduated with a bachelor of science degree.
Stephanie R. Hopkins of Staten Island, New York, won the Community Health Nursing Award, which recognizes a nursing student who demonstrates volunteerism, thoughtfulness, caring and patience while promoting the health of individuals, families and groups within the community. Hopkins is a special nursing professional who is always willing to help others in the surrounding community and abroad. She recently returned from Haiti, where she is sponsoring two young children to improve their health and well-being. She is a perfect example of how a nurse can improve the lives of others worldwide. Hopkins graduated with a bachelor of science degree.
Josephine Ieraci of Staten Island, New York, won the Frank K. Bobbitt Memorial Award in Chemistry for being conscientious and cooperative and showing scholastic achievement in the field of chemistry. The members of the chemistry faculty consider her to be a talented individual who constantly seeks a complete understanding of physical phenomena and the integration of chemistry into a broader pool of knowledge. Ieraci graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of science degree.
Hannah M. Jenkins of Cranford, New Jersey, won the Don Hartung Prize in Education, given to a senior education major intending to pursue a career in teaching. Jenkins has a long-expressed commitment to being of service where she is most needed. As a student teacher in Port Richmond working with low-income and immigrant children, “I found my own learning was just as dramatic as the students’,” she said. Her humility and commitment are certainly two of the reasons she has been accepted into the challenging and prestigious City Year program, where she will spend the next year living and working as an educator in some of the most distressed communities in New York City. Jenkins graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree.
Julia E. Jones of Leawood, Kansas, won the Theatre Award in Performance for excellence in theater performance. Most recently appearing as Sarah Brown in “Guys and Dolls,” Jones has also performed in “Cinderella,” “My Fair Lady,” “Tennessee Williams’ One-Acts” and “School for Lies.” Jones graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree.
Marcel Kaganovskaya of Brooklyn, New York, won the Student Nurse Association Award for academic merit and leadership in diverse community activities. In addition to his academic perseverance and excellence, Kaganovskaya was selected as a Valor Scholar and was a student extern in their elite program last summer. As a result of his exemplary clinical performance, he was invited to continue working as a nursing student extern. Last year, Kaganovskaya was the recipient of the National Student Nursing Association Scholarship, and since serves as a peer leader for this organization. Kaganovskaya graduated cum laude with a bachelor of science degree.
Laura R. Karbach of Abington, Pennsylvania, won the Education Department Chair Award for Distinction in Teaching. The members of the Education Department faculty feel that Karbach is one of their most dedicated students. Not only has she consistently earned high marks in both her major and her education courses, but she has done this while being a leader on the college’s water polo team. Karbach graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree.
Jenny Kelly of Staten Island, New York, won the George G. Hackman Prize in Religious Studies for the highest academic average in courses taken in the religion minor. Kelly graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree.
Courtney A. Killard of East Meadow, New York, won the Mary Burr Award for the highest cumulative grade point average in the nursing program. Killard graduated with a bachelor of science degree.
Edward J. Knapp III of Glenfield, New York, won the Economics Department Award for academic excellence. Knapp graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree.
Lisa M. Lauto of Setauket, New York, won two distinctions:
- The Education Department Award, and
- The Sigvart J. Steen Scholarship Award in Music for excellence in choir performance.
The Music Department especially cited Lauto for her stellar leadership in all areas of choral performance at Wagner College. Lauto graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree.
Jacinta M. Lawrence of Nashville, Tennessee, won the Diversity Action Council Award, given to a student who has furthered, exemplified or supported Wagner College’s attempts to promote diversity. She has participated in the Emerging Leader Institute and is a member of the Nubian Student Union and the Art Club. Lawrence expects to graduate in August with a bachelor of arts degree.
Andrew M. Ledet of Rockaway, New Jersey, won the Kappa Mu Epsilon Award for excellence in service and leadership as a mathematics or computer science major. Ledet graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of science degree.
Matthew W. Lezzo of Monroe Township, New Jersey, won the Jane Bacher Award for the highest grade point average in Community Health Nursing. Lezzo graduated cum laude with a bachelor of science degree.
Vincent Lombardo of Staten Island, New York, won the Harvey Logan Memorial Award in Physics. Lombardo graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of science degree.
Jenna Maffucci of Edison, New Jersey, won the Hertha Troll Meyer Memorial Award for exemplary scholarship and service in sociology and anthropology. Maffucci has demonstrated exceptional performance in the major’s core courses, including a stand-out research proposal on domestic violence for the Senior Seminar and insightful observations for the Senior Reflective Tutorial based on her placement in an entertainment law firm. Maffucci graduated cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree.
Jessica L. Makwinski of Temecula, California, won the Robbie Boody Memorial Award in Art for exceptional scholarly work in the study of art. Makwinski is a natural artist who paints lush and adventurous paintings. She is also an intelligent art historian and a fantastic writer who can do excellent research on any topic. She has interned at the Museum of Biblical Art and a major gallery in New York City, and is now at Christie’s. Makwinski graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of science degree.
Joseph J. Marrone of Brooklyn, New York, won the Theatre Award in Design, Technology and Management. Marrone graduated cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree.
Matthew J. McGuinness of Caldwell, New Jersey, won the Business Administration Award, which recognizes the student in the Business Department with the highest GPA. McGuinness expects to graduate this August with a bachelor of science degree.
Christina M. Natoli of Oakdale, New York, won the Wagner College Physician Assistant Award for the highest overall grade point average in the P.A. program’s senior class. Natoli graduated cum laude with a bachelor of science degree.
Adam M. Nicolais of Syracuse, New York, won the Lee Yorgey Davidheiser Prize in Chemistry. Nicolais graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of science degree.
Carley R. Nicoletti of Plainville, New York, won the Wagner College Prize in Mathematics for outstanding achievement in the study of mathematics. Nicoletti is a double major in mathematics and physics. In the summer of 2012, she was selected for a competitive and prestigious undergraduate research experience at the University of Florida, where she studied microelectromechanical systems. Nicoletti graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of science degree.
Miranda F. Nicoletti of Plainville, New York, won the Ellen Horrman Award for academic excellence in nursing studies during the clinical experience. Nicoletti has consistently been evaluated by her clinical professors as a student who exceeds the standard in the clinical setting. Her clinical performance as a student nurse particularly excelled in the area of patient advocacy, student leadership and therapeutic communication with her patients. Nicoletti graduated with a bachelor of science degree.
Brittany A. O’Keefe of Rutherford, New Jersey, won the Constance Byron Award recognizing academic merit, leadership qualities, tenaciousness of spirit, thoughtfulness and caring for others. O’Keefe is a resident assistant and a member of the Alpha Phi Omega fraternity, the women’s track team and the Student Nurses’ Association. She had the honor of spending last summer participating in the Student Nurse Externship as a Spiro Scholar at Johns Hopkins Medical Center. O’Keefe graduated cum laude with a bachelor of science degree.
Eric M. Petillo of Staten Island, New York, won the Jack J. Boies Award for Creative Writing, recognizing excellence in the annual Creative Writing Competition. Petillo won the Boies Award for his one-act play, “Somewhere Between Falling,” which focuses on a woman who is having difficulty coping with the loss of her husband on 9/11. Petillo graduated cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree.
Amy M. Pimer of West Haven, Connecticut, won the Phyllis Andors Award for outstanding performance in the study of government and politics. Pimer has the second-highest GPA among students majoring in government & politics. Pimer graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree.
Suzanne Plachy of Upper Nyack, New York, won the Theatre Award in Design, Technology and Management. Plachy graduated cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree.
Concetta Raineri of Staten Island, New York, won the Bob Gabriel Memorial Endowed Award for Theatre, presented to a theater major with an interest in Italian and/or Italian-American culture with a proven history of outstanding performance in theatre. A Staten Island resident, Raineri speaks Italian in her home (and claims to make a mean lasagna). She is a theater/speech major with a minor in English who has also been involved with the Maintaining Outdoor Fitness Organization. While at Wagner, she had lead roles in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and “Beauty and the Beast” as well as featured roles in “Legally Blonde” and “Rent.” Raineri graduated with a bachelor of arts degree.
Dave Samuel R. Resultan of Staten Island, New York, won the Theatre Award in Performance. Resultan has been seen on the Wagner stage in “Guys and Dolls,” “Rent,” “Legally Blonde,” “Jesus Christ Superstar,” “Lysistrata” and “Looking for the Remote.” Resultan graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree.
Emily L. Rogers of Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, won the Anita Volland Anthropology Award, presented to a student who exemplifies the work and vision of anthropology practiced by Professor Volland, emphasizing the importance of the four fields, the centrality of the culture concept and great intellectual curiosity. Rogers’ 3.9 GPA has earned her seven semesters on the Dean’s List while she has undertaken extensive archaeological training, working with world-renowned researchers as well as the local community in and around Cuzco, Peru. While supervising an excavation of major historical significance, Rogers has had to perform exceptionally in all four fields of anthropology, bridging linguistic and cultural divides in three languages — English, Spanish and Quechua — showing exceptional promise as a professional anthropologist. Rogers graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree.
Alexander M. Saltzman of Franklin Square, New York, won the Interfraternity Council Award for exemplary service and leadership to the Interfraternity Council, leadership abilities, good academic standing and philanthropy. Saltzman is a former Interfraternity Council president. Saltzman graduated with a bachelor of science degree.
Mary Somich of Middle Granville, New York, won the Robert deCsipkes Memorial Prize, given to the student demonstrating the greatest potential as a clinical psychologist. Somich is the president of Psi Chi, the psychology honor society. Her academic and clinical experience has resulted in her receiving interviews for all five of the clinical psychology graduate programs to which she applied. Somich graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree.
Katie E. Yoest of East Lyme, Connecticut, won the Biopsychology Award. Yoest has been accepted to biopsychology programs at both the University of Michigan and the University of Minnesota. She has performed research at the Institute for Behavioral Research. She has also served as a biopsychology tutor for other students at Wagner. Yoest graduated magna cum laude with a bachelor of science degree.
Rachel M. Zaydak of Leechburg, Pennsylvania, won the English Literature Prize. She graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor of arts degree.
