Wagner College held its 2024 Senior Awards Ceremony on Thursday, May 16, in the Main Hall Theatre. The college honored 61 seniors for their outstanding leadership and academic achievements. Congratulations to all the award winners.
2024 Senior Awards
Leevia Acquaviva won the Ann H. and Norbert H. Leeseberg Undergraduate Education Award, given to the student who best exemplifies the academic scholarship and community spirit of Dr. Leeseberg. (Education Department)
Magdalena Aleksovska won the Academic Excellence Award in Music, given for academic excellence in Music. (Department of Music)
Catherine F. Anderson won two awards:
- the Thomas Kendris Award in Expository & Journalistic Writing, given in recognition of outstanding work in writing courses and journalism. (Department of English)
- the Political Science Award, given for outstanding academic achievement in Political Science. (Department of Government & Politics)
Grant Maximus Anderson won the Margery Mayer and Sigvart J. Steen Award for Excellence in Music, given in recognition of excellence in choir performance. (Department of Music)
Chiamara Christine Lastimada Anyanwu won the English Literature Prize, given in recognition of the highest distinction in English literature. (Department of English)
Peter Arbitrio won two awards:
- the Wagner College Instrumental Music Award, given in recognition of outstanding musical talent and exemplary dedication to the bands of Wagner College. (Department of Music)
- the John '53 and Gloria Deane Award, given for academic excellence in and the desire to pursue work in the field of environmental sciences. (Department of Anthropology)
Ainsley Armstrong won the Community Service Award, given in recognition of commitment to community service through campus organizations. (Campus Life)
Anthony Bentivegna won the Wagner Investment Group Legacy Award, given in recognition of excellence in the investment world. (Nicolais School of Business)
Matthew Bertone won Health Sciences Award, given in recognition of the most demonstrated academic excellence in Health Sciences. (Department of Biological Sciences)
Kaitlin Lee Brennan won the Constance Byron Award, given in recognition of academic merit, leadership qualities, tenacious spirit, thoughtfulness, and caring for others. (Evelyn L. Spiro School of Nursing)
Simon Brewster won the Faculty Award in Theatre for Design, Technology and Management, given in recognition of excellence in Design, Technology and Management. (Department of Performing Arts)
Shealagh Kate Brower won the Film and Media Award in Art, given to a student who displays passion for Film and Media and has excelled at the art form. (Department of Visual Arts)
Parker Castro won two awards:
- the Distinguished Leader Award, which recognizes the student who possesses superior qualities of cooperation, decision-making and management. (Campus Life)
- the Dolly Award in Theatre for Performance, given in recognition of excellence in Performance. (Department of Performing Arts)
Nahomy Cuesta won the Faculty Award in Theatre for Design, Technology and Management, given in recognition of excellence in Design, Technology and Management. (Department of Performing Arts)
Dominic DeRiso won the Exceptional Performance in Philosophy award, given in recognition of academic excellence in philosophy. (Department of Philosophy & Religious Studies)
Julia Laraine Durkin won the Jane Hadley Goldsack Nursing Prize, given to a nursing student pursuing an advanced nursing degree at Wagner College. (Evelyn L. Spiro School of Nursing)
Emily Durkin won the Dolly Award in Theatre for Performance, given in recognition of excellence in Performance. (Department of Performing Arts)
Cyan Dyke won the Harvey Logan Memorial Award in Physics, given in recognition of academically outstanding work in Physics. (Department of Physical Sciences)
Meliti Efthymiou won two awards:
- the Nathan and Ruth Wolff Award for Dance, given in recognition of excellence in Dance. (Department of Performing Arts)
- the Rosemary A. Robbins Psychology Department Award, given in recognition of academic excellence in psychology. (Department of Psychology)
Alex Fainberg won the Biopsychology Award, given in recognition of academic excellence in Biopsychology. (Department of Biological Sciences)
Aaron Foreman won the Stephen Greenwald Award for Film, awarded to a talented film and media major with a strong academic record. (Department of Visual Arts)
Emory Garber won two awards:
- the Education Department Chair Award - Distinction in Teaching, given in recognition of outstanding achievement in teaching. (Education Department)
- the Eva Lazar Gabriel '49 Music Award, presented to an excellent student who shares the love for music cherished by Eva Lazar Gabriel. (Department of Music)
Valerie Guan won four awards:
- the Student Government Award, given in recognition of a student who has demonstrated exemplary service, work, dedication, and leadership abilities within the student body. (Campus Life)
- the Business Administration Award, given in recognition of the student in the Business department with the highest GPA. (Nicolais School of Business)
- the Janice M. Buddensick Award for Excellence in Accounting, given in recognition of outstanding achievement in Accounting, high standards of leadership, and good moral character. (Nicolais School of Business)
- the Dr. Donald W. Spiro Award for Best Academic Achievement, given each year to the graduating senior who has demonstrated the most extraordinary academic effort and fullest commitment to the life of the institution.
Nuri Gunduz won the Robert deCsipkes Memorial Prize for Research Potential, given in recognition of outstanding research potential in psychology. (Department of Psychology)
Jacquline Guzman won two awards:
- the Periclean Senior Award, given in recognition of an abiding and active sense of social responsibility and civic concern through academic work or community activities. (Civic Engagement)
- the Hertha Troll Meyer Memorial Award, given in recognition of exemplary scholarship and service in Sociology and Anthropology. (Department of Sociology)
Paul Hogan won the Outstanding Service in Communication Award, given in recognition of contributions to one or more of the media organizations on campus. (Campus Life)
Michael Hubert won the Wagner College Physician Assistant Award, given in recognition of the highest overall grade point average in the senior class. (Physician Assistant Program)
Samantha Hope Hughes won the Student Nurse Association Award, given in recognition of academic merit and leadership in diverse community activities. (Evelyn L. Spiro School of Nursing)
Moïse-Léna Marie-Joseph Jean-Louis won the Faculty Award in Arts Administration, given in recognition of meritorious participation in the Arts Administration Department. (Department of Performing Arts)
William B. Johnson won two awards:
- the Student Government Association Award in memory of Harry S. Jackson III '09, given to a graduating senior who has served in Student Government. (Campus Life)
- the Alpha Omicron Pi Award, given in recognition of academic excellence in Business Administration and exemplary participation in campus activities. (Nicolais School of Business)
Andrew Kaplan won the Wagner College Physician Assistant Award, given in recognition of the highest overall grade point average in the senior class. (Physician Assistant Program)
Matthew Krasnov won the Weissglass Family Prize, given to a senior who has demonstrated outstanding community investment and involvement during his years at Wagner College. (Campus Life)
Ryan Lane won two awards:
- the Weissglass Family Prize, given to a senior who has demonstrated outstanding community investment and involvement during his years at Wagner College. (Campus Life)
- the Wagner Investment Group Legacy Award, given in recognition of excellence in the investment world. (Nicolais School of Business)
Madeline A. Lee won three awards:
- the Ann H. and Norbert H. Leeseberg Undergraduate Education Award, given to the student who best exemplifies the academic scholarship and community spirit of Dr. Leeseberg. (Education Department)
- the Education Department Culturally Responsive Award given to a student with a strong commitment to being a culturally responsive teacher. (Education Department)
- the Faculty Award in Theatre Studies and Theatre Education, given in recognition of excellence in Theatre Education (Department of Performing Arts)
John Lutrario won the Kevin Sheehy Award in Biology, given for achieving the highest cumulative grade point average in the Biology major. (Department of Biological Sciences)
Arianna Martina won the Thomas Kendris Award in Expository & Journalistic Writing, given in recognition of outstanding work in writing courses and journalism. (Department of English)
Amanda Medvetz won two awards:
- the Robert deCsipkes Memorial Prize for Research Potential, given in recognition of outstanding research potential in psychology. (Department of Psychology)
- the Academic Excellence Award in Sociology, given in recognition of academic excellence in Sociology. (Department of Sociology)
Jacqueline Mountain won the Resident Assistant Award, given to a Resident Assistant who demonstrates excellence in the position. (Campus Life)
Mar Navarro won the Sir Peter L. Cardiello Award for Entrepreneurship, given to a student who embraces life and learning, and embodies the saying, "what the mind can conceive, the mind can achieve.” (Nicolais School of Business)
Til Ocvirk won the Dorothy Schaffer Memorial Award, given in recognition of outstanding achievement in Computer Science (Department of Mathematics & Computer Science)
Gabrielle Perraudin won the Economics Department Award, given in recognition of academic excellence in the field of Economics. (Nicolais School of Business)
Mackenzie Quinn Ross won the Dolly Award in Theatre for Performance, given in recognition of excellence in Performance. (Department of Performing Arts)
Alexandra Rucireto won the Ellen Horrman Award, presented to a student who demonstrates academic excellence in Nursing during the clinical experience. (Evelyn L. Spiro School of Nursing)
Viktoria Rusinak won the Biopsychology Award, given in recognition of academic excellence in Biopsychology. (Department of Biological Sciences)
Marisa Sanchez-Henry won the Nursing Faculty Award, given to a compassionate student leader who is patient and family centered. (Evelyn L. Spiro School of Nursing)
Eric Sander won the Wagner College Prize in Mathematics, given in recognition of outstanding achievement in Mathematics. (Department of Mathematics & Computer Science)
Richard J. Sause won the Christian P. Holmstrup History Award, given in recognition of the highest grade point average in History. (Department of History)
Lily Jane Wagner Schaffer won the Academic Excellence Award in Sociology, given in recognition of academic excellence in Sociology. (Department of Sociology)
Sara Shirazi won two awards:
- the Julia M. Barchitta Award for Civic Engagement, for bridging academic achievement and contributions to the community participating in the Civic Engagement Certificate Program. (Civic Engagement)
- the Bonner Foundation Award, given in recognition of outstanding commitment and service with others as a Bonner Leader at Wagner College.
Alyssa Rose Slaven won the Katherine & Egon Wendel Education Prize, given to a student with a high G.P.A. who is intending to pursue the MS Ed. degree at Wagner College. (Education Department)
Denisa C. Stan won the Dorothy Schaffer Memorial Award, given in recognition of outstanding achievement in Computer Science. (Department of Mathematics & Computer Science)
Marissa Stanulis won the Robert deCsipkes Memorial Prize for Clinical Potential, given in recognition of outstanding clinical potential in psychology. (Department of Psychology)
Frozan Tahiry won two awards:
- the Internationalization Action Award, given to a student who has furthered, exemplified or supported internationalization issues at Wagner College. (Campus Life)
- the Dreyfus Prize, given in recognition of academically outstanding work in Chemistry. (Department of Physical Sciences)
Julian Taudin Chabot won the Sports Administration Award, given in recognition of outstanding achievement in the area of Sports Administration. (Department of Government & Politics)
Bryson Taylor won the Barna Csuros Memorial Award, given to a student pursuing law school. (Department of Government & Politics)
Justino Tesoro won the Bob Gabriel Memorial Endowed Award in Performance, given to a theatre major with an interest in Italian and /or Italian American Culture with proven history of outstanding performance in theatre. (Department of Performing Arts)
Athanasia Theofilopoulos won three awards:
- the Thomas Carroll Award for Environmental Sustainability, given In recognition of dedication in leading the campus toward a more environmentally sustainable future. (Campus Life)
- 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. (Department of Anthropology)
- the International Affairs Award, given for outstanding academic achievement in International Affairs. (Department of Government & Politics)
Kate Laurene Thomas won the Alumni Association Merit Award, given in recognition of outstanding service, loyalty, and dedication to the Wagner College community. (Alumni Association)
Victoria Hope Tomeo won two awards:
- the Michele Connors Tellefsen ‘71 Alpha Delta Pi Leadership Award, given to a dedicated leader in the Gamma Pi Chapter as she transitions from being an active to an alumnae member. (Campus Life)
- the Mary Burr Award, given in recognition of the highest cumulative grade point average in Nursing (Evelyn L. Spiro School of Nursing)
Lukas Torres won the Lee Yorgey Davidheiser Prize in Chemistry, given in recognition of academically outstanding work in Chemistry. (Department of Physical Sciences)
Brooke Holly Wood won the Verrazano Memorial Prize, given in recognition of outstanding academic achievement in Government and Politics. (Department of Government & Politics)
