SWAG视频 Honors Top Students with 2024 University Awards

2024 University Awards Aiden Hosien
Held at the Harold Alfond Forum on SWAG视频's Biddeford Campus on Tuesday, April 23, the annual event provides an opportunity to formally recognize students who have demonstrated outstanding scholarship, leadership, and service.

The SWAG视频 celebrated the exceptional academic achievements and community contributions of its undergraduate students at the 2024 University Awards ceremony. Held at the Harold Alfond Forum on SWAG视频's Biddeford Campus on Tuesday, April 23, the annual event provides an opportunity to formally recognize students who have demonstrated outstanding scholarship, leadership, and service.

The awards are the result of a rigorous selection process by a committee comprising representatives from the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), the Faculty Assembly Student Affairs Committee, the Global Education Program, the CAS Internship Office, the SWAG视频 Office of Student Affairs, and the Westbrook College of Health Professions (WCHP) faculty. 

By honoring its highest-performing and most engaged students, SWAG视频 reinforces its commitment to fostering academic excellence and developing future leaders dedicated to serving their communities.

鈥淭he SWAG视频 community consists of many different groups of people, and this event brings us all together to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our students,鈥 said Jonathan Millen, Ph.D., dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, during the awards ceremony. 鈥淎t SWAG视频, we take academic excellence and student leadership very seriously. We also understand that the achievements we celebrate on campus are just the beginning, a foundation for an even greater set of accomplishments that you will attain as you go out into the world."

University Awards

ALUMNI COUNCIL ESSAY CONTEST AWARD

The 2024 essay prompt explores the tension between the growing reliance on AI in our lives and the ethical, moral, and human considerations that guide decision-making. It highlights the limitations of AI in capturing the nuances and intangible factors that shape real-life choices. The students were asked to reconcile this conflict and share perspectives on how to balance the increasing influence of AI with the ethical and moral values that should underpin our personal and professional decisions.

Recipients:

First Place: 鈥淗uman Identity in an AI Filled World鈥 by Edward Iannuzzi-Sucich

Second Place: 鈥淲hat AI Can't Replace鈥 by Alexa Livingston

Third Place: 鈥淥ur Future With AI鈥 by Elaina Sarsfield

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

For any student who has demonstrated an exemplary commitment to serve others in the University or greater community. Academic achievement must also have been demonstrated. Examples of the nominee鈥檚 service contributions for this current academic year and other years are requested.

Recipient: 

Sophia Moschella (Medical Biology and Medical Science, 鈥24)

GLOBAL EDUCATION AWARD

For any student who has demonstrated an exemplary commitment to global citizenship by participating in SWAG视频 Global Education programs, such as semester or year abroad, faculty-led travel course(s), volunteer programs or internship(s) abroad. Examples of the nominee's global experiences for this current academic year and other years are requested.

Recipient: 

Grace Curley (Neuroscience, 鈥24)

HANNAH FIELDS-LENEHAN FINE ARTS AWARD

This award honors the legacy of Tim Lenehan 鈥71鈥檚 mother, Hannah Fields-Lenehan, by celebrating the value of artistic and creative expression in all people. All undergraduate students are invited to submit artwork to be voted on by SWAG视频 community members. The top three students who receive the most votes are awarded special recognition.

Recipients:

First Place: Jhana Prue

Second Place: Thomas Garcia

Third Place: Marissa Carter

JACQUES DOWNS AWARD FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Recognizes the most accomplished SWAG视频 College of Arts and Sciences graduating senior. Considerations for this award are primarily the student鈥檚 academic achievement (overall GPA, number of semesters on the Dean鈥檚 List, and academic awards and scholarships), scholarly work (original undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative activity), and service considerations during their SWAG视频 career.

Recipient: Kaylee Emery, (Medical Biology and Medical Science, 鈥24)

JUNIOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AWARD

For any junior who has excelled in their academics. Considerations for this award are primarily the student鈥檚 academic achievements (overall GPA, number of semesters on the Dean鈥檚 List, and academic awards and scholarships), collegiality, and scholarly work (original undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative activity). Service considerations during their SWAG视频 career will also be considered.

Recipient: 

Brooklynn Merrill (Neuroscience, 鈥25)

SOPHOMORE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AWARD

For any sophomore who has excelled in their academics. Considerations for this award are primarily the student鈥檚 academic achievements (overall GPA, number of semesters on the Dean鈥檚 List, and academic awards and scholarships), collegiality, and scholarly work (original undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative activity). Service contributions during their SWAG视频 career will also be considered.

Recipient: 

Will DeFroscia (Chemistry, 鈥26)

STUDENT LEADER AWARD

For any student who has demonstrated excellence in leadership at the University. The nominee should demonstrate a commitment to excellence that results in positive change in the University community, possess a balanced collegiate lifestyle, and serve as a role model. Examples of specific contributions for this current academic year and other years are requested. Academic achievements will also be considered.

Recipient: 

Ashleigh Marshall (Nursing, 24)

SUSAN J. HILLMAN SCIENCE/MATH EDUCATION AWARD

This award is for a SWAG视频 College of Arts and Sciences student who shows dedication to STEM education and professional promise as a STEM educator. Students with formal (classroom) or informal (outreach) teaching experience in STEM fields including, but not limited to, mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, neuroscience, environmental science, and psychology will be considered. The awardee should have a bright intellect and be known as a role model and mentor among their peers.

Recipient: 

Cassandra McKiel (Elementary/Middle Education, 鈥24)

EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION AWARD

For the undergraduate who has accomplished professional preparation, civic engagement, and global awareness as critical to their academic career (and liberal arts education) through diverse involvement in experiential education programs offered on the University campus including internships, research, community service, and global education. Involvement in three or more of the above areas is required. Demonstrated leadership in at least two of the above areas is preferred.

Recipient: 

Megan Pike (Marine Science, 鈥24)

CAS DEAN鈥橲 LEADERSHIP AWARD

The College of Arts and Sciences Dean鈥檚 Leadership Award was established to honor a CAS student who exemplifies the value of a liberal arts education by bringing together academic excellence with demonstrated applications beyond the classroom while also engaging in leadership activities in the college. 

Recipient: 

Samantha Lagasse (Psychology, 鈥24)

Outstanding Researcher/Scholar in the Natural Sciences

Recipient: 

Peter Swanson (Chemistry, 鈥24)

Outstanding Graduate Researcher/Scholar

Recipient: 

Aubrey Jane (M.S. Marine Sciences, 鈥24)

EXCELLENCE IN GRADUATE TEACHING AWARD

Recipient: 

Kathyrn McGee (M.S. Biological Sciences, 鈥25)

College of Business

Outstanding Student Award for Business Administration

Recipient: 

Rachel Sledjeski 鈥24

Outstanding Student Award for Sport and Recreation Management

Recipient: 

Tyler Calhoun 鈥24

Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies

Outstanding Student for Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies

Recipient: 

Dez Schrankel 鈥24

Jessica Cox Henderson 1886 Award for Activism

Recipient: 

Elizabeth Mitchell 鈥24

School of Arts and Humanities

Outstanding Student Award for Art

Recipient: 

Lilliana Gurney 鈥24

Outstanding Student Award for Communications

Recipient: 

Mya Hankes 鈥24

Outstanding Student Award for English

Recipient: 

Victoria Robichaud 鈥24

Outstanding Student Award for History

Recipient: 

Benjamin Fitzgerald 鈥24

Outstanding Student Award for Writing

Recipient: 

Thomas Garcia, 鈥24

School of Education

Outstanding Student Award for Art Education

Recipient: 

Daphne Wilkerson 鈥24

Outstanding Student Award for Elementary/Middle Education

Recipient: 

Cassie McKiel 鈥24

Outstanding Student Award for Education Studies

Recipient: 

Juliet Fluty 鈥24

Outstanding Student Award for Special Education

Recipient: 

Lauren Lepage 鈥24

School of Biological Sciences

Outstanding Student Award for Biological Sciences

Recipient: 

Sienna Matregrano 鈥24

Outstanding Student Award for Medical Biology 鈥 Medical Sciences

Recipient: 

Anjana Govindaraj 鈥24

Outstanding Student Award for Medical Biology 鈥 Pre-Physician Assistant

Recipient: 

Karl Mohr 鈥24

School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences

Outstanding Student Award for Applied Mathematics

Recipient: 

Cormac Collins 鈥24

Outstanding Student Award for Biochemistry
Recipients: 

Shannon Alvino 鈥24 and Savannah Wakita 鈥24

Outstanding Student Award for Chemistry

Recipient: 

Peter Swanson 鈥24

Outstanding Student Award for Data Science

Recipient: 

AJ Lusty 鈥24

School of Marine and Environmental Programs

Outstanding Student Award for Marine Entrepreneurship

Recipient: 

Timothy Michalik 鈥24

Outstanding Student Award for Marine Sciences 鈥 Oceanography 

Recipient: Willa Dolley 鈥 24

Outstanding Student Award for Marine Sciences 颅鈥 Marine Biology

Recipient: 

Sophia Tearman 鈥24

Outstanding Student Award for Marine Affairs
Recipient: 

Sophie Piette 鈥24

Outstanding Student Award for Aquaculture and Aquarium Science

Recipient: 

Daniel Lucas 鈥24

Outstanding Student Award for Sustainability and Business

Recipient: 

Alyssa Wallingford 鈥24

Outstanding Student Award for Environmental Studies

Recipient: 

Nikki Valentine 鈥24

Outstanding Student Award for Environmental Science

Recipient: 

Matthew Pittsley 鈥24

School of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Outstanding Student Award for Animal Behavior

Recipient: 

Addy Leifer 鈥24

Outstanding Student Award for Applied Social and Cultural Studies

Recipient: 

Anika Koopman 鈥24 

Outstanding Student for Mental Health Rehabilitation

Recipient: 

Lauryn Alley 鈥24

Outstanding Student Award for Neuroscience

Recipient: 

Connor Nowak 鈥24

Outstanding Student Award for Political Science

Recipient: 

Aiden Hosein 鈥24

Outstanding Student Award for Psychology

Recipient: 

Gracie Ouellette 鈥24

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