Forty-nine students were honored at the 2009 Senior Awards Banquet, held on Thursday, May 21 — the night before graduation — in the main dining hall.
PETER ACERIOS of Staten Island won the Harvey Logan Memorial Award in Physics, which is given for academically outstanding work in the study of physics. Acerios is a physics major with a minor in mathematics. He is on the Dean’s List.
ABIGAIL ALBAIR of Columbia, Conn., won the Dr. Donald W. Spiro Award for Best Academic and Co-Curricular Achievement, which is Wagner College’s most prestigious award, recognizing outstanding academic and co-curricular achievements over the course of a student’s career at the college.
Albair also won the Thomas Kendris Award in Expository & Journalistic Writing, which is given for outstanding work in writing courses and journalism.
Albair is a theater and speech major with a journalism minor. She is on the Dean’s List, president of the Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership honor society, co-editor of the Wagnerian student newspaper, a member of the Music Society, an active member of Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity, and on the Senior Gift Committee. She has been in the Wagner College Choir. She assisted in the coordination of the first annual Transitional Leadership Institute. Albair was recently named ODK Regional Leader of the Year, one of just four regional leaders named nationwide.
JOSEFINE ALLAIN of North Branford, Conn., won the Economics Department Award, which is given for academic excellence in the field of economics. Allain is an economics major with minors in philosophy and mathematics. She is on the Dean’s List and is an athlete on the Women’s Soccer team.
ANTHONY BABINO of Staten Island won the Music History Award is given in recognition of outstanding achievement in the study of music history. Babino is a double major in music and business, with a concentration in marketing. He is a member of the Music Society, the Wagner College Choir, the Wagner College Band, and the Guitar & Lute Ensemble.
DEREK BLAUSER of Barnegat, N.J., won the Accounting Society Award, which is given to a student of good moral character with outstanding achievement in accounting and high standards.
Blauser also won the Economics Department Award, which is given for academic excellence in the field of economics, and the Joseph T. Gabrielline Memorial Award, which is given in recognition of superior qualities of leadership, honor, scholarship, and service.
Blauser, a dual major in business and economics with two concentrations in accounting and finance, is on the Dean’s List. He is a resident assistant, serves on the Community Standards Review Board, is part of Wagner Radio Station WCBG, on the Men’s Track team, and a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership honor society.
KATHERINE BURNS of South Windsor, Conn., won the Sigvart J. Steen Scholarship Award in Music, which is given for excellence in choir performance. Burns, a music major with a minor in Italian Studies, is on the Dean's List, a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership honor society, the Vocal Synergy a capella group, Wagner College Choir, and Tau Kappa Sigma sorority.
JONATHAN CARO of Staten Island won the Academic Excellence Award in Music, which is given to a student who has excelled in the study of music.
Caro also won the Wagner College Instrumental Music Award, which is given for outstanding musical talent and exemplary dedication to the bands of Wagner College.
Caro, a music major with minors in chemistry and biology, is on the Dean’s List. He is a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership honor society, Wagner College Choir, and the Music Society.
JOSEPH CATAPANO of Long Valley, N.J., won the Dorothy Schaffer Memorial Award, which is given to a student for outstanding achievement in computer science. Catapano, a computer science major, is on the Dean’s List.
ANJULI CHITKARA of East Setauket, N.Y., won the Robert deCsipkes Memorial Prize for Outstanding Clinical Potential in Psychology, established by the family of Robert deCsipkes, Class of 1966. The prize is presented to a graduating senior majoring in psychology who, in the judgment of the department faculty, has outstanding research and clinical potential in psychology.
ANNIE CLOCK of Canterbury, N.H., won the Hertha Troll Meyer Memorial Award, which is given to a student for exemplary scholarship and service in sociology and anthropology. Clock, a sociology major concentrating in academic sociology and anthropolgy with minors in journalism and gender studies, is on the Dean’s List and the Honors program. She is a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership honor society, the Wagnerian student newspaper, and Alpha Kappa Delta sociology honor society.
PATRICK DAVID of Hopkinton, Mass., won the Nathan and Ruth Wolff Prize, which is given in recognition of excellence in dance. David, a theater and speech major with a minor in dance and a concentration in performance, is on the Dean’s List.
GEORGIA DELLAS of Brooklyn won the Dr. Norman L. Freilich Memorial Award, which is given to a graduating student accepted into medical or dental school. Dellas, a biology major with a chemistry minor, is a member of the Beta Beta Beta biology honors society.
LINDSEY DIA of Northport, N.Y., won the Douglas Gee Morton Award in Economics, which is given to a student for academically outstanding work in economics and good moral character. Dia, an economics major with minors in Spanish and finance, is on the Dean’s List. She is a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership honor society, the Omicron Delta Epsilon economics honor society, and is in the Honors program.
CHRISTOPHER DRECHSEL of Cranford, N.J., won the Kappa Mu Epsilon Award, which is given to a mathematics or computer science major who excels in service and leadership.
DOUGLAS ELWELL of Staten Island won the Wagner College Prize in Mathematics, which is given to a student for outstanding achievement in mathematics. Elwell, a mMathematics major with a minor in educational studies, is on the Dean’s List. He is an athlete on the men’s basketball team and serves on the Student Athletic Advisory Committee.
BRETT FIGEL of Middlesex, N.J., won the Theater Department Award, which is given in recognition of excellence in theatrical performance.
NICOLE FITZGERALD of Staten Island won the Kappa Mu Epsilon Award, which is given to a mathematics or computer science major who excels in service and leadership. Fitzgerald, a mathematics major, is on the Dean’s List. She is a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority.
MELISSA FLANIGAN of Brooklyn won the Jane Bacher Award, which is given in recognition of the highest grade point average in community health nursing.
Flanigan also won the Mary Burr Award, which is given in recognition of the highest cumulative grade point average in nursing.
Flanigan, a nursing major, is a member of the Student Nurses’ Association.
AMANDA GERLITZ of Staten Island won the Ann H. & Norbert H. Leeseberg Education Award, which is given to the undergraduate student who best exemplifies the academic scholarship and community spirit of Dr. Norbert H. Leeseberg, who served Wagner College from 1967 to 1994 in various roles. His outstanding community activism and philanthropy on Staten Island earned him the nickname “Mr. Wagner College.” Gerlitz, a dual major in psychology and childhood/special education, is on the Dean’s List.
ROBERT GERONIMO of Staten Island won the Robert D. Boody Memorial Award in Art, which is given in recognition of exceptional scholarly work in art. Geronimo, a dual major in art and art history, is on the Dean’s List. He is a member of the Art Club.
JAIME GRANIERI of Staten Island won the Ellen Horrmann Award, which is given to a student for academic excellence in nursing during the clinical experience. Granieri, a nursing major, is on the Dean's List. She is a member of the Student Nurses’ Association.
DAVID HAMMILL of East Greenbush, N.Y., won the Periclean Senior Award, which is given in recognition of an abiding and active sense of social responsibility and civic concern manifested through academic work or community service. Hammill is a physics major with a minor in educational studies. He is a member of the Kappa Sigma Alpha co-ed service fraternity, a participant in the Emerging Leaders Institute last October, and a resident assistant for the Earth Floor in Wagner’s Guild Hall. He has worked with an organization called Mobilize.org, which is a network dedicated to educating, empowering and energizing young people to increase civic engagement and political participation.
JENNIFER HENDRICKSON of Sayville, N.Y., won the Simone de Beauvoir French Award, which is presented to a French Studies major who has achieved the highest distinction in the study of French or Francophone literature. Hendrickson is a dual major in psychology and French. She is on the Dean’s List, a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership honor society, the Psi Chi psychology honor society, the Wagner Band, and the Psychology Club.
ANGELA INCANTALUPO of Staten Island won the Robert Witkowsky Award, which is given to a graduating student intending to pursue a career in special education. Incantalupo, double major in psychology and childhood/special education, is on the Dean’s List. She is a member of the Psi Chi psychology honor society.
HARRY JACKSON of Bridgeton, N.J., won the Douglas Gee Morton Award in Economics, which is given to a student of good moral character in recognition of academically outstanding work in economics.
Jackson also won the Joseph T. Gabrielline Memorial Award, which is given in recognition of superior qualities of leadership, honor, scholarship, and service.
Jackson, an economics major with minors in mathematics and government & politics, is on the Dean’s List. He is the president of the Student Government Association, a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership honor society, on the Senior Gift Committee, and a part of Wagner radio station WCBG.
GRETCHEN JACOBS of Mannsville, N.Y., won the George G. Hackman Prize in Religious Studies, which is given to the student with the highest academic average in all courses taken in the religion minor.
Jacobs also won the Psychology Department Award, which recognizes academic excellence in psychology.
Jacobs, a psychology major with minors in religious studies and biology, is on the Dean’s List. She is a peer tutor and a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership honor society and the Psi Chi psychology honors society. She participated in the first annual Emerging Leaders Institute, and is in the Honors program.
AMY JONES of Jarrettsville, Md., won the Anita Volland Anthropology Award, which recognizes extraordinary work in the classroom and in the field. Jones, an anthropology major with minors in gender studies and sociology, is on the Dean’s List. She is an athlete on the women’s lacrosse team.
KIMBERLEA KARPER of Voorhees, N.J., won the Diversity Action Council Award, which is given to a student who has furthered, exemplified or supported diversity issues at Wagner College.
Karper also won the Student Nurse Association Award, which is given to a student who has demonstrated academic merit and displayed leadership in diverse community activities.
Karper, a nursing major, is on the Dean’s List. She is a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership honor society, Alpha Phi Omega co-ed service fraternity, the Student Nurses’ Association, and Beta Beta Beta biology honor society. She has been instrumental in enhancing Jewish life on campus through her leadership in Wagner Hillel. She has also been active in raising awareness of both autism and power and privilege through her fraternity.
MADISON KIDWELL of Ottsville, Pa., won the Socrates Prize, which is given to a student for outstanding thought — not thought in the traditional sense, but thought that has application to human concerns in a community. Kidwell, a dual major in biopsychology and philosophy, is on the Dean’s List. She is a member of the Psi Chi psychology honor society and Alpha Delta Pi sorority. She is a peer tutor and in the Honors program.
MICHELLE KILLEEN of Fallston, Md., won the Verrazano Memorial Prize, which is given in recognition for outstanding academic achievement in the study of government and politics. Killeen, a government and politics major with a journalism minor, is on the Dean’s List. She is a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership honor society and a part of the Kallista yearbook staff.
FRANCESCA LANDOLINA of Staten Island won the Education Department Award, which is given to a student with outstanding academic achievement in the study of education. Landolina, a dual major in psychology and childhood/special education, is on the Dean's List. She is a member of the Psi Chi psychology honor society, Alpha Delta Pi sorority, and is in the Honors program.
JENNIFER LEWIS of Providence, R.I., won the Frank K. Bobbitt Memorial Award in Chemistry, which is given to recognize a conscientious, cooperative, accomplished scholar in the field of chemistry. Lewis, a chemistry major, is on the Dean’s List. She is a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership honor society, Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority, the Wagner Pep Band and the Senior Gift Committee. She has served as a peer leader, freshman orientation coordinator and a peer tutor.
JUSTINA C. LICATA of Yorba Linda, Ca., won the Christian P. Holmstrup History Award, which is funded by Dorothee Holmstrup in memory of her husband, the late Christian P. Holmstrup, Class of 1939. The prize is presented to the history student with the highest grade point average.
JESSICA NEES of Roberts, Montana, won the Socrates Prize, which is given to a student for outstanding thought — not thought in the traditional sense, but thought that has application to human concerns in a community. Nees, a dual major in anthropology and philosophy, is on the Dean’s List. She received department honors in philosophy this year and participated in the IES Study Abroad program last year in New Zealand.
VANESSA PETTI of Valhalla, N.Y., won the Community Service Award, which is given to a student who is committed to community service through campus organizations. Petti, a dual major in Spanish and sociology with a concentration in criminal justice/social work and a minor in gender studies, is on the Dean’s List. She is part of the Student Government Association, a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership honor society, and is in the Honors program.
LAUREN POLLOCK of Floral Park, N.Y., won the Norval Calhoun Award, which is given to a student for distinguished academic and teaching performance. Pollock, a double major in art and childhood/special education, is on the Dean’s List. She is a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership honor society and the Honors program.
MARIE LOUISE PRIOLO of Staten Island won the Alpha Omicron Pi Award, which recognizes academic excellence in the study of business administration and exemplary participation in campus activities. Priolo, a business major with a concentration in finance, is on the Dean's List. She is a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership honor society, the Promising Student Society, the Pre-Law Society and the Honors program.
ALLESSIA QUINTANA of Staten Island won the Hertha Troll Meyer Memorial Award, which is given to a student for exemplary service and scholarship in sociology and anthropology. Quintana is on the Dean’s List. She is in the Alpha Kappa Delta sociology honor society, a staff member for the Wagnerian student newspaper, and a member of the Spanish Language Club.
ALISON RAZZETTI of Glen Head, N.Y., won the Greek Senate Award, which is given in recognition of service to the Greek community, developing unity and direction.
Razzetti also won the Undergraduate Merit Award, which is given in recognition for outstanding service, loyalty, and dedication to the Wagner College community through participation in organizations and activities.
Razzetti is a psychology major with a minor in educational studies. She was president of the Greek Senate in 2008. She is a member of Alpha Omicron Pi sorority and is on the Senior Gift Committee.
RYAN ROGERS of Islip, N.Y., won the Kevin Sheehy Award in Biology, which is given in recognition for achieving the highest cumulative grade point average in biology. Rogers is on the Dean’s List, the Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership honor society, and the Beta Beta Beta biology honors society. An athlete on the women’s track and cross country team, Rogers serves on the Student Athletic Advisory Committee.
YULIYA SELDINA of Staten Island won the Microbiology Award, which is given to recognize outstanding work in the study of microbiology. Seldina is a microbiology major with minors in chemistry and biology. She is a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership honor society, the Beta Beta Beta biology honors society, and the Pre-Health Society.
KAITLIN SHERIDAN of Holland, Pa., won the Music History Award, is given in recognition of outstanding achievement in the study of music history. Sheridan, an art major with a concentration in combined arts and minors in French and marketing, is on the Dean’s List. She is a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership honor society.
MICHAEL STORIALE of Old Saybrook, Conn., won the Outstanding Service in Communication Award, which is given to a student who has contributed significantly to one or more of the media organizations on campus. Storiale is a business major with concentrations in marketing and international business. He is the editor-in-chief of Nimbus, the student literary magazine, and the business manager of the Wagnerian student newspaper. He is a member of Theta Chi fraternity and the Interfraternity Council, and he served as president of the Wagner Christian Fellowship.
ALEXANDRA TOMLINSON of Telford, Pa., won the Constance Byron Award, which recognizes a graduating nursing student for academic merit, leadership qualities, tenacious spirit, thoughtfulness, and sense of caring for others. Tomlinson, a nursing major, is on the Dean's List. She is a member of the Beta Beta Beta biology honor society, the Student Nurse Association, and the women’s swimming and water polo teams.
DANA TROTTIER of Chester, N.H., won the Robert deCsipkes Memorial Prize, which recognizes outstanding research in psychology. Trottier, a psychology and English major with a minor in gender studies, is on the Dean’s List. A resident assistant, he is a member of the Omicron Delta Kappa national leadership honor society, the Student Government Association, the Psi Chi psychology honor society, the Gender Forum, the Psychology Club, and the Honors program. He was part of last year’s student production of “The Vagina Monologues.”
ERICA VASATURO of Staten Island won the Periclean Senior Award, which is given in recognition of an abiding and active sense of social responsibility and civic concern through academic work or community service. Vasaturo, a history major with a minor in educational studies, is on the Dean’s List. She is a member of the Phi Alpha Theta history honor society and the History Club. She has worked extensively with Alcanzando, which is a program for children with autism based in Peru.
JENNIFER WRIGHT of Rutland, Vt., won the first Julia M. Barchitta Award for Civic Engagement, which 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. Wright, a dual major in French and international affairs with a concentration in political science, is on the Dean’s List and received the Civic Engagement Certificate this year. After volunteering in an orphanage in Kenya and witnessing how poverty and disease have forced innocent children to live in unbearable conditions, Wright founded the Heal the Children Foundation, a domestic not-for-profit organization committed to giving hope to the children of the world.
