Worcester State University honored more than 60 outstanding students, two faculty members, and two distinguished guests during the annual Academic Achievement Awards ceremony April 24.
“Tonight, we recognize not just the grades and the accolades, but the countless hours of hard work, late nights, and unwavering commitment to your own success,” said Board of Trustees Chair Lisa Colombo ’87 at the start of the event. “Your achievements reflect your determination and passion for learning.”
The student awards, given by the University with financial support from donors to the Worcester State Foundation, celebrated a wide range of accomplishments across disciplines and backgrounds.
The Ellen M. Whitney Award went to Kyram Pou Jr. ’25, a communication major with a concentration in digital media production and a minor in theater. The prize recognizes scholarship, social aptitude, personality, leadership, executive ability, growth, loyalty, integrity, and participation in school activities.
Natalie Romano ’27 received the Ellen J. Myers Memorial Award, established by David Myers to honor an undergraduate with disabilities who is actively engaged on campus or in their community. Romano is majoring in communication sciences and disorders with a minor in disability studies.
The John F. Eager Continuing Education Excellence Award was presented to Megan Schultze ’25, a criminal justice major and psychology minor. It recognizes the undergraduate evening program senior with the highest overall GPA.
Paige Lamoureaux ’25, a liberal studies major and philosophy minor, received the Negrón Cruz-Audet LGBTQ+ Academic Excellence Award, established by Sarah Strout, assistant vice president for assessment and planning, to honor a high-achieving student who identifies as LGBTQ+.
The ceremony concluded with the awarding of the prestigious Lt. Col. James F. Sheehan ’55 USMC Ret., Academic Excellence Awards, which recognize the highest achieving full-time students in each undergraduate class.
In addition to the student honors, two faculty members were recognized for their outstanding contributions to teaching. Professor of Psychology Colleen Sullivan and Assistant Professor of Psychology Brittany Jeye each received a George I. Alden Excellence in Teaching Award.
This year’s ceremony also included a special moment of international recognition: the conferral of honorary doctorate degrees on two distinguished guests, Lilian Seenoi Barr, the Mayor of Derry and Strabane District Council in Northern Ireland, and Niamh Kennedy, Cathaoirleach (Chairperson) of County Donegal in the Republic of Ireland.
As the evening drew to a close, Provost Lois Wims addressed the honorees with a powerful sendoff. “May your leadership skills, your ability to think and problem-solve, and your grounding in academic excellence serve you well,” she said.
Here is a full list of students who won departmental awards at the ceremony, in the order in which the prizes were given.
Julia Hamel, Bollus Lynch Accounting Award
Alaa Tanteh, Dr. William F. O’Brien Jr. Economics Award
Jillian Fredricksen, F. Stephen Trimby Economics Award
Blake Binda, George and Sheila Tetler Award in Business Administration
Jennifer Santos, Raj-Mahendra Jain Business Administration Award
Robert Leon, Godfrin Family Communication Award
Matt Powers, Matthew Wright Journalism Award
P.J. Doherty, Tarmey Family Endowed Communication Award
Lily Morgan, Central Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association Spirit of Service Award
Isabelle Taylor, Kurt Correia Criminal Justice Award
Liam Walsh, Vanessa Dunn Memorial Criminal Justice Award
Ashley Harvey, Worcester State Foundation Award in English
Zachary Rich, Professor Cheng and Christina Yuan History Award
Savannah Devine, Ronald R. Valerio Award in History
Dedrick Baublitz, Thomas M. McNamara Award in Political Science
Chelsea Colageo, Beth Axelson Psychology Award
Nicholas Assie, Faith T. Zeadey Memorial Sociology Award
Melody Byrne, Dr. Vincent E. “Jake” Powers Urban Studies Award
Juan Davila Jr., Maureen Power Service Award
Lamar Brown-Noguera, Schwartz Charitable Foundation Urban Studies Award
Cathy Webster, George & Sheila Tetler Award in Art
Elaine Asamoah, Malcolm Gordon Memorial Visual and Performing Arts Award
Dhiogo Machado, Mary Cosgrove Dolphin Art Award
Delaney DeNorscia, Worcester State Foundation Award in Theater
Daniela Narvaez, Dr. Dorothy A. Escribano Spanish Award
Ashley Harvey, Worcester State Foundation Award in Spanish
Gabriella Torna, Worcester State Foundation Award in Spanish Translation
Maryam Amer, Dr. Anthony Thurston Biology Award
Disha Khanna, Dr. Marlin B. Kreider Biology Award
Olivia Latino, Dr. Maureen and Edward Shamgochian Biology Award
Grisilda Topallaj, Lincoln Donahue Memorial Biotechnology Award
Rebecca Lovejoy, Worcester State Foundation Award in Biotechnology
Daniel Fung-A-Fat, Dr. Maureen and Edward Shamgochian Chemistry Award
Ian McCarthy, Worcester State Foundation Award in Chemistry
Cameron Baron, Worcester State Foundation Award in Computer Science
Celia Germain, Earl B. Shaw Geography Award
Katie Steeves, Worcester State Foundation Award in Environmental Science
Anabelle Santiago, Worcester State Foundation Award in Public Health
Brody Miller, Dr. Richard Bisk Teaching Mathematics Award
Brayden Wilcomb, Worcester State Foundation Award in Mathematics
Chloe Kessler, Worcester State Foundation Award in Mathematics for Elementary Education
Genesis Marquez, Ann “Annie” Dolan Nursing Award for Compassion
Alexandra Dormal, Dr. Jean and Michael Campaniello Nursing Award
Madison Ferrara, Dr. Paula L. Dufresne-Sullivan Humanitarian Nursing Award
Megan Tavares, Eileen Bolesky Nursing Award
Max O’Connor, Fairlawn Rehabilitation Hospital Award for Nursing Clinical Excellence
Ruth Nakyewa, Robyn Leo Memorial Nursing Award
Isabella Connery, Hon. John J. Binienda Sr. Communication Sciences and Disorders Award Nhi Loac, Sherrie (Lyonnais) McNamara Award in Communication Sciences and Disorders
Lauren Alphonse, Worcester State Chapter of the National Student Speech-Language Hearing Association Award
Juliana Kallio, Class of 1952 Endowed Elementary Education Award
Sofia Clark, Donald and Elaine Cousineau Elementary Education Award
Riley Clark, Dorothy J. Hargrove Early Childhood Education Award
Owen Despres, Douglas R. “Duke” Dawson Science Education Award
Ashley Cooper, Eleanor Dragonetti Memorial Award in Education Studies
Micah Haynes, Helen Shaughnessy Elementary Education Award
Quinn Trumbull-Olsen, Lillian C. and George H. Albro Education Award
Emma Estepp, Madeline A. Wilmarth Early Childhood Education Award
Jesse Gelardi, Ruth Cohen Blumsack Early Childhood Education Award
Abby Rickert, Helen Hirshberg Barron Award in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies
Andja Kola, Robert H. Kyle Award for Excellence in Liberal Studies
Photo credit: Veronica Jay
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