May 21, 2010
Bryant awards top seniors with Commencement Awards
During Bryant’s 147th undergraduate Commencement exercises on Saturday, 33 students will receive special honors for their achievements in and out of the classroom.
Katie Gorham (Perry Hall, MD) spent much of her junior year planning her volunteer trip to Peru with 11 classmates. The memories she made during the nine-day trip, where they volunteered at a women’s shelter, are ones she will never forget.
“I’m very grateful to have been given opportunities like this and to have such strong support from the Bryant community, even when the project seemed impossible,” says Gorham, a double major in global studies and environmental science.
For her efforts planning the trip and her work with organizations such as Bryant’s chapter of Amnesty International and the Alliance for Women’s Awareness, Gorham was named the recipient of the “Bryant University Good Citizenship Award.”
“I know that my experiences at Bryant have prepared me to continue to be a good citizen in the real world, which is much more important to me than ‘success’ in the sense of a high-profile career or material wealth,” says Gorham, who was part of Bryant’s Honors Program and graduates magna cum laude.
Gorham is one of the 33 members of the Class of 2010 who will be recognized with Commencement Awards on Saturday for their extraordinary efforts in the classroom and in the community.
Nicole Archambault (Southington, CT) is the recipient of the “George M. Parks Award,” which is given to the graduating senior who has done the most to enhance the reputation of the University through leadership qualities.
During her four years, Archambault has served as an Admission Ambassador, helped direct Relay for Life – the largest fundraiser on campus, assisted in the creation of Bryant’s chapter of Colleges Against Cancer, and contributed her talents to the Center for Student Involvement’s Leadership Development Program.
“Through my involvement on campus, I was constantly reminded to never take anything for granted, to thank those who have taught me a lesson, and show appreciation and respect for others,” says Archambault. “I will forever be fortunate that Bryant taught me the importance of being a humble and genuine leader.”
A leader on and off the field, field hockey standout player Kundayi Mawema (Harare, Zimbabwe) will be given the “Roger W. Babson Award” that goes to the graduating senior who has become distinguished within the University community because of character and sound judgment.
Perhaps the best goalie in the history of Bryant field hockey, Mawema has distinguished herself just as much off the field. She has been an active member of the Student Athlete Advisory Council and is part of President Machtley’s Senior Advisory Council.
“It means a lot to me that people have noticed my effort on and off the field,” says Mawema. “I am leaving Bryant confident and ready to take on new challenges and know that I will be successful in whatever I do.”
Academic Department Awards
Accounting
Kelly Mahoney (Plymouth, MA)
RI Society for Certified Public Accountants Award
This award is presented to a graduating senior who, in the opinion of the accounting faculty, has demonstrated excellence in accounting studies and intends to pursue a career in public accounting.
Allyson Lagassé (Wells, ME)
Leander Francis Emin Endowed Homestead Award
This award is presented to a graduating senior who has achieved scholastic excellence in accounting. This award was inaugurated by the family of Leander Francis Emin, Bryant alumnus of the class of 1907, to honor his memory and his birthplace and home – the 1708 House and the entire Emin homestead, farm, and airport – which has now become the campus of his alma mater.
Natalie Dipaola-Choiniere ((Lincoln, RI)
Sandra Montoya (Central Falls, RI)
Anna M. and Jere St. Angelo ’61 Accounting Awards
These awards are presented to graduating seniors in Accounting who are in the top 10 percent of their class and residents of an urban area.
Applied Psychology
Brynn Woodland (Orleans, MA)
The Applied Psychology Department Award
This award is presented annually to a graduating senior for outstanding achievement in the study of Applied Psychology.
Computer Information Systems
Ventsislav Gotov (Newport, RI)
The Computer Information Systems Department Award
This award is presented annually to a graduating senior with a concentration in Computer Information Systems who has excelled academically, has enriched his/her Computer Information Systems education through meaningful work experience, and has demonstrated an unselfish attitude toward others through active involvement in organizations, clubs, or events.
Communication
Katie Sojkowski (Easthampton, MA)
The Communication Department Award
This award is presented to a graduating senior for outstanding achievement and exceptional competency in all of the contemporary communication arts.
Economics
Andrew Stone (Florence, MA)
The Wall Street Journal Award
This award is presented to a graduating senior who has shown distinction in the fields of economics, finance, and investments.
English and Cultural Studies
Alissa Foley (Atkinson, NH)
English and Cultural Studies Department Award
This award is presented annually to a graduating senior for outstanding achievement in the study of language or literary studies.
Finance
Geoffrey Ensby (Colton, NY)
Jack H. Rubens Leadership in Finance Award
This award is presented to a graduating senior who has demonstrated outstanding performance in academics, service to the finance department, and enthusiasm and leadership in extracurricular activities related to finance.
Derek Blunt (Altonna, PA)
Jack H. Rubens Leadership in Financial Services Award
This award is presented to a graduating senior who has demonstrated outstanding performance in academics, service to the finance department, and enthusiasm and leadership in extracurricular activities related to financial services.
History and Social Sciences
Kurt Spear (Greene, NY)
Pell Medal for US History Award
This medal is presented to a graduating senior who has displayed excellence in the study of United States history. The Honorable Claiborne de Borda Pell created this medal to honor the memory of his father, the late Herbert C. Pell, statesman and diplomat, who served the United States as Ambassador to Hungary and Minister to Portugal.
Michael Mullane (North Kingstown, RI)
Legal Studies Award
Kaitlin Sidorsky (Rocky Point, NY)
Political Science Award
Katie Gorham (Perry Hall, MD)
Global Studies Award
Kristina Pires (Rehoboth, MA)
Sociology Award
These awards are presented annually to graduating seniors for outstanding achievement in the study of global studies, legal studies, sociology, and political science.
Mathematics
Katie Heeder (Saunderstown, RI)
Lauren Prue (Griswold,CT)
John Hancock Awards
This award is presented to two bachelor's degree candidates who have demonstrated superior achievement in the study of applied actuarial mathematics.
Management
Matthew Carrai (Hopkinton, MA)
Carolyn Husovsky (Nashua, NH)
Christina Shaw (Woonsocket, RI)
The Target Corporation Awards
This award is presented to two graduating seniors who are members of the Bryant chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). It is presented to individuals who have demonstrated academic excellence, a passion for the field of human resource management as a future career, and an appreciation of its importance in domestic and global corporations.
Modern Languages
Vinzi Chan (Milton, MA)
Modern Languages Department Award
This award is presented to a graduate with exceptional competency in the study of a language other than English.
Academic Excellence
Christina Shaw (Woonsocket, RI)
George J. Kelly Award
This award is presented to a graduating senior who at the end of the fall semester has completed at least 102 credits at Bryant and is recognized and honored for having the highest cumulative grade point average as of the end of the fall semester.
Chelsea Downing (Cherry Hills Village, CO)
Delta Sigma Pi Scholarship Key
This award is presented to the graduating student with the highest cumulative academic average toward a degree in a business administration or economics major.
Michael Whipple (South Portland, ME)
Jeremiah Clark Barber Award
Elizabeth Napoletano (Norwalk, CT), picture with President Ronald K. Machtley, will receive the Jeremiah Clark Barber Award.
This award is presented to the bachelor's degree candidate who has shown the most consistent record of academic improvement resulting in making the Dean’s List.
Athletics
Female Athlete – Chelsea Downing (Cherry Hills Village, CO)
Male Athlete – Patrick Bedard (East Longmeadow, MA)
The Alumni Association Scholar-Athlete of the Year Awards
This award is presented to the respective graduating male and female senior athletes with the highest grade point averages.
ROTC
Geoffrey Ensby (Colton, NY)
Reserve Officer Training Corp Achievement Award
.This award is presented to a bachelor's degree candidate who has excelled in military science studies and other courses and who has shown superior leadership potential in the military science program and in extracurricular activities.
Residence Life
Morgan Buell (Waterbury, CT)
Kappa Tau Brotherhood Award
Amanda MacKay (Wakefield, MA), pictured with President Ronald K. Machtley, will receive the Kappa Tau Brotherhood Award.
This award is presented to a graduating senior who has exhibited brotherhood and leadership in promoting policies beneficial to the university.
Center for Student Involvement
Nicole Archambault (Southington, CT)
Kristen Aucoin (Greenville, RI)
Deidre Fraser (St. Catherine, Jamaica)
Student Senate Service Awards
Daniel Hackenson (Webster, MA)
Stephanie Kirk (Pompton Lakes, NJ)
Emiliano Omeri (Waterbury, CT)
Student Senate Service Awards
This award is presented to six deserving students of the graduating class to recognize their outstanding service to the student body of Bryant University. The recipients are selected by the Student Senate Service Awards Committee.
Student Charge
Lindsey Clifford (Hanover, MA)
Each year, a graduating senior is selected to deliver remarks to their classmates.
To learn more, visit 2010 Commencement.
