Emmanuelle J. Farrell
Valedictorian Award 

Emmanuelle Farrell is a student in the Honors Program with a major in psychology and a minor in cognitive science. She is a member of the Alpha Chi and Psi Chi honor societies. Her research has included the impact of social media on mental health, the quality of life of individuals on the autism spectrum, and the effects of mindfulness on student well-being. She presented this research at three conferences. In addition to her academic accomplishments, Emmanuelle has served as president of Best Buddies at Marist, an organization dedicated to the inclusion of individuals with special needs. She will be pursuing a Master of Social Work at Rutgers University in the fall.  

Hailey Rose Guinn
Salutatorian Award 

Hailey Guinn is a criminal justice major with a business minor and a paralegal certificate. She interned for the Dutchess County District Attorney and for the US Marshals Service while working as a tutor and coordinator of Marist SNAP (Student Nighttime Auxiliary Patrol). For her Honors senior thesis, she created a podcast on trauma and PTSD in the sexual assault recovery process. She will continue pursuing her passion for criminal justice at law school in the fall. 

Ellie Marie Petraccione
General Excellence Award

Ellie Petraccione is graduating summa cum laude with a degree in environmental science and policy. For her Honors thesis, she conducted research on harmful algal blooms and invasive species in the Hudson River. She was honored to present this research at the 2019 AGU Fall Meeting, the largest international earth science conference in the world. She created an interactive presentation to reach broad audiences beyond the scientific community. Ellie achieved this academic success while a member of the Marist Women’s Lacrosse team and as a dedicated volunteer in Dutchess County.

Marla Joan DiPoto
Merit Award

Marla DiPoto is a fashion merchandising major and graphic design minor from Upton, Massachusetts. She is a recipient of the Fashion Faculty Award and the 2020 Award for Excellence in Fashion Merchandising. Her love for travel led her to study abroad in both Florence and London. Inspired by her London internship, the Marist Fashion curriculum, and graphic design courses, she hopes to pursue graduate school in the United Kingdom for graphic design, concentrating on the fashion and beauty industries. 

Kathleen Kelly Monahan
Award for Academic Distinction

After earning a B.S. in art history from SUNY New Paltz, Kathleen Monahan completed police basic training and has worked in law enforcement since 2007. She currently works for the Town of Wallkill Police Department, where she has been their crime scene and evidence technician since 2011. While she finds law enforcement rewarding, she has a strong desire to get back into the art world. She is graduating with a degree in digital media with a minor in photography. While at Marist, she exhibited artwork locally in group shows at Roost Gallery in New Paltz and at Art Juxtapose in Rosendale. 

Siena Kremidas
Award for Excellence in Fine Arts

Siena Kremidas changed her major from environmental science to art history as a freshman and immediately enrolled in a 300-level art history course. She then studied in Florence, co-founded the Art History Club, worked at the art gallery on campus, and sold a print at auction. She completed an Honors senior thesis and considers graduating with honors as her greatest accomplishment at Marist. She intends to work in New York City.

Marika Julia Cygert 
Award for Excellence in Communication

Marika Cygert majored in communication with a concentration in journalism. She believes that good journalism is needed now more than ever and has immersed herself in the world of media. She was the opinion editor for the Marist Circle as well as a resident assistant for three years. She interned for VH1 Save the Music Foundation and WNBC (News 4 New York). Her internship at WNBC underscored that news/entertainment is where she wants to be, and she hopes to continue working there or somewhere else within NBCUniversal. 

 

Madison Jami Barr
Award for Excellence in Digital Media

As an Honors student, Madison Barr completed a digital media major with a concentration in graphic design and a minor in business administration. She was the lead graphic designer on the Student Government Association’s internet council. She presented a series of prints, entitled The Harmful Effects of Plea Deals on the Justice System, at the Celebration of Undergraduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity. After graduation, she will work as a designer at IBM in New York City.

Julia Kathryn Gerrish Luff 
Award for Excellence in Fashion Design

Julia Luff, from Portsmouth, New Hampshire, is majoring in fashion design with minors in product development and merchandising. She plays for Marist’s Women’s Lacrosse team and had the opportunity to study abroad in Paris. For the past three summers she worked in New York City in fashion design. She concentrated on textile design, focusing on machine and hand knitting. Julia created her collection, called Lost at Sea, using materials sourced from local artisans and farmers in the Hudson Valley.

Marla Joan DiPoto
Award for Excellence in Fashion Merchandising

Marla DiPoto is a fashion merchandising major and graphic design minor from Upton, Massachusetts. She was involved in the planning of The Brunch and the launch of MPorium in the Steel Plant. Her love for travel led her to study abroad for two semesters in Florence and London. Inspired by her London internship, following graduation she hopes to continue her education in the United Kingdom pursuing graphic design within the fashion and beauty industries.  

Rebecca Ann Rose 
Award for Excellence in Media Studies and Production

Rebecca Rose is a double major in communication (sports communication) and media studies & production. She has been on the Dean’s List every semester, became a member of the Emerging Leaders Program, and received the National Engaged Leadership Award. She participated in Marist in Manhattan, where she interned with Animal Planet. She was director of photography on a film that won a Silver Fox Award, attended the Lake Placid Film Festival, and was selected to work the MAAC Basketball Tournament production. After graduation, she hopes to work in television or sports broadcasting.

Madison Elizabeth Russell 
Award for Excellence in Music

Madison Russell is an applied mathematics major on the chemistry track with minors in data science & analytics and music. She was heavily involved in the Marist Band and is thankful for the wonderful friends and memories the music program has provided for her. She will attend the University at Buffalo to pursue a Ph.D. in mathematics and hopes to continue making music in her spare time. 

Matthew Oakley
The Dr. William Cadden Achievement Award for Excellence in Computer Science 

Matthew Oakley will graduate summa cum laude with a B.S. in computer science and cybersecurity. He has been an active leader in the Marist community, serving as president of the Asian Alliance Club, an international student orientation leader, and a developer for the Cloud Computing and Analytics Center. He has presented research focusing on machine learning and network attacks. Matthew has accepted a full-time offer at Optum in Hartford, Connecticut.

Min Ji Kim
Award for Excellence in Information Technology and Systems 

Min Ji Kim will graduate summa cum laude with a degree in information technology and minors in computer science and business administration. Named to the Dean’s List every semester, she is a member of the Alpha Chi national college honor society and the National Society of Leadership and Success. She worked in Marist’s Networking and Client Technologies departments and held positions as an orientation leader, tutor, and customer engineer intern, where she enjoyed being able to help her peers succeed. Upon graduation, she plans to work in the information technology field.

Amy Johnson Pitts
Award for Excellence in Mathematics

Amy Pitts has a double major in applied mathematics and data science & analytics with a minor in computer science. She has held leadership positions in multiple Marist clubs, including the Association for Women in Mathematics, Pi Mu Epsilon, the Mathematics Club, and the Equestrian team. As the lead Math Lab tutor, she spent countless hours tutoring students in various mathematics courses. She participated in two highly competitive undergraduate research experiences, one at Lafayette College the other at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. She has accepted a fellowship at Columbia University, where she will pursue a Ph.D. in biostatistics.

Amanda Marie Dettmann
Award for Excellence in English

Amanda Dettmann is an English major with a concentration in writing and minors in theatre, literature, and creative writing. She was an active member of MCCTA and interned with JetSet Times and the Portland Art Gallery. She taught at Spindleworks Arts Center for adults with disabilities in Maine, Outreach 360 School in Nicaragua, and San Gaspare School in Italy. She is a member of the Sigma Tau Delta and Alpha Psi Omega national honor societies. Amanda is currently considering offers from a number of M.F.A. programs. 

Steven Alan B. Jacobs
The Brother Joseph L. R. Bélanger, FMS, Award for Excellence in French 

Steven Jacobs is a French and Italian double major. He studied internationally for two full years in Florence, Italy; Grenoble, France; and Taormina, Sicily. He was an Italian and French language tutor in the Weiss Language Center, a teaching assistant for the Italian Program, and he interned at the Magazzino Italian Art museum. He presented his language and technology research at international academic conferences in Arizona and Spain. He will begin a Ph.D. program in Italian studies at Rutgers University in the fall.

Emma Meredith Dionne
Award for Excellence in History

Emma Dionne majored in history and minored in political science. She presented at the Student World Affairs Conference, scripted a Hudson River Valley Institute documentary project, interned for a member of Parliament as a Hansard scholar, and published “The Danger of Hysteria: The Public Dimension of Japanese-American Internment, 1935-1945” in Gateway History Journal of Washington University St. Louis. As a recipient of the highly prestigious James Madison Fellowship, Emma will pursue graduate work in history to become a secondary education teacher. 

Mallory Jessie Cannon 
Award for Excellence in Philosophy 

Mallory Cannon is a philosophy and psychology double major with a cognitive science minor. She presented her research at the National Collegiate Honors and Mid-Hudson Philosophy conferences. She is the president of the Psychology Club, and she interned for two semesters at the Nathan Kline Institute in Orangeburg, New York. She also studied abroad in Athens, Greece, during the Spring 2019 semester. Mallory is applying for research assistant positions and will pursue a Ph.D. in cognitive psychology.   

Louis Richard Higuera
Award for Excellence in Political Science 

Louis Higuera is a political science and philosophy double major. He spent his freshman year in Florence, Italy, and later interned in Washington, D.C., with a nonprofit organization that uses sports to engage youth. As a Tarver summer intern, he also worked with Literacy Connections. He is a staff writer for the Marist Circle and a member of the Pi Sigma Alpha honor society. Louis has been named an alternate by the Fulbright Student Program to teach English in Lithuania. He plans to work in politics or journalism. 

Crystal Silva Barroca
The Dr. Raymond Weiss Award for Excellence in Spanish 

Crystal Barroca, from Roslyn Heights, New York, is a double major in biomedical sciences and Spanish. She was the student manager of the Weiss Language Center, secretary for the Tri Sigma sorority, and a volunteer at the Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie and Bridges of Hope. She conducted undergraduate research on cell biology and interned at the Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital, NYU-Winthrop Hospital, Surgical Pediatrics, and Long Beach Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Crystal will be applying to medical school this summer.

Emily Elizabeth Satin
The Thomas Casey Award for Public Praxis 

Emily Satin is a psychology major who has significantly contributed to the Marist and Dutchess County communities. She volunteered at multiple nonprofit organizations, including Abilities First, Dutchess Outreach, Family Services, Literacy Connections, and the Liberty Partnership Program. She organized a nonprofit careers conference for the Center for Civic Engagement, and she was a 2019 Tarver summer intern. She was a proofreader for the Academic Learning Center and a faculty research assistant. Emily will pursue her doctorate in school psychology in the Psy.D. program at the University at Albany beginning this fall.

Hannah Emily Kirk
The Marist College Institute for Public Opinion Excellence Award 

Hannah Kirk, a communication major concentrating in journalism, is from Tolland, Connecticut, and is recognized for her distinguished participation in the Marist Poll. She worked at MIPO for four years, two of which she served as head coach, the highest student position at the Poll. She served as both a legislative and constituent intern for the New York State Senate and the United States House of Representatives. Hannah hopes to continue her work in government affairs after graduation. 

Emily Jordan Ecklund
Award for Academic Excellence in Accounting 

Emily Ecklund is graduating summa cum laude with a B.S. in accounting. Additionally, she will earn her M.S. in professional accountancy in August. She was vice president of Marist’s Beta Alpha Psi chapter as well as vice president of the O’Shea and McCormick Residence Hall Council. Further, she is a member of Beta Gamma Sigma business honor society and Alpha Chi national college honor society. After graduation, Emily will be working as an audit associate for EY in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. 

Reanna Marie Notarantonio
Award for Academic Excellence in Business Administration 

Reanna Notarantonio will graduate summa cum laude with a major in business administration with a concentration in finance. At Marist, she has served as treasurer of Tri Sigma and co-president of the Investment Club. She is also a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma business honor society and Alpha Chi national college honor society. Last summer, Reanna interned as a financial product analyst at Bloomberg, where she has accepted a full-time position in New York after graduation.

Spencer William Hogan
Award for Academic Excellence in Economics 

Spencer Hogan is graduating with a dual major in economics and business administration with a finance concentration. He worked as a White House intern in 2019 and completed senior thesis research on central banking. He is currently Marist’s student body executive vice president, co-president of Omicron Delta Epsilon economics honor society, and past president of the Marist Business Club. After graduation, he will be working in management consulting in Washington, D.C.

Stephanie Ann Carpiniello
The Glenn Marinelli Award for Excellence in Athletic Training

Stephanie Carpiniello is graduating cum laude with a degree in athletic training. In addition to her clinical internships, which included Arlington, Red Hook, and Spackenkill high schools as well as Vassar College, Stephanie volunteered medical services at events such as the Marine Corps Marathon. She recently presented a case study at the Eastern Athletic Trainers’ Association annual symposium and represented Marist in the regional Quiz Bowl. Stephanie will be working as an athletic trainer following graduation. 

Claire Ellen Bisch
The Barnes & Noble College Bookstores Award for Excellence in Biology 

Claire Bisch is graduating summa cum laude with a major in biomedical sciences and minors in chemistry and cognitive science. She has interned at two local dental offices and MidHudson Regional Hospital, and volunteered as an EMT and at Yale Cancer Center. She served as a student advisor to the Marist Pre-Health Pre-college Program, and as a laboratory assistant for biology and chemistry courses. Following graduation, Claire will attend dental school at the University of Connecticut. 

Bradley Andrew Mobeck
The Dr. Andrew A. Molloy ’51 Award for Excellence in Chemistry 

Bradley Mobeck is graduating magna cum laude with a B.A. in biochemistry and has completed the Honors Program. In addition to his stellar academic performance, earning Dean’s List status every semester, he has demonstrated incredible leadership skills as the resident assistant (RA) of the Honors Floor and assistant resident director of Champagnat Hall. He has been a role model and mentor to many of his residents and, more recently, other RAs. After graduation, Bradley will be attending dental school at the University of California, Los Angeles.

Matthew Thomas Harris
The CH Energy Group, Inc. Award for Excellence in Environmental Science & Policy 

Matthew Harris increased activities and membership as president of Marist’s environmental club, SEED. His Honors thesis, Marist Earth Ally Project, was an online education platform to increase environmental stewardship by all Marist individuals. As an intern for the National Park Service, he helped develop a Hyde Park trail management plan. He also interned at the Center for Victim Safety and Support in Poughkeepsie. He was active on the Campus Sustainability Advisory Committee and the Diversity and Inclusion Board. He served as a tutor, campus tour guide, resident assistant, and community service van driver. Matthew will be attending Rutgers University after graduation to pursue a graduate degree in social work.

Emily Rose Klein
The Johnson & Johnson Clinical Diagnostic Award for Excellence in Medical Technology 

Emily Klein is a medical technology major with minor in biology. She is a member of the Honors Program and the National Society of Leadership and Success and was active in Campus Ministry. She presented at the Marist Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity in the Spring 2018. Emily’s goal is to work as a medical technologist at a prestigious hospital in the Long Island or New York City metropolitan area.

Nina Mary Josephine Fassnacht
The Mary Lou Gantert Award for Excellence in Science 

Nina Fassnacht is graduating summa cum laude with a B.S. in biomedical sciences and a chemistry minor. She served as a teaching assistant, resident assistant, and tutor. She is an EMT and conducted medical outreach in Haiti, Ghana, and South Africa. Her Honors thesis involved studying chemotherapeutic agents, and she was a two-time recipient of a Genetics Society of America Fellowship to present her work at international meetings. Nina will begin medical school in 2021. 

Richard James Monsky
The Boehringer Ingelheim Award for Excellence in Scientific Research 

Richard Monsky, a 2019 Goldwater scholar, is graduating magna cum laude with a B.S. in chemistry. A member of the Honors Program, he received the 2019 Mid-Hudson ACS College Recognition Award and the 2020 ACS Organic Division Undergraduate Award. He conducted research for five semesters at Marist, in biology and chemistry, and for two summers at chemistry REU programs at NYU and NC State. He presented his research at several local and national conferences. After graduation, Richard will pursue a Ph.D. in chemistry at Northwestern University.

Stephanie C. Ostrowski
The Andrew Lutakome Kayiira Award for Excellence in Criminal Justice 

Stephanie Ostrowski earned her B.S. in criminal justice with minors in social work, psychology, and accounting. She completed internships with Hunterdon and Somerset County prosecutors’ offices, the United States Marshals Service, Exodus Transitional Community, and the Dutchess County District Attorney’s office. She was inducted into Alpha Phi Sigma, for which she served as the chapter’s vice president. She served as the president of the Criminal Justice Club and Marist Photography Club, as well as a program assistant for the Marist Criminal Justice Pre-college Program. Stephanie will attend Rutgers University for a Master’s in Social Work.

Dylan Patrick O’Brien
The St. Marcellin Champagnat Award for Excellence in Education 

Dylan O’Brien served on the Executive Board of the Marist Singers, as music director of Time Check, and as a section leader in the Chamber Choir. He is a member of Kappa Delta Pi, the education honor society, and he completed his student teaching at Violet Avenue Elementary School. He was a member of the Honors Program, completing research about STEAM and non-verbal communication in choral music. After graduation, Dylan plans to pursue a teaching position in New York.

Natalie E. Bills
Award for Excellence in Psychology 

Natalie Bills is a member of the Honors Program as well as the Psi Chi and Alpha Chi honor societies. She worked as a research assistant for the Psychology Department and completed her own research, which she presented at the Eastern Psychological Association and New England Psychological Association conferences. Natalie worked as a summer research assistant for the Yale University Cognition and Development Lab and TheChildLab.com. After graduation, she will pursue a career in experimental psychology as a lab manager.

Maria A. DeGroff
The Eileen Taylor-Appleby Award for Excellence in Social Work 

Maria DeGroff has demonstrated the values that underpin social work in the classroom, the community, and at her internships. She completed her senior internship with Family of Woodstock, a multiservice crisis center. She had extensive crisis intervention training and became an integral member of the crisis team. Her advocacy and fundraising skills for Family of Woodstock earned special recognition. Maria is a member of Delta Alpha Pi, Alpha Sigma Lambda, and Phi Theta Kappa honor societies. She will be attending Adelphi University in the fall to complete her M.S.W. with a focus on trauma-informed practice.

Kimberly Ann Jacobs
Award for Excellence in Professional Studies 

Kimberly Jacobs, a lifelong resident of the Hudson Valley, is a learning and development professional with over two decades of experience. She currently lives in New Windsor with her husband, Stephen, and their dog, Buster. Her college journey began in 1995 at Syracuse University, and she is thrilled to be earning her bachelor’s degree in professional studies in 2020. She has had an amazing experience at Marist, with excellent professors, outstanding courses, and wonderful classmates, whom she now considers to be a second family. 

Johanna Marie Migliaccio
The Spirit of Adult Education Award

Adult students are often required to juggle their academic studies, family responsibilities, careers, and community involvement. This award is made annually to the adult undergraduate student who serves as a strong role model for adult students by demonstrating high academic achievement and being actively engaged in the community. Johanna Migliaccio is graduating summa cum laude with a B.S. in professional studies. Her commitment to her studies is reflected through her inductions into the Alpha Chi and Alpha Sigma Lambda honor societies. She credits two colleagues with encouraging her to begin her studies, and her family was instrumental throughout her educational journey. Johanna has worked full time for Marist’s School of Professional Programs while studying as a part-time, online student.

Ava Elyse Hanlon
The Hermitage Community Service Award

This award is presented to the graduating student who has compiled an impressive record of volunteer activity on and/or off campus, demonstrating the College’s traditional values of concern for the disadvantaged and service to the community. Ava Hanlon is a biomedical sciences major with a minor in French who aspires to attend medical school after graduation. For the past two years she has poured her passion and energy into fundraising for the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through the Up til Dawn fundraising event. As the executive director of the Marist campaign, she guided a group of thirteen students whose efforts raised over $94,000 for St. Jude Hospital research. This placed Marist in the top 10 in the nation for college and university fundraising, with Marist appearing as the smallest institution on the list.

Jillian Marie Kaczmarek
Alumni Leadership Award

Jillian Kaczmarek arrived at Marist as a transfer student and immediately immersed herself into our community. She regularly visited the Children’s Home of Poughkeepsie to read to and engage children. She has served as a tour guide, ambassador board member, and personal assistant in the Office of Admission, whose staff describe her interpersonal skills as that of a seasoned professional. She completed three internships and helped found women’s club lacrosse. After graduation she will start her career as an assistant buyer for Ross Stores. 

Spencer William Hogan
Alumni Leadership Award

Spencer Hogan has accomplished a great deal in his four years at Marist. On campus he has served as executive vice president of the Student Government Association as well as Academic Affairs vice president. He was president of the Business Club and worked as a resident assistant. One of his most important professional experiences was as an intern in the White House Office of American Innovation, in Washington. He was awarded the Bienstock Family Internship at the Hudson River Valley Institute at Marist, and he had an article published in their journal. Spencer will be starting as a management consultant with Accenture Federal Services in August.