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AMHERST, N.Y. –- The exceptional achievements of graduating students in the ˿����Ƶ College Class of 2018 were recognized at the annual Excellence Awards Ceremony held on May 18 as part of the college’s commencement weekend activities.        

“This annual ceremony is a longstanding ˿����Ƶ tradition to celebrate our highest-achieving graduating students who have excelled academically and contributed so much to our college community,” said ˿����Ƶ President Gary Olson.

Departmental award winners for 2018 are:

Accounting and Business Administration

• Jared Denis of Williamsville – Charles Sabatino Sport Management Graduate of the Year
• William Olkowski of Snyder – Outstanding Graduating Senior Accounting Award
• Melanie Vazquez of Cheektowaga – Excellence in Paralegal Studies

Athletic Training

• Kaitlyn Gustafson of Amherst – Clinical Excellence Award
• Jacob Habermehl of Cheektowaga – Sue Rocque Award

Education

• Sara Hornung of Getzville – Undergraduate Excellence in Education Award

English

• Kelly Ferreira of Warsaw – Senior Capstone Award and John T. Masterson Award
• Sara Hornung of Getzville – Katherine A. Sullivan Adolescent English Education Award and John T. Masterson Award

Entrepreneurship

• Logan Podrebarac of Burlington, Ont. – Excellence in Entrepreneurism

Health Promotion

• Kirstie Hanson of Jamestown – Student of Distinction Award

History and Political Science

• Brianna Zichettella of Newfield – Departmental Valedictorian Award and the Samual E. Morrison Award for Best Senior Thesis

Mathematics

• Giambattista Davis of Cheektowaga – Euclid Award

Modern Languages

• Erica Kreutzer of East Aurora – Modern Language 2018 Outstanding Senior Award
• Allison Christie of Erie, Pa. – Outstanding Research Award
• Hugo Juarez Guzman of Ridgewood – Outstanding Student Award

Nursing

• Todd Cwudzinski of Buffalo – Outstanding Leader Award (Graduate Student)
• Glenda King of Rochester – Excellence in Advanced Nursing Practice Award (Graduate Student)
• Joelle Kozierowski of Cheektowaga – Emerging Leader Award (Undergraduate Student)

Physical Therapy

• Alec Courtney of Lancaster – New York Physical Therapy Association Student Participation Award
• Morgan Montgomery of Marcellus – Richard Schweichler Award for Academic Excellence
• Sarah Munella of North Tonawanda – Physical Therapy Department Faculty Recognition Award

Physician Assistant

• Cassandra Stolzenburg of Lockport – Chair’s Award for Academic Excellence
• Katrina Porzio of East Aurora – Graduate Anatomy Award

Psychological Sciences

• Jordan Ammerman of Hamlin – Outstanding Academic Achievement Award
• Danielle Smith of Buffalo – Outstanding Senior Thesis Award (Fall 2017)
• Katrina Stork of Batavia and Andrea Stutz of Tonawanda – Outstanding Thesis Award (Spring 2018)

Master of Public Health

• Lumeshwar Kumar of Clermont, Fla. – Master of Public Health Ambassador Award
• Michelle Larimore of Horseheads – Master of Public Health Academic Achievement Award and Master of Public Health Leadership Award

Social Work and Sociology

• Erica Biscotto of Williamsville – Outstanding Performance in Field Education (BASW)
• Emily Buzzard of Ransomville – Outstanding Achievement in Social Work (BASW)
• Diamond Ferguson of Buffalo – Outstanding Achievement in Social Work (MSW)
• Mallory Tominich of Buffalo – Outstanding Performance in Field Education (MSW)

Visual and Performing Arts

• Noah Herman of Warsaw – Samuel Pagano Award for Visual Communication
• Jessica Mjoen of Silver Creek – Excellence in Student Achievement
• Anthony Syracuse of Buffalo – Studio Achievement in Animation (“Sweatbox Award”)

Top campus-wide award recipients include:

• Emily Buzzard of Ransomville – President’s Award, which recognizes an undergraduate student who has exhibited dedication, care and concern for their fellow students. She earned a bachelor’s degree in social work.
• Hugo Juarez Guzman of Ridgewood – Mary Angela Canavan Award, which recognizes an undergraduate student who has made significant contributions to the betterment of student life at the college. He earned a bachelor’s degree in biology.
• Braxton Stinson of Brooklyn – Alumni Senior Award, which recognizes an undergraduate student who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to the larger community. He earned a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies.
• ˿����Ƶ College Tradition Keeper: The DC Book Medal – Taqiyah Gibbons of Yonkers, Mackenzie Pye of Brockport, Shaquilla Reid of Laurelton, Nancy Tolsma of Olean, and Rebecca Volmy of Lockport.