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AMHERST, N.Y. – The top 10 first-year Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ College students who earned the highest grade point average in their first year at the college were recently recognized at a luncheon celebration that for the first time included a ceremonial ringing of the new Founders Bell.

In honor of their academic excellence, prior to the on campus luncheon each student participated in ringing Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ’s Founders Bell, which was dedicated this fall at the college’s inaugural Founders Celebration.

The top students, who had a minimum cumulative 3.97 GPA, represent majors in biochemistry, business administration, early childhood education, nursing, physical therapy, physician assistant studies, and psychology.

Honorees for the 2016-17 academic year are:

• Samantha Barker of Hilton, physical therapy major.
• Dung Dinh of Tay Ninh, Vietnam, psychology major.
• Alison Greaves of Amherst, nursing major.
• Alec Karcher of Lancaster, undeclared major.
• Sarah Lewandowski of Lancaster, physical therapy major.
• Sydney MacInnis of Superior, Colo., business administration major with a marketing specialization.
• Julianna Moffitt of Mission Viejo, Calif., early childhood education major.
• Sharissa Morton of Churchville, physician assistant studies major.
• Jessica Schrader of Jamestown, biochemistry/pre-veterinary medicine major.
• Katelyn Szymkowski of Lancaster, physician assistant studies major.

The luncheon also included special acknowledgements by honored students for selected faculty members considered inspirational in their academic success at Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ. Pictured below is Sydney MacInnis ringing Ë¿¹ÏÊÓƵ’s Founders Bell.