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From international service and advocacy to mentoring and program development, undergraduate and graduate students have been recognized for leadership and outstanding achievements from across all schools. Here are some highlights:

Student Achievement Awards
On April 27, six seniors received awards for their achievements. Fr. von Arx congratulated them in his welcoming remarks, and joined the group for a special dinner with their families and friends after the event. (Pictured l-r: Katherine Pitz, Danielle Tullo, Lindsey Hanley, Alan Pelaez Lopez, Nicole Davidow, Storm Miller and Fr. von Arx)

Nicole Davidow '15 received the prestigious St. Ignatius Loyola Medal for “exemplifying the true spirit of a Jesuit education” through her substantial involvement in community service and high academic standing. Among many accomplishments, Davidow, an international studies major, was a New Student Leader, chair of the Senior Week Family Dance, and the first Catholic Relief Services ambassador at ¼â½ÐÊÓƵ.

In her remarks to those attending the ceremony, Davidow focused on the theme of companionship. “Much like the Society of Jesus would have never existed without the initial companionship of individuals like Xavier and Faber, who I am and what I have accomplished would have never been possible without the leadership, love, support, and generosity of my family, peers and mentors,” she said.

The William J. Kramer '60 Humanitarian Award went to Katherine Pitz ’15 for her commitment to volunteerism. Pitz volunteered during two trips to build water chlorinating systems on a college campus in Bolivia, and started the first Engineers Without Borders program at ¼â½ÐÊÓƵ. She is also captain of the women’s rowing team. “My success barometer in life will ultimately lie in my ability to give back to the community that has provided me with so much,” she said.

Four seniors received Student Achievement Awards for their commitment and enhancement of University programs: Lindsey Hanley ’15 , for her mentoring and involvement in FUSA; Storm Miller ’15, for his work with the Beach Residents Advocacy Group (BRAG) and improving relations with the Town of ¼â½ÐÊÓƵ; Alan Pelaez Lopez ’15, for his advocacy of marginalized members of society and commitment to the Queer Undocumented Movement; and Danielle Tullo ’15, for her development of the Her Campus Chapter at ¼â½ÐÊÓƵ University.

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Graduate Student Service Awards

One graduate student from each of the Schools was also recognized at a dinner with the president in Bellarmine Hall on April 25. (Pictured l-r: Marcia Arambulo Rodriguez, Christina Quaranta, Kerri Daunis, Fr. von Arx, Kelley Brady, and Jessica Baldizon)

College of Arts and Sciences: For the past five years, Christina Quaranta (MPA-Public Administration in 2016) has worked with teens at a non-profit in New Haven, and has been a leader among her peers in organizing programs on women’s leadership issues. “ I will use my degree in Public Administration to help people in my community with two topics that I hold dear to my heart: fitness and nutrition.”

School of Engineering: Marcia Arambulo Rodriguez ’15 (MS Management of Technology)was a team leader on the engineering graduate student team to develop a JUHAN (Jesuit Universities Humanitarian Action Network) learning center to enable universities to access information and other important curricular and networking resources. She thanked faculty and staff “ who are working hard to integrate humanitarianism into the undergraduate curriculum at school, so they can inspire more people to identify with someone else’s pain and do what is needed to alleviate it.”

School of Nursing: Kerri M. Daunis ’15 (DNP Doctorate of Nursing Practice, Advanced Registered Nurse degree; Registered Nurse Anesthetist certification) focused her doctoral work on the development of cultural humility and sensitivity in nursing anesthesia students. This work has opened the door for future students to help address gaps and disparities in our current health care system, especially for those in underserved communities. “Cultural competence has no discrete endpoint, but rather a commitment to being actively engaged in a lifelong learning process.”

Dolan School of Business: Kelley Brady ’15 ( master’s in business) was recognized for her numerous volunteer activities, from engaging student athletes to support our military troops to volunteering at a homeless shelter. She helped start the Student Athlete Talent Show to benefit local children and charities, which continues to raise thousands of dollars each year. She has served on numerous fundraising boards and organizations and continues to encourage her fellow NCAA athletes to support causes in need.

Graduate School of Education and Allied Professions: Jessica Baldizon ’15 (master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) coordinated the placement of over 50 undergraduate students in tutoring opportunities at Cesar Batalla School in Bridgeport. “The African philosophy of Ubuntu says that ‘I can be me because of who we are together’, and this reflects the communal, shared, and supportive experience that I have been repeatedly afforded…throughout my journey at ¼â½ÐÊÓƵ.”

Leadership Recognition Awards
The Quick Center was packed on Tuesday, April 21 with students at the 7th Annual Leadership Awards event. More than 40 students, faculty, staff were recognized for a variety of offerings to the University community—through clubs, residence life, campus ministry and community service. Several awards were given for mentoring.

“We work very hard to cultivate leadership skills in our students,” said Tyler McClain, associate director, Leadership & Professional Development in the Career Planning Center. “It was time for some recognition of their growth and accomplishments—as well as some fun.”