Skidmore celebrated more than 100 outstanding students at Honors Convocation and the
SGA Leadership Banquet and created a portrait gallery of many. We captured photos
of as many as we could for the gallery below.
More prizes and honors will be awarded this Friday, May 15: the Periclean Scholar
presentations begin at 10 a.m. in Filene Recital Hall, the senior athletes’ awards
luncheon is at 12:30 p.m. at the Williamson Sports Center, and the Phi Beta Kappa
induction follows at 2 p.m. in Gannett Auditorium. It’s all leading up to Skidmore’s 104th Commencement on Saturday, May 16, at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center at 10:40 a.m.
Rebecca Baruc '15: American Studies Faculty Award.
Enthusiastic and creative, Becca is a talented, accomplished scholar-artist. She published
a superb, richly illustrated booklet on the history of Yiddish humor, and also wrote
a first-rate Senior Seminar thesis about the painter John Singer Sargent and how American
visual artists are inscribed in the national consciousness. A member of the Ad-Libs
improv comedy group and a co-producer of this year's National College Comedy Festival,
Becca is a woman of many gifts and is among Skidmore's best and brightest.
Farwa Naqvi '15: Dorothy Dryfoos Olsan Prize in Jewelry and Metalsmithing.
Farwa truly hit her stride this year; showing impressive confidence in her ability
to solve complex problems elegantly and effectively while cultivating a sensibility
that is both refined and facile. Her current work is technically demanding and yet
highly accessible. In addition to her fine work as an artist, Farwa is a model student.
She is serious, eager, and adventurous, with a generous spirit and a terrific sense
of humor.
Priscilla Montalto '15: O. Roger Gallagher Memorial Prize in Anthropology.
The anthropology faculty applaud Priscilla's outstanding achievements in anthropology.
The breadth and quality of Priscilla's work is impressive. She has taken classes in
archaeology, cultural anthropology, geology, and socio-spatial analysis. She has worked
at the Skidmore Archaeology Laboratory and Curtin Archaeology heritage management
firm. She has conducted original research projects on two archaeological sites, one
of which she presented at a professional conference. The anthropology faculty wish
Priscilla well as she continues her studies in socio-spatial analysis after graduation.
Logan Jones '15: Jesse Solomon Memorial Award in Painting.
Logan's accomplished, large-scale, and audaciously textured oil paintings reveal a
powerful intellectual fascination with the conscious and subconscious mind, dreams,
and crystal formations. Logan writes, "The characteristics of how crystals form from
minerals inspire my painted gestures and compositional structures." His paintings
are amalgamations of relationships between psychology, sociology, science, and art.
Logan will attend the Cécile Gissot Parisian Printmaking Studio in 2015, maintain
his painting practice, and apply to graduate school for an M.F.A. in painting in 2016.
Zoe Gross '15: Barbara Greene Wild Award in Ceramics.
Zoe is an outstanding student in the ceramics area. She has excellent hand skills
and is highly active in numerous studio areas within the Art Department. Zoe has made
great strides in relating her clay work to her efforts in painting. This has led her
to reinterpret the human form in clay. The connections she has drawn between her two-dimensional
and three-dimensional work reveal an eagerness to have her interests coalesce into
a cohesive and skillful body of artwork for her senior portfolio.
Juan Correa Cardozo '16: Pamela Weidenman Memorial Prize in Lithography or Printmaking.
Reserved and ever thoughtful, Juan is an artist whose quiet demeanor is contradicted
by the intense passion he commits to his artwork. His prints are narratives of personal
experiences that explore fantasy and reality. What might first appear to be a masterfully
executed children's illustration becomes a disturbing peek at the underlying fears
of all.
Adam Fisher-Cox '15: Miller/Reed Prize in Design.
Adam has demonstrated exceptional design and composition using both traditional and
digital media. Adam is a detail-oriented designer, a consummate craftsman, thoughtful
typographer, and thorough researcher. Adam is also a model citizen and leader. Whether
he is designing a poster for an event or meeting with a student that needs help, his
reliability, humor, and calm, generous nature project confidence and ability.
Grace Aretsky '15: Whitman Family Art History Prize.
In her senior thesis, A Fate Worse than Death: Dynamics of Disclosure in the Art
of the AIDS Crisis, Grace proposes a radical revision to how we think about AIDS-related
art. Arguing that the art was not only about death, Grace draws our attention, through
sensitive and skilled visual analysis, to how artworks either shielded the sexual
and medical status of a person with AIDS, or defiantly outed it. Her mature approach,
sophisticated use of theory, and engaging prose make this a memorable project.
Allison Green '15: S. Michael Eigen Prize in Art History.
A bright, creative, and versatile student, a gifted writer, and a leader among her
peers, Allison distinctively applies art-historical knowledge to creative projects.
As costume designer for Skidmore's production of The Penelopiad, Allison utilized
research and postcolonial theory to shape her designs. For the exhibit Paper Dolls,
she wrote the wall and catalog texts, coached students in dressmaking, and produced
an outstanding paper dress. Allison demonstrates a generosity of spirit, serving as
a writing tutor and admissions ambassador.
Tobi Ewing '15: Arts Administration Faculty Award.
The Arts Administration program is pleased to present this year's Arts Administration
Faculty Award to Tobi. Tobi exemplifies the goals of the program through her artistic
passion, keen business acumen, and commitment to community engagement. Previous internships
include Ralph Lauren and two mini-internships at the Depot Theatre. This summer, Tobi
returns to Ralph Lauren to start a career in the fashion industry. We look forward
to following her rising star!
Chelsea Fujimoto '15: Dowd-Lester Award in Biology.
The Biology Department is delighted to present the Dowd-Lester Biology Award to Chelsea.
Whether mentoring new research students in the animal physiology lab, serving as a
peer-tutor, or acting as a student representative to the department, Chelsea has provided
sustained and focused effort to many aspects of the department's mission. We sincerely
appreciate Chelsea's leadership, camaraderie, and her many contributions to our department.
We wish her success in her next endeavor at the Royal Veterinary College in London
this coming fall.
Kara Rode '15: Donald W. Pyle Memorial Award in Biology.
When Kara was offered a choice of two biology summer research projects in genetics,
she did both. She added research on yeast genetics at Wadsworth laboratories the next
summer, and is now a co-author of three publications on the "TATA" DNA binding protein,
a mouse model for autism, and trans-generational behavioral effects of lead exposure
in mice. Kara was admitted to nearly a dozen of the top Ph.D. programs in molecular
genetics. She is also a member of the Quidditch team!
Hannah DeGraaf '15: Charlotte W. Fahey Prize in Chemistry.
Hannah's intellectual growth at Skidmore has been a joy to observe. Her natural curiosity,
intelligence, and enthusiasm for chemistry make working with her a true pleasure.
Hannah recently presented her Skidmore research in organic synthesis at a regional
ACS symposium and also has done an exceptional job as a student assistant for the
physical chemistry lab. Hannah has been accepted into five Ph.D. programs in chemistry
and will pursue graduate work at Minnesota.
Madeleine Burkhart '15: Joseph Garrison Parker Prize for Interdisciplinary Work.
Her professors in art and mathematics have described Madeleine as a "creative powerhouse"
and "one of the best students in thirty years." Her work is bold, playful, and stunningly
original. Her sculpture has been described as "ephemeral constructions of light and
shadow," her paintings as "outrageous and engaging," and her mathematical research
as "multidimensional and sophisticated." Madeleine's work shows vividly that it is
the same vision, energy, and tenacity that produces success in the arts and in the
sciences.
William Miller '15: Charlotte W. Fahey Prize in Chemistry.
Bill's passion for learning and excitement for science is like no other. A great leader
and role model, he is generous, kind, and has an incredible work ethic. His dedication
to research has resulted in several national and regional conference presentations
and three future co-author publications. Bill's diligent work to expand his breadth
of knowledge has earned him an ACS certified chemistry degree. We wish Bill every
success next year as a research technologist at Penn State College of Medicine.
Sarah Breitenfeld '15: Helga B. Doblin Prize in Classics.
The Classics Department is delighted to award Sarah the Doblin Prize. Sarah has had
a stellar career: superb work in ancient languages; highest achievements in four programs
abroad; and some of the finest writing we have ever seen. Her senior thesis, on sex,
citizenship, and obedience on Pericles' Parthenon, is a tour de force piece of scholarship.
Next steps: a post-baccalaureate at the University of Pennsylvania, then graduate
school.
Kelly Polhemus '15: Margaret Paulding Award in Dance.
Kelly's artistry and skill as a dancer have enabled her to embody diverse roles, from
a contemporary athletic work by Robert Battle to the classical Sleeping Beauty. She
collaborated with Emily Schoen from Keigwin+Dancers to develop a Capstone solo that
was moving and exquisitely performed. Kelly's commitment to social change is exemplified
by her creative work with special-needs students at Saratoga High School. Kelly's
accomplishments as a dance and social work double major have enriched Skidmore College
and inspired her peers.
Sarah Turpin '15: William E. Weiss Memorial Award in Economics.
Sarah is among the most impressive graduates from the economics department in a long
time. She excelled in course work, served effectively as a department representative,
and was instrumental in creating an Honors Forum course on economic issues. She is
currently writing an impressive senior thesis titled Gender Discrimination in the
Allocation of Microfinance Loans in Brazil. Sarah will start work soon after graduation
at Breckenridge Capital Advisors.
Ashley King '15: John P. Shepard Prize in Education Studies.
Ashley demonstrates the commitment to education, leadership among peers, and superior
academic and fieldwork performance that the John P. Shepard Award recognizes. Ashley
excelled across three fieldwork contexts, and her academic work reflects her ability
to successfully integrate theory and practice. Ashley's honors thesis focused on interventions
to support children with math anxiety. As the president of the Skidmore Education
Taking Action (SETA) Club and a departmental research assistant, Ashley also has dedicated
countless hours to service and leadership.
Matthew Gellman '15: Edwin Moseley Prize in English.
In the words of one of his professors, "Matt Gellman is one of the most articulate
and perceptive student readers I've worked with at Skidmore. He grasps the importance
of having a driving idea, and he understands that it must be fresh. He balances that
linearity with a richness and a nuance in his readings that are at times astonishing."
We wish Matt the best in his future adventures with language, and we can't wait to
see what happens next.
Lucia Akard '15: Denise Marcil Prize for Fiction Writing.
Lucia's Story: A Cautionary Tale transports the reader into a world of mythology,
gods, and goddesses who act more like mere humans. Calla, one of Demeter's three daughters,
has little interest in following her mother's footsteps as the goddess of the harvest.
Ambitious, she is far more drawn to joining Hades in the underworld as his queen.
A tightly constructed story with smooth prose, A Cautionary Tale ends with the surprise
of a double deception.
Eleanor Laurence '15: Sally Chapman Thompson Prize in Literature.
As her thesis demonstrates, Eleanor's attraction to ideas stems from her commitment
to social justice; her intellectual stakes are not so much academic as they are worldly
and political. She longs for a better world and has discovered a vocabulary for critiquing
our existing one and for formulating a more utopian one. Whatever field she pursues--whether
journalism or academia--Eleanor will be one of those rare, genuinely ethical and brilliant
people who ought to be guiding our world forward.
Jenna Frank '15: Environmental Studies Faculty Award.
Jenna has excelled in the classroom and beyond in demonstrating environmental leadership.
She wrote and received a $75,000 grant to help a collective of Mayan women in Chuburna
Puerto, Mexico. Her work will secure the women's land and status as a Mexican nonprofit.
Her grant will strengthen regional food security, provide a supplemental source of
income to families, and educate the community about the importance of resource management
and the benefits of organic farming.
Jordan Stark '15: Environmental Studies Faculty Award.
Jordan is stubborn, impatient, intellectually nimble, and generous. In these four
years, she has performed research in American deserts, the rainforests of Panama,
the alpine Rocky Mountains, the New England coastline, and in New York's lakes and
rivers, exploring the roles of climatic variation, biodiversity, tourism, and novel
pollutants (micro-plastics) in shaping those ecological communities. No less importantly,
she has invested in the creation of a truly sustainable Skidmore and in the creation
of music.
Brittney Dioneda '15: Margaret Paulding Award in Exercise Sciences.
In conducting her senior thesis, Postprandial Thermogenic Response to Unrefined, Highly
Processed, and Gluten-Free Foods, Brittney displayed a thorough understanding of research
design, an appreciation for the complexities of physiology, and an ability to interact
effectively with researchers and participants. After graduation, Brittney plans to
spend a year working in biomedical research before entering medical school to fulfill
her dream of becoming a physician. We wish her continued success.
Brittany Dingler '15: Jo C. Hebard Memorial Prize In Health and Human Services.
Brittany is an officer and crew chief with Skidmore's Emergency Medical Service, a
frequent volunteer for organizations such as Project Blue, and one of Skidmore's head
peer health educators. As a SCEMS officer and crew chief, Brittany has dedicated every
weekend for the past two years to her EMS work. As Head PHE, she provides crucial
leadership to more than 40 peer health educators. She will begin her incredibly promising
career with Saratoga Hospital and plans to return to school to become a PA.
Catherine King '15: Consulate General Prize in German.
Catherine receives the Consulate General Prize in German based on her outstanding
performance in German studies. A double-major in international affairs and German,
and a minor in government, Catherine has an ardent interest in German politics, business,
and culture. In 2014, Catherine spent a semester in Berlin, Germany. With her SEE-Beyond
Award in the same year, she added a summer internship at the political party Die Linke
in Berlin. Catherine has also been a German tutor for other students.
Peter Beiser '15: Sonja P. Karsen Prize in Spanish.
Peter's motivation to master Spanish comes from an insatiable curiosity to discover
the mechanisms that make languages our most valuable tool for creating connections
between peoples and cultures. He has developed a keen critical sense for the analysis
of literary texts, resulting in original and provocative interpretations. His work
as a Spanish major culminated with a masterful translation that shows his deep knowledge
of the Spanish language and the love and respect with which he approaches it.
Christina Sanyour '15: Dante Award in Italian.
Christina brings together intelligence and generosity with exceptional grace. Apart
from her semester in Bologna, she has shared these qualities, and her subtle sense
of humor, with the section. Christina has worked as driller, tutor, and much-adored
peer mentor. She has cheerfully participated in the Italian Table and inspired our
students during the Cafè italiano. With great aplomb Christina can both discuss literary
theory (in Italian) and bake awesome checkered biscotti.
Soraya Attia '15: Henry C. Galant Prize in Government.
Soraya is an outstanding example of both the study and practice of politics, researching
and writing a complex and persuasive comparative study of the variables that impact
female political representation in other countries, while also serving as the president
of Skidmore's Class of 2015 this year.
Sarah Turner '15: Roy T. Abbott III Memorial Prize in Geosciences.
Sarah's sophomore undergraduate research project has already turned into a Goldwater
honorable mention, senior honors thesis, and a Geological Society talk. Since Sarah's
parents moved abroad, we think she lives in the lab, where she has spent countless
hours voluntarily, counting and measuring 2,000 micro-layers from a cave stalagmite.
Sarah's scientific integrity and sense of humor will be welcome, either at the Bureau
of Land Management in D.C., or at graduate school in New Hampshire.
Andrew Lowy '15: Susan Riley Gunderson Prize in Government.
To call Andrew an outstanding student of American government is akin to calling Lord
Byron an outstanding scribbler of doggerel: the characterization is accurate but insufficient.
Andrew's intellectual curiosity and analytical bent are conspicuous in his honors
thesis, which explores the constitutionality of state laws that disenfranchise convicted
felons. His novel, sophisticated case that such laws are unconstitutional bodes well
for Andrew's success in law school next year, provided that he sheds his perverse
fascination with My Cousin Vinny.
Connor Grant-Knight '15: Erwin L. Levine Prize in Government.
Connor is one of the finest students of political theory the department has ever had.
He has a voracious appetite for learning and an unparalleled devotion to studying
the great thinkers of the Western tradition. In his approach to texts like Aristotle's
Politics or Montesquieu's Persian Letters, Connor combines a fearlessness and humility
that is exceedingly rare among students. His paramount goal is always to learn from
these authors, and Connor has accumulated much genuine wisdom in this pursuit.
Paige DiAntonio '15: Alice Farwell Warren Prize in History.
Paige has completed a fantastic career at Skidmore. Since her first year on campus,
she has proven to be an unusually engaging student. No matter the topic, from the
High Middle Ages to early America, modern Germany to the Vietnam War, she has sparkled
as a writer and thinker. She is also intellectually generous. She listens carefully
to others, shares her ideas, and constantly encourages classmates to think in new
ways.
Benjamin Polsky '15: Lee History Prize.
A history and government double major, Ben served as an exemplary peer mentor in the
FYE and has been a valued research assistant. Ben has energized every classroom he
has ever entered. In his history thesis, Ben's work on Edmund Burke's political philosophy
offers a nuanced analysis of the aesthetic principles that are the foundation of Burke's
political movements over the decades between the American and French revolutions.
Carol Jia Lu Li '15: Jerome Solomon Ginsberg Memorial Award in International Affairs.
Carol brings an incisive analysis to all her academic work, reflecting a sophistication
rare in someone so young. Fluent in Mandarin, English, Cantonese, and Kaipingnese,
she also has a basic knowledge of Spanish and Korean. She participated in the SIT
International Honors Program and is a member of the Periclean Honors Forum. Carol's
IA capstone project is a comparative study of corruption in China and the U.S. She
plays a traditional Chinese instrument called the Guzheng and performed last year
for the Saratoga Community.
Ezra Levy '15: Seymour and Sylvia Goldman Memorial Prize in Management and Business.
Ezra exhibits outstanding leadership, scholarship, and character, serving as head
resident for Residential Life, as president of Skidmore's Hillel, and as student manager
of the Skidmore-Saratoga Consulting Partnership. Ever an entrepreneur, Ezra won third
place in New York State's Business Plan Competition. A three-year member of the Periclean
Honors Society, he mentors fellow students, and he impresses employers with internships
in craft breweries, arts festivals, clean-tech incubators, and brand management.
Cara Vanin '15: Jefferson Huff Prize in Business.
Only on rare occasions does an undergraduate's research rise to the level of scholarship
that we faculty expect of one another. Cara senior thesis has done just that. She
has produced an exacting piece of research applying econometric models to evaluate
connections between an entity's financial performance with its environmental sustainability
efforts and management accounting controls. Cara has indeed joined the scholarly conversation
in the field. Her work merits recognition for its motivation, execution, and relevance.
Mohannad Aljawamis '15: Gail Moran Morton Prize in Business.
Mohannad comes to us from Jordan and is graduating as an international affairs/business
double major. He is an active young scholar who has presented a paper at the Walsh
Exchange Conference at Georgetown University and been a participant at the Clinton
Global Initiative Workshop. When not astounding his faculty with his academic accomplishments,
Mohannad is either playing racquetball, boxing, or cooking food from various countries.
Mohannad's dream is to give his own TED talk.
Lauren Alexander '15: Wall Street Journal Award in Applied Management.
Lauren has an exemplary record at Skidmore and in Saratoga. She leads on the soccer
fields, in the classroom, and in the community. A consummate organizer, Lauren can
make anything happen. Her work has advanced the Special Olympics? Polar Bear Plunge,
the Skidmore-Saratoga Consulting Partnership as student manager, the Freirich Business
Plan Competition, the Alcohol Committee for Peer Health Education, and through internships
with NBC's Today show and Nightly News with Brian Williams.
Katherine Kuklewicz '15: Robert and Marcia DeSieno Prize in Mathematics and Computer
Science.
Katie is a model student?a double major and a student athlete. She assimilates material
quickly, and her written work is always cogent and precise. Excelling in all classes,
her Mathematics GPA is 4.0 as of this writing. Katie served as president of our chapter
of Pi Mu Epsilon, the National Mathematics Honorary Society, and she has been a very
active participant in the life of our department in many ways. We wish Katie luck
at the University of Kansas next year.
Yang Yu '15: Robert and Marcia DeSieno Prize in Mathematics and Computer Science.
Yang, a double major in computer science and physics, has been an outstanding student,
earning several A+'s in computer science courses. Beyond course work, Yang has shown
intense interest, extraordinary ability, and creativity in computer science projects.
He participated in summer collaborative research on facial recognition that he continued
for his senior thesis. He has been able to accomplish all this in only three years
at Skidmore.
Emily Przysinda '15: Herman Joseph Muller Prize in Music.
Emily is a superb flutist who owns an artistic, positive, and compassionate personality.
Known in the Music Department for her leadership, enthusiasm, and positive presence,
her contributions to orchestra, choir, VCE, and numerous chamber ensembles will be
remembered for many years to come. Being a natural performer with a beautiful expressive
flute sound, Emily easily connects with her audience; and, her technical mastery allows
her to freely express the most complex literature.
Elijah McCormack '16: Barbara Gruntal Allen Prize in the Study of Voice.
Elijah generously shares his vocal talent throughout the Music Department and Skidmore
community. This semester he has prepared a shared voice recital that includes a program
of challenging vocal literature. A member of both the Skidmore Community Chorus and
the Vocal Chamber Ensemble, his consistent musical and vocal performance is inspirational.
He sang the role of Gilby in a concert performance of the opera Roscoe by Evan Mack
and also performs regularly with the a capella group Drastic Measures.
Lauren Soong '16: Louis Edgar Johns Award in Piano.
Filene Scholar Lauren Soong is an outstanding double major in both music and biochemistry.
She won the coveted Concerto Competition in her first semester at Skidmore. She often
performs in chamber ensembles and played Beethoven's Third Piano Concerto at the Gala
Concerto Concert. Equally outstanding as a chemist, she presented a poster at the
American Chemical Society National Meeting and Exposition in Denver, Colorado, to
1,500 people. She also loves cooking and exploring new places.
Austin Ferro '15: Hartnett Prize in Neuroscience.
Neuroscience is delighted to bestow the Hartnett Prize to Austin for his devotion
to research, unabashed scientific curiosity, eagerness to expand knowledge, and the
patience and passion with which he trains others. Austin has investigated traumatic
brain injury at the Roskamp Institute, lead exposure on circadian rhythms in the behavioral
genetics lab, and treatment of ataxia in the molecular neuroscience lab; co-authoring
multiple publications along the way. We are thrilled that he will begin graduate training
in Neuroscience this fall.
Pierre-François Wolfe '15: Eleanor A. Samworth Prize in Physics.
Beyond his extremely successful course work as a dual-degree major in physics and
engineering with a minor in computer science, Pierre-François has been an incredible
source of assistance and intellectual energy. From setting up laboratory equipment
and working in the machine shop to performing research in both astrophysics and computer
science, he devotes himself with seriousness and enthusiasm. We are proud to award
him the Samworth Prize as he leaves to complete his engineering degree at Dartmouth
College next year.
Elizabeth Johnson '15: Amy Eisenberg Memorial Award in Educational Psychology.
Elizabeth is an extraordinarily promising researcher who expresses a curiosity about
addressing social questions using scientific methodology. Due to valuable research
contributions, she earned authorship on multiple conference presentations. Moreover,
she has developed as an independent psychological scientist. Liz designed and executed
a compelling study, secured Summer Collaborative Program support, and wrote a sophisticated
honors thesis that will be submitted for publication.
Renee Schapiro '15: Michele Kelly Memorial Award in Psychology.
Fueled by her passions in music and psychology, Renee has researched the interactions
between music cognition, Alzheimer's disease, and the brain. Her thesis examines the
effects of emotional music from various time periods on autobiographical memory in
Alzheimer's patients. Because memory is critical for an individual's sense of self,
the use of music with patients can improve the quality of their lives. In the fall,
Renee will attend the Music, Mind, and Brain graduate program at Goldsmiths, University
of London.
Lea Taylor '15: Krawiec Scholar in Psychology.
Lea is an exceptionally promising clinical scientist. She has been a standout student
in the classroom, in the laboratory, and in clinical field experiences. She has served
in numerous mentorship capacities, including teaching assistant and student representative
to the Psychology Department. She has presented at both regional and national conferences
and is a co-author on a research paper under review for publication. Lea will be starting
a PhD program in clinical psychology at Syracuse University this fall.
Tess Lauricella '15: Caren Lane Sass Award in Psychology.
Tess displays special promise as a creative thinker and future scholar. Her academic
record and contributions to departmental research, including membership in three faculty
labs, make her a natural fit for this award. Her senior thesis explores positive consequences
of imagining events occurring in the future. The psychology faculty imagine a very
bright future for Tess. Her first stop post-Skidmore is Harvard to continue her investigation
of future thinking in Daniel Gilbert's lab.
Rene Alpert '15: Hilda Bashevkin Betten '39 and Morris H. Betten Award in Social Work.
Rene is a double social work-psychology major who has excelled both academically and
in her service to the community. As an undergraduate, Rene has worked with the Brooklyn
Public Defenders Office/Refugee Center; with Covenant House, which serves the homeless
population; with Family Planning Advocates, where she is an advocate for women's reproductive
health rights; and with other local agencies. Rene's advocacy for social justice will
continue in the fall when she will attend Washington University's JD/MSW program.
Heather Lipkin '15: Everett V. Stonequist Award in Sociology.
Heather truly embodies the spirit of an applied sociologist; her passion for issues
related to race and social justice is evident throughout her outstanding course work
in sociology. Heather presented her Senior Capstone project, Race Around the Block:
A Comparison of Racial Attitudes, Behavior, and Interaction, at the Eastern Sociological
Society meetings. In addition to her academic achievements, she has demonstrated leadership
abilities as an IGR facilitator, peer mentor, and student assistant. She plans to
pursue graduate school after college.
Rebecca Datus '15: Nancy Beth Rautenberg Memorial Award in Sociology and Student Leadership.
Rebecca has achieved high marks in her course work, conducted collaborative research
with faculty members, and presented her own original research at the Eastern Sociological
Society meetings. A strong pillar of the student community, she has held leadership
roles in the Ujima Club, the Ujima Step Team, and the InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.
After graduation, Rebecca will pursue a master's degree in social work at the University
of North Carolina.
Emily Moler '15: Margarete Ellen Clifford Memorial Prize in Theater.
Throughout her years at Skidmore, Emily has served as a leader in the classroom, on
productions, and in our offices. She has a sometimes well disguised but excellent
sense of humor and has represented Skidmore brilliantly in multiple internships, demonstrating
true professionalism. She has done everything to make the department a stronger and
richer community, particularly in management. We know that she will make a substantial
contribution to the theater world.
Greer Duckworth '15: Theater Prize.
Greer Duckworth is one of the finest scenic designers to emerge from the Skidmore
Theater Department. Greer's ability to represent her designs is extraordinary. She
has developed exceptional painting, drafting, modeling, and computer virtualization
skills through rigorous training and independent study. We celebrate her outstanding
design for Dancing at Lughnasa, a beautiful rendering of a rural 1930s Irish home,
and the surrounding verdant Irish countryside. Greer has already designed professionally,
and we look forward with anticipation to her future accomplishments.
Kevin Wang '17: Joseph C. Palamountain Prose Award.
With wit and disarming clarity, with elegance and sophistication, Kevin's Reconciling
Poet and Shadow: English Translations of a Classical Chinese Poem illuminates the
paradoxes of translation and the disjunctions and correspondences that the act of
translating reveals. Examining multiple English versions, including Kevin's own, of
a Tang Dynasty poem, the essay contemplates a poignant invitation for companionship
and allows us to hear the poet speaking to us across centuries, between languages
and cultures, through shadows.
Jake Musich '15: Joseph C. Palamountain Prose Award.
Jake's essay Fragments is an elegant, lyrical account of the author's apprenticeship
as a sculptor in Italy. Jake pulls us into the rigors of the artist?s life, from hauling
marble blocks out of a mountain to the painstaking work of discovering shape in stone.
With great sophistication, he explores the connections between geography, history,
family, and beauty, involving readers in a meditation on the nature of making. The
essay is a startling, mature, ambitious piece of work.
Hope Spector '15: The SGA Senior Leadership Award.
Presented to those who have contributed consistently to the Student Government Association,
unselfishly devoting countless hours of their time, as well as their energy, skill
and talents, to building a richly diverse and vibrant campus life at Skidmore.
Noah Samois '15: The SGA Senior Leadership Award.
Presented to those who have contributed consistently to the Student Government Association,
unselfishly devoting countless hours of their time, as well as their energy, skill
and talents, to building a richly diverse and vibrant campus life at Skidmore.
Catie Riggs '15: The SGA Senior Leadership Award.
Presented to those who have contributed consistently to the Student Government Association,
unselfishly devoting countless hours of their time, as well as their energy, skill
and talents, to building a richly diverse and vibrant campus life at Skidmore.
Noam Yossefy '15: The SGA Senior Leadership Award.
Presented to those who have contributed consistently to the Student Government Association,
unselfishly devoting countless hours of their time, as well as their energy, skill
and talents, to building a richly diverse and vibrant campus life at Skidmore.
Eric Beriguete '15: The SGA Senior Leadership Award.
Presented to those who have contributed consistently to the Student Government Association,
unselfishly devoting countless hours of their time, as well as their energy, skill
and talents, to building a richly diverse and vibrant campus life at Skidmore.
Gerolly Lorenzo '15: The SGA Senior Leadership Award.
Presented to those who have contributed consistently to the Student Government Association,
unselfishly devoting countless hours of their time, as well as their energy, skill
and talents, to building a richly diverse and vibrant campus life at Skidmore.
Hector Biaggi '15: The SGA Senior Leadership Award.
Presented to those who have contributed consistently to the Student Government Association,
unselfishly devoting countless hours of their time, as well as their energy, skill
and talents, to building a richly diverse and vibrant campus life at Skidmore.
Jarred Green '15: The SGA Senior Leadership Award.
Presented to those who have contributed consistently to the Student Government Association,
unselfishly devoting countless hours of their time, as well as their energy, skill
and talents, to building a richly diverse and vibrant campus life at Skidmore.
Sibo Gama '15: The SGA Senior Leadership Award.
Presented to those who have contributed consistently to the Student Government Association,
unselfishly devoting countless hours of their time, as well as their energy, skill
and talents, to building a richly diverse and vibrant campus life at Skidmore.
Brooks Robinson '16: Candace Carlucci Award.
An American studies and English double major, Brooks has served as a student assistant
in the Office of Alumni Affairs and College Events and has been an integral part of
our regional event, Celebration Weekend, Commencement, and Reunion preparations. Her
bright, welcoming demeanor and knowledge of campus life has assisted an uncountable
number of alumni, parents, students and friends of Skidmore over the course of her
time in our office. Brooks' cheerful willingness to rise to any challenge presented
to her has made an impact on Skidmore's extended community and will serve her well
personally and professionally as she plans her next step toward law school.
Amy Beck '15: Charles S. and William P. Dake Community Service Award.
Presented to a student who volunteers regularly in the Saratoga community or who exhibits
extraordinary efforts in support of the spirit of volunteerism within the Skidmore
community. Amy was nominated by Special Olympics Swimming.
Erik Morrison '15: Charles S. and William P. Dake Community Service Award.
Presented to a student who volunteers regularly in the Saratoga community or who exhibits
extraordinary efforts in support of the spirit of volunteerism within the Skidmore
community. Erik was nominated by the Adirondack - Saratoga Chapter of the Red Cross.
Kyle Wagman '15: The SGA Senior Leadership Award.
Presented to those who have contributed consistently to the Student Government Association,
unselfishly devoting countless hours of their time, as well as their energy, skill
and talents, to building a richly diverse and vibrant campus life at Skidmore.
Andrew Shi '15: The SGA Senior Leadership Award.
Presented to those who have contributed consistently to the Student Government Association,
unselfishly devoting countless hours of their time, as well as their energy, skill
and talents, to building a richly diverse and vibrant campus life at Skidmore.
Emily Durante '15: Rozendaal Citizenship Award Citation.
As a dedicated student in environmental studies and geosciences, Emily has twice been
awarded a Responsible Citizenship Internship Award to pursue sustainability-oriented
work in the Saratoga Springs community. Through her leadership in the Environmental
Action Club, she founded and executed the Skidmore Bike Share Program, "Bikemore,"
which has benefited students and community members and helped to reduce Skidmore's
carbon footprint in a healthy, fun, and sustainable way. Through her work with EAC
and her internships with the city's planning and economic development department,
she has made substantial contributions to the sustainability and economic viability
of the area.
Saada Legesse '15: Jane Anne Hapeman Distinguished Service Award.
Saada accurately describes her role in Residential Life, to be a guardian for residents,
ensuring their safety, well-being, and place in the Skidmore community. In her three
years in Residential Life, Saada has helped students transition to campus and navigate
campus life from roommate conflicts to campus resources. Her maturity and empathy
for others seeking assistance no matter what the challenge, is respected and appreciated.
After Skidmore, Saada will go on to a nursing program, a further example of her care
and concern for others and a testament to her compassionate service to the Skidmore
community.
Thomas "T.J." Schneider '15: Jane Anne Hapeman Distinguished Service Award.
A focus of being of service to others is to be a leader, one who demonstrates compassion,
academic prowess, and leads with humility. T.J. Schneider exemplifies these characteristics
in the classroom, as a Residential Life staff member, and on the ice as a respected
member of the men's hockey team. As a Residence Life staff member, both in the residence
halls and apartments, T.J. has positively affected our community, demonstrating academic
excellence (being twice inducted into the Thoroughbred Society) and a genuine interest
in supporting those around him and beyond our Skidmore community. In addition to majoring
in chemistry and his longtime efforts as a biochemistry research assistant, T.J. currently
holds a volunteer position at a local home for patients in hospice care. He selflessly
serves those in need.
Lyssa Jackson '16: Jane Anne Hapeman Distinguished Service Award.
As a career coach in the Career Development Center, Lyssa has helped other students
find the career support they need. In beginning Skidmore Women in Business in her
sophomore year, her goal was to support students from a range of academic disciplines.
She has been an active peer leader in the Management and Business Department as a
department representative, an MB107 executive presentation coach, and a consultant
in the Skidmore-Saratoga Consulting Partnership. She has used her talents and energy
to help other students to reach their fullest potential.
Soraya Attia '15: The President's Award.
"Soraya has been an important voice on both SGA and the Advisory Council on Sexual
and Gender-Based Misconduct about the importance of changing campus culture--to increase
mutual understanding and respect, and to change the way people act to make the College
community free of sexual and gender-based misconduct in all forms? Through her many
and varied efforts?Soraya has made a tremendous contribution to the continued improvement
of the Skidmore College community. She has been a mature and respected voice in all
settings and an advocate for student leadership and agency in this important work."
Sam Harris '15: The President's Award.
"During Sam's four years at Skidmore, he has served as president of Wilmarth Hall,
vice president for club affairs, SGA president, and most recently vice president for
financial affairs. Sam has embraced each of these roles with a very positive and
enthusiastic attitude. Sam has a very strong sense of Skidmore pride, a great work
ethic and a relentlessly positive attitude; he is compassionate, and acts with integrity
. . .Sam may be most proud of his work with a small group of students leaders to develop
"Skidmore Organizing for Collaborative Change: A Leadership Development and Community
Engagement Program" that was supported, in part from the President's Discretionary
Fund...Sam has indeed made a difference at Skidmore?"
Addison Bennett '16: The President?s Award.
"Serving as this year?s SGA president, Addison began his term of office by publishing
a comprehensive SGA Action Agenda to guide SGA's decision-making and to coordinate
their initiatives?Under his very active leadership, the SGA ratified the new Student
Body Constitution that is more affirmative of student rights, easier to understand,
and flexible to allow student leaders to make independent choices? All in all, Addison
has been one of the most organized, plan-full, and successful students to hold this
position during my twelve years at Skidmore?"