Honors Convocation celebrates 'the whole student'
Skidmore celebrated students for academic excellence, leadership, creativity and service May 1 at Honors Convocation.
βHonors Convocation has always been one of my favorite events,β said Ron Seyb, associate dean of the faculty. βWhat makes it distinctive is the practice of having the three faculty who in the past year have received the most prestigious awards that faculty can receive from their colleagues read the citations composed for each prize recipient by their faculty mentors.
"The citations are usually not merely a list of accomplishments. They also feature arresting biographical details and charming observations and anecdotes about each student. The reading of the citations (and the audienceβs reactions to them) is, to my mind, the clearest expression of the Skidmore facultyβs unflinching commitment to educating the whole student.β
Sociology professor Catherine White Berheide, recipient of the 2019 Edwin M. Moseley Lectureship; health and human physiological sciences professor Jeffrey O. Segrave, recipient of the 2019 Ralph A. Ciancio Award for Excellence in Teaching; and art history professor Penny H. Jolly, recipient of the 2019 Phyllis A. Roth Distinguished Faculty Service Award, read personalized messages about each student honoree at the ceremony.
Hereβs a look at this yearβs honors, by the numbers:
2 students earned national merit awards for the 2018-19 academic year. Maria Isabel Nieves Bosch β19 was the recipient of a Fulbright Scholarship and Isabella Grace Ragonese β17 was the recipient of a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. Eight other students applied for or were nominated for a national merit award.
10 department and program prizes and opportunity awards were given out, some to two or three students each. These awards β from the Candace Carlucci Backus β66 First-Year Experience Prize for exceptional work in a Scribner Seminar, to the Joanna Schneider Zangrando Fund to support projects in American studies and gender studies β are given for paper competitions, field and laboratory research, artistic projects and other creative endeavors and build on close faculty-student collaborative work.
67 academic awards and prizes were bestowed, from the Margaret Paulding Award in Dance to the Wall Street Journal Award for outstanding academic achievement in applied business management.
22 senior class members of the National Honor Society of Phi Beta Kappa were acknowledged. The society exists to encourage and recognize outstanding achievements in liberal arts education, and Skidmore was granted a charter in 1970.
25 senior class members of the Periclean Honors Forum were acknowledged. Through honors-designated courses, planned co-curricular activities and participation in community service, the forum strengthens intellectual life at Skidmore and provides positive leadership on and off campus.
283 members of national and international honor societies for specific areas of study, from the International Honor Society in History to the National Honor Society in Neuroscience, were recognized.
Here are this yearβs recipients of individual prizes and awards:
Aimee Leigh-Anne Hall β19
Caren Lane Sass β35 Award in Psychology: Established by Doris Hochstadter Haas β35 in memory of her classmate Caren Lane Sass β35, and awarded to the senior major in the Department of Psychology who shows great promise for future achievement.
Alexandra Jade Cassell β19
Robert and Marcia DeSieno Prize for Excellence in Computer Science: Established by Professor of Computer Science Robert P. DeSieno, who joined the faculty in 1983, and Marcia Barrett DeSieno, and awarded annually to a student who displays excellence in the study of computer science.
Allison Jane Dalton β19
Margaret Paulding Award in Human Physiological Sciences: Established in memory of Margaret Paulding, professor of physical education, 1937β73, and chair of the Department of Physical Education, 1958β68, to recognize outstanding student research in human physiology.
Ana Shoemate β21
Henry T. Moore Prize in Political Science: Established in honor of Henry T. Moore, president of Skidmore College, 1925β57, and awarded to a political science major who has excelled in the study of international relations.
Ariel Michele Saloman β19
Miller/Reed Prize in Design: Established in memory of John L. Reed, professor of education, 1964β91, and Professor Doretta Millerβs parents, Robert and Dorothy Miller; awarded annually to a junior or senior major or minor in studio art who has demonstrated exceptional design and composition using traditional and/or digital media.
Blair Hannah Goldstein β19
Amy Eisenberg β72 Memorial Award: Established by Mr. and Mrs. Stanford E. Eisenberg in rememberance of their daughter, Amy Eisenberg β72, and awarded to a junior or senior who submits a proposal for research in educational psychology.
Caite Linden Canfield β19
Dorothy Dryfoos Olsan β41 Prize in Jewelry and Metalsmithing: Established in memory of Dorothy Dryfoos Olsan β41 and awarded annually to a student who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in jewelry and metalsmithing.
Carissa Ann Jaehnert β19
William E. Weiss Memorial Award in Economics: Established in honor of William E. Weiss, father of Arturo Peralta-Ramos III β74, and awarded in recognition of outstanding accomplishment by two majors or combined majors in the field of economics.
Charlotte Judson Simon β19
American Studies Faculty Award: Awarded annually to a graduating senior for academic excellence and growth in the major.
Christina Pavlaki β19
Herman Joseph Muller Prize: Established by Helen T. Muller Rigo β39 in memory of her father, and awarded to the outstanding senior major in the Department of Music.
Clare McInerney β20
Erwin L. Levine Prize in Political Science: Established in honor of Erwin L. Levine, professor of government, 1961β88, and awarded to a major in political science who has done outstanding work in political theory, preferably in American political thought.
Cristian D. Fernandez β19
Wall Street Journal Award: Awarded by the Department of Management and Business to a student whose outstanding academic achievement and interest in applied management have been evident throughout his or her career at Skidmore.
Damian Stuart Hammond β19
Seymour and Sylvia Goldman Memorial Prize: Established by the family of Seymour and Sylvia Goldman in their memory by their daughter and son-in-law, Linda Goldman Tanenbaum and Jay Tanenbaum β60. Awarded to the outstanding senior in the Department of Management and Business.
Dayna Yvonne Daisy Joseph β19
Arts Administration Faculty Award: Awarded to a graduating senior with a minor in arts administration who has demonstrated academic excellence and shows extraordinary promise for a career in the field.
Edvinas Rupkus β19
Gail Moran Morton β60 Prize: Awarded to a junior or senior whose excellence in the business major has been combined with a particularly broad liberal arts program of study, and who demonstrates the humanistic concern for personal and community relationships that embodies the spirit of the liberal arts and that we associate with the memory of Gail Moran Morton β60.
Elesa Ciera Davis β19
Hilda Bashevkin Betten β39 and Morris H. Betten Award in Social Work: Awarded to a graduating senior who has shown outstanding interest and achievement in the study of social work at Skidmore College.
Emily Kate Einhorn β19
Jerome Solomon Ginsberg Memorial Award in International Affairs: Established by Professor Roy H. Ginsberg and family in memory of his father, Lt. Jerome Solomon Ginsberg (1928β62), who served in the U.S. Army of Occupation in Germany after World War II, and awarded to an international affairs junior or senior for academic excellence in the study of international affairs.
Emily Louise Gunter β19
Helga B. Doblin Prize in Classics: Established to honor Helga B. Doblin, professor of German, linguistics, Greek, and Latin, 1966β81, and awarded to a senior classics major who has demonstrated academic excellence in ancient languages and literatures as well as classical civilization.
Emily Katherine OβConnor β19
Dowd-Lester Award: Established in honor of the Dowd and Lester families to recognize an outstanding senior biology major or combined major.
Gabriella Gerlach β19
Charlotte W. Fahey Prize: Established in honor of Charlotte W. Fahey, professor of chemistry, 1937β75, by her colleagues and friends, and awarded annually to two outstanding seniors in the Department of Chemistry.
Greta Binzen β19
Environmental Studies Faculty Award: Awarded to an outstanding graduating senior in environmental studies who, through academic achievement, community engagement, and leadership, demonstrates exceptional promise in addressing environmental issues.
Hayley Mulhern β19
E. Beverly Field Gender Studies Award: Established in honor of E. Beverly Field, professor of biology, 1943β74, by Sabra J. Hook and the Womenβs Studies Committee, and given annually to a student who submits the most outstanding paper or project in the area of gender studies.
Hannah Agnes Fishman β19
Susan Riley Gunderson β64 Prize: Established by Mr. and Mrs. Neil Riley, and awarded to a major in political science for outstanding work in the field of American government.
Hannah Haines β19
O. Roger Gallagher Memorial Prize: Established by the family and friends of O. Roger Gallagher, professor of anthropology, 1959β75, and awarded annually to an outstanding student in anthropology.
Hannah Michelle Weighart β19
Margaret Paulding Award in Dance: Established in memory of Margaret Paulding, professor of physical education and dance, 1937β73, and chair of the department, 1958β68, to recognize outstanding student leadership, performance, choreography, and/or research in dance.
Hansen Richart Jiu Hai Han β19
Donald W. Pyle Memorial Award: Established in memory of Donald W. Pyle, assistant professor of biology, 1977β79, to recognize outstanding student research in biology.
Henry Marquess Stadler β19
Jo C. Hebard β69 Memorial Prize: Awarded to an outstanding senior who, through academic achievement and community service, demonstrates particular promise of making a significant contribution in the field of health and human services.
Jamie Margaret Stonemetz β19
Hartnett Prize in Neuroscience: Established in honor of Bill and Teresa Hartnett, who were strong proponents of undergraduate education, by their daughter, professor of psychology Mary Ann Foley, and awarded annually to a senior who conducts neuroscience research of outstanding quality.
Julia Fitzgerald Gillis β19
Sonja P. Karsen Prize in Spanish: Established in honor of Sonja P. Karsen, professor of Spanish, 1957β87, by the Department of World Languages and Literatures, and awarded annually in recognition of outstanding accomplishment by a senior major.
Juni Jeyran Ahari β19
Sally Chapman Thompson β48 Prize in Literature: Established by Kenneth Thompson in memory of Sally Chapman Thompson β48, and awarded to the student who has excelled as a critic or scholar during his/her career as an English major.
Kaifeng Yang β19
Gladys Gillman Taylor β48 Prize in Mathematics: Awarded to a junior or senior in mathematics for outstanding creative work. This work may be of various types, including independent or joint research, problem-solving, presentations at meetings, participation in competitions, or other activities which contribute to the intellectual life of the department.
Karen Elizabeth Hafter β19
Alice Farwell Warren Prize: Established in honor of Alice Farwell Warren, professor of history, 1937β62, by an anonymous donor, and awarded annually to an outstanding student in history.
Katherine Lily Salk β19
Jesse Solomon Memorial Award: Given by Ann Laurie Solomon β74 in honor of her father, and awarded to the senior who shows promise in painting.
Lirong Ma β19
William E. Weiss Memorial Award in Economics: Established in honor of William E. Weiss, father of Arturo Peralta-Ramos III β74, and awarded in recognition of outstanding accomplishment by two majors or combined majors in the field of economics.
Lisa Webster Peters β19
John P. Shepard Prize in Education Studies: Established by Virginia Payne Morse β63 in memory of professor Jack Shepard, faculty member in the Department of Education, 1960β77, and director of the Elementary Education Program, 1960β66, and given to the student who has demonstrated outstanding performance, potential, and commitment to education and working with children, leadership among peers, and superior performance in both academic achievement and field work in education.
Maria Isabel Nieves Bosch β19
Mary Zeiss Stange Award in Religion: Established in honor of Mary Zeiss Stange, professor of womenβs studies and religion, 1990-2016, by the Religious Studies Department and awarded annually in recognition of outstanding accomplishment by a senior major.
Marley Anne Amico β19
Lynne L. Gelber Prize in French: Awarded to an outstanding senior French major.
Matthew Wolf Simkowitz β19
Henry C. Galant Prize: Established in honor of Henry C. Galant, professor of government, 1954β86, and awarded to a political science major who has excelled in the study of comparative politics.
Maya Del Rosario β20
Krawiec Psychology Prize: Established in honor of Theophile S. Krawiec, professor of psychology, 1945β78, and awarded to a psychology major at the end of the junior year who has achieved excellence in work in the field.
Miranda Signe Coble β19
Margaret Ellen Clifford Memorial Prize in Theater: Established in honor of Margaret Ellen Clifford, professor of theater and chair of the department, 1952β71, and awarded annually to an outstanding junior or senior theater major.
Monica D. Andrews β19
S. Michael Eigen β87 Prize in Art History: Established by Dr. and Mrs. Stuart Eigen and awarded by the College on the recommendation of the Department of Art History to an outstanding art history major.
Nicole Wong β21
Denise Marcil β74 Prize for Fiction Writing: Awarded annually to a student for a fiction manuscript or set of manuscripts that reveal sensitivity to theme, structure, characterization, and language found in serious fiction written in English.
Nkosingiphile Nonhlakanipho Mabaso β19
Everett V. Stonequist Award: Established by the family and friends of Everett V. Stonequist, professor of sociology at Skidmore, 1930β70, and awarded annually to a graduating senior who has shown outstanding interest and achievement in the study of sociology at Skidmore.
Noelle Morrow β19
Joseph Garrison Parker Prize: Established in honor of Joseph Garrison Parker, M.D., brother of Cyrena Parker Konecky β46, and awarded to a junior or senior who not only excels in his or her science major but also shows promise in fine arts and/or music.
Olivia Rose Lipkin β19
Sara Bennett β92 Prize for Fiction: Established in memory of Sara Bennett β92, and awarded to a student who has excelled in the writing of fiction.
Quinn Nicholas Valence β19
Chinese Prize: Awarded in recognition of outstanding academic accomplishment by a junior or senior student of Chinese language and literature.
Rachel Adamsky β19
Mente Et Malleo Award: Awarded to a senior on the basis of excellence in independent research projects in geosciences.
Rachel Arianna Perez β19
Barbara Gruntal Allen β35 Prize: Awarded to a student who has demonstrated excellence in the study of voice and has made a considerable contribution to the Department of Music and to the furtherance of musical activities at the College.
Rebekah Boone Clapham β19
Michele Kelly β72 Memorial Award: Established by Amy Eisenberg β72 in honor of Michele Kelly β72, and awarded annually to a student in the Department of Psychology on the basis of excellence in independent research within the department.
Robert Edward Heumann β19
Environmental Science Faculty Award: Awarded to an outstanding graduating senior in environmental science who, through academic achievement, community engagement, and leadership, demonstrates exceptional promise in addressing environmental issues.
Samantha Rose Abrams β19
Krawiec Scholar: Established in honor of Theophile S. Krawiec, professor of psychology, 1945β78, and awarded annually to a graduating psychology major to support advanced study in the field.
Samantha Ricci Kenah β19
Eleanor A. Samworth Prize in Physics: Established in honor of Eleanor A. Samworth, professor of chemistry, 1964β94, by her colleagues and friends, and awarded to an outstanding senior major in physics.
Sarah Mckeever Markley β19
Theater Prize: Established by theater alumni and faculty and awarded in recognition of a senior theater major who has shown excellence and commitment within a particular concentration in the major.
Sofie Caroline Michalak β19
Consulate General Prize in German: Awarded to an outstanding student of German.
Spencer James Anderson β19
Dante Award: Awarded for outstanding accomplishment by a student in Italian.
Siyuan Yu β19
Nancy Beth Rautenberg β83 Memorial Award: Given to a graduating senior sociology major who has combined commitment to the study of sociology at Skidmore College with active student leadership.
Teague Banker Costello β19
Pamela Weidenman β72 Memorial Prize: Awarded to an outstanding senior art major who has achieved excellence in lithography and/or printmaking.
Wesley K. Jansen β19
Barbara Greene Wild Award in Ceramics: Awarded to a student who has excelled in ceramics.
Yao Xiao β19
Charlotte W. Fahey Prize: Established in honor of Charlotte W. Fahey, professor of chemistry, 1937β75, by her colleagues and friends, and awarded annually to two outstanding seniors in the Department of Chemistry.
Yue Peng β19
Japanese Prize: Awarded in recognition of outstanding academic accomplishment by a junior or senior student of Japanese language and literature in the Department of World Languages and Literatures.
