Saint Leo University Recognizes Students During 2022 Celebration of Academic Excellence
Students’ outstanding presentations, posters, art, music, and academic work honored by Division of Academic Affairs.
At Saint Leo University, learning is the primary goal, and faculty and staff help students work toward academic excellence. Our students not only are challenged to meet expectations for their academic work, but also to learn to think critically, learn new skills, and develop the character to become good citizens of the world and responsible leaders.
In recognition of that pursuit, the Division of Academic Affairs hosted the annual Celebration of Academic Excellence Awards Ceremony honoring undergraduate students at University Campus on April 7. Students whose work has been of exceptional merit were recognized.
Awards from four different categories were presented to students from three of the four university’s colleges and one school. Additionally, the Clara McDonald Olson Scholastic Excellence Award was presented to a student based on grade point average among students who attended University Campus for four years.
Father Randall Meissen, university chaplain, opened the awards ceremony with a prayer, Saint Leo University President Jeffrey Senese welcomed everyone, and Vice President of Academic Affairs Mary Spoto gave the opening remarks to celebrate the academic efforts of our students in 2021-2022.
The winners are:
College of Education and Social Services
Excellence in Academic Leadership Award: Charisma Brown
Excellence in Scholarship Award: Christopher Feliciano
Excellence in Experiential Learning Award: Marisa Souchak
Dean’s Award for Excellence: Gabrielle Curiano
College of Arts and Sciences
Excellence in Academic Leadership Award: Alora Peters
Excellence in Scholarship Award: Karl Nyman
Excellence in Experiential Learning Award: Dallas O’Clair
Dean’s Award for Excellence: Kylie Culver
Donald R. Tapia College of Business
Excellence in Academic Leadership Award: Seanette Culmer
Excellence in Scholarship Award: Tayhana Taylor
Excellence in Experiential Learning Award: Evan Wray
Dean’s Award for Excellence: Victoria Budnar-Chapman
School of Computing, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, and Data Science (CARDS)
Excellence in Academic Leadership Award: Naomi Nash
Excellence in Scholarship Award: Kristen Russell
Excellence in Experiential Learning: Therese Corkum
Dean’s Award for Excellence: Chrisalyn Junkert
Other awards included:
Excellence for an Academic Poster Award:
First place Jade Evertsz, “The Ongoing Influence of Parents,” mentor: Dr. Christopher Wolfe;
Second place Sean Gallagher, “The Effect of Interpersonal Relationships on Stress,” mentor: Dr. Kevin Kieffer; and
Third place Dallas O’Clair, “The Relationship Between Parenting Styles and Views on the Pandemic,” mentor: Dr. Tammy Zacchilli.
Faculty mentor award for best poster: Dr. Christopher Wolfe
Excellence for an Oral Presentation Award: Karl Nyman
Faculty Mentor Award for Best Oral Presentation: Dr. Sergiy Borysov
Senior David Pacheco was honored with the Clara McDonald Olson Scholastic Excellence Award, presented by Vice President of Academic Affairs Spoto.
Earlier in the day, students from the university’s multiple disciplines made oral presentations, participated in poster sessions, and provided musical and art presentations. Fall 2021 student work can be viewed here: https://www.kunstmatrix.com/en/saint-leo-university-artist-den. Spring 2022 studio work for studio classes will be added at the end of the semester when all of the pieces will be submitted by May 1.
