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Students, faculty, staff, administrators, and community members who have made outstanding contributions to Lafayette and the community were honored Sunday at the annual Aaron O. Hoff Awards in the Farinon Center Marlo Room.
Sponsored by the Office of Student Activities, the awards are named in honor of one of Lafayette’s first students, who blew the horn that summoned Lafayette’s first 43 students and three teachers to class in 1832. A member of the Class of 1836, Hoff was the first African American student to attend the College.
The awards, with last year’s winners in parenthesis:
Lafayette’s Highest Honors
The People’s Choice Awards, given to students or employees known as unusually productive and concerned for the betterment of the college and its student body (all campus nominations accepted): Tom DiGiovanni ’96, Pep Band director, and Christine Bender ’04, a double major in neuroscience and economics & business from Gibsonia, Pa.(neuroscience major Jacobi Cunningham ’03 of Mattapan, Mass., and June Thompson, administrative assistant, Dean of Studies Office)
Superior Teaching Awards, given to outstanding faculty members (criteria and selection by Student Government, nominations from student body). Humanities and social sciences: Katalin Fabian, assistant professor of government and law, and Chris Ruebeck, assistant professor of economics and business; sciences and engineering: Alan Childs, professor of psychology (Howard Bodenhorn, associate professor of economics and business, and Scott Moor, assistant professor of chemical engineering)
The Administrators’ Award, given to a student who has demonstrated sincere concern for the college community and has unselfishly taken constructive measures to assist the administration in bettering Lafayette (chosen from administrative nominations): A.B. engineering major Kris Carey ’04 of Montclair, N.J.
The Unsung Hero Award, given to students or staff members who have worked without concern for personal reward, have been loyal and dedicated, and have not been recognized for their efforts (all campus nominations accepted): Allison Quensen Blatt, Williams Center operations director, and Michael McFadden ’04, a double major in English and economics & business (Jennifer Gentile ’03, a double major in art and economics & business from Media, Pa., and chemical engineering majorJaclyn Sekula ’03 of Uniontown, Ohio)
Service Above Self Award, presented in recognition of the individual or individuals who best exemplify the qualities of caring and concern for others in service activities (all campus nominations accepted): Richard Mertz, physics technician; Kristen Cahill ’04, a double major in psychology and Spanish from Erwinna, Pa.; and Leslie Saint ’04, a double major in psychology and Africana studies from Dunellen, N.J.
Leopard Leader Award, given to a student who has held a variety of leadership positions and has demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities (all campus nominations accepted, committee selected): Amanda Roth ’04, a double major in philosophy and women’s studies from Easton, Pa. (chemical engineering major Ryan Collins ’03 of Whitehouse Station, N.J., and Greg Staszowski ’03, a dual degree student in economics & business and electrical and computer engineering from South Windsor, Conn.)
Special Recognition: Gary Miller, College Chaplain
Organization Awards
Academic Group of the Year,given to an organization related to the academic program that has offered significant intellectual and/or career opportunities to its members as well as a variety of speakers or programs to the Lafayette community: Math Club (American Institute of Chemical Engineers)
Athletic/Recreational Club of the Year,presented to an athletic or recreational club that has been well organized, has offered its membership and the college excellent opportunities for participation and/or competition with good sportsmanship, and has improved its membership or campus recognition: Ultimate Frisbee (Crew Club)
Outstanding Cultural or Religious Group, given to the group whose performances or programs have made an exceptional contribution to the cultural environment at Lafayette in terms of opportunities for increased cultural appreciation, awareness, tolerance, or personal/spiritual growth: QuestioningEstablished Sexual Taboos (Arts Society, Hillel Society)
Outstanding Service Organization, given to the service or communications organization whose projects and/or volunteer work has fulfilled the organization’s goals and objectives through the hard work of its entire membership. This organization should promote desirable values to the Lafayette community or effectively inform/entertain the campus through its chosen medium with accuracy, integrity, and creativity: Lafayette Environmental Awareness and Protection (Marquis Players)
Outstanding Living Group, given to the living group whose membership has been involved in outside activities, leadership positions, and/or athletics, has contributed to society and philanthropic endeavors, and has provided the Lafayette community with social and/or educational events of high quality: Living Group of Justice, Equality & Ecology (Alpha Phi)
Program of the Year, given to an organization that has provided the most outstanding social, philanthropic or entertainment event to the campus. Events are judged on originality, creativity, popularity, and degree to which they fulfilled their purposes: Lafayette Activities Forum’s “Sex Week,” the Judy Shepard lecture (Block pARTy by Arts Society and Recreation Services)
Educator Awards
Administrator of the Year, given to an administrator who has acted with professionalism and integrity and succeeded in producing meaningful change (nominated by students, selected by committee): Char Gray, director, Landis Community Outreach Center (Carol Rowlands, director, Admissions)
Advisor of the Year, given to an organization advisor who has eagerly promoted and participated in his or her organization’s events and projects, and is considered both loyal and outstanding by his or her organization (nominated by organization officers and members, committee selected): Larry Malinconico, Crew Cluband John Piper, Wrestling Club (Amy Ahart, Cadence, Chorduroys, Soulfege & Pep Band, and Father Charles Norman Newman Association)
Staff Member of the Year, given to a staff member who has served the Lafayette community beyond his/her job description, and has been courteous and involved in campus life (nominated by students, committee selected): Maria V. Rush, secretary of chemical and mechanical engineering; Carol Donnelly, secretary of cultural programs; and Joel Hill, Farinon Center custodian (Serena Ashmore, secretary of civil and environmental engineering; Thomas Castronova, custodian; and Paulette McKenna, secretary of biology)
Service Awards
Volunteer of the Year, given to a student who has selflessly made exceptional contributions to society through his or her volunteer work (nominated and selected by the Landis Community Outreach Center and Chaplain’s Office staff): Will Hwang ’07 of Bridgewater, N.J., and Heather Smith ’07 of Manasquan, N.J. (Andrew Bartlett ’06 of Florissant, Mo. and Angela Boyd ’06 of York, Pa.)
Class of 1997 Community Service Award, presented to the senior who embodies the ideals of philanthropy, volunteer work or community service (nominated and selected by the Outreach Center and Chaplain’s Office staff): biology major Renee Ferrari ’04 of Collingswood, N.J. (Jennifer Gentile ’03, a double major in art and economics & business from Media, Pa.)
Community Appreciation Award, presented to an individual, organization or business within the Easton community who/which has actively supported and enhanced student life (nominated by students, committee selected): Megan McBride of Imagine Cards & Gifts (The Quadrant Bookmart)
The 2004 Hoff Awards Committee is comprised of chair Alexis Siemons ’05, Dyan Argento’05, Virginia Foulkrod ’05, Louise Boudart ’05, Eric Imhof ’05, Tim Byrnes ’05, Fidel Maltez ’05, Davita Crawford ’05, and Pam Brewer, associate dean of students, and Kelly Deemer, secretary of Student Life Programs.