May 20, 2021

2021 Hoff Award Winners Recognized

Photos by Adam Atkinson, story by Stella Katsipoutis-Varkanis

Twenty-three standout students, employees, programs, and student organizations were honored with Aaron O. Hoff Awards during a ceremony at Lafayette’s Williams Center for the Arts. The annual awards, presented by the Division of Campus Life, honor the legacy of Aaron O. Hoff—the College’s first African American student and a member of the Class of 1836—and recognize awardees for their inspiration, contributions, dedication, and leadership.

Each spring for the last 31 years, the Division of Campus Life calls on the Lafayette community to nominate the individuals and groups who embody Hoff’s strength of character and his endeavors to build community. Award recipients are then selected by a nine-person committee of students and administrators. Awards are presented in several categories—individual, organization, educator, and program.

Individual Student Awards

Kelsey Moum '21 holding Aaron O. Hoff Award statue and standing in front of Lafayette College backdrop
Kelsey Moum ’21 received the 1974 Award, which recognizes the student who most exemplifies the groundbreaking spirit of the first class of women to graduate from Lafayette College by working toward equality for women on campus.
Morgan Limmer '21 holding Aaron O. Hoff Award statue and standing in front of Lafayette College backdrop
Morgan Limmer ’21 received the Robert I. Weiner Interfaith Award, which recognizes the student who contributed most significantly to interfaith work by promoting constructive dialogue between religious and intercultural groups on campus.
Andrew Bachman '21 holding Aaron O. Hoff Award statue and standing in front of Lafayette College backdrop
Andrew Bachman ’21 received the Residential Spirit Award, which recognizes a student who has gone above and beyond to contribute to their living environment, making the hall a fun and welcoming place to live.
Milena Berestko '22 holding Aaron O. Hoff Award statue and standing in front of Lafayette College backdrop
Milena Berestko ’22 received the Frances Ocansey-Ahene Spirit of Multiculturalism Award, which recognizes an upper-level student whose commitment to academic excellence and inclusive leadership within the community transcends all barriers and exemplifies the ethos of multiculturalism at Lafayette College.
Yazdan Basir '23 holding Aaron O. Hoff Award statue and standing in front of Lafayette College backdrop
Yazdan Basir ’23 received the World Citizen Award, which recognizes the student who has demonstrated commitment to international or global issues through academic work or co-curricular leadership at Lafayette College.
Caitlyn Dempsey '22 holding Aaron O. Hoff Award statue and standing in front of Lafayette College backdrop
Caitlyn Dempsey ’22 received the Mattachine Award, which recognizes the student who most exemplifies the courage of the Mattachine Society, the nation’s first LGBTQ rights organization, in working tirelessly to advance LGBTQ rights at Lafayette College.
Nicole Segalini '21 holding Aaron O. Hoff Award statue and standing in front of Lafayette College backdrop
Nicole Segalini ’21 received the Service Above Self Award, which recognizes a student who best exemplifies the qualities of caring and concern for others through participation in service activities. This active citizen is committed to discovering the root cause of social issues and supports solution-based initiatives with significant amounts of personal time.
Sumini Siyambalapitiya '21 holding Aaron O. Hoff Award statue and standing in front of Lafayette College backdrop
Sumini Siyambalapitiya ’21 received the Unsung Hero Award, which honors a student who works without regard for personal reward, who has demonstrated concern for and dedication to the betterment of their peers within the Lafayette community.
Jeremiah Alterman '23 and Emily Ross '22 holding Aaron O. Hoff Award statue and standing in front of Lafayette College backdrop
Jeremiah Alterman ’23, Emily Ross ’22, and Fatimata Cham ’23 received the Emerging Leader Award, which recognizes students who demonstrate considerable leadership potential and have made an impressive transition from exploring to taking the lead toward meaningful change.
Alexandra Kirtchuk '21 holding Aaron O. Hoff Award statue and standing in front of Lafayette College backdrop
Alexandra Kirtchuk ’21 received the Marquis Award (individual), which recognizes exemplary leadership by a student. The recipient has influenced the behaviors, actions, or opinions of others toward a common goal or purpose. The recipient models collaboration, handles controversy with civility, and places value on a common purpose.

Organization Awards

Student representatives of LafKid Connect holding Aaron O. Hoff Awards and standing in front of Lafayette College backdrop
LafKid Connect received the Commitment to Service Award, which recognizes a student organization that has displayed significant effort for the improvement of the Lafayette campus through service and/or philanthropy.
Student representatives of International Students Association holding Aaron O. Hoff Awards and standing in front of Lafayette College backdrop
International Students Association received the Student Organization of the Year Award (serving its membership), which recognizes a student organization that demonstrated excellence throughout the year as indicated by its programming, membership, and/or organization management.
Student representatives of Engineers Without Borders holding Aaron O. Hoff Awards and standing in front of Lafayette College backdrop
Engineers Without Borders received the Student Organization of the Year Award (serving beyond membership), which recognizes a student organization that has demonstrated a progression of growth throughout the year as indicated by its programming, membership, and/or organization management.

Educator Awards (faculty, administration, and staff)

Dana Cuomo holding Aaron O. Hoff Award and standing in front of Lafayette College backdrop
Assistant Professor of Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Dana Cuomo received the Superior Teaching Award (humanities and social sciences), which recognizes a professor who has served as an exemplary scholar by teaching above and beyond the required level and having a significant positive impact on the careers of students inside and outside the classroom.
Joshua Smith holding Aaron O. Hoff Award and standing in front of Lafayette College backdrop
Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering Joshua Smith received the Superior Teaching Award (sciences and engineering), which recognizes a professor who has served as an exemplary scholar by teaching above and beyond the required level and having a significant positive impact on the careers of students inside and outside the classroom.
Angela Bell holding Aaron O. Hoff Award and standing in front of Lafayette College backdrop
Assistant Professor of Psychology Angela Bell received the John T. McCartney Excellence in Diversity Education Award, which recognizes a faculty member who demonstrates intellectual passion, mentorship of students, and a strong commitment to diversity. The recipient inspires high academic achievement in her or his students and promotes cultural awareness for the campus community.
Janine Block '94 holding Aaron O. Hoff Award and standing in front of Lafayette College backdrop
Assistant Director of Intercultural Development and International Student Advising Janine Block ’94 of the Office of Intercultural Development received the Administrator of the Year Award, which recognizes an administrator who has demonstrated dedication, availability, and energy in their involvement with students.
Alana Danois and Michael Conover holding Aaron O. Hoff Award and standing in front of Lafayette College backdrop
Circulation and Reserves Technician Alana Danois and Evening Custodian Michael Conover of the Lafayette College Library received the Staff Member of the Year Award, which recognizes a staff member who has served the Lafayette community, has gone above and beyond his or her responsibilities, has been courteous and engaging with students, and has improved the quality of campus life.

Program Awards

Student representatives of Disabilities Awareness Week holding Aaron O. Hoff Awards and standing in front of Lafayette College backdrop
Disabilities Awareness Week received the Big 8 Program of the Year Award, which recognizes a student organization or group of students who planned and implemented a program or initiative that most impacted the campus community in its emphasis on cross-cultural dialogue, intellectual exploration of a sociocultural issue, and/or social integration across identities.
Student representatives of Winternational Orientation holding Aaron O. Hoff Awards and standing in front of Lafayette College backdrop
Winternational Orientation, presented by International Students Association, received the Program of the Year Award, which recognizes a student organization or group of students who planned and implemented a program that positively impacted the campus culture.

 

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