May 12, 2022

2022 Hoff Award winners recognized

Highlighting the achievements of students, employees, and student organizations for their inspiration, contributions, dedication, and leadership to the Lafayette community

Organizers of LAF hold an award against a Lafayette College backdrop

Lafayette Activities Forum (LAF) received the Student Organization of the Year Award

By Madeline Marriott ’24

On May 4, Campus Life honored 25 students, faculty, staff, student organizations, and events as recipients of the 2022 Aaron O. Hoff Awards in a ceremony at Colton Chapel. The awards remember Aaron O. Hoff, Class of 1836, Lafayette’s first African American student, and honor his spirit of leadership and his ties to community.

Award recipients receive the honor based on their outstanding leadership and contributions to Lafayette and beyond. Individuals are nominated by members of the Lafayette community. Winners are then chosen by a committee of students and administrators. The awards are given in four categories—Change Agents, Community Builders, Educators, and Highest Honors.

CHANGE AGENTS

Fatimata Cham '23 stands against a Lafayette College backdrop holding an award — Fatimata Cham '23 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. The award recognizes Cham’s work to elevate the voices of women of color on campus and in the community, including her work with Girl Up, an organization that works to advance women’s education.

Tara Taggat '23 received The World Citizen Award — Tara Taggat '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. As co-vice president of the International Student Association (ISA), Taggart organized International Education Week and led a program bringing international students to local elementary schools to present elements of their culture.

Meredith McGee ’23 holds award in front of Lafayette College backdrop — K Massi ’23 and Meredith McGee ’23 (pictured) received the Mattachine Award, which recognizes the student who exemplifies the courage of the Mattachine Society, the nation’s first LGBTQ rights organization, in working tirelessly to advance LGBTQ rights at Lafayette College. As co-founders of OUT Lafayette, Massi and McGee have worked to create an inclusive space for LGBTQ students on Lafayette’s campus, including the creation of a gender-inclusive housing community for upper-level students.

Lisa Green '24 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. As president of Lafayette’s Hillel Society, Green organized a number of programs to bring together people of all religious backgrounds and produced Colton Corner, a podcast on which members of the Lafayette community can share their experiences with religion.

student holds an award against a Lafayette College backdrop — Yard Show, sponsored by Mu Sigma Upsilon multicultural sorority, 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 or a sociocultural issue, and/or social integration across identities. This event provided a place for students to showcase their unique cultural heritage and learn about others’ customs and traditions by bringing together MSU chapters from several local colleges and universities.

Organizers of FallFest received the Program of the Year Award — Fall Fest, sponsored by the Lafayette Activities Forum, 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. This event brought together over 300 Lafayette students with events from pumpkin painting to a mechanical bull, and for many represented a return to normalcy on Lafayette’s campus.

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Edward Santos ’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. A first generation student of color, Santos uses his many leadership positions on campus to promote cross-cultural discussion and education, particularly for the Latinx community.

COMMUNITY BUILDERS

Student organizers of the Hispanic Society of Lafayette received the Student Organization of the Year (serving their membership) — Hispanic Society of Lafayette (HSL) received the Student Organization of the Year Award for Serving Their Membership, which recognizes a student organization that demonstrated excellence throughout the year as indicated by its programming, membership, and/or organization management. Along with fostering personal well-being, coordinated efforts, and accountability among its members, the organization had an intentional focus toward reaching new heights as an organization. HSL has fostered rich intercultural dialogue through events such as Latinx Heritage Month, and has encouraged members and nonmembers to come together to learn and participate in cultural traditions.

student holds Pi Beta Phi's Commitment to Service Award — Pi Beta Phi 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. Pi Beta Phi has organized a number of philanthropic events this year from a dance marathon to delivering wings to support worthy causes, and has pushed to add even more opportunities for fundraising to future Greek Week events.

Annie Krege '23 received the Service Above Self Award — 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. Krege has served Lafayette students as part of a number of on-campus organizations and encourages others to join in her service with her attitude and work ethic.

Olivia Sterantino ’23 received the Residential Spirit Award, which recognizes a student who has gone above and beyond to contribute to their living environment by fostering relationships amongst students on the floor, supporting residents, and participating in community events. According to her nominators, Sternatino is known by many, not just those on her floor, as someone who goes above and beyond in programming and emotional support for residents.

EDUCATORS

Nancy McCreary Waters, associate professor of biology, received the Superior Teaching Award in the sciences — Nancy McCreary Waters, associate professor of biology, received the Superior Teaching Award in Sciences and Engineering, which recognizes a professor who serves as an exemplary scholar by teaching above the required level and having a significant positive impact on the careers of students inside and outside the classroom. Waters, a professor of biology, exemplified her dedication to students by dropping off meals to students who remained on campus during the pandemic and arranging flights for international students seeking a way home, all while fostering an environment of passion and ambition in the classroom.

Eric Hupe, assistant professor of art, received the Superior Teaching Award for humanities and social sciences — Eric Hupe, assistant professor of art, received the Superior Teaching Award in Humanities and Social Sciences, which recognizes a professor who serves as an exemplary scholar by teaching above the required level and having a significant positive impact on the careers of students inside and outside the classroom. Hupe, a professor of art, inspired student enthusiasm for art history by weaving together pop culture and history in a way that students understand and remember for the rest of their careers, and fostered a collaborative and welcoming environment for students.

Joe Woo, assistant professor of engineering, received the John T. McCartney Excellence in Diversity Award — Joe Woo, assistant professor of engineering, received the John T. McCarthy Excellence in Diversity Education Award, which recognizes a faculty member, group of faculty, or academic department that demonstrates intellectual passion, membership of students, and a strong commitment to diversity. Woo, a professor of chemical engineering, introduced a lecture series this fall to discuss implicit bias in the field and to foster discussions about making the program and the sciences more inclusive, and promotes an environment of diversity and respect in his classroom.

Alana Klass, senior associate director of the Gateway Career Center, received the Administrator of the Year Award — Alana Klass, senior associate director of the Gateway Career Center, rreceived the Administrator of the Year Award, which recognizes an administrator who has demonstrated dedication, availability, and energy in their involvement with students. Klass, a senior associate director at the Gateway Career Center, is dedicated to serving underrepresented students and offering individual support to students as they begin their career journeys.

Cartier and Cayenne Bengochea received the Staff Member of the Year Award, which recognizes a staff member who has served the Lafayette community, has gone above and beyond the responsibilities of the position, has been courteous and engaging with students, and has improved the quality of campus life. As dining hall staff members, the Bengocheas recently went above and beyond in providing for the needs of Muslim students during their Ramadan fast, as well as ensuring all Lafayette students are provided with the food they need all year round.

Xavier Grayce Walker '22 received the Unsung Hero Award, which recognizes a student who works without regard for personal reward and who has demonstrated concern for and dedication to the betterment of their peers within the Lafayette community. Walker has worked extensively as an EXCEL Scholar and Posse Scholar to create an archive for the Association of Black Collegians (ABC).

Yazdan Basir '23 received an Unsung Hero Award — Yazdan Basir '23 received the Unsung Hero Award, which recognizes a student who works without regard for personal reward and who has demonstrated concern for and dedication to the betterment of their peers within the Lafayette community. Basir has worked with the International Student Association (ISA) to found the “Exposed Series” featuring speakers on current crises around the world, as well as organizing and moderating a faculty discussion regarding the Ukrainian crisis.

HIGHEST HONORS

Angela Busheska '25 received an Emerging Leader Award — Angela Busheska '25 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. With her passion for social entrepreneurship and sustainability, Busheska has received national recognition for her climate change efforts and has worked to create a climate action plan for Lafayette’s campus that is educational and accessible to all.

Thalia Charles '22 received the Marquis Award for an Individual — Thalia Charles '22 received the Marquis Individual Award, which recognizes exemplary leadership by a particular student who has influenced the behaviors, actions, or opinions of others toward a common goal or purpose. As the founder of Lafayette for Reproductive Autonomy, Justice, and Empowerment (L-RAJE), Charles has worked for the betterment of those on Lafayette’s campus and in the surrounding community.

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Edward Cheney ’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. Cheney has worked with Engineers Without Borders to build a skatepark and inspires others with his passion for service.

Lafayette for Reproductive Autonomy, Justice, and Empowerment (L-RAJE) received the Marquis Organization Award, which recognizes exemplary leadership by a student organization or group of students that has influenced the behaviors, actions, or opinions of others toward a common goal or purpose. L-RAJE has held events such as the “Know Your Rights” discussion for members of the Lafayette community and successfully lobbied for free menstrual products in campus restrooms.