More than 100 endowed and department awards presented during annual College ceremony
Lafayette College hosted its annual All-College Honors Convocation April 30 in Colton Chapel.
The event celebrates student academic and community achievement, where more than 100 endowed and department awards are presented to students by the president, provost, faculty, and other College community members.
The guest speaker was Tanuja Majumdar Dehne ‘93, president and CEO of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation. Established in 1974, the Dodge Foundation has distributed more than $500 million in grants and technical support to New Jersey nonprofits. Alongside her team, Dehne is leading the Dodge Foundation’s transformation to become an antiracist organization, centering its work on racial justice while designing a new model of philanthropy that democratizes power, redistributes wealth, and shifts economic control to communities in ways that are just and regenerative for people and the planet.
Awarded to a junior student who meets standards of excellence, as did James F. Bryant, by demonstrating high academic achievement, lettering in at least one varsity sport and showing noticeable and noteworthy evidence of community service.
Colleen McNamara ‘24
Presented annually to two senior Posse Scholars, one from NY and one from DC, who have made outstanding contributions to the Lafayette community through their engagement and leadership within the College and/or surrounding communities through engagements such as EXCEL Scholar work, internships, honors theses, research projects, community-based experiences, co-curricular activities and campus-related work.
Natalia Baez ‘23
Andrea Fiorella Rivera Conte ‘23
Awarded annually in honor of Carolynn Van Dyke, March Professor of English, to a student majoring in any subject (preference for computer science) to provide funds for a nontraditional learning experience.
Angela Busheska ‘24
Awarded to students, selected by Africana Studies program faculty, who have demonstrated academic excellence and potential for future leadership in American society.
QueSton Bell ‘23
Mariatou Coulibaly ‘23
Serena Sharpless ‘24
Awarded annually to Lafayette seniors either residing in the greater Lehigh Valley, or who graduated from a greater Lehigh Valley high school, who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement.
Christian Maxwell Combi ‘23
Nathan Kornfeind ‘23
Makayla Schmid ‘23
Renee Soika ‘23
Awarded to outstanding seniors focusing on art history.
Caitlyn Carr ‘23
This award recognizes a senior student working with the art department for excellence in interdisciplinary approaches to the practice of art and/or art history.
Andrea Collazo-Salazar ‘23
Awarded to senior art majors for distinguished work in art and art history.
Maya Nylund ‘23
Awarded to students who display creativity in drawing and illustration.
Jennifer Zhu ‘23
Awarded to art majors—with preference given to students with an interest in studio art—who have demonstrated proficiency in painting and drawing, and who show potential for future achievements.
Renee Mercereau ‘23
Isabel Sorrells ‘23
This award is given to one or more majors in the Asian Studies Program who have demonstrated excellence in academic work in the field of Asian Studies in an interdisciplinary setting.
Nicholas Sama ‘23
Awarded to a junior biology major who has demonstrated curiosity in the laboratory as well as motivation and passion for field work, performed commendably in the classroom, shown self-reliance and personal growth, and displayed a commitment of character to the wider campus community.
Brooke Weiss ‘24
Awarded annually to senior biology students, felt by the members of the department, to be most deserving.
Sakib S. Arnob ‘23
Thalia Newman ‘23
Declan Winters ‘23
Given to the junior majoring in chemical and biomolecular engineering who has attained the highest grade point average after the first two years of study.
Jack Kerekes ‘24
Presented by the Philadelphia Chapter of the Pennsylvania Institute of Chemists to a senior chemical and biomolecular engineering major in recognition of a demonstrated record of leadership, character, and scholastic achievement.
Danielle Shiri Lemisch ‘23
Katherine Pierre-Louie ‘23
Awarded each year to a student who has demonstrated a high degree of proficiency in chemical laboratory skills.
Sabrina Gonzalez ‘23
Awarded annually to the seniors who, in the judgment of the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, are best qualified for advanced work in materials science and engineering.
Megan Dodge ‘23
Devin Rosmarin ‘23
Given to a chemical and biomolecular engineering major based on high academic achievement with outstanding promise of future career excellence.
Aaron Eberts ‘23
Katherine Weston ‘23
Awarded to two juniors who have attained a high cumulative grade point average in chemical and biomolecular engineering and who have demonstrated a high level of proficiency in the
Unit Operations Laboratory.
Jack Kerekes ‘24
Sophia Kosednar ‘24
Given to the outstanding senior chemical and biomolecular engineering major for achievement in chemistry.
Jelissa Kamguem ‘23
Presented to the seniors in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering who have compiled an impressive record in their undergraduate years in chemical and biomolecular engineering and who have demonstrated outstanding accomplishments in one or more extracurricular activities.
Megan Dodge ‘23
Danielle Shiri Lemisch ‘23
Awarded annually to the students who have attained the most impressive record in the introductory materials course.
Finlay Smith ‘25
Kathryn Wright ‘25
Awarded annually to the chemical and biomolecular engineering senior with the most outstanding accomplishments in materials science and engineering.
Kayla Wozny ‘23
Presented to a student who has demonstrated excellence in research, coursework and motivation in the study of environmental chemistry.
Camille Carthy ‘23
Presented to a student who has demonstrated excellence in research, coursework and motivation in the study of inorganic chemistry.
Anna Boggess ‘23
Presented to a senior chemistry or biochemistry major who has demonstrated excellence in organic chemistry based upon a combination of research experience, coursework and a desire to pursue a career in chemistry.
Rebecca Hartman ‘23
Presented to the student who has demonstrated excellence in research, coursework and motivation in the study of physical chemistry.
Haleigh Marzano ‘23
Given by the Lehigh Valley Section of the American Chemical Society to the outstanding senior chemistry major for achievement in chemistry.
Harshil Bhavsar ‘23
Theresa Chua ‘23
Presented to the chemistry major with the greatest achievement in the study of analytical chemistry.
Bridget Corpus ‘24
Presented by the Philadelphia Chapter of the Pennsylvania Institute of Chemists to a senior biochemistry major in recognition of a demonstrated record of leadership, character and scholastic achievement.
Samantha Ganser ‘23
Presented by the Philadelphia Chapter of the Pennsylvania Institute of Chemists to a senior chemical engineering major in recognition of a demonstrated record of leadership, character and scholastic achievement.
Abbey Pettenati ‘23
Awarded each year to a student who has demonstrated a high degree of proficiency in chemical laboratory skills.
Zoey Bragg ‘23
Brianna Leopold ‘23
Awarded annually to the senior chemistry major with the highest ranking in courses and research in analytical chemistry.
Anna Boggess ‘23
Given to a senior for superior academic work in chemistry and promise of future excellence.
Natalie Neumann ‘23
Presented to junior or senior chemistry majors for proficiency in organic chemistry and potential for further achievement in chemistry.
Betsy Foker ‘23
Awarded to a civil and environmental engineering student based on demonstrated academic achievement and leadership during the first three years of study.
John Rybnik ‘23
Awarded annually to senior students deemed most outstanding by the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.
Peter Canevari ‘23
Sam Huffman ‘23
John Rybnik ‘23
Awarded to a junior in the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department who, in the opinion of that department’s faculty, is deemed most deserving on the basis of self-reliance, scholarship and student activities.
Christopher Good ‘24
Awarded to a student for outstanding academic performance in economics and business, and for leadership in departmental activities.
Shaan Shuster ‘23
Awarded to a student who demonstrates an understanding of financial operations and institutions.
Nicholas Tufano ‘23
Awarded to the author of the best essay in public finance, as judged by a committee of the Department of Economics.
Eric Ragan ‘23
Given to a graduating senior for excellence in accounting and for participation in college and community affairs.
Felicitas Hannes ‘23
Awarded to a student who has done meritorious work in the area of small-business studies.
Shaan Shuster ‘23
Awarded annually to the electrical and computer engineering senior who has earned, at the end of the junior year, the highest cumulative average attained by any senior who is working toward department honors with a project in the electronics or communications field.
Zheping Yin ‘23
Given to a student, selected by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, based on high academic achievement and noteworthy professional interest in the field of electrical engineering.
Henry Grote ‘23
Presented each year to a senior in electrical and computer engineering upon recommendation of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.
Boris Shmuylovich
Awarded to an engineering student pursuing senior projects such as individual research, honors work or design projects and who is also actively engaged with the arts and other co-curricular experiences.
Zachary Fiske ‘23
Awarded annually to sophomore engineering students based on academic performance, campus citizenship and professional orientation.
Padmanabh Kaushik ‘25
Virginia Parparcén ‘25
Finlay Smith ‘25
Awarded annually to the senior who best exemplifies the ideals behind the Bachelor of Arts in Engineering degree and has demonstrated leadership in the Bachelor of Arts in Engineering Program.
Elizabeth Diacik ‘23
Awarded to a senior who, in the opinion of the faculty in the Department of English, has demonstrated excellence in English.
Shirley Liu ‘23
Awarded annually to students who, in the judgment of the Department of English, have demonstrated superiority in English.
Reilly Hughes ‘23
Cecilia Montufar ‘23
Maya Nylund ‘23
Jacob Potter ‘23
Maria Cangro ‘24
Damaris Gomez ‘24
Madeline Marriott ‘24
Thania Hernandez ‘25
Grace Sanborn ‘25
Awarded annually to a first-, second-, or third-year student who submits the best poetry in a contest conducted by the Academy of American Poets.
Madeline Marriott ‘24
Julia Greeley ‘25 (honorable mention)
Awarded annually to the senior who submits the best poem or group of poems in a contest conducted by the Department of English.
Shirley Liu ‘23
Fayth Wisehart ‘23 (honorable mention)
This award is presented to a Junior or Senior Environmental Studies major that has excelled academically and who has also contributed to extracurricular programs in environmental stewardship and sustainability and/or conducted research in environmental studies.
Madison Lebish ‘23
This award is presented to a Junior or Senior Environmental Studies or Science major that has excelled academically and who has also contributed to extracurricular programs in environmental stewardship and sustainability and/or conducted research in environmental studies/science.
Olivia Sterantino ‘23
Awarded annually to rising or current seniors who display competitive oratorical excellence while competing for the Lafayette College Forensics and/or Mock Trial teams.
Jefrey Alexander ‘23
Joshua Hale ‘23
Benjamin Herman ‘23
Catarina Kruman ‘23
Shirley Liu ‘23
Noah Wilk ‘23
Awarded annually to a student of high academic achievement and enthusiasm for geology, in honor of Arthur Montgomery, Professor of Geology 1951-75.
Olivia Najjar ‘23
This award is given to a student majoring in geology or environmental science who achieves high academic standing through hard work and diligence, and demonstrates a particular interest in environmental systems, earth surface processes, or hydrogeology.
Evan Flint ‘23
Awarded annually to a student majoring in geology and environmental geosciences who, by dedicated effort in a rigorous academic program, has achieved distinction in science and math throughout their academic career, or who has come to achieve such distinction through steady improvement. This award is given to a student who is seen by faculty as a potential partner in collaborative geoscience research or in recognition of research already accomplished.
Heather Aikman ‘23
Presented annually to students majoring in geology and environmental geosciences who, by academic achievements and character, exemplify the ideals by which James L. Dyson lived and worked.
Andrew Bowsher ‘24
Maria Gross ‘24
Julianna Huba ‘24
Awarded annually to the student who has, in the judgment of the Department of Government and Law, submitted the best written exposition in the field of political science during the academic year.
Charles Mirsky ‘23
Presented annually to students majoring in government and law based upon overall excellence in academic work and citizenship in the campus community.
Kait Ahern ‘23
Dylan Gooding ‘23
Nathan Kornfeind ‘23
Charles Mirsky ‘23
Ry Stratton ‘23
Presented to student(s) who best exemplify the progressive principles of social and political service—democratic ideals to which Paul Tully devoted his life.
Leah Allison Bartlett ‘23
Giulia Matteucci ‘24
Awarded to that Lafayette pre-medical student(s) who best represents humanitarian, cultural, and scientific qualities required of the true physician.
Anna Boggess ‘23
Camille Carthy ‘23
Presented to the senior(s) in any major who has the highest scholastic average and will be entering a medical or other health professions school (veterinary, optometry or dental school).
Devon Hallihan ‘23
Awarded to the senior who has performed commendably in the classroom and/or laboratory, and will be pursuing further study in the health professions with preference to a student interested in advancing global health and/or primary care.
Emma Taylor ‘23
The Bluestein Award is special recognition for a senior or junior planning a career in medicine who, in the opinion of the Health Professions Advisory Committee, has distinguished themselves academically and contributed variously to college life, especially through participation in athletics, student government, or music or arts programs.
Dannah Javens ‘23
Emma Taylor ‘23
Awarded annually by the Department of History to a senior who has excelled in the study of history or in an allied field of humanities and who, in the determination of the department, manifests the greatest promise for responsible civic leadership and public service.
Mackenzi Berner ‘23
Joshua Hale ‘23
Meredith McGee ‘23
Awarded annually to the student who authored the best paper in an advanced history seminar in the previous calendar year.
Joshua Hale ‘23
Awarded annually to a first- or second-year student in recognition for excellence in the theoretical and practical aspects of historical practice, as demonstrated by extraordinary achievement in the department’s required methods course.
Gabriela Pesantez Velarde ‘23
Olivia Hofmann ‘24
Olivia Puzio ‘25
Awarded annually to the student who authored the best research paper in an introductory history seminar. The winner was selected by members of Phi Alpha Theta, Beta Xi Chapter, the Lafayette College history honors society.
Martin Familetti ‘25
Awarded annually to a junior or senior majoring in International Affairs based on overall excellence in international or global scholarship and global citizenship, selected by the International Affairs Advisory Committee.
Janet Celestial Kwenah ‘24
Matwos Menda Tadesse ‘24
Awarded to a junior or senior who has exhibited high academic achievement in the coursework and study of International Affairs as determined by the faculty associated with the program.
Layla Ennis ‘23
Nicholas Sama ‘23
Awarded annually to an outstanding student who will benefit from studying abroad.
Tanushree Sow Mondal ‘24
Presented to students who have achieved a high degree of personal and intellectual growth as a result of study abroad, and who have given generously of their time and energy in support of the program, its director, and their classmates to ensure the quality and success of the study abroad experience for all involved.
Abigail Schlotterbeck ‘24
Awarded to recognize a student who has made a significant contribution to the field of Holocaust studies.
Myles Wolf ‘23
Emma Mickel ‘25
This award is given annually by the Center for Community Engagement to seniors who have made significant contributions to the community through course projects, an honors thesis, EXCEL Scholar work or some other form of academic community engagement.
Rachel Hurley ‘23
Awarded annually to the senior selected by the Landis Center for Community Engagement who has been most committed to service and the residents of the Easton Area Community.
Avery Besch ‘23
Annie Krege ‘23
Awarded to a graduating senior who best exemplifies the ideals of academic achievement and intellectual curiosity, personal engagement in the community and a commitment to making the world a better place.
Kaitlyn Hilley ‘23
Awarded annually to students who attain the greatest proficiency in the study of Spanish and Latin American Civilization.
Andrea Fiorella Rivera Conte ‘23
Makayla Schmid ‘23
Emma Taylor ‘23
Sara Vaca ‘23
Awarded to a student who demonstrates excellence and promise in beginning Russian language studies.
Peyton Schreiber ‘26
Awarded annually to students demonstrating a high degree of proficiency in French.
Lu Cai ‘23
Piper Davis ‘23
Fiona Geddes ‘23
Nicholas Hatala ‘23
Hope Mbabazi ‘23
Olivia Sterantino ‘23
Awarded to the seniors with the highest average in the study of the classics.
Grace O’Mara ‘23
Awarded to students for meritorious achievement in German.
Grace O’Mara ‘23
Awarded to students for meritorious achievement in German.
Kai Fore ‘23
Henry Grote ‘23
Awarded to a student for meritorious achievement in German.
Layla Ennis ‘23
Nathan Kornfeind ‘23
Awarded annually to non-seniors in recognition for excellence in mathematics. Students are selected after competition among the members of their class for meritorious solutions of original problems.
Phuong Nam Vu ‘25
Sungbum Lee ‘26
Rory LunBeck ‘26
Awarded to a junior or senior who has exhibited high academic achievement in advanced statistical coursework, research projects and other areas involving applications of statistical methods.
Jennifer Zhu ‘23
Awarded to a student who has made a special contribution to the mathematics community at Lafayette by participating in, and providing leadership for, the co-curricular activities of the department.
Jacob Porter ‘23
Awarded to a graduating senior most outstanding in mathematics.
Matthew Decker ‘23
Jacob Porter ‘23
Awarded to a mechanical engineering major on the strength of high academic achievement and promise for career excellence.
Jeremiah Alterman ‘23
Christian Maxwell Combi ‘23
Awarded annually to the “most deserving student” in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, selected by the faculty of the department.
Manaka Gomi ‘23
Fayth Wisehart ‘23
Presented to an MS I, II, III, or IV cadet who is in the top 25% of his/her class in academics and ROTC and demonstrates outstanding leadership, discipline, character and citizenship.
Samantha Becker ‘25
Awarded to the first-year cadet who contributes the most to the advancement of Army ROTC at Lafayette College. The cadet must be academically in the top 10 percent of their ROTC class and the top 25 percent of their academic class. The award is made possible through the generous contributions of Harry M. Jones ’66, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army retired.
John Freeman ‘26
Awarded annually to outstanding cadets for overall achievement measured by scholastic excellence, leadership, military performance and extracurricular involvement.
Brandon Leibensperger ‘24
Samantha Becker ‘25
Daniela Spera ‘26
Presented to a MS III or MS IV for military and scholastic excellence.
Brandon Leibensperger ‘24
Presented to an MS II or MS III cadet in the top 25% of his/her academic class who has encouraged and demonstrated the ideals of Americanism by deed or conduct or both.
Zachary Gill ‘24
Presented to a first year cadet for overall excellence in leadership and soldierly bearing.
Daniela Spera ‘26
Awarded annually by the Department of Music to deserving music students.
Manaka Gomi ‘23
Thalia Newman ‘23
Awarded to outstanding seniors based upon scholarship in the classroom and laboratory, and service to the major, College or community.
Harshil Bhavsar ‘23
Samantha Riebesell ‘23
Awarded to the students who, in the judgment of the members of the Department of Philosophy, have done outstanding work in theoretical ethics, applied ethics or a related field.
Alexander Montesinos ‘23
Azalea Danes ‘24
Awarded to a junior or senior student majoring in philosophy, who, in the judgment of the members of the Department of Philosophy, has produced outstanding work in the discipline, exhibiting excellence and future promise at bringing the values and methods of philosophical inquiry to bear onto the investigation of increasingly complex issues relevant to the individual or society.
Julia Banks ‘23
Awarded to an outstanding senior based upon an honors research project and scholarship in and out of the classroom, as determined by a vote of the Physics Department faculty.
John Carlos Santos III ‘23
The Clay Ketcham Award is presented to a student who has excelled in education coursework at Lafayette and who plans to enter the teaching profession at the K-12 level.
Sophia Perkins ‘23
Awarded annually to senior psychology majors who have demonstrated the necessary inclination, intellectual curiosity, determination, and potential to become dedicated, creative, selfless teachers. The term “teacher” is to be interpreted in the broadest sense of the word.
Rachel Giunta ‘23
Awarded annually to an outstanding senior psychology major who is judged by the department to be the most deserving.
Eliana Liebman ‘23
Nadia Manasfi ‘23
Presented to the student who, in work during the junior or senior year in the department of religious studies, gives promise of future usefulness in service to religious communities.
Fatimata Cham ‘23
Zubair Ali ‘24
Amaya Douglas ‘24
Lisa Green ‘24
Awarded to the senior who, in the judgment of the department of religious studies and the chaplain’s office, has shown the best all-around growth and development in academic and extracurricular activities while exercising outstanding leadership and influence upon the campus.
Perry Zimmerman ‘23
Awarded annually to the senior who has demonstrated broad interest and superior performance in the department of religious studies.
Laura Bedser ‘23
Avery Warmack ‘23
Awarded annually to a student judged by the Department of Religious Studies who has demonstrated high proficiency in the study of religion, based upon work done in the first and second years.
Christina Athene Thoen-Nilsen ‘25
Awarded to graduating senior library assistants who, by exemplary performance, skill and dedication, have enhanced the library’s educational role.
Sara Vaca ‘23
Awarded to the seniors who have demonstrated excellence in acting, directing or technical theater.
Becca Wilts ‘23
Presented to a student for their significant contribution in the area of LGBTQ+ studies
through academic research or a project related to advancing the interests of the LGBTQ+ community with preference to a student whose work reflects personal courage.
Reilly Hughes ‘23
Nadia Manasfi ‘23
Awarded to a graduating senior who has made a significant contribution to the field of women’s and gender studies.
Fatimata Cham ‘23
These awards are highly competitive and prestigious. Students are subjected to rigorous selection criteria and compete against candidates from across the US. These scholarships include opportunities to study abroad, finance their current or postgraduate studies. (listed as is at time of print)
Samantha Ganser ’23: HONORABLE MENTION National Science Foundation- Graduate Research Fellowship, Goldwater Scholarship AWARDEE in 2022
Rachel Hurley ‘23: National Science Foundation- Graduate Research Fellowship AWARDEE
Fatimata Cham ‘23: Truman Scholarship AWARDEE in 2022,
Camille Carthy ’23: Goldwater Scholarship AWARDEE in 2022,
Andrea Fiorella Rivera Conte ’23: PPIA (public policy & international affairs) SCHOLAR (SUMMER INSTITUTE) in 2022
Nathan Kornfeind ’23: DAAD (for graduate student in Germany) AWARDEE, Fulbright Scholarship SEMI-FINALIST, Critical Language Scholarship ALTERNATE (for Azerbaijani) in 2022, Hamilton Lugar School Scholarship (for 2021 Language Workshop at Indiana University) (for Azerbaijani)
Caitlyn Carr ‘23: Rhodes Scholar FINALIST
Mackenzi Berner ‘23: Fulbright Scholarship SEMI-FINALIST
Maria Bossert ‘23: Fulbright Scholarship SEMI-FINALIST
Maya Nylund ‘23: Fulbright Scholarship for English Teaching Assistantship in Korea ALTERNATE
Zubair Ali ’24: Critical Language Scholarship (for Urdu)
Azalea Danes ‘24: Truman Scholarship NOMINEE