Following the announcements of 2022 Jacob Albright Scholars and Gold “A” Award recipients, Albright recognizes class of 2022 students earning academic awards. Congratulations to all winners, listed alphabetically below.
> See and share individual student stories here.
Vanessa Elizabeth Baker
Ray Mest ’62 Math Award
The Ray Mest ’62 Mathematics Award is given to an outstanding senior mathematics or math/combined concentrator chosen by members of the department. Recipients are considered based on scholarship, performance, leadership and dedication in their pursuit of a mathematics education.
Stephanie Rose Barefoot
Evelyn Boquist Kemp & Esther Boquist Strauch Memorial Award
This award was established in memory of Jean Tshundy’s aunts, Evelyn Boquist Kemp and Esther Boquist Strauch, whose parents emigrated from Uppsala, Sweden to the United States through Ellis Island in the late 1800’s. Their generosity makes it possible for Donald and Jean Tshundy to fund an award on behalf of their daughter-in-law, Marilou (Holland) Tshundy, who graduated from Albright College in 1981 with a bachelor’s degree in social welfare. This award is given to a junior or senior majoring in social welfare, social work, sociology, or any other area in the social sciences, who is maintaining a 3.0 grade point average.
Nicholas Barton
E. Michael Sheffer Award
This annual award is given to students who have completed two years of academic work, are pursuing a concentration program in history and participate in athletics.
Matthew Damon Cammarano
Ellery B. Haskell Memorial Award in Religious Studies
Mr. and Mrs. Charles S. Kelchner Memorial Award
The Ellery B. Haskell Memorial Award is given to students whose academic performance has demonstrated the highest standards of critical thinking, scholarly dedication and moral idealism. A gift of the late Charles S. Kelchner, Mr. and Mrs. Charles S. Kelchner Memorial Prize is awarded by the English Department faculty to honor students who are outstanding in both oral and written communication.
Evan Patrick Carr
Conway Family Endowed Commencement Award
Graduating seniors eligible for this endowed commencement award demonstrate exceptional academic achievement (minimum grade point average 3.0) in economics/business, accounting and/or computer science.
Amanda Lea Castanon
Costume Design Award
This award is given to a student who has gone above and beyond the call of duty in support of costuming for theatre productions.
Zachary Chan
Ella M. Schaeffer Music Award in Voice
This award is given to a senior student for outstanding talent and leadership in Music.
Dylan Scott Cope
Lewis E. Smith Political Science Award
This cash award is given to a student in the field of political science who has demonstrated academic competence in that discipline and who is committed to high personal and social values. This award is provided by Mrs. Lewis E. Smith to honor her husband’s labors as a student and teacher of political science and his lifelong commitment to the academic and spiritual development of the students of Albright College.
Tristen Sue Cotter
Edwin R. and Regina L. Joseph Commencement Award
Established by a bequest from Franklin R. Joseph ’57, this endowed commencement award provides an annual cash award to a graduating Albright College senior receiving a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with strong academic accomplishment. Recipients of this award shall be selected by the Chair of the Economics and Business Department in consultation with faculty from the Economics and Business Department as appropriate.
Samantha Franco Da Silva
Spanish Prize
This cash prize is given to an outstanding student who is studying Spanish at the advanced level.
Massiel Del Orbe
Julia Award (Senior)
Julia Awards honor the life of Julia Pankratz by recognizing two Albright students — a senior and a freshman — for intellectual adventurousness, creativity and cheerful courage in the face of adversity.
Emily Denney
Music Industry Award
This award is given to a senior Music Business student who evidences passion, perseverance, and outstanding leadership in music-centered events on campus and in professional associations in the music industry. This individual possesses the extraordinary enthusiasm, drive and creativity needed to succeed in this highly competitive and rewarding career.
Olivia Rebecca Donkus
Paul M. Leininger Chemistry Award
A cash award given by Craig B. Pearson, M.D., Class of ’65, in honor of Paul M. Leininger, Professor Emeritus of Chemistry, this award is given to a junior or senior who has demonstrated excellence in the study of chemistry and who possesses outstanding personal characteristics of idealism, altruism and integrity.
Jana Donnelly
Samarvir (Sam) Sahi ’92 Outstanding International Student Award
Established in memory of Sam Sahi ’92, this award is given to an international senior student who exhibits extraordinary strength of character and intellect.
Cecelia K. Ensell
Psychobiology Award
This award is given to a senior who has shown overall excellence in psychobiology and shows promise of making future contributions to the field, in honor of Marsha Green and Ronald Green who founded the Psychobiology degree at Albright College in 1970.
Lauren Olivia Farrell
Ella M. Schaeffer Music Award in Voice
This award is given to a senior student for outstanding talent and leadership in Music.
Olivia Morgan Frey
Marcus H. Green Pre-Professional Award
This award is given by the Alpha Epsilon Delta Society to a senior pre-professional student in health sciences who has demonstrated the characteristics of perseverance, compassion and humility.
Morgan Alise Guers
Lewis E. Smith Political Science Award
This cash award is given to a student in the field of political science who has demonstrated academic competence in that discipline and who is committed to high personal and social values. This award is provided by Mrs. Lewis E. Smith to honor her husband’s labors as a student and teacher of political science and his lifelong commitment to the academic and spiritual development of the students of Albright College.
Libby Harford
E. Michael Sheffer Award
This annual award is given to students who have completed two years of academic work, are pursuing a concentration program in history and participate in athletics.
Corrine Rose Harrington
Psychology Department Award
This award is given in memory of Milton G. Geil to a psychology senior who has achieved the highest degree of excellence in psychology.
Diza Hasanaj
William E.C. and Mary Dearden Chair in Business Administration Scholars Award in Finance
This cash award is presented to senior business students who excel academically and who demonstrate the potential for professional leadership.
Stephanie Hegedus
The Classical Languages Department Latin Award (Beginner)
This cash award is given by the Albright College Classical Languages Department to students who demonstrate excellence in Latin at the beginning level.
Ebony Hicks
Domino Player Award
The Domino Players Award is given to an individual who has shown exceptional ability in one or more of the theatre areas and who has shown exceptional commitment to the production program.
Erika Alexandra Hollinger
Psychobiology Award
This award is given to a senior who has shown overall excellence in psychobiology and shows promise of making future contributions to the field, in honor of Marsha Green and Ronald Green who founded the Psychobiology degree at Albright College in 1970.
Chloe Lillian Howard
Franklin Joseph Commencement Award
Kenneth Meredith Award for Medieval/Renaissance History
Established by a bequest from Franklin R. Joseph ’57, this endowed commencement award provides an annual cash award to a graduating Albright College senior receiving a bachelor’s degree in Sociology with strong academic accomplishment. Recipients of this award shall be selected by the Chair of the Sociology Department in consultation with faculty from the Sociology Department as appropriate.
Joshua Michael Jacavage
Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accounts Award
This award is presented to a student who attains a high scholastic record in accounting subjects and demonstrates leadership during the college career.
Carmen Makayla Johnson
Annadora Shirk Readers Theatre Award
The Annadora Shirk Readers Theatre Prize is a cash award given to recognize the contributions of Albright Readers Theatre to the campus and to the Reading community. It is presented to a student whom the English Department faculty chooses to honor for his or her communications skills in and out of the classroom.
Madison Rose Jorfi
WXAC Senior Award
This certificate is given to students involved in WXAC in appreciation for their dedication and hard work.
Jake Feliciano King
Dr. J. Dale Yoder ’57 Commencement History Award
This cash prize is given to a graduating history senior at Albright College who has a strong academic accomplishment in the discipline, been a generous participant in the life of the college, and shown a compassionate concern for the needs of others.
Raymond N. La
Louis D. Pepe Memorial Accounting Award
This award is presented to a senior accounting major with a cumulative B average or better in accounting who has shown the greatest improvement in accounting between his or her first year and the end of his or her seventh semester, and exhibits the strongest desire to become a CPA.
Taylor Maria Lanier
French Prize
This cash prize is given to an outstanding student who is studying French at the advanced level.
Jocelyn Symonne Lewis-Johnson
Muhlenberg Goodwill Prize
William E.C. and Mary Dearden Chair in Business Administration Scholars Award in Economics
Established by Col. Frederick A. Muhlenberg, the Muhlenberg Goodwill Prize is presented to a senior who has demonstrated, through responsible action in college activities, a concern that extends to the larger community, and who has shown promise for further accomplishments that will better society. The William E. C. and Mary Dearden Chair in Business Administration Scholars Award is presented to senior business students who excel academically and who demonstrate the potential for professional leadership.
Kimberly Liu
Ed Flagg and M. Cornelius Trayes Award in Journalism for Layout and Editing
This award is given for excellence in journalistic writing, editing and photography. Selection is based on published work in campus and other publications and recipients are selected by the chair of the English Department on the recommendation of faculty.
Ariel Lee Loza
Eileen Walker Memorial Award
This cash award is given by the faculty of the Chemistry Department to a senior biochemistry or chemistry concentrator who demonstrates high academic achievement, leadership and excellence of character.
Brandon Tyler Maroney
Dr. J. Dale Yoder ’57 Commencement History Award
This cash prize is given to a graduating history senior at Albright College who has a strong academic accomplishment in the discipline, been a generous participant in the life of the college, and shown a compassionate concern for the needs of others.
Veloie Mastrocola
Professor Clyde Harding Awards for Outstanding Scholarship in English and Communications
Income from a fund created by friends and family, including the estate of Ruth Hall Harding, provides scholarship assistance for students pursuing the English concentration or the communications program. The award is available to juniors and seniors who maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5.
Allison Linsey Melahn
Thomas H. Gerstley Memorial Award
In memory of Thomas H. Gerstley, class of 1982, this award is given to one or more seniors majoring in a psychology program, demonstrating great professional promise, and intending to pursue a graduate degree in Clinical Neuropsychology, Clinical Psychology, or Counseling Psychology. It is designated that the individual(s), selected by the Psychology Department faculty, use the proceeds of the award to satisfy some of the costs of first-year graduate study.
Roy Mendez
Julia Award (First-Year)
Julia Awards honor the life of Julia Pankratz by recognizing two Albright students — a senior and a freshman — for intellectual adventurousness, creativity and cheerful courage in the face of adversity.
Makenzie Lorayne Mettler
Department of Theatre Award
This award recognizes outstanding work in theatre classes by a student completing a concentration or combined concentration in theatre.
Megan Misurelli
CRC Press Freshman Chemistry Award
This award recognizes the top chemistry or biochemistry concentrators in general chemistry.
Michelle Nguyen
Most Promising First-Year Fashion Award
This award is given to a first year fashion student who exhibits excellence in leadership, scholarship, talent and service to the Albright community.
Daniel Scott Petersheim
American Chemical Society Prize
American Chemical Society Division of Organic Chemistry Undergraduate Award in Organic Chemistry, Undergraduate Award in Inorganic Chemistry, Undergraduate Award in Physical Chemistry
Benjamin H. Handorf Chemistry Award
Ray Mest ’62 Math Award
A membership in the American Chemical Society awarded annually by the Lehigh Valley section of the society to the senior majoring in chemistry or biochemistry who is recommended by the department of chemistry on the basis of high standing in scholarship, personality, and character. American Institute of Chemists, Biochemistry and Chemistry Awards honor seniors majoring in chemistry, chemical engineering or biochemistry and is given in recognition of a demonstrated ability, leadership and professional promise. Candidates are chosen and nominated by the chemistry and biochemistry faculty. The Ray Mest ’62 Mathematics Award is given to an outstanding senior mathematics or math/combined concentrator chosen by members of the department. Recipients are considered based on scholarship, performance, leadership and dedication in their pursuit of a mathematics education.
Hannah Phillips
The Mr. and Mrs. John C. Lanz ’37 Endowed Academic Award
This award was established by Mrs. Kathryn Lanz in honor of the memory and life of her late husband, John C. Lanz, Class of 1937. The recipient of the award is a freshman, sophomore or junior majoring in either Mathematics or Education, who demonstrates strong academic accomplishment in either discipline and participation in student life.
Hannah Elizabeth Portuguez
Communications Department Faculty Award
The Communications Department Faculty Award acknowledges strong and consistent scholarly achievement of a senior communications major or co-major.
Libni Rivera
Professor Clyde Harding Awards for Outstanding Scholarship in English and Communications
Income from a fund created by friends and family, including the estate of Ruth Hall Harding, provides scholarship assistance for students pursuing the English concentration or the communications program. The award is available to juniors and seniors who maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5.
Luis Llandel Rodriguez
Muhlenberg Goodwill Prize
Established by Col. Frederick A. Muhlenberg, the Muhlenberg Goodwill Prize is presented to a senior who has demonstrated, through responsible action in college activities, a concern that extends to the larger community, and who has shown promise for further accomplishments that will better society.
Rachael Alexandra Russo
Outstanding Service to Psychology Department
The award is given to student who, through exemplary service to faculty and students,
Maris Leisy Santos Rodriguez
American Institute of Chemists: Biochemistry Award
American Institute of Chemists, Biochemistry and Chemistry Awards honor seniors majoring in chemistry, chemical engineering or biochemistry and is given in recognition of a demonstrated ability, leadership and professional promise. Candidates are chosen and nominated by the chemistry and biochemistry faculty.
Stephen T. Shelley
Dr. J. Dale Yoder ’57 Commencement History Award
This cash prize is given to a graduating history senior at Albright College who has a strong academic accomplishment in the discipline, been a generous participant in the life of the college, and shown a compassionate concern for the needs of others.
Cary Shurtz
Professor Clyde Harding Awards for Outstanding Scholarship in English and Communications
Income from a fund created by friends and family, including the estate of Ruth Hall Harding, provides scholarship assistance for students pursuing the English concentration or the communications program. The award is available to juniors and seniors who maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5.
Bria Serae Stapleton
Outstanding Fashion Senior Award
This award is presented to fashion seniors who exhibit excellence in leadership, scholarship, talent and service to the Albright Community.
Lisa Statler
Professor Clyde Harding Awards for Outstanding Scholarship in English and Communications
Classical Languages Department Latin Award (Advanced)
Income from a fund created by friends and family, including the estate of Ruth Hall Harding, provides scholarship assistance for students pursuing the English concentration or the communications program. The award is available to juniors and seniors who maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5. The Classical Languages Department Latin Award (Advanced) is a cash award given by the Albright College Classical Languages Department to students who demonstrate excellence in Latin at an advanced level.
Emily Natalie Stragapede
Crime and Justice Achievement Award
Maltzer Pre-Law Award
The Crime and Justice Achievement Award is given to a criminology student who has demonstrated academic excellence, a high degree of professional interest, and whose attitudes and initiatives are exemplary of professionals throughout the criminal justice system. This award is given in remembrance of the individuals who, in the face of gravest personal danger, displayed courage, selflessness and professionalism on September 11, 2001. The Maltzer (Pre-Law) Award is given to recognize the highest scholastic record in the pre-law program.
Alexander Craig Stump
William E.C. and Mary Dearden Chair in Business Administration Scholars Award in Accounting
This cash award is presented to senior business students who excel academically and who demonstrate the potential for professional leadership.
Mckenzie Skye Sullivan
Albright Improv Award
This cash award is given to the most outstanding member of Albright Improv. Nominations are submitted by members of the Albright Improv Executive Board to the faculty advisor, who makes the final award determination. The recipient exemplifies what it means to be a great improviser — onstage and off. He or she is giving, supportive, attentive, committed … and probably pretty darn funny, too.
Janae Elizabeth Taft
Philip A. Eyrich Memorial Award
This award is presented by the Political Science Department of Albright College in recognition of Professor Eyrich’s outstanding contributions as a teacher and college leader, It goes to a senior political science concentrator who has demonstrated interest, achievement and commitment towards international understanding and peace.
Jason Tai
Professor Clyde Harding Awards for Outstanding Scholarship in English and Communications
Income from a fund created by friends and family, including the estate of Ruth Hall Harding, provides scholarship assistance for students pursuing the English concentration or the communications program. The award is available to juniors and seniors who maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5.
Michael Thomas
Professor Clyde Harding Awards for Outstanding Scholarship in English and Communications
Income from a fund created by friends and family, including the estate of Ruth Hall Harding, provides scholarship assistance for students pursuing the English concentration or the communications program. The award is available to juniors and seniors who maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.5.
Aly Tu
Walling Leach Memorial Prize
This cash award is presented to a senior student who has excelled in theatre and who plans to continue theatre studies in graduate school and/or enter theatre as a profession.
Trent A. Tyer
William E.C. and Mary Dearden Chair in Business Administration Scholars Award in Marketing
This cash award is presented to senior business students who excel academically and who demonstrate the potential for professional leadership.
Gillian Alexandra Judith Umstead
William E.C. and Mary Dearden Chair in Business Administration Scholars Award in Marketing
This cash award is presented to senior business students who excel academically and who demonstrate the potential for professional leadership.
Jennifer Vasquez
Alumni Graduation Honor, the Muhlenberg Goodwill Prize
Allen McKenney III Memorial Fund Prize
The Alumni Graduation Honor is given to the senior who throughout his or her college life has made the greatest contribution to Albright through enthusiastic participation in academic, social, and religious activities, and who has been most influential in fostering and promoting aims and objectives of the college. Established by Col. Frederick A. Muhlenberg, the Muhlenberg Goodwill Prize is presented to a senior who has demonstrated, through responsible action in college activities, a concern that extends to the larger community, and who has shown promise for further accomplishments that will better society. The Allen McKenney III Memorial Fund Prize is given to a student who makes a significant contribution to the larger community using knowledge and skills learned in the study of the social sciences.
Leia Villegas
Digital Communications Faculty Award
The Digital Communications Faculty Award acknowledges strong and consistent scholarly achievement of a senior Digital Communications major.
Nelson Villegas-Delval
Senior Computer Science Award
The Senior Computer Science Award is presented to a senior who has made significant contribution to computing within the computer science department and to the Albright campus at large.
Jazer Sylvester Willis
Religious Studies Award
The Religious Studies Award is given to a junior or senior who combines strong academic performance in religious studies with a high level of personal integrity and dedication to the welfare of others.
Logan Michael Wintersteen
Ella M. Schaeffer Music Award for Instrumental
This award is given to an instrumental senior student for outstanding talent and leadership.
Shelby Lyn Woodard
Psychology Department Award
Ella M. Schaeffer Music Award for Instrumental
Rose Sack Social Work Award
The Psychology Department Award is given in memory of Milton G. Geil to a psychology senior who has achieved the highest degree of excellence in psychology. The Ella Schaeffer award is given to a senior student for outstanding talent and leadership in Music. The Rose S. Sack Social Work Award is given to a student majoring in Child and Family Studies who has shown unusual promise for effective work in human services, who has demonstrated significant interest in the welfare of parents and children, and who has the interest and potential to positively influence the lives of others.
Zuul Woodson
Psychology Department Award
This award is given in memory of Milton G. Geil to a psychology senior who has achieved the highest degree of excellence in psychology.
Kevin Michael Zehner
William E.C. and Mary Dearden Chair in Business Administration Scholars Award in Sports Management
This cash award is presented to senior business students who excel academically and who demonstrate the potential for professional leadership.
