Nearly 60 Mount Saint Mary College students were celebrated for their academic achievements at a virtual induction ceremony for Aquinas, Ralph, and Boyle Scholars on Wednesday, May 12.
Aquinas, Ralph, and Boyle Scholar awards are presented to students who attain a high degree of proficiency in their studies and have demonstrated a sincere commitment to learning at the college. Candidates must be full-time students, and only 5 percent of each class may be nominated.
The event was hosted by Charles Zola, assistant to the president for Mission Integration, director of the Mount's Catholic and Dominican Institute (CDI), and associate professor of Philosophy.
Mount President Dr. Jason N. Adsit congratulated the students on a job well done: "I'm really, really proud of all of you," he said. "Congratulations."
George Abaunza, vice president for Academic Affairs at the Mount, thanked the scholars – and their families – for their commitment to academics.
"We all are here because of the help, the care, the love, the attention that others gave us," he said. "There's something that drives us to learn, and it's all founded on curiosity and a desire to improve ourselves...it's something a lot of us developed because someone cared for us deeply when we were younger. I hope you continue to share these gifts with others."
The keynote address was delivered by Mount Trustee Sr. Constance Koch, OP.
"There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same spirit," said Sr. Koch, a Dominican Sister of Hope. "Each of you will continue to share these gifts that are now affirmed to you as Ralph, Aquinas, and Boyle Scholars."
She added, "In our world today, there is a great need to not only teach the truth, but to also speak the truth from our hearts...As members of the Mount community, we all carry in our bodies and promote these values in our lives."
A Ralph Scholar is a sophomore who has attained a grade point average of at least 3.40 and who has received the recommendation of at least two faculty members. The Ralph Scholar Award is named in honor of Sr. Mary Vincent Ralph, O.P., co-founder of the college and its first academic dean.
The new Ralph Scholars are:
- Marcel Bialt of Pine Bush, N.Y.
- Dane Fiorito of Fishkill, N.Y.
- Emily Gursky of Oakville, Conn.
- Ryley Idema of Wappingers Falls, N.Y.
- Jessica McGuire of New Windsor, N.Y.
- Edelin Mora Lora of the Bronx, N.Y.
- Isabelle Nester of New Windsor, N.Y.
- Addison Parker of Newburgh, N.Y.
- Makenzie Rivera of Rockaway Beach, N.Y.
- Kathleen Roddy of Bethpage, N.Y.
- Emma Tavera of Bristol, Conn.
- Kiernan Toder of Highland, N.Y.
- Victoria Veloz-Vicioso of Englewood, N.J.
An Aquinas Scholar is a junior or senior with a minimum grade point average of at least 3.60 and has received the recommendation from their major's division. The award is named after St. Thomas Aquinas, the patron saint of students and Catholic colleges and universities.
The new Aquinas Scholars are:
- Sophia Azznara of Cold Spring, N.Y.
- Ryan Bayer of New Windsor, N.Y.
- Anthony Caminitti of Mahopac, N.Y
- Jayda Cavanaugh of Wolcott, Conn.
- Camryn Christensen of Wallingford, Conn.
- Kaitlyn Ciervo of Massapequa Park, N.Y.
- Myah Dewitt of Otisville, N.Y.
- Anne Dolan of Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
- Kimberly Durso of Brooklyn, N.Y.
- Ariana Ecimovic of Staten Island, N.Y.
- Kelsey Farrell of Cochecton, N.Y.
- Julia Foley of Salisbury Mills, N.Y.
- Katherine Gibbons of Salisbury Mills, N.Y.
- Jessalyn Goetz of Ferndale, N.Y.
- Louise Goodman of Brewster, N.Y.
- Shallen Hadwiger of Newburgh, N.Y.
- Jennifer Hasbun of Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
- Lauren Kennedy of Bethpage, N.Y.
- Christiana Kerrs of Wappingers Falls, N.Y.
- Stephanie Lozada of Rhinebeck, N.Y.
- Madison Matos of Walden, N.Y.
- Ashley Neeley of Milford, Conn.
- Jenna Nicoletti of Warwick, N.Y.
- Deirdre Noble of Rockville Centre, N.Y.
- Mikayla Pileggi of Walden, N.Y.
- Gabriella Rafaniello of Brooklyn, N.Y.
- Eleanora Robinson of Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
- Kelli Roche of Poughquag, N.Y.
- Jessica Romaniello of Waterbury, Conn.
- Ashley Romaniello of Waterbury, Conn.
- Leila Saleh of Ansonia, Conn.
- Kylie Shaefer of Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
- Toriana Tabasco of Hillsdale, N.J.
- Samantha Tucker of Newburgh, N.Y.
- Maeve Ward of Warwick, N.Y.
- Grace White of Highland Mills, N.Y.
- Mia Zangl of Middletown, N.Y.
A Boyle Scholar is a senior in the Mount's Degree Completion Program who has attained a minimum grade point average of 3.60, and has been recommended by their division and their academic advisor. The Boyle Scholar Award is named in honor of Sr. Agnes Boyle, OP. During her time at the Mount, Sr. Boyle initiated the Degree Completion Program. She was also one of the founders of what would become the Catholic Dominican Institute (CDI), which hosted the induction ceremony.
The new Boyle Scholars are:
- Pamela Anderson of West Point, N.Y.
- Shari Dietrich of Warwick, N.Y.
- Heather Park of Chester, N.Y.
- Emily Penzetta of Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
- Samantha Perri of Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
- Heather Vigrass of Wallkill, N.Y.
CDI promotes the Mount's heritage of St. Dominic, advances the Dominican charism of study and service, provides a forum for discussion of contemporary ethical issues, and enhances Catholic and Jewish dialogue. The Institute welcomes persons of varied faiths and acknowledges different religious traditions as essential to the college's intellectual and spiritual life.