May 2020 graduates of Mount Saint Mary College were recognized for their dedication to academics and the campus community on Thursday, July 16 during a virtual award ceremony.
More than two dozen deserving senior students received awards.
Joseph Galasso of Plainview, N.Y. earned the Senior Award for Outstanding Service. This award is for a senior who devoted much of their time and energy in serving their classmates, the College community, and the community at large throughout their four years at the Mount. Among his many service projects, Galasso and his fellow Student Government Association members mentored the fifth grade class of Bishop Dunn Memorial School. As classes for both institutions moved online, so too did their mentorship meetings.
Andrea Austin of Brooklyn, N.Y. earned the Mount Saint Mary College Award, which is for a senior who has maintained a high standard of academic performance and a spirit of cooperation, leadership and loyal service, and is representative of what a Mount student exemplifies. Along with Galasso, Austin helped mentor the fifth grade class of Bishop Dunn Memorial School through her involvement in the Mount’s Student Government Association.
Mark Olsen of Walden, N.Y. was the recipient of the Thomas J. Conlon Memorial Award, which is given to a senior student who has shown outstanding leadership in Student Government. Olsen was one of seven Mount students who recently graduated from the Walden Savings Bank Medici Scholars Program, which prepares Business students for leadership and principled corporate citizenship.
Jennifer Turci of Plantsville, Conn. was the recipient of the Father Michael J. Gilleece Memorial Award, which is given to a senior who has a great academic average; is a person of high moral character who exemplifies Judeo-Christian values in their everyday life; and who has worked unselfishly for the development of the human potential of their fellow Mount students. In addition, Turci also received the Spirit of Nursing Award in May 2020, right before she graduated.
Senior Class Award for Service and Involvement in the Community was awarded to Brianna De Lizzio of Delran, N.J. Among her many accomplishments, De Lizzio was a Dominican Scholar of Hope and volunteered at Good Shepherd Soup Kitchen in the City of Newburgh.
Senior Class Awards for Outstanding Leadership recipients were Madylen Barberan of Fishkill, N.Y.; Bridget Bennett of Gardiner, N.Y.; Shannon Christiano of Yaphank, N.Y.; Emily Gilligan of Amityville, N.Y.; Noah Ginty of Meriden, Conn.; Deirdre Lydon of Bellerose, N.Y.; Giselle Luisa Martinez of Newburgh, N.Y.; Diamond Onomake of Staten Island, N.Y.; Alexander Perlak of West Hempstead, N.Y.; Cristina Pinho of Sleepy Hollow, N.Y.; and Christina Ryan of Franklin Square, N.Y.
Several of the Mount’s student clubs were recognized for their outstanding achievements:
- The Fund-raising the Bar Award: Catholic Relief Services
- Virtual Event of the Year: C.I.R.C.L.E.’s “Name that Book Bingo”
- New Club of the Year: Love Your Melon
- Club Event of the Year: Sustain MSMC and Get Creative’s “DIY Reusable Cups”
- Club of the Year: Get Creative
Mount Saint Mary College also recognized student-athletes for their outstanding achievements in the 2019-2020 season. The following awards were given to one male athlete and one female athlete each. Athletes from freshmen to seniors were represented.
Matthew Higgins of Meriden, Conn. and Diamond Onomake of Staten Island, N.Y. were named Knight of the Year.
Joseph Dolan of New Paltz, N.Y. and Michelle Carnovale of Massapequa, N.Y. were named Senior of the Year.
Peter Ramirez of New Windsor, N.Y. and Grace Riddle of Wantagh, N.Y. were named Rookie of the Year.
Joseph Mesoraca of Oceanside, N.Y. and Bridget Bennett of Gardiner, N.Y. were named Scholar-Athlete of the Year.