(Biddeford, ME) – The University of New England hosted its annual University Awards Ceremony on April 22nd, at 6 PM at the Harold Alfond Forum on the Biddeford Campus. The event featured multiple undergraduate and graduate recognitions, as well as faculty recognition awards.
The night was kicked off by Wes Renfro, the new Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, providing opening remarks. Renfro was followed by James Herbert, the President of the University of New England, who regrettably had to exit after his remarks. Herbert thanked students for “setting their sights high” as they pursue higher education, as well as thanking faculty and parents for their support and encouragement toward students. Final opening remarks by John Vitale, Dean of UNE’s Westbrook College of Health Sciences, were offered before the ceremony began.
The first awards of the night were presented by Peter Chavonelle, a member of St. Francis College’s graduating class of 1965 and the UNE Alumni Essay Council. The award was presented to the top three essays submitted to the Alumni Council Essay Contest. The essay prompt instructed students to reflect on their feelings toward the campus social climate and asked if they believe the school encourages “vigorous debate and the ability to question, argue, and challenge others” among students. Third place was a tie between students Madison Gilbert ‘28 and Piper Stagg ‘27, each receiving a scholarship of $2,500. Second place was claimed by Edward Iannuzzi-Suich ‘27, who was awarded $4,000, the winner being Cally Gudroe ‘28, who won $6,000 in scholarships.
The next award presenter of the night was Amy Nadzo Haile, Associate Vice President of Strategic Communications. Haile recognized the top three contenders for the Hannah Fields-Lenehan Fine Arts Award, each of whom submitted their work and artist statement over the past few months for review. Chloe Boulle ‘27 took third place with her piece titled Folkloric Alphabet Artist’s Book. Second place was claimed by Anna Maria Biagi ‘25 with her piece entitled A Dog Who Chases After Rabbits Will Dream of Rabbits. In first place was Jhana LoRe-Prue ‘25 with her painting titled Portrait of Jamie.
Next up, new inductees to UNE’s honor societies— Alpha Chi, Chi Alpha Sigma, Phi Alpha Theta, Pi Theta Epsilon, and Psi Chi—were recognized.
Michael Cripps, Director of the School of Arts and Humanities, kicked off the Academic Program Award presentations by recognizing graduating students with outstanding performance in art, communications, English, history, philosophy, and writing. The winners, in the same order, were Thomas Garcia ‘25, Emily Hedegard ‘25, Elia O’Hara ‘25, Candace Baker ‘25, Theodore Young ‘25, and Alexa Livingston ‘25.
Awards for the School of Biological Sciences were presented by Professor Steven Travis, Director. The award for biological sciences was presented to Ariane Leon ‘25. Koby LaRose ‘25 was awarded for his performance in the Medical Biology Medical Sciences, and Emma Colby ‘25 was honored with the Medical Biology Pre-physician assistant awardaward in Medical Biology Pre-physician assistant.
Next, Emily Kelting, Assistant Professor of Mathematics, took the stage to present Rachel Dupre ‘25 with the award in Applied Mathematics.
The School of Education awards were presented by Lane Whitney Clark, Director. The award in Elementary/Middle Education was given to Maya Monteiro ‘25, the award in Secondary Education was given to Evan Brown ‘25, and the final education award for Special Education was given to Morgan Bassett ‘25.
Director of the School of Marine and Environmental Programs, Charles Tilburg, awarded eight total students with individual awards in Aquaculture and Aquarium Science, Climate Change Studies, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Geographic Information Systems, Marine Affairs, Marine Biology, and Oceanography. The winners of each award, respectively, were Nick Kachmarik ‘25, Annika Doeppers ‘25, Caroline Fales ‘25, Alexa Livingston ‘25, Ruth Ellis ‘25, Samantha Ryea ‘25, Katelyn DeWater ‘25, and Terrance Meinardus ‘25.
Amy Deveau, Director of the School of Molecular and Physical Sciences, presented the award in Biochemistry to Amaya West ‘25, the award in Chemistry to Terrance Meinardus ‘25, and the award in Laboratory Science to Abby Walsh ‘25.
The awards for the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences were presented by Professor Michael Burman, Director, who presented the award in Animal Behavior to Brooke Coen ‘25, the award in Criminology award to both Hailey Miranda ‘25 and Anthony Stowell ‘25, the award in Mental Health Rehabilitation to Sarah Gray ‘25, the award in Neuroscience to Olivia Mamula ‘25, the award in Political Science to Elia O’Hara ‘25 and the award in Psychology to Magdalene Meek ‘25.
Linda Morrison, Coordinator of the Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies Program, presented awards for Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies as well as the Jessica Cox Henderson Activism Award. These awards were given to Elia O’Hara ’25 and Ruby Motulsky ‘25, respectively.
In place of Dean of the College of Business Norm O’Reilly, the School of Business awards were presented by Associate Dean Amir Mousavian. The award in Business Administration was presented to Sean McCarthy ‘25, the award in Sport and Recreation Management was given to Samantha Fickett ‘25, and the award in Sustainability and Business was awarded to Scott Clemons-Baker ‘25.
After the conclusion of the Academic Program Awards, Emme Perry ‘27, President of the Undergraduate Student Government, was called forward to present faculty and advising awards. The Excellence in Faculty Mentoring and Advising Award was presented to Professor Jeremy Pare of the College of Business. The Debra J. Summers Memorial Award was given to Professor Krysten Gorrivan of the School of Education.
The next set of awards for the night consisted of the University Awards. The Community Service Award was presented to both Sophia Ouellette ‘25 and Molly Beely ‘25. The Global Education Award was presented to Jordyn Holbrook ‘25. Finally, the Student Leader Award was presented to Naomi Cote ‘25.
The outstanding undergraduate awards for research and scholarship were presented next, being awarded to Jessica Howard ‘25 for Medicine and Public Health, Katelyn DeWater ‘25 for Natural Sciences, and Ella Murthi ‘25 for Social Sciences.
Next, Professor Will Kochtitzky presented both the undergraduate and graduate awards for Sustainability Leadership. These awards were presented to Cloey Parlapiano ‘25 and Virginia May ‘25, respectively.
The final set of awards for the night were the Academic Excellence Awards, celebrating and honoring students in the sophomore and junior classes, as well as one student being honored with the Jacques Downs Award for Academic Excellence, the most prestigious award of the night, and the Susan J. Hillman Award. This year’s sophomore recipient was Megan Gamache ‘27, with the junior recipient being Samantha Medeiros ‘26. The Susan J. Hillman Award was presented to Matt Pechkins ‘25. The Jacques Downs Award for Academic Excellence was presented to Katelyn DeWater, her third and final award of the evening.
