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| Seniors Honored at Baccalaureate Dinner Worcester, MA - Assumption College recently honored twelve members of the class of 2006 with awards at the Senior Baccalaureate Dinner at the DCU Center on May 12, 2006. Ten graduating seniors received the Crown and Shield Award, recognizing a student’s service to the College and to the broader civic and global community. These students were nominated by faculty, staff and administration at the College. The criteria for the awarded stipulated that these, “Students should be recognized who have protected and furthered those interests of the Student Body and the College in various areas of service to the community.” The students recognized for their accomplishments included: Erin Ranft, from Ringwood, NJ, recently graduated with a major in History and dual minors in Theology and Education. Erin displayed her energy, enthusiasm and passion for Campus Ministry throughout her four years of involvement in various leadership roles. She was especially active in the retreat program, serving as SEARCH program co-coordinator this past year, helping to attract the largest group of volunteers in the history of the program. She served on eight START Retreats, and was active in the spring break mission programs. In addition to her Campus Ministry involvement, Erin served as an Orientation Leader, a CAB Executive, and Admissions Ambassador. In a nomination letter, the author cited Erin’s “genuine love and commitment to Campus Ministry and to Assumption.” Casey Walsh Hatten, from Medfield, MA, was another Crown and Shield Award recipient. Casey graduated with a major in Social Rehabilitation Service and was actively involved in the Student Government Association for the past three years, most recently serving as Vice President for Student Affairs. He spread his enthusiasm for Assumption College through his roles in the Summer Orientation program, as an Admissions Ambassador, and as captain of the Track & Field team for two consecutive seasons. A nominator stated “Casey has proven to be a valuable asset to Assumption College in many ways. Students look to him for guidance, are inspired by his upbeat personality, and appreciate his self-deprecating sense of humor.” Cristine Marie Delaney, from Westborough, MA, also received the Crown and Shield Award. Crissy graduated Summa cum Laude with dual majors in History and Political Science and a minor in English. Crissy was a volunteer with the Reach Out Center since her freshman year, and was a Service Director for the past three years. She maintained active leadership roles including Student Government Association class senator, Spare Change Retreat Coordinator and Assistant Director for Students Advocating Change. Crissy tutored History, Political Science and Writing students in the Academic Support Center, and recently participated as a student co-leader for the Katrina Mission trip during spring break. In a nomination letter, she was described as “a young woman of uncommon personal generosity and dedication to social justice.” Crissy will now study The Theory and Practice of Human Rights in Norway at the University of Oslo in conjunction with her recently awarded Fulbright scholarship. Rebecca Ann Klotz, from Wethersfield, CT, recently graduated with a major in Biology, a minor in Chemistry, and a concentration in Biotechnology. Becky proved to be a distinguished and influential student leader throughout her four years at Assumption College. She held executive positions with ALANA for three consecutive years, serving her final year as President. Becky also was captain of the Step Team, served as a member of the student Leader Council, was an Orientation leader, and volunteered at St. Luke’s Society. A nominator described Becky as “passionate in promoting diversity on campus,” “always willing to lend a helping hand to students in need,” and “gives 100 percent in whatever she does.” Dennis James Leamy, from Warwick, RI, graduated with a major in International Business with dual minors in Finance and Philosophy. Dennis maintained active involvement on campus, serving two years as a Resident Assistant, two years with the Student Government Association, and was a Campus Ministry Core Team member for the Senior Retreat. This year Dennis served as the SGA Vice President for Financial Affairs. In a nomination letter, the author stated that Dennis “has earned the respect of those who work with him. We all appreciate his honesty, insight, wisdom and sharp wit.” Another Crown and Shield Award recipient was Erica Joyce Mandeville. Erica, from Norwich, CT, graduated with a major in Accounting. Erica was an invaluable member of the Campus Activities Executive Board for the past two years, serving her first year as a liaison to foster cross-communication and support among the Student Government Association, Multicultural Affairs, Reach Out Center, and Campus Ministry. During her senior year she served as the Formal Events Chair, contributing considerable support and advice towards the planning of the holiday and spring balls. A nominator said of Erica, “She’s a very hard worker and always conscious of the quality of her work and her interactions with others. Her humor and optimistic attitude is always present among a group of busy student leaders with diverse personalities.” Jonathan Michael Weaver also received the Crown and Shield Award. Jonathan, from Danielson, CT, graduated with a major in English and dual minors in Philosophy and Political Science. Jon devoted his four years to serving the Student Government Association. As a Senator he was instrumental in the creation of the Class Assembly program and the new visitation policy. As SGA President he worked to make SGA a more efficient and effective organization. Part of his legacy to Assumption will be his work to bring CDigix, a legal music downloading service to the campus. Jon was also instrumental in bringing the SGA Presidents from the Worcester Consortium of Colleges and Universities together to strengthen communication and brainstorm ways to improve town grown relationships. A nominator stated, “Jon has learned a lot through his experience as Senator and President in SGA, and SGA is all the better for it.” Heather Ann MacMillan a native of Meredith, NH, graduated Magna Cum Laude with a major in English, a concentration in Writing and Mass Communications, and a minor in Italian Studies. Heather assumed numerous leadership roles including her three-year membership in the Campus Ministry Core Team and participation in nine START Retreats, most recently serving as co-director of this year’s START 2 and Senior Retreats. She was a liturgical minister for the past four years, as well as serving as a Resident Assistant and Admissions Ambassador. One of Heather’s nominators stated, “Heather is a graceful, faith-filled young woman who has effectively, and compassionately, reached out to other students seeking to grow in their relationship with God.” Michael George Consolazio, from Winchester, MA, graduated with a major in Marketing. Mike served as a Campus Activities Board Executive for three years, planning and supporting Siblings’ Weekend and Comedy events, as well as serving as Assistant Chairperson this past year. Mike was always hard working and eager to please, starting out as a quiet, polite freshman, and growing into a confident, assertive, impossible-to-forget senior. Mike is noted for finding the most creative advertising techniques and it is this ingenuity that has made him a standout in the quality of programs. A nominator stated, Mike “has put so much of himself into CAB—especially the past two years—it’s really hard to imagine how we will carry on without him.” The final Crown and Shield Award recipient was Michela Diana D’Eramo. Michela, from Ashland, MA, graduated with a major in Social and Rehabilitation Services and a minor in Italian Studies. Michela distinguished herself as an outstanding student leader over the past four years through several roles, including Summer Orientation Leader, SGA Senator, and Class Officer. This past year, Michela excelled as Senate Speaker, providing structure, intelligence, and a positive attitude to the position. Michela was described by a nominator as someone who “positively represents both the leadership organizations she belongs to and Assumption College as a whole.” Randy Mercado Ramos received the Senior Horizon Award, in which he was recognized for remaining focused on obtaining his degree in spite of significant challenges. Randy, from Worcester, MA, graduated with a major in Social and Rehabilitation Services. Randy was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of seven while living in Puerto Rico. During his teens, he began to experience serious problems with his kidneys and pancreas, necessitating regular dialysis treatment. It was at this time that he also began to lose his vision. His mother made the courageous decision to move stateside in order for Randy to have access to the best health care. When he was 26, he had completely lost his vision and became the recipient of both a kidney and pancreas transplant through the organ donor program. Randy enrolled in Quinsigamond Community College in 1997 and later transferred to Assumption. Randy makes it a point to put people at ease and is quick to engage others in conversation. He says he doesn’t want people to think of him as just that blind guy, but rather, he wants people to get to know him and for him to get to know people. Randy is a testimony to faith and fortitude but attributes his success to his mother who wouldn’t allow him to give up. The final award went to Stephen Edward Pagios. Steve received the Fr. Emmanuel d’Alzon Most Distinguished Crown and Shield Award. Steve, from West Springfield, MA, graduated with a major in Organizational Communications and a minor in Psychology. At Assumption, Steve contributed his time, talent, and gifts in an unprecedented manner. As a CAB Executive, his commitment and hard work brought about consistent outstanding events, and he proved to be a model leader for his peers, as well as an invaluable asset to the Assumption College community. He was a Campus Ministry Core Team member, serving on 11 Retreat teams in the past three years, participated in First Year Student Orientation as both a Student and Parent Orientation Leader, and volunteered his time in the Reach Out Center. Outside of the Assumption Community, Steve served on the National Association for Campus Activities Regional Showcase Selection committee, and was selected as a session presenter at their Northeast Conference. Steve possesses an “unusual breadth of understanding about what it takes to be a student leader, demonstrates passion for serving his peers, and is generous in his willingness to share his knowledge and time with others.” Steve will continue to brighten college communities as he attends graduate school at Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio in the College Student Personnel program. These awards concluded the Baccalaureate Dinner and shed light on the commitment of the Class of 2006 to the Assumption community.
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