The Presidential Awards honor faculty and staff whose remarkable contributions reflect the very best of our community. In the company of friends, we pause to express gratitude for colleagues who embody excellence in teaching, scholarship, service, and mission. Their dedication reminds us that serving this institution is more than a responsibility; it is a vocation, a calling to advance the common good, foster a culture of excellence, and enrich the lives of all who call Assumption home. Through their work, these honorees have left an indelible mark on our University and a lasting legacy of meaning and impact.
The Award for Excellence in Teaching recognizes a member of the Assumption community who demonstrates outstanding dedication to student learning and the mission of Assumption University. Honorees are full-time instructors whose teaching consistently reflects excellence, as affirmed by endorsements from colleagues, students, and the Provost. This distinction celebrates those individuals whose commitment to academic rigor, mentorship, and service embodies the values at the heart of an Assumption education.
The candidate must be teaching a full load or its equivalent of undergraduate and/or graduate courses at Assumption University.
The candidate has demonstrated a consistent pattern of excellence in teaching based on endorsements from the Provost and those who write in support of the candidate.
The candidate’s teaching has contributed to the mission of the University.
Supporting documentation to be provided for the Teaching Award:
2010 – Richard Bonanno, Associate Professor of Italian
2011 – Lucia Knoles, Professor of English
2013 – Arlene Guerro-Watanabe, Associate Professor of Spanish
2014 – Kimberly Schandel, Associate Professor of Chemistry/Biology
2015 – B.J. Dobski – Associate Professor of Political Science
2016 – Elizabeth Colby-Davie, Associate Professor of Chemistry
2017 – Lisa D’Souza, Associate Professor of Education
2019 – Dr. Adam Volungis, Assistant Professor of Psychology
2021 – Dr. Molly McGrath, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Director of Honors Program (University)
2022 – Dr. Cathleen Stutz, Assistant Professor of Education
2023 – Dr. Christian Williams, Assistant Professor of Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies
2024 – Dr. Paul Shields, Associate Professor of English
The Award for Excellence in Scholarship honors a member of the Assumption community whose research and scholarly contributions exemplify academic distinction and advance the mission of Assumption University. Recipients have established a consistent record of excellence through books, peer-reviewed articles, and conference presentations, much of which has been accomplished while serving the University. This award recognizes scholarship that not only deepens knowledge within a discipline but also reflects the values and intellectual rigor at the core of an Assumption education.
The candidate has demonstrated a consistent pattern of excellence in scholarship through past and current publications of books or monographs, articles in peer-reviewed scholarly journals, scholarly presentations and papers at academic conferences, the substantial portions of which have been completed while a member of the Assumption University faculty.
The candidate’s scholarship has advanced knowledge in the discipline.
The candidate’s scholarship has contributed to the mission of the University.
Supporting documentation to be provided for the Scholarship Award:
2008 – Daniel Mahoney, Professor of Political Science
2009 – Demetri Kantarelis, Professor of Economics
2010 – Leslie Choquette, Professor of History
2011 – Leonard Doerfler, Professor of Psychology
2013 – John McClymer, Professor of History
2015 – Nalin Ranasinghe, Professor of Philosophy
2016 – Marc Guerra, Professor of Theology
2017 – Mark Christiansen, Associate Professor of History
2018 – James Lang, Professor of English
2019 – Dr. Greg Weiner, Associate Professor of Political Science, and Dr. Paula Fitzpatrick, Professor of Psychology
2020 – Dr. Michele Lemons, Professor of Biology
2022 – Dr. Cinzia Pica-Smith, Professor of Human Services and Rehabilitative Studies
2023 – Dr. Samantha Goldman, Associate Professor of Special Education
2024 – Dr. Smriti Rao, Department Chair of Economics, Finance, and Accounting; Professor of Economics; and Global Studies Program Director
The Award for Excellence in Service recognizes a member of the Assumption community whose extraordinary commitment extends beyond the classroom to strengthen the University community and its mission. Honorees have demonstrated sustained dedication through voluntary contributions of significant impact, whether in service to the University, student organizations, professional associations, or the wider community. This distinction celebrates service that enhances the reputation and values of Assumption University at the regional, national, and international levels.
The candidate has demonstrated a consistent pattern of extraordinary dedication to the University beyond the contractual assignments, especially those service contributions made without compensation.
The candidate has demonstrated a consistent pattern of voluntary services of significant importance to the University, to student organizations, to the public and community including significant service in scholarly/professional organizations, and has enhanced the reputation, prestige, and the mission of Assumption University regionally, nationally, and/or internationally.
Supporting documentation to be provided for the Service Award:
2008 – Patrick Corrigan, Associate Professor of Psychology
2010 – Kevin Hickey, Associate Professor of Geography
2011 – Susan Pershbacher, Professor of Sociology
2012 – Joseph Foley, Associate Professor of Business
2013 – Steven Theroux, Professor of Biology
2014 – Robert Ravenelle, Dean of Students
2015 – Joseph Alfano, Associate Professor of Mathematics
2016 – Conway Campbell, Dean of Campus Life
2017 – Susan Scully-Hill, Associate Professor of Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies
2018 – Todd Derderian, Director of Business Services
2020 – Christine Lowthert, Director of Athletics
2023 – Thomas Burke, Media Services Supervisor and Lecturer in Television Arts
2024 – Dr. Jennifer Morrison, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs for Undergraduate Studies, and Mary L. Bresnahan, Assistant Vice President for Student Success
The Award for Excellence in Contribution to the Mission honors a member of the Assumption community whose teaching, scholarship, and service embody the values and spirit of Assumption University. Recipients have demonstrated a consistent commitment to advancing the University’s mission through campus involvement, engagement with the Catholic intellectual tradition, and by living out the charisma of the Augustinians of the Assumption in their professional responsibilities. This award celebrates those individuals who integrate faith, reason, and community in ways that inspire and enrich the University.
The candidate has demonstrated a consistent pattern of excellence contributing toward and enhancing the mission of the University through his/her activities and involvement on campus.
The candidate has demonstrated a consistent pattern of excellence in living out the charisma of the Augustinians of the Assumption in the carrying out of his/her responsibilities on campus.
The faculty candidate has contributed to the exploration of the Catholic intellectual tradition either in courses and/or research.
Supporting documentation to be provided for the Mission Award:
2009 – David Crowley, Associate Professor of Biology
2010 – Neil Castronovo, Dean of Student Development
2011 – Michelle Graveline, Professor of Music
2012 – Fr. Donat Lamothe, Professor of Music
2014 – Amy Logue, Assistant Director of Alumni Relations
2015 – Vincent Sullivan-Jacques, Campus Ministry
2016 – Kathleen Murphy, Dean of Admissions
2017 – Cary LeBlanc, Assistant Professor of Management and Marketing
2018 – Stephanie McCaffrey, Campus Ministry
2019 – Ted Zito, Director of Residential Life
2020 – Esteban Loustaunau, Professor of Spanish
2022 – Lisa Boucher, Director of Student Health Services and Wellness Promotion
2023 – Melanie Demarais, Associate Vice President of University Advancement
2024 – Dr. Eloise Knowlton, Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs for Undergraduate Studies, and Chief Steven B. Carl, Associate Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police
The deadline for receipt of all materials is Friday, September 26, 2025
All materials should be addressed to Rose Caranci in the Office of the President
The Committee shall review the credentials of the nominees and submit its recommendations to the President. The President will then choose the recipients of the awards from those who have been recommended by the Committee.
The recipients of the awards will be notified by the President. The awards presentation event will be on Thursday, November 20, 2025.
Any member of the Assumption community may nominate a colleague for an award.
All full-time faculty, administrators, and staff are eligible to be nominated for an award in each category.
The nominator is responsible for submitting a letter of nomination and the nominee’s CV or equivalent. In addition, the nominator will gather at least three and no more than five supporting letters and submit them along with the other materials by the September 26, 2025, deadline (see specific guidelines for each award category).
Nomination documents must be submitted to the President’s office by the September 26, 2025, deadline to be considered by the committee.
In the case of faculty awards, the nominator should contact the Provost for an endorsement for their candidate. In the case of staff and administrators, the appropriate Vice President should be contacted to submit an endorsement for their candidate.
Nominees from the previous three years will be considered by the Committee. The nominator of previous nominees may submit additional materials in support of the nominee to be reviewed along with the previous year’s materials if desired.
A total of four awards will be presented annually.
Faculty will be eligible for each category. Staff and administrators will be eligible for the awards recognizing service and contributions to the mission.
The Committee will use the following guidelines for making the determinations of the awards:
Immediately following the published deadline, the Chair of the Committee shall convene the Committee to begin the review of the nominations.
It is not required that the Committee award all four categories each year
Nominations received after the deadline shall not be considered.
Nominations with insufficient documentation according to the guidelines shall not be considered.
Committee members shall be given time to review the nominations individually before meeting as a group.
