Assumption University Students Recognized for Academic Excellence at 42nd Annual Honors Convocation
On April 20, Assumption students were recognized with awards at the 42nd Annual Honors Convocation. During the evening, students were presented with Augustine Scholarships, Departmental Major Awards, Special Awards and Scholarships, and the Donec Formetur Christus Presidential Award. Winners of each of these distinguished awards can be found listed below.
In an opening address, President Greg Weiner spoke about the importance of not only the students’ individual academic achievements, but of their wholistic Assumption journey.
“Today, when we discuss our mission, or the purpose of Catholic liberal education, it can sometimes feel abstract—but you embody that mission,” Weiner said. “While we honor you today for your academic achievement, your greatest accomplishment is that you have already begun to awaken the last sense from our mission statement, and that is purpose.
“You have found that your purpose is not only your discipline itself, but in exploring its interconnections with countless other fields, toward the end of seeking ad contemplating the true, the good, and the beautiful. You have journeyed from wonder to discovery to a sense of purpose in your studies and what you will do with them when you graduate. I hope these are qualities you never let slip away, for there has never been a more powerful moment or need for the Catholic liberal education you exemplify,” he continued.
The guest speaker for the evening was Joseph Manning ’83, member of Assumption’s Board of Trustees who retired last year after serving as an analyst, sales trader, and senior relationship manager to institutional alternative investment clients at Bank of America securities. He also spent 38 years with Merrill Lynch, focusing on risk arbitrage, convertible arbitrage, and equity finance.
Manning reflected on how his Assumption liberal arts education led him to not only a great career, but a great life, emphasizing the importance of the tradition.
“An excellent liberal education not only equips you to make a living, but also lays the groundwork for a fuller, more rewarding life,” he said. “I want to tell you now that the answer to the question of whether a liberal education is worth it is an emphatic ‘yes’. The longer-term prospects of a happy, rewarding life and career are excellent, as you are equipped to adapt and overcome the challenges that lay ahead.”
He spoke about how after he graduated, at each of the roles he took on at different companies, he used the tools given to him at Assumption to succeed and excel.
“In each role, the core liberal arts education and values imbued in me by Assumption were there at the ready,” Manning said. “Those included things like teamwork, accountability, and integrity. The foundations of those values are found at Assumption, and they are integral to all healthy communities.
“Your hard work, grit, adaptability, flexibility, and creativity will serve you well,” he said. “No matter what challenges lay ahead, you will no doubt go on to be engaged, productive citizens, who will be credits to whatever organizations you choose to join.
“Your Assumption education is the most valuable asset you possess. It is the rock upon which you will build your version of a successful, rewarding life,” he concluded.
Following the remarks, the 2026 Honors Convocation Honorees were announced as follows:
Augustine Scholarship
Augustine scholars are students chosen by faculty, staff, and administration that exemplify the Assumption mission. These students are rising juniors and seniors.
Class of 2027 Augustine Scholars
Ella Bradshaw
Nicholas Fall
Meredith Gobron
Dylan Guile
John Harrahy
Kyla Hughes
Arianna Langford
Sean Leary
Isabella Nolan
Ryan Pellechia
Jared Tempesta
Kamryn Vasselin
Rachel Young
Class of 2028 Augustine Scholars
Nikita Akeza Kanamugire
Colleen Finn
Amanda Flanagan
Alison Insogna
Anna Shew
Departmental Major Awards
Chosen by faculty from each of the named departments, seniors who are awarded Departmental Major Awards are among the most meritorious in each major program of study.
Award in Accounting – Keith Mancini
Award in Actuarial Science – Sean Leary
Award in Biology – Maddalynn Bland
Award in Biology with a Concentration in Neuroscience and Behavior – Jeremy Deras
Award in Biotechnology and Molecular Biology – Jaidyn Weiser
Award in Chemistry – Daniel Liberty
Award in Communication and Media – Julia Forest
Award in Criminology – Jaiden Tonucci
Award in Computer Science – Michael Laroche
Award in Cybersecurity – Nathan Avery
Award in Economics – Myles Alcindor
Award in Middle and Secondary Education – Kyle Lee
Award in Elementary Education – Abigail Chase
Award in English – Emily Andrade
Award in Environmental Science – Connor Pillsbury
Award in Finance – James Kannally
Award in Graphic Design – Peyton Leone
Award in Pre-Clinical Health Sciences – Sydney Barber
Award in Health Sciences – Holly Catarius
Award in Health Sciences with a Concentration in Pre-Physical Therapy – Matthew Mendes
Award in History – Madison Prendergast
Award in Human Services – Juliana Buchanan
Award in Human Services with a Concentration in Working with Children and Adolescents in a Community Setting – Meghan McDonough
Award in Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies with a Concentration in Communication Sciences and Disorders – Emily Lebel
Award in Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies with a Concentration in Pre-Occupational Therapy – Sofia Bruno
Award in International Business – Max Fuoco
Award in Management – Isac Williamson
Award in Marketing – Haley Brown
Award in Marketing with a Concentration in Digital Marketing – Alex Houssan
Award in Marketing with a Concentration in Sales – Patrice Dafonte
Award in Mathematics – Charles White
Award in Music – Claire Pastrone
Award in Neuroscience with a Cellular Path – Lia Hollenbeck
Award in Neuroscience with a Psychology Path – Avi Miller
Award in Nursing – Olivia Crawford
Award in Organizational Communication – Mary Stevenson
Award in Philosophy – Anne Bisson Ingersoll
Award in Political Science – Robert Mullins
Award in Psychology – Kiley Fitzgerald
Award in Psychology with a Concentration in Mental Health and Pre-Clinical Counseling – Kaylee Lacomb
Award in Psychology with a Concentration in Child and Adolescent Development – Claire Pastrone
Award in Psychology with a Concentration in Neuroscience of Human Behavior – Axel Gerremo
Award in Sociology – Kelsey Correia
Award in Spanish – Madeline Snow
Award in Theology – Michael Klofft
Special Awards and Scholarships
Ray Marion Award – Jack Devlin & Isac Williamson
George Doyle Award – Trent Sargent
Shirley Thompson Scholarship in the Visual Arts – Katelyn Prive
Eugene W. Byrnes Scholarship in the Natural Sciences – Grace Cashman
Rosalind Franklin Award in Biotechnology – Hala Jaber
Fr. Richard Brunelle Memorial Award in Computer Science – Thomas Lenaerts-Bergmans
W.E.B. DuBois Racial & Ethnic Studies Minor Award – Sharlenis Arias
Luca Pacioli Award for Achievement in Accounting – Kathie Gonzalez
James McCarthy Scholarship – Keith Mancini
Ken Moynihan Award for Excellence in American History – Massimo Sgambati
Paul Ziegler Award for Excellence in European History – Trent Sargent
History and Citizenship Award – Michael O’Brien
Ray Marion Special Award in World History – Ethan Sawyer
Colleen Ritzer Memorial Scholarship – Reiley DeVall
Award for Minor in Italian Studies – Thomas Lenaerts-Bergmans
David L. Christianson Award for the Study of Foreign Languages – Isabella Nolan
Omer and Lauren Boivin Scholarship in French or Foreign Languages – Cameron Felici
Joseph E. Sheerin Merit Prize in the Study of Classical Language and Literatures – Leah Burke
Mary Whiton Calkins Award in Psychology – Lillian Dolan
Award for the Minor in Women’s Studies – Jaiden Tonucci
Community Service Learning Student Award – Madeline Snow
Light the Way Award – Natalie Mollica
Michele and Donald D’Amour Humanitas Award – Anne Bisson Ingersoll
The Donec Formetur Christus Presidential Award
This special award, presented by President Greg Weiner, is granted each year to a Junior or Senior whose life embodies the ideals of an Assumption education. The recipient has pursued in an exemplary manner the goals of Catholic liberal education, engaging in the pursuit of truth by means of both reason and faith, understanding at a deep level the relationship between the intellectual and the spiritual life. In granting this award, the University recognizes the recipient for the contribution he or she has made to the institution and for the witness he or she gives, in both word and deed, to its mission and educational goals.
Michael Klofft