Global Studies Major Sophia Sawtelle ’21 Recognized with Award in Economics

Sophia Sawtelle ’21 was named the recipient of the 31st Annual George A. Doyle Merit Award for Excellence in Economics or Global Studies. Sawtelle, of Haverhill, is a global studies major with minors in economics and political science. 

The George A. Doyle Merit Award is given annually to a student who emulates the late Assumption Professor George Doyle’s, Ph.D., extraordinary intellect, recognized community service, and potential within their field. The award, which carries a $2,000 prize, was established in 1990 and named for Prof. Doyle, who established the economics and global studies program at Assumption. 

At Assumption, Sawtelle, who chose the University for the small community and plentiful academic opportunities, focused her broad interests through the global studies major, which she said was filled with endless and exciting opportunities. “Global Studies is an interdisciplinary major, so it really let me dip my toes into multiple subjects and find my passions along the way,” she said. “I also found my love for economics, political science, and the environment.”

As a student studying at Classical Academy at Haverhill High School, Sawtelle was devoted countless hours to community service. She led a volunteer initiative collecting and donating clothing from her community for children in the local school, and in 2014, she traveled with the humanitarian travel program People to People as a student ambassador to Italy, Spain, and France, volunteering with local schools for the deaf and blind. 

Sawtelle has continued to sate her passion for traveling while at Assumption, studying at the University’s Rome, Italy, Campus. Her community service endeavors continued through volunteer work at Habitat for Humanity in Worcester and the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in Ipswich. She is actively engaged with several clubs on campus including Greenhounds, PAWS, and the Student Alumni Association, and serves as a student representative for Assumption on the Worcester World Affairs Council.

“I thank Assumption for giving me the opportunity to major in the growing field of global studies,” added Sawtelle. “I have found lifelong friends and a challenging discipline where I can better understand the world and fight for what is right as I find my place as an educated global citizen.”