Saint Vincent College students, faculty recognized at 2024 Spring Honors Convocation

LATROBE, PA - Saint Vincent College presented awards to its faculty, administrators and graduating students during the 2024 Spring Honors Convocation Wednesday afternoon in the historic Saint Vincent Archabbey Basilica.

Daniel Lynch, C'89, founder and managing partner of The Lynch Law Group, delivered the convocation address.

Father Paul R. Taylor, O.S.B., president of Saint Vincent College, presented Olivia L. Persin with the 50^th annual President's Award, the College's highest student honor. The award is given to the member of the graduating class who best embodies SVC's Catholic, Benedictine and liberal arts values of academic achievement, leadership and community service. A native of Greensburg, Persin is triple majoring in mathematics, computer science and data science.

Finalists for the President's Award were Delaney R. Fox, a political science major, of Finleyville; Alyson E. Frank, a mathematics major, of Allison Park; Helen E. Kish, a mechanical engineering and psychology double major; of Pittsburgh; and Bridgette Gorg, an environmental science major, of Warrenton, VA.

Faculty honorees were Dr. Sara E. Lindey, professor of English and English Department chair in the School of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences (AHSS), who won the Boniface Wimmer Faculty Award; Dr. Lucas Briola, C'13, assistant professor of theology in AHSS, who won the Quentin Schaut Faculty Award; Dr. Nicholas M. Racculia, C'00, professor of business administration and Finance and Accounting Department chair in the Alex. G. McKenna School of Business, Economics and Government, who won the Student Government Association (SGA) Faculty Award. Dr. Anthony Kane, Jr., vice president of student affairs and dean of students, was presented with the SGA Administrator Award.

Sr. Gabriele Auša Vasiliauskaitė, O.S.B., Ph.D., was honored as the Stephans Family Benedictine Visiting Professor. She was presented by John T. Delaney, vice president for academic affairs.

Br. James Raber, O.S.B., received the Honorable Judge Bernard Scherer Award from Rev. Edward Mazich, O.S.B.

SGA president Jacob Devlin presented the awards to Racculia and Kane. Devlin also presented the SGA Senior Awards to Alyson E. Frank, Austin J. Tirpak, Bridget G. Doyle, Christian J. Ciercierski and Vincent A. Lombardi.

Perpetua V. Fischer received the Class of 1968 Father Ronald R. Gorka Scholarship Award. The John and Theresa Ragan Poetry Award was presented top Julia C. Hogan by Ms. Mallory Truckenmiller Saylo, C'19, assistant professor of English and director of the Writing Center.

Awards for Academic Excellence in the Major Field of Study, which recognize graduating students with the highest grade-point average in each program of study, were awarded to the following:

• Accounting: Sister Donatha N. Gerard
• Anthropology: Bridget G. Doyle
• Biochemistry: Christian J. Ciecierski
• Biology: Nicholas J. Helsel
• Business Administration: Dalton Nicklow
• Business Economics: Zichen Zhu
• Chemistry: Nicholos A. Benson
• Communication: Alana R. Winkler
• Computer Science: Graham I. Shotts
• Counselor Education (graduate program): Christopher B. Rose
• Criminology (graduate program): Emily L. Turner
• Criminology, Law and Society: Theresa C. Fletcher
• Curriculum and Instruction (graduate program): Morgan A. Constantino
• Cybersecurity: Roman Morasco
• Data Science: Olivia L. Persin
• Digital Art and Media: Donovan P. Baxter
• Early Childhood Education, Prek-4: Katherine A. Leonard
• Economics and Mathematics: Matias Bugallo
• Educational Leadership (graduate program): Nicholas DeFrancesco
• Engineering: David M. Bujdos
• English: Sophie E. Neubert
• Environmental Science: Bridgette Gorg
• Finance: Rachel E. Miller
• Health and Physical Education: Luciana F. Polk
• Heath Science: Jeremy M. Kreuzwieser
• History: Joel A. Martirano
• Information Systems: Thomas J. Krusinski
• Instructional Design and Technology (graduate program): Bridget A. Canzonieri
• Management: Evan M. Rega
• Marketing: Alexa R. Brothers
• Mathematics: Zachary Choby
• Mathematics/Engineering: Braden D. Rankin
• Middle Grade Education: Azalynn C. Coblentz
• Music Performance: Margaret Sullivan
• Nursing: Wesley D. Buhite
• Philosophy: Peter Feng
• Philosophy and Theology: Parker K. Bowser
• Physics: Samuel J. Bringman
• Political Science: Delaney P. Fox
• Psychology: Helen E. Kish
• Secondary Education: Zachary Choby
• Sociology: Alexander C. Hancher
• Sports Management: Adam R. Bosco
• Studio Art: Lauren M. Turkovich
• Theology: Garrett S. Miller

The following students received special citations and awards for academic excellence in a certification area:

• Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs: Raymond J. Kenna, Jr.
• Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants: Taylor R. Sheesley

The following students received A.J. Palumbo Student Research Endowment Fund Awards:

• Lauren B. Bash
• Ariel D. Beard
• Nicholos A. Benson
• Samuel J. Bringman
• Evan M. Brozenich
• Sarah M. Burger
• Olivia E. Carr
• Nicholas W. Carter
• Kendall M. Castor
• Jacob D. Chadwick
• Azalynn C. Coblentz
• David Collins
• Elizabeth G. Crockett
• Bridget G. Doyle
• Sofia Felbaum
• Joshua A. Hartner
• Julia C. Hogan
• Payton E. Hrehovchak
• Leo S. Iacovangelo
• Anna Kozemchok
• Zachary J. Kuvinka
• Brian S. Lee
• Lydia M. Lieb
• Jedidiah J. Lingenfelter
• Kyra E. Lipetzky
• Julianna E. Lott
• Ethan G. McClain
• Celia M. Monroy
• Kristin P. Neeley
• Brennen T. Novotney
• Emma C. Palombia
• Luke G. Phillis
• Victoria Sarver
• Sam O. Snyder
• Abigail A. Skundrich
• J'Shawn D. Taylor
• Louisa M. Tiriobo
• Matthew S. Vanden Berk
• Elizabeth G. Van Pilsum
• Coty M. Walters
• Emma K. Zappone

The Elizabeth and Tom Andreoli Traveling Scholar awardees were Zoey E. Baran, Noah R. Lukowsky and Gabrielle R. Milcoff.

PHOTO: Fr. Paul Taylor, O.S.B., president of Saint Vincent College, applauds the finalists for the 50^th annual President's Award during the 2024 Honors Convocation.