Awards Honor RWU Students' Achievements, Impact on Community

BRISTOL, R.I. – Undergraduate students were honored on May 7 during the annual Student Achievement Awards, a celebration in which students are recognized for their co-curricular achievements and impact on the community. Faculty, staff, and students, and families and friends gathered in the Recreation Center to watch the celebration.

Vice President of Student Life John King opened the ceremony with a few remarks. "In our Division of Student Life Learning Model, we believe that as a result of their experience at RWU, students will meaningfully contribute to thriving and diverse communities," he said. "We identify four learning goals to achieve this educational priority: Self Awareness, Healthy Relationships, Cultural Humility, and Community Engagement. Today, we will celebrate shining examples of students fulfilling these learning outcomes along with academic excellence, civic engagement, and leadership." 

The Awards recognized 65 students for their efforts and dedication. The late Dr. Mark Sawoski, a beloved professor and founding member of the International Relations major at RWU who passed away in March, was also honored at the ceremony.

The Ally for Mental Health Award honors a student who has made decreasing mental health stigma their goal. 

Ally for Mental Health Award
Madeline Jarvis

The Charles J. Kelley Award recognizes a student for outstanding work in health promotion to the RWU community. 

Kelley Health Service Award
Andrea Edwards

The Student Tour Guide of the Year Award and Student Admissions Assistant of the Year Award recognize and commend students who best reflect the mission and philosophy of the Office of Admission. 

Admission Tour Guide of the Year
Andrew Skempris
Kayla Natalo
Makayla DeCesare

Student Admissions Assistant of the Year
Alanna Ryan

The Roger Williams University Sustainability Award recognizes a student who made great strides promoting sustainable practices within our campus community. 

Sustainability Award
Kelsey Wells

The IX Violence Prevention & Sexual Assault Awareness Recognition Award honors students who have worked closely with the Title IX office over the past year. 

Title IX Violence Prevention & Sexual Assault Awareness Recognition Award
Mackenzie Morgenweck

The Club and Organization Members of the Year awards were created to recognize the efforts of Club and Organization members who continuously went above and beyond their duties. 

Outstanding Club Member of the Year
Riley Clyde
Andrew Skempris

Outstanding Organization Member of the Year
Mariam Sanusi
Jordan St. Onge

The James R. Russo award is given annually by the Department of Athletics to senior student-athletes who have the highest grade point averages. 

James R. Russo Award for Athletic Academic Excellence
Dalton Sousa
Katherine Pickard

Class Awards honor students of each class year who live out the mission of the University and their love of the community through service to the University. 

Class Engagement Awards Class of 2022
Liam Nugent
Emma Smith
Samuel Avila
Casey Knight
Adam Zerman

Class Engagement Awards Class of 2023
Dominion Emmanuel
Nick Cristante
Jenna Kehoe
Jeraldyn Ramirez

Class Engagement Awards Class of 2024
Hannah Patalsky
Joshua Ongera
Gianna Todaro

Class Engagement Awards Class of 2025
Zoey Cormican
Waldino Joseph
Mackenzie Morgenweck
Daniel Fontana

The Intercultural Center Values and Service Award honors students who have demonstrated sustained commitment to the values of the Intercultural Center initiatives through their engagement and service. 

Intercultural Center Values & Service Award
Eliana Treviño
Cata Jimenez

The Resident Assistant of the Year Award is given to an outstanding staff member who goes above and beyond their responsibilities. 

Resident Assistant of the Year
Samantha Zarcone 

The Peer Mentor of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding Peer Mentor who demonstrated commitment, reliability, professionalism, and enthusiasm throughout the year. 

Peer Mentor of the Year
Caitlin Tavares

The International Student Leadership Award was created to recognize a student for their dedication and commitment to campus internationalization and international engagement. 

International Student Leadership Award
Wakana Kaneko

The Melissa Carrasquillo Award for Intercultural Citizenship is awarded to a graduating senior who demonstrated exceptional commitment to social justice and inclusion. 

Melissa Carrasquillo Award for Intercultural Citizenship
Grayson Scanlon
Melisa Calvo Vides
Samuel Avila

For the past several years, the Student Senate gives just over $10,000 in scholarships to our students. 

The Student Senate has established the Activism Scholarship with the desire to assist students excelling in academics and are meaningfully engaged in co-curricular activities.

Student Senate Activism Scholarships
Ainsley Iovanna $2,000
Andrea Arriaga Cota $1,000
Nikki Rosa $1,000

The Student Senate has established the Academic Achievement Scholarship with the desire to assist students who are intensely engaged in academics at Roger Williams University.

Student Senate Academic Achievement Scholarships
Rameesa Wajid $2,000
Samantha Papcun $1,000
Joshua Sears $1,000

New this year, the Student Senate established the Academic Resource Scholarships with the desire to assist students who are intensely engaged in academics at Roger Williams University. One winner was selected from each academic school and awarded a $500 textbook scholarship to the school bookstore.

Student Senate Academic Resource Scholarship
Nicole Kowalewski, School of Humanities & Education
Emma Dunn, School of Social & Natural Sciences
Isaish Saint-Vil, Gabelli School of Business
Erin LoMonaco, School of Architecture, Art & Historic Preservation
Jarielys Polonio, School of Justice Studies
Daniel Fontana, School of Engineering, Computing & Construction Management

The Dr. Mark Gould Award for Commitment to Student Learning is sponsored by the Roger Williams University Student Senate. This award was renamed to commemorate the late Dr. Mark Gould and recognizes faculty members who are excellent educators. 

Dr. Mark Gould Commitment to Student Learning Award
The late Dr. Mark Sawoski 

The Lt. Charles A. Henderson, USN '99 Spirit Award includes a monetary award in memory of Lt. Charles A. Henderson III USN '99. It is awarded to a graduating senior with graduate school aspirations who best and most consistently demonstrates the embodiment of a true scholar. 

Lt. Charles A. Henderson Scholarship for Outstanding Tutor in Writing
Madeline Jarvis

Lt. Charles A. Henderson Scholarship for Outstanding Tutor in Math
Julia Dwyer

Lt. Charles A. Henderson Scholarship for Outstanding Tutor in Science
Hannah Sterling

Lt. Charles A. Henderson Spirit Scholarship
Carlos Ferman

The Dr. J. Harold G. Way Scholarship Award was established in memory of Dr. Harold Way, former University faculty member from 1969 to 1974. This award is based upon a student's strong academic standing and their contribution to the University community. 

Dr. J. Harold G. Way Scholarship Award
Sophie Speliopoulos

The Karen R. Haskell Senior Leadership Award is named for former Dean of Students, Dr. Karen Haskell, who fully embraced sustained student leadership and engagement in the campus community. 

Karen R. Haskell Senior Leadership Award
Alexandra Defabritiis
Christian Thomas
Natalie Delgado
Zachary Corey

The President's Core Values Medallion recognizes graduating seniors who best exemplify the core values of the institution. 

President's Core Values Medallion 
Michelle Desiata
Jade Sanchez
Hannah Darling
Luke Wassel
Melisa Calvo Vides
Courtney Garrity
Amanda Neff
Isaiah Barrientos
Kate Gilbert
Samuel Avila
Jason Regan
Mackenzie Clapp
Camila Uriona Gambo