Michelle Onofrio of West Haven, Connecticut, and Trevor North of Westfield, New York, have been named St. Bonaventure University’s Ideal Bonaventure Students for the Class of 2020.

The Ideal Bonaventure Students exemplify the spirit of St. Bonaventure and the ideals of St. Francis through community service and academic excellence. They are selected by a committee that considers nominations from the campus community.

Onofrio is graduating summa cum laude as a double major in music and psychology. North is graduating magna cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in political science. The university is conferring degrees this Sunday (May 17).

The Ideal Student honorary mentions are sport studies major Charity Hammond from Hamden, Connecticut, who is graduating cum laude, and Cameron Hurst of Jamestown, New York, who completed degrees in journalism and music, summa cum laude, in December 2019.

Michelle Onofrio’s devotion to the university and the spirit that it embodies has taken several forms throughout her college career. She has been a student ambassador, giving campus tours to prospective students and their parents, and a student coordinator for Mountain on the Road, where she brings her faith and love for Mt. Irenaeus all over the country, serving as an ambassador for Bona’s and for the mountain.

She has also been active in College Choir, Chamber Singers, Music Ministry, SBU for Life, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Mountain Community Leaders, and Psi Chi, the national Psychology Honor Society.

Monica Emery, director of Volunteer Relations and Events in the Office of Admissions at the university, watched Onofrio “share her home and heart in her own unique way” on campus tours. Emery was Onofrio’s supervisor as a student ambassador, but she has seen Onofrio’s leadership and dedication in all aspects of her college experience.

“I have had the pleasure of attending several concerts by our music program in which Michelle participated. The joy she expressed while singing and playing were obvious and genuine. Though Michelle certainly works hard to hone her musical skills, as a person of tremendous faith she truly sees her passion and talent for music as gifts from God. She recognizes sharing herself and her talent with others is a way to honor Him,” Emery said.

Onofrio’s eagerness to get involved and work with others makes her stand out, said Dr. Althea Need Kaminske, associate professor of psychology, who was Onofrio’s professor and research adviser in the Center for Attention, Learning and Memory.

“Over the last three years, Michelle has been involved in a variety of roles in the lab. She has worked her way up from being a research assistant to project leader, who trains other research assistants and helps manage the day-to-day operations of data collection,” Kaminske said.

Onofrio has distinguished herself as a scholar and secured acceptance to the Clinical Mental Health Counseling master’s program at Fairfield University.

The Richter Recreation Center was a second home to Trevor North during his time on campus.

Active in club sports and intramurals, North was a member of the men’s club volleyball and soccer teams and intramural basketball, soccer and volleyball teams.

Rob DeFazio, director of the Center for Activities, Recreation and Leadership and the Richter Recreation Center, said North is a very high energy person with the ability to move from event to event without slowing down. 

North, who minored in law & society and philosophy, was active on the SBU Mock Trial team, serving as president the past year. He also offered counsel on SBU constitution conflicts to the Student Government Association as its associate justice for two years and as chief justice his senior year.

In addition, North has been a member of the Orientation Team, Black Student Union, Spectrum, College Democrats, and served as a Peer Coach leader, Student Admissions Ambassador, and Warming House volunteer.

“Trevor is a student easily recognized by his peers as a leader who carries out the idea of what a Bonaventure student should be,” said DeFazio.

North’s drive, determination and friendliness is infectious, say several classmates who nominated him for the award, describing him as a considerate teammate and patient leader.

Margot Hickey, coordinator of Intramural, Recreation & Club Sports, said North is also quick to volunteer to help others in need. He was a coordinator for Bona Buddies and was one of the students to start and organize the new food pantry on campus.

North plans to attend Duquesne University School of Law in Pittsburgh this fall.

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About the University: The nation’s first Franciscan university, we believe in the goodness of every person and in the ability of every person to do extraordinary things. St. Bonaventure University cultivates graduates who are confident and creative communicators, collaborative leaders and team members, and innovative problem solvers who are respectful of themselves, others, and the diverse world around them. Named the #1 regional university value in New York and #2 in the North by U.S. News and World Report, we are establishing pathways to internships, graduate schools and careers in the context of our renowned liberal arts tradition.