View an album of photos of the award winners

A number of St. Bonaventure University community members and organizations were recognized for their accomplishments and dedication to the university community during the 2025 Student Affairs Spring Awards Ceremony on April 23.

2025 Ideal Bonaventure Students

Annually selected are two graduating students and two runners-up who most exemplify the spirit of St. Bonaventure and the ideals of St. Francis through their demonstrated commitment to community service and academic excellence throughout their undergraduate time at Bona’s. This highest honor and treasured tradition celebrates the wonderful character of the St. Bonaventure graduate. (A detailed story on the honorees will be released on Commencement Sunday.)

Anas Alami-Sounni and Aahana Kidambi, Ideal Bonaventure Students

Allie Beamish and Tessa Fabiniak, Ideal Bonaventure Students (honorable mention)

Fr. Joe Doino, O.F.M., Awards

The following people are winners of Fr. Joe Doino, O.F.M., Awards, which honor individuals, programs and organizations that have made significant contributions to the university community during the past academic year:

Dr. Daekyun Oh: Fr. Bob Stewart, O.F.M. Advisor/Moderator of the Year, presented to the faculty or staff member(s) who voluntarily gave the most time and dedication to the organization they serve as adviser, moderator or chaplain. Oh, an assistant professor of Physical Education, is the adviser to the club tennis team.

Pat McGreal and Silver Wolves: Donald L. Korben Community Service Award, presented to the group/student who has gone “beyond the call of duty” in volunteering their service to the university and/or surrounding communities. Silvers Wolves is an outreach ministry that provides companionship to elderly residents in the Olean area.

Rob DeFazio: Fr. Gervase White O.F.M. Staff Person of the Year, presented to a St. Bonaventure employee who has gone out of their way, especially in aiding students and enhancing student life on campus. DeFazio is dean of students at the university.

Dr. Jeffrey Allen: Leo E. Keenan Jr. Faculty Appreciation Award, presented to the faculty member who most exemplifies a genuine commitment to human betterment through the acquisition of knowledge; who is guided in their daily life by a deep sensitivity and gentle understanding of differences; and who reflects in their relationships with students an enduring optimism. Allen is an assistant professor in the departments of Public Health and Health Science.

Kendra Jeffrey: Margaret T. Bryner Award, given in recognition of positive actions by a group or individual(s) in support of diversity and multicultural initiatives on the St. Bonaventure campus. Jeffrey is co-president of the STEP Team.

SBU Power Yoga: Organization/Club of the Year, presented to the organization or club that has demonstrated a commitment to St. Bonaventure University through its activities and has added to student life.

Samay Saxena: Dennis R. DePerro Student Leader of the Year, presented to the top leader of a campus organization who has shown exemplary leadership abilities in guiding their organization to success. Saxena is president of the ASIA and spikeball clubs.

SBU Dance Team’s Fall 2024 Show: Program of the Year, presented in recognition of the best program or event held within the last year.

Carter Black and Keyara Wingate: Terry Bickel Student Life Award, presented to the person(s) who has made the most substantial contribution to the area of student life. Black and Wingate served as co-coordinators for the SBU Orientation team during the summer of 2024.

Maura Bleech: Heather Lohr SGA Member of the Year, an award for a Student Government Association member in honor of 1994 graduate Heather Lohr, a former management and academic delegate who died after an extended illness. Lohr brought renewed professionalism to her positions, in which she showed selflessness and a willingness to help.

University Ministries Awards

Aidan Boyle: FCSC Student of the Year, presented to the student whose dedication and commitment most exemplifies the mission and ministry of the Franciscan Center for Social Concern.

James Fitzmaurice: Ryan Realbuto Mt. Irenaeus Student of the Year, presented to the student whose dedication and commitment most exemplifies the mission and ministry of Mt. Irenaeus.

Bridget Casey: San Damiano Student of the Year, presented to the student leader who gave the most time and dedication to support the mission, ministry and programming of the San Damiano Center for Pastoral & Liturgical Ministries. 

Military Aligned Student Program Awards

Shane Lehman, Karena Recrosio: Service Leadership Award/Student, for exceptional performance while serving as a volunteer/student leader in the St. Bonaventure University Military Aligned Students Program.

Leadership Awards

Natalie Merrill and Nora Marriner: The EMPOWER Award, given to one or more students who demonstrate leadership and initiative in supporting the goals of EMPOWER, a student peer prevention educator group that aims to educate the campus community on sexual assault, dating, domestic violence, and stalking.

Abigail Docos: Can Do Award, given to a student/staff who makes SBU a positive place because of their willingness to take on whatever needs to be done, without hesitation or reservation – they are “doers” of SBU. Docos is the Student Government Association chief justice.

Annika Spitzer: Living Leadership Award, presented by the Freshman Leadership Program Chapter of the National Society of Leadership & Success (Sigma Alpha Pi) to an SBU Community member who exemplifies inclusive leadership, provides meaningful discussion and has made a lasting impact on SBU students.

Residence Life Awards

Emily Piwko: RA Senior Achievement Award, given to a graduating resident assistant with at least two or more years of service to Residence Life who has made exceptional contributions to their residential community through program development, addressing student needs, and leadership through crisis response, etc. This individual also actively supported peer staff through mentorship, guidance, and training of team members in both an individual and group dynamic. This is the highest honor a graduating resident assistant can achieve.

Jezerae Fayson: RA Rookie of the Year Award, given to a first-year resident assistant who has demonstrated exceptional contributions to their residential community through program development, addressing student needs, and leadership through crisis response.

Bonaventure Values Awards

The SBU Values Awards honor first-year and sophomore students who best exemplify the university’s core values of community, compassion, integrity and wisdom.

Jack Suprenant: Community, presented to the student who demonstrates a commitment of fostering an inclusive community that values diversity, mutual respect and the creation of a true sense of belonging.

Montana Geilbel: Compassion, presented to the student who shares God’s unconditional love, particularly with those on the margins of society: those in need, the ignored, and the excluded.

Amisha Khadka: Integrity, presented in recognition of the student who accepts responsibility for their actions and whose relationships are based on respect for the dignity of others, honesty, and transparency.

Nolan Tormey: Wisdom, presented to the student who demonstrates that an education is transformative of the whole person, concerned not only with intellect, but also with the will, the heart, and the body.

In addition to the presentation of awards, SGA seniors received their cords for graduation: Aahana Kidambi, Aidan Boyle, Maura Bleech, Kristen Kessler, Maygha Chaudhuri, Carter Black, Josh Harbison, Emily Drain, Aidan Hart, Shane Lehman and Allie Beamish.

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About the University: The nation’s first Franciscan university, St. Bonaventure is a community committed to transforming the lives of its students inside and outside the classroom, inspiring in them a commitment to academic excellence and lifelong civic engagement. Out of 167 regional universities in the North, St. Bonaventure was ranked #6 for value and #14 for innovation by U.S. News and World Report (2024).