Apr 11, 2024
A number of St. Bonaventure University community members and organizations were recognized for their accomplishments and dedication to the university community during the 2024 Fr. Joe Doino, O.F.M., and Student Life Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, April 10.
2024 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.)
Tharini Nagarkar and Connor Raine, Ideal Bonaventure Students
Angela Lagrou and Richard Williams, Ideal Bonaventure Students (honorable mention)
University Ministries Awards
Walter Kinder: 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.
Jenna Langley: 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.
Shannon Heinig and Luke Vredenburg: 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.
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. Paula Scraba: 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 advisor, moderator or chaplain. Scraba is the adviser to the Physical Activity Club and chaplain to several athletics teams.
Her Campus and Bona Buddies: 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.
Casey Bucher: 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. Bucher is a residence director at the university.
Dr. Tracy Schrems: 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. Schrems is an assistant professor of adolescence education.
The Equity Institute and Peer Educators Jaeline Valdez and Amrita Oberoi: 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. Jessica Foskolos is the Equity Institute coordinator.
SBU Step Team, SPECTRUM, and the women’s rugby team: 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.
Aidan Boyle and Tessa Fabiniak: 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. Boyle is the head coordinator of Bona Buddies. Fabiniak is chief of MERT.
The SBU Step Team’s Black History Showcase: Program of the Year, presented in recognition of the best program or event held within the last year.
Jenna Keppel: Terry Bickel Student Life Award, presented to the person(s) who has made the most substantial contribution to the area of student life. Keppel is assistant director for Student Activities Programming and Engagement.
Shane Lehman and Kishan Patel: 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.
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.
Conor Amendola and Aaliyah Foskolos: 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.
Alexis Serio: 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.
Emma Gavazzi: 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.
Luka Galle: 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.
Leadership Awards
Tatum Stitzel: 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.
Tara Zak and Faith Gworek: 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. Zak and Gworek are advisers of the Step Team. Zak is the executive assistant to the president; Gworek is an integrated marketing specialist.
Jessica Foskolos: Living Leadership Award, presented by the Freshman Leadership Program Chapter of the National Society of Leadership & Success (Sigma Alpha Pi) to a staff/faculty member who exemplifies inclusive leadership, provides meaningful discussion and has made a lasting impact on SBU students. Foskolos is coordinator of the Equity Institute.
Residence Life Awards
Alicia Maxwell: 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.
Landon Washburn: 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.
Military Aligned Student Program Awards
Greg Outman: Service Leadership Award/Veteran, for exceptional performance while serving as a volunteer/student-veteran leader in the St. Bonaventure University Military Aligned Students Program.
Kristana Ferguson: Service Leadership Award/Student, for exceptional performance while serving as a volunteer/student leader in the St. Bonaventure University Military Aligned Students Program.
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About the University: The nation’s first Franciscan university, St. Bonaventure University is a community committed to transforming the lives of our students inside and outside the classroom, inspiring in them a lifelong commitment to service and citizenship. 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).