Outstanding students, employees and organizations were honored Wednesday, April 15, at St. Bonaventure University’s 2026 Student Affairs Spring Awards Ceremony, recognizing their achievements and commitment to the campus community.

2026 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 Ideal honorees will be released following Commencement in May.)

Connor Amendola and Molly Edgington, Ideal Bonaventure Students

Amanda Albert and Benjamin Vitale, 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:

Patrick Schneider: 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. Schneider is the adviser to the club basketball team.

Jalen McDaniel: 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. McDaniel is a member of the Step Team.

Natalie Pronio: 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. Pronio is the ministry coordinator at Mt. Irenaeus.

Janell Clingenpeel and Andrew Belfield: 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. Clingenpeel is an assistant professor of Visual & Performing Arts and the theater technical director; Belfield is an assistant professor of Theology and Franciscan Studies.

Dilenny Fernandez: 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. Fernandez has fostered a true sense of belonging, consistently creating spaces where students feel welcomed, valued and supported

LASO (Latin American Student Organization): 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.

Christy Rodriguez: 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. Rodriguez is president of LASO.

Interfaith Iftar: Program of the Year, presented in recognition of the best program or event held within the last year.

Amisha Khadka: Terry Bickel Student Life Award, presented to the person(s) who has made the most substantial contribution to the area of student life. Khadka is an RA and peer coach and is involved in Empower and the Student Government Association.

Mary Quinn McNaughton: 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

Abigail Docos: 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.

Audney Burnside: 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.

Andrew Fox: 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 Program Awards

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

Luke Hitchcock: Service Leadership Award/Veteran, for exceptional performance while serving as a volunteer/student leader in the St. Bonaventure University Military Aligned Students Program.

Leadership Awards

Luka Galle (winner), Kylee Leonard and Kevin Eberth (honorable mentions): 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.

Ann Tenglund, Hayden Watt, Taryn Mason and Tyler Schott: 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.

Jack Suprenant: 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

Jacob Gutowski: 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. 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.

Montana Geibel: 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.

Zya Degolier: 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.

Henry Quance: 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.

Nicholas Prytko: 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.

Mallory Heise and Gavin Rosswog: 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:

Blair Baptiste, Abigail Docos, Kevin Eberth, Molly Edgington, Molly Gibson, Kylee Leonard, Charlie Hilmey, Katie Lyons, Harry McClain, Mary Quinn McNaughton, Matthew Nicolazzo, Diane Seipp, Jack Shea, Mary Trost, Benjamin Vitale and Hayden Watt.

The following graduating SGA Executive Board members and Chief Justice received SGA Medallions: Benjamin Vitale, Hayden Watt, Mary Quinn McNaughton and Abigail Docos.