Daemen University honored students involved with various organizations and departments during the annual Student Leadership Awards luncheon on May 4 in the Wick Social Room.
The awards, hosted by the Division of Student Affairs, recognize a student’s leadership, commitment, and contributions beyond academics.
“Each year, as we celebrate the tremendous accomplishments of our students outside the classroom, we recognize how much our student leaders give back to this campus community and how much those experiences contribute to their success when they graduate,” said Dr. Greg Nayor, senior vice president for strategic initiatives.
The 2023 Chris Malik Student Leader of the Year Award was presented to Michelina Ricotta, a sophomore physical therapy major. The award recognizes a student who has exhibited extraordinary efforts and achievements in student life at the college.
Additional awards presented include:
Academic Advisement
- Jacob Cantie, Peer Mentor Award
- Madison Freund, Peer Mentor Award
Admissions Tour Guides
- Derrick Lemon, Outstanding Leader Award
- Adriana Bracy, Student Spotlight Award
Arthur O. Eve HEOP
- Nazjahe Boswell, Outstanding Senior Award
- Milka Ayalew, HEOP TRI Award
Athletic Training Student Association
- Tori Wiedemer, ATSA Leadership Award
Career Services
- Alina Estrella, Career Services Megan Racinowski Intern of the Year
Center for Diversity & Inclusion
- Kim Wiggins, Outstanding Service
- Emily Weaver, Outstanding Service
Delta Phi Mu
- Isabella Cimino, Excellence in Recruitment
- Sabrina Adamson, Academic Excellence
- Alaina Roberts, Academic Excellence
- Ashlyn Claybourn, Delta of the Year
- Robin Yochim, Outstanding Service in Community and Campus Involvement
Esports
- Kenneth Santana, Player of the Year
Global Programs
- Akayla Embry, Trailblazer Award
- Derrick Lemon, Leadership in Study Abroad
- Vivian Romano Huerta, Leadership in International Student & Scholar Services
- Maria De Lourdes Pena Heinen, Leadership in International Student & Scholar Services
Hispanos y Latines Unidos (HLU)
- Chantal Moya, Latina Leader of the Year Award
- Eli Irizarry, Staff Excellence Award
- Dr. Tito Rodriguez, Staff Excellence Award
Institutional Advancement/Student Alumni Ambassadors
- Catherine Robarge, Sarah N. Hartman Outstanding Student Leader Award
Paul A. Saffrin Center for Sustainability and Community Engagement
- Robert Caban, Service Learning Student of the Year
- Antonina Chimento, Service Learning Student of the Year
- Olivia Warrington, Service Learning Student of the Year
- Luca DiRose, Service Learning Student of the Year
- Alyssa Gsell, Service Learning Student of the Year
- Derek Raymond, Service Learning Student of the Year
Residence Life
- Marcelo Astudillo, Graduating RA
- Dan Fogle, Graduating RA
- Derrick Lemon, Graduating RA
- Hilario Caro Muñoz, Graduating RA
- John Bruggman, Graduating RA
- Annika James, Graduate Assistant
- Special Acknowledgement to graduating Graduate Assistant Annika James
Student Activities
- Michelina Ricotta, Chris Malik Student Leader of the Year Award
Student Affairs
- Karen Cash, Unsung Hero Award
Student Government Association
- Courtney Meredith, SGA President for 2022-23
Student Nursing Association
- Victoria Valente, The Lina Rogers Coaching Award
- Olivia Keefe, The Lina Rogers Coaching Award
- Gianna Locicero, The Nightingale Lamp Award
- Cailin Shanahan, The Nightingale Lamp Award
Student Physical Therapy Association
- Katie Bilicki, Student Leadership Award for the PT Class of 2024
- Dalton Matthews, Student Leadership Award for the PT Class of 2025
Student-Athlete Advisory Committee
- Faye Panagopoulos, E-board member
- Marina Maerkl, E-board member
- Loren Alberts, E-board member
- Dominic Clementi, E-board member