Graduating students receive Excellence in Student Life Awards

Rochester Institute of Technology students who graduated last week were recognized for their high academic achievement and leadership with an Excellence in Student Life Award.

RIT has been honoring students for this award since 1964 as a way to recognize students who were able to find the balance between academic success and student engagement.

Students have been selected for this honor based upon having GPAs over 3.4 and holding significant leadership positions within RIT-related activities. More than 100 applications were received, with 38 being selected. These applications came from across the RIT colleges and include five recipients from RIT’s global campuses.

“I know our students are exceptional, and these students demonstrate their different contributions to their academics, club and leadership opportunities and the lasting mark they make here at RIT,” said Ericka Smith-Schubart, associate director of Residence Life, who reviewed the nominations.

“Along with being impressive scholars, Tigers are engaged in important leadership activities on campus and in our broader community,” said Karen (Ren) Van Meenen, senior lecturer in the Department of English and an Excellence in Student Life committee member. “Their impact during their time here at RIT is vast and will no doubt stretch into their future endeavors."

The awarded students will receive a certificate and medal, and their names will be added to plaques in the Student Alumni Union:

• Matthew Altobelli, a psychology major from Rochester, N.Y.
• Alex Atwater, a software engineering major from East Longmeadow, Mass.
• Peter Bilzerian, a management information systems major from Holden, Mass.
• Omkar Borse, a mechanical engineering major from Essex Junction, Vt.
• Nicole Cavanaugh, a biotechnology major from Buffalo, N.Y.
• Alaina Celeste, a mechanical engineering major from Rochester, N.Y.
• Jessica Chellino, a physician assistant major from Depew, N.Y.
• Matt Collins, a finance major from Rochester, N.Y.
• Tim Coon, a software engineering major from Rochester, N.Y.
• Andrew Eberhard, an electrical engineering major from Endicott, N.Y.
• Grace Fiacco, a physics major from Lewiston, N.Y.
• Paul Galatic, a computer science major from Pittsburgh, Pa.
• Gianna Galluzzo, a physician assistant major from East Amherst, N.Y.
• Zachary Geffert, a biomedical engineering major from Oxford, Conn.
• Dan Giaime, a game design and development major, from Melville, N.Y.
• Amelia Hamilton, a visual media major from Austin, Tex.
• Danielle Hotz, an industrial engineering major from Drexel Hill, Pa.
• Ioana Ifrim, an international business major from Zagreb, Croatia.
• Ibrahim Jetullahi, an applied arts and sciences major from Kosovo.
• Hye Joon Kim Kim, a chemical engineering major from Guatemala.
• Elizabeth Kuhl, a biomedical engineering major from Williamson, N.Y.
• Jaycee Masucci, a new media design major from Webster, N.Y.
• Carolyn McGowan, a biomedical sciences major from Geneva, N.Y.
• Morgan Mistysyn, an industrial engineering major from Gouldsboro, Pa.
• Ira Palaioudi, an international business major from Dubai.
• Bryan Quinn, a software engineering major from State College, Pa.
• Courtney Richardson, a physician assistant major from Fairport, N.Y.
• Ryan Roy, an ASL-English interpretation major from Wilton, Maine.
• Jennifer Schaffer, an industrial design major from Randolph, N.J.
• Naia Scott, a computer engineering major from Brooklyn, N.Y.
• William Seifried, a chemical engineering major from Springfield, Pa.
• Belma Sokolovic, a hospitality and tourism management major, from Dubrovnik, Croatia.
• KayLee Steiner, a biotechnology major from Jamesville, N.Y.
• Abigail My Tran, a software engineering major from Vietnam.
• Joseph Urbano, a chemical engineering major from Cheshire, Conn.
• Laura Weintraub, a computing security major from Syosset, N.Y.
• Gerta Ymeri, an applied arts and sciences major from Kosovo.
• Jiaboa Zhu, a management information systems major from China.

Other RIT staff members who reviewed the awards included: Bethany Marren from Athletics; Hillary McCormick from Academic Advising; James Macchiano from the Multicultural Center for Academic Success; Kelly Gosa from RIT Dubai Student Affairs; Kelly Kamish from the Center for Women and Gender; Kerry Foxx from Leadership and Civic Engagement; and Nicole Boulais, associate vice president for Student Affairs.