fbpx Honoring Academic Excellence | Chestnut Hill College Skip to content Skip to navigation
Menu

Honoring Academic Excellence

Honoring Academic Excellence

Each year, members of the Chestnut Hill College community gather to honor and celebrate the excellence of students from the School of Undergraduate Studies. Students were recognized for their scholarly achievements and inducted into honor societies in various disciplines at the Honors Convocation on April 30.

Abigail Palko, Ph.D., '96, director of the Maxine Platzer Lynn Women's Center at the University of Virginia, offers the Convocation address.Dozens of students were cited and recognized for making the Dean’s list for the spring 2016 and fall 2016 semesters; achieving status on the athletic academic honor roll; receiving departmental honors; and acceptance into the interdisciplinary honors program. Special awards and memorial awards were given to students for outstanding achievement in their disciplines.

President Carol Jean Vale, SSJ, Ph.D., presided over the evening and the Convocation address was given by Abigail Palko, Ph.D., ’96, director of the Maxine Platzer Lynn Women’s Center at the University of Virginia.

Palko’s speech addressed the stellar preparation — for life and for a career — offered at CHC. She encouraged the students to remember and always learn and benefit from the unique attention they received during their time at CHC.

“This level of mentorship takes effort and is a hallmark of CHC,” she said. “It was in these formal and informal drop-ins that I learned my voice mattered.”

She described her path and how she has learned to listen to her voice, honed by her years at CHC, and choose meaningful opportunities, responsibilities and tasks with care. This way, she said, “I have been able to use the talents that God gave me and experiences like my CHC education have nurtured me in a way that brings about the greater good.”

The program concluded with recognition of students for the Dorothea E. Fenton ’28 Memorial Award, which honors a senior known for their interest in others, kindness, friendliness and genuine care for the dear neighbor, and for the Saint Catherine Medal, which honors a sophomore or junior who represents the ideals of a Catholic college education through leadership and service.

Nominations for the former were Giuseppe (Joey) Galantuomo, Andrew Hildebrand, Dorothy Brigid MacArthur-Thompson and Michaiah Young.

Michaiah Young '17, winner of the Dorothea E Fenton '28 Memorial Award, and Andrew Conboy '18, winner of the St. Catherine Medal, join Sister Carol after Convocation.

Michaiah Young ’17 was the winner of the Dorothea E. Fenton award. She has majored in Criminal Justice at CHC and is a standout player on the women’s basketball team and member of the women’s track and field team, where she set the College record in the hammer throw event.

“This award means so much to me. Knowing that I have left a positive impact on this campus means the world to me because this campus and community have left one on my life,” says Young. “I leave here knowing that I have all the tools to succeed and this medal is the icing on the cake.” 

Nominees for the St. Catherine Medal were Andrew Conboy, Megan Malvoisin, Sister Hai Nguyen and Mercy Thurania.

Andrew Conboy ’18, is an Environmental Science major with minors in chemistry and math who is committed to correcting environmental problems through innovative research. He says he is honored to even have been nominated and thrilled that he was chosen to receive this prestigious award.

“Chestnut Hill College has given me countless opportunities to grow and I’m glad that I can use what I have learned to give back to the College community,” says Conboy. “It was a special evening to be surrounded by my friends, family, professors and the Sisters of Saint Joseph. The award really motivates me to continue to do my best in class, in service and in contributing to the College.”

— Brenda Lange, with thanks to Dr. Lakshmi Atchison

Issue:
Posted In: Features