Honors Convocation & Commencement Awards 2005

Commencement Prizes

The following students were recognized for their achievements during the 137th annual Commencement ceremonies held on Saturday, May 28, 2005.

THE PRESIDENTIAL LEADERSHIP AWARD

The Presidential Leadership Award is given annually to a student who has demonstrated outstanding initiative and responsibility in service to this community. 

AWARDED TO:  PATRICIA CASTRO-VEGA ’05 
 

KOCH PRIZE FOR THE BEST SENIOR RESEARCH PAPER

This prize was established and endowed in 1953 by Albert and Ruth Koch, parents of Elizabeth Koch Darlington ’35. The Koch Prize Committee reads senior essays representing the fields of English, European studies, French, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Religion, Russian studies, Sociology, and Spanish.

AWARDED TO:  Jin Joo Yun '05
 

THE FRANCES TARLTON FARENTHOLD LEADERSHIP AWARD

The Frances Tarlton Farenthold Leadership Award was established in 1980 by friends of the Wells faculty in honor of former President Farenthold who served from 1976 to 1980. The award was endowed in 1985 and is made each year to a senior who has consistently demonstrated qualities of commitment and service in the campus community and in the wider world. 

AWARDED TO:  NICOLE PELLEGRINO ’05 
 

Honors Convocation

Students, faculty, and staff members who have excelled in academics, leadership, the arts, service, or on the athletic field are recognized each year at Wells’ Honors Convocation. In the early days, prizes and awards were given during May Day festivities and at Commencement ceremonies. As part of its centennial celebration, the College combined elements of these events and held its first Honors Convocation in May 1968. Today, the College presents 40 awards annually; 23 of them are endowed. 

The following students were recognized for their achievements at the 37th annual Honors Convocation, held on Wednesday, May 11, 2005 in Phipps Auditorium.
 

KATE CLUGSTON PRIZE IN THEATER 

Awarded annually to a member of the senior class who, apart from on-stage performance, has made an outstanding contribution to the theatre at Wells College, either by one striking achievement or through continuous dedication.

AWARDED TO: ZOE MALINCHOC ’05 and LAUREN NOYES ’05
 

THEATRE/DANCE PRIZE FOR CHOREOGRAPHY

Awarded to a senior who has distinguished herself in the creative, teaching and performing facets of choreography.

AWARDED TO: MICHELLE RAY ’05 and WHITNEY SAMPSON ’05
 

CAROL STULL PRIZE FOR DANCE PERFORMANCE

Awarded to a graduating senior who has excelled in dance performance, both in technical accomplishment and expressive range. 

AWARDED TO: A senior Foreign Languages major from Vermont*
 

ANNE REESE PUGH PRIZE

Awarded to the member of the Junior or Senior Class who is recommended by the faculty in French and Foreign Languages and Literatures as having acquired, in at least three years of advanced work in the department, the most thorough knowledge of the French language, and the greatest proficiency in its use.

AWARDED TO: ANNA GRACE SCHURMAN ’05
 

FLEISSNER GERMAN PRIZE

Awarded to the student who has acquired the greatest knowledge of the German language and literature in at least two years of college work in German.

AWARDED TO: A senior Foreign Languages major from Vermont*
 

CARTER A. WOODS PRIZE 

Awarded to that member of the graduating class, majoring in sociology, whose actions most typify the ideals and scholarship of Mr. Woods in his 41 years at Wells College.

AWARDED TO: ARIEL MERKEL ’05 and also to a senior Sociology/Anthropology major from Senegal*
 

EDWIN B. MORGAN PRIZE

Awarded to the student who has acquired the greatest knowledge of the Spanish language in at least two years of college work in Spanish.

AWARDED TO: HEATHER MEAD ’06
 

M. HELENA ZACHOS PRIZE

Awarded to the student who has submitted the best English prose written during the year.

AWARDED TO: HANNAH SALOMON ’05 for her story “Cluster Flies”

HONORABLE MENTION: KRISTIN JACQUES ’07 for her story “Waking” 
 

CLASS OF 1905 PRIZE IN POETRY

Awarded for the best poem or poems written by an undergraduate during the year.

AWARDED TO: KRISTIN JACQUES ’07 and HANNAH SALOMON ’05

HONORABLE MENTION:  JILL PARSONS ’05
 

CATHERINE B. DePAU PRIZE (ACADEMY OF AMERICAN POETS) 

Awarded for the best poem or group of poems submitted by a student. 

FIRST PLACE:        HANNAH SALOMON ’05
SECOND PLACE: DOROTHY BITTNER ’06
 

ONYX PRIZE IN STUDENT JOURNALISM

Awarded to the member of the newspaper staff who has made the most outstanding contribution to the Wells community through her journalistic writing.

AWARDED TO: SARAH ALEXANDER ’06
 

JULIA TAYLOR MARTIN PRIZE IN AMERICAN HISTORY 

Awarded to the student who, during the college year, has submitted a superior essay within the field of American History.

AWARDED TO: FAHERTY NIELSEN ’06 for her paper “The Inherent Racism of Vietnam:     The Logic Behind the Extension of the Civil Rights Movement into the Anti-War Movement”
 

THE HISTORY/POLITICAL SCIENCE PRIZE 

Awarded to that student of high standing in history or political science who has shown the greatest ability to use her training in promoting the intellectual and social life of the College, as well as the greatest promise of usefulness in the future.

AWARDED TO: JULIA WEISS ’05
 

WALL STREET JOURNAL AWARD 

Awarded each year for excellence in work in economics and the Corporate Affiliates Investment Fund.

AWARDED TO: NDEYE MAIMOUNA FALL ’05 
 

THOMAS KNUTH INTERNATIONAL STUDIES PRIZE 

Awarded to that member of the graduating class who has demonstrated both academic excellence in the area of international studies, and commitment to the improvement of international understanding.

AWARDED TO: ANNA GRACE SCHURMAN ’05
 

JEAN S. DAVIS PRIZE 

Awarded to that member of the graduating class, majoring in either economics or sociology, who has shown both the fine understanding of facts, and the social implication of the subject involved, so characteristic of Miss Davis.

AWARDED TO: RALEIGH BROWNING ’05 and PATRICIA CASTRO-VEGA ’05
 

MARGARET SCHWARTZ PSYCHOLOGY PRIZE 

Awarded to that member of the graduating class who has demonstrated consistent excellence in her work in psychology.

AWARDED TO: 
   SABRINA JOHNSTON ’05 
    KATHERINE McLAREN ’05 
    NICOLE PELLEGRINO ’05
 

THE DOROTHY ALLISON RAZOR’S EDGE PRIZE IN WOMEN’S STUDIES

Established in 2005 by the Women’s Studies faculty and made possible by the generous donation from Dorothy Allison of proceeds from the sale of the booklet printed by the Book Arts Center to honor her visit to Wells College in October, 2004.  Awarded annually to a graduating Women’s Studies major or minor who has demonstrated a commitment to and understanding of the political, social, intellectual, and transformative goals of Women’s Studies and/or feminism. 

AWARDED TO: BRITTANY CAMPESE ’05 and CARRIE ELLIOTT ’05 
 

NANCY ANN REED CHEMISTRY PRIZE 

Awarded to a member of the graduating class for excellence in chemistry.

AWARDED TO: SARAH BRYCE ’05
 

RUTH M. DUNLAP PRIZE IN CHEMISTRY 

Awarded to the student who, at the end of her senior year has established the best record in her class in chemistry courses.

AWARDED TO: ALESSANDRA SARRICA ’05
 

THE CRC PRESS FRESHMAN CHEMISTRY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Recognition for outstanding achievement by a freshman in the introductory chemistry courses.

AWARDED TO: JESSICA KELLER ’08
 

THE WELLS WOMEN IN SCIENCE PRIZE 

Awarded to the member of the graduating class who has done outstanding work in at least two of the sciences, and who has demonstrated an interest in and an ability for a career in graduate work and research, and/or teaching, together with a commitment to the advancement of women in science.

 AWARDED TO: ALESSANDRA SARRICA ’05 
 

JOHN D. WILSON-RALPH H. POOLE, JR. CUP 

Awarded annually to a member of the senior class who - in the spirit of liberal education - has made a distinguished contribution during the four years to the athletic program of the College.

 AWARDED TO: KATHERINE McLAREN ’05
 

KATHRYN S. MALONEY SENIOR SCHOLAR ATHLETE AWARD

Awarded to the member of the senior class who has participated on a varsity team for a minimum of three seasons, and has exemplified academic excellence throughout her career at Wells.

AWARDED TO: ARIEL MERKEL ’05 
 

LESLEY WEAD ZABRISKIE EXPRESS AWARDS

Awarded annually to a member of each intercollegiate team who embodies the true ideals of
 team commitment: leadership, discipline, dedication, and sportsmanship.

AWARDED TO: 
    FIELD HOCKEY  KATHERINE McLAREN ’05 
    SOCCER    ANGEL RABUS ’05 
    TENNIS   JILL PARSONS ’05 
    SWIMMING   A freshman from Minnesota* 
    LACROSSE   REBECCA NUNN ’05 
    SOFTBALL   KRYSTLE BOUCHARD ’07 
 

MARIANNE QUATTROCCHI ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP AWARD

Awarded annually to the junior of senior who exhibits all the following characteristics: 1) scholastic excellence; 2) service to the Wells Community; and 3) appreciation of athletic competition.  These are the characteristics reflecting the style, enthusiasm, warmth, and Wells spirit epitomized by Marianne Quattrocchi.

AWARDED TO: JHAN HALL ’06 
 

KOCH STUDENT LIBRARY PRIZES 

Awarded to the seniors who have the best, not the largest, collections of books.  Each collection will be judged on its value as a practical working library in relation to the major interest of the owner; as a nucleus for a permanent personal library; as indication of discriminating judgment in collecting books and of a growing interest in books through the college years.  Rare editions and fine bindings are of secondary importance in this contest. 

GENERAL
AWARDED TO: 
     First Prize:  HEATHER TURNER ’05 
     Second Prize:  JILL PARSONS ’05 
 

SPECIAL INTEREST
AWARDED TO: 
     First Prize: KIRSTEN GRESKO ’04 for her collection in the areas of science and education 
     Second Prize: JANINA FISHER ’05 for her collection in the area of Art History 
 

THE ADALAIDE BALL KIRBY ’34 GLOBAL LEARNING SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship provides the opportunity for a Wells student to participate in a study abroad program for two semesters.  The award is based on three criteria and judged by a group of off-campus study directors.  The three criteria are an essay, academic achievement, and demonstrated financial need.

AWARDED TO: BLYTHE UNTIET ’07 for the 2005-06 academic year
 

ANNE J. RUSS PRIZE FOR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

This prize is awarded to the member of the Wells College community who in the course of the year has made the most significant social, political, or ethical contribution, especially involving matters of human diversity and inclusiveness.

AWARDED TO: CARRIE ELLIOTT ’05

* These students have asked that their names not be published

June, 2005

New York State Council on the Arts supports College’s Visiting Writer Series

Wells College vice president and treasurer Diane Hutchinson is pleased to announce that Wells has received notification that its five-year grant from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) has been renewed for the third year. 

“Receiving this grant provides an opportunity for Wells College to show its continued support of the arts and allows the College’s Visiting Writers Series to bring well known poets and lecturers to campus,” said Hutchinson.  “These NYSCA funds enable the greater community, not just the Wells campus, to be exposed to a variety of literary readings, workshops, and discussions.”

NYSCA is a state-funded agency that provides support for activities of nonprofit arts and cultural organizations in New York State and helps to bring artistic programs of high quality to the citizens of the state.

Wells College has received grants from NYSCA to support the Visiting Writers Series since the early 1980s. Bruce Bennett, professor of English and director of the Visiting Writer Series, is pleased by the grant extension as well. “We are exceedingly grateful to NYSCA for its continuing support,” he says. “This funding makes it possible for us to bring exciting and diverse writers to Wells and the extended community.”

The list of writers brought to Wells through NYSCA funding includes poets, fiction writers, writers of non-fiction, and children's authors; many are nationally known. Among those that have recently visited Aurora are Pushcart Prize winner Judith Kitchen and award-winning poet and Spanish translator Rhina P. Espaillat.

To learn more about the Visiting Writer Series, please call English professor Bruce Bennett at 315/364-3228 or visit the college’s website: www.wells.edu.  Additional information about the New York State Council on the Arts may be found on their website: www.nysca.org.

Wells College is a four-year, private liberal arts college located in Aurora, New York, on the eastern shore of Cayuga Lake. It was established in 1868 by Henry Wells, founder of Wells Fargo and the American Express Company. Wells boasts small class sizes, an extensive experiential learning program, a diverse off-campus study program, and cross-enrollment with both Cornell University and Ithaca College. The academic program allows students substantial freedom to create individually unique educational experiences. In addition to becoming coeducational in Fall 2005, the College is strengthening its off-campus study programs, introducing new initiatives in its Book Arts Center, and expanding its athletic programs.

June, 2005

Board members retire; applauded for their service to college

At the annual spring meeting of the Wells College Board of Trustees, five retiring board members were honored by President Lisa Marsh Ryerson and the campus community for their leadership and service to the college.

Board Chair Stephen Zabriskie, an Aurora resident, retired after nine years of outstanding service. Elected chair in 2003, Zabriskie has continued a family tradition of leadership at the college dating back to the 1860s. His ancestor, E.B. Morgan, was Henry Wells’ friend and business partner. Morgan assisted Wells in the founding of the college and oversaw its growth after Henry Wells’ death. Previous to being named chair, Zabriskie served as the board’s secretary and then vice chair. Throughout his tenure, he has been involved with strategic planning work. 

President Ryerson said, “The word ‘vision’ is used so often today and in so many different contexts that we tend to forget it is a rare gift. I place Steve Zabriskie in the category of true visionary. He sees the strength in our traditions, and long before many others saw it, he envisioned the shape of a new Wells College.” 

Nancy Barton Barclay, Wells Class of 1956, completed a three-year term as Alumnae Trustee. She is a resident of Cherry Hill, New Jersey.

“Nancy has been a dedicated Wells volunteer for many years, serving as class agent, class secretary, chair of her 45th Reunion, and a member of the Science Campaign Committee,” said Ryerson. “She has fulfilled her board responsibilities with characteristic dedication and care, representing alumnae in the life of the college.” 

In addition to Wells, many organizations have benefited from Barclay’s leadership, including the Philadelphia Museum of Art and Medford Leas Lewis W. Barton Arboretum.  Currently, she is a trustee of Medford Leas, a continuing care retirement community, and a commissioner of the historical society in Cherry Hill.

Thomas J. Espenshade completed a three-year term as trustee. A resident of Princeton, New Jersey, he is a professor of sociology at Princeton University. Espenshade also directs the National Study of College Experience, funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, that is comparing the experiences of minority and non-minority students applying to selective colleges and universities. 

President Ryerson said, “Tom understands both faculty and administrative perspectives and has a broad understanding of the complexities of American higher education. His insights have been invaluable, and he has brought distinction to our board.” 

As a senior at Wells, Meghan McCune ’03 was elected by her classmates to serve on the board for two years as Collegiate Trustee, and this spring she completed her term. She graduated from Wells summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, with distinction in anthropology and sociology, and is currently a graduate student in anthropology at Michigan State University. In the spring of 2004, she won first place in a graduate student paper competition sponsored by a consortium of Big 10 schools. 

“Meghan aspires to a career in higher education. Both her experience on the board and studies at Wells have given her excellent preparation, and we have benefited from her perspective as a recent graduate,” said Ryerson.

John (Jay) R. Woolford III of Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, has completed three terms on the Wells board. He is a principal with Third Age, Inc. in Philadelphia and is president of Springton Development Services, LLC.

Jay’s expertise as an architect was highly valued by the board. As chair of the Physical Plant Committee, he made important contributions to the development of a campus facilities plan. 

“Jay is an ideal person to have provided leadership in campus planning because he is a talented and accomplished architect,” Ryerson said. “We are especially grateful for his tireless work with the village renovations and planning for the new science building.”

For more information, please contact Communications Director Kelly Tehan at 315/364-3260.

June, 2005
 

Wells College News Archive
 

Last updated 09/20/2005