Fulbright Student Scholarships
Shelby Traver ’24 and Adrian Laudani ’18 have been awarded competitive Fulbright Student Scholarships, the prestigious international academic exchange opportunity provided competitively by the U.S. Government.
For the 2024-2025 academic year, Traver, Sweet Valley, received a Fulbright Open Study/Research Award to examine the effect of Rwanda’s election quota system for female candidates.
Laudani, Valley Stream, New York, received a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant Award to further develop teaching and mentoring skills in Spain while helping students learning English.
With these two additions, 131 University of Scranton students have been awarded Fulbrights since 1972.
Outstanding Master’s and Doctoral Degree Graduates
The University recognized outstanding master’s and doctoral degree graduates at its graduate commencement. Outstanding student award recipients from the Leahy College of Health Sciences (formerly the Panuska College of Professional Studies) pictured with Victoria Castellanos, Ph.D., dean of the Leahy College of Health Sciences (standing far right) include, seated, from left: Helen Amanda Wrazien, Pittston; Jennifer E. LaViola, Horseheads, New York; and Marisa D. Tosi, Dallas. Standing: Joseph T. O’Driscoll, Peckville; Kyle J. Yahn, South Abington Township; Nicholas M. Mohr, Milltown, New Jersey; Scarlet J. Alexander, Dupont; Sybil A. Keris, South Abington Township; Jessica L. Opsal, Rockaway, New Jersey; and Elijah J. Emmons, North Abington Township.
Frank J. O’Hara Awards for General Academic Excellence.
Fifty-six members of the undergraduate Class of 2024 were recognized for academic excellence, leadership and service. Students with the highest GPA in each of the University’s three undergraduate colleges were presented with Frank J. O’Hara Awards for General Academic Excellence.
Seated, from left, are: Michelle Maldonado, Ph.D., former provost and senior vice president for academic affairs and Rev. Joseph Marina, S.J., president of The University of Scranton. Standing are: Aidan R. Corrigan, O’Hara Award recipient for the Leahy College of Health Sciences (formerly the Panuska College of Professional Studies); Sarah G. Boyle, O’Hara Award recipient for the Kania School of Management; Tabitha R. Berger, O’Hara Award recipient for the College of Arts and Sciences; Madalyne R. Buhler, O’Hara Award recipient for the Kania School of Management; and Charles C. Sylvester, O’Hara Award recipient for the College of Arts and Sciences.
Donning of the Stole Ceremony
Nearly 70 members of the Class of 2024 participated in the Donning of the Stole Ceremony, a student-led initiative. The purpose of the annual ceremony was to highlight the success of students from historically marginalized identities in overcoming their particular barriers and obstacles faced in attaining higher education.
Cadets Commissioned as Second Lieutenants
Seven cadets were commissioned as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army. Pictured, front row, from left, are: 2nd Lt. Jenna L. Leonhardt; 2nd Lt. Allison N. Palmer; and 2nd Lt. Joseph X. Lynch. Second row: 2nd Lt. Jay H. Kapadia; 2nd Lt. Aidan T. Szabo; 2nd Lt. Gary G. Geinitz; and 2nd Lt. Ryan V. Lally. 2nd Lt. Lally earned Distinguished Military Graduate status by the U.S. Army, which designates placement in the top 20 percent of Army ROTC graduates in the nation for this academic year and in the top 10 percent in the country.
