Distinguished Students Recognized with Hartwick’s Highest Honor

Six students were awarded John Christopher Hartwick (JCH) Scholarships during the College’s Honors Convocation on April 30. The scholarships are the highest academic distinction at Hartwick College.

Established in 1967 by the Board of Trustees on the recommendation of then-president Frederick M. Binder, the scholarships recognize rising seniors for exceptional academic achievement, leadership, and character.

Each recipient earns a substantial tuition grant and a place among those who represent the very best of Hartwick College.

Margarita Chistiakova

Hometown: Yaroslavl, Russia
Major: Computer Science
Minor: Cybersecurity
Achievements: Dean’s List all semesters; International Student Scholarship; Diener Fellowship Award; GCCI Social Innovation Fellowship; Silicon Valley Experience; John Christopher’s Scholarship; Senior Resident Advisor.
What are you looking forward to most in your senior year at Hartwick?: I am thrilled to start working on my senior thesis on system security and make the most out of my experiences at Hartwick while I’m still here. Also, I’m looking forward to assisting new students, faculty and staff with their technical problems (in my role) in the Technology Resource Center.
What does this type of recognition mean to you?: Being named a John Christopher Hartwick Scholar is a big honor. Coming from a country where these kinds of recognition do not exist, it was a big shock for me to realize how much effort, passion and leadership are being valued here. Even though I enjoyed each and every single one of my experiences at Hartwick and did not aim for this award as a goal, it was a great bonus to the years of hard work and commitment I have shown. I am endlessly grateful for this recognition and belief the Hartwick community has in me and my dedication.

Dylan Dwyer

Hometown: Chester, New York
Majors: Biology and Psychology
Minor: Chemistry
Achievements: HEART Peer Counselor of the Year Award ’25; Baker Simpson Fellow ’24; Stephen L. Green American Essay Competition Winner (3rd place); Open Freedman Prize (research funding); Research in Science & Health Fund (research funding); President of Psychology Club; President of Psi Chi (psychology) Honor Society; Phillip S. Wilder student-athlete award.
What are you looking forward to most in your senior year at Hartwick?: I am excited to play my last season of football. I am also excited to finish my research on caffeine and begin researching prostate cancer.
What does this type of recognition mean to you?: It took a lot of learning and effort for me to enter higher education since I am a first-generation student, so being recognized with the high honor of JCH Scholar feels surreal.

Hannah Makuch

Hometown: Carthage, New York
Majors: Chemistry and Business Administration
Achievements: Chemistry Faculty Scholar; Business Administration Faculty Scholar; Dr. Elizabeth V. Lamphere Scholarship recipient; Freedman Research Prize recipient; Dean’s List student
What are you looking forward to most in your senior year at Hartwick?: I am excited to get involved in new research opportunities, especially in my field of interest — medicine! Hartwick has given me some of the best opportunities to pursue what I love and to learn from people I may not have met in my hometown. I can’t wait to study abroad for J Term for a second time and have another chance to immerse myself in a new culture while building even stronger friendships with my classmates.
What does this type of recognition mean to you?: I am overwhelmed with joy and gratitude upon receiving this award. As a three-year student, I knew it would be challenging to make as significant an impact on the Hartwick community as compared to others. This honor is a testament to all my hard work and dedication, proving to myself that I am more than capable of making a difference, even in a short amount of time. I am honored to receive the JCH Scholarship alongside the five other students who are incredibly deserving of this distinction. It feels so rewarding to know that the campus looks up to me in the same way I admire my fellow JCH winners.

Sarah Matumbura

Hometown: Waterbury, Connecticut
Major(s): Criminal Justice and Accounting
Minor: Philosophy
Achievements: I’ve been named a JCH scholar, founded and became president of Sisters and Brothers United (SABU) and the Hawkettes Dance Team. In addition, I’ve done research on sustainability in the Netherlands and become an intern for Grow America.
What are you looking forward to most in your senior year at Hartwick?: I’m looking forward to seeing the future of Hartwick. Once upon a time, someone saw so much potential in me as a freshman and helped me grow to be a stellar student. I hope I can do the same for someone else during my senior year.
What does this type of recognition mean to you?: Being placed as one of the very best at Hartwick College is such an honor. This means I exceeded the expectations of those who came before me and I now set the standard of those in the future. I’m so very proud of all my achievements and excited to see what those after me accomplish.

Maria Serra

Hometown: Cali, Colombia
Major(s): Business Administration and Accounting
Minor(s): Psychology and Economics
Achievements: Dean’s List every semester at Hartwick College; recipient of the John Clemens Scholarship for Study in Business; treasurer of the Honors Club and Delta Xi Phi Multicultural Sorority, Inc.; president of Latinos Unidos Association; vice president of clubs for the 2025–2026 academic year; head of the Dining Committee; member of the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS); Global Ambassador
What are you looking forward to most in your senior year at Hartwick?: I’m excited to continue building community through my leadership roles, especially as president of Latinos Unidos and VP of Clubs. I look forward to mentoring students, celebrating cultural diversity and preparing for a career in accounting with the strong foundation that Hartwick has given me.

What does this type of recognition mean to you?: This recognition is a true honor and a reflection of the dedication, perseverance and passion I have put into my academics, work and community. It represents a celebration of my journey as a student, a hard worker and a proud Latina, and it inspires me to keep fighting for excellence.

Shelby Swartz

Hometown: Candor, New York.
Majors: Biology and Psychology
Achievements: John Christopher Hartwick award recipient; Faculty Scholar; Empire 8 President’s List; Dean’s List (every semester); College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Women’s Volleyball NCAA Division III Team; Empire 8 Volleyball All-Conference (Second and Third team); Phillip S. Wilder Jr. Award; Baker Simpson Fellowship Recipient; Women’s Volleyball Team Captain; president of SAAC and The Hidden Opponent at Hartwick College.
What are you looking forward to most in your senior year at Hartwick?: I’m looking forward to completing my senior theses with Dr. Allen and Dr. Kowalczyk, traveling to Portugal over J Term and competing on the volleyball court.
What does this type of recognition mean to you?: I’m very grateful for the incredible support I’ve received from my professors, coaches, peers and family throughout my time at Hartwick. Their belief in me has been a constant source of motivation. I came to Hartwick with the hope of making a meaningful difference, and being named a JCH recipient affirms that my dedication, integrity and service are noticed and valued. I’m truly honored by this recognition, and it inspires me to continue giving back to the Hartwick community in every way I can.

Rising seniors are nominated by the faculty of their major departments on the based on academic achievement, leadership and character. Students nominated to compete for the JCH scholarship are named Faculty Scholars. From among the Faculty Scholars, six are selected by the Scholarship Awards Committee to receive the JCH scholarships.

Beginning in 1997, in honor of the 30th anniversary of the scholarship, each JCH Scholar is also awarded a medallion, which can be worn at commencement and other appropriate academic occasions. The JCH medallion is funded by the members of one legacy family, beginning with Joyce R. Smith ’58 and Rev. Russell D. Smith ’59 and continuing with William Kitson III ’86 and Diane Smith Kitson ’87, a JCH Scholar herself.

The names of this year’s recipients will join those of the previous winners on a plaque located in the Stevens-German Library foyer. In addition, each JCH scholar receives a substantial tuition grant made possible through the generosity of many donors over the years.

To help continue this and other legacies at Hartwick College, please participate in the Together, We Soar campaign. To learn more, visit hartwick.edu/togetherwesoar.