Faces of the Class of 2026

Hometown: Endicott, New York
Majors: Philosophy and Environment, Sustainability & Society
Minor: Biology

Achievements: Phi Sigma Tau, International Honor Society in Philosophy; Faculty Scholar; The President Margaret L. Drugovich P’12 Award for Personal Conviction, 2025; Best in Drawing Certificate of Achievement, 2024 Student Juried Art Show.

Clubs/interests: Vice President of FORCES Environmental Club, interested in photography and ornithology; Clay Club.

Favorite Hartwick memory: My favorite memories are from my J Term courses in Ireland, South Africa, Micronesia and Greece, as well as the time I spent at the hawk watch this Fall.

Favorite place at Hartwick: Table Rock Trails

Advice for the incoming class: Try new things, be open-minded and be yourself.

Where are you headed? I plan to pursue a career in wildlife conservation.

Hometown: Long Island, New York
Major: Psychology
Minors: Social Work and Criminal Justice

Achievements: Member of the field hockey team for all four years and I was a captain this previous field hockey season. My team won Empire 8’s two years in a row, my freshman and sophomore years, making two NCAA appearances.

Clubs/interests: I am a part of The Hidden Opponent at Hartwick, which advocates and supports student-athletes’ mental health. I am also a part of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee!

Sporting interest: Field hockey.

Favorite Hartwick memory: Being able to travel abroad twice— my junior and senior years in J Term. In 2025, I traveled to the Bahamas to study island biogeography and this past January, I was in Portugal studying the fermentation and relocalization of food systems. I highly recommend that anyone at Hartwick take advantage of studying abroad during J Term. It is a great opportunity that Hartwick offers and I made new friends because of those trips!

Favorite thing/person/place at Hartwick: My favorite people are my teammates and friends! My favorite thing about Hartwick is that during the fall season, it looks so beautiful here. The views are amazing. Another favorite thing of mine is when it’s nice out and we all sit outside and do work or play spike ball.

Advice for the incoming class: Say yes to everything. Four years go by faster than you think.

Where are you headed? I am looking to go to graduate school to earn my master’s in social work and work toward becoming a licensed clinical social worker.

Hometown: Boonville, New York
Majors: Art and Art History

Achievements: Semenenko Clark Award in Art; the Department of State’s Gilman Scholarship to study abroad in Greece; Best in Show at the Hartwick Concentration Review; Faculty Scholar in art history; Dr. Robert E. & Mrs. Maryalice Mansbach scholarship.

Clubs/interests: Writing Underground and Honors Program.

Favorite Hartwick memory: Sitting in Professor Rachel Polinsky’s office with her wonderful dog, Amelia.

Favorite people at Hartwick: Professor Joseph Von Stengel for encouraging my exploration of digital art and Professor Rachel Polinsky for helping me find my passion for Greek art history and my fellow art/art history classmates.

Advice for the incoming class: Never let anyone tell you that your passions aren’t worthy of being pursued. The world is a strange place. Every aspect of it deserves to be understood.

Where are you headed? I am not entirely certain yet, but so long as I’m making art, I am happy.

Hometown: Harrison, New York
Major: Biology

Achievements: Freedman Prize recipient; Kenneth Golden Award; Environment Research Scholarship; Dean’s List.

Clubs/interests: President of Guiding Eyes for the Blind club; senior resident advisor of independent living.

Favorite Hartwick memory: Getting to know and making friends with the lovely and diverse people that make Hartwick, whether it be professors, bosses or coworkers on the dining team.

Favorite thing/place at Hartwick: The views from Strawberry Fields or the miles of trails that surround our main campus and Pine Lake.

Advice for the incoming class: Take chances and explore the world outside of your comfort zone. Don’t be scared to walk by yourself and get to know who you truly are.

Where are you headed? Exploring/internships all around the USA before veterinary school.

Hometown: Astoria, New York
Major: Public Health
Minors: Art and Biology

Achievements: Team MVP for the 2023-2024 track and field season.

Clubs/interests: I am a brother of Delta Omega Epsilon Fraternity Inc.

Sporting interest: I played football and I am actively doing indoor/outdoor track.

Favorite Hartwick memory: Meeting all the amazing friends I have.

Favorite thing at Hartwick: My favorite thing to do on campus is work with the athletic trainers and sports communications.

Advice for the incoming class: Don’t distance yourself. Make many friends, especially if you are far from home. That way, you know you’re not alone.

Where are you headed? I plan on going to graduate school to get my master’s in public health.

Hometown: Cali, Colombia
Major: Accounting (CPA), Economics, Business Administration
Minor: Psychology

Achievements: John Christopher Hartwick Scholar; Faculty Scholar in Accounting; recipient of the John Clemens Scholarship for Study in Business; founder member of Delta Xi Phi Multicultural Sorority, Inc.; Duffy Scholarship to research Economics in Colombia; Dean’s List every single semester; member of The National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS).

Clubs/interests: President of Latinos Unidos; treasurer of Delta Xi Phi Multicultural Sorority, Inc.; member of equestrian club; Global Ambassador; vice president of clubs for the Student Government Association, and head of Dining Committee. I also volunteer with the VITA tax program, helping community members file taxes.

Sporting interest: Equestrian

Favorite Hartwick memories: In the winter, going sledding down the hills on campus with my friends and having snowball fights. Those fun, simple moments are the ones that made Hartwick feel like home.

Favorite people/place at Hartwick: Professors Ficano, Kowalczyk and Cochran. My favorite place is to study in the Belonging Center.

Advice for the incoming class: Take the time to explore and enjoy your college years. Don’t get overwhelmed by trying to do everything; it’s easy to sign up for too much and end up stressed. Join that club. Take that class. Talk to that professor. Make that friend and go on that J Term trip. Pick enough activities to keep yourself busy and growing, but leave room to really enjoy your time here. Most importantly, don’t compare yourself to others; you’re on your own journey. Try new things, make memories and make your time at Hartwick something you’ll look back on and truly cherish.

Where are you headed? I plan to find a job to start my career in accounting while working toward my CPA license or my master’s degree.

Hometown: Penn Yan, New York
Major: Nursing

Achievements: Dean’s List every semester; Empire 8 President’s List (Fall 2023, Fall 2024, Spring 2025); The Philip S. Wilder Jr. Award for Academic Distinction in Spring 2024 and Spring 2025. In Spring 2025, I was named a Hartwick College Faculty Scholar and inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma National College Athlete Honor Society.

Clubs/interests: Vice President of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.

Sporting interest: Captain of women’s lacrosse team.

Favorite Hartwick memory: Beating Oneonta by one goal last year during the “Battle of the Hills” game.

Favorite things/people/place at Hartwick: The views and the sunrises and sunsets. My favorite people at Hartwick are my teammates and my best friends, Haley and Colette. And my favorite place at Hartwick is John Christopher’s. I go almost every day for an iced latte.

Advice for the incoming class: Find people around whom you can be yourself. It’s okay if it’s not the first people you meet on campus. Once you find them, you will know.

Where are you headed? I am going home to Penn Yan after graduation. I plan to work in the ICU at a local hospital for a few years and then pursue travel nursing.

Hometown: Otego, New York
Major: Honors in Political Science and Criminal Justice
Minor: Legal Studies

Achievements: Ran for Mayor of Otego; consistently on the Dean’s List; Honors Program; Supreme Court internship in Cooperstown.

Clubs/interests: Chief Justice of Student Government Association; vice president of Pine Lake Club; vice president of A Man’s Compass; worked as a lifeguard, notetaker, outdoor leader and Pine Lake student worker.

Favorite Hartwick memory: J Terms in Spain, Central Europe and Greece.

Favorite place at Hartwick: Pine Lake.

Advice for the incoming class: Make the most of your time. Four years move pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.

Where are you headed? I am going to find a meaningful job or internship for the next year while I study for the LSAT and apply to law schools.

Hometown: Portmore, Jamaica
Majors: Psychology and Political Science
Minor: Gender & Sexuality Studies

Achievements: Student Government Association President; president and founder of Caribbean Students’ Association and SABU (Black Students Coalition); Hartwick Institute of Public Service Intern; Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Advocate (DIBA); Outdoor Trails Leader; residential advisor; Delta Xi Phi Multicultural Sorority Incorporated founding mother.

Favorite place at Hartwick: The Harry Bradshaw Matthews Belonging Center.

Advice for the incoming class: Find your community. Find your voice. Find your passion.

Where are you headed? Graduate school in 2027 for clinical psychology.

Hometown: Jamestown, North Dakota
Major: Mathematics

Achievements: Empire 8 Rookie of the Year; two-time Tournament MVP; two-time Doubles Team of the Year; Player of the Year; Hartwick’s Freshman Female Athlete of the Year.

Clubs/interests: Women’s Tennis; Gamma Phi Delta; arts and crafts.

Sporting interest: Tennis; hiking; running.

Favorite Hartwick memory: My top two moments, tied for first, are winning three E8 Championships with my team and going to the NCAAs, and bid day, when I found my home away from home and the best friends I could’ve ever asked for.

Favorite thing/person/place at Hartwick: My favorite thing is the Commons ice cream machine. My coach, Samantha Butcher, is my favorite person on campus. I was able to go to her with any problem I had in school, tennis or personal, and she was always there to help. My favorite place has to be the townhouses. It’s the best community filled with the same friends I’ve had all four years, with all the sports teams and organizations now combined into one big friend group. I’m really going to miss going outside to everyone hanging out in the grass and being so close to all my friends at once.

Advice for the incoming class: Say yes to everything and have fun to the max because it goes faster than you know.

Where are you headed? My current plan is to stay in New York, taking a gap semester or two before going to grad school for engineering.

Hometown: Ballston Lake, New York
Major: Accounting
Minor: Business Administration

Achievements: Dean’s List; Andrew B Saxton Fellowship; VITA assistant site coordinator; captain of men’s basketball team.

Clubs/interests: Hartwick VITA program; men’s basketball team.

Where are you headed? Attending Syracuse or Ohio State’s master’s in accounting program.

Hometown: Burnt Hills, New York
Major: Nursing
Minor: Forensic Science

Achievements: Four-year Dean’s List member; SIGMA Global Honor Society; three-time Empire 8 tennis champion; Delta Alpha Pi National Honor Society; social media coordinator of Hartwick College Association of Student Nurses (HCASN).

Clubs/interests: HCASN; SIGMA; Delta Alpha Pi; Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).

Sporting interest: Tennis and snowboarding.

Favorite Hartwick memory: Creating relationships with my now-best friends, being part of an incredible tennis team and being able to share my college experience with my older sister.

Favorite things at Hartwick: Some of my favorite things at Hartwick are my tennis team, as well as the professors that I’ve been able to work with throughout my nursing career and the people I’ve met along the way.

Advice for the incoming class: Don’t be afraid to take risks and ask for help. Make the most of your experience however you see fit!

Where are you headed? My plan after graduation is to start working at Albany Med in a pediatric unit as an RN.

Hometown: Mahopac, New York
Major: Psychology
Minor: Sociology

Achievements: Three-year student; Honors Program; Heidi Tanner Peer Health Educator Excellence Award of 2023; Andrew B. Saxton Undergraduate Fellowship in Psychology; Dr. Charles W. Leitzell Music Award; Dean’s list 2023-2025; Psi Chi Honor Society.

Clubs/interests: secretary of the Psychology Club; concert master of the Hartwick/SUNY Orchestra; violinist in a quartet at SUNY; peer health educator; Blue Key; tutor; notetaker for AccessAbility Center.

Favorite Hartwick memory: When Dani Goncalves and Gianna Boveri hosted a karaoke night, and my friend and I sang “Baby” by Justin Bieber on the stage in Laura’s Lounge. Hartwick always hosts the best events and that was by far my favorite.

Favorite thing/place at Hartwick: The 4th floor of Dewar. There is a big, comfy sofa up there that I like to do my homework on. The peer health educator office is also up there, which is my favorite job on campus. Being a peer health educator has taught me so much, and not only on an educational level. It has taught me compassion, empathy and the importance of not judging others based on their current situation.

Advice for the incoming class: You will be given so many opportunities at Hartwick and you should take advantage of as many as you can. However, don’t overdo it. Make sure you take care of yourself and know that your best is more than enough. When one door closes, another opens!

Where are you headed? I plan to dip my toes into the field through advocacy and intervention work. I really want to work at a child advocacy center, helping children who have undergone abuse and trauma. In the future, I plan to return to school to earn my master’s in either school counseling or social work.

Hometown: Norwood, New York
Major: Criminal Justice
Minors: Psychology and Forensic Science

Achievements: National Society of Leadership and Success inductee; multiple Dean’s List recognitions; completion of two legal-oriented internships; Eastern Psychological Association conference first author; completion of two Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved research studies.

Clubs/interests: Two-season varsity football athlete; Kappa Sigma Fraternity Vice President.

Favorite Hartwick Memory: Developing numerous and long-lasting relationships with friends and faculty members that will offer me support for the rest of my future career and life.

Advice for the incoming class: Always take the opportunity to get to know your teachers and let them help develop opportunities for you. They offer amazing support in many different ways.

Where are you headed? Attend law school to earn a juris doctor and pursue a career in private practice.

Hometown: Yaroslavl, Russia
Major: Computer Science
Minor: Cybersecurity

Achievements: John Christopher Hartwick Scholar; The Diener Fellowship Recipient; Griffiths Center for Collaboration and Innovation Fellow; Senior Resident Advisor.

Favorite Hartwick memory: Going on solo hikes to Table Rock and Strawberry Field.

Favorite person at Hartwick: Professor Howard Lichtman.

Advice for the incoming class: Say “yes” to every opportunity while in College. It may be one of the best things you can do for yourself.

Where are you headed? I accepted a job offer at a software company for a security and compliance engineer position.

Hometown: Kingston, Jamaica
Majors: Political Science and Criminal Justice
Minors: Legal Studies and Sociology

Achievements: Third-year residential advisor; Third-year DIBA; vice president of Caribbean Students Association; events coordinator of Law Club; Delta Xi Phi sister.

Clubs: Caribbean Students Association; Law Club.

Favorite place on campus: The Belonging Center. The staff there is just amazing and I feel most at home when I’m there. Sam, Alicia, Biama and Kamylle are just some of the few people I’ve had the honor of working alongside, as well having the privilege of knowing while here at Hartwick. I truly am grateful for my Belonging Center family.

Advice for the incoming class: College is what you make out of it. Step outside your comfort zone. Go to the events. Go on the J Terms and just live to the fullest. Because there will be a time when you blink and the four years just fly by.

Where are you headed? I would like to pursue law school and become an immigration lawyer.

Hometown: South Merrick, Long Island, New York
Major: Three-year Political Science and Philosophy
Minor: Legal Studies

Achievements: 2025 Philosophy Faculty Scholar; Dean’s List every semester; Andrew B. Saxton Student Undergraduate Fellowship; Political Science Thesis; Philosophy Thesis; President of Kappa Sigma Fraternity, Tau-Phi Chapter.

Interests: Politics, law, real estate, gym, beach and wrestling.

Sporting interest: UFC

Favorite Hartwick memory: Sledding with my friends during my freshman year of J Term!

Favorite person at Hartwick: There are a lot of great people at Hartwick, but two of my favorites are Dr. Elder and Dr. Rocknak. Both are truly exceptional people, not only to me but to all their students. Their support, kindness and dedication extend far beyond the classroom, and they have had a significant impact on my three-year accelerated college journey. Their high intellect, along with their genuine passion for what they do, is incredibly inspiring. There are truly no words to describe how grateful I am for the guidance and encouragement they have given me.

Advice for the incoming class: Mistakes are inevitable as one navigates the college journey. Yet it is within these moments of uncertainty that the most impactful internal dialogue occurs. In confronting what feels unforeseen, one turns inward by questioning, reflecting and discerning meaning from experience. Through this process of self-reflection, a new understanding emerges. It may not be clear, but it will often guide one toward a path more intentional and fulfilling than the one originally planned. If you cannot choose the hand of cards dealt to you, you must learn to play them. That said, enjoy and remember that you came here with a purpose!

Where are you headed? I will be heading to law school.

Hometown: Whitesboro, New York

Major: Psychology
Minor: Spanish

Achievements: Dean’s list (2022-2026); Psi Chi Psychology Honor Society; presenter at Eastern Psychological Association; four J Term trips abroad (2023-Senegal, Africa; 2024-Spain; 2025-Central Europe; 2026-Argentina); Brian and Josie Wright Endowed Scholarship recipient; Campbell Fitness leadership team.

Clubs/interests: Teaching Pilates, spending time in nature and reading.

Favorite Hartwick memory: Sunrises on the hill and sunsets at Table Rock.

Favorite place at Hartwick: Blue chairs when it’s warm out!!!

Advice for the incoming class: Go on a J Term trip abroad and make the most of each and every day—it goes by faster than you can imagine.

Where are you headed? I will be attending a master’s program to become a licensed mental health counselor.

Hometown: Utica, New York
Majors: Psychology and Healthcare Administration

Achievements: Dean’s List; Empire 8 President’s List; Women’s basketball captain.

Clubs/interests: Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC); The Hidden Opponent.

Sporting interest: Women’s basketball.

Favorite Hartwick memory: Going to the lake near campus with my friends when the weather is nice.

Favorite thing at Hartwick: The women’s basketball team because it led me to my best friends.

Advice for the incoming class: Don’t take your time here for granted. Have fun and make the most of the opportunities you have!

Where are you headed? I am going to graduate school for clinical psychology.

Hometown: Endicott, New York
Majors: Environment Sustainability & Society, Art, and French

Achievements: Freedman Prize; Faculty Scholar in French; Alfred F. Massari Language Memorial Award; Best in Drawing; Best in Ceramics and Juror’s Choice in student juried shows.

Clubs/interests: I’m a sister of Gamma Phi Delta sorority!

Favorite Hartwick memory: Some of the best experiences I’ve had have come from my J Term abroad classes in Senegal, Spain and France.

Favorite person/place at Hartwick: My favorite people are my roommates and sorority sisters. My favorite place is the view at Table Rock!

Advice for the incoming class: Don’t be afraid to try anything! Doing things and making friends is the best way to figure out where you belong.

Where are you headed? After graduation, I plan on working in environmental conservation and I plan to use my knowledge in art and French to continue my hobbies.

Hometown: Springville, New York
Major: Public Health
Minors: Data Science and Religious Studies

Achievements: Baker Simpson Fellow; Duffy Scholarship Recipient; Faculty Scholar in Public Health; presenting my senior thesis at the National Women’s Studies Annual Conference in Puerto Rico; Dean’s List; Philip S. Wilder, Jr. Award; Empire 8 Championship Tournament MVP; Empire 8 All-Conference every year; CSC Women’s Tennis Academic All-District Team.

Clubs/interests: President and founder of the Public Health Club; vice president of Honors Program; WRHO; SGA; Clay Club; Chi Alpha Sigma.

Sporting interest: Hartwick women’s tennis (singles and doubles).

Favorite Hartwick memory: Getting chased by a groundhog by the library many times and all of the traveling adventures I’ve been able to do during my time at Hartwick.

Favorite thing/person/place at Hartwick: The townhouses hold a lot of memories for me and have fostered lifelong friendships with my roommates. Dr. Budwitz and Dr. Dalton have been my mentors and favorite people to lean on or talk to whenever I need to.

Advice for the incoming class: Say ‘yes’ to the uncomfortable stuff, travel near and far, talk to new people, learn different cultures and lifestyles, and have hard conversations because that’s when you learn the most about yourself. Not understanding how others live limits how far you can go.

Where are you headed? I am currently working at the Erie County Department of Health while pursuing my master’s in epidemiology.

Hometown: Monroe-Woodbury, New York
Majors: Biology and Psychology
Minor: Chemistry

Achievements: John Christopher Hartwick Scholar; HEART Peer Counselor of the Year Award ’25; Baker Simpson Fellow ’24; Stephen L. Green American Essay Competition Winner (3rd place); Open Freedman Prize and Research in Science & Health Fund recipient (research funding); president of Psychology Club; president of Psi Chi (Psychology Honor Society); Phillip S. Wilder Student-Athlete Award, Honors Program.

Clubs/interests: I serve as a senator in the Student Government Association because I am driven by a strong interest in governance, democracy and student advocacy.

Sporting interest: I played football at Hartwick for all four years as a tight end.

Favorite Hartwick memory: Finishing cold 6 a.m. spring practices and rushing straight to my 8 a.m. classes. Waking up was never easy, but there was something energizing about starting the day, pushing myself physically with my teammates and then immediately shifting into the classroom, fully engaged in learning.

Favorite thing/person/place at Hartwick: The faculty–from professors in the classroom to research mentors, advisors and coaches. Their willingness to invest time, create opportunities and challenge me shaped my experience more than anything else.

Advice for the incoming class: Take advantage of as many resources as possible! Hartwick offers more opportunities than students often realize—if you have an idea or a goal, ask people how to make it happen.

Where are you headed? After graduation, I plan on attending medical school, beginning in fall 2027, following completion of the MCAT and the admissions process.

Hometown: Frisco, Texas
Majors: Psychology and Sociology
Minor: Criminal Justice

Achievements: Private research internship with University of California San Diego; conducted extensive research-based coursework in psychology; Blue Key Leader; Dean’s List, and have been part of 9 poster presentations, both in-class, as well as through collaborative efforts at conferences with colleagues across the nation.

Clubs/interests: Psychology Club and research groups.

Favorite thing/person/place at Hartwick: The Psychology Department’s team.

Advice for incoming class: Take college at YOUR pace, whether that means saying yes to every opportunity available or focusing on 2-3 things specifically. College is all about ensuring your own success, so focus on what’s best for you. And you can always get back up, even if it feels like the end, there’s always another path.

Where are you headed? I plan to further my education by attending a Ph.D. program in the fall, with offers I am currently discussing.

Hometown: Candor, New York
Majors: Biology and Psychology

Achievements: John Christopher Hartwick Scholar; Psychology Faculty Scholar; Open Freedman Prize Award; Baker-Simpson Fellowship ‘24; Honors Program; Dean’s List; HEART Peer Counselor of the Year Award ‘24; Sports for Social Change Thailand Exchange; Leroy “Sonny” House Jr Memorial Award; Phillip S. Wilder Jr Award, President’s List; Volleyball Team Captain; College Sports Communicators Academic All-District (2023-2025); Empire 8 All-Conference (1st team 2025, 2nd team 2024, 3rd team 2023); 3x Empire 8 Player of the Week; ECAC Tournament MVP.

Clubs/interests: President of Student-Athlete Advisory Committee; president of The Hidden Opponent at Hartwick; HEART Peer Counseling; vice-president of Psych Club; Psi Chi; IDEAL research assistant; psychology teaching assistant; STEM Society; peer tutor; STEM facilitator.

Sporting interest: Volleyball and softball.

Favorite Hartwick memory: Reverse sweeping Brockport in Empire 8 Semifinals.

Favorite thing/person/place at Hartwick: Dr. Kowalczyk, Dr. Allen, my coaches and John Christopher Cafe.

Advice for the incoming class: Take advantage of all the things Hartwick has to offer. There are so many clubs, research and scholarship opportunities, and trips abroad… do as much as you can!

Where are you headed? I will be attending Ithaca College to earn a doctorate in physical therapy and serve as a graduate assistant for the women’s volleyball team.