Student Leadership Awards
At Hartwick College we take pride in our students' accomplishments!
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2026 Ceremony
Tuesday, April 21
5 – 7 p.m.
Celebration Room, Shineman
Each spring, at our Student Leadership Awards Ceremony, the College recognizes students for their contributions to the community.
Students are honored for their involvement in working with student organizations, student government, community service, campus arts, and more. Students, faculty and staff attend the awards ceremony that culminates with the presentation of the President’s Leadership Award.
Awards are presented by students and members of the faculty and staff.
2026 Awards & Recipients
Residential Life
RA of the Year – Olive Anderson ’27
SRA of the Year – Madeline Schiller ’27
Student Government Association
Most Improved Club/Organization – A Man’s Compass
Outstanding Programming – SABU
Outstanding Student Organization – Latinos Unidos
Outstanding Advisor – Heather Baily, Connected Through Christ
Emerging Leader – Samaj Barnwell ’27
Excellence in Leadership – Sam Scott ’27
Admissions
George F. Goodwin Award – Rishpa Baidya ’26, Sarah Matumbura ’26, Logan Hehner ’26, Saniah Reeves ’26
Student Success Center
Outstanding Mentor – Max Gollhofer ’27
The Resiliency Award – Christian Smiley ’26
Fraternity and Sorority Life
Campus Advisor of the Year – Heather Bailey
Philanthropic Event of the Year – Delta Xi Phi
Program of the Year – Phi Mu Alpha
Academic Excellence Award – Phi Mu Alpha
Chapter of the Year – Phi Mu Alpha
Sorority Member of the Year – MacKenzie Murphy ’27
Fraternity Member of the Year – Trevon Barnett ’26
The Harry Bradshaw Matthews Belonging Center
Champion of Social Justice – Oiram Duenas Valles ’27
Youth Advocate for Change Award – Halumo Abdikarin ’29
DIB Advocate Awards
Major Impact Award – Cas Markel ’26
Go-Getter Award – A’Laura Copeland ’26
Wellness and Health Promotion
The Heidi Tanner Peer Health Excellence Award – Aubrey Dominy ’27
Student Experience
Innovative Campus Programming – Greenhouse Club
Significant Contribution to the Quality of Life – Peer Health Educators
The Robert Houghton ’76 Memorial Scholarship – Oiram L. Duenas-Valles ’27
Outstanding Service to College and Community – Latinos Unidos Association
The Robert Harlem Sr. Newman Foundation Award – Sam Scott ’27
The Susan Nesbitt Newman Foundation Award – Silence Baggesse ’27
EmpowerU
EmpowerU Community Impact Award – Connor Yarborough
EmpowerU Inclusive Leadership Award – Emma York
President’s Leadership Award – Amelia Williams ’26
2026 Ceremony Highlights
Past Recipients
Residential Life and Housing Awards
Resident Advisor of the Year – Runyararo Chaora ’25
Senior Resident Advisor of the Year – Rachel Roopchand ’25
Student Government Awards
Most Improved Club/Organization – Equestrian Club
Outstanding Programming – Latinos Unidos Association
Outstanding Student Organization – Hawkettes Dance Team
Outstanding Advisor – Sarah Busch
Emerging Leader – Adilyam Imyarova ’28
Excellence in Leadership – Sarah Matumbura ’25
George F. Goodwin Award
Runyararo Chaora ’25
Victoria Nash ’25
Roselyn DuMerville ’25
Amy Piper ’25
Student Success Center
Outstanding New Student Award – Jon Smith ’27
Outstanding Mentor – Rebeka Alva ’26
The Resiliency Award – Lumi Decker ’25
Fraternity and Sorority Life
Greek Life Advisor of the Year – Casey Holmberg ’18
Philanthropic Event of the Year – Tau Kappa Epsilon
Program of the Year – Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
Academic Excellence Award – Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
Chapter of the Year – Gamma Phi Delta
Sorority Member of the Year – Lillian Newell ’25
Fraternity Member of the Year – Jackson Dorf ’26
Hartwick Empathy Assistance Referral Team (HEART) Awards
Peer Counselor Award – Dylan Dwyer ’25
The Heidi Tanner Peer Health Educator Excellence Award – Alexandra Lynch ’26
Belonging Center
Champion of Social Justice Award – Makenzie Zwick ’25
Youth Advocate for Change Award – Gabriella Cardoza ’25, Andrea Devers ’25, Kezia Namakula ’25
DIBA Award
Longest Standing Diba –Katherine Coco ’25
Go Getter – Amelia Williams ’26
Hit the Ground Running – Rebeka Alva ’26
Major Impact – Staecia Silofau ’25
Student Experience Leadership and Service Awards
Innovative Campus Programming – Shelby Swartz ’25
Significant Contributions to the Quality of Life-The Peer Health Educators
Robert Houghton ’76 Memorial Scholarship – James Mendez ’26
Outstanding Service to College and Community – Rebeka Alva ’26
Robert Harlem Sr. Newman Foundation Award – Zack Corbett ’27
The Susan Nesbit Newman Foundation Award – Cassidy Miakisz ’26
President’s Leadership Award – Runyararo Chaora ’25
President’s Leadership Award – Victoria Balfe ’24
The Robert Houghton ’76 Memorial Scholarship Award – Chelsea Kotey ’25
The Robert Harlem Sr. Newman Foundation Award – Jack Magee ’25
The Susan Nesbitt Newman Foundation Award – Sarah Matumbura ’26
Student Government Awards
Most Improved Club Or Organization – Wicked ESports
Outstanding Programming – HCAB
Outstanding Student Organization – Latinos Unidos Association
Outstanding Student Advisor – Mary Allen
Emerging Leader – Avontae Palmer ’27
Excellence in Leadership – James Mendez ’26
Residential Life and Housing Awards
Resident Advisor of the Year – Pablo Gutierrez ’25 and Andrea Devers ’25
Senior resident Advisor of the Year – Francesca Sinacore ’25
George F Goodwin Sustained Service Award – Sam Caceres ’24 , Amy Piper ’25 and Roselyn DuMerville ’25
The Community Involvement and Volunteerism Award- Kathryn Schmidt ’24
The Student Success Center
Outstanding New Student – Avontae Palmer ’27
Outstanding New Student Mentor – Maggie VanValkenburgh ’26
Resiliency Award – Sage Steele ’27
Hartwick Empathy Assistance Referral Team (HEART) Awards
Peer Counselor Award – Shelby Swartz ’26
The Heidi Tanner Peer Health and Educator Excellence Award – Avontae Palmer ’27
Student Experience Leadership and Service Awards
Innovative Campus Programming – Jodi Johnson ’24
Significant Contribution to the Quality of Life – Abigayle Olson ’25
Outstanding Service to College and Community – VITA
Awards
This award is given to a student, individual, or group that has introduced an unique program or new service or activity that reflects an understanding of the issues and challenges young adults address in their lives as students and future leaders.
This award is given to a student, individual, or group that has, through programs, services, or social or educational activities, contributed to enriching the curricular and co-curricular experiences of peers.
This award is given to a student, individual or group that has been actively involved in community service both on and off campus. Candidates should be strongly identified with creating facilitating or participation in service programs and activities.
The recipient of this award is a rising sophomore, junior, or senior who has been elected to serve on the Student Senate and who has demonstrated financial need.
Established by the Newman Foundation in 2013, this award is for one male, full-time student, who has maintained at least a 3.0 GPA, has involvement in community service and has financial need.
Established by the Newman Foundation in 2013,this award is for one female, full-time student, who has maintained 3.0 GPA, is involved in community service, and has financial need.
The Hartwick College President’s Leadership Award is given to the graduating senior who, through scholarship (a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0), leadership, and service, most exemplifies the values we aspire to at Hartwick College. The recipient will be a student whose passionate leadership has led directly to positive change within the Hartwick community. This leadership can be expressed in advocacy for an issue, idea, or cause within the campus community, or as a representative of the College within the greater Oneonta community. This awardee will demonstrate success through leadership that educates and engages others, encourages greater awareness, greater engagement, greater philanthropy, and/or greater wellness within our community.
The Dr. Robert E. & Mary Alice Mansbach Scholarship was established by Lee and Sue Idleman in honor of their friends, the Mansbachs. This scholarship is awarded to a rising sophomore with a minimum 2.7 GPA; a commitment to the liberal arts; demonstrated financial need; involvement in a community action agency, organization, or institution in Oneonta; and showing promise of continuing that involvement throughout his/her Hartwick College career.
* The Dr. Robert E. and Mrs. Mary Alice McCue Mansbach Scholarship is presented each year at Honors Convocation.
The Barbara F. Wilder H’93 and Phillip S. Wilder, Jr. H’93 Citizenship Award was established in honor of Dr. Philip Wilder, President of Hartwick College from 1977-1992, and his wife Barbara F. Wilder. The fund provides a scholarship to a rising senior whose career at Hartwick is exemplified by outstanding leadership, citizenship, strong academic performance, and who has financial need.
* The Barbara F. and Philip S. Wilder, Jr. Hartwick Citizen Award is presented each year at Honors Convocation.