Skip Navigation
Students on Fiske Quad

Keene State Celebrates Student Success

At the end of each academic year Keene State recognizes students who have achieved success in a number of fields. This success happens in and outside of the classroom, on the playing fields and in student groups and organizations. These students have excelled in leadership, service learning, athletic ability and academic excellence. Some are graduates who will be continuing their education, finding employment opportunities and making a place for themselves in the world. Others are undergraduates who will continue to grow, learn and give to Keene State College. We celebrate their accomplishments and achievements!

2020 Academic Distinction Awards

Graduating students with a cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.50 or higher are eligible for Commencement Honors.

Keene State recognizes Academic Distinction through a series of awards presented to current students and graduating seniors. The award recipients reflect a broad range of academic achievements from both the School of Arts, Education and Humanities; and the School of Sciences, Sustainability and Health. Some of the awards are named after faculty or community members who had an impact on our academic departments. Others are sponsored by alumni, emeriti faculty, or other friends of the college.

The talented people recognized here are all great KSC students! They challenge themselves in the classroom and are involved in organizations and community service opportunities that reflect who they are as individuals. These students excel in many areas of academics and in campus life and our faculty and staff are proud to recognize their success.


Academic Distinction Awards

Awardees are listed in alphabetical order


Mary E. Yelda ‘47 Scholarship in Music

As a lifelong music enthusiast and a classical pianist, this award honors and memorializes Mary E. Yelda ‘47 and provides recognition to a music student at Keene State College. Consideration for this scholarship is given to a full-time undergraduate student enrolled as a declared music major.

  Sarah Elizabeth Marie Ames

image

Sarah is completing an individualized major in Music Therapy in Spring 2020. As a vocalist, Sarah has participated in Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, and Vocal Consort. She is dedicated to crafting the choral art form with her leadership from within the ensemble and as an assistant conductor on the podium. Sarah has also dedicated performance studies in piano and guitar, which will aid her work as a music therapist in the future. Sarah has been a constant leader in the Music Department serving on executive boards for student chapters of the National Association for Music Education and American Choral Directors Association. After graduating from Keene State College, Sarah will begin a Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling - Music Therapy at Lesley University.


Eder Creative Writing Scholarship

The Eder Creative Writing Endowed Scholarship was established by Doris L and Donald Gray Eder out of love and respect for creative writing and for Keene State College.

KaTera E Ashford

image

KaTera Ashford is a major in both English and Secondary Education. An astute and enthusiastic reader, her own creative writing is bold and original, further strengthened by her interest in issues of race and regional identity. As she says in her Eder application: ‘Through my writing I found an … outlet for my experience as a non-native resident of New England. My writing is always inspired by my intersectionality. … The only place that I feel that I can be myself is on paper.’ Professor Jeff Friedman says, “Her best poems unfold the complex truths of her life in rhythmic phrases and startling images. She is a poet who unsettles the reader with fierce love and a fiery tongue.” A mother of two young children, KaTera also founded and ran the non-profit, Parents for Premies which provided books to mothers of prematurely born children. She now runs (with a friend) of a book subscription service for underprivileged children. KaTera’s talent and dynamism make her a truly worthy winner of the Eder Scholarship.


Music Department Scholarship

This scholarship was created in 2002 with a gift from the KSC Youth Chorus (1993-2002), which was founded and directed by Dr. Gladys Johnsen, Professor of Music at Keene State. The award recognizes students who demonstrate exceptional abilities and promise in the area of music.

Alyssa Joy Becker

image

Alyssa is a second-year B.M. Music Performance major with the primary instrument of guitar and a secondary focus on voice. She is an active ensemble member in the KSC Guitar Orchestra and Concert Choir. Alyssa is an excellent Music Department citizen and ambassador for the College serving as a featured solo guitarist for high profile events on campus. She also performs as first guitarist and solo guitarist with the KSC Guitar Orchestra, and performed a movement from Castelnuovo-Tedesco’s Guitar Concerto in D, op. 99, in a masterclass given by visiting guitarist-composer Cameron O’Connor, this year’s winner of the KSC Call for Scores. She has a cumulative GPA of 4.0, is a straight-A student, and made Dean’s List three semesters in a row.   


Instrumentalist of the Year

Kirsten Elizabeth Becker

image

Kirsten is a senior Piano Performance major in the B.M. Music Performance program. She has achieved technical and artistic excellence not only in piano performance, but also in composition. She has served as the student conductor for the KSC Concert Choir and maintains a 4.0 GPA. As a pianist, she has played an integral role in the All-Steinway Initiative, performing in house concerts and for donors of the campaign. She is an active performer in her church and for senior homes, and she has recently created a Music-for-Food initiative that raises money for a local food bank through performance.


David C. Staples Excellence in Nursing Scholarship

The David C. Staples Excellence in Nursing Endowed Scholarshop was established at Keene State College through the Keene Endowment Association with a gift from David Boynton Staples, Class of 1955 and the late Elizabeth (Betsy) Walker Staples, Class of 1951 to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the graduation of their son, David C. Staples, from Concord High School. This scholarship is a memorial tribute to David Charles Staples who was a practicing certified nursing assistant studying to be a licensed practical nurse - with the goal of becoming a registered nurse - until his tragic death in 1983 at the age of twenty-four.

Katelynn A Bellows

image

Katelynn decided to join the nursing program after experiencing life in the military. As a nursing student, she has been focused and prepared, bringing a sense of composure, respect, and positivity to the class, lab and clinical learning environments. Katelynn is a self-directed learner, who asks relevant questions and is highly motivated to succeed. She is eager to share what she has learned through her expanded life experience. She pays it forward by offering her skill, knowledge and clinical judgement to help classmates develop and grow their nursing skills. It has been a pleasure to work with Katelynn and we wish her well in whatever area of nursing she chooses.


Jesse F. Davis ‘37 Scholarship

This scholarship was established in 1993 by Mr. and Mrs. Jesse F. Davis in gratitude for the excellent instruction they received at KSC. This scholarship recognizes a full-time student who has chosen music as their major course of study and has demonstrated academic excellence.

Nathaniel C Bridges

image

Nate is a second year B.M. Music Composition student. He performs on clarinet in the KSC Concert Band and on saxophone for Jazz Ensemble and Saxophone Ensembles. Adding to his list of secondary instruments also includes performance studies in bassoon and piano. Nate also serves as a department tutor in music theory and aural skills.


Sherry Bovinet Scholarship Fund

This award was created by friends, colleagues, and family members of Sherry Bovinet in honor of her dedication and service to Keene State College and its students. Sherry’s work with hundreds of students in physical education and athletic training helped them to aspire to and achieve remarkable careers.

Kestin L Bunnell

image

Kestin Bunnell is being award the Sherrie Bovinet Scholarship because of her achievements in the classroom and the field. Faculty noted “A strong and dedicated student, Kestin worked hard to develop her skill set and knowledge to provide the best care to her patients. Kestin worked collaboratively with preceptors demonstrating the importance of team-based care.” Her preceptor from BUHS noted, “Kestin did stand out against her peers, and was one of the strongest students I had the pleasure of helping and teaching. She was highly motivated and positive, would easily think on her feet, and apply her knowledge from the classroom and past clinical experience to every new situation she encountered. She was honestly a joy to have, her commitment was unmatched, and her awareness and natural intuitiveness helped her soar a young professional working with patients. But beyond Kestin’s classroom and clinical strengths, it was the passion for professional advocacy she developed this year that set her apart. At a pivotal time of growth and change for the athletic training profession, when we need professionals more than ever to stand up for the profession, we need more advocates like Kestin. Congratulations, Kestin and good luck!


Yarosewick Family Education Award

This award was created by Mary-Lou S. Yarosewick to recognize outstanding students who are pursuing a teaching career in elementary education. Mary-Lou served as a fourth grade classroom teacher in Downington, Pennsylvania for 25 years. She developed a deep respect for the Department of Education at Keene State during her husband’s tenure as President (1994-2005). This award celebrates students majoring in Elementary or Early Childhood Education with high academic achievement who have displayed devotion to community service/service learning and have represented the Education Program with distinction and pride.

Emmersen Hope Case

image

Emmersen Case is an Elementary Education major with a liberal arts concentration in English with a focus on writing. Since freshmen year, Emmersen distinguished herself by her passion for educating children. She volunteered weekly at Keene Day Care during her first year at KSC. She presented on her research project in education at the annual Academic Excellence Conference as a freshman. By sophomore year, Emmersen became a Service Learning Leader for incoming first-year students volunteering at Keene Day Care. She served as a Keene State Orientation Leader, an important role of responsibility for supporting peers as they acclimate to college life. Additionally, Emmersen became a Research and Writing Tutor at the Center for Research and Writing in her second year at KSC. As a junior, she is now a KSC Orientation Cluster Leader. She has also been invited to be a part of the Summit on Student Safety and Well-being.


F. Burton Nelson Holocaust and Genocide Studies Memorial Award

This award was established in 2005 to honor an outstanding student who demonstrates a commitment to Holocaust Studies. It was created by Dr. C. Paul Vincent, then Director of the Cohen Center for Holocaust Studies, and his wife Nancy as a tribute to the late F. Burton Nelson, Professor of Theology at North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago.

Miranda A Cloutier

image

The faculty in Holocaust and Genocide Studies are pleased to announce Miranda Cloutier as our 2019-2020 recipient of the F. Burton Nelson Holocaust and Genocide Studies Memorial Award. During her years at Keene State College, Miranda has consistently distinguished herself in our classes through her interactions with her peers and faculty. She always brought a mature and insightful lens to her work in our program, as well as in her work outside of the classroom. Since last year, she has been a member of the HGS Honors Society, Zeta Chi Rho (ZXP). This spring, she completed an independent study on “The Weaponization of DNA,” which culminated in an outstanding public presentation of her research at the Academic Excellence Conference. Her self-motivation and drive to improve the world will serve her well in her future. We are so proud of her accomplishments, and equally excited to see what awaits her next as she continues her education at the Vermont Law School MA program in Restorative Justice.


Vocalist of the Year

Stephen Thomas Cunniff
Stephen is in his junior year as a double major in B.M. Music Performance and B.A. Communication-Philosophy. As a tenor soloist, Stephen has been featured in numerous Opera Workshop scenes and productions including Pinocchio. This year, Stephen was selected to sing in the Keene performance of Damien Sneed’s national tour ‘We shall overcome’, and with the Monadnock Chorus’ tour of the Canadian Maritimes singing Dan Forrest’s ‘Requiem for the Living’ ora. Additionally, Stephen has been a section leader in the KSC Concert Choir and a member of Vocal Consort, exhibiting the ability to successfully perform a wide range of genre and styles. Stephen will be performing his junior voice recital later this semester.


David C. Staples Excellence in Nursing Scholarship

The David C. Staples Excellence in Nursing Endowed Scholarshop was established at Keene State College through the Keene Endowment Association with a gift from David Boynton Staples, Class of 1955 and the late Elizabeth (Betsy) Walker Staples, Class of 1951 to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the graduation of their son, David C. Staples, from Concord High School. This scholarship is a memorial tribute to David Charles Staples who was a practicing certified nursing assistant studying to be a licensed practical nurse - with the goal of becoming a registered nurse - until his tragic death in 1983 at the age of twenty-four.

Meghan Christina D’Amours

image

Meghan possesses maturity and confidence that belies her years. She has a calm and soothing manner that is evident in her work with classmates, faculty, patients and families. Faculty describe her as thoughtful, reflective, empathetic, compassionate, present, engaged, always excited and ready for new learning experiences. She took full advantage of learning experiences and was often the first to volunteer in clinical to do something new. Meghan was not afraid to step out of her comfort zone and experience the world of nursing.

Meghan is always happy and smiling, even when faced with tough situations. Her infectious laughter always brightens the room. We wish her well as she takes the step into professional practice. It has been a pleasure to be part of Meghan’s journey toward becoming a nurse.


Dr. Benaquist Film Studies Awards-Production

This award was established to honor Dr. Lawrence Benaquist, founder of the Keene State College Film Department, who taught at Keene State College from 1969 to 2010. This award, based on merit and achievement, recognizes a student with a major or minor in film studies, with a focus on critical film studies.

Deviroux D D’Errico

image

Peter H. Batchelder Scholarship for the Humanities

This award was created by Peter Batchelder to provide recognition to Keene State College students enrolled in an Arts or Humanities major, with preference given to students enrolled in French, German or philosophy majors.

Shaunna Louise Dancause

image

Shaunna Dancause is a first-year Holocaust and Genocide Studies and Art major and German minor. Shaunna has been interested in race relations since travelling to Poland and the Czech Republic during high school. Shaunna has demonstrated a focus to integrating German language studies with the HGS major and has applied this knowledge and reflections through visits to Auschwitz, Terezin, the Schindler Factory, and Plaszow. After completing undergraduate studies, Shaunna aspires to pursue a Master’s Degree in Library Science with interest in archival and research projects. The Peter H. Batchelder Scholarship Committee congratulates Shaunna Dancause as a recipient for this award.


History Scholarship Fund

This scholarship was created in 2014 by James G. Smart, KSC Professor Emeritus of history, to provide encouragement to promising students majoring or minoring in history.

Sarah Rose Davis

image

Over the past three years it has been a great pleasure to watch Sarah grow as a student, a thinker, and a future teacher. More often than not, when she raises her hand in class she does so with a smile and a blush, ever self-conscious about “asking too many questions” – but she always drives the discussion forward, asking critical and insightful questions that stimulate her classmates. She has the curiosity and courage not to accept ideas at face value, but to subject them to critical examination. She is also a broad and synthetic thinker, who brings to bear what she has learned in other classes – challenging herself and her classmates to put new information and ideas into a larger social, political, or cultural context. We are heartened to know that she will put these skills to excellent use as an educator.


Thomas Crowley Memorial Scholarship

This memorial award was established in 1992 by family and friends of Thomas Crowley to recognize education majors who have consistently demonstrated an ability to establish a positive teaching and learning relationship in the classroom. Dr. Crowley, professor of education, taught at Keene State College from 1974 until 1992. During that time he was the chair of the education/special education departments and the first Dean of the Divison of Professional Studies.

Sarah Rose Davis
Sarah Davis is an Elementary Education major with a liberal arts concentration in History. During freshmen year, Sarah volunteered weekly at Symonds Elementary School in Keene. She co-presented with peers at the Academic Excellence Conference on social and emotional issues in schools. Sarah served as a Peer Mentor during her sophomore year across two freshmen linked courses. She worked with a group of freshmen in the education program, mentoring them through their first year as education majors inside and outside the classroom. By sophomore year, Sarah conducted weekly reading groups with third graders at Wheelock Elementary School. She continues to help the Education department during Admitted Student Days, by engaging in conversations with incoming students and their families about the program. By junior year, Sarah served as a Peer Mentor in a Literacy course in education, she helped her college peers with their much younger reading buddies at Wheelock Elementary.


Ann Britt Waling Women’s Studies Recognition Award

This award is granted to women’s and gender studies students who have accomplished academic excellence and demonstrated a commitment to feminist activism on campus or in the community. It was established to honor Dr. Ann Britt Waling, former Dean of Professional and Graduate Studies, a faculty member and a founding member of the Women’s Studies Council, who left the College in 2002 after 29 years of service.

  Anna Kate DePasquale

image

This award is granted to Women’s and Gender Studies students who have accomplished academic excellence, and demonstrated a commitment to feminist activism. Anna Kate DePasquale has been an excellent student and ambassador not only to Women’s and Gender Studies program but to Keene State College, she has worked representing our institution in many events and open houses, community service and internships. Women’s and Gender Studies is so proud of her achievements and our hope is that she will have a successful professional and graduate education with strong civic engagement.


Robin Dizard American Studies Award

This award was established in 2007 to recognize an outstanding junior or senior American Studies Major. Created to honor Dr. Robin Dizard, Associate Professor of English, this award acknowledges the vibrant and significant contributions she made to the American Studies Program. Robin taught at Keene State College from 1992 until 2007.

Theresa Derry

image

Theresa Derry graduates as an interdisciplinary scholar with demonstrated interests in exploring ways that space and place acquire and maintain identities over time. Her scholarly work in the field of American Ethnic studies and its examination of the local impact of global migration is firmly grounded in research methods from used in Sociology and History. Using a combination of scholarly documents and archival materials, while conducting oral history interviews, Ms. Derry developed a multigenerational account of the Dintino family’s settlement in the Monadnock Region. Her “Time Capsule” column appeared in the Equinox throughout her undergraduate career. During her senior year, she held an internship with the Southwestern Community Service’s Housing Stabilization Services (HSS) Program, which serves the Monadnock Region.


Frank H. Blackington, Jr. Language Proficiency Award

This memorial award was established in 1978 to recognize an outstanding senior who has demonstrated proficiency in foreign language study. Dr. Blackington, Professor of French, who also served as the Director of the Placement Bureau, was known for his exemplary teaching and leadership during his forty years of service to Keene Teachers College (1922-62). This endowed scholarship was made possible through a generous gift from his sister, Myra B. Griswald.

Austin R Dodge

image

Austin has been awarded the Frank H. Blackington Jr. Language Proficiency Award for achieving proficiency in German and continuing to build it as he completed the German minor. Austin has demonstrated promise in teaching German while at Keene State through tutoring and as a learning assistant, and he has demonstrated a thorough commitment to helping others learn what he is also passionate about. Austin has accompanied visitors from Einbeck, Germany, Keene’s partner city, and he built a rapport with them as well as members of the Keene Partner City Committee. On multiple visits by high school students from Salzburg, Austria on exchange at Conval High School, Austin hosted the students on tours around Keene State and spoke with students and teachers. Austin has also attended a language teaching conference and has built a portfolio of teaching materials including games and tutorial videos to teach about languages and cultures in Germany, Switzerland, and Austria.


Douglas Nelson Outstanding Concert Band Member Award

Cora E Dykens
This year’s recipient of the Douglas Nelson Outstanding Concert Band Member Award is Cora Dykens. Cora’s peers cite her exceptional musicianship and leadership within the ensemble. She leads by example in the clarinet section, always striving to develop and lend her aesthetic and artistic sensibilities to the group’s success. She personifies the best values of the Concert Band and the Music Department, and for that we honor her. 


Music Department Scholarship

This scholarship was created in 2002 with a gift from the KSC Youth Chorus (1993-2002), which was founded and directed by Dr. Gladys Johnsen, Professor of Music at Keene State. The award recognizes students who demonstrate exceptional abilities and promise in the area of music.

Cora E Dykens
Cora is a fourth year B.M. Music Technology and B.M. Music Performance major.  She has been an integral part of almost every instrumental ensemble the Music Department offers. While her primary instrument is clarinet, she has performed on saxophone in the jazz ensemble and saxophone ensemble.  She was also a member of the percussion ensemble. Cora currently serves as principal clarinet in the Concert Band and the Orchestra. In addition to her extensive involvement in ensembles, Cora has also served as one of the Department’s recording engineers for the last four years.


Excellence in Communication Award

The Excellence in Communication Award is given to a communication major who has demonstrated outstanding academic, research, service, or other significant achievement.

Nathan James Flyzik

image

Nathan Flyzik is one of those students that every professor wants to teach and mentor. It is hard to believe he is only 22 because his quiet self-confidence and maturity are far beyond his physical age. Since Nate arrived at KSC, his desire to become involved on our campus has been exemplary, not only in academics but also in the Orientation program. His mentor and supervisor, Casey Justice, states that Nate is the only sophomore student to be hired as one of two Orientation Student Coordinators and held the position for two years in a row. His humble demeanor draws students, staff, and faculty alike to engage with him and feel completely comfortable from the outset. Nate has left a lasting impression on this campus and he will definitely be missed. We are excited for him to complete his Master’s degree in higher education.


Peter Jenkins Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was established in 1994 to recognize an outstanding senior who plans to continue with graduate studies. It was created by family and friends to honor Dr. Peter Jenkins’s 25 years of service to the College from 1966 to 1991. Dr. Jenkins founded the management and psychology departments, was a recipient of the Alumni Association’s Distinguished Teacher Award, and was honored with the naming of the Peter H. Jenkins Classroom and Lecture Hall in Blake House.

Emily Jane Foy

image

Emily has the talent and ability to balance the demands of a double major in Business Management and Political Science while maintaining membership in the Greek Honor Society and serving as President of the Delta Mu Delta International Business Honor Society.   Other leadership roles include treasurer for the Student Assembly, President and Secretary of Delta Xi Phi, and Head Chair of the Finance Committee.   Emily has volunteered as a math tutor, representative for the Class of 2020, and Student Ambassador for the Business Management Department.   Her internship in Washington DC provided an opportunity to expand and apply her academic learning to an important project with the IRS. The late Dr. Peter Jenkins, founder of this award, would be equally proud that Emily has seized some of the many opportunities at KSC .  We are confident that Emily will continue to make us proud as a KSC alum.  We wish you well, Emily. 


David C. Staples Excellence in Nursing Scholarship

The David C. Staples Excellence in Nursing Endowed Scholarshop was established at Keene State College through the Keene Endowment Association with a gift from David Boynton Staples, Class of 1955 and the late Elizabeth (Betsy) Walker Staples, Class of 1951 to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the graduation of their son, David C. Staples, from Concord High School. This scholarship is a memorial tribute to David Charles Staples who was a practicing certified nursing assistant studying to be a licensed practical nurse - with the goal of becoming a registered nurse - until his tragic death in 1983 at the age of twenty-four.

Rebecca Ann Freitas

image

Rebecca is highly intelligent, kind and caring; the perfect combination for a nurse entering today’s healthcare system. She started at Keene State as an Athletic Training major but, midway through her sophomore year, decided to switch majors and join the nursing class of 2020. Most students find the rigor of the nursing curriculum keeps them extremely busy. However, Rebecca accomplished high grades in the nursing courses while continuing as a member of the soccer team at Keene State College. During her time at KSC, Rebecca has been focused on scholarship. Last summer, we were delighted when she was accepted to the INBRE summer research program at Dartmouth Hitchcock working with an Advanced Practice Registered Nurses in Neurology. It has been a great pleasure to be a part of Rebecca Freitas’ nursing education and help her explore the world of possible careers in nursing.


Frank H. Blackington, Jr. Language Proficiency Award

This memorial award was established in 1978 to recognize an outstanding senior who has demonstrated proficiency in foreign language study. Dr. Blackington, Professor of French, who also served as the Director of the Placement Bureau, was known for his exemplary teaching and leadership during his forty years of service to Keene Teachers College (1922-62). This endowed scholarship was made possible through a generous gift from his sister, Myra B. Griswald.

Samantha Leigh French

image

Samantha has been awarded the Frank H. Blackington Jr. Language Proficiency Award for her years of dedication to learning German while studying at KSC. Samantha has earned the German minor, and has continued to build her proficiency by excelling in German classes beyond the minor. She regularly finds ways to connect her major field of study with the German minor. Samantha has been an advocate for studying German language through music. She has also shown an ongoing commitment to helping other students learn in her capacity as a learning assistant and tutor. She has also met visitors from Einbeck, Germany, Keene’s partner city, and she found opportunities discuss with them her interest in Germany’s present and past in connection to her major, Holocaust and Genocide Studies.


Homer Stavely Award

The psychology department established this award to recognize a graduating senior who demonstrates excellence and leadership in Psychology. The award is named in honor of Professor Emeritus Homer Stavely, who served on the Psychology faculty from 1972 until his retirement in 2005.

Janis I. Gaudreau

image

Janis has been an exceptional student in the psychology department for four years. Her enthusiasm for psychology led her to work in Dr. Fichtenholtz’s Affective Neuroscience Lab on a research project looking to understand the attentional biases seen in PTSD. She also developed experiments investigating the properties of human memory. For her Psychology Honors Research project Janis investigated the impact of remember and forget cues on the brain’s response during memory encoding and retrieval. These projects have turned in to presentations at multiple conferences including the 2020 Cognitive Neuroscience Society meeting. Janis’ goal is to pursue a Ph.D. in experimental psychology or cognitive neuroscience.


Peter H. Batchelder Scholarship for the Humanities

This award was created by Peter Batchelder to provide recognition to Keene State College students enrolled in an Arts or Humanities major, with preference given to students enrolled in French, German or philosophy majors.

Matthew Tyler Griffin

image

Matthew Griffin is a second-year student majoring in Spanish and Architecture. Matthew is collaborating with Professor Fernando Del Ama Gonzalo to translate two books from Spanish to English. The content of these books is focused on building facade technologies, the history, current and past construction methods. These projects have allowed Matthew to improve his ability to communicate in Spanish, as well as learn how to approach construction details for architectural applications. Professor Stephen Hawes remarked that Matthew’s “admiration for both the Spanish language and Hispanics, coupled with his goal to become an architect is an uncommon combination in the profession. Since the construction field in the U.S. has a large Hispanic representation, individuals in the position of oversight who both speak Spanish and understand the Spanish culture have a tremendous advantage. Matthew Griffin will be a unique and talented architect. The Peter H. Batchelder Scholarship Committee congratulates Matthew Griffin as a recipient for this award.


Julia McHale Redfern Memorial Prize in Performing Arts

This prize was established in 1988 by former Keene State President Leo F. Redfern and his wife, Edmonde, in memory of Dr. Redfern’s mother, to recognize a student majoring in the performing arts for achieving excellence. Dr. Redfern served as the College’s president from 1969 to 1980.

Shane Taylor Horsman

image

Shane is a real treasure. He has been actively involved in the life of Theatre and Dance since the moment he arrived at Keene State College. He is a member of Alpha Psi Omega Theatre Honor Society. Shane has worked on our productions in various capacity taking on the roles of sound designer, stage manager, master electrician, light board operator, assistant technical director, and technical director. As assistant technical director, a unique position only offered to the top design students, Shane became a true leader and oversaw the work of other students. His initiative, drive and attention to details granted him the position of technical director for our recent Musical production of A Year with Frog and Toad. Shane was recognized twice by the Kennedy Center American College Festival, receiving a merit award for his sound design for Church & State and a second merit award for his Technical direction of A Year with Frog & Toad. Shane received a Lighting Internship at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre Center where he worked closely with award winning lighting designers as assistant lighting designer and light board programmer. Shane has a bright future ahead of him. We will miss him and wish him all the best.


Never too Late Scholarship from Bio

This scholarship was established in 2016 by Travis ‘94 and Gretchen Hodgdon, who are both physicians. Travis attended KSC after a tour of duty with the U.S. Navy and time as an EMT. This award recognizes biology or nursing majors who have exhibited leadership qualities among their classmates through demonstrated action in class and labs.

Birgitt Keinanen

image

Birgitt is a smart, curious and courageous student of Biology and of the world. Birgitt has excelled at her coursework, from the micro to the macro, from the theoretical to the practical. In addition to being a mom, in her life outside of Keene State life she manages a large complex farm, practicing sustainable agriculture of animals and plants of many kinds. This working experience, particularly when combined with Birgitt’s relentless curiosity and passion for knowing and research, are a large part of what makes Birgitt a knowledgeable and competent biologist. We cannot imagine a student more deserving of the “Never Too Late” scholarship: she has worked harder than most to be able to pursue her Biology degree, and she has also managed to be one of the finest students in our program. We cannot wait to see what she will do next!


David Hatch Battenfeld Memorial Award

Established in 1984, this memorial award is named in honor of a distinguished humanist and teacher at Keene State College, to provide recognition to outstanding students who shows serious interest and aptitude in the humanities. Specifically, Professor Battenfeld’s family expressed a preference for the award to be given to non-traditional students, or students who have returned to the college after an interruption of their studies. It was created by family and friends to honor Dr. Battenfeld, a highly respected member of the faculty, who taught English from 1965 to 1984.

Autumn Lagace-Hazeltine

image

Autumn Lagace-Hazeltine is an English Literature major in her junior year, working towards English teacher licensure. She simply loves ideas and learning and brings to every class immense dedication, preparedness and a capacity for astute critical analysis. In her essay submission for the Battenfeld Award, Autumn, a former biology major, writes of how a scientific understanding of the world should be complemented by the approach of a humanist. In her words: “I have always considered the humanities, especially the study of English literature, to be a gateway to developing [the ] crucial skills of introspection, assuming and considering a different perspective and coexisting empathetically with the world.” Autumn comes from a family of teachers and looks forward to teaching literature that is “not only intellectually relevant, but including literature that is socially, emotionally, and ethically pertinent to their lives.”


Jan Youga Award for Excellence in English-Secondary Education

This award is provided by the English department faculty to honor the commitment and excellence of Professor Emerita Janet Youga and is awarded to the graduating senior who has demonstrated excellence in English Secondary Education.

Jessica Grace Lapsley

image

Jess is an outstanding teacher candidate and a deserving winner of the Jan Youga Award for Excellence in Secondary English Education. She has an exceptionally bright mind. Professor Chris Parsons says: “I don’t use ‘bright’ here as a hackneyed synonym for just ‘smart’ (though her astronomical GPA attests to that); Jess has a mind that brightens—brings to more vivid life all with which it comes into contact.” Why is that so great for an English teacher? For one, if the novels, plays, and essays of an English class can seem like black and white letters on too-many pages, Jess brings them to life as she designs connections to students’ lives and to the world around them. Importantly, too, Jess’s view of her students as bright, idiosyncratic adolescents allows them to see themselves that way in her class. Congratulations to Jess Lapsley, winner of the Youga Award for Excellence in Secondary English Education!


Alta Lu Townes Memorial Dance Award

This memorial award was established in 1996 to recognize an outstanding student in dance. It was created by Professor Townes’s family, friends, colleagues, and students to honor Professor Townes for her remarkable career as a choreographer, scholar, and dance educator. Alta Lu was the founder of the College’s dance program and taught from 1975 to 1996.

Grace Elaine Lonergan

image

The Alta Lu Townes Memorial Dance Award is named after the founder of our KSC Dance Program and honors student achievement in dance scholarship. This year’s recipient, Grace Lonergan, embodies the intention of this award, having explored dance research opportunities within and beyond the campus.

Grace arrived at Keene State with a mature and developed system of research in modern dance technique, quickly diving into all the opportunities Keene offers. She has been selected by guest artists, David Dorfman and Boris Willis to perform in their original choreography and has, each semester, auditioned and been selected to work with students and faculty alike. Grace spent a semester abroad at the Universidad San Francisco de quito in Ecuador. Inspired by the ways in which salsa figured so prominently and naturally in Ecuadorian culture, Grace returned to Keene and cultivated discussions comparing cultural constructs in and around the body, sexuality and dance. Her originally choreographed work, The Logic of Appropriateness, synthesized a semester of rich and sophisticated research into the theory of constructivism and its corporeal response through choreography. This work was chosen to represent Keene State at the 2020 American College Dance Association Conference at Middlebury College, as part of Academic Excellence, and to be fully produced in An Evening of Dance. Grace Lonergan will graduate in May 2021 with majors in both Theatre and Dance and Spanish and a minor in International Studies.


Peter H. Batchelder Scholarship for the Humanities

This award was created by Peter Batchelder to provide recognition to Keene State College students enrolled in an Arts or Humanities major, with preference given to students enrolled in French, German or philosophy majors.

Grace Elaine Lonergan
Grace Lonergan is a junior majoring in Dance and Spanish with a minor in International Studies. Grace has an interest in languages including French, Spanish, and learning to speak Quichua during a study abroad semester at Universidad San Fransisco de Quito in Ecuador. She has been accepted as a state department intern at the American Embassy in Quito and has interest in pursuing graduate studies and a career in translation and International Relations. Grace is recognized by her faculty as being disciplined, intelligent, diligent and a collaborative student. The Peter H. Batchelder Scholarship Committee congratulates Grace Lonergan as a recipient for this award.


Robin Dizard American Studies Award

This award was established in 2007 to recognize an outstanding junior or senior American Studies Major. Created to honor Dr. Robin Dizard, Associate Professor of English, this award acknowledges the vibrant and significant contributions she made to the American Studies Program. Robin taught at Keene State College from 1992 until 2007.

Erin Lynch

image

Erin Lynch receives a dual degree in American Studies and Secondary Education, with certification as a social studies teacher. Ms. Lynch’s research interest in the areas of cultural geography, history, and African American studies inspired her decision to take a semester as an exchange student in the Southern United States at the University of Montevallo in Montevallo, Alabama. During her undergraduate career at Keene State, she was among a group of American Studies students who participated in the Council of Public Liberal Arts College (COPLAC) Digital Learning initiative through a course entitled, “Community Conflict in America.” Ms. Lynch presented research from her senior capstone project on the constructions and interpretations of the black/white color-line during the Progressive era in the United States at the 2020 Keene State Academic Excellence Conference. During spring semester 2020, she was a student teacher at Contoocook Valley Regional High School High School in Peterborough, NH.


Michael D. Keller Memorial Award

This fund was established by faculty, students, and friends of Michael D. Keller, who was Dean of Arts and Humanities and a beloved teacher. The purpose of this fund is to support undergraduate students in the visual and performing arts such as dance, drama, and music.

Meghan Teresa Mickela

image

Michael D. Keller Memorial Award

This fund was established by faculty, students, and friends of Michael D. Keller, who was Dean of Arts and Humanities and a beloved teacher. The purpose of this fund is to support undergraduate students in the visual and performing arts such as dance, drama, and music.

Jessica Raylynne Moir

image

Aubrey Thomas ‘62 Biology Proficiency Award

This award was established in 1990 to recognize a senior who has demonstrated scholastic proficiency in biology courses, including ecology and environmental science. It was created by Dr. Aubrey S. Thomas Jr., Class of 1962, in recognition of the excellent education provided to him by Keene Teachers College while he was a student in the secondary education math and science teaching major. Dr. Thomas served as a Biology Professor at Merrimack College for many years.

Julian Murphy

image

This year the graduating senior recognized by the Biology faculty for academic achievement and contribution to the department is Julian Murphy. Julian came to KSC as a non-traditional student completing a double major in Secondary Education and Biology; he immediately stood out among his classmates with his maturity, sincerity and engagement in the classroom. Julian is bright, hard-working and generous of spirit, consistently raising the level of discussion in all his classes with his thoughtful questions. In addition to holding the highest GPA in his cohort, Julian has also been active in undergraduate research: he has worked in Dr. Hays’ lab for the last two years, where he has contributed to research on eelgrass population genetics and served as a mentor to new students in the lab. Julian is an excellent biologist and will be a phenomenal teacher – his future students are lucky to have him in their corner.


Maynard C. Waltz Memorial Award

Created by Mark Waltz ’60 and Miles Waltz, this endowed award was created to perpetuate the memory and qualities of the life of their father, Maynard Waltz, who was a faculty member of Keene State College from 1930 to 1965. He taught both educational psychology and Latin, served as a member and chair of both the Education and Foreign Language departments, and retired as professor emeritus. This award endowment provides recognition and financial assistance to full time traditional students with junior or senior status who are pursuing a teaching career in secondary science or math education. The award recognizes students with strong academic qualities in science and math, high motivation to become a teacher, and qualities of compassion, integrity, citizenship and fairness.

Julian Ray Murphy
Julian Murphy was chosen to receive the Maynard C. Waltz Memorial Award for his dedication to science education. Now more than ever, we need a society that is scientifically literate, and that means we need dedicated and skillful science teachers. Julian is just the kind of individual to meet that need. He has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to becoming the best science teacher he can possibly be. He is always hungry to advance his learning, and his boundless curiosity is infectious (in the best possible sense of that word!). Julian would likely be successful doing any number of things, but he has chosen to become a science teacher because he knows just how important it is. His future students are luckier for that choice. Julian is a most deserving recipient of this award. Congratulations!


Dr. Benaquist Film Studies Awards-Production

This award was established to honor Dr. Lawrence Benaquist, founder of the Keene State College Film Department, who taught at Keene State College from 1969 to 2010. This award, based on merit and achievement, recognizes a student with a major or minor in film studies, with a focus on critical film studies.

Sarah Marie Nickerson


Dr. Benaquist Film Studies Awards-Critical Studies

This award was established to honor Dr. Lawrence Benaquist, founder of the Keene State College Film Department, who taught at Keene State College from 1969 to 2010. This award, based on merit and achievement, recognizes a student with a major or minor in film studies, with a focus on critical film studies.

  Dylan Kelly O’Connell

image

English Department Award for Excellence in Writing

This award is provided by the English department faculty and is awarded to the graduating senior who has achieved excellence in writing.

Lexi Kayley Palmer

image

Lexi Palmer is quite simply an outstanding writer who can turn her hand to critical essays, professional writing, poems, and short stories – and produce outstanding work in every instance. Winner of the Fosher Writing award and a SURF Grant in 2019, Lexi has also won the KSC Fiction Slam and went to present at the New Hampshire State Fiction Slam, where she placed third. She has also won prizes in the KSC Poetry Contest and presented her work at the New England poetry festival and COPLAC. Lexi’s work creative work is vivid, tender, and sometimes startling – but always memorable.  She realizes that a creative writer is also a good reader and will also be remembered for her excellent work in literature classes. Lexi is one of the best writers Keene State has seen, and we are delighted to give her this award and wish her the very best in her future career. 


Dr. Benaquist Film Studies Awards-Critical Studies

This award was established to honor Dr. Lawrence Benaquist, founder of the Keene State College Film Department, who taught at Keene State College from 1969 to 2010. This award, based on merit and achievement, recognizes a student with a major or minor in film studies, with a focus on critical film studies.

Jacqueline Pantano

image

Robert S. Neuman Thorne Art Award

The Robert S. Neuman Thorne Art Award honors the founder of Keene State’s art program, celebrated artist and long-serving faculty member. The award is given for excellence in the arts.

Abigail R. Proctor
Abigail Proctor is currently a double major working towards a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art. She was nominated by the Art & Design Department for the first Robert S. Neuman Art Award. Her work in the Annual Sculpture Exhibition “Surreal Self” at the Carroll House Gallery is being recognized for its excellence.  Her sculptural work titled Stories in Bloom was about family, community, birth, growth, and inspiration.  Abigail has enthusiastically pursued a wide breadth of artistic materials throughout her undergraduate degree. She is an exceptional student, constantly in the pursuit of knowledge, and willing to take chances and experiment with the question of what is art. After graduating in 2021 she plans to combine her educational background and intends to pursue a Master’s degree in Art Therapy.


Barbara J. Kirstein Nurse of the Future

The purpose of this award is to provide recognition and financial assistance to a nursing major who has excelled in his/her performance as a student at Keene State College.

Rebecca Ann Putnam

image

Rebecca represents the ultimate “Nurse of the Future.” She is totally committed to her studies, always prepared for class, labs and clinical learning experiences. At the beginning of the semester, Rebecca spent extra time in the simulation lab practicing all the nursing skills focusing on developing hands-on skills prior to working with ill hospitalized patients. She is a strong team member with solid leadership skills showing great empathy and compassion for her fellow classmates. The major factor that sets her apart from other nursing students is her focus on scholarship. Rebecca selected to do qualitative research for the final research class focusing on men seeking help for mental health issues. She worked with the nursing faculty to develop the research project, and achieve IRB approval. Next, she arranged individual interviews with research participants, and then synthesized the data to identify common themes that could be used by others to identify men at risk for suicide. It has been a pleasure to be a part of Rebecca Putnam’s nursing education and watch her grow in the profession. She is the nurse of the future.


English Department Award for Excellence in Literature

This award is provided by the English department faculty and is awarded to the graduating senior who has achieved excellence in literary studies.

Eva Priscilla Quill
Eva Quill is an outstanding student who brings to literary criticism her linguistic prowess as a poet. A rare example of a student who excels both at criticism and creative writing, Eva combines rigor and astuteness with sensitivity and a sense of playfulness. Her Shakespeare professor remembers her interest in Shakespeare in performance and the ways in which the written word is translated for stage and screen. It is this interest in language as a living, dynamic entity that can create magic and bring about change, that informs Eva’s study of literature. Eva also won the Eder Creative Writing Scholarship in 2019, and also won prizes in the Poetry Voice and KSC Poetry contests. She has presented her work at the New England Poetry Festival and was selected to read an original composition at the Outstanding Women of New Hampshire Awards ceremony in 2019. About to be certified as an English teacher, Eva cares deeply about her students; she uses her own creative writing (and writing process) as a model for her students and seeks out seeks to build relationships with adolescents who seem to be having particular challenges with school.


Peter H. Batchelder Scholarship for the Humanities

This award was created by Peter Batchelder to provide recognition to Keene State College students enrolled in an Arts or Humanities major, with preference given to students enrolled in French, German or philosophy majors.

Colette Michelle Rinker

image

Colette Rinker is a second-year student majoring in Communication with a focus in Philosophy. In addition, she is pursuing minors in Professional Writing and Music. She is a first-generation student at Keene State. Professor Amber Davisson remarked that Colette’s “critical thinking skills, willingness to tackle projects outside of her comfort zone, and dedication to self-improvement make her standout amongst her peers”. Colette has expressed interest in pursuing graduate studies on the ethical practices of representing individuals within the modern music industry through media such as television, radio, and the internet. The Peter H. Batchelder Scholarship Committee congratulates Colette Rinker as a recipient for this award.


Brett S Roberts

image

Brett is dedicated to learning and becoming the best nurse he can be. He is persistent and diligent in his pursuit of a career as a professional nurse. In class, lab and clinical he demonstrates his high level of intelligence by asking thought provoking questions. In clinical, Brett is focused on providing the highest level of safe patient care. Aside from being a full-time nursing student at KSC, Brett also found time to maintain a part-time position at Convenient MD in Keene. Over the past two years, Brett has become the lead voice of the senior nursing class. He is respectful and responsible in communicating with peers, faculty and staff. He is always checking in with faculty to say hello and make sure we are doing well. It has been a pleasure to work with Brett Roberts and we look forward to watching him grow in his role as a professional nurse.


English Department Award for Excellence in Writing

This award is provided by the English department faculty and is awarded to the graduating senior who has achieved excellence in writing.

Ashley Ann Rollend

image

Ashley Rollend is also one of Keene State’s most outstanding writers. Her teachers remember her writing to be whimsical, innovative, clever, and impactful.  Ashley has won the SURF grant two times for her very original writing projects and won the KSC Poetry Voice and KSC Poetry contests as well as the KSC Fiction slam. She is due to represent the College at the New Hampshire State Fiction slam this year. She has also presented her work at the New England Poetry Festival and COPLAC. An Honors student, Ashley is also very active in various campus student leadership roles. Dynamic, dedicated, and driven, we are certain Ashley will go a long way and wish her all the very best!


Presser Award

Theodore Presser (1848 – 1925) rose from humble beginnings to become a respected music teacher and publisher. Familiar with the many challenges facing musicians, he established The Presser Foundation which supports music performance and education through undergraduate and graduate scholar awards, operating and program support for music organizations, capital grants for music building projects, and assistance to retired music teachers. This undergraduate scholar award recognizes a student for merit and achievement in music.

Madison Alexa Shimko
Maddy is a junior B.M. Music Education student with a primary instrument of flute. She has emerged as a respected student-leader and positive Music Department citizen through her role as President of KSC’s student chapter of The National Association for Music Education, as a music tutor, and as a student conductor for the Concert Band. In addition to winning the first annual Music Department Concert & Aria Competition, Maddy has aided in the shift to online learning by producing rehearsal videos for Concert Band members to maintain their musicianship while away from campus.


Jim and Mary Leonard Scholarship in Music

As life-long music enthusiasts, Jim amd Mary Leonard created this scholarship to encourage students to pursue rewarding careers in Music. A voice and piano teacher for many, many years, Mary touched the lives of hundreds of children over many years of dedicated instruction.

Nicholas T So
Nick is a junior B.M. Music Performance student in the Honors Program and also has a second major of B.S. Biology. Nick’s primary instrument is violin and he has achieved success as a performer on cello, piano, and oboe as secondary instruments. Nick is the concertmaster for the KSC Chamber Orchestra, performs with the String Ensemble, and showed promise as the assistant conductor for the KSC Chamber Orchestra this Spring.


English Department Award for Excellence in Literature

This award is provided by the English department faculty and is awarded to the graduating senior who has achieved excellence in literary studies.

Robert Henry Sturtevant
Robert Strutevant is an English major about to be certified as a Secondary English teacher. He loves literature with a passion and understands, and is eager to promote, the power of the written word. He combines the rigor of critical analysis with a deep appreciation of the beauty of good writing. Robbie’s enthusiasm, excitement, and dedication truly make him the dream student. His teachers will remember him for the energy and thoughtfulness he brought to class discussions. Robbie is also something of a poet himself, and has taken classes in the craft of poetry. As a teacher he is skilled in helping students engage with literature in ways they enjoy. Robbie has been a terrific student of English and will doubtless be a great teacher as well!


Carl Granquist History Award

The Carl Granquist History Award was established to honor Dr. Granquist’s long and distinguished career at Keene State College upon his retirement in 2014. As a historian of modern France with expertise in the French Revolution, he inspired students for over four decades through his great gifts as a teacher and his deep and profound understanding of modern European history.

Cole Anderson Tollett

image

Cole Anderson Tollett is this year’s deserving recipient of the Carl Granquist Award, named for our late and much missed colleague in the History Department. Cole came to Keene State as a transfer student. He commutes to campus. In addition to that, he grew up in Texas and has probably gone through considerable culture shock in adjusting to life in New England. But those experiences are not why Cole is receiving the Carl Granquist Award. Cole is a remarkably responsible young man who truly loves the study of the past. In my Civil War class last fall, no student showed up as prepared and as interested as Cole did every day. He asked relevant questions, engaged analytically with the material, and was even respectful toward Yankees. Happily, Cole has just been admitted to our Masters in History and Archives Program. I, for one, am glad that he left Texas.


Peter H. Batchelder Scholarship for the Humanities

This award was created by Peter Batchelder to provide recognition to Keene State College students enrolled in an Arts or Humanities major, with preference given to students enrolled in French, German or philosophy majors.

Thomas Neil Townsend

image

Thomas Townsend is a junior Political Science and History major, French minor, and a student in the Morris-August Honors program. Thomas recognizes the synergy of connecting these disciplines to learn more deeply about different cultures, governments and historical events, which he has applied in the Comparative Politics course and annual French Club trips to Montreal. Faculty recommender Wes Martin described Thomas’ academic accomplishments as follows: “In academic matters, we admire his unusual capacity to dig deeply into the subjects that we study, his clear and incisive writing, and his respectful-albeit-probing contributions in verbal discussions. We value the kind of critical thinking that we see in his work because it sets conventional preconceptions aside and focuses, instead, on the underlying problems and options in community governance. Finally, we all value his unusual kindness and thoughtfulness in dealing with the human interactions that are a necessary part of study in a collegial setting.” The Peter H. Batchelder Scholarship Committee congratulates Thomas Townsend as a recipient for this award.


KSC Chemistry Faculty Award

The KSC Chemistry Faculty Award is given to the outstanding senior majoring in Chemistry or Chemistry related dual major program who actively contributes to the continuing development of the Chemistry Program at Keene State College.

Morgan Rae Tupper

image

The members of the Chemistry Department are pleased to present Morgan Tupper with the KSC Chemistry Faculty Award. This award recognizes the outstanding senior who contributes the most to the continuing development of the Chemistry Program. Since arriving on campus, Morgan has engaged in a number of activities that contribute to the recruitment and retention of students within the department. Morgan served as a Student Ambassador to the Chemistry Department where she would speak with prospective students and give tours of the laboratories. Additionally, Morgan has been a tutor for introductory Chemistry courses and she continues to support her students during this transition to online instruction. As the President of the Chemistry Lyceum, Morgan has coordinated social activities gauged toward promoting a sense of community within the department. She has truly been an integral part of the department and we wish her all the best in her future endeavors.


Never too Late Scholarship from Nursing

This scholarship was established in 2016 by Travis ‘94 and Gretchen Hodgdon, who are both physicians. Travis attended KSC after a tour of duty with the U.S. Navy and time as an EMT. This award recognizes biology or nursing majors who have exhibited leadership qualities among their classmates through demonstrated action in class and labs.

Sydney Gail Upham

image

Syndey is a very dedicated and diligent nursing student who works hard to achieve her goal of becoming a nurse.   In class, lab and clinical, Sydney is prepared and engages with faculty and her classmates. She goes above and beyond to learn the critical components of nursing care. In clinical, she engages with patients on a level that shows she cares and her gentle approach puts patients at ease knowing they are in good hands. We look forward to working with Sydney during her senior year and helping her become the best nurse she can be. 


Carroll Lehman Award for Excellence in Vocal Music

The Carroll Lehman Award for Excellence in Vocal Music was created in honor of Dr. Lehman’s retirement after 35 years of dedication to his students and the program.

Kelly Irene Uselton

image

Kelly is a senior B.M. Music Performance student and an excellent soprano vocalist. She was featured in numerous roles in KSC’s Opera Workshop productions including the Fairy Queen and Pinocchio. She is currently preparing for her Senior Recital. In addition to her solo works, Kelly has been a positive contributor to KSC’s Concert Choir, Chamber Singers, and Vocal Consort. Kelly has been accepted to Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society. After graduating from Keene State, Kelly will pursue graduate studies at Longy School of Music in Cambridge. She has also earned a Teaching Assistantship to support her ongoing studies.


Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminology Department Faculty Award

This award is given annually to a graduating senior who exemplifies outstanding contributions of both scholarship and service in sociology, anthropology, and/or criminal justice studies. The faculty instituted this award to recognize the importance of both service and learning in these disciplines, and to honor students in their pursuit of excellence in those areas.

Caitlin Theresa Watkins

image

The faculty of the Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminology department have chosen Ms. Caitlin Watkins to receive the Outstanding Student Award this year. In her time at KSC, Caitlin has balanced a long list of extracurricular activities while maintaining an excellent academic record. She has been a member of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Club, a Head Resident Assistant, a member of the Women’s and Gender Studies Honors Club, and received Outstanding Leader of the Year at the Student Leadership Banquet awards. She has also remained on the Dean’s List throughout her academic career. It is not only these achievements that underscore her abilities but the grace and purpose with which she has pursued them-always looking for ways to learn and grow, always at the ready to help those around her. Caitlin, as you move on from KSC, we wish you every bit of success you have earned and more.


Liberty Mutual Insurance Excellence in Mathematics Award

This award was established in 2000 to recognize the graduating mathematics major with the highest grade point average in the mathematics curriculum. Liberty Mutual acknowledges the importance of mathematics to its business and to all of society, and is committed to promoting young mathematicians who have demonstrated outstanding mathematical achievement.

Danielle M Wiley

image

Danielle Wiley will be graduating with a B.A. in Mathematics with the Secondary Teaching Option and a 4.0 GPA in her math courses. During this spring semester, she successfully completed her student teaching at Concord High School.

She has prepared herself well for the future. For three semesters, she worked as a tutor in the Math Center where struggling students in a variety of math courses would seek her assistance. Her math capstone research project involved making and proving some conjectures about a previously uninvestigated infinite sequence of integers and she presented her results at the spring 2019 Hudson River Undergraduate Math conference and at the fall 2019 Northeastern Section of the Mathematical Association of America conference. In the fall of 2018, she worked with three gifted math students at Wheelock School introducing them to new concepts and providing them with creative problem solving strategies. For the past two years, she has been a member of Kappa Mu Epsilon, the mathematics honor society. On behalf of Peerless Insurance Company and the Mathematics Department at Keene State College, we would like to present the Peerless Insurance Company Excellence in Mathematics Award for the year 2020 to Danielle Wiley.


Emily N. Grier Excellence in Philosophy Award

Award provided by the Philosophy faculty in recognition of exemplary scholarship

Mary Winn

image

From her arrival at Keene State to her stellar finish, Mary Winn has been the kind of student that leaves a lasting impression on those who have the privilege of working with her. Early on, she was asked to tutor her peers in public speaking; soon, she was completing an exemplary senior capstone project during her junior year, a project she then presented at the Academic Excellence Conference this spring. In her classes, which she never misses, Mary’s observations and contributions have been invaluable, as she quietly models the importance of persistence and pride in one’s work and ideas. Mary’s intelligence and wit are clear; her near perfect GPA attests to her work ethic and commitment. Don’t be surprised when you hear her name again; if she continues on the path she is on, she’s the kind of person who will change the world.


Danny Paul Hunter Memorial Scholarship

This scholarship was created as a gift from Aubrey S. Thomas, Jr. ‘62 and his wife, Satoko N. Thomas, in memory of Danny Paul Hunter, who exhibited great potential in music, and whose life was tragically cut short at age fifteen. Consideration for this scholarship is given to full-time students who have demonstrated academic excellence and the promise of future success in the area of music.

William George Wright

image

William (Will) is a senior B.M. Music Education student with a primary instrument of trombone. Will exhibits promise in the fields of music education and performance. He is a featured trombone soloist in KSC’s Jazz Ensemble, frequently performs with the community-based Keene Jazz Orchestra, and is a freelance trombonist for area musicals. Will has been an active member of The National Association for Music Education and advocated for music education on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.