President's Award

The President’s Award is presented annually to outstanding students selected by a committee of faculty, students and administrators. Awardees exemplify academic performance, extra-curricular achievement, and service to the University. Recipients exemplify the highest attributes of leadership and personify the objectives of Rider University’s Mission Statement, which includes the commitment “to acquire knowledge, think critically and communicate clearly and lead affectively. They are typically presented at an Awards Banquet in April.

The award is presented annually to one male and one female senior from the Lawrenceville campus and one from the Westminster campus; the award is made possible by a gift from the Class of 1974. Other gifts over the years have augmented this, allowing the award to be sustained in perpetuity. In addition to an inscribed gift, recipients' names are placed on a permanent plaque displayed in the Student Center.

2008 - Nicholas Ballasy, Laura Vendetta, Dionne Lashley
Nicholas Ballasy, who earned his Bachelor degree in communication with a concentration in journalism, television, and radio; and a minor in political communication; and Laura Vendetta, who earned her Bachelor degree with a double major in Communication and Dance and a minor in Political Science, were recognized at the Rider University Awards Day ceremony April 27. Dionne Lashley, who earned her Bachelor degree candidate in Music Education major with a specialization in Voice, was lauded for her achievements April 17 during Westminster's Spring Convocation. To read more, click here.

2007 - Kimberly Jarosiewicz, Nicolas Barbatti, Christian Stuck
To read more, click here.

2006 – Heather Horowitz, Perry Whiteley, Matthew Knickman
To read more, click here.

2005 – Mary Ann Somaine, Matthew Popilowski, Megan Sheridan
Matthew Popilowski, a Bachelor degree candidate in political science, and Mary Ann Somaine, a Bachelor degree candidate in psychology and a minor in multicultural studies, were recognized at the Rider University Awards Day ceremony April 30. Megan Sheridan, a Bachelor degree candidate in music education, was lauded for her achievements April 28 during Westminster's Spring Convocation.

2004 – Laura Sass, R. Ryan Kimball, Stephanie Naylis
Laura Sass, a bachelor’s degree candidate in English writing with a 3.6 grade point average, and Ryan Kimball, a bachelor’s degree candidate in communication with a 3.24 grade point average, were recognized at Rider University’s Awards Day ceremony May 2. Stephanie Naylis, a bachelor’s degree candidate in music education with a 3.89 grade point average, was lauded for her achievements April 29 during Westminster’s Spring Convocation.

2003 – Katierose Donohue, Sean O’Hare, Justin Raffa
Katierose Donohue, a bachelor’s degree candidate in theater with a 3.6 grade point average, and Sean O’Hare, a bachelor’s degree candidate in management and organizational behavior with a 3.5 grade point average, were recognized at Rider University’s Awards Day ceremony May 3. Justin Raffa, a bachelor’s degree candidate in music education with a 3.7 grade point average, was lauded for his achievements May 1 during Westminster’s Spring Convocation.

2002 – Ryan Bernardini, Molly DeSesso, Laura Bruce
Molly DeSesso, a Bachelor degree candidate in business education major with a 3.9 grade point average, and Ryan Bernardini, a Bachelor degree candidate in finance, with a 3.6 grade point average, were recognized at the Rider University-wide Awards Day ceremony May 5. Laura Bruce, a Bachelor degree candidate in music education with a 3.9 grade point average, was lauded for her achievements May 2 during Westminster's Spring Convocation.

2001 – Leiry Gonzalez, Timothy Stillings

2000 – Leah Navison, Kirk Hinkley

1999 – Sean Kirk, Colleen Costar

1998 - Sandeep Chellani, Patricka Smith

1997 - Michael Loughran, Karen Marrolli

1996 - Christopher Galletti, Vickie Frazier

1995 - Michael Keely, Nora Jones

1994 - Michael Kurtz, Edward Hoffman

1993 - Jody Clayton, Robert Decker, Jr.

1992 - Marianne Teiyeira, Keith Grim

1991 – Niurka Peroz, Edward Sart

1990 – Judithanne Scourfield, David Bauerle

1989 – Susana Santaguida, Eric Jacobs

1988 – Nancy Palmere, John Maberg

1987 – John DeLorenzo, Kimberly Lenox

1986 – Ann Marie Gibney, Brian Long

1985 – Martha VanSciver, Fernando Guerriere

Compiled by Walter A. Brower, Class of 1948