President's Award Winners

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.

Click here for more information about past winners. 

2006

Two graduating seniors from Rider University’s Lawrenceville campus and a graduating senior from Westminster Choir College of Rider University have been named recipients of the University’s President’s Award for 2006.

Heather Horowitz, a bachelor’s degree candidate in political science, and Perry Whiteley, a bachelor’s degree candidate in finance and global business, were recognized at the Rider University Awards Day ceremony April 30. Matthew Knickman, a bachelor’s degree candidate in voice performance, was lauded for his achievements April 27 during Westminster’s Spring Convocation.

Whiteley has made his mark at Rider as an outstanding student leader. As president of the Student Government Association, he is well known for successfully advancing the interests of Rider University and students both on and off campus.

As an underclassman, he was active in the Association of Commuting Students and was elected a commuter senator. For his leadership, he was awarded the Materia Memorial Award “for the commuting student who has been highly involved and given selflessly to the University community” and the Kathleen D. Iacovelli Student Government Award.

Whiteley has also demonstrated his extraordinary commitment to community service. As the founder and coordinator of the Association of Commuting Students’ Craft Show, the money raised has benefited St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. To date, the craft show has raised more than $6,500 during it first two years on campus. As a result, Whiteley briefs other students on how to build on its success.

Since his freshman year, Whiteley has accomplished much for the University community while working part-time off campus. Upon graduation, he plans to pursue an MBA with the goal of becoming a financier. He also aspires to run for public office.

To read more about Horowitz and Knickman, click here.

2005

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, 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, 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.

O’Hare has participated and excelled in a wide variety of activities. During his time at Rider, he has been a member and captain of the men’s soccer team and was selected to the MAAC Second and All-Academic teams. He has also been an active member of the Catholic Campus Ministry each of his four years and served as president for the past two.

Committed to enhancing his leadership skills, O’Hare has been a member of CREW^w, a skill-building program for business students, and DAARSTOC, a program that provides more intensive skill-building instruction and workshop experiences for competitively selected students. He served DAARSTOC as vice president for recruiting, Phi Sigma Tau as president, and the Student-Athlete Advisory Council as secretary.

A dean’s list scholar, O’Hare is a member of the business honors program, the baccalaureate honors program, and Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities. He is a recipient of the Knights of Columbus and Stephen Goldstone Memorial Scholarships and is a member of several honor societies, including Alpha Lambda Delta, Omicron Delta Kappa, Phi Sigma Tau, and Sigma Iota Epsilon.

In addition to his many achievements and campus involvement, O’Hare has consistently demonstrated a concern for the community and those less fortunate. He is a first degree Knight in the Knights of Columbus and a lector and Eucharistic Minister in his hometown church and at Rider where he served Holy Communion to the sick and elderly at the St. Lawrence Rehabilitation Center. O’Hare volunteered regularly in the Trenton Soup Kitchen’s Loaves and Fishes Program and at the Millhill Child and Family Care Center. He spent spring break this year in the Dominican Republic serving the nuns and children of the Orchid Foundation Orphanage.

A 2003 recipient of the East Coast Collegiate Entrepreneur Award, O’Hare is owner and CEO of SPO Enterprises, a painting and contracting company located in his hometown of Fairfax, Va. The company, which operates from March through August, grossed more than $200,000 in sales last year. His goal is to reach $1 million in revenues within the next five years by diversifying into real estate and home construction and remodeling.

2002
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.

Bernardini has excelled at Rider, overcoming a number of challenges following a serious car accident just prior to the start of his freshman year. He has held a variety of leadership positions and has been a notable role model for his peers. His numerous positions have included serving on the finance board of the Student Government Association, most recently as chairperson. He has also served as president of Conover Hall. A member of Phi Kappa Tau fraternity, he recently served as its public relations representative. Rider's InterFraternity Council named him Greek Man of the Year last year.

In addition, Bernardini has served as a commuter advisor, a WRRC radio disc jockey and as Rider's basketball statistician. He was also a member of Rider’s Model United Nations team, participating on the 2000 team that won the Distinguished Delegation Award, the program's first such award since 1988.

Committed to academics as well as to campus activities, Bernardini is a Dean's Award scholarship recipient, a Dean's List scholar, and a member of Who's Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities. A member of CREW^w, a skill-building program for business students, he received the program's Best Boss and Best Subordinate Awards. He also received recognition from Phi Kappa Tau fraternity for having the highest grade point average.

Over the past several years, Bernardini has served mentally and physically disabled children through the Knights of Columbus Project and taught basketball to underprivileged children as part of Marlton BASKETS, a local community project. Bernardini looks forward to utilizing his work experience upon graduation. He recently worked as a financial representative with Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, providing clients a variety of insurance and financial services. As a student, he was also owner of Clasp2000 Software, an Internet software company, where he controlled all aspects of the company's business.

2001
Rider University graduating seniors Leiry Gonzalez, of Union City, and Timothy Stillings, of Stratford, received the school’s President’s Award April 22, during the University-wide Awards Day ceremony.

For Stillings, becoming involved in one’s community is one of the most rewarding aspects of life. In addition to receiving the President’s Award, he is Rider’s 2001 Student Commencement Speaker.

“I always want to help others, to in some way impact their lives in a positive way,” said Stillings, an accounting bachelor’s degree candidate. “I am happiest when I am reaching out to others.”

Stillings has distinguished himself as a campus leader and community volunteer. Over the years, he has served as Special Events Co-Chair of the Student Entertainment Council (SEC), where he has planned and coordinated a variety of events, including SEC concerts and Midnight MAACness. In recognition of his efforts, he received the SEC Advisors Award for Outstanding Service in both his freshman and junior years.

During the spring of his sophomore year and fall of junior year, Stillings served as president of DAARSTOC, a program that provides intensive leadership skills, building instruction, and workshop experiences for competitively selected students. Wishing to help ease the transition process for freshmen business majors from high school to college life, he has also served as a student facilitator for Freshmen Seminar class. As a resident orientation advisor and coordinator, Stillings has also served on Rider’s Leadership Development Board, enabling him to promote student leadership efforts.

Stillings has also made his mark in the Rider community, serving as a student-promotions assistant. In this capacity, he has helped coordinate halftime and other promotions during Rider basketball games. He has also been an effective ambassador of the University, speaking at several Admissions and alumni events, and has served as a Rider Volunteer Tax Assistant, helping community residents complete their income tax returns.

Committed to academics as well as campus activities, Stillings has twice been named a Dean’s List Scholar and is recipient of the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants scholarship and a member of Who’s Who Among American Colleges and Universities.

Upon graduation, Stillings will join Ernst & Young in Iselin as a staff auditor. He plans to take the CPA exam this fall and eventually hopes to pursue an MBA, seek a position with the FBI and possibly run for political office. “I will never forget this place nor the friends I have made,” said Stillings. “Most of all, I will never forget all that a Rider education has given me.”

A graduate of Sterling High School, Stillings is the son of Linda and Robert Stillings.

2000
Leah Nivison, a Bachelor degree candidate in psychology, and Kirk Hinkley, IV, a Bachelor degree candidate in biology, were recognized at the Rider University-wide Awards Day ceremony.  Both were very active at Rider while being members of four honor societies each.