KINGSTON R.I. – May 27, 2021 – Each year, the University of Rhode Island honors graduating seniors for their superior academic achievement. Their selection is based on grade point average, as well as other criteria determined by their individual academic departments. For example, criteria might include an honors project, a research presentation, or a student’s professional promise.
Each recipient of a University Academic Excellence Award receives a certificate of academic excellence suitable for framing and a URI lapel pin. Awards were conveyed in a special ceremony held in Edwards Hall. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, attendance was limited to award recipients with the event streamed live for family and friends.
“As educators, there is little we cherish more than the celebration of excellence – that is students who rise above the challenges and realize their full potential,” said URI Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs Donald H. DeHayes. “This group of distinctly capable and resilient students that we honor today found a way to rise above and endure the challenges of the past 15 months. And through sheer grit, hard work and determination they stayed focused on their work and continued to perform at the absolutely highest level academically. We congratulate each of them for their spectacular achievements.”
For more information on each of the honorees and to watch the awards ceremony in its entirety, visit the University of Rhode Island’s Academic Excellence Awards page.
The following students are the recipients of a 2021 University Academic Excellence Award:
College of Arts and Sciences
Africana Studies: Franchesca Campos of Providence, R.I.
Anthropology: Megan Elias of Cranston, R.I.
Art: Holly Swanson of Scituate, R.I.
Chemistry: Adelaide Levenson of Woonsocket, R.I.
Communication Studies: Evan McAlice of Holden, Mass.
Computer Science: Timothy Colaneri of Newport, R.I.
Criminology and Criminal Justice: Talia Parente of Cranston, R.I.
Data Science: Michael Eiger of East Greenwich, R.I.
Economics: Lucas McCulloch of Providence, R.I.
English: Oluwatoyin Okele of Cranston, R.I.
Film/Media: Alyssa Botelho of Fairhaven, Mass.
Gender and Women’s Studies: Jessica Nagle of Newport, R.I.
History: Noah Cyr of Bristol, Conn.
Journalism: Theresa Brown of Cranston, R.I.
Landscape Architecture: Sophie Haddock of Canterbury, N.H.
Languages:
Chinese: Angel Kleiman of Putnam Valley, N.Y.
French: Gina Christie Jouaneh of Wakefield, R.I.
German: Cathy Lennox of North Kingstown, R.I.
Italian: Juliana Cuomo of West Warwick, R.I.
Spanish: Sarah Richer of Cranston, R.I.
Mathematics: Raechel Griffin of Wrentham, Mass.
Military Science and Leadership: Jacob Bliss of Witinsville, Mass.
Music: Peter Kelmelis of North Stonington, Conn.
Philosophy: Edward Donovan of Charlestown, R.I.
Physics: Mark Semco of Jamestown, R.I.
Political Science: Austyn Ramsay of New London, Conn.
Public Relations: Emma Richelsoph of Danville, N.H.
Sociology: Julia Santini of Wakefield, R.I.
Sports Media and Communication: Allie Probst of Huntington Station, N.Y.
Theatre: Emma Becker of Tiverton, R.I.
Writing and Rhetoric: Naleen Camara of Central Falls, R.I.
College of Business
Accounting: Ana Riordan of Portsmouth, R.I.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Bryelle Davis of Narragansett, R.I.
Finance: Zoe Sheridan of Orefield, Pa.
General Business: Evan Urban of North Kingstown, R.I.
Global Business: Sophie Vicedomine of Merrimac, Mass.
Management: Lucas Barth of North Kingstown, R.I.
Marketing: Olivia Godell of East Freenbush, N.Y.
Supply Chain Management: Kathryn King of Belle Mead, N.J.
Textiles, Fashion Merchandising and Design: Alexis Raiano of Newtown, Conn.
Textile Marketing: Allie Kifyak of Flanders, N.J.
College of Engineering
Biomedical Engineering: Kate O’Rourke of Wakefield, R.I.
Chemical Engineering: Emma Sudduth of Norton, Mass.
Civil Engineering: Irina Perepelitsa of Middletown, R.I.
Computer Engineering: Cruiz Marcille of North Smithfield, R.I.
Electrical Engineering: McKensie Sherlock of Narragansett, R.I.
Industrial and Systems Engineering: Kathryn McCarthy of Coventry, R.I.
Mechanical Engineering: Ian Therrien of North Kingstown, R.I.
Ocean Engineering: Michael Rock of Corpus Christie, Texas
College of the Environment and Life Sciences
Animal Science and Technology: Hannah Petit of Pawtucket, R.I.
Aquaculture and Fishery Technology: Eli LaChapelle of Voluntown, Conn.
Biological Sciences: Abygail Chapdelaine of Narragansett, R.I.
Biology: Eliza Clarke of Narragansett, R.I.
Biotechnology Manufacturing: Jessica Alves of Bristol, R.I.
Cell and Molecular Biology: Lila Berle of Providence, R.I.
Environmental and Natural Resource Economics: Molly Perkins of Wakefield, R.I.
Environmental Science and Management: Joseph Manetta of Furlong, Pa.
Geology and Geological Oceanography: Sarah Cook of Blackstone, Mass.
Marine Affairs: Sara Uzatmaciyan of Fairview, N.J.
Marine Biology: Allison Gallagher of Berlin, N.H.
Medical Laboratory Science: Justine Chelette of Groton, Conn.
Wildlife & Conservation Biology: Emma Paton of Hope Valley, R.I.
College of Health Sciences
Communicative Disorders: Daniella Bryan of Brooklyn, N.Y.
Health Studies: Owen Manahan of Kennebunk, Maine
Human Development and Family Studies: Darien Dinaro of East Providence, R.I.
Kinesiology: Curtis Bitton of Cranston, R.I.
Nutrition and Dietetics: Kelly Bouchard of Woonsocket, R.I.
Psychology: Sarah Richer of Cranston, R.I.
College of Nursing
Nursing: Bailey Vogt of North Grafton, Mass.
College of Pharmacy
Pharmaceutical Sciences: John Church of Smithfield, R.I.
Pharmacy: Alyssa Falleni of Andover, N.J.
Alan Shawn Feinstein College of Education and Professional Studies
Early Childhood Education: Lindsey StClair of Hopkinton, R.I.
Elementary Education: Angelina LaMonica of Stamford, Conn.
Interdisciplinary Studies: John Heroux of Woonsocket, R.I.
Secondary Education: Emily Mamunes of Allendale, N.J.
Finish What You Started
Finish What You Started: Stephanie Leigh Nelson of East Greenwich, R.I.