Commencement Season Awards
Lindsay Frantz
Graduate Business Humanitas Award
Given to a student who epitomizes values of integrity and character, enriches the classroom experience, and demonstrates principles of servant leadership. Graduating students meeting these requirements are nominated by their peers and faculty. Given by the Moravian University Alumni Association and is established to recognize outstanding graduating students of the Moravian MBA, MSHRM, and MHA programs.
Lindsay Frantz is committed to meeting her goals, and at the same time, is a team player who empowers those around her. Lindsay values relationships. She networks with her peers, and when opportunities exist for them, Lindsay makes them aware and supports them in achieving their goals. Lindsay truly loves her job, and it shows in all she does. She loves learning and values her education. In the classroom, she contributes to her teams and to discussions, and provides feedback to peers and instructors in positive and supportive ways. The ever-present smile on Lindsay’s face conveys her enthusiastic engagement in learning and work.
Maura Hill
The George Tyler Award
Presented to a graduate from the Division of Continuing Studies for academic excellence, for contribution to the institution, a profession, or the community, and for triumph over difficult circumstances encountered in pursuing a college degree.
Maura Hill graduated from Bethlehem Catholic High School in 1980, and her journey to earning a bachelor’s degree took a course with many starts and stops around struggles with health issues and tuition affordability. In 2016 with a few years of college behind her but no degree, Maura began working for the Allentown School District as an autistic support paraprofessional at Ramos Elementary School, and that experience rekindled her desire to become a teacher. In 2017, conversations with LaKeisha Thorpe, associate dean of graduate and continuing studies, helped Maura see that a teaching degree was possible. Maura faced down her fear of returning to a classroom after so many years, came to Moravian, and made her dream come true.
Gabrielle Smith
Graduate Education Humanitas Award
Given by the Moravian University Alumni Association, this award is established to recognize outstanding humanistic achievements of graduating students of the University’s graduate education program.
Gabrielle (Gabi) Smith was selected by her peers for her supportive demeanor and contributions to class discussions, workshops, and peer review processes. Gabi is a math educator at Whitehall High School, and her action research thesis, "Communication in Mathematics: Its Impact on the Students in the Classroom and Beyond," demonstrates Gabi's commitment to the relationship between math education and civic engagement.
Bryan Kelly
The Timothy M. Breidegam Memorial Student Service Award
To the student who has unselfishly given his or her service to the college community, following the example of Timothy M. Breidegam of the Class of 1978.
Bryan Kelly graduates with a physics major and minors in computer science and mathematics, earning a near 3.90 GPA. His research into eclipsing binary star systems began as a SOAR project and evolved into his honors thesis. Bryan was scheduled to present his work at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research and our sectional conference of the American Association of Physics Teachers before the pandemic forced cancellation of both events. A true liberal arts student, he has served as a Spanish tutor and writing fellow, and he has contributed to the Moravian University community in many other ways: as a USG representative, a 26 Point Ambassador, a Student Alumni Representative (STAR), and president of the Moravian chapter of the Society of Physics Students (SPS). Through SPS, Bryan coordinated and participated in many outreach programs, including physics demonstration programs at Bethlehem elementary and middle schools.
Mairead Young
The Alumni Prize for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
To a graduating senior in the School of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences on the basis of grade point average, independent study, and involvement in college and/or community affairs. Awarded by the Moravian University Alumni Association.
Mairead Young graduates with a major in psychology and minors in sociology and women’s, gender, and sexuality studies. She has earned a 3.93 GPA. Interested in pursuing a career in educational psychology, Mairead has engaged in several opportunities to work with students: She served as a writing fellow, participated in service learning with young children at a local YMCA as part of a developmental psychology class, and designed an after-school STEM program for elementary school girls. For her internship, Mairead worked with adolescents in an emergency shelter. She has also engaged in research related to using children’s literature as an intervention to approach stereotyping and prejudice in elementary school children. Beyond her academic pursuits Mairead has participated in study abroad, the choral and theater groups, and taken on leadership roles in the Moravian student chapter of the American Association of University Women, and the Women in Science and Engineering club.
Joanne Augustin
The Alumni Prize for Outstanding Achievement in Interdisciplinary Studies
To a graduating senior in interdisciplinary studies on the basis of grade point average, independent study, and involvement in college and/or community affairs. Awarded by the Moravian University Alumni Association.
Joanne Augustin is a nursing major/Africana studies minor who has the distinction of being the first Africana minor to complete an honors thesis. Her thesis, “Medicalization of Black Bodies,” explores systemic and institutional racism in healthcare and health systems in the United States. Joanne is a first-rate undergraduate scholar whose work at times is commensurate with the kind of research and writing conducted at the graduate level, and her critical-thinking skills are among the top 1 percent of undergraduate Moravian students. Joanne’s course of study within the nursing school, and in literary studies, history, philosophy, and women’s, gender, and sexuality studies, constitutes a compelling example of interdisciplinary learning.
Katie Mayer
The Alumni Prize for Outstanding Achievement in Natural and Health Sciences
To a graduating senior in the School of Natural and Health Sciences on the basis of grade point average, independent study, and involvement in college and/or community affairs. Awarded by the Moravian University Alumni Association.
With a near-perfect grade point average, Kathleen (Katie) Mayer is among the strongest students to ever graduate from the Environmental Science Program. A dedicated and talented researcher, she has completed SOAR, an independent study, and an honors thesis in marine biology. She stands out for her creativity, critical thinking ability, and the pride she takes in her work. Katie has served as president of Beta Beta Beta, the biology honor society; volunteers as an EMT and at the Lehigh Valley Zoo; was a writing fellow, and is an All-Conference track and field athlete. She exemplifies the concept of not only a well-rounded student-scholar but also servant-leader.
Salvatore Pagano
The Charles A. Albrecht Memorial Award
To the senior class member or members with the best four-year record at Moravian University in scholarship and effective participation in student activities.
Salvatore (Sal) Pagano earned a bachelor’s in health sciences at Moravian with a 4.0 GPA. A member of the football team, he served as captain in both 2018 and 2019. Sal was selected to the 2019 CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America) Academic All-America Second Team for NCAA Division III football and was a three-time member of the Centennial Conference Fall Academic Honor Roll. He was one of 185 semifinalists across college football for the 2019 William V. Campbell Trophy Presented by Mazda, which is awarded to student-athletes for combined academic success, football performance, and exemplary leadership, and he was honored as a member of the 2020 National Football Foundation Hampshire Honor Society, which recognizes college football players who have distinguished themselves both academically and athletically.
Daria Van Doren
The Charles A. Albrecht Memorial Award
To the senior class member or members with the best four-year record at Moravian University in scholarship and effective participation in student activities.
Daria Van Doren graduates with a 4.0 GPA and was awarded the Priscilla Payne Hurd Award for Excellence in Nursing for the Class of 2020. She has been inducted into Omicron Delta Kappa, the national leadership honor society; Phi Sigma Tau, the International Honor Society for Philosophers; and Sigma Theta Tau, the International Honor Society of Nursing. Daria’s leadership and contributions to the community epitomize that of a Moravian University alumna. She organized a “Mindfulness and Stress Management” event for nursing students, served as president of the Moravian University Student Nurses Association, and collaborated with the pediatric nursing staff at St. Luke’s University Hospital to hold a Christmas initiative. In addition, she served as a student representative to the Student Development and Progression Nursing Committee from fall 2017 to the present.
Casey Gadsby
The Master of Business Administration Award
To the graduating MBA student with the highest grade point average in courses taken at the graduate level by March of the current
Casey Gadsby has a passion for everything she does. She is always positive, engaged, and dedicated to her studies, and she gives 100 percent to everything she does. In her work on teams, Casey takes roles that her peers value and provides leadership on projects, connecting the pieces of those projects to keep them on track. Her strong core values are an asset to all around her.
Ann Secheresiu
The Master of Business Administration Award
To the graduating MBA student with the highest grade point average in courses taken at the graduate level by March of the current
Ann Secheresiu thinks about process. She is rational and has a plan and wants to know what the end result will be. In the classroom, Ann is present and engaged. She brings a smile and laughter and ideas that contribute to discussion and learning. Ann makes valuable contributions to the teams she works with and helps them thread their work together and move toward their goals. She is a bit of the glue that makes a team work well and a class more engaging for all.
Makayla Trittenbach
The Master of Business Administration Award
To the graduating MBA student with the highest grade point average in courses taken at the graduate level by March of the current year.
Makayla Trittenbach demonstrates what graduate business education is all about at Moravian University. She was equally at home discussing the differences between Pascal's Wager and the Prisoner's Dilemma as she was using probability theory to solve complex-decision science questions. Conscientious, hardworking, and inquisitive are a few of the words that describe Makayla, and these attributes resulted in her outstanding academic achievement.
Natasha Trad
The Graduate Education Thesis Award
To the candidate for the master of education or master of arts in teaching degree whose thesis meets the highest standards of scholarship, critical reflection, and benefit to the practice, in honor of excellence in teacher action research.
Natasha Trad is a second-grade teacher at the Executive Education Academy Charter School in Allentown, Pennsylvania. She has distinguished herself through her thesis, “Service Learning: Promoting Citizenship and Engagement in the Classroom,” which is an excellent illustration of teacher action research, modeling rigorous inquiry-based pedagogical practices and attention to civic engagement and social justice. In the abstract of her thesis, Natasha notes that, “Utilizing service-learning as a social studies curriculum could potentially help students acquire the desire to contribute to society and pay attention to current issues. Furthermore, service-learning can build other necessary skills such as problem solving and critical thinking.”
Joelle Milkovitz
The Master of Science in Nursing Achievement Award
To a master of science student selected by the nursing faculty for outstanding achievement in scholarship and professional practice.
Joelle Milkovitz holds a master of arts degree in education and has now completed her MSN in nursing education. During her time in the program, Joelle served as an adjunct clinical instructor in community health, providing instruction in the classroom and in a variety of community health settings. She is enthusiastic and passionate about her own and her students’ learning, and her goal is to continue to teach and inspire the next generation of professional nurses. For her graduate capstone project, Joelle created and implemented a clinical simulation of undergraduate nursing students in order to better prepare them for experiences in senior healthcare settings. Joelle exemplifies excellence in nursing scholarship, leadership, practice, and professional service.
Elizabeth Lancaster
Moravian University RN to BSN Nursing Excellence Award
To an RN to BSN student who, in the judgment of the nursing faculty, has displayed educational commitment and academic excellence, based on outstanding student performance and professionalism throughout the program of study.
Elizabeth Lancaster previously received an associate of science degree from Union County College and is a registered nurse working full time in the emergency room at Hunterdon Medical Center in Flemington, New Jersey. Throughout her time at Moravian University, Elizabeth has been deeply engaged in her educational experience. She epitomizes professionalism, passion, and a desire to enhance her knowledge so that she may become a better nurse. Upon graduation, Elizabeth hopes to attend Rutgers University to pursue a master’s degree in global health.
Kellie Wanamaker
The Outstanding Master of Science in Athletic Training Student Award
To the athletic training student selected by the graduate faculty for outstanding achievement in scholarship and professional practice.
Kellie Wanamaker maintained a 3.90 grade point average throughout her graduate work. She won a National Athletic Trainers' Association scholarship and completed a professional presentation at the Eastern Athletic Trainers' Association Annual Meeting.
Jennifer Concannon
The Outstanding Doctor of Athletic Training Student Award
To the Doctor of Athletic Training student selected by the graduate faculty for outstanding achievement in academics and scholarship and for outstanding advocacy for the profession.
Jennifer Concannon maintained a 3.96 grade point average throughout her graduate studies and is the inaugural recipient of the Doctor of Athletic Training Student Award. In addition, she was the first student in the program to be awarded the Eastern Athletic Trainers’ Association's Francis George Doctoral Scholarship.
