Nine students were recognized in late November 2012 with the President’s Award for Excellence in Leadership for their contribution to the University and service to the community.
“What these students have learned and accomplished both in and out of the classroom will shape their futures and hopefully inspire others,” said President Dobelle.
The students selected this year are all juniors or seniors with an average grade point average of 3.74 and each participate in a wide range of on- and off-campus activities. They are:
Political Science and Communication double major Robert Donoghue ’13 of Middleboro. He is an editor of the University newspaper The Voice, a member of the Communication Club, The Law Club, Lambda Pi Eta National Communication Honor Society and Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society. Donoghue volunteers for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life of Mansfield and at the Samaritan Inn in Westfield. Donoghue said that doing community service helps prepare him for a future as a public defender.
Communication major Victoria Downs ’13 of Hull. She is a student ambassador, a resident assistant and a new student and parent orientation leader. Downs is a member of the Lambda Pi Eta and Lambda Sigma honor societies. She participated in Westfield State’s HOOT (Helping Out Our Town) Day, Birthday Wishes in Holyoke and on campus at blood drives. Downs’ leadership skills were ignited when she became an orientation leader on campus, and she hopes to keep that spark in her professional life.
Criminal Justice major Jaime Jaquez ’12 of Worcester. He is a math tutor in the Urban Education department on campus as well as a member of the University’s Honor Program, Criminal Justice Club and treasurer of the Latino Association for Empowerment (LAFE). Jaquez has been involved in many community service efforts on campus including HOOT Day, First Year Convocation and in the Admissions department, where he gave a speech to first-year students and parents at the First Year Acceptance Day. Jaquez said he loved knowing that his speech empowered other students.
Political Science and Communication major Brittany Moniz ’14 of Leominster. She is a member of the 2014 Class Council, President of the Class of 2014, Campus Activities Board (CAB), Student Government Association (SGA), a resident advisor (RA) and a student ambassador. Moniz has participated in HOOT Day, two years of blood drives on campus, and most recently volunteered at Glide Memorial Church in the Daily Meals Program in San Francisco, Calif., for two weeks in January 2012. Moniz said her work as an RA helped her break out of her shell and develop a sense of pride.
Criminal Justice and Political Science double major Christopher Lewis ’13 of Revere. He is chairman of the Student Conduct Board, president of the Wounded Warriors Club, a University of Massachusetts Police Department cadet and a reserve policeman for the Wells, Maine, Police Department.
He is involved in a number of volunteer efforts both on and off campus including the Westfield Boys and Girls Club, St. Baldrick’s Organization and the Special Olympics Maine.
Economics and Business major Nicole Morin ’13 of Boylston. She is an RA, orientation leader, a member of the Student Activists for Gender Equality, Students Today Respecting Individuals of Various Experiences (STRIVE), a Dance Company choreographer and a radio host at the campus station WSKB. Morin participated in the Habitat for Humanity Alternative Spring Break, the Stomp and Holler walk, the “Take Back the Campus” walk, and she organized a “Letters for Soldiers” event and a Westfield State team for the Rays of Hope walk in October 2012.
Psychology and Spanish major Yezenia Santos ’13 of Westfield. She is a student assistant in the Multicultural office, an open house tour guide, a tutor for Spanish and psychology, counselor for Dan Kane’s Enrichment Camp, and treasurer of Alcohol Choices Education. Santos volunteers for a local golf tournament, HOOT Day, Stanley Park, an anti-bullying walk in Springfield and as a basketball coach for the Westfield Park and Recreation. She said her experience as an orientation leader and an RA helped her develop necessary skills that will apply to her career as a counselor.
Elementary Education and Liberal Studies major Erica Stephens ’13 of Enfield, Conn. She is a co-vice-president of Kappa Delta Pi Education Honor Society, vice-president and editor of the Student National Education Association (SNEA), the implementer and coordinator of the “Littles and Bigs” Mentor/Mentoree Program and Sunday and Bible School teacher. Stephens has volunteered for Read Across America, 3K Birthday Wishes Walk, Westfield State Accepted Students Day and the Samaritan Inn Homeless Shelter. She said volunteer work is preparing her to be the head of a classroom one day.
Nursing and Allied Health major Eric Tuvell ’14 of Reading. He is a teaching assistant in the Emergency Medical Technician-Basic class, a tutor in the Banacos Academic Center, vice-president of the Nursing Class of 2014 and assists University nursing students with CPR certification and classification. Tuvell volunteers with the University’s Emergency Medical Services club and the Western Massachusetts Medical Reserve Corps.
