Celebrating Spartan Pride
On Thursday, May 3 in front of hundreds of their friends, family, peers, and colleagues, Castleton students, faculty and staff were honored for their achievements during the 2017-18 academic year at the Annual Castleton Awards Ceremony. Awards were given out honoring success in academics, athletics, student life and more.
"Looking back on my four years at Castleton almost doesn't seem real. I've changed and grown in so many ways and yet through Castleton, I'm more me than ever," said senior Olivia Maher, recipient of the Academic Excellence Awards in Media and Communication at the celebration. "Accepting the award gave me the confidence and reassurance to accept my diploma and enter the real world after graduation ready for the next adventure and excited to succeed in whatever I do."
The event culminated with the presentation of the Caroline Woodruff Award, given annually to the individual or individuals who have consistently exemplified Dr. Woodruff’s qualities of leadership, creativity, resourcefulness, and dedication to Castleton. The award is the highest honor that a student leader can achieve, and this year it was given to Tegan Waite.
A complete list of award winners is below.
| Academic Excellence Awards | |
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The Academic Excellence Award is given annually to a student who is deemed the top student in his or her major. |
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| Art | Deborah Connors |
| Business | Caleb Larson |
| Computer Information Systems | Sarah Wells |
| Criminal Justice | Emily Taylor |
| Education | Heather Robinson |
| English | Jack Jillett |
| Health, Human Movement, and Sport | Brittney Verge |
| History, Geography, Economics & Politics | Cameron Pratt |
| Math | Christopher Cowey |
| Media and Communication | Olivia Maher |
| Music | Saige King |
| Natural Science | Trevor Hanna |
| Nursing | Kelsey Scarborough |
| Philosophy | Jeffrey Virge |
| Psychological Sciences | Eric Korzun |
| Social Work | Amy Manning |
| Sociology | Andrea Kibling |
| Spanish | Joseph Callahan |
| Theater Arts | Jessica Nguyen |
| Student Government Association Awards | |
| Media Award | |
| Member of The Spartan newspaper or WIUV radio station who has demonstrated leadership, commitment, and passion. | Jac Culpo |
| Club of the Year | |
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Student organization whose vitality, creativity, and commitment have enriched the quality of student life. |
Rotaract Club |
| New Club Recognition Award | |
| New student organization which through its vitality, creativity, and commitment has enriched the quality of student life at Castleton. | Badminton Club |
| Awareness Award | |
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Student, faculty, or staff who has gone above and beyond to educate the college community on diversity, equality, global awareness, or similar issues. |
Kyle Gosley |
| Executive Board Recognition Award | |
| SGA member whose involvement in any aspect of the SGA that has shown outstanding devotion to their job, activity or position. | Kathleen Ambrose |
| Coach of the Year | |
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Part-time or full-time coach who has generously contributed time, energy, and support to the student body. |
Kevin Trigonis |
| Outstanding First-Year Award | |
| First-year student who has contributed time, dedication, and enthusiasm to the freshman class and Castleton community. | Skyler Boyd |
| Outstanding Second-Year Award | |
| Second-year student who has contributed time, dedication, and enthusiasm to the sophomore class and Castleton community. | Isabel Gogarty |
| Outstanding Third-Year Award | |
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Third-year student who has contributed time, dedication, and enthusiasm to the junior class and Castleton community. |
Kathleen Ambrose |
| Outstanding Non-traditional Student Award | |
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Non-traditional student that is active on campus, positive, ready to learn, and eager to help. |
Tina Bennett |
| Outstanding International Student Award | |
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An international student that is active on campus, positive, ready to learn, and eager to help. |
Zijie "Frank" Wan |
| Outstanding New Faculty | |
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A new faculty member who has contributed to student life through campus involvement. |
William DeForest |
| Outstanding Faculty Award | |
| Faculty member who has demonstrated a sincere interest in the welfare of students, and generously contributed time, energy, and support to the student body. | Jennifer Turchi |
| Outstanding Staff Award | |
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Staff member who has contributed considerable time, energy, and support to the SGA. |
Tita Annis |
| Delegate of the Year | |
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SGA delegate whose involvement in the SGA, service on committees, and volunteerism are outstanding. |
Thomas Tifft |
| Leonard Johnson Alumni Award | |
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Castleton Alumnus who has gone above and beyond their job description in service to the university community. |
Meredith Fletcher |
| Community Service Award | |
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Outstanding volunteer service to the Castleton/Rutland County community. |
Tegan Waite, Natasha Lewis |
| Community Advisor Award | |
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A Residence Life member whose involvement in any aspect of Residence Life that has shown outstanding devotion to their job, activity or position.. |
Christin Martin |
| Good Citizenship Award | |
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Recognition of devotion to the welfare of the university, and outstanding performance as a campus leader. |
Isabel Gogarty |
| Distinguished Service Award | |
| Distinguished service in activities, and exhibits abilities and qualities of leadership, conscientiousness, dependability, and interest in the college community and its function. | Kathleen Ambrose, Loic Soria, and Chidinma Ezugwu |
| Graduate Assistant Award | |
| Graduate Assistant who has demonstrated a sincere interest in the welfare of students, and generously contributed time, energy, and support to the student body. | Mariah O'Hara |
| Military Personnel Award | |
| An honorary award in recognition of the service of any Castleton student, staff, faculty, ro administrator who is a veteran or currently serving in the military (in any of its branches) who has positively influenced the Castleton community. | Nathan Lumsden |
| 343 Award | |
| Recognition of any Castleton undergraduate or graduate student who has shown immense school spirit and is actively involved in various clubs, groups, or activities on campus. | Jac Culpo and James Wolfe |
| Alpha Psi Omega Theatre Honor Society Awards | |
| Freshman of the Year Award | |
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First-Year Theater major who has proven both academically and theatrically, displayed a passion for theatre, respect for students and professors, and has immense dedication to our department and the shows we produce. |
Alain Ace Burtonboy |
| Technician of the Year Award | |
| Upperclass technical theater and design major who has shown willingness to go above and beyond what is asked and expected of students both in class and performances is dependable and responsible and has fostered a passion for theater through other students. | Susan Pipolo |
| Actor of the Year Award | |
| Upperclass acting and directing major who has shown willingness to go above and beyond what is asked and expected of students both in class and performances, is dependable and responsible, and has fostered passion for theater through other students. | Kathryn Albert |
| Athletic Awards | |
| Coaches Awards | |
| Top male and female varsity athletes who have shown leadership, determination, sportsmanship, coachability, willingness to give of oneself, and have a sense of responsibility to the team, coach, and college throughout the year. | Kiley Baran and Ryan Mulder |
| Rocky Mezzetta Award | |
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Male athlete in recognition of determination, drive to improve athletic skills, coachability, and team leadership. |
Ryan Mulder |
| Sharon Brown Memorial Award | |
| Female athlete who relates well to peers and coach, shows a desire to learn and excel, demonstrates dedication, persistence, and team leadership. Must carry a GPA of 2.5 or higher. | Nadine Downing |
| Mary Ellen Evans Award | |
| Most outstanding female athlete who has played four years in one sport; must provide service to the college community and have a GPA of 2.5 or higher. | Amanda Beatty |
| John Young Memorial Award | |
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Male or female basketball player who shows great leadership and outstanding offensive abilities. This individual must have a positive attitude and is interested in pursuing a degree in teaching or interested in coaching in the future. |
Amanda Beatty |
| Peer Advocate of the Year | |
| Member of Peer Advocates for CHANGE (PAC) who has dedicated themselves to being an informed educator and advocate on our campus. | Anonymous |
| Campus Ally | |
| Faculty, staff, or administrator who has allied themselves with CHANGE’s mission. | Jennifer Turchi and Ellie Goldense |
| Student Life Awards | |
| University Service Award | |
| Students who have made outstanding contributions to Castleton through their participation in various extracurricular activities. | Toné Sawyer |
| Abel E. Leavenworth Leadership Award | |
| Outstanding student leader who exemplifies Abel Leavenworth’s characteristics of warmth, integrity, strong principles, and wise counsel. | Christin Martin |
| Caroline Woodruff Award | |
| This is the highest honor that a student leader can achieve at Castleton. The Caroline Woodruff Award goes to an individual who has consistently exemplified Dr. Woodruff’s qualities of leadership, creativity, resourcefulness, and dedication to Castleton. | Tegan Waite |
