Landmark College Spring Academic Awards
Each academic year, Landmark College faculty nominate students for Academic Awards based on outstanding academic achievements.
The Spring 2024 Academic Awards Ceremony was held on April 30, 2024 in the Lewis Academic Building Brooks O'Brien Auditorium from Noon - 1 p.m.
Audio recordings and written transcriptions of each award presentation are available in the accordion tabs below. Please click the award title to expand the content in each box.
Given to the student who has demonstrated an ongoing process of self-reflection, self-awareness, and self-advocacy that has led to significant achievement of first year academic goals.
I have been delighted to have Aimee in my Composition and Rhetoric class this spring semester. She is one of the most motivated, self-directed, and outgoing first-year students I have encountered. She seeks and soaks up knowledge and strives to improve her writing and critical reading. All her work is done with deep thought and care. You should see Aimee’s class notes, annotations, emails, drafts, and revisions! Also, Aimee is very metacognitive; she even knows that she works too hard at times, and has been working on correcting that! She is also supportive and respectful of others, as when she and classmates have done peer sharing of their writing. Her classmates have publicly thanked her for her helpful feedback and complimented her on her excellent essays. Several times I have told Aimee that she could teach the class if I’m absent! So, I am happy to take part today in recognizing Aimee for her dedication to personal growth and her many contributions to the Landmark Community.
I've had the pleasure of working with Aimee in two different classes during her first year at Landmark. Throughout both the fall and spring semesters, Aimee consistently impressed me as an incredibly hard worker. She is always engaged and participatory in class, often sharing thoughtful ideas or comments. Aimee also asks excellent clarifying questions, seeks feedback, and has a strong desire and curiosity to "keep learning more." Being brave enough to ask questions in front of other students can be challenging, but Aimee is always willing to courageously self-advocate in this manner. In doing so, she demonstrates knowledge of her own needs and the ability to effectively communicate with others. Aimee's work is of extremely high quality, too. I am grateful that Aimee has given permission for me to share one of her projects with future students as an example of excellence. For these many reasons, I am thrilled that Aimee has been recognized as the recipient of the First Year Student Award. Congratulations!
Given to the student who has demonstrated an ongoing process of self-reflection, self-awareness and self-advocacy that has led to significant achievement of first year academic goals in online coursework.
Since Day 1 of the semester, Oliver has emerged as a leader and role model for his classmates. He is the most active participant in my weekly live sessions while encouraging and uplifting his classmates at the same time. Oliver asks clarifying questions, shows empathy toward his peers, and verbally celebrates their contributions in the online classroom. He always submits his work on time and ensures he understands course material by reaching out when concepts are not 100% clear to him. He frequently uses critical thinking skills to connect mathematical concepts from previous lessons to new ones. Oliver enjoys implementing mathematical terminology in his responses and often identifies how concepts relate to real-world applications. He is not afraid to make mistakes but rather embraces them as a learning opportunity. Oliver constantly self-reflects and strives for academic excellence. I have had the opportunity to speak with him one-on-one on a few occasions, and I am impressed by his self-awareness and self-advocacy. He fully understands that HE is in control of his educational endeavors and knows what to do if he needs help. Oliver is a "dream of a student," and his best qualities (besides his academic achievements in mathematics) are truly the supportive and respectful way in which he interacts with everyone, as well as his unwavering kindness. I could not think of a better recipient for this award than Oliver.
Given to the student who demonstrates commitment to and talent with creative writing.
"I prefer writing short stories to writing poetry, largely because of my father's influence," you wrote in a survey two semesters ago. "Amusingly enough, it's something of 'the cobbler's children have no shoes' situation. He loves poetry; he read it to me as soon as I was old enough to listen. As something of a self-defense mechanism, I chose the opposite path."
Well, Nora, the cobbler's children do have shoes. If there were separate awards for fiction and for poetry, you would have won them both. Perusing your portfolio, I am struck by the range of your talent-from sestinas through villanelles, fantasy through science fiction. As a poet you have an exquisite musical ear and a sense of the prosodic line; as a fiction writer, an uncanny sense of scene and setting, dialogue and denouement. It is a great honor to present to you the Landmark 2024 Creative Writing Award. .
Given in memory of Rob Gunther-Mohr, founding faculty member and beloved teacher and colleague, to the student who best exhibits independent critical judgment, a love of reading and ideas, and an abiding compassion for others.
It is with great pleasure that I present the Rob Gunther-Mohr award to Favio Terrero Dupiton.
Rob was both a rebel and at the same time very much a team player—he believed in the Landmark methods he taught: active reading, note taking, learning so thoroughly and deeply internalized that it would become automatic. Each of these ideals are exemplified in Favio’s approach to complex work. Favio’s active reading is a work of art: margin noted, sticky noted and questioned in the best style. His ability to extrapolate from the reading to research of his own marks both his intellectual curiosity and his expanding critical judgment.
As a rebel, Rob’s most famous class focused on “The Heart of Darkness”, and his project was to have his students map the trip into the Congo with paint and pastiche on the very walls of his classroom. Whereas I can’t meet Rob for sheer audacity, in compassionate underhandedness, Favio brings his questions in to class discussion—not only to help his own understanding and to offer his ideas, but also often to help other members of the class who may be struggling with concepts or ideas.
Given to the student who has made the most strides in demonstrating professionalism in the workplace and developing a career plan.
My name is Jan Coplan, Senior Director of Employer Relations and Career Connections. I have the privilege today to present the Career Readiness Award. The Career Readiness Award is given to the student who has made the most strides in demonstrating professionalism in the workplace and developing a career plan.
The recipient of this award is working toward their bachelor’s degree in biology. They began their journey of building their professional skills in Fall 2023 by serving as a lab assistant intern with Professor Kim Coleman where they were asked to develop a curriculum to help explain how disease spreads. They creatively addressed this project by designing an interactive engaging game. This student is a STEM Scholar which requires that they attend a weekly cohort meeting, take an array of assessments, meet regularly with a faculty mentor, build professional skills and documents- for example create a resume, cover letter and a Linked In profile. This student’s STEM Mentor Professor Christin Monroe shared this: • “Their initially quiet demeanor has evolved into a vibrant personality at Landmark College, characterized by remarkable calmness, strong work ethic, and keen attention to detail.” “Their upcoming representation of Landmark at the Summer Institute, a panel at Princeton University, and the NSF S-STEM conference in Chicago reflects their growth within the community.”
Professor Rebecca Matte, their STEM class faculty shared: "Anastasio is supportive of their peers and seeks to provide assistance when possible.”
Their career counselor Natascia Pica stated the awardee is “Always willing to accept constructive criticism; Is an extremely hard worker and eager to accept new information and to incorporate it into achieving their goals.”
This awardee demonstrates what our office looks for as skills to prepare for life after Landmark namely initiative and the ability to be self directed. It has been an honor to see this student evolve, demonstrating that when you are self motivated you make great strides personally and professionally. Having taken ownership and initiative in their career plan the Career Readiness Award goes to Anastasio Bonhomme. Congratulations Anastasio for all your diligent and focused efforts.
Given to the student who best exemplifies communicating with purpose, clarity, coherence, and persuasiveness in writing.
I had the pleasure to work with Allison Eakman last semester in my WRT1012 class and I can tell you that Allison is a passionate thinker who uses writing to expound, explore and promote her points. I want to give you an example. We were talking in class about Helen and Menelaus’ marriage and the problems with their relationship. Allison disagreed with my point and asked me (Asked me!) if I would mind if she wrote an extra paper supporting her argument. AND she followed through, writing both the assigned paper and her own paper, thoroughly supporting her argument and adding quotations from the text for good measure. Nor was this a one-time occurrence. Every time Allison turned in an essay, be it a short response or a full-length research paper, her writing demonstrated her love of language and her ability to use the writing of it to take her research, arguments and thoughts to a more sophisticated and critical level. It is an absolute honor to be able to grant the Writing Excellence award to Allison Eakman.
With nine disciplines, liberal studies explore humanity from many perspectives. Our courses are about the diversity of human experience and how the past informs contemporary life. Excellence in liberal studies means engaging with new and enduring questions in humanities, literature, and social science.
The Award for Excellence at the Associate Level goes to a student who has excelled in a range of our elective courses. This student shows curiosity about the world and the desire to explore unfamiliar topics.
Hannah Swift's advisor Peg Alden notes that she is quiet and self-directed, doing good work in her classes and PTK. She adds that Hannah, “strikes me as one of those students who is slowly and steadily discovering her capabilities here at LC, and we will all get the benefits of her taking on more leadership roles.” In my exploring gender and literature course this semester, Anna has been a leader in class discussions, often volunteering her observations about reading and responding thoughtfully and respectfully to other students. I've come to look forward to Hannah’s written responses to readings because they always show attention and depth of thought. It has been a pleasure to have her in class. And it is a pleasure to offer this her this award on behalf of the Liberal Studies Department.
With nine disciplines, liberal studies explore humanity from many perspectives. Our courses are about the diversity of human experience and how the past informs contemporary life. Excellence in liberal studies means engaging with new and enduring questions in humanities, literature, and social science.
The Award for Excellence at the Baccalaureate Level goes to a student who has pursued a focused area of interest in the liberal studies. This student is a budding scholar who has the potential for leadership in the field.
Every once in a while at Landmark College you get to work with a student across semesters whose intellectual curiosity, incisive insights and brilliance in class discussion leads you to say, “who wouldn’t take this teaching gig?” Talia Katz is such a student. I had the absolute pleasure to work with Talia in two literature classes across the year, first in my New England Writers class and then this semester in my Reading Race class. These classes examine literature across time periods from the seventeenth century to the present, and across genres from sermons to short stories, from personal letters to poetry, and from plays to novels. No matter the material, Talia came to class with definitive opinions and questions that spoke volumes about her preparation and thoughtful analysis. Her writing, too, betrays the “budding scholar” as she experiments with interpretations both literary and political, both earnest and playful. It is my honor to present this award for excellence in the liberal arts to Talia Katz.
Given to the student who has demonstrated an ongoing process of self-reflection, self-awareness, and self-advocacy that has led to significant achievement of first year academic goals.
It is my pleasure to present an art department award to soprano vocalist Sabrina Cohn. Sabrina is very dedicated to singing in general and to operatic singing in particular. She's blessed with a huge voice and a large and very high range, but this would mean little without her work ethic. She seeks out multiple vocal teachers and coaches in her quest for excellence. Very importantly, she is also musically humble enough to listen to and value advice on how to improve, including more solfeggio and rhythmic work in graduate school. At Landmark, she has served as a TA in chorus where the chorus respectfully listens to her tips and critiques. In this capacity, she exhibits patience and helpfulness. This is important as Sabrina will be teaching voice and music in the future, as all performing musicians do at some level. We've been very fortunate to have her at Landmark during this stop on her academic and musical journey.
I had the privilege of meeting Quinn Colty when they enrolled in my creative critique repeat course last fall, 2023. Quinn immediately distinguished themselves by engaging in an exploration of how gender and sexuality are represented in the arts. This exploration was developed successfully through a vigorous production of drawings and paintings. Quinn's strategy is to present the human body, specifically the male body, in countercultural terms, arguing for an expanded perception of how desire and beauty could be represented in the visual arts. I would like to join our community at Landmark College in celebrating Quinn's journey of Empowerment and Transformation.
It has been a privilege to work with Kira Landin this semester as her Ceramics work study supervisor, as well as her Capstone professor. Kira consistently brings forth her utmost dedication, investing fully in her work and readily offering peer feedback and support. In her scholarly pursuits and artistic endeavors, Kira exhibits a profound curiosity and attentive listening, demonstrating a remarkable ability to adapt as needed. Unafraid of taking risks and embracing the possibility of failure as part of the creative process, Kira’s commitment to her own growth and that of her peers has been truly inspiring to witness. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Kira on receiving the School of Liberal Studies and the Arts, Maria Forte Art Award. Her unwavering pursuit of excellence not only enriches her own artistic journey but also contributes significantly to fostering a culture of curiosity, dialogue, and inclusivity within our academic community. I wish Kira continued success in all her future endeavors.
This award goes to a student who has excelled in psychology. Through academic achievement and work outside the classroom, the student has shown mastery of foundational content, a scientific mindset, and the people-focused skills for a multicultural and neurodiverse society.
Congrats Alex, for earning this year's Excellence in Psychology award. Seldom has there been such a strong consensus regarding who should be given this award, which is a testament to the indelible impact you've left on faculty and staff in your relatively short time here. It's been a pleasure to watch your ideas and interest in psychology grow. Over our numerous courses together and into this semester, as you've worked so hard in your capstone project. What has impressed me most about your capstone process is how you've taken an opportunity to not only critically reflect on your own experiences, but also build a foundation from which you can help. Others moving forward. Given how much respect you garner from peers and faculty alike, I have no doubt that you'll go on to be successful regardless of the roles you find yourself in moving forward. Best of luck in Graduate School and beyond.
This award is given each year to a student who has excelled academically in the program and also shows much potential as a future technology professional.
I am pleased to announce that the Computer Science Program faculty unanimously selected Daniel Edgerton-Dickey to receive this year’s Computer Science Award. Daniel is an excellent student who is motivated and can quickly assimilate new concepts. He completes work independently with occasional help from his instructors and never complains about the workload. Daniel is a model student in the classroom and is always eager to help other students. He often assists the instructor during lab exercises when many students have questions. He also has provided the majority of peer tutoring for students during the computer science support hours. Daniel is an excellent tutor, and I have heard many good things about him from my students who have gone to computer science support for extra help. He goes above and beyond the requirements of his job as a peer tutor, even offering assistance to students outside of the computer science support hours.
We are very proud of Daniel and his accomplishments and contributions to the Computer Science program. We look forward to all that Daniel will accomplish while at Landmark and after graduation.
This award is given to the student who has taken courses in radio, television or video, or journalism. This student has participated in our co-curricular activities for media studies and has excelled in the courses offered in this area. The student has gone beyond and applied these skills, collaborating to produce television, video, radio, or journalistic work for the College community.
Hello, this is Gyuri Kepes, Assistant Professor of Communications presenting this year's Media Studies Award. This award goes to the student who has taken courses in radio, television, and video, or journalism and has participated in our co-curricular activities for media studies and has excelled in the courses offered in this area. This student has gone beyond and applied to skills, collaborating to produce television, video, radio or journalistic work for the college community.
Congratulations, Eden on this much deserved professional studies award! The Jeff Burgess Award is about community and leadership across our campus and you have certainly done that in your time at landmark. Our department recognizes your incredible perseverance and curiosity throughout your. Academic journey your education has been remarkable. As you've explored many different topics and disciplines and ideas, but you've also learned outside of the classroom. With WLMC radio, Voices TV, LC Voices - the magazine, PTK, serving on the board for World College Radio Day Foundation, and all the other clubs and extracurricular activities that you do, I believe you have learned as much in these experiences outside the classroom, as all the great learning you have done in your coursework. You started at WLMC radio in the spring of 2022 and you never looked back. Your four semesters with LC Voices interning and work study for the radio station. You will always be known as our first female station manager, and the people in your footsteps have a big act to follow. You will be missed from our programming and, according to Chris Lenoir, he notes your hard-working spirit and that you're always willing and game for any assignment or task. Doctor Landon noted your leadership on PTK; and being an officer for three years under your leadership, the Landmark chapter has risen to an elite status and won a national award for the case study challenge. Eden, we thank you for your curiosity and our media outlets. Voices TV, LC Voices, and the radio station, and all your hard work completing your common degree. This is a much deserved Jeff Burgess award. Congratulations.
This award goes to the student who has taken courses in professional studies and has demonstrated high proficiency in business and entrepreneurship. This student has accomplished excellent research or creative proposals in the areas of organizational design, finance, economics, marketing, accounting, or entrepreneurship. The student has gone beyond classes and has applied these skills contributing to the College community as a whole.
I have known Matt since his Introduction to Business class, which he took during our online COVID semester. Matt has demonstrated high proficiency in every business course he has taken with me. His ideas, although sometimes unorthodox, were unique and reflected his thorough understanding of business and entrepreneurship. Professor Lee Crocker reflected on “his interest and expertise in V-tubing. He hopes to start a business and to become a professional V tuber. You can’t get much more cutting-edge than that.” Dr. Daisy Milman commented, “His final project group said he came to the rescue with a new organization that they could study when their initial plans had unexpectedly fallen through.” I have personally witnessed Matt’s work to develop LC Voices TV’s Mako Max, which required many, many hours of work and collaboration to bring this Vtuber to life.
Matt, as your advisor, I have witnessed your academic and social development and want you to know how much I admire your dedication to your growth. It is my distinct honor and privilege to present you with this award. Congratulations, Matt—you deserve this!
This award goes to a Communication and Entrepreneurial Leadership student who has demonstrated academic excellence and community leadership through initiative, diligence, and progress. This student has been inspirational and has provided leadership, helping to transform the lives of others and the community as a whole.
I first met Guinevere in 2019. She was a student in my intercultural communication class, and this was my very first class that I ever taught at Landmark College. My immediate impression of Guinevere was that she could be teaching this class. She's bright intelligent, compassionate, A-Team player and a star collaborator. Fast forward three years and one global pandemic later. When Guinevere approached me about leading voices, I was immediately enthusiastic about her becoming our station manager, as I had seen her lead in other capacities around campus, such as with her work with CDI, and journalism. Her leadership, her dedication to social change, Her dedication to ethics, and using her voice to uplift others. I'd also highlight her work with the Commons, which is a publication based out of Brattleboro. Guinevere has published some remarkable pieces and journalistic work and demonstrated real commitment as a journalist in training. As station manager of Voices TV, Guinevere has been in charge of the day-to-day operations of our professional college television station. She is a star host and director and was recently nominated as Best Station Manager of a College TV station by the Intercollegiate Broadcast Society. Under her tutelage, Voices TV has grown tremendously, attracting larger audiences and greater participation from the community. I place complete trust in Guinevere to operate the television studio with commitment and integrity. The Geoff Burgess Award for Leadership goes to a student who has not only demonstrated academic excellence, but also community leadership through initiative, diligence, and progress. Congratulations Guinevere!
Dear Zach: It is our pleasure to award you the annual Geoff Burgess Award. This award is given to a student majoring in Communication and Entrepreneurial Leadership. The recipient of this award is someone who has demonstrated academic excellence and community leadership through initiative, diligence, and progress. This student has been inspirational and has provided leadership, helping to transform the lives of others and the community as a whole.
This award goes to you because you have taken courses in professional studies and have demonstrated high proficiency in leadership and academics. In group work, you can be counted on to pull a team together and to accomplish excellent work; you make your team shine. You are a confident presenter. You are thoughtful, insightful, intellectually curious, and professional. You’re a leader of students. You are a role model for your peers. You have a strong work ethic and are a delight to have in class. You've applied your skills contributing to the college community as a whole by starting the Landmark College E-Sports Club. selflessly you have worked as a volunteer at the Putney Fire Department. You are among the most conscientious of students. You’ve earned this award through your hard work and community service. Thank you for all that you have done to become the mature, professional student that you are.
This award will go to the student who has not only excelled academically in courses offered in professional studies, but who has also gone beyond and applied these skills to transform personally and thereby contributing to the college community as a whole.
The Dianne Wood award goes to a student who has excelled in professional studies both as a grade earner and as an applied learner. Taking the skills they have learned to create positive transformations in themselves and in the Landmark community around them. Professors have described our winner as: "Bright and eager." "A true steward of the community" "A leader." "Diligent." "Having impressive diplomatic communication skills." "A dynamic and professional team organizer," and "A rising star for voices TV." Please join me in congratulating Lindsey Robison for this well-deserved award.
For outstanding achievement in the Life Sciences by a student who has declared a Life Science major.
Gabby Woolgar’s engagement and insightful contributions have enriched many class discussions.
Gabby has demonstrated an exceptional ability to grasp the intricate complexities of many different science concepts, a mastery that goes beyond the curriculum. Gabby's dedication is seen in her perfect attendance and punctuality. Her organizational skills and ability to work in a team are assets that significantly contribute to her academic achievements. These are all a testament to her unwavering commitment, her consistent performance and exemplify a remarkable level of responsibility. It is this dedication to self-advocacy and improvement that truly sets her apart and her enthusiasm for learning is infectious. She fosters a classroom atmosphere that is open, collaborative, and warm.
Gabby, for your outstanding academic pursuits, for your dedication to learning, and for your invaluable contribution to the classroom environment, we thank you. You are more than a student; you are a teacher, a leader, and a vital part of our academic community.
Congratulations Gabby, Your journey is inspiring, and your potential is limitless.
Kenny Schlegel has earned his stripes as a member of the esteemed Phi Theta Kappa, but he has also been inducted into our new Golden Key Honor Society, an accolade reserved for those who truly excel in their academic endeavors.
Kenny has been nothing short of stellar Lab Assistant, where he has been immersing himself in the kind of practical experience that shapes future industry leaders. He’s on YouTube! in his most recent Earth Week Video.
His capstone project – a detailed study on local predators – is currently a model of academic rigor and commitment. Kenny approaches most everything with diligence and passion. His insightful contributions during class discussions and his masterful navigation of complex procedures are not just indicative of his academic prowess but also of his deep-seated curiosity and love for learning.
I know that so many of us in the STEM department appreciate the hard work, the commitment, and the passion Kenny has exhibited. It is with students like him that the future of science looks brighter.
Congratulations Kenny!
For outstanding achievement in the Life Sciences by a student who has not declared a Life Science major.
In acknowledgment of their dedication to exploring life sciences, we celebrate Eli Vary, recipient of the non-major Life Science award. Despite being an art major, they've shown a real curiosity, always eager to learn more about different subjects. Throughout their academic journey, they've demonstrated a strong dedication to their science classes, committing themselves to understanding complex concepts and making meaningful connections. They were particularly dedicated to identifying their unknown chemical compound, showcasing their determination and problem-solving skills. What's truly impressive is how they connect what they learn in class to real-life issues, especially around infectious diseases. They're also great at working with others, collaborating well with their peers to get things done. As we acknowledge their achievements, we look forward to witnessing their future endeavors.
The award for excellence in mathematics goes to the student who is serious about further study in mathematics. The student actively participates in discussions, communicates clearly about mathematical concepts, and demonstrates inquisitiveness, dedication, consistency, and preparedness: the hallmarks of a successful analytic and logical thinker and problem solver.
The award for excellence in mathematics goes to the student who is serious about further study in mathematics. The student actively participates in discussions, communicates clearly about mathematical concepts, and demonstrates inquisitiveness, dedication, consistency, and preparedness: the hallmarks of a successful analytic and logical thinker and problem solver. There are many students at Landmark who are hardworking, dedicated, and thoughtful. Students you can rely on to be engaged in class discussion, ask good questions, and impact the class in a positive way. Valentina certainly fits that description. Then there's the rare student whose homework you can use to check your own answer sheet. I must confess that when it came to grading problem sets and discrete mathematics, I always looked at Val’s work. First, it gave me that extra bit of assurance that my own answers were correct, or that maybe I better check my answers again. Val is a gifted math student, she was a leader in the classroom, always willing to share her work with the class and engage with other students. Her investigation of problems was always insightful, thorough, and rigorous. She was willing to go deeper into a problem, explore possible solutions, and change course if necessary. These are the traits of a good mathematician. Congratulations on this award, Val. Keep striving for excellence.
Given to the mathematics student whose extraordinary effort and progress over the year is consistently admired by professors, peers, and advisors. Through hard work, attentiveness, and diligence with assignments, the student is becoming a skilled problem solver; one who has learned to think logically and symbolically, to reason analytically, and to communicate clearly about mathematical concepts.
Liam has a sound mathematical foundation, exhibited by his academic excellence in the subject. He is very self-aware and an independent learner who actively advocates for himself. He uses my feedback on assignments as a learning tool to improve and continuously amazes me with his work ethic. Besides his high academic achievements in mathematics, Liam truly embodies all the qualities any professor could ask a student to have. He takes pride in his work and consistently turns in assignments. He asks for clarification on any concepts he may be confused about and actively communicates with me regularly. Liam definitely deserves to be recognized, not only for his academic excellence, work ethic, and dedication but also for his good character.
Callum Keen is the winner of the Pat Jaquith award. This award is given to the student who unfailingly does their work, makes meaningful progress, and demonstrates that math matters to them.
This is my 2nd semester with Callum and during that time I’m continually impressed with his enthusiasm for learning and his commitment to discovering what works best for him. He’s not afraid of doing a little extra work or exploring new processes. It’s not always easy to prioritize non-credit classes, but Callum has done this when necessary to assure his later success. Congratulations Callum.
