Landmark College Spring Academic Awards
Each academic year, Landmark College faculty nominate students for Academic Awards based on outstanding academic achievements.
The Spring 2023 Academic Awards Ceremony was held on April 25, 2023 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.
This year’s recipient of the First-Year Student Award is Karina Alaniz. Her teachers and advisors agree that Karina is a student who understands how to balance different aspects of her life while staying focused on her priorities. I have worked with Karina for the last two semesters in Writing 1011 and 1012, so I can say with conviction that she demonstrates all the attributes for which this award is given. Her dedication and commitment to learning has resulted in academic success as well as greater self-awareness and the ability to advocate for herself. Karina represents what it means to persevere. She works through blocks to arrive at breakthroughs that demonstrate not only to herself but to her peers and her teachers how important and meaningful it is to learn and that pushing through difficulty is a big part of what learning is about. It’s been exciting to see Karina’s growth as a student and a writer over the past academic year. 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.
Hello, everyone, my name is Kristie Baldwin-DeCew and I'm honored to be presenting this year's first year online student award here at Landmark College. This award is given to the student who has demonstrated an ongoing process of self reflection, self-awareness and self-advocacy that has led to significant achievement in first year academic goals in online coursework.
This year, the online student award recipient is Binyamin Weiner. Yay! Binyamin is enrolled in my Digital Literacy course this semester and has been a communicative and conscientious student from the start of the course. He has done an excellent job of managing the various responsibilities of being an online learner. He self-advocates to gain clarification on assignments and weekly objectives. His assignments are completed with intention and are of high quality. In our class meetings Binyamin has helped to create a sense of community and he adds to this with his discussion and inquiry about our lessons and class content. He has thoughtful questions and he responds respectfully to his peers as an online teacher. This is much appreciated.
Online learning is a commitment and Binyamin has done a wonderful job this year in navigating his learning and education. I greatly respect his genuine curiosity as a learner and a human. I'm excited to watch and support him as he continues his education here at Landmark College. Congratulations, Binyamin.
Given to the student who demonstrates commitment to and talent with creative writing.
Hadass, I am naming this the Ezra Pound Triumvirate Award, in honor of the student who most meets Pound’s threefold criteria for the poet: one, logopoeia, the dance of the intellect; two, melopoeia, an ear for linguistic music; and three, panopoeia, visual intelligence. Indeed, you meet the “E.P. Three,” crafting delightfully visual, musical works that are intellectually and emotionally engaging. I am struck by the range of your talent. You are equally adept at both fixed and organic form, crafting sonnets and sestinas as well as end-stopped free verse. I am pleased to present to you the Landmark Creative Writing Award of 2023.
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.
I am exceptionally lucky to speak on behalf of Natasha Sonenshine. Natasha is a student in my Writing 1011 course, and she is an integral part of the community. She brings her careful, critical eye to all the work that we do, she connects the coursework to her broader lifeworld in interesting ways, and she shares her thinking with others in the class. What's more, Natasha is exceptionally funny, and it's difficult not to smile while she is around.
Over the course of the semester, I’ve gotten this sense that Natasha--first and foremost--cares deeply about making the world better; and she strives to do this through impacting the lives of those around her. She has a long track record of this. For instance, in Hebrew school, Natasha worked for five years helping to mentor younger students. Natasha is originally from Russia, and was adopted by an American family. And, here on campus, she is a founding member and vice president of "Forever Families," a social group for students who are adopted. She is also playing a critical role in facilitating the development of a group for Asian American students -- to be called the Asian American Community. And she is becoming a fixture in the Stonewall Center, participating in as many of their campus activities as possible.
Natasha, in her own worlds, is an “introvert with a social battery.” And she told me that doing outreach for students on campus is important because she gets energy from helping out in the communities that she’s part of. After school, Natasha sees herself entering a helping profession -- likely something medical. She's already an EMT, but sees herself becoming a nurse, or a physician's assistant. At bottom though, again, in her own words, she just wants to do something "impactful" and in any of the medical roles she might take up, one of her goals is to help trans people acquire access to hormone therapy.
One thing's certain: we could use more people like Natasha around, and I am thrilled to see what she does next here at Landmark, and beyond. Congrats, Natasha!
Given to the student who has made the most strides in demonstrating professionalism in the workplace and developing a career plan.
My name is Dean Tzivanis, Assistant Director of 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 COMEL degree with an expected graduation of Spring 2024 began their journey of building their professional skills in 2020 when they completed our Employment Readiness Program. Since then, they have participated in many of our workshops and events including writing an elevator pitch, networking, as well as the interviewing events in the fall with our corporate partners from CAI Neurodiverse Solutions, Point32Health, and EY.
In the summer of 2021, they did a remote internship in accounting as an Intuit Resource Consultant and this fall, they are serving as an intern at Leopard Frog Art Gallery & Gift Shop, a start-up in Brattleboro -applying their marketing, social media, and retail skills. The business owner at Leopard Frog has noted that their online marketplace sales have doubled since the student began their internship in January. Additionally, the business owner trusts the student to run the store independently when they are required to run an errand or step out.
It has been an honor to see this student evolve, demonstrating that when you take advantage of the opportunities our office offers you can make strides personally and professionally. Having taken ownership and initiative in their career plan the Career Readiness Award goes to Sophia Spraggins. Congratulations Sophia for all your diligent and focused efforts.
Given to the student who best exemplifies communicating with purpose, clarity, coherence, and persuasiveness in writing.
Tamar Cohen is the recipient of this year’s Writing Excellence Award “given to the student who best exemplifies communicating with purpose, clarity, coherence, and persuasiveness in writing.”
Tamar has demonstrated all of these qualities as a writer in the semester I have worked with her in The Graphic Novel. Throughout her time here at Landmark, Tamar has worked diligently to overcome writing anxiety and hone her writing skills and process.
Jan Thompson says, “Tamar did brilliant work in Composition and Rhetoric! She consistently invested careful thought and energy in all her writing. Because she continually sought challenge and feedback, she succeeded in growing as a writer.”
Susan Austin says, “In WRT 1012, Tamar’s papers were sophisticated and beautifully written. Her research paper, “Jewish Folktales and The Golem of Prague” gracefully placed the tale in its historical background.”
Her instructor in Introduction to Publications Management, Chris Lenois, writes, “[Tamar’s] copy editing of other students' work exhibited a meticulousness and sensitivity that comes from… an enthusiasm for the written word. Tamar's submission for the next issue of Voices magazine explores the roots of her interest in stories and writing. It contains all the attributes that make a student deserving of the Writing Excellence Award: purposeful, clear, persuasive. I'm very happy she is being recognized in this way.”
Congratulations, Tamar!
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.
Nora Fox inspired both Adrienne Major and me, Susan Austin, to nominate her for the award for Liberal Studies Excellence at the Associate Level.
In my American Drama course, Nora has been consistently well-prepared for every class. Her journals and first essay have been sophisticated and beautifully written. She participates actively and engages respectfully with other students.
Peg Alden notes that Nora is a “good communicator. She understands cultural issues. And she’s been very helpful as a student leader for Civic Engagement students who are interested in learning more about environmental engagement on campus.”
On behalf of the Liberal Studies Department, congratulations, Nora, and thank you for your excellent work.
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.
I am writing from the vantage point of being both faculty advisor and Civic Engagement instructor for Devin. Although he received his Associate’s degree and joined the Liberal Studies Bachelor’s program only a year ago, Devin has already make a big impression on his Liberal Studies professors. He is moving quickly, but thoughtfully, through his program, receiving well-earned, high grades and personal respect each semester. Part of Devin’s success is his admirable trait of being willing to reach out for academic support when he needs it and incorporate that support into his work.
Every college, including Landmark, is challenged with maintaining positive “town-gown” relationships. Landmark can thank Devin for doing more than his share of heavy lifting on this front…both figuratively and literally. On top of his hefty academic load, Devin serves as a first responder and a firefighter with the Putney Town Fire Department, bridging the gap between our campus and the surrounding community. As a Putney selectboard member, I often hear about the positive contributions that Landmark students, such as Devin, are making to keeping our little town running smoothly.
I like it when students earn awards, such as this Liberal Studies BA Award, when they are in their junior year. I’m glad that will have another whole year to look forward to the contributions, both in and out of the classroom, that Devin will make before graduating. Congratulations and thank you, Devin!
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 with great pleasure that I am presenting Lucas Hendler with the Maria Forte Award. Lucas has been an exceptional student in all my classes. He is a great self-initiator, has a solid relationship with discipline and self manages very effectively. Lucas' maturity has been in evidence in all his endeavors at Landmark College. His generosity towards his fellow schoolmates has been instrumental in developing a healthy learning environment in my classes. I am also impressed by the fact that he has already been accepted to a graduate program in early childhood education at Adelphi University. I have no doubt that he will excel there as he has done here.
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, Claudia, for earning this year’s excellence in psychology award! In just a short period of time, your passion for learning about all areas of psychology has left an indelible imprint on our community. You have the rare skill of making complex ideas seem simple, which is complemented well by your strong desire to understand others’ perspectives. Between your success in the classroom and work on research projects, these traits have helped you to quickly become a leader in our program. All of us wish you the best as you continue your academic journey, whether at Landmark College or somewhere else.
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 Zachary Mankowitz was unanimously selected by the Computer Science Program faculty to receive this year’s Computer Science Award. Zachary is the type of student that instructors hope for; he is hard working, intelligent, kind, respectful, mature, motivated, and generous with his time. He rarely, if ever, misses class. He works on projects relatively independently, with only a little bit of initial direction. He submits his work on time and always performs at the top level. He never complains either about project requirements or course-based workloads. When his peers are struggling with their projects, Zachary jumps in to help. Professor Keith says that Zachary’s work on the Collaborative Educational Software research project was exemplary. He took on complicated assignments and executed them with professional level developer results.
At the end of Programming Languages last Fall, Zachary drew his signature Chibi style Bat on his final exam with its speech bubble containing “Thanks for a great semester”. That gesture is representative of the type of person that Zachary is; thoughtful and appreciative, and doesn’t take what he receives for granted.
We are proud of Zach for his accomplishments, and for his contributions to the Computer Science program, specifically, and Landmark College, in general
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.
This year's recipient is Petar Petrovich. Through his collegiate journey, Petar has exemplified the kind of growth mindset that we try to instill here at Landmark College. It has been an absolute delight working with him, seeing him go from a quiet and reticent student to an active leader and contributor to Landmark’s, radio, print, television and web platforms. He has become proficient in many areas of multimedia production, including direction and camera operation, audio and video editing, and grew into an on-air talent as Voices TV’s sports anchor and host of his own show on WLMC Radio for 8 semesters running. However, I am most impressed with this visionary and innovative thinking, perhaps best exemplified by his capstone project, which involves developing a robust sports media presence on the LC Voices website. Congratulations, Petar. Well deserved.
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.
Ziad, it is my pleasure to present to you the Business and Entrepreneurship Award. This award goes to you because you have taken courses in professional studies and have demonstrated high proficiency in business and entrepreneurship. You have accomplished excellent research and made creative proposals in the areas of organizational design, finance, economics, marketing, accounting, and entrepreneurship. You've applied your skills contributing to the college community as a whole.
You are among the most conscientious of students. You have completed internships with great success increasing your levels of responsibility with each position. You have a strong work ethic. You're a delight to have in class. In teamwork, 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’ve earned this award through your hard work and perseverance. Thank you for all that you have done to become the mature, professional student that you are.
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.
The Geoff Burgess 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.
Audrey, you have demonstrated exceptional dedication to your academic work, starting with your dual-enrollment courses during high school. You have become a model for your peers by supporting them and leading group work. You have brought out not only your best work but have inspired your peers with your consistent presence and determination to complete your work here. You have become an example to others and have enriched our community as a whole with your involvement in Phi Theta Kappa. Your effort to transform your life has inspired other people to strive for their goals. Thank you for all you have done to grow in academic excellence and leadership.
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 Diane Wood Award goes to the student who not only excels academically in courses offered in Professional Studies, but who has gone beyond and applied those skills to transform personally and to contribute to the college community.
Our award recipient this year has taken this even further by contributing to the local community too. I am proud to announce Zach Hahn as the recipient of this year's Diane Wood Award. I've known Zach in many renditions, starting as a fledgling economic student and a curious idea lab ambassador. I have watched him grow to take leadership roles in many areas: as the founder and president of the award-winning Landmark College E Sports Club and now team, placing second in collegiate competitions, playing schools from Texas and Ohio and more; as an effective intern and mentor in my microeconomics class; and from what I hear as an amazing lead volunteer at the Putney Fire Department.
In all areas, Zach is an excellent communicator and enthusiastic collaborator who is engaged in the betterment of others. He is proactive in his work and personal growth, always striving to do more, improve, and expand. Congratulations Zach on an award well deserved. Thank you for all you do.
For outstanding achievement in the Life Sciences by a student who has declared a Life Science major.
Over the past 3 years Dylan Sullivan has demonstrated a strong commitment to the Life Science program, as a lab assistant, and Landmark College as a whole, as a campus ambassador. Each semester Dylan continues to demonstrate growth, taking on more responsibilities as a lab assistant for the Life Science department. He even provides lab support for classes he has yet to take.
For two consecutive years, Dylan has shared his insights at the Landmark College Student Leadership Conference. He will be spending this summer further expanding his scientific knowledge by participating in an internship for the Vermont Biomedical Research Network. Dylan’s continual growth, leadership and support of his peers make him the ideal candidate for the Life Science major award. Congratulations Dylan!
Domnica Horst-Loy puts the “life” in life science! Between her extensive coursework in our Bachelor’s of Science in the Life Sciences and her work as an emergency first responder and firefighter with the Putney Fire Department, Dom demonstrates an outstanding ability to focus and apply the scientific method to a wide range of situations. She has a wonderful breadth of curiosity, from her work with the microscopic study of tissues for histology to investigating physiological adaptations of vertebrates in extreme environments. From studying life science in her coursework, to saving lives, and even assisting at bringing new life into the community (!), Dom exemplifies excellence in Life Science. I am honored to present Domnica Horst-Loy with the Life Science Major’s Achievement Award.
For outstanding achievement in the Life Sciences by a student who has not declared a Life Science major.
I have always believed that skeletons should not be relegated to closets but proudly displayed, and I am thrilled whenever I meet a like-minded student such as Tamar Cohen. I can’t help but feel like she is the “one who got away,” as she is not pursuing a life science degree, but she is the perfect candidate for Archeology! Tamar has all the attributes of the intrepid field scientist: a keen eye for detail, patience, outstanding critical thinking skills, and perseverance under adverse conditions. From tales of her work in the Museum of Natural History, to her thoughts on how Homo floresienses has changed our view of hominid evolution and migration out of Africa, Tamar is one individual that I can never tire of talking to or about! I am honored to present Tamar with the Life Science Award to Non-majors, and I look forward to hearing about her accomplishments in field archeology!
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.
I am very pleased to award this year’s math excellence award to Elijah Appelman. Most students take math classes like Linear Algebra and Probability and Statistics because it’s part of their curriculum, not just because they find these math classes interesting and fun. Both of these subjects can be a bit abstract, like when we talk about vectors spaces, spanning sets, or probability distributions. But Elijah doesn’t see math like this as abstract, in fact he actually “sees” the math. Often in class, after I finished explaining a concept he’d look up and to the left, pause, and they say, “Oh yea, I see it.” And he meant it! His ability to “see the math” allowed him to contribute a different perspective to class discussions. He continually makes inciteful observations and easily links concepts together. His inquisitiveness, creativity, and critical thinking have allowed him to excel in Calculus, Linear Algebra, and Probability and Statistics. Congratulations, Elijah.
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.
The attributes of hard work, attentiveness, and diligence define the recipient of the Pat Jaquith award. Yonina fits this description perfectly. In my Intermediate Algebra class, Yonina pays attention to every problem we do on the board and engages in our dialogue without fail. She doesn’t always get it right, but she’s always thinking and working on improving her understanding. I have seen Yonina in math support every Thursday this semester. She always comes in with a plan to work through the problems she does not understand, and she completes all assignments. She has grown tremendously over the course of her math studies at Landmark, and I have no doubt that she will continue to develop as a student and as a problem solver. She is a worthy recipient of this award. Congratulations, Yonina!
