By: Diane Stirling
(315) 443-8975
College convocations are about recognitions and achievements. It’s a moment when everyone looks back at where they were, how far they’ve come, where they’re headed, and the good things and good times enjoyed along the way.
Members of the Class of 2014 at the School of Information Studies did all of that during a moving ceremony during which they were honored for their hard work, recognized for outstanding scholarship and service, and feted for their achievements. The celebration included the presentation of a number of class awards.
Awards for the Class of 2014 were presented as follows.
Master’s Degree Prizes (awards to students demonstrating academic excellence in class and projects), were presented to:
- Rebecca Wessell (Information Management)
- Sarah Bratt (Library and Information Science)
- Kate Gukeisen (Library and Information Science, School Media specialization
- Jose Bejar(Telecommunications and network Management).
Two Doctoral Prizes, recognizing the best doctoral thesis and outstanding academic contributions of Ph.D. students, were awarded, to:
- Veronica Maidel
- Dale Meyerrose.
The Antje Lemke Book Award, awarded to a student in the Master of Library and Information Science program who exhibits a passion for learning and dedication to service, was presented to:
- Kusturie Moodley.
The Graduate Leadership Award, recognizing exceptional scholarship, service, and commitment to the school by a graduate student, was awarded to:
- Elise Lambson.
Two students were recognized with theJohn Weitzel Award for Information Systems. The award is named for former faculty member John Weitzel, recognizing students who exhibit excellence in information systems through coursework or research projects. Honored were:
- Max Greenberg (Undergraduate Award)
- Rudy Rusli (Graduate Award).
The Amy Everett Award for Information Ethics, established in memory of Amy Everett G’85, for students writing an outstanding paper on ethical issues in information management, was awarded to:
- Paul Goldsmith
- Blaine Killen.
An award that recognizes a school media graduate who has overcome obstacles and persisted to achieve a degree, the Angela DeSilva Inspirational Achievement Award, was presented to:
- Milly Stephenson.
Recognizing an outstanding senior based on academic achievement, this year’s Donald A. and Joyce P. Marchand Award for Outstanding Academic Achievement (established by a former iSchool Dean and his wife), went to:
- Billy Ceskavich.
The Katie Bennett Undergrauate Leadership Award, a memorial award in honor of alumna Katie Bennett that recognizes overall contributions to the school, was presented to:
- Courtney Perdiue.
The Undergraduate Service Award, recognizing a senior who exemplifies a priority to serve others in their daily life, was awarded to:
- Neil Winston.
Dean’s Scholar Awards were presented to nine graduates, recognizing academic excellence at the undergraduate level. They are:
- Emily Banas
- Billy Ceskavich
- Edward Cogan II
- Christa Farmen
- Xiaopei Feng
- Laura Lawson
- Bradley Slavin
- Maggie Hoi Yan Chen
- Zhi Quan Yang.
Named as Alumni Class Leaders, selected for academic success, involvement in academic and extracurricular programs, and their interest in networking with alumni and prospective students, are these 15 students:
- Sarah Bratt
- Billy Ceskavich
- Hrishikesh Deshkar
- Brenda Salas Freeman
- Max Greenberg
- Chengming Cuo
- Amit Gupta
- Manoj Madhava
- Stephanie Prato
- Sahil Rambhia
- Evin Robinson
- Mouhamed Sourang
- Anne Marie Suchanek
- Niharika Ved
- Neil Winston.
Class marshals for the Class of 2014 were Kevin Kettell and Lauren Peters.