On Friday, May 12, hundreds of students and faculty from Niagara University’s College of Arts & Sciences gathered in the Gallagher Center to honor their own for their academic, community service, and leadership achievements during the 43rd annual Day of Recognition.
Initiated in 1981 by the Rev. Joseph Levesque, C.M., then dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, this year’s event included two new awards for Inclusive Excellence. Dr. Rolanda L. Ward, associate professor and endowed faculty director of the Rose Bente Lee Ostapenko Center for Race, Equity, and Mission, was recognized with the Faculty Inclusive Excellence Award, and Nefantee Mayers, a theatre major from Rochester, N.Y., received the Student Inclusive Excellence Award.
The ceremony honored students from across the college’s 25 academic departments, as well as several faculty members. Those recognized this year with faculty awards included Dr. David Reilly, professor of political science, who received the Excellence in Service Award; Dr. Alexander Bertland, associate professor of philosophy, who received the Excellence in Scholarship Award; Dr. Robert Greene, professor of biology, who received the Award for Excellence in Teaching (full-time); and Dr. Rita Pollard, adjunct professor in English, who received the Award for Excellence in Teaching (part-time).
Special student awards included the Blessed Frederic Ozanam Award, presented to Andrew Fleckenstein, an international studies major from Ransomville, N.Y., in recognition of his outstanding achievement in both academics and community service. The Senior Medal, which is given to the student with the highest GPA, was presented to Tailor Choquette, an art history with museum studies major from South Hadley, Mass.
The 2023 Day of Recognition also featured remarks from the Rev. James J. Maher. C.M., Niagara University president, and Dr. Peter Butera, dean of the college.