Awards and Honors

Each year, the university’s staff and faculty honor top performing students with awards to recognize their academic and student life achievements.

Hootie Solt Community Service Award: Given to the student who has demonstrated the spirit of giving, embodied by Judith “Hootie” Solt through his or her involvement in the community.

Dr. Gene Burns Alumni Award: Given to the individual whose activities have enhanced the reputation of the university.

Governor Christopher Del Sesto & Dr. Anthony Kemalian Trustee Awards: Given to the two students (one male and one female) who have the greatest contribution in service to the community.

Academic Performance Award: Awarded to the graduating student from each college who has achieved the highest academic average and is recommended by the faculty.

Exceptional Academic Excellence: A designation given to all bachelor’s degree graduates with a 4.0 cumulative GPA.

Alpha Beta Kappa: An honors society designation which is presented to all bachelor’s degree graduates with a cumulative GPA of 3.9 and higher.

Honors Program: Graduates of the university’s Honors Program will receive special Honors designation on their diploma and an honor stole to wear at commencement.

Apprenti Cuisinier Awards: Presented in recognition of achievement to graduating sophomores in five areas – classical cookery, international cookery, garde manger, classical pastry and dining room service.

Vollrath Award: Nominees must be enrolled as full time culinary arts or pastry arts, must have a minimum GPA of 2.75, must have two years documented “back of the house” culinary experience and must be currently working in the culinary field a minimum of 25 hours per week.

2012 Awards Recipients:

Hootie Solt Community Service Award: Lemar Scott

Dr. Gene Burns Alumni Award: Rebekah Svoboda

Governor Christopher Del Sesto & Dr. Anthony Kemalian Trustee Awards: Rachel Dominguez; Ahmed Raza

Academic Performance Award: Lizbeth Palmer (Business); Mikiayla Dames (Culinary Arts); Stephanie Schwab (Hospitality)

Alpha Beta Kappa: Arianne Braynen; Rabea Brian*; Marie Chambon; Marissa Crump; Mikiayla Dames; Rachel Devoe*; Divya Daswani*; Juna Joseph; Alizee Louise Laroche*; David Long; Amit Mahbubani; Margarida Mrazkova; Lizbeth Palmer*; Ahmad Raza; Andrea Rico Salazar; Stephanie Schwab*; Luis Young;

(*) denotes those who also received Exceptional Academic Excellence

Apprenti Cuisinier Awards: Keysi Colin (classical cookery); Roy Christian Frank (international cookery); Jennifer Mendez (garde manger); Leah Grossman (classical pastry); Mario Lima Duran (dining room service);

Vollrath Award: Greggory Stoddard