May 8, 2023 (Middletown, Conn.) — On May 5, Middlesex Community College presented academic awards to students for high achievement in each of the academic degree programs offered by the college.
Sue Lugli, professor of business, kicked off the ceremony, and program coordinators and professors announced the names for each academic discipline and told stories about each student’s achievements. They noted many students started attending classes during the most challenging time of the pandemic, having taken many of their courses online.
The award recipients included moms and dads seeking new careers and students who began college early. Other students served as interns for Connecticut Public Radio, the state legislature or epilepsy research. Several more also work full-time.
“These stories are what makes Middlesex so special. As academic pillars, you exemplify what it means for our college,” Kimberly Hogan, interim campus chief executive officer, told the audience.
CEO Hogan also urged the students to remain in contact with the college because “we want to hear more about your successes after you leave.”
The event ended with congratulations from Donna Bontatibus, interim dean of academic and student affairs, to retiring radiology professor Donna Crum, followed by a reception.
The academic award recipients are:
Arts & Humanities
Communication Studies — Taylor Doyle
Digital Media Production, Film & Video — Sofia Moreno-Sanchez
Digital Media Production, Multimedia — Jeffrey Kutneski
English — Talia Hincks
Fine Arts — Emelie Winiski
General Studies — Marco Camacho
History — Noah Zygmunt
Liberal Arts & Science — Olivia Merlini
Business & Hospitality
Accounting — Lynn Stanwood
Business Administration — Peter Kuzmich
Management Information Systems — Sarah Polvani
Engineering & Technology
Computer Information Technology — Joshua Riel
Computer Science Studies — Emily Rhee
Engineering Science — David Gentile
Manufacturing Machine Technology — Bethany Crum
Health Careers
Health Information Management — Brenda Bent
Ophthalmic Design & Dispensing — Keri McClain
Radiologic Technology — Kirstan Ruderman
Veterinary Technology — Dawn Miller
Science & Mathematics
Biochemistry — Lesli Miller
Biology — Gehad Saleh
Biotechnology — Nathan Bava
Chemistry — Nicholas Ingala
Mathematics — Nicholas Morenski
Social & Behavioral Sciences
Criminal Justice/Criminology — Ethan Zukowski
Early Childhood Education — Carmela Zavaglia
Human Services — Lara Curran
Psychology Studies — Alyse Pellegren
Social Work — Celeste Suarez
Sociology Studies — Camille LaRock
Middlesex Community College is among 12 community colleges in Connecticut merging on July 1, 2023, to become CT State Community College, one of the largest community colleges in the country and largest in New England, dedicated to quality, access and affordability. CT State students will be able to apply once and take classes at any campus. In addition to Middlesex (Middletown & Meriden), locations include Asnuntuck (Enfield), Capital (Hartford), Gateway (New Haven & North Haven), Housatonic (Bridgeport), Manchester, Naugatuck Valley (Danbury & Waterbury), Northwestern Connecticut (Winsted), Norwalk, Quinebaug Valley (Danielson & Willimantic), Three Rivers (Norwich), and Tunxis (Farmington). Find out more at ctstate.edu/becoming.
