Twelve Outstanding Students at Central, Eastern, Southern, Western Connecticut State Universities to be Honored for Academic Achievement, Community Involvement;
Business Leader Grano is Keynote Speaker
HARTFORD, CONN., April 24, 2007 -- Twelve outstanding college seniors from across Connecticut who attend the Connecticut State University System -- Central, Eastern, Southern and Western Connecticut state universities -- will be honored Wednesday by the CSU System Foundation during the 19th annual Henry Barnard Awards Banquet. The students will receive Henry Barnard Distinguished Student Awards at the annual event, being held at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington beginning at 6:30 p.m.
To be considered for a Barnard Award, a student must have at least a 3.75 GPA and a record of significant community service. The students are nominated by their respective universities and presidents. The award is named for the first U.S. commissioner of education, Henry Barnard, a distinguished Connecticut educator who was the state’s first superintendent of schools and principal of what later became Central Connecticut State University.
Keynote speaker at the event will be Joseph J. Grano, Jr., Chairman and CEO of Centurion Holdings LLC. From 2001 through 2004, Mr. Grano was Chairman of UBS Financial Services Inc. (formerly UBS PaineWebber). A native of Hartford’s South End, Mr. Grano attended Central Connecticut State University. He later served in the U.S. Special Forces (Green Berets), becoming one of the Army’s youngest officers, achieving the rank of Captain. In 2002, Mr. Grano was appointed by the President of the United States to serve as the chairman of the Homeland Security Advisory Council. Mr. Grano is also co-producer of the Broadway production Jersey Boys — the 2006 Tony Award winner for Best Musical.
The CSU System Foundation (www.csusystemfoundation.org) is a non-profit organization that provides scholarships and educational programs for students at the four CSUS universities (Central Connecticut State University, Eastern Connecticut State University, Southern Connecticut State University and Western Connecticut State University). In addition to the Barnard Awards, the Foundation supports environmental education and research on Outer Island (a five-acre Thimble Island operated in cooperation with the Stewart B. McKinney National Wildlife Refuge), student study abroad, excellence in the arts and various scholarships. The major sponsors for the banquet are the Connecticut Student Loan Foundation; AT&T East; Pratt and Whitney Military Engines; Community Renewal Team; Comcast; Connecticut Light and Power; and SUOAF.
This year’s Barnard Award winners are:
Maryann Abogunde, a South Windsor resident, is a senior biomolecular science major at Central Connecticut State University; she has a 3.85 GPA. Born in Port-Hartcourt, Nigeria, Abogunde came to the United States with her family in 2000. A member of CCSU’s Partners in Science, Great Explorations and Bulkeley High School’s science-enrichment programs, Abogunde reaches out to middle and high school students, helping expose them to the wonders of science. She has also volunteered to tutor elementary though college students through the CCSU Center for Africana Studies. Abogunde serves as President of the Biology Club, and has been President of the African Student Organization, secretary of the Caducean Club, public relations officer of the Africana Studies Association and a member of the International Relations Club and NAACP CCSU chapter.
Jillian Amato, a Guilford resident, graduated from Central in December with her bachelor’s degree in elementary education with a 3.87 GPA. An Honor’s Program student, Amato received the Department of Teacher Education Honors Award. While at Central, Amato volunteered to help students at CCSU and Bristol middle school in mathematics, her major at CCSU. She served as president and treasurer of the Education Club, and as a natural helper and peer educator for Central’s Mental Health and Addiction Services; she was also a member of Kappa Delta Pi and Golden Key International Honour Society. She is presently working in Guilford Pubic Schools and is pursuing her master’s degree in elementary education at Southern Connecticut State University.
Laura Jensen, a New Britain resident, is a senior anthropology major at Central; she presently has a 3.86 GPA. Minoring in archaeology and cross cultural analysis, Jensen represented the CCSU Anthropology program and the Archaeology Expo at UConn, where she created a fun project for children to expose them to the kinesthetic experience of archaeology laboratory work. She catalogued artifacts for the Archaeology Laboratory for African American Diaspora Studies. During the summer of 2006 she traveled to Nicaragua, helping plant trees to encourage rainfall, control soil erosion and provide income for local citizens through the Federation for the Full Development of Rural People. Upon returning to the United States, Jensen created a website to assist in fundraising for the program. She has also volunteered for the Friends of the State Archeologist, been a mentor at Vance Elementary School and is a fundraising volunteer for CPTV/WNPR.
Faith Prelli, a Winsted resident, is a senior psychology major, philosophy minor at Central; she presently has a 3.79 GPA. On campus, she has served as a research assistant in the CCSU psychology department, with this work culminating in a poster presentation at the 2006 meeting of the Association for Psychology Science (APS), a paper in preparation, and a second presentation scheduled for the 2007 APS meeting. Off campus, she has served as an officer and member of the Riverton Grange #169. She was also a board member and volunteer for the Winsted Youth Service Bureau and The Gilbert School Corporation Board. Outside of her academic achievements, Prelli is accomplished on both the piano and French horn, having studied at the Boston University College of Fine Arts.
Adam Lachendro, an Enfield resident, is a senior health and physical education major at Eastern Connecticut State University; he presently has a 3.83 GPA. In the fall of 2005, Lachendro was accepted into the Omicron Delta Kappa Leadership Program, and in the spring of 2006 joined the Omicron Delta Kappa Honors Society and the Alpha Upsilon Chi international honor society for health and physical education majors. At ECSU, Lachendro was a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, traveling to New Orleans to build houses for those less fortunate. Lachendro has been an assistant coach in both soccer and basketball for Enfield youth, was junior coordinator for the Teen Center at St. Bernard’s Church and volunteered at the Enfield Food Shelf and Enfield Soup Kitchen. In Eastern’s community, he has volunteered at the Windham Elementary School’s After School Program and at the 2005 and 2006 Special Olympics.
Carter Anne Lennon, a Manchester resident, is a psychology major at Eastern; she presently has a 3.95 GPA. Completing her studies in only three years, Lennon has been president, vice president and secretary, as well as project manager of “ECSU Hits the Streets” for the American Humanics Student Association; president of the Psi Chi psychology honor society; public relations head for the Honor Club; editor-in-chief and sports editor for the yearbook; team leader for the Omicron Delta Kappa Student Leadership Development Program; and treasurer of the Psychology Club. She has also been a teacher’s assistant, a research assistant and a peer mentor. For the past four years Lennon has helped the Manchester Volunteer Fire Department create and distribute holiday food baskets for those in need and has assisted in repairing homes through the Christmas in April program.
Amanda Regina Stevens Griffin, a Fairfield resident, is a social work major at Southern Connecticut State University; she presently has a 3.9 GPA. At Southern, she is a member of the Golden Key International Honor Society and the Student Social Welfare Organization. In her community, Griffin is a volunteer social work intern at the New Haven YMCA Youth Walk-In Center; she is also a volunteer children’s swim team coach for the Stratford/Bridgeport YMCA. Griffin also volunteers her time to the Bridgeport DCF through St. Paul’s Outreach Committee. She is a past therapeutic mentor volunteer for Progressive Associates, where she assisted children with severe behavioral problems with school work.
Mandie S. Larsen, a Guilford resident, is a finance major at Southern; she presently has a 3.74 GPA. At Southern, Larsen is president of the SCSU chapter of the Golden Key International Honor Society and president of the SCSU Financial Management Association. In her role in the Financial Management Association, Larsen has been credited with significantly growing the club’s membership, and has helped reestablish the club through a series of special events both on and off campus. Outside of SCSU, Larsen is a member of the Guilford VFW Ladies Auxiliary Post 7666, where she has donated time to both her local community and to supporting troops and veterans.
Patrice Lynn Maturo, a Madison resident, is a journalism major at Southern; she presently has a 3.75 GPA. While at Southern, Maturo has been a reporter and editor-in-chief at Southern News, Southern News’ representative to the Student Media Board, media representative to the homecoming and student center opening committees, secretary of the Society of Professional Journalists and team captain of her intramural softball team. She was also an intern at WTNH in New Haven, and a freelance reporter for Our Kids! magazine. In her community, Maturo was a volunteer for High School Journalism day, has been a volunteer and promoter for Red Letter Business and a volunteer for Special Olympics.
Kyle H. O’Brien, a Bridgeport resident, is a social work major at Southern; he presently has a 3.85 GPA. Completing his degree in only three years, O’Brien has been a volunteer captain and athlete escort for the 2006 summer Special Olympics, Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) student representative for the BSW Core Meetings, a member of the Beta Rho Social Work National Honor Society and a member of the Social Welfare Organization. In his community, O’Brien was a volunteer for Sister Anne Virginie Grimes Health Center, working with residents to help them maintain their independence. He was a member of the Columbian Squires, and in 2002 was named Chief Squire, in which he helped facilitate numerous volunteer activities for his church and community. After graduating from the Squires at 18 years old, O’Brien became a member of the Knights of Columbus.
Forest James Robertson, a Newtown resident, is a chemistry major at Western Connecticut State University; he presently has a 3.92 GPA. At Western, Robertson is a member of the Chemistry Club, where he has served as both treasurer and vice president. Through the club, he has helped with “Western Wizards,” a traveling magic show that promotes science to elementary school children, and provided free math and chemistry tutoring to WCSU students. He is also a member of Western’s varsity men’s tennis team, winning the LEC title for his flight during the 2004 season. He is also active in his church, where he plays piano and teaches first grade bible class, and is a past volunteer for Ashlar Nursing Home.
Amber O’Neill Wilk, a Brookfield resident, is a secondary education math major at Western; she presently has a 3.75 GPA. Wilk is a WCSU Math Clinic tutor and a member of the Associate Honors Program. She also volunteered at the Connecticut Association for Mathematically Precocious Youth (CAMPY) Day, which allows middle school students to take part in math-related workshops. During the spring of 2006, Wilk completed a Student Developed Study in which she created the entire curriculum for a prospective mathematics education course at Western. The course allows secondary and elementary education majors to focus on middle school mathematics, and was taught in the fall of 2006, with Wilk serving as a teacher’s aide. The course is now being incorporated into the regular course offerings in Western’s bachelor’s degree program.
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The CSU System Foundation is committed to supporting the teaching mission of the CSU System. Founded more than 150 years ago as Connecticut’s teachers colleges, the universities in the CSU System now comprise the largest public university system in Connecticut with a diverse population of more than 35,000 students.
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