The recipients of this year's Alumni Association Senior Awards form a diverse group: two will go on to eight-year M.D./Ph.D. programs after graduation this May; two will take jobs with Teach For America; two plan on earning master's degrees in public health; and one is a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives.
Lisa Berger, Sebastian Chaskel, Mickey Ferri, Julia S. Goldberg, Faith Hester, Fred Jones Jr., Angela C. Lee, Jessica Lessing, D. Scott Merrick, Stephen Rawlings, Annie Ross and Stacey Watkins received their award at a ceremony held Saturday in Cousens Gymnasium.
They were selected for their leadership on campus, community service and academic success.
"There were over 30 nominations for this award and we had to winnow it down to 12. They were absolutely outstanding students," Alumni Association President Sunny Breed (J '66) said.
At the event, University Chaplain David O'Leary, Dean of Arts and Sciences Robert Sternberg, Breed and the students gave speeches. Breed read citations for each student that recounted their accomplishments.
She said each recipient's achievements impressed her. "Reading their citations makes me wonder what I do with my time," she said.
Award recipient Scott Merrick, a senior who doubles as a representative in New Hampshire's legislature, was flattered to receive the prestigious award. "I was quite surprised," he said. "It's obvious that the people who win this award are extremely qualified; they're leaders in the community. I was very honored and humbled to receive it."
The Alumni Association has bestowed this award to standout seniors since 1955. "It started with a smaller number and grew to 12," Breed said. "It's been capped at 12, so [selecting recipients is] quite a challenge for the committee."
As recognition for the honor, each student received a certificate, a copy of his or her citation and an engraved silver medallion.
