The American Studies Faculty Award is given to a graduating senior for academic excellence and growth in the major.

Sylas Nicholas Hebert

As student or research assistant, Sylas Hebert stands out for his commitment to excellence, equity, and discovery. Professor Nathan describes him as “preternaturally smart, quietly intellectually tenacious, and a superb researcher/writer.” His senior thesis investigates transmuseology and answers the question: what would a trans museum look like? Drawing from his thesis and working with trans and non-binary folx across central New York, Sylas is curating a series of dialogues this spring about the practices and objects this space might include.  

The O. Roger Gallagher Memorial Prize is awarded annually to an outstanding student in anthropology.

Elijah Butowsky McKee

Anthropology faculty commend Elijah for going beyond his classroom studies to create insightful public accounts about cultural experiences. His accomplishments include publishing a U.S. News & World Report article about pandemic Ramadan rituals in Morocco, editing digital accounts for the West Side Oral Narrative Project of Saratoga Springs, and developing a pandemic podcast for National Public Radio. We are eager to see how Elijah draws on his imaginative storytelling as he explores careers in media and communication.

The Eduardo Albanell Prize is awarded annually to a senior or junior studio art major or minor who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in sculpture.

Chloe Rose Walker

This year’s Eduardo Albanel Estev Prize for Sculpture is awarded to Chloe Walker, an exceptional student whose work adeptly integrates interests in sculpture and painting. Chloe’s fearless dedication to her work and her courageous and confident use of form and imagery is inspirational. Her sculpture is whimsical, serious and as provocative as it is beautiful. Chloe is admired for her curiosity and conviction, and her presence in the studio will be greatly missed.

The Dorothy Dryfoos Olsan Prize is awarded annually to a student who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in jewelry and metal-smithing.

Robert Grant Titsworth

Independent and adaptable, Rob has proven to be a stalwart creative force in the Jewelry and Metals studio, despite the unprecedented challenges of this past year. Armed with an inventive mind, a keen visual sensibility, and impressive technical skills, Rob creates work that is at once refined and yet undeniably original. So, it is with gratitude and admiration that we award this year’s Dorothy Dryfoos Olsan Award to Rob Titsworth, Class of 2021.

The Jesse Solomon Memorial Award is awarded to the senior who shows promise in painting.   

Mickey Baroody

Mickey Baroody is a recognized, ambitious, award-winning painter of large-scale, mural-size works populated by 10 or more figures, nearly life-size and exquisitely painted. His painting commanded center stage during the 2019, 2020, and 2021 Skidmore Juried Student Exhibitions, telling stories of camaraderie and the quiet moments experienced behind the scenes in queer communities. Mickey will attend the post-baccalaureate program at The School of the Art Institute of Chicago in fall 2021. You’ll be missed!

The Barbara Greene Wild Award is given to a student who has excelled in ceramics.

Reva Jay Preven

Reva Preven has been a standout student in the ceramics area. She has been diligent in her research of the discipline and has fostered a scholarly attitude toward her artwork. The pandemic has made hands-on studio work particularly challenging, and Reva has maintained a positive attitude and a disciplined work ethic to bring her ideas to reality. Reva sets a focused, hardworking example for the students around her and exemplifies a student striving to find her own vision in her artwork.

Pamela Weidenman Memorial Prize is awarded to an outstanding senior art major who has achieved excellence in lithography and/or printmaking.

Talia Grob Stewart

Talia has grown tremendously as a printmaker this year. Her investigation of Intaglio printmaking through direct drawing using roulettes yielded a richly textured, highly personal quality to her imagery. Her work captures poignant moments of time in a direct, unsentimental way. We congratulate Talia and wish her well as she enters the graduate program at Bank Street, where she will pursue a dual degree in infant and family development along with early childhood and general and special education.

The Miller/Reed Prize is awarded to an outstanding junior or senior art major or minor who has demonstrated exceptional design and composition using traditional and/or digital media.

Annie Beth Strongwater

The Miller/Reed Prize in Design is awarded to Annie Strongwater, an exceptional designer and illustrator in traditional and digital media. Annie is a multi-talented, hardworking, creative spirit with an independent vision. A model citizen in the design studio, she inspires her peers with her interest in always learning something new. Annie’s love of character design coupled with a love of nature will serve her well. Annie projects both confidence and ability and will have a bright and colorful future. Congratulations!

The S. Michael Eigen Prize is awarded annually to an outstanding art history major.

Julia Katharine Lawless

Julia has demonstrated excellence in diverse activities related to the histories of visual and material cultures. She has given tours of Tang exhibitions and curated artifacts at a maritime museum. Research interests range from Mayan ceramics to art conservation to the politics of art theft. She has supported the department’s mission as a peer tutor, representative at events for prospective majors, and campus tour guide specializing in the arts. To all endeavors, she brings curiosity, nuanced thinking, and collegiality.

The Whitman Family Prize is awarded to a student who completes an outstanding project in an art history course.

Zhuotong Han

At PandaUnexpressed.com, Scarlett critically and creatively engages with visual, culinary, and social issues pertaining to Chinese cuisine and foodways in the U.S. and China. This project decodes a series of overt and covert cultural transactions embedded in visual representations of Chinese food in popular culture and contemporary media, complicating and challenging many of our taken-for-granted associations. Scarlett's initiative, dedication, and critical thinking alongside her creativity and web design skills interweave to create an outstanding project.

The Arts Administration Faculty Award is given to a graduating senior with a minor in arts administration who has demonstrated academic excellence and shows extraordinary promise for a career in the field.

Amanda Wakeley Hinge

Amanda is an emerging arts leader. A theater major with a minor in arts administration, Amanda is also a member of the Periclean Honors Forum. Amanda demonstrates a passion for all aspects of the theater, especially management. In addition to being an outstanding student in the classroom, Amanda’s field work includes internships with the Lake Placid Center for the Arts and the Lake George Arts Project. Amanda is one to watch, and we will be watching her rising star.

The Dowd-Lester Award recognizes an outstanding senior biology major or combined major.

Grace A. Freeman-Gallant

Grace Freeman-Gallant is recognized for accomplishments that span an amazingly wide breadth of scholarly activities. Grace is intellectually adventurous; she takes herself deep into the various sub-fields of biology and chemistry and returns with novel data and discoveries. Her ability to communicate her findings through research presentations and journal manuscripts is exceptional. Moreover, her ability to effectively communicate science in her roles as a tutor, laboratory assistant, and writing coach has significantly benefited her fellow students.

The Donald W. Pyle Memorial Award recognizes outstanding student research in biology.

Gregory Eric Edelstein

Greg Edelstein is recognized for the exceptional research he completed in multiple laboratories over his career at Skidmore. With a remarkable capacity to move between model organisms, his research objectives have ranged from understanding the relationships among infection, oxidative stress, and hormones to the therapeutic effects of lithium on circadian rhythms. Greg takes ownership of his projects with an incisive and logical approach that complements his deep appreciation for the complexity of biological systems.

The Charlotte W. Fahey Prize is awarded annually to two outstanding seniors in the Department of Chemistry.

Juan Alcantara

Juan has been an outstanding student in the Chemistry Department both in coursework and in the computational biophysics research lab. He served as a PAC tutor and mentored several students in research. He will soon submit a scientific paper on Proline Isomerization in the ArkA peptide using GaMD, based on his honors thesis. This fall, Juan will begin a Ph.D. program. We will miss Juan’s perpetual curiosity for science on topics from viral infection to the redefinition of the kilogram.

The Charlotte W. Fahey Prize is awarded annually to two outstanding seniors in the Department of Chemistry.

Julia Luise Danischewski

Julia is proactive, creative, and a friend to all those working with her. She has won over the admiration of her professors, her classmates, and the many students she has mentored in analytical, biochemistry and general chemistry at Skidmore. Julia has carried out research both at Skidmore and the National Institute of Standards and Technology and will attend graduate school at RPI in the fall. Thanks, Julia, for giving us another opportunity to brag about you.

The Helga B. Doblin Prize is awarded to a senior classics major who has demonstrated academic excellence in ancient languages and literatures as well as classical civilization.

Logan Patrick Savage

A former discus thrower, Logan transferred to Skidmore as a junior and quickly took the classics curriculum by storm. In addition to excelling in Latin, he has served as ancient Greek tutor with distinction, assisting his peers with his trademark generosity and thoughtfulness. The classics faculty wish Logan all the best as he embarks on graduate study in library science, and we have no doubt that his drive and good cheer will keep him on target. Congratulations, Logan!

The Robert and Marcia DeSieno Prize is awarded for excellence in computer science.

Matthew Aaron Clark

Matt Clark, recipient of this year’s DeSieno Prize in Computer Science, is an excellent student, but what sets Matt apart is his commitment to research. Matt has published with two different professors on two completely different projects and is completing a senior thesis in an entirely separate area. Matt moves beyond surface concepts and is tenacious when facing a challenge. This tenacity, combined with his easy-going manner, will make him a highly valued research partner in graduate school and beyond.

The Margaret Paulding Award recognizes outstanding student leadership, performance, choreography, and/or research in dance.

Elodie VanNes Linck

Elodie is an inquisitive artist, accomplished dancer, and a class leader. She has led by example through her relentless work ethic and respect toward fellow students and instructors. Elodie is a bright light in the dance community, known for her unique blend of talent and humility. Elodie has shown her versatility and dedication as an artist, performing in a range of pieces from the principal roles in classical ballet to her contemporary Capstone solo. Congratulations, Elodie!

The William E. Weiss Memorial Award is awarded in recognition of outstanding accomplishment by a major or combined major in the field of economics.

Casey Winston Moser

Casey’s thesis explores a relationship between political liberty and market freedom in the context of China’s relationship with countries in Southeast Asia. Realizing the limitations of his empirical model, he conducts a historical case-study analysis of the region based on its political economy. Casey’s thesis covers everything the department has to offer. We all remember him in class as the philosopher and critical thinker who will someday change the way we all view the world.

The William E. Weiss Memorial Award is awarded in recognition of outstanding accomplishment by a major or combined major in the field of economics.

Patrick Tavares Ruivo Muscari

Everyone in the department knows Patrick Tavares, and Patrick knows everyone in the department. His love for learning is hard to miss and his positive attitude is infectious. Patrick studies the exploitation of domestic workers in Brazil, where in many cases domestic work is equated with slavery. His research uses economic theory and data analysis to examine this social justice issue and promotes a formalization policy which leads to higher wages and more humane working conditions.

The John P. Shepard Prize is given to the student who has demonstrated outstanding performance, potential, and commitment to education and working with children, leadership among peers, and superior performance in both academic achievement and field work in education.

Sarah Josephine Winters

“She rose to the top” is the most common refrain when describing Sarah. She is diligent, thoughtful, and accomplished in the college classroom. In her student-teaching placement this spring, she has demonstrated professional demeanor, thoughtful preparation and instruction, and confidence and ease as she moves through the elementary classroom. Sarah is a superlative team player on and off the field. Her future students will be lucky to have Ms. Winters as their teacher!

The Edwin Moseley Prize is awarded to a senior in English who has shown outstanding promise as a literary critic, scholar, or artist, and who intends to pursue graduate studies or a career in writing.

Eliza Jaye Kuperschmid

Eliza Kuperschmid achieves her singular creative vision as an agile stylist, essayist, playwright, cultural critic, and scholar. Eliza’s prose explores interiorities of experience within contexts that complicate female voice and power, religious faith, and cultural mythologies. With equilibrium between reason and invention, her ear tuned to the music of language and to psychological nuances that shape character and history, she creates textured atmospheres and vivid personas. In Eliza’s work, fiction honors facts, research shapes intuition, and empathy informs insight.

The Frances Steloff Prize is awarded annually to a student who has shown promise and superior work in the writing of poetry.

Andres Z. Priest-Lopez

Andres Priest-Lopez's poems offer keen observation and description, but it is the deep and nuanced feelings voiced in these poems that makes them notable. These poems are also marked by the compression of the language and the formal dexterity they show. These are refined, well-constructed lyric poems.

The Denise Marcil Prize is awarded annually to a student for a fiction manuscript or set of manuscripts that reveal sensitivity to theme, structure, characterization, and language found in serious fiction written in English.

Grace Hickey

In a tight narrative, Grace Hickey builds a world in which a misfit boy escapes his fate of literally being launched into outer space and into warfare. He lands in the sea and transforms into a fish and then into a man, a seakeeper. We're treated to a story of transformation and salvation in the most imaginative way. Brava!

The Sara Bennett Prize is awarded to a student who has excelled in the writing of fiction.

Aidan Sebastian Norr

In Searching for Inkarri, Aidan Norr renders two perilous terrains — the extravagant lushness of the Peruvian jungle and the complexities of the human heart when lost in love — in a sensory language that makes each one a “breathing, beating place.” They are worlds at risk of being unnavigable, but we immediately trust this storyteller’s voice to guide us through them, thanks to a descriptive authority, a structural sureness, leading to an ending, in Flannery O’Connor’s words, of overseeing “altitude.”

The Sally Chapman Thompson Prize in Literature is awarded to the student who has excelled as a critic or scholar during their career as an English major.

Nicole Yue Ying Wong

Nicole’s elegant introduction to her translation of Marcel Proust’s À la recherche du temps perdu is a meditation on the process of preserving the beauties of a serious literary work’s meaning, sound, rhythm, and harmony. Her sensitivity to language reminds us of the musician’s perfect pitch. In this and in so many other ways, Nicole has proved to be an unicum — one of a kind and all too rare.

The Environmental Studies Faculty Award is awarded to an outstanding graduating environmental studies major who, through academic achievement, community engagement, leadership, and interdisciplinary approaches, demonstrates exceptional promise in addressing environmental issues.

Matthew Salvatore Cocchi

Matthew has served the Skidmore and Saratoga Springs communities with his passion for environmental action. As an environmental studies and anthropology double major, he has dedicated his attention to both his academic studies and sustainability initiatives. His work with the Sustainability Office has expanded environmental awareness on campus. His internships in the Capital District and civic engagement with community organizations in Saratoga Springs have demonstrated his commitment to environmental change.

The Environmental Science Faculty Award is awarded to an outstanding graduating environmental scientist who, through academic achievement, community engagement, leadership, and application of sound scientific principles, demonstrates exceptional promise in addressing solutions to environmental problems.

Ruthann Richards

Ruthann gracefully and tenaciously balances the challenges of being a rigorous scientist and an advocate for environmental change. Her leadership has provided momentum to the Environmental Action Club and elevated the discourse across her environmental, political, and computer science courses. While she dabbled with brush fires and spent a lot of time with fungi and bacteria, urban planning is Ruthann’s passion, and she has landed an incredible fellowship in the city and regional planning graduate program at Ohio State University.

The E. Beverly Field Award is given annually to a student who submits the most outstanding paper or project in the area of gender studies.

Sylas Nicholas Hebert

The Gender Studies faculty were extremely impressed with Sylas Hebert’s vision for a Museum of Transgender Storytelling, presented in his American studies senior thesis. Hebert’s deeply researched, deeply contemplated and deeply felt presentation of his vision, which reflects the melding of theory and practice that lies at the heart of gender studies, represents the best type of academic work — rigorous, beautifully written, and potentially world-changing. The Gender Studies faculty is honored to recognize Sylas’s achievement.

The Roy T. Abbott III Memorial Prize is awarded to the senior geosciences major who has demonstrated the most enthusiasm and improvement in the undergraduate program.

Paul Francis Machabee

In geosciences, no matter where you go, there you are. Chances are Paul will be there, too! Always ready with a smile, Paul’s not just fiddling around. Of quartz, Paul works as a TA, volunteers for department events, and serves up extraordinary memes and origami pranks. Can we count on Paul to bring enthusiasm and a behatted dinosaur to any event? We say, you breccia! We will miss your humor and look forward to seeing where you journey next. Congratulations!

The Margaret Paulding Award is given annually in recognition of outstanding student research in health and human physiology.

Noa Rose Mills

Noa has been deeply engaged with research since arriving at Skidmore. She has been an essential team member for the data collection for multiple research projects. She has co-authored one peer-reviewed manuscript and two abstracts that would have been presented at the American College of Sports Medicine meeting if not for COVID-19. Noa is completing her senior thesis examining physical therapists’ knowledge of blood flow restriction therapy and will be starting an occupational therapy doctoral program this fall.

The Alice Farwell Warren Prize is awarded annually to an outstanding student in history.

Matherin Elizabeth Saulnier

It is not every student who has a “legal idol,” but it is entirely unsurprising that Mattie Saulnier has one and that it is Louis Brandeis, author of Other People’s Money and How the Bankers Use It and SCOTUS justice. Mattie has Brandeis’s clear-eyed analytical style, as well as her own capacious intellectual curiosity and ability to discern what historical questions matter and why. A brilliant student of history, her fresh inquisitiveness reminds us why we do what we do.

The Lee History Prize, established in honor of Gladys and Gordon Lee, is awarded to an outstanding student in English or European history. Gordon and Gladys Lee believed in the power of a liberal education to shape and direct not only the individual but the nation. Colonel Lee wished to communicate to recipients of the Lee Prize his sense of this educational mission by sharing with them the following quotation from John Milton: “I call therefore a complete and generous education that which fits a man (or woman) to perform justly, skillfully, and magnanimously all the offices both private and public of peace and war.”

Isabel Mary Ronsheim Long

Isabel exemplifies all of the attributes the History Department hopes for in its majors: she is articulate, creative, and a critical thinker with a generous spirit. Since her first-year seminar, Isabel has proven the sort of student who can literally make a class work. In her senior thesis, Richard’s Bones, Isabel applied her prodigious historical skills to recent scientific evidence, offering a nuanced restoration of this enigmatic monarch. We are delighted to award Isabel the Lee History Prize.

The Jo C. Hebard Memorial Prize is awarded to an outstanding senior who, through academic achievement and community service, demonstrates particular promise of making a significant contribution in the field of health and human services.

Riley Jacob Filister

With unparalleled intellect, work ethic, and a profound commitment to service, Riley has effected change on campus through work on student wages, increasing transparency within student government, lowering the cost of student educational supplies, and advocating for students through Skidmore’s COVID-19 Emergency Working Group. Riley has further demonstrated his authentic concern for others as a peer health educator and a volunteer at Wesley Health Care Center. Truly thoughtful in both senses of the word, Riley will make an outstanding physician.

The Joseph Garrison Parker Prize is awarded to a junior or senior who not only excels in their science major but also shows promise in fine arts and/or music.

Isabel Marie Hacala

Isabel Hacala, recipient of this year’s Parker Prize, is one of our top computer science majors, equally adept at the theoretical and the practical. But Isabel is also an artist — a beautiful illustrator, inventive storyteller and exquisite craftsperson, bringing together drawing and digital media to create characters and landscapes that feel otherworldly. Isabel has a unique ability to expertly wield the tools of both majors. We look forward with great anticipation to the worlds she will create in the future.

The Jerome Solomon Ginsberg Memorial Award is awarded to an international affairs junior or senior for academic excellence in the study of international affairs.

Bridget Yue Kei Wong

Bridget is a phenomenal student. She has had a near-perfect GPA during her time at Skidmore and delivered an innovative and experimental Capstone project for her IA major, examining intergenerational changes in Chinese gender ideals transnationally and in response to film. Her remarkable critical-thinking and communication skills are only amplified by her collegiality. Faculty who have had her in class describe her as “exceptional” and “amazing.” Bridget will, most certainly, be remembered as one of International Affairs’ outstanding alumni.

The Jefferson Huff Prize is awarded to a junior or senior business student who has a distinguished academic record and has produced an outstanding project in business.

Matthew Edward Muzyka

Matthew is a well-rounded student with exceptional academic achievements. His hard work in and out of class has made Matthew a positive force in the department. Using leadership skills learned in the classroom and as a member of the ice hockey team, he has empowered his teammates to achieve outstanding results in their class projects. An excellent student, a leader, and a warm and engaging person, Matthew elevates all those around him.

The Gail Moran Morton Prize is awarded to a junior or senior whose excellence in the business major has been combined with a particularly broad liberal arts program of study, and who demonstrates the humanistic concern for personal and community relationships.

Isabel Grace Tobin

We are delighted to recognize Isabel Tobin for her intellectual curiosity, modesty, generosity, kindness, and determination in her pursuit of her academic studies. Isabel is hard-working, diligent, disciplined and thoughtful. Her writing and presentation skills are remarkable. Isabel’s ability to combine her impressive understanding of the business disciplines with her passion for the arts demonstrate the commitment to the liberal arts and cross-disciplinary studies and “hands and mind” orientation that we hope to inspire in our students.

The Outstanding Student in Business and Management Award is awarded to a student whose outstanding academic achievement and interest in applied management have been evident throughout their career at Skidmore.

Xiaoqing Du

Lily personifies the ideal of the Skidmore business major as a scholar, leader, and departmental citizen. While achieving excellent grades, Lily has also been active in our community as a leader of Skidmore’s Women in Business organization and a member of our award-winning Investment Club. As one of the coordinators for the department’s introductory business class, Lily has contributed to the program’s success by helping student teams overcome obstacles and succeed.

The Linda G. Tanenbaum Memorial Prize is awarded to the outstanding senior in the Department of Management and Business.

Julia Kay Steeger

Julia has excelled in the classroom and in her co-curricular activities. Julia’s academic achievements reflect her intelligence and ability to navigate different types of courses across various disciplines. Julia’s achievements in her business major and sociology minor, and throughout her time at Skidmore, are outstanding. Julia has also been an active member of the department, sharing with us her time and skills when needed and working to improve our curriculum to better serve the needs of our students.

The Robert and Marcia DeSieno Prize is awarded for excellence in mathematics.

Suzanne Elizabeth O’Hara

Suzanne is a creative and resourceful mathematician and researcher. She has cultivated an impressive problem-solving skillset that includes both theoretical and computational skills. This semester Suzanne is completing her thesis, Equitable List Colorings of Prism Graphs, and her work could lead to a journal publication. As an active tutor and mentor, Suzanne has helped her fellow students grow and learn. We wish Suzanne all the best in her future endeavors as she pursues her Ph.D. in mathematics!

The Gladys Gillman Taylor Prize is awarded to a junior or senior in mathematics for outstanding creative work.

Robert Michael Miller

Michael is a bright and dedicated student who displays exceptional promise in our field. He is one of the hardest-working and most engaged students we have taught, and his talents span computer science, mathematics, statistics, and the intersection of these fields. This semester Michael is completing his thesis, Lie Algebras with Applications in Computer Vision. We wish Michael all the best in his future endeavors as he pursues his master’s degree in biostatistics!

The Herman Joseph Muller Prize is awarded to the outstanding senior major in the Department of Music.

Eliza Jaye Kuperschmid

“What a gift!” describes Eliza Kuperschmid — an extraordinarily deep, creative, and motivated student who consistently brings both abundant energy and “calm joy” to her work. Eliza distinguished herself building an African lamellophone, devising a rap musical about Beethoven, researching K-pop through a gender studies lens, and performing a senior recital that displayed mastery of avant-garde flute techniques. Besides music, Eliza’s gifts include creative writing and dramaturgy; we look forward to seeing her blend all three in an exciting artistic career!

The Barbara Gruntal Allen Prize is awarded to a student who has demonstrated excellence in the study of voice and has made a considerable contribution to the Department of Music and to the furtherance of musical activities at the College.

Destiny Arielle Jaliece Donelson

A chemistry major, Destiny Donelson cultivated her love of singing throughout her Skidmore career. She performed with the Skidmore Chorus, Opera Workshop, was a featured soloist in Songfest, the culminating concert of Skidmore’s Bernstein Festival, and performed outreach opera at area schools. The lead singer of the band Nu-Note, she performed twice at the Tang and at other area venues. In addition to her senior recital, Destiny sings a concert featuring Black poets and composers as a Tang Instagram Live event.

The Louis Edgar Johns Award is awarded annually by the Department of Music to the outstanding music major or minor in piano.

Jacob Kelly

Sophomore Jacob Kelly has been an extraordinary pianist since he came to Skidmore. His performances are riveting, intelligent and always present an original viewpoint. His repertory this year is at the level of a graduate student: Chopin’s First Scherzo, Beethoven’s Waldstein Sonata, Albéniz’s El Puerto, and Liszt’s Transcendental Etude. His talent is comprehensive; he is determined, intelligent, and very ambitious. We look forward to a bright future for him as a pianist and musician.

The Hartnett Prize is awarded annually to a senior who conducts neuroscience research of outstanding quality.

Sarah Jane Goulding

Across her years at Skidmore, Sarah has learned and conducted research at the intersection of neuroscience, computer science, and psychology. Her senior thesis project is the culmination of her interdisciplinary course of study. For this groundbreaking work, she uses computational methods to investigate how the temporal structure of early language input affects word learning. Sarah’s curiosity, analytical mind, and creativity will continue to serve her well as she pursues her interest in computational neuroscience after graduation.

The Cooper-Barnett Prize is awarded to an outstanding senior student with a major or combined major in philosophy.

Carolyn Brooke Fahrner

Majoring both in philosophy and psychology, Carolyn Fahrner has a strong interdisciplinary sensitivity to the ways bias and social inequities manifest even within our own educational practices. Carolyn's senior thesis, The Epistemology of Liberatory Pedagogies, addresses an underdeveloped topic in the literature on epistemic injustice, namely how epistemically just character and practice can be developed. She draws on the work of bell hooks and Paolo Friere, bringing them into conversation with other contemporary philosophical discussions.

The Eleanor A. Samworth Prize is awarded to an outstanding senior major in physics.

Jesse Kelley-Derzon

Jesse is one of the Physics Department's most dedicated and tenacious students. There is no aspect of Skidmore physics that she has not had a hand in. She is captain of the Peer Academic Coaches, participated in six semesters of research, presented findings at the American Astronomical Society, worked in our machine shop, and is currently a representative for the American Physical Society Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity Alliance. Next year, Jesse will continue her work in astrophysics in graduate school.

The Henry C. Galant Prize is awarded to a political science major who has excelled in the study of comparative politics.

Peris Nengo Tushabe

Peris Tushabe has excelled in the study of comparative politics throughout her career as a political science major at Skidmore, demonstrating a keen analytic intelligence and considerable gifts as a writer, whether in the context of studying modern South Asia or contemporary African politics. Peris’s senior honors thesis on social media and youth activism in contemporary Uganda is a model of undergraduate research and writing. We wish her all the best in her life after Skidmore.

The Susan Riley Gunderson Prize is awarded to a major in political science for outstanding work in the field of American politics.

Katherine Romita Pompilio

How she started: planting trees, attending charter debates, and learning about New York state recount laws. How’s it going: analyzing racial inequities in COVID-19, public opinion, the PPP program, and bailouts of airlines to document off-center policy making and the failures of American democracy. Katherine has always demonstrated an enthusiasm for public policy, a concern for how government can make people’s lives better, and a critical understanding of how and why the democratic process might fail.

The Erwin L. Levine Prize is awarded to a major in political science who has done outstanding work in political theory, preferably in American political thought.

Julia Barbara Ramirez

Julia Barbara Ramirez is this year’s recipient of the Erwin L. Levine Prize for excellence in the study of American political thought. Julia engages the perennial questions of politics with wonder. She does not resort to easy answers and probes challenging works of political philosophy for insight. Julia’s friendly and interested manner invites others into conversation on the challenges facing American democracy. We are grateful to Julia for enlivening our classrooms and elevating the intellectual tone.

The Henry T. Moore Prize is awarded to a political science major who has excelled in the study of international relations.

Nicole Frances Kiernan

Nicky Kiernan has distinguished herself as one of the sharpest thinkers, best writers, and broadest intellects among this year’s political science graduates. Her travels across time — she is also a classics major — and space — she has studied abroad in Rome and Bath, England — have given Nicky a unique view on international relations that informs the excellent work Nicky has done in her classes and has greatly impressed her professors. We wish her more adventures — intellectual and otherwise — after Skidmore.

The Amy Eisenberg Memorial Award is awarded to a junior or senior who submits a proposal for research in educational psychology.

Sophie Cramer-Benjamin

To characterize Sophie in one word, it would be: curious. She takes ideas and pokes at them from every angle. She reads papers voraciously and then shares her insights with those around her. Sophie has focused on understanding how children learn to count and has earned co-author positions on several papers currently being written in lab. Her senior thesis is on children’s theories of infinity and how these theories relate to early scientific and mathematical understanding.

The Michele Kelly Memorial Award is awarded annually to a student in the Department of Psychology on the basis of excellence in independent research within the department.

Riley Jacob Filister

Riley has proven himself outstanding in multiple academic domains, including student, researcher, and peer mentor. He is receiving this award in large part because of work on an independent research project looking at participant engagement during remote data collection. He was instrumental in all stages of the research process, from conceptualization to programming, data analysis, and writing. Riley plans on attending medical school this fall.

The Krawiec Psychology Prize is awarded to a psychology major at the end of the junior year who has achieved excellence in work in the field.

Elizabeth Hicks

Libby is an amazing young scientist who naturally makes connections among theory, laboratory science, behavioral data, and application. Her statistical prowess is unmatched. In addition to the scientific skills that Libby has acquired, she has also developed a beautiful passion for scientific discovery, evident to all those around her. We look forward to her senior thesis project, which will use eye-tracking to explore the allocation of attention when viewing dynamic emotional scenes. Congratulations, Libby!

The Krawiec Scholar is awarded annually to a graduating psychology major to support advanced study in the field.

Wasan Ghassan Alfatafta

Rayyan is an excellent student and researcher with a promising future in psychological science. Rayyan’s thesis addressed social norms and parental acceptance of gender nonconformity. He has been an integral member of two research laboratories, has presented scientific posters at conferences, and co-authored a soon-to-be submitted manuscript. This fall, Rayyan will begin a Ph.D. in clinical science at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, where he will study trauma, resilience, and healing in underserved communities.

The Caren Lane Sass Award is given to a senior major in the Department of Psychology who shows great promise for future achievement.

Isabelle Esther Siegel

Isabelle Siegel is an exceptionally promising clinician and scientist. She has been a standout student in the classroom, as well as across multiple research laboratories, clinical field experiences, and volunteer roles. Isabelle has presented at multiple national conferences and is preparing her senior thesis project, focused on understanding treatment barriers for OCD, for publication. We are delighted to know that Isabelle will be starting doctoral training in clinical psychology at Rutgers University this upcoming fall.

The Mary Zeiss Stange Award in Religion is awarded annually in recognition of outstanding accomplishment by a senior major.

Emma Jane Sheffield

Emma transferred to Skidmore in 2017, distinguishing herself immediately with her inquisitive mind, ready to explore every possible avenue of analysis. Her investigations into the religiosity of Burning Man participants, Black music, and the traditional arts of Indonesia led to extraordinary written work. In class, she regularly manifested the enduring traits of a true scholar, ever ready to defend a position with accuracy and fierce wit. We are so proud of you, Emma, and wish you all the best!

The Tim Brown Scholar Athlete Award is awarded annually to a senior who exhibits an outstanding level of dedication, discipline, and accomplishment in both their academic and athletic pursuits at Skidmore.

Brian Michael Kowalski

Brian Kowalski is an exceptional student and athlete. As a Thoroughbred Society honoree and political science major, Brian has been an instrumental leader. As co-president of SAAC, Brian helped to create a podcast, From the Horse’s Mouth, aimed at introducing and supporting other student leaders across campus. Brian has proven himself to be at the top of his class while at the same time never wavering from his commitment to being the best teammate and leader on the hockey team.

The Hilda and Morris Betten Award is given to a graduating senior who has shown outstanding interest and achievement in the study of social work.

Amanda Francine Gomez

Amanda embodies what it means to be a social worker and social justice advocate. Currently excelling in her school social work field placement, Amanda is implementing restorative justice curricula she designed as part of coursework and used to inform her own business, Undeniable Grace Education. With an astute understanding of complex social issues and deep appreciation for the power of dialogue, Amanda skillfully applies theory in practice. She is exceptional and we wish her all the best in her future endeavors!

The Everett V. Stonequist Award is given annually to a graduating senior who has shown outstanding interest and achievement in the study of sociology.

Ashley G. S. Ramsay

Ashley evinces focused intensity in every class: she listens patiently, then offers an observation that shines new light on a topic; her papers are characterized by logically developed arguments that lead to profound insight. Her exceptional senior thesis explored the connections among student-teacher relationships, race, and school disciplinary processes. Applying her sociological knowledge, she is currently facilitating race dialogues with local high school students. Ashley, we are enormously proud of and grateful for your engagement, insight and inspiration!

The Nancy Beth Rautenberg Memorial Award is given to a graduating senior sociology major who has combined commitment to the study of sociology with active student leadership.

Riley Tucker Boyd

Tucker brings deep intellect, reflective self-awareness, and open-heartedness to all endeavors — talents they have shared generously with sociology Peer Academic Coaching, Intergroup Relations, Restoremore, Peer Health Education, and Speaker’s Bureau. In an outstanding senior thesis, Tucker demonstrated that among white Democrats, greater education predicted opposition to anti-racist views and greater political action. Tucker has recently been working with the New York State Poor People’s Campaign and will pursue graduate work next fall. Tucker, your work and dedication inspire!

The Clifford Memorial Prize is awarded annually to an outstanding junior or senior theater major.

Jessica Sachi March

Jessie March exemplifies the holistic and hungry spirit of a true theater artist. In acting and management, she leads by example, approaching her work with positivity, curiosity, dedication, and integrity. Jessie has also been a vital leader in welcoming new students through her work as outreach manager, Pre-Orientation peer advisor, and as a representative at College events. Her warm and welcoming presence, her acute intelligence, and her generous artistry have uplifted the entire Theater Department, especially during this challenging year.

The Theater Prize is awarded in recognition of a senior theater major who has shown excellence and commitment within a particular concentration in the major.

Taylor Carolan Jaskula

Taylor Jaskula demonstrates an exemplary level of professionalism, skill, and commitment across a multitude of design and tech disciplines. From her first year at Skidmore, Taylor revealed herself to be a mentor, scholar, leader and, above all, a versatile, thoughtful, and astute collaborator. She has excelled across the disciplines of stage management, lighting design, technical direction, and production management. The Theater Department is proud to convey this award to Taylor Jaskula.

The Chinese Prize is awarded in recognition of outstanding academic accomplishment by a junior or senior student of Chinese language and literature.

Eleanor Ann Mancheski

A pre-med chemistry major minoring in Chinese, Eleanor has been an outstanding student of Chinese from the very beginning. Year in and year out, she never missed a class, never missed an assignment, and aced everything we threw at her. Her will to learn and her commitment to excellence have won her this year's Chinese Prize. Eleanor will be going to graduate school in the fall for public health before applying for medical school. Congratulations, Eleanor. We are very proud of you.

The Lynne L. Gelber Prize is awarded annually to an outstanding senior French major.

Nicole Yue Ying Wong

For her honors thesis, Nicole Wong undertook a project that in French would be called “une folie:” an annotated translation of a major section of Marcel Proust’s A la recherche du temps perdu. With her extraordinary talent and peerless work ethic, she has given a beautifully crafted, sophisticated rendering of this difficult text. Nicole is widely admired in WLL and at the College. It is we who are honored to have worked with her.

The Consulate General Prize is awarded to an outstanding student of German in the Department of World Languages and Literatures.

Eleyna Hammer Scarbro

Eleyna Scarbro is an outstanding student who enriched the German program as a driller, tutor, and research assistant. Her meticulously researched, eloquent thesis, Pretty Faces, Distressed Damsels, and Women Warriors, examines the contradictions of female figures in new German cinema who reflect feminist agency yet continue to function as mere metaphors, which ultimately denies women’s autonomy. Eleyna’s adventurous spirit, inquisitive mind, and social engagement will guide her to a bright future. She is a Fulbright finalist for Germany next year.

The Dante Award is given for outstanding accomplishment by a student in Italian.

Marianna Elizabeth Dionne

Marianna began learning Italian in her first year at Skidmore and she has performed exceptionally in all her courses. Her diligence and precision in the coursework is commendable and her mastery of the nuances of language is outstanding.

The Japanese Prize is awarded in recognition of outstanding academic accomplishment by a senior student of Japanese language and literature.

Bridget Yue Kei Wong

Bridget has been an integral part of the Japanese Program for the last four years. Bridget’s excellent academic record is impressive, but she’s more than just an outstanding student: she was a caring peer tutor who spent countless hours working with struggling students, and an exceptional assistant who always came to work with a big smile on her face and went beyond what was required. Bridget will be greatly missed. We wish her the best.

The Sonja P. Karsen Prize in Spanish is awarded annually in recognition of outstanding accomplishment by a senior major.

Shawn Nakibullah Sharifi

Shawn is an extremely dedicated individual, a student whose perseverance is matched only by his kindness. It has been a pleasure to work with Shawn. His thesis on literary representations of the mental health effects of COVID-19 in Mexico marries his academic interest in Spanish-language literature and his commitment to equity in healthcare. We are very proud of all that he has accomplished and wish him many more successes as he begins the Masters of Nursing program at Johns Hopkins University.

The Palamountain Prose Awards are awarded to the students submitting the best examples of expository prose in English, unrestricted as to subject matter.

Nicole Yue Ying Wong '21

This graceful, sophisticated essay raises questions, old and new, about the possibilities and impossibilities of transposing a serious work of literature through time. Translation offers Nicole an opportunity to “add the timbre of [her] own voice … to continue a legacy that began with Proust and has since been passed on through the minds and pens of select translators and editors” (viii). Her ear for language resembles nothing so much as the perfect pitch of a skilled musician.

Aymon Langlois ’23

Aymon Langlois’s Covert Aestheticism: Disability and “Narrative Prosthesis” takes on a wily and elusive text: The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. With an assured voice, an energetic syntax, and word choice rigorous and precise, Aymon examines Stevenson’s rendering of disability in this famously conjured tale. Aymon’s attuned close reading joins his expert contextualizing and theorizing of the extraordinary body of Edward Hyde — rendered simultaneously ugly yet beautiful by the palimpsestic layers of stigma, deviance, and aestheticism.