Each year at spring commencement, Wilkes University honors our graduates who have achieved distinction as athletes, mentors, volunteers and more.
2026 Awards
Scholar Athlete of the Year (Male)
Scholar Athlete of the Year (Male)
Brayden Shaffer
Highest GPA of male senior student-athletes.
Scholar Athlete of the Year (Female)
Scholar Athlete of the Year (Female)
McKenna Budzak
Highest GPA of female senior student-athletes.
Athlete of the Year (Male)
Athlete of the Year (Male)
Lucas Lesko
Top male athlete for the 2025-26 season.
Athlete of the Year (Female)
Athlete of the Year (Female)
Haylee Bouchard
Top female athlete for the 2025-26 season.
Co-Curricular Award
Co-Curricular Award
Samara Carey
A graduating student who actively involved and holds leadership positions in the Communication department's co-curriculars.
Helping Hands Service Award
Helping Hands Service Award
Marytere Quintana Avila
Given to a graduating individual who is more than a great volunteer, but someone who has embraced the role of being a leader through service.
Outstanding Senior Intern
Outstanding Senior Intern
Caleb Gibson
The Outstanding Senior Intern Award is presented to a graduating senior intern in any major. They must have received (or will receive) a 4.0 in their internship. They should be considered an outstanding representative of the Cooperative Education program.
Keith Topfer Memorial Award (Mechanical Engineering)
Keith Topfer Memorial Award (Mechanical Engineering)
Daniel Williams
Top graduating student in a mechanical engineering co-op.
Teacher Education Service Award
Teacher Education Service Award
Dayana Lopez Garcia
This award is given to the undergraduate education student who exemplifies the ethic of service during his or her educational journey at Wilkes University.
Nada Vujica Memorial Award
Nada Vujica Memorial Award
The Nada Vujica Memorial Award has been given for over 40 years to a graduating international student who fosters internationalization on the Wilkes campus. Nada Vujica was a staff member at Wilkes and served as Head Librarian. Her husband Dr. Stanko Vujica was the Chairman of the philosophy department. Both of them were very interested in promoting international perspectives and to highlight globalization at Wilkes they created this award.
Gurinder Singh Badwal
Karla Yariseth Rodriguez Tenorio
RA of the Year
RA of the Year
Adrianna Aziz
The Resident Assistant of the Year award is meant to recognize a graduating RA who has stood above the rest in executing the duties of the position. This award should be given to an RA who has demonstrated a mastery of the RA position, served as a resource to their peers, built a strong residential community, and upheld the values of the Residence Life office and the RA position.
Outstanding Service and Dedication Award
Outstanding Service and Dedication Award
Penelope Ziegler
The Office of Residence Life’s highest honor given to a graduating RA, this award recognizes a staff member who has spent a significant portion of their time at Wilkes in the RA role and has made an indelible impact on the residents and staff of Wilkes University. The recipient of this award has given back to the department and the residents in a meaningful way. Through programming, residence life traditions, community building, campus leadership, and mentorship, the recipient of this award has demonstrated unwavering commitment to the mission of Residence Life and the growth of the residential student.
Resident Assistant - Seniors
Resident Assistant - Seniors
The RAs are hired on the basis of character, leadership, and their ability to interact with students. All of the RAs have undergone extensive training so they may readily meet the needs of all our residential students. The main function of the RA staff is to build a community, which is crucial to a successful residence hall living experience. The RAs practice an open door policy and are available day and night should students need them.
Abena Asare
Adam Butterwick
Adrianna Aziz
Joshua Ermeus
Sandra Hategekimana
Jazmin High
Salma Lampack
Brennan Reiner
Chase Rudisill
Gigi Ruggiero
Penelope Ziegler
Senior e-Mentor Award
Senior e-Mentor Award
First-Year Student e-Mentors are upperclassmen that provide experience and support to incoming students at Wilkes University. While the program begins at Orientation, e-Mentors work with their assigned group throughout the Fall semester, to offer guidance and knowledge that will help with the transition to college life. The program helps each new student connect with peers, upperclassmen, and the institution as a whole.
Daniel Williams
Samara Carey
Adam Butterwick
Saurabh Patel
Owen Ward
Caleb Gibson
Mara Adams
Gabriele Ruggiero
