The second annual senior dinner with members of the Champlain College Board of Trustees was held April 7, featuring dinner, speeches and awards and the chance to network and market themselves to a wide range of business professionals.
President David F. Finney served as host and emcee, introducing the five seniors selected by their Division's Dean and faculty to speak about their experience at Champlain College. For Business, Patricia Cawley; Continuing Professional Studies, Raymond ‘Dan' Cristelli; Communication and Creative Media, Alexander Dahl; Education and Human Studies, Samantha Snow; Information Technology and Sciences, Cody Rutkowski.

The Presidential Award, for the student who has exhibited outstanding leadership during their time at Champlain, was presented to Accounting major Van Dang (at right)  for her "drive, enthusiasm and winning spirit," Finney said. Dang moved to the United States from Vietnam and will be graduating with a bachelor degree in Accounting. Finney said Dang has a list of many accomplishments made during her time at Champlain College. She is a LEAD Peer Advisor, Tax Preparer intern with MGV Associates in Colchester, and the Campus Representative for Becker Professional Education, an organization that helps students prepare for the CPA exam. Dang has already passed two section of the challenging Certified Management Accountant (CMA) Exam and is a student member of the Vermont Society of Certified Public Accountants and the Institute of Management Accountants. Through her hard work and dedication, Dang has secured a job offer from PricewaterhouseCoopers, a "Big Four" accounting firm.
The Service Award was renamed the Mary Kay Kennedy Service Award to honor renamed this year to honor Vice President of Student Life Dr. Mary Kay Kennedy '68 who has served the College for 40-plus years and will retire in 2012. "Kay is been here for 40-plus years and she is known for always putting the students first," he explained.

Recipients of the Mary Kay Kennedy Service Award are David Madonna, a Computer and Digital Forensics major from Cranston, RI. "Dave is highly regarded by Champlain staff for his maturity and passion for Champlain programs, but he has also emerged as a leader among students," explains Finney. Madonna held a Peer Advisor position for two years and is currently a Senior Peer Advisor for the Student Advisory Track of LEAD. Madonna is a member of CHAMP, and serves as Treasurer of the Digital Forensics Association. He showed his dedication to Champlain College and his leadership skills by participating in the Tanzania Teach for Tomorrow Service Trip last year and will return once again, leading nine other students and two staff members. .
Amanda Bryant, Elementary Education senior from Lee, NH also received the Mary Kay Kennedy Service Award. Bryant began her work through the Center for Service and Civic Engagement and is a founding member of the lunch and recess program at the Sustainability Academy, one of Burlington's two magnet Elementary Schools. "Amanda's participation and enthusiasm helped to create trust between the district and Champlain College students, thus setting the path for the program's current state where approximately thirty students volunteer weekly," announced Finney. Bryant's participation and drive for the school-based programs allowed Champlain to be set apart from surrounding Burlington colleges.

The Chandler S. Page Memorial Award is to honor students who exhibit the highest type of college spirit during their careers at Champlain. Five students were honored this year:
• Leah Galasso, Elementary Education major from Cheshire, Conn., is known to go above and beyond on a consistent basis. Galasso has served on CHAMP for the last 3 years, Student Activities Planner, 3rd year Peer Advisor, and Senior Peer Advisor for the Electronic Public Relations track of LEAD.
• Katie Scanlon, Elementary Education student from Woodstock, Conn., has been Co-president of the Children's club for two years. Currently working as a Senior Peer Advisor for the Common Ground Track of LEAD, Scanlon has introduced many new and different topics to LEAD's Common Ground discussions resulting in a much higher quality program than in previous years.
• Ted Schwinden, Mass Communications student from Needham, Mass., was given this award due to his friendly demeanor, positive attitude, zest for learning and interest in all things Champlain. Schwinden spent a semester at Champlain's Dublin campus and has been enthusiastic about sharing his experiences to all. Schwinden is a Student Ambassador for the Office of Admission and represents Champlain well while he provides tours to prospective students and their families around the campus.
• Patricia "Tricia" Cawley, Marketing student from Quincy Mass., has been representing the college both locally and globally through many contributions. Described as a social media "ninja", Cawley has used her gifts for communicating and promoting the College and its programs. Tricia has interned and volunteered with Propeller Media Works, Rehab Gym, Shelburne Arts Center, Midlife Unlimited, VERVE!, and the Irish Council for Overseas Students. Tricia is also a Resident Assistant, LEAD Peer Advisor, member of INCLUDE and was recently a finalist in the 4th Annual Elevator Pitch competition.
• Michaela Fortin, Multimedia and Graphic Design student from Bristol, Vt., was recognized for being an extremely reliable student and having tremendous leadership skills. Fortin was a LEAD PA and became Senior PA this year. She also works for Elaine Strunk and worked in Perry Hall for Sue Pepper this past summer.

The H. Dean Pearl Memorial Award is given by the Student Government Association to the person who has shown the most support for student activities. Tommy Ngan of Williston, Vt., was acknowledged for his participation in various groups such as International Development Club, Community Cultural Alliance, Office of Diversity and Inclusion and the Student Government. Ngan was presented with this award based on his love of people, helping of the Champlain community and being a friendly and welcoming person.

Finney also recognized the Student Government Leaders which included: Tommy Ngan; Arianna Bolotin; Matthew Ginsburg; Megan Crilly and Carlyn Trout.

An estimated 425 seniors are expected to receive their bachelor and associate degree diplomas during thec commencement on May 7 at Memorial Auditorium.

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About Champlain College
Since 1878, Champlain College has provided career-focused education to students from its hilltop campus in Burlington, Vt. Champlain's distinctive educational approach embodies the notion that true learning only occurs when information and experience come together to create knowledge. Champlain offers study abroad programs in Montreal, Quebec and Dublin, Ireland. The College was named a "Top-Up-and-Coming School" by U.S. News & World Report's America's Best Colleges. It is also ranked in the top tier of 2011 Regional Colleges in the North by U.S. News & World Report. To learn more about Champlain College, www.champlain.edu