University of New England honors students with 2026 University Awards

ALUMNI COUNCIL ESSAY CONTEST AWARD

The 2026 essay prompt asked students to describe a moment or experience that shaped one of their values or perspectives, explore how that personal experience connects to social, political, or economic changes, and consider how those changes might shape the future.

Recipients:

First Place: Cally Gudroe (Communications and Media Arts, ’28)

Second Place: Madison Gilbert (Environmental Studies, ’28)

Third Place: Tyler Burns (Elementary Education, ’29)

Honorable Mention: Marena Beale (Social Work, ’27) and Erin Havey (Dental Hygiene, ’27)

COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD

For any student who has demonstrated an exemplary commitment to serve others in the University or greater community. Academic achievement must also have been demonstrated. Examples of the nominee’s service contributions for this current academic year and other years are requested.

Recipient:

Eliza Neil (Nutrition, ’26)

EXPERIENTIAL EDUCATION AWARD

For any undergraduate student who has demonstrated professional preparation, civic engagement, and global awareness as critical to their academic career through diverse involvement in experiential education programs, including internships, research, community service, and global education. Involvement in three or more of the above areas is required. Demonstrated leadership in at least two of the above areas is preferred.

Recipient:

Shauna Curran (Elementary Education, ’26)

GLOBAL EDUCATION AWARD

For any student who has demonstrated an exemplary commitment to global citizenship by participating in UNE Global Education programs, such as semester or year abroad, faculty-led travel course(s), volunteer programs or internship(s) abroad. Examples of the nominee’s global experiences for this current academic year and other years are requested.

Recipient:

Miranda Carrabba (Marine Affairs, ’26)

HANNAH FIELDS-LENEHAN FINE ARTS AWARD

Tim Lenehan ’71 created this contest and award to celebrate how art affects and influences people of all walks of life. The award is named in memory of Tim’s mother, who was an artist by avocation and who encouraged and inspired Tim’s own creative pursuits. From September 2025 to March 2026, undergraduate students were invited to submit their artwork and artist statement to be featured and judged in an art exhibit held on March 27. Artist Nick Blunier ’12, Artist Will Cox ’23, and Hilary Irons, UNE Gallery and Exhibitions Director, were the judges.

Recipients:

First Place: “363 Forest Painting,” Catriel Conroy (Marine Sciences, ’26)

Second Place: “Soft-Sculpture Bas Relief of Shark Soup,” Jasmin Townsend-Ng (Marine Biology, ’26)

Third Place (tie): “Blue Heron and Rainbow Trout,” Sophia Lanza (Business, ’26) and “Hinges in Harmony,” Robin Pastor (Art Education, ’29)

STUDENT LEADER AWARD

For any student who has demonstrated excellence in leadership at the University. The nominee should demonstrate a commitment to excellence that results in positive change in the University community, possess a balanced collegiate lifestyle, and serve as a role model. Examples of specific contributions for this current academic year and other years are requested. Academic achievements will also be considered.

Recipient:

Sydney Pelletier (Medical Biology, ’26)

SUSAN J. HILLMAN SCIENCE/MATH EDUCATION AWARD

This award is for a UNE College of Arts and Sciences student who shows dedication to STEM education and professional promise as a STEM educator. Students with formal (classroom) or informal (outreach) teaching experience in STEM fields including, but not limited to, mathematics, biology, chemistry, physics, neuroscience, environmental science, and psychology will be considered. The awardee should have a bright intellect and be known as a role model and mentor among their peers.

Recipient:

Emily Thomas (Aquaculture and Aquarium Science, ’26)

Outstanding Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Award for Medicine or Public Health

Recipient:

Jamie DuPont (Applied Exercise Science, ’26)

Outstanding Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Award for Natural Sciences

Recipient:

Josephine Pikowski (Marine Sciences, ’26)

Outstanding Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Award for Social Sciences, Humanities, Business, or Arts

Recipient:

Eva Fortier (Psychology, ’26)

Sustainability Leadership Awards

Undergraduate Student Sustainability Leadership Award

Recipient:

Kara Mickiewicz (Marine Sciences, ’27)

Graduate Student Sustainability Leadership Award

Recipient:

Ellie Woodworth (D.O.,’26)

SOPHOMORE ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AWARD

For any sophomore who has excelled in their academics. Considerations for this award are primarily the student’s academic achievements (overall GPA, number of semesters on the Dean’s List, and academic awards and scholarships), collegiality, and scholarly work (original undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative activity). Service contributions during their UNE career will also be considered.

Recipient:

Kaia Anderson (Medical Biology, ’28)

JUNIOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AWARD

For any junior who has excelled in their academics. Considerations for this award are primarily the student’s academic achievements (overall GPA, number of semesters on the Dean’s List, and academic awards and scholarships), collegiality, and scholarly work (original undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative activity). Service considerations during their UNE career will also be considered.

Recipient:

Trevor Seymour (Public Health, ’27)

THE COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES DEAN’S LEADERSHIP AWARD

Recipient:

Kay DeFroscia (Chemistry, ’26)

JACQUES DOWNS AWARD FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE

Recognizes the most accomplished UNE College of Arts and Sciences graduating senior. Considerations for this award are primarily the student’s academic achievement (overall GPA, number of semesters on the Dean’s List, and academic awards and scholarships), scholarly work (original undergraduate research, scholarship, and creative activity), and service considerations during their UNE career.

Recipient:

Josephine Pikowski (Marine Sciences, ’26)

College of Business

Outstanding Student Award for Business Administration

Recipient:

David Wilcox (Business Administration, ’26)

Outstanding Student Award for Outdoor Business and Innovation

Recipient:

Fritz Van Winkle (Outdoor Business and Innovation, ’26)

Outstanding Student Award for Sport Leadership and Management

Recipient:

Connor Curcio (Sport Leadership and Management, ’26)

Outstanding Student Award for Sustainability and Business

Recipient:

Mina Regnery (Sustainability and Business, ’26)

Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies

Outstanding Student for Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies

Recipient:

Emily Otte (Psychology, ’26)

Jessica Cox Henderson 1886 Award for Activism

Recipient:

Grace Hooper (Psychology, ’26)

School of Arts and Humanities

Outstanding Student Award for Art and Design Media

Recipient:

Elizabeth Huggins (Art and Design Media, ’26)

Outstanding Student Award for Communications

Recipient:

Sarah Bedore (Communications, ’26)

Outstanding Student Award for English

Recipient:

Owen Wadlington (English, ’26)

Outstanding Student Award for History

Recipient:

Vivian Nunez (History, ’26)

Outstanding Student Award for Writing

Recipients:

Rachel Deren (Environmental Science, ’26) and Arianna Ochs (Marine Sciences, ’26) 

School of Biological Sciences

Outstanding Student Award for Biological Sciences

Recipient:

Kyla Bentz (Biological Sciences, ’26)

Outstanding Student Award for Medical Biology – Medical Sciences

Recipient:

Sydney Pelletier (Medical Biology, ’26)

Outstanding Student Award for Medical Biology – Pre-Physician Assistant

Recipient:

Camron Rozzo (Medical Biology, ’26)

School of Criminology, Society, and Politics

Outstanding Student Award for Applied Social and Cultural Studies

Recipient:

Elaina Sarsfield (Applied Social and Cultural Studies, ’26)

Outstanding Student Award for Criminology

Recipient:

Justyn Lopez (Criminology, ’26)

Outstanding Student Award for Political Science

Recipient:

Jacqueline Doane (Political Science, ’26)

School of Education

Outstanding Student Award for Elementary/Middle Education

Recipient:

Mackenzie Messina (Elementary/Middle Education, ’26)

Outstanding Student Award for Education Studies

Recipient:

Megan Spooner (Education Studies, ’26)

Outstanding Student Award for Secondary Education

Recipient:

Sarah Bourdeau (Middle/Secondary Education, ’26)

Outstanding Student Award for Special Education

Recipient:

Daniel Himelfarb (Elementary/Middle Education, ’26)

School of Marine and Environmental Programs

Outstanding Student Award for Aquaculture and Aquarium Science

Recipient:

Emily Thomas (Aquaculture and Aquarium Science, ’26)

Outstanding Student Award for Climate Change Studies

Recipient:

Harley Dyer (Marine Sciences, ’26)

Outstanding Student Award for Environmental Science

Recipient:

Johanna Birchem (Environmental Science, ’26)

Outstanding Student Award for Environmental Studies

Recipient:

Sophie Cronin (Environmental Studies, ’26)

Outstanding Student Award for Geographic Information Systems

Recipient:

Alexis Weaver (Environmental Science, ’26)

Outstanding Student Award for Marine Affairs

Recipient:

Miranda Carrabba (Marine Affairs, ’26)

Outstanding Student Award for Marine Sciences – Marine Biology

Recipient:

Mason Gorrondona (Marine Sciences, ’26)

Outstanding Student Award for Marine Sciences – Oceanography

Recipient:

Josephine Pikowski (Marine Sciences, ’26)

School of Mathematics and Data Science

Outstanding Student Award for Data Science

Recipient:

Josephine Pikowski (Marine Sciences, ’26)

School of Molecular and Physical Sciences

Outstanding Student Award for Biochemistry

Recipient:

Lucas Girard (Biochemistry, ’26)

Outstanding Student Award for Chemistry

Recipient:

Kay DeFroscia (Chemistry, ’26)

School of Psychology and Brain Sciences

Outstanding Student Award for Animal Behavior

Recipient:

Eden Morris (Animal Behavior, ’26)

Outstanding Student Award for Mental Health Rehabilitation

Recipient:

Celeste Valerio (Psychology, ’26)

Outstanding Student Award for Neuroscience

Recipient:

Danielle McCarthy (Neuroscience, ’26)

Outstanding Student Award for Psychology

Recipient:

Brooke Contarino (Psychology, ’26)

The Excellence in Faculty Mentoring and Advising Awards

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCES

Recipient:

Tia Martineau, M.S., Ph.D., Assistant Teaching Professor, Physics

WESTBROOK COLLEGE OF HEALTH PROFESSIONS

Recipient:

Valerie Jones, LMSW, Associate Clinical Professor, Director, B.S.W. Practicum Education, School of Social Work

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS

Recipient:

Madison McFarland, Professional Academic and Career Advisor, Academic and Career Advising Center

The Debra J. Summers Memorial Award for Teaching Excellence

Recipient:

Kristin M. Burkholder, Ph.D., Assistant Academic Director and Professor, School of Biological Sciences