Honors Convocation Ceremony

May 10, 2017

AWARDSBOARD OF TRUSTEES AWARD This award is presented to the baccalaureate graduate with the highest overall cumulative grade point average who also has demonstrated a high level of service to the Vaughn community. Minimum grade point average for this award is 3.50.

FOUNDERS AWARDSThese awards are presented to graduates from each associate degree program who have attained the highest cumulative grade point average in their programs while demonstrating the professional and civic values that exemplify the mission of Vaughn College. Minimum grade point average for this award is 3.50.

CASEY S. JONES AWARDSThese awards are presented to graduates from each baccalaureate degree program who have attained the highest cumulative grade point average in their programs. Minimum grade point average for this award is 3.50.

ENGINEERING INNOVATION AWARDThis award is presented to a graduate who was an active participant in professional development or competition while at Vaughn College and who published or presented a paper on a new and innovative idea at a technical conference. This award seeks to honor students who have investigated innovative research projects in engineering.

ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY DAY AWARDSThese awards are presented to students in the engineering and technology department, based on their research paper development and presentation during the annual spring technology day conference.

ROBOTICS EXCELLENCE AWARDSThis award is presented to the Vaughn College robotics team for the development of innovative robots and for the team’s active participation and strong performance in regional, national and international competitions. To receive this award, the team must be the tournament champion of a regional competition and be able to advance to the playoff round of a world robotics championship.

UAV EXCELLENCE AWARDSThis award is presented to members of Vaughn’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) team for developing innovative UAV’s, being active in professional activities, developing workshops, UAV races and being qualified to participate in a UAV competition.

SWE EXCELLENCE AWARDSThis award is presented to the Vaughn College Society of Women Engineers (SWE) team for developing and hosting STEM workshops for middle school and high school female students at Vaughn College, participating and presenting STEM-related papers and workshops at the SWE annual conference.

AWARDSASCH-ROOT ENGINES OF INVENTION SCHOLARSHIPThis scholarship is presented to a bachelor of science degree student in engineering or engineering technology who has attained a minimum 3.0 grade point average. This scholarship seeks to inspire faculty and students to work together on a research project in the fields of science and mathematics.

BESSIE COLEMAN AWARDThis award is presented to an outstanding female graduate who has attained the highest cumulative grade point average while demonstrating the professional and civic values that exemplify the mission of Vaughn College. Minimum grade point average for this award is 3.50.

STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION (SGA) AWARDThis award is presented to staff and faculty members who have shown commitment and support to the entire student body. The recipients are selected by the association officers.

SERVICE AWARDCertificates are presented to graduates, selected by the office of student affairs, for outstanding work in club activities and other special service to Vaughn College.

SENIOR ATHLETE AWARDSThese awards are given to Vaughn College senior student-athletes who have either completed their competitive eligibility, or will be graduating in 2016, and have contributed significantly to the success of their teams.

SCHOLAR-ATHLETE AWARD Presented to the graduating student-athlete with the highest cumulative GPA (minimum of a 3.5 GPA) amongst all student-athletes while attending Vaughn College. Recipients must have played at least two years of varsity athletics.

DIRECTOR’S AWARD Presented to an individual who has demonstrated outstanding contributions to the athletic program. This individual also exemplifies being a team player through their performance, leadership and involvement. This award is not limited to varsity student athletes and is given at the discretion of the Athletic Director.

HONOR CORDSGraduates who have completed their degrees with academic honors are attired with gold cords. Students who have completed the Leadership Academy are recognized with burgundy cords.

VETERAN CORDSGraduates who served our country in the military service will receive red, white, and blue cords to honor their service.

HONORS CONVOCATION CEREMONY

Welcome Dr. Paul LaVergne Vice President, AcademicAffairs

Greetings from the President Dr. Sharon B. DeVivo President

Convocation Address Mr. Henry Kuykendall Vice President—New York Delta Air Lines

Student Speaker Mr. William Schwager II MANAGEMENT DEPARTMENT Dr. Maxine Lubner, Chair Airport Management Program Founders Award presented to Rocco D’Orazio Casey S. Jones Award presented to Kamel Boussaha Airline Management Program Casey S. Jones Awards presented to Enes Akdemir, Madelyne Barroso, Adrian Galan Gomez, Paul Gonzalez, and Heriberto Haddock Airport/Airline Management Program Casey S. Jones Awards presented to Edith Quizhpi, William Schwager II and Diana Sielski General Management Program Casey S. Jones Award presented to Brithaney Stewart

AVIATION DEPARTMENT Dr. Pete Russo, Chair Aircraft Operations Program Casey S. Jones Award presented to Erick Urbina

Aeronautical Science Program Casey S. Jones Award presented to Marcin Skoczypiec

AVIATION DEPARTMENT (continued) Dr. Russo Aviation Maintenence Program Founders Award presented to Pedro Martinez Casey S. Jones Award presented to Terry Busby

Aviation Maintenance Management Program Casey S. Jones Award presented to Stephen O’Connor

AVIATION TRAINING INSTITUTE Mr. Domenic Proscia, Vice President of Training Associate in Occupational Studies Program Founders Award presented to Roberts Kovalonoks ENGINEERING AND Dr. Hossein Rahemi, TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT Chair

Aeronautical Engineering Technology Program Founders Award presented to Sukhjinder Singh

Electronic Engineering Technology Founders Awards presented to Johnny Jimenez and Andrew Mai Casey S. Jones Award presented to Christian Chiza and Michael Waldestran Mechanical Engineering Technology Program Casey S. Jones Awards presented to Abdullahi Kure, Desborn Myle, Muhammad Noman and Aye Thet

Mechatronic Engineering Program Casey S. Jones Awards presented to Vincent Cuneo Engineering Innovation Award Presented to Waseem Hussain and Monica Vanterpool

Robotics Excellence Award Presented to Norrin Abreu, Jason Becker, Andriy Belz, Eric Greco, John Hernandez, Nizamadeen Khedaru, Bilal Rashid, Juan Aguirre Rodriguez, Niki Taheri and Thomas Wolday

UAV Excellence Award Presented to Andrew Aquino, Harold Gonzalez, Waseem Hussain, Sagufta Kapadia, Daniel Khodos, Syed Misbahuddin, Utsav Shah and Bobby Tang

SWE Excellence Award Presented to Christina DeLuca, Emily German, Lovedeep Kaur, Dimitri Papazoglou, Betsy Sanchez, Niki Taheri and Monica Vanterpool Technology Day Awards First-Place Paper presented to Thomas Ogungbesan and Veer Patel Second-Place Paper presented to Vincent Cuneo and Bobby Tang Third-Place Papers presented to Andrew Aquino, Waseem Hussain, Dimitri Papazoglou, Betsy Sanchez and Monica Vanterpool

First Place Degree Project Poster Award presented to Devendra Singh

First Place NSF Poster Award presented to Denis Nekrasov

The Board of Trustees Award Dr. Joseph Werner ‘57Presented to William Schwager II

The Asch-Root Engines Ms. Elaine Asch-Rootof Invention Scholarship Presented to Eric Grieco

Bessie Coleman Award Dr. Lubner Presented to Katherine Guerrero Student Government Association Ms. Kathy Deaner(SGA) Awards Interim Vice President,Presented to Carl Lewis, StudentAffairs instructor, aviation training institute and Devore McIntosh, assistant director, student activities

Service Awards Ms. Deaner Presented to Leeza Charles, Katherine Guerrero, Kaiisa Pinney, Kirei Watson

Senior Athlete Awards Mr. Ricky McCollumPresented to Kevin Bastidas, Director of Athletics,Kevyn Davis, Gonzalo Forero, Fitness and WellnessKatherine Guerro, Jaleel Johnson, Abdullahi Kure and Michael Pena

Scholar-Athlete AwardPresented to Abdullahi Kure

Director’s Award Presented to Michael Pena

Leadership Academy Cords Ms. DeanerPresented to Lisa Bandel,Leeza Charles, Vincent Cuneo, Katherine Guerrero, Dimitri Papazoglou and D’Moi Rouse

Presentation of Honor Cords Mr. Ernie Shepelsky,Students Graduating with Vice President, Academic Honors Enrollment Services and Professor Thomas Broschart, President, Faculty Senate

Presentation of Veteran Cords Ms. Kathy DeanerStudents Graduating with Veteran Status

Congratulations to all of our graduates.

Graduates please join us after the ceremony in Rooms W155A and W155B for commencement rehearsal.