Students Recognized for Academic Achievement

Frank O’Hara medals were given to University of Scranton students with the highest grade-point averages in their first-, second- and third-year in the College of Arts and Sciences, the Kania School of Management and the Panuska College of Professional Studies for the 2022-23 academic year. The awards, named in honor of the late Frank O’Hara who served the University for 53 years in various administrative positions, were presented at a ceremony held in December on campus.

College of Arts and Sciences

Emily Carey, Monroe Township, New Jersey, received a medal for academic achievement for her freshman year. A member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program and the Undergrauate Honors Program, she is currently a sophomore majoring in public policy and service and philosophy with a minor in English and a concentration in environmental and sustainability studies. A Dean’s List student at Scranton, she is involved in the faculty/student research program and has participated in service trips with the Center for Service and Social Justice.

Jordan Badman, Sunbury, received a medal of academic achievement for her sophomore year. A Dean’s List student at Scranton, she is currently a junior biology major and  member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program and the Magis Honors Program in STEM. She has performed research with faculty mentors at Scranton. She is also a member of the University’s track and field team, competing in javelin and multiple sprint races, including the 60, 100, 200 and 400.

Charles Sylvester, Newtown, received a medal for academic achievement for his junior year. A Dean’s List student at Scranton, he is currently a senior majoring in environmental science with a minor in Latin. He has served as a sacristan with the University’s Campus Ministries throughout his years at Scranton. Before entering his junior year, he received a grant from the National Science Foundation to conduct a visual ecology research project at the University of Delaware’s School of Marine Science and Policy. He served as an engineering, scientific and technical intern at Delaware Canal State Park in Pennsylvania. He also studied abroad for a semester in Rome, Italy.

Kania School of Management

From left: Mark Higgins, Ph.D., dean of the Kania School of Management, and O’Hara Award recipients Madalyne Buhler, Rachel Tuman and Grace Boyle.

Rachel Tuman, Lake Ariel, received a medal for academic achievement for her freshman year. A recipient of the University’s full-tuition Presidential Scholarship, she is currently a sophomore majoring in accounting with minors in political science and philosophy and a concentration in legal studies. A Dean’s List student at Scranton, she is a member of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program. She is a member of the Omega Beta Sigma, the women’s business honor society; the Society of Accounting Students; the Kania Women in Business Club; and the Pre-Law Society. She is also a liturgical minister with the University’s Campus Ministries.

Grace Boyle, Clarks Summit, received a medal of academic achievement for her sophomore year. A recipient of the University’s full-tuition presidential Scholarship, she is currently a junior majoring in finance with a concentration in corporate finance. A Dean’s List student at Scranton, she is a member of the PRISM Investment Club and the Omega Beta Sigma, the women’s business honor society. She volunteers with the University’s Center for Service and Social Justice. She also served as a consulting intern at the University of Scranton’s Small Business Development Center.

Madalyne Buhler, Stony Point, New York, received a medal of academic achievement for her junior year. A Dean’s List student at Scranton, she is currently a senior majoring in finance with a business leadership minor. She was also a recipient of the O’Hara Award in 2022. She participates in the University’s Frank P. Corcione Business Honors Program and the Robert L. McKeage Business Leadership Honors Program. She is captain of the women’s golf team and was awarded the 2023 Landmark Conference Player of the Year. She is co-president of the PRISM Investment Club and the executive chair of the KSOM Student Advisory Board. She is also a member of the Alpha Sigma Nu, the national Jesuit honor society; Omega Beta Sigma, the women’s business honor society; and Omicron Delta Epsilon, the international honor society in economics. Buhler interned for MetLife Investment Management and, most recently, for RBC Capital Markets, where she will be returning full-time after graduation as an analyst in the commodities and quantitative investment strategies group in New York City.

Panuska College of Professional Studies

From left: Victoria Castellanos, Ph.D., dean of the Panuska College of Professional Studies, and O’Hara Award recipients Kaitlyn Romito, Hadley Michaels and Samantha Hoffmann.

Hadley Michaels, Baldwinsville, New York, received a medal for academic achievement for her freshman year. A Dean’s List student at Scranton, she is currently a sophomore nursing major with a minor in psychology. She is a member of the University’s Student Nursing Association and the Society for Sustainability and Conservation Club. A participant of University’s First-years Involved in Reflective Service Together (FIRST) Program, she has volunteered at elementary schools, retirement homes and with community clean-up efforts in the greater Scranton area, in addition to mentoring children for the LatinX Program at the Elm Park Methodist Church.

Kaitlyn Romito, Hauppauge, New York, received a medal for academic achievement for her sophomore year. A Dean’s List student at Scranton, she is currently a junior nursing major. She is a member of the University’s Student Nursing Association. On campus, she has served as an anatomy and physiology laboratory teaching assistant and as a tutor for the Office of Student Support and Success. Off-campus, she worked for Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology in New York.

Samantha Hoffmann, Millington, New Jersey, received a medal for academic achievement for her junior year. A recipient of the University’s full-tuition Presidential Scholarship, she is currently a senior nursing major with a minor in Spanish and a concentration in nutrition studies. She serves as a note taker for the University’s Office of Student Support and Success. A Dean’s List student at Scranton, she is also on the women’s cross country and track and field teams. She has been named to the Landmark Conference Academic Honor Roll, in addition to her selection as a U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) All-Region honoree and USTFCCCA All-Academic Athlete. Off-campus, she volunteers as an EMT and is a crew chief in the Long Hill First Aid Squad.