Students Receive Frank O’Hara Awards

Frank O’Hara medals were given 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 2017-18 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 recently on campus.

From left: Brian Conniff, Ph.D., dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and recipients of the Frank O’Hara medals from the College of Arts and Sciences: Anna Maria Giblin, Samuel Morano and Zackary Rieker.

College of Arts and Sciences

Zackary Rieker, Pottstown, received a medal for academic achievement for his freshman year. He is currently a sophomore biology and biomathematics double-major on a pre-medicine track. He plans to pursue a career as a pediatrician.

Anna Maria Giblin, Berwyn, received a medal for academic achievement for her sophomore year. She is currently a junior majoring in history. She serves as a tutor for several subjects through the University’s Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence (CTLE). She plans on attending law school after graduation. During this past summer, she completed a paid internship at the law firm Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin in Philadelphia. 

Samuel Morano, Clarks Summit, received a medal for academic achievement for his junior year. A recipient of the University’s full-tuition Presidential Scholarship, he is currently a senior biology major on a pre-medicine track, and is also pursuing minors in psychology and biochemistry. He is a member of Alpha Sigma Nu, the national Jesuit honor society, Beta Beta Beta, the national honor society for biology, and Alpha Epsilon Delta, the national health professional honor society. He has served as a tutor, a teaching assistant and a team leader for the University’s FIRST program. He volunteers with Big Friends Little Friends and the Leahy Clinic and participated in a domestic outreach program to St. Michaels Association for Special Education in Navajo Nation. Last year, he received the Frank O’Hara award for his sophomore year.

From left: recipients of the Frank O’Hara medals from the Kania School of Management: Tarquin McGurrin, Daniel Muenkel and Daniel Buzzerio; and Murli Rajan, Ph.D., interim dean of the Kania School of Management.

Kania School of Management

Tarquin McGurrin, Clarks Summit, received a medal for academic achievement for his freshman year. He is currently a sophomore majoring in accounting, who plans to earn his bachelor’s degree and MBA from the University in four years. He is a member of Scranton’s tennis team and had received first-team honors for both singles and doubles in the Landmark Conference for his freshman year. McGurrin plans to pursue a law degree after graduation.

Daniel Buzzerio, River Edge, New Jersey, received a medal for academic achievement for his sophomore year. He is currently a junior majoring in accounting, who is also a member of the undergraduate Honors Program and the Business Leadership Honors Program. He is treasurer of the Italian Society and the Business Club. He is s resident assistant and has helped lead the Connections retreat. He is pursing research with Douglas M. Boyle, DBA, associate professor, Accounting Department chair and DBA program director.

Daniel Muenkel, Fishkill, New York, received a medal for academic achievement for his junior year. He is currently a senior accounting and finance double-major with a minor in Mandarin Chinese and concentration in Asian studies. He is also a member of the Business Leadership Honors Program. He is captain on the Men’s Swim team and a lector on campus. Last year, he received the Critical Language Scholarship from U.S. State Department, and spent two months in China studying Mandarin Chinese. Muenkel interned for PwC as an assurance intern and will begin working with them in Manhattan full-time after graduation.

Panuska College of Professional Studies

Emily Campo, Haddonfield, New Jersey, received a medal for academic achievement for her freshman year. She is currently a sophomore majoring in occupational therapy. She is a member of the Student Occupational Therapy Association and the Helping Professions Residential Learning Community. She has volunteered with several organizations, including the Arc of Northeastern Pennsylvania. She is also a member of the Royal Signers.

Madison Heaton, Medford, New Jersey, received a medal for academic achievement for her sophomore year. A recipient of the University’s full-tuition Presidential Scholarship, she is currently a junior occupational therapy major, who is also pursuing minors in psychology and human services as well as a concentration in human development. She served an orientation assistant and participated in the Scranton Emerging Leaders program. She is the president of the Sophomore Helping Professions Living Learning Community, secretary of the Royal Signers, a member of Student Occupational Therapy Association and a certified yoga instructor. An active volunteer, she is also a member of Beading Hope and Autism Speaks U.

Melissa Busch, Yardley, received a medal for academic achievement for her junior year. She is currently a senior occupational therapy major, and is pursuing minors in psychology and counseling and human services, as well as a human development concentration. She has served as a teaching assistant and tutor on campus. This is the third O’Hara award Busch has received, having also earned O’Hara Awards for her sophomore and freshman years at Scranton. She went on the spring break service trip with Habitat for Humanity in Cumberland County, New Jersey, and a summer international service program trip to Jamaica. She is an orientation assistant and has volunteered with Big Friends Little Friends, and SMART, a mentoring program for high school students from Scranton High School.