Students Receive Frank O’Hara Awards

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 2019-20 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.

College of Arts and Sciences

Nathaniel Smith, Wilkes-Barre, received a medal for academic achievement for his freshman year. He is currently a rising junior majoring in neuroscience and member of the University’s Magis Honors Program in STEM. On campus, he is a work study student for the Office of Sustainability.

Molly Neeson, Pottstown, received a medal for academic achievement for her sophomore year. A recipient of the University’s full-tuition Presidential Scholarship, she is currently a rising senior majoring in environmental science. She is also member of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program.

Gabriel Ragusa, New Hyde Park, New York, received a medal for academic achievement for his junior year. He earned his bachelor’s degree in in biology with a double minor in biochemistry and Spanish in May of 2021, where he was among the students with the highest GPA in each of the University’s three undergraduate colleges to receive Frank J. O’Hara Awards for General Academic Excellence at commencement. A recipient of the University’s full-tuition Presidential Scholarship, Ragusa also received the University’s Excellence in Biology Award. He is a member of Alpha Epsilon Delta and Alpha Sigma Nu honor societies. On campus, he was a member of the Health Professions Organization and the Men’s Crew Team and served as a resident assistant. He was a leader of the Manresa and the SPARK programs offered through the University’s Campus Ministries Office. He performed research in the Plant Population Genetics Lab of Anne Royer, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology, and the Environmental Microbiology Lab of Bryan Crable, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology. He also participated in study abroad to Peru.

Kania School of Management

Marissa Angelo, Dickson City, received a medal for academic achievement for her freshman year. She is currently a rising junior majoring in accounting and is also a member of the Kania School of Management Business Honors Program. On campus, she is a member of the Business Club, Kania Women in Business Club, the Institute of Management Accountants Student Chapter and Omega Beta Sigma Honor Society.

Madison Jashembowski, Middletown, New York, received a medal for academic achievement for her sophomore year. She is currently a rising senior double majoring in accounting and finance. On campus, she is a portfolio manager for the University’s Investment Club, a member of Random Acts of Kindness Club, and participates in intermural soccer. She also participates on the Kania School of Management Student Advisory Board, with the University’s Business Club mentorship program and volunteers at the University’s Safe Trick or Treat, Street Sweep, and Fall Move-In events. She has interned at Cetera Investors, K-12 Financials Advisors and KPMG in their audit practice.

Kyle Shaffer, Mahwah, New Jersey, received a medal for academic achievement for his junior year. He earned his bachelor’s degree in finance with a minor in business leadership in May of 2021, where he was among the students with the highest GPA in each of the University’s three undergraduate colleges to receive Frank J. O’Hara Awards for General Academic Excellence at commencement. He also participated in the University’s Business Leadership Honors Program. He is a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma and Alpha Sigma Nu honor societies. On campus, he was the executive chair of the Dean’s Student Advisory Board; student advisor for the University’s Kania School of Management Strategic Planning Committee; co-president of PRISM Investment Group and president of Scranton’s Wall Bootcamp. He served as captain of the University’s Division III Wrestling Team and was named an Academic All-American and regional medalist in 2019. He was a financial services intern for Kolinsky Wealth Management, a summer intern for Verizon, and an investment management summer analyst for Goldman Sachs.

Panuska College of Professional Studies

Zachary Turnitza, Cumbola, received a medal for academic achievement for his freshman year. He is currently a rising junior majoring in nursing. He is a ROTC Army cadet and member of the Royal Warrior Battalion. Through ROTC program, he competed in the annual Ranger Challenge Competition at Fort Dix, New Jersey.

Emily Kale, Succasunna, New Jersey, received a medal for academic achievement for her sophomore year. She is currently a rising senior majoring in nursing with a concentration in nutrition. She was the freshman representative for the University’s Student Nursing Association and attended the National Student Nursing Association conference. She also served as an anatomy lab teaching assistant and studied abroad in Perugia, Italy.

Kate Wisner, Hanover, received a medal for academic achievement for her junior year. A recipient of the University’s full-tuition Presidential Scholarship, she earned her bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy in May of 2021, where she was among the students with the highest GPA in each of the University’s three undergraduate colleges to receive Frank J. O’Hara Awards for General Academic Excellence at commencement. At Scranton, she was secretary of the Royal Singers, a member of the Student Occupational Therapy Association and the knitting club. She served as a teaching assistant for occupational therapy courses in anatomy and kinesiology. She also volunteered with the University’s Take Back the Night, Love Your Body Day and Safe Trick-or-Treat events.