Medallion Recipients
Medallion Recipients
Medallion Awards
Congratulations to our Medallion Award recipients!
The medallion award is the highest honor a graduating senior can receive to acknowledge superior performance in a particular field. The medallion represents students’ achievements in their academic pursuits, faculty excellence in teaching, and alumni service leadership.
The medallion award distinguishes the student as exceptional, placing them in the ranks of Rowan University’s finest graduates.
We are proud to recognize each of you for your accomplishments.
Ellen Carbonaro
Susan L. Lytle Practitioner Award
Ellen Carbonaro knew she wanted to be an elementary reading teacher from the time she was in first-grade. Ellen completed her undergraduate degrees at Rowan University in 2016 in Elementary Education, Liberal Studies: English and History, and with an endorsement as a Teacher of Students with Disabilities. For the first three years of her career, Ellen taught kindergarten where her passion for literacy education bloomed. Since then, Ellen has been teaching second-grade in Voorhees Township; her favorite subjects to teach are phonics and writing. Ellen decided to apply for the MA in Reading Education: Reading Specialist track because of her goal to help all of her students establish a lifelong love of reading and writing. Within the Reading Education program, the Teaching Reading and Writing Across the Grades and Multicultural Education courses sparked a special interest in her. She completed her research by studying how her students responded to multicultural mentor texts in the writer's workshop model of instruction. Ellen is thankful for the ongoing support of her professors, husband, family, friends, and colleagues during her graduate studies. Ellen's future career goals include transitioning to the role of an elementary reading specialist and teaching at the university level.
Nicole A. Ceballos
Cecil F. Miller Special Education Award
I am Nicole Ceballos, an international student from Panama. I came to the United States as an Au pair six years ago knowing very little English. My experiences as a student of color, first-generation college student and coming from a low income community have influenced my decision to become an inclusive educator. My goal is to create safe and accessible learning environments for all my students regardless of their culture, religion, race or dis/ability. I will be teaching in Denver, CO, as part of a new program that will assess and insure that ESL students get the language and special educational resources they need to be successful.
Treshon Evans
John A. Rocco Postbaccalaureate Award for Excellence in Secondary Teaching
My name is Treshon Evans and I have a Bachelor's in English with a Marketing Minor and am currently pursuing my Master's in Subject Matter Education. I have a background in graphic design and photography from my time spent in the Graphic Design in Multimedia Technology Academy at Pennsville Memorial High School and one year of study in graphic design at Salem Community College. I also studied Japanese at Rowan for two years, and I hope to teach English in Japan one day. My passion, however, is teaching English at the Middle and High School Levels. I hope to create a classroom environment that promotes communication, understanding, and pride in diversity.
Jenna Lea Kulinski
The Cone Award for Teaching Individuals with Disabilities
Jenna is graduating with a B.A. in K-12 Health and Physical Education, with a Certificate of Drivers Education. Jenna is passionate in creating a safe and inclusive environment in her classroom and gymnasium. Learning how to modify instruction and activities in physical education for students of various abilities has been a highlight of her student teaching experience. Sharing the wealth of health in a world of convenience is a mission for Jenna, bringing a holistic approach that she outlined in her Society of Health and Physical Education presentation this year with her peers and professors. During her time here at Rowan she has been a member of Rowan's Health and PE Club, volunteered at Rowan's Get Fit Program for families and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and recently at NJ Camp Abilities for students-athletes with visual impairments. Being awarded this Medallion Award, The Cone Award for Teaching Individuals with Disabilities is truly an honor, she thanks her professors, peers, and faculty for this accomplishment. She will continue to volunteer and make Health and Physical Education an inclusive and enjoyable environment for all.
Ashley T. Lambert
Susan Taber Excellence in Elementary Mathematics Education Award
My name is Ashley Lambert and I am an Elementary Education & Mathematics major with my Teachers Of Students with Disabilities certificate, graduating in May 2023. I am currently student teaching in Camden, NJ with hopes to have my own classroom in September. I enjoy bringing smiles and love to students each and everyday I am in the classroom. I also enjoy learning new ways to incorporate mathematics into the classroom and make the content more desirable to learn by students.
Sophia T. Lanzalotti
Evelyn Slobodzian Excellence in Reading Award
Sophia is honored to have been awarded the Evelyn B. Slobodzian Excellence in Reading Award. Sophia is graduating Summa Cum Laude with a 4.0 GPA as an Elementary Education and Literacy Studies dual major. She is an active member of Kappa Delta Pi, Rowan’s educational honor society. Since her freshman year, she has worked in the RowanCard Office. From a young age, Sophia has always dreamed of being a teacher. Now, she is eager to enter the world of education and pass on her love of reading, writing, and learning to her students. Sophia is grateful for her professors and supervisors who have provided her with support and guidance over the past four years. She values her time spent at Rowan University and the memories she has made during her college experience.
Gillian E. Moore
Ida and Jeff Margolis Award for Social Studies and Multicultural Teaching
Gillian Moore, recipient of the Ida and Jeff Margolis Medallion Award for Social Studies and Multicultural Education, is a dual History and Subject Matter Education major and a member of the Honors College. In addition to the Margolis Medallion, Gillian is the recipient of three other medallion awards, including the university-wide Thomas E. Robinson Award for Leadership. While at Rowan, Gillian has worked as an Admissions Ambassador and served as the president of the history honor society, Phi Alpha Theta. Her undergraduate historical research focuses on the Argentine human rights organization, Las Madres de Plaza de Mayo. Gillian’s love for history and goal to create inclusive curriculum brought her into social studies teaching. After graduation, she hopes to teach in a middle school setting.
Ashley Morris
Marion Rilling Award for Excellence in Early Childhood Education
My name is Ashley Morris. I am graduating Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Education with Specialization in Early Childhood Education and a Teacher of Students with Disabilities Endorsement. I have over 9 years of experience working in education as a paraprofessional, behavior technician, and afterschool program director. It has always been my lifelong dream to be an educator. I am humbled and honored to be selected to receive the Marion Rilling Award Medallion for Excellence in Early Childhood Education.
Samantha N. Picone
Robin Haskell McBee Award for Exemplary Teacher Leadership
I graduated with my bachelor's in Elementary Education K-6 and Liberal Studies: English/Writing Arts from Rowan in 2016. After graduating, I began teaching Kindergarten and am now in my fifth year with Hoboken Public Schools! I loved my undergraduate experience at Rowan which led me to return for my Masters's degree in Teacher Leadership and a COGS in Reading. I am very grateful to have had an amazing support system of family, friends, mentors, and professors throughout my Teacher Leadership program. This process has been an incredible experience that has pushed me professionally, academically, and personally to become a better educator. I am honored to be nominated for the Medallion Award and look forward to furthering my career in education by taking on leadership roles within my district and continuing to advocate for my students and community.
Cat Rogers

Thomas J. Gallia Award for Excellence in Secondary Science Teaching
Cat Rogers is graduating summa cum laude with his Master of Arts degree in STEM Education. He is a member of Delta Alpha Pi International Honors Society for High Achieving Students with Disabilities, Alpha Epsilon Lambda Honors Society for Graduate and Professional Students, and is a nominee for the New Jersey Distinguished Clinical Intern Award. In 2019, Cat founded the Student Neurodiversity Club and contributed to the development of Rowan’s PATH Program and Center for Neurodiversity. After graduating from Rowan with his Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Science, he served as a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician during the COVID-19 pandemic. In October 2022, Cat was awarded the New Jersey Science Teacher Association (NJSTA) Dr. Doris White Memorial Scholarship and became an active member of the Council for Exceptional Children. As an autistic educator and fierce disabilities advocate, Cat is dedicated to transforming how neurodiversity is viewed and valued both in and out of the classroom. Cat and Dr. Rob Wieman, Assistant Professor and Department Chair of STEAM Education, presented How are you SO good at that: Neurodiversity as an asset in education at this year’s Access, Inclusion, and Social Justice Week. In June, they will be sharing their vision for diversity, equity and inclusion in education at the National Congress on Science Education Conference and at the Annual Meeting of the New Jersey Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators (NJAMTE) in Ewing, NJ. Cat is humbled and honored to have been chosen to receive the Thomas J. Gallia Award Medallion for Excellence in Secondary Science Teaching.
Emily Scott
Leonard L. Mancuso Award for Excellence in Secondary School Student Teaching
I will be graduating this May with my B.A. in Art and B.A. in Education with a certification to teach K-12. I work mostly in 2D art, focusing on acrylic painting, graphite, charcoal, markers, and watercolor. During my time at Rowan University, I have been an active member of Rowan’s National Art Education Association Student Chapter. Over the years, I have served as NAEA’s Secretary, Senator, and Vice President, hosting events and fundraising to promote the Art Education program at Rowan. During the first half of Student Teaching, I taught 4th through 8th grade at Logan Township School District and am currently completing my final placement at Timber Creek Regional High School. In my free time, I am normally working on a new project, reading, meeting up with friends, or playing with my adorable cat Luna! I want to say thank you to my two professors who have become my mentors and have been there for me every step of the way: Dr. Jane Graziano and Dr. Eugene Neglia! I will forever be grateful for all of the incredible opportunities, experiences and memories that Rowan University has gifted me.
Brianne Siderio
Larry Marcus Award for Excellence in Educational Leadership, Doctoral Studies
Dr. Brianne Siderio graduated from the Ed.D in Educational Leadership program in 2023. She is interested in STI awareness and prevention content knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge in K-12 school settings and her dissertation was titled Exploring New Jersey’s Middle and High School Health Educators’ Decision-Making on STI Content and Instruction: A Qualitative Collective Case Study. She is continuing her research through her online business, THE STITALK, to coach those diagnosed with an STI and transform the current state of STI education in the US; our global society. Her research strives to deconstruct STI societal stigma peered by suicide prevention for those diagnosed. Brianne also earned a B.A. in Education and History with a concentration in reading and her M.A. in Reading. Both degrees were earned from Rowan University. She currently is an educator in a New Jersey K-8 public school, and she aspires to teach full-time at the university level working with teacher candidates.
Margaret Suiter
Daniel P. Stanley Health and Exercise Science Alumni Award
I graduated from Paulsboro High School in June of 1960, for 2 years I worked at Weiss 5 & 10 and then 2 years at The Paulsboro Record weekly newspaper.
When Glassboro State was beginning the Physical Education and Health major I applied and was accepted into the first class starting in September 1964 and graduating on June 4, 1968. While at Glassboro I worked for Heritage’s Dairy store. I earned my MA degree in Physical Education and Health also from Glassboro State in 1973.
I taught at Memorial Junior High School in Vineland from September 1968 through June 1969 and at Kingsway Regional High School in Swedesboro from September 1969 until I retired in June 2000.
While at Kingsway I coached Field Hockey, Softball, Basketball and Golf. I also directed the Intramural program and the Night School Volleyball group. I taught and certified students in CPR in the Senior Health classes and also at In Service Days. I was also a class advisor for several classes and chaperoned Senior Trips.
I was an Adjunct for Rowan University and supervised student teachers in Physical Education and Health from September 2000 through June 2004.
After retirement I took the Basic Lay Speakers class through The United Methodist Church and the Advanced or Certified Lay Servants classes and served at various churches when needed including my home church St. Paul’s UMC In Paulsboro.
I was baptized as an infant and have been a member for over 65 years. I have served in various roles in the church.
For the last 20 years I have coordinated our monthly Feed My Sheep soup kitchen and grocery sharing and for 9 years I have coordinated our Children’s Christmas Gift Project in conjunction with the Paulsboro School system. I also volunteer at 2 South Jersey Food Banks.
For 5 years I have coordinated our church’s participation in Paulsboro’s Community Clean Up project.
I have been working on taking pictures and gathering information to update the records of the cemetery at St. Paul’s .
Lauren Townsend
Robert L. Donaghay Award for Excellence in School Nursing
Hi, my name is Lauren Townsend and I am a school nurse. I graduated from nursing school in 2004 and received my BSN in 2008. I spent most of my career at Cooper University Hospital as a bed side nurse and then as the nursing supervisor until 8/2022. The summer of 2022 I decided it was time for a change and I accepted a position as a school nurse at Vineland High School. I then enrolled into the Certified School Nurse program at Rowan University and will finish July 3rd, 2023. Besides being a nurse, I am also a wife and mom of two kids who are very active and keep me busy. I decided it was time for me to be more available for them! I am very happy with the choices that I have made and can’t wait to see what else the future as a school nurse holds for me.
Jazmynn O. Travis
Charles Cammarota Award for Counseling in Educational Settings
Jazmynn is a second-year Counseling in Education Settings (CES) Program graduate student. She also served as President of the Chi Sigma Iota National Counseling Honors Society Zeta Pi Chapter. In Jazmynn’s spare time, she plans her upcoming fall wedding or takes her daughter on new adventures.
Erin Valderrama
Excellence in Elementary Education
My name is Erin Valderrama, and I am a Rowan graduate with a degree in Elementary Education. Teaching is my passion, and I love having the opportunity to shape young minds. It truly is a rewarding career. Witnessing a child’s face light up when they grasp a new skill, hearing their excitement or laughter during activities, and seeing them develop into their own individual person, makes any day a great one. I am thankful for my time at Rowan and everyone who has helped me achieve my goals and acquire my dream job. “Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn.” – Benjamin Franklin
Paige Wainwright
Robert L. Donaghay Award for Excellence in School Nursing
Paige (DeBow) Wainwright graduated Summa Cum Laude from Clemson University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and a Global Health certificate. While at Clemson, Paige was the Nursing Class President, involved with the Student Nurses’ Association, as well as a member of the Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society of Nursing and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Fraternity. She received a multitude of honors and awards while in the nursing program including the Dean’s Award for Entrepreneurship in Community Service, School of Nursing Community Service Award, Herbert N. Shearin Memorial Award for Nursing Excellence, Excellence in Nursing Award, and the Sigma Nursing Achievement Award. Upon graduation, Wainwright began working on an inpatient unit at Community Medical Center in Toms River, NJ. After working tirelessly taking care of COVID-19 Positive Patients, she transitioned into outpatient pediatrics to pursue her dream of working with children. “Nurse Paige” is currently one of the school nurses at Magowan Elementary School in Edgewater Park, NJ. She is enrolled in the School Nurse Certification program through Rowan University and will be receiving her Instructional School Nurse Certificate this Summer. Paige and her husband, Adam, are expecting their first child, Callie Morgan Wainwright, this July.
Morgan S. Zane
Stanton B. Langworthy Award for Excellence in Foundations of Education
I am a 2022 graduate of Rowan University where I was also a member of the Rowan softball team. After I graduated, I accepted a position as a 1st grade teacher in Vineland, NJ. My goals are to continue to teach at the elementary level for a while, then ultimately go back to school and become a college professor. I love what I do and can't wait for a lifelong journey of educating others.
Current and Previous Medallion Recipients
2023 Medallion Winners
Cat Rogers | Thomas J. Gallia Award for Excellence in Secondary Science Teaching |
Jazmynn O. Travis | Charles Cammarota Award for Counseling in Educational Settings |
Margaret Suiter | Daniel P. Stanley Health and Exercise Science Alumni Award |
Ashley T. Lambert | Susan Taber Excellence in Elementary Mathematics Education Award |
Nicole A. Ceballos | Cecil F. Miller Special Education Award |
Emily Scott | Leonard L. Mancuso Award for Excellence in Secondary School Student Teaching |
Jenna Lea Kulinski | The Cone Award for Teaching Individuals with Disabilities |
Ashley Morris | Marion Rilling Award for Excellence in Early Childhood Education |
Lauren Townsend | Robert L. Donaghay Award for Excellence in School Nursing |
Paige Wainwright | Robert L. Donaghay Award for Excellence in School Nursing |
Samantha N. Picone | Robin Haskell McBee Award for Exemplary Teacher Leadership |
Gillian E. Moore | Ida and Jeff Margolis Award for Social Studies and Multicultural Teaching |
Sophia T. Lanzalotti | Evelyn Slobodzian Excellence in Reading Award |
Morgan S. Zane | Stanton B. Langworthy Award for Excellence in Foundations of Education |
Erin L. Valderrama | Excellence in Elementary Education |
Brianne Siderio | Larry Marcus Award for Excellence in Educational Leadership, Doctoral Studies |
Treshon Evans | John A. Rocco Postbaccalaureate Award for Excellence in Secondary Teaching |
2022 Medallion Winners
Department of Educational Services & Leadership
Larry Marcus Award for Excellence in Educational Leadership, Doctoral Studies
Kellie McKinney
Karen A. Vaughan
Charles Cammarota Award for Counseling in Educational Settings
Jordyn Dulski
Robert L. Donaghay Award for Excellence in School Nursing
Jennifer J. Anton
Department of Language, Literacy & Socio-Cultural Education
Ida & Jeff Margolis Award for Social Studies and Multicultural Teaching
Richard P. Antonucci
John A. Rocco Post Baccalaureate Award for Excellence in Secondary Teaching
Alexandria R. Amiss
Kylie G. Fox
Evelyn Slobodzian Excellence in Reading Award
Jessica Nguyen
Department of Interdisciplinary and Inclusive Education
Stanton B. Langworthy Award for Excellence in Foundations of Education
Zhane N. Tyler
Cecil F. Miller Special Education Award
Sara A. Cimino
Excellence in Elementary Education
Fathema Begum
Susan Taber Excellence in Elementary Mathematics Education Award
Emily R. August
Marion Rilling Award for Excellence in Early Childhood Education
Margo G. Dippner
Robin Haskell McBee Award for Exemplary Teacher Leadership
Meghan Elizabeth Sickler
Department of Science Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math Education
Daniel P. Stanley Health and Exercise Science Alumni Award
Arielle Marshall
The Cone Award for Teaching Individuals with Disabilities
Isabella F. Villari
Thomas J. Gallia Award for Excellence in Secondary Science Teaching
Rachel E. Fordham
Leonard L. Mancuso Award for Excellence in Secondary School Student Teaching
Katherine Petrillo
The James M. Lynch, Jr. Courage in Adversity Award
Jacob Brown
2021 Medallion Winners
Gabrielle Barnabie
Cecil F. Miller Special Education Award
I am graduating this spring with my BA in Inclusive Education and Teacher of Students with Disabilities Certificate. I’m a strong believer in presuming competence in my students and fostering a community of respect within the classroom. All students can learn, and I will continue to provide them with any support necessary to reach the goals they have for themselves, as well as the goals that I have for them. I’m looking forward to teaching for years to come and to continue to learn every day.
Raymond M. Philipp
Charles Cammarota Award for Counseling in Educational Settings
"Ray Philipp is the current Treasurer and Mentorship Co-Chair of Zeta Pi, soon to be alumni of the Counseling in Educational Settings Program, and most importantly a future Professional School Counselor. Ray is a Rowan Football alumn and graduated from Rowan University with his Bachelor's degree before starting his school counseling journey.
Ray attributes his success to the amazing professors in the CES program, his site supervisors from his practicum (Lori N.) and internship (Shane M.), as well as other mentors in his life. Although he had an incredible experience at Rowan University and during his time in the CES program, Ray is excited to graduate and start his next chapter."
Jacquelyn Heiart
Robert L. Donaghay Award for Excellence in School Nursing
Jacquelyn obtained her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1998. She has spent the majority of her nursing career working with pediatic patients. Currently, Jacquelyn is employed as a school nurse in a special needs school serving children with disabilites. She will gradaute with her Certification in School Nursing this spring and looks forward to teaching health to her students. She is honored to have been selected for the Robert L. Donaghay Award for Excellence in School Nursing.
Christie R. Deveney
Evelyn B. Slobodzian : Excellence in Reading Award
Christie is graduating Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education and a Teacher of Reading certification. She is also a member of Kappa Delta Pi, Tau Sigma, and the Early Childhood Club. As a young teenager, Christie volunteered at her local library during the summer months and read stories, performed activities, and helped the younger children in the Ready Reader Program. She has a long love for books, reading, and writing. She has a passion for educating children and strives to help them progress in all areas of development - academic, social, language/literacy, and motor skills. She recognizes that literacy is the single-most important part of education and is most beneficial encompassing multiple disciplines. Christie is humbled and honored to have been chosen for the Evelyn B. Slobodzian Excellence in Reading Award.
Niamh Cassidy
Excellence in Elementary Education
Niamh Cassidy graduated with a dual major in Elementary Education and Literacy Studies. After transferring to Rowan University, she quickly became involved in Kappa Delta Pi. She would like to thank her professors who provided support and knowledge that she is now applying to her classroom. In addition, she is honored to be awarded the Excellence in Elementary Education Teaching Award Medallion from the College of Education.
Michaela Fallstick
Marion Rilling Award for Excellence in Early Childhood Education
Michaela will graduate this May as an Early Childhood Education major with a dual major in Literacy Studies and with the Teacher of Students with Disabilities endorsement. Michaela has had a passion for teaching from a young age and is very excited to start her career in education. She said it is an honor to be awarded this medallion and will continue to strive for excellence in her teaching career.
Gina M. Smolenski
John A. Rocco Postbaccalaureate Award for Excellence in Secondary Teaching
I am honored to have won the John A. Rocco Award for Excellence in Secondary Teaching. I strive for excellence and community within my classrooms as well as my own college career and am beyond grateful to have received this medallion. I am currently a Clinical Intern at Octavius Catto Family School in Camden, NJ where I teach 8th grade ELA. I have achieved my minor in American Studies, my BA in English and will obtain my MA in Secondary Education this May!
Allison N. Padron
Stanton B. Langworthy Award for Excellence in Foundations of Education
Allison is a dual major honors student who will be graduating Summa Cum Laude with degrees in Elementary Education and Literacy Studies, along with a French minor. During her undergraduate years at Rowan she had the privilege of serving on the executive board of Colleges Against Cancer, studying abroad in Paris, France, and participating in the Camden Teacher Pipeline program for her clinical year. She has a passion for reading, writing, science, and learning, and has loved teaching in a social justice-minded school and program. She is deeply honored to receive the Stanton B. Langworthy medallion and hopes to continue to inspire a love of knowledge in the amazing students of Camden in the coming years!
Odeta Gashi
Susan Taber Excellence in Elementary Mathematics Education Award
Odeta is a first-generation Albanian student. She is an honors student with a dual major in Literacy Studies. She is very passionate about teaching and hopes to create connections with her students as well as others in the field. She hopes to be involved in creating curriculum in schools and hopefully become a principal one day. She is constantly looking to grow as an educator and find out new ways to meet the needs of her students. She is very honored to receive this award and can’t wait to see where this next step takes her!
Claudia C. Manuella
Leonard L. Mancuso Award for Excellence in Secondary School Student Teaching
Claudia was a part of the 4+1 CADP Program where she graduated cum laude from Rowan University in May of 2020 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accelerated Mathematics and a Minor in Dance. She will graduate with a Master’s Degree in STEM Education and will obtain a math teaching certification in June of 2021. She is honored to have been awarded the Leonard L. Mancuso Award for Excellence in Secondary School Student Teaching Medallion and is looking forward to her future as an educator.
Lee Scholefield
The Cone Award for Teaching Individuals with Disabilities
Lee will graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Health & Physical Education (HPE) with a minor in Psychology. During his time at Rowan he served as Vice President of the HPE club. He was also involved in Kappa Delta Pi, Rowan’s educational honor society and the Get Fit program at Rowan, which is an amazing fitness program for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and their caregivers. Lee is extremely honored to receive the Cone Award for Teaching Individuals with Disabilities and hopes use instill the same passion he has for Health & Physical Education to all his future students.
Danny Vause
Thomas J. Gallia Award for Excellence in Secondary Science Teaching
I will be graduating with a BA in Physics, a 4.0 gpa, and am finishing my MA in STEM Education. Throughout my time at Rowan, I was a physics learning assistant and a physics lab assistant. I was also a member of the physics club, a Noyce scholar, and a substitute teacher as well. Physics and education are my passions, and I look forward to building relationships with my future students and making an impact through teaching. Despite the challenges educators have faced this year, I've been able to connect with my students and am having a blast student teaching!
Irvin McFarland
Daniel P. Stanley Health and Exercise Science Alumni Award
Irvin has been in the educational field for 51 years. He spent 38 years in public education and served as a teacher, coach, and administrator from 1969 to 2007. He started at Rowan University in 2008 and serves as an adjunct professor/supervisor in the Health and Physical Education Department. Irvin supervises Clinical Practice students. He completed his undergraduate degree at Jacksonville State University (Alabama) in 1969, and his master's degree in Educational Administration at Glassboro State College in 1991. Irvin is married to Suzanne and lives in Washington Township.
2020 Medallion Winners
Isabella C. Knapp
Cecil F. Miller Special Education Award
Isabella will graduate this May as an Elementary Education major with a dual major in Literacy Studies and with the Teacher of Students with Disabilities endorsement and a Reading endorsement. Isabella became involved with Rowan Unified Sports, a sports club on campus that pairs Special Olympics of NJ athletes with Rowan students on the same sports teams to promote inclusion. During her senior year, she led the organization as Co-President. She is so thankful to the College of Education for choosing her as the recipient of the Cecil F. Miller Special Education Medallion for excellence in Special Education.
Bartholomew J. Ricci
Thomas J. Gallia Award for Excellence in Secondary Science Teaching
Bart graduated magna cum laude from Rowan University in December of 2018 with dual Bachelor’s degrees in Physics and Mathematics. During this time, he spent time assisting both middle and high school students with their science and mathematics coursework. Upon his entry to the MA STEM program, he was directly awarded the Noyce Scholarship. He will graduate with a Master’s degree in STEM Education and will obtain a physics teaching certification. For the extraordinary impact he has had during his student teaching on teaching physics to underprivileged students, he is the recipient of the Thomas J. Gallia Award Medallion for Excellence in Secondary Science Teaching.
Angela C. Lakatos
Cone Award for Teaching Individuals with Disabilities
Angela was extremely proud to have been award the Cone Award for Teaching Individuals with Disabilities Medallion. She knew she had a passion for teaching all student but her new unknown passion was learning and growing with her students with disabilities. It was those students who showed her the type of educator she wanted to be.
Jessica Syed
Larry Marcus Award for Excellence in Educational Leadership, Doctoral Studies
Dr. Jessica Syed graduated from the Ed.D in Educational Leadership program in 2020. She is interested in access, choice, and strategic enrollment management in higher education and her dissertation was titled College choice, consumer behavior, and gender enrollment patterns: A mixed methods case study of Marathon University. Jessica also earned her B.A. in Psychology with concentrations in Leadership Studies and African American studies from Rowan University, and her M.S.Ed. in Higher Education from the University of Pennsylvania. She currently works as the Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Rowan, and lives in Glassboro with her husband and dog.
Rebecca L. Kwiecien
Leonard L. Mancuso Award for Excellence in Secondary School Student Teaching
Rebecca is extremely honored to have received the Leonard L. Mancuso Award for Excellence in Secondary School Student Teaching Medallion. She is eager to utilize the knowledge gained through my experience at Rowan University in her future endeavors as an educator.
Honesty Lemeshuk
Marion Rilling Award for Excellence in Early Childhood Education
Honesty is honored to be receiving this award and has been in the field of education for 17 years as a substitute teacher. She is graduating with her certification of advance standing P-3 and reading K-12. Her passion for teaching sparked many years ago as a volunteer in her child's classroom. She is excited to begin this new chaper of her career in early childhood education.
Reagan A. Pender
Ida & Jeff Margolis Award for Social Studies and Multicultural Teaching
Reagan was a transfer student from Rowan College of South Jersey Gloucester Campus. She is thankful for the professional relationships she developed with my advisors, professors, and peers. She said it is an honor to receive this medallion and she looks forward to sharing her love for History with her future students.
Patricia A. Dougherty
Daniel P. Stanley Health and Exercise Science Alumni Award
Patricia is a current adjunct supervisor for student teacher/clinical practice students at Rowan University for Health and Physical Education. She has been an educator since 1969 and has helped so many teacher candidates through their own process.
Rocco J. Tomasetto
John A. Rocco Postbaccalaureate Award for Excellence in Secondary Teaching
Rocco is receiving his Master's of Science in Teaching (Secondary English) from the College of Education, having previously completed his undergraduate studies in English and graduating Summa Cum Laude from the College of Humanities and Social Science.
Saadiqa Smart
Excellence in Elementary Education
Saadiqa Smart is an Elementary Education and American Studies double major. She is passionate about teaching children in each area of her life, from school, to dance, and church. Saadiqa is looking forward to beginning her career in the classroom before returning to school for a master’s degree.
Lisa A. Murphy
Robin Haskell McBee Award for Exemplary Teacher Leadership
Lisa is a proud mom of 7 children and a "nonna" to 4 grandchildren who earned her Bachelors of Art in Elementary Education and Writing Arts in December 2011. In 2017, she returned to Rowan to obtain her Master's Degree in Teacher Leadership with a Certificate of Graduate Studies in Educational Technology, graduating in December 2019. She was thrilled to complete the program and looks forward to supporting her colleagues as a teacher leader.
Jacob A. Kauffman
Susan Taber Excellence in Elementary Mathematics Education Award
Jacob says it's an honor to simply be considered for this award. He will always strive to be worthy of this honor. Teaching is among one of the most noble of all professions.
Danielle Martin
Susan L. Lytle Practitioner Award
Danielle is recieving her M.A. in Reading Education. She is thankful to be recieving this award after completing her thesis titled"It Goes Both Ways": How white teachers view and respond to culture in the diverse classroom
Carrie C. Price
Evelyn B. Slobodzian Excellence in Reading Award
Carrie is a dual major honors student graduating with bachelor degrees in Elementary Education and Literacy Studies. She is also an active member of Kappa Delta Pi, Rowan’s educational honor society. She is fueled by a lifelong love of books, reading, and writing. She is passionate about social justice and diversity, social-emotional learning, special populations, and all things literacy. She has a strong belief that every human being can learn and improve, even in the presence of overwhelming obstacles. Carrie looks forward to to sharing her love of literacy with her future students as she begins her teaching career. She is deeply honored to have been chosen for the Evelyn B. Slobodzian Excellence in Reading Award.
Allison N. Caruso
Charles Cammarota Award for Counseling in Educational Settings
Allison Caruso is the current President of Zeta Pi and a soon to be alumnus of the Counseling in Educational Settings Program at Rowan University. Throughout her time in the CES program, she was blessed with an amazing support network in her family, fellow cohort members, mentors, and professors. She was fortunate enough to benefit from all of their knowledge, guidance, leadership, and commitment in helping her achieve her goal of becoming a Professional School Counselor. This educational process has been an incredible experience that has promoted her own professional, academic, and personal growth for which she am immensely grateful for. Allison looks forward to my future career in this educational role and to hearing about the continued success and accomplishments of the CES program and all other graduates as they start this exciting next chapter in their lives.
Ashley Rutter
Stanton B. Langworthy Award for Excellence in Foundations of Education
Ashley is from Glendora, NJ, and began her college career at Camden County College as part of the NJ STARS program before transferring to Rowan. She will be graduating Summa Cum Laude with degrees in Elementary Education and Liberal Studies. She is honored to be receiving this award and excited to begin her career as an educator!
Kristen Mchale
Robert L. Donaghay Award for Excellence in School Nursing