New Awards Bestowed to Alumni of Distinction
Samantha Virgil ’15 Motayne was named the inaugural recipient of the Emerging Champion Award, which celebrates alumni who have been graduated less than 10 years and exemplify Susquehanna’s ideals of achievement, leadership and service.
Motayne is vice president of the People Team at Burson, a global public relations and communications firm based in New York City. Since joining Burson’s predecessor, BCW, in 2022, she has steadily advanced in her career, previously working in the firm’s awards and rankings division. As a student, she earned a communications degree with an emphasis in public relations and was an active campus leader, serving as president of Sigma Kappa sorority and was a member of Susquehanna’s PRSSA chapter. She was also a member of Lambda Pi Eta and Alpha Lambda Delta honor societies, was a presidential fellow and in the Honors Program.
In March, during the university’s annual Signe S. Gates ’71 and Dawn G. Mueller ’68 Women’s Leadership Symposium in New York City, Motayne offered the keynote address. Speaking to more than 30 student attendees, she encouraged them to face challenges with courage, to explore different passions and to translate their undergraduate experiences into future careers.
“Susquehanna did more than just award me a degree — it gave me tools to navigate uncertainty,” she said. “I learned to think critically, ask thoughtful questions and, above all, to remain curious. It provided a safe space to explore my interests and discover what energized me.”
In addition to the Emerging Champion Award, the Alumni Association Board will also bestow the Exceptional Champion Award at Homecoming–Reunion Weekend. The award will annually honor Susquehannans whose personal and professional accomplishments reflect a lifetime of achievement, leadership and service. Designed as a career-spanning recognition, the award will celebrate alumni who have made a profound and lasting impact in their fields and communities while embodying the values of their alma mater.
“We are thrilled to introduce these two new awards and to highlight the extraordinary achievements and contributions of our fellow alumni,” said Jamie Malachowski ’09 Hindman, president of the Alumni Association’s executive committee. “They remind us of the incredible talent and generosity within our Susquehanna community, and we hope that will inspire current students to understand that no personal or professional goal is out of reach.”
With these new honors, the university continues to celebrate the achievements of its graduates and strengthen the powerful network that helps define the Susquehanna experience.
The Alumni Association Board accepts year-round nominations for the Emerging Champion and Exceptional Champion awards, and honorees are celebrated at signature events. Learn more and submit a nomination at susqu.edu/alumni.
