Susquehanna University honored students, faculty and staff with Leadership Awards in honor of their dedication to the university and the broader community. Established in 1993 and supported by the Baylor Family Endowment, the Leadership Awards reflect a longstanding commitment to recognizing meaningful contributions.
“We wouldn’t have the campus community we have without the leadership of our students, faculty and staff,” said Lauren Crouse, associate director of Leadership & Engagement at Susquehanna University. “We thank the Baylor family for their continued reinforcement of the value of personal development both inside and outside the classroom.”
Mary Markle Outstanding Contribution to Intercultural Awareness Award
2026 Leadership Awards were presented to:
Kiara De Silva ’27
Baylor Leadership Award: This award is presented to a student who best exemplifies strong leadership qualities and is dedicated to both academic and extracurricular activities.
Autumn Grace ’27
Creator of the Year: This award honors a student’s outstanding effort, time and creativity in building community through decor and other elements enhancing residential life.
Phi Mu Delta and Alpha Lambda Delta
Dorothy M. Anderson Service Organization of the Year: This award recognizes an organization’s impact on campus and in the local community.
Krista Troiani, Assistant Professor of Management
Dorothy M. Anderson SGA Faculty of the Year: This award recognizes a faculty member who has distinguished themselves through instructional excellence, community involvement and outstanding teaching in and out of the classroom.
Taylor Poelma ’26
Emily E. Bowling Outstanding Student Career in Service Award: This award honors a student who has consistently committed themselves to service throughout their time at Susquehanna.
Maggie Bachman ’26
Emma Cook Outstanding Community Engagement Award: This award honors a student staff member whose efforts foster lasting connections, boost peer engagement and positively impact their residence hall and the wider campus community.
Eowyn Thompson ’29 and Brian Ferrao Saldanha ’28
First‑Generation Impact Award: This award recognizes students who are the first in their families to attend college and who often navigate unique challenges with resilience, determination and courage.
Dawn Benfer, General Manager, WQSU
Joel L. Cunningham Award for Outstanding Service-Learning Faculty Member of the Year: This award honors a faculty member who goes above and beyond to connect classroom learning with community impact.
Gavin Rine ’27
Lynn H. Askew Student Volunteer of the Year: This award honors a student who has made a significant and unique impact through service to both the SU campus and our local community.
Lucy Honeywell ’27
Michele A. DeMary Class Council Member of the Year: This award recognizes a student who has demonstrated exceptional dedication, leadership and impact within their class council.
Kris Brown, Director, Campus Safety
Tracy M. Tyree Outstanding Student Life Staff Member: This award honors a Student Life staff member who exemplifies dedication, advancing co-curricular learning, student development, and growth through exceptional achievement, leadership and service.
Reece Knorr ’27
Resident Assistant of the Year: This award honors a resident assistant whose dedication and impact go above and beyond in fostering a positive and supportive living environment
John Stites ’28
Resident Assistant Rookie of the Year: This award honors a new resident assistant who quickly learns and applies knowledge to support peers, demonstrating initiative and building a strong, connected residence hall community.
Rylee Baker ’27
Winifred Shaheen Senator of the Year: This award acknowledges the achievements of a senator or class officer each year.
Isaiah Snyder, Kylar Saylor, Marty Zeigler and Serina De Silva
Outstanding First-Year Students
Sakina Balavenkatesan, Dylan Cummins, Madeline Davis, Bronwyn Lucyszyn, Olivia Ormsby and Lily Warshaw
Outstanding Sophomores
Benjamin Boeshore, Sebastian Caraballo, Harrison Karsch, Ajani Lomax, Alexis Moyer and Joel Perez Oliveras
Outstanding Juniors
Ella Baker, Quinn Conrey, Hannah Foust, Regan Kane, Victoria Milburn, Kimoy Reid, Syndey Renner and Nicholas Scarmozzino
Outstanding Seniors
Hannah Garlin ’27 (field hockey) and Audric Washington ’26 (basketball)
Leadership in Athletics
Kathryn Hucaluk ’27 (Kappa Delta)
Greek Member of the Year
Jonathan Ulicny ’27 (Theta Chi)
Greek Excellence in Service
Alpha Delta Pi, Kappa Delta, Phi Mu Delta, Pi Kappa Phi, Sigma Kappa, Theta Chi, Tau Kappa Epsilon and Zeta Tau Alpha
Greek Excellence in Scholarship
Alpha Lambda Delta and Phi Mu Delta
Dorothy M. Anderson Service Organization of the Year
Isabella Fallon ’26, Luxury Brand Marketing Club
Organizational President of the Year
Toluwani Bakare ’27
Mary Markle Outstanding Contribution to Intercultural Awareness Award
River Queens
Outstanding Organization Award
Maxwell Peifer ’26
Student Employee Impact Award
Frank Crofchick, Director, Leadership & Engagement
Students‑First Champion (Special Recognition)
Olivia Weaver ’26
Sustainability Leadership Award
Lemon Akhtar ’28
Violence Prevention Student Advocate of the Year
Sophia Lozada‑Delzell ’27
New Program Initiative: This award recognizes a new program that has made a meaningful impact on our campus community.
Linda Burkley, Lecturer in Communications
Beth Winger Advisor of the Year: This award recognizes an organizational advisor who has contributed outstanding service and helped their organization grow exponentially.
