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Announcement of 2008 SOE Merwick and Chekouras Awards

Dr. Beverly Gulley, Dean of the School of Education, is proud to announce the winners of the 2008 Sister Mary Dominic Merwick Outstanding Undergraduate Award and the 2008 Sister M. Irenaeus Chekouras Outstanding Graduate Award.

The Sister Mary Dominic Merwick Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award recognizes an undergraduate student of high academic achievement, exemplary student teaching, and service to education. 

Jennifer Pietruszynski has been named the Merwick Award winner for 2008.

Ms. Pietruszynski, a student in Elementary Education, was described as having excellent rapport with adults and students; someone who understands her subject matter, pacing, and development issues; "a real star."  Her nominator said she was one of the most outstanding students he has encountered during his many years of teaching.  He commented that, having known the late Sr. Mary Dominic Merwick, he is confident that Ms. Pietruszynski would have earned Sr. Dominic's approval as the outstanding undergraduate student.  Her cooperating teacher described her as an extremely caring and dedicated professional with a genuine concern for helping children succeed. 

The Sister M. Irenaeus Chekouras Outstanding Graduate Student Award recognizes a graduate student of high academic achievement, service to education, and outstanding contribution to scholarship, based on excellence in writing as evidenced by a research project or other scholarly paper.

Lilly Ruvolo has been named the Chekouras Award winner for 2008.

The committee recognized Ms. Ruvolo's academic achievement of a 4.0 GPA in the Multicategorical Special Education graduate program, and the outstanding quality of her published paper, "The Importance of Incorporating Visual Literacy Skills in the Classroom."  The committee also took note of her service to her community.  A faculty member described her as having excellent understanding of the teaching and learning paradigm with a great deal to offer to the education profession.  Another faculty member described her as "the kind of problem solver that we want to teach our children, especially children with special needs."

The School of Education is proud to recognize Jennifer Pietruszynski and Lilly Ruvolo as outstanding students and examples of the SOE conceptual framework: Preparing scholars, lifelong learners, leaders, and reflective professionals who are dedicated to the pursuit of excellence.

Dean Gulley and the School of Education faculty and staff join in congratulating Ms. Pietruszynski and Ms. Ruvolo. Both winners will be honored at the University Awards Ceremony on April 16, 2008.