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Seton Hall University

Servant Leader Scholars Commended at Charter Day  

Father Kay presented the Servant Leader Scholars.

Father Kay presented the Servant Leader Scholars.

The University's 2021 Servant Leader Scholars were recognized at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Charter Day for their commitment to living out Seton Hall University's mission and their dedication to servant leadership.

The Servant Leader Scholars were presented by Father Colin Kay, director of Campus Ministry and interim vice president for Mission and Ministry, who expressed his gratitude for the students' work in the program and remarked on the incredible impact they make. Despite being in the middle of a pandemic, the scholars have managed to complete nearly 1,000 hours of service in the Spring Semester.

"Don't let anyone tell you or say about you that 'you are our future.' You are not our future—you are our present. You are not our tomorrow, you are our today," Fr. Kay said.

The Servant Leaders Scholars Program provides partial scholarships for over 40 students, both graduate and undergraduate, whose academic excellence and commitment to service are exemplary. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA and complete 20 hours of service each semester. The programming offered during each semester develops the students' skills as servant leaders.

Working to further the University's mission of forming servant leaders, this program is offered by the Center for Vocation and Servant Leadership. Seton Hall established the Center in 2003 with a grant from the Lilly Endowment to increase awareness that God calls each of us, and that each call is a call to service.

Among the 47 scholars honored during the event, nine are members of the Class of 2021:

  • Christopher Coppola from West Orange, NJ, studying Spanish and modern languages
  • Cristina Fernandez from Parsippany, NJ, studying biology
  • Bianca Forcucci from Stoughton, MA, studying biology
  • Kellen Murphy from Louisville, KY, studying physics
  • Liem Pham from Triverton, RI, studying biology
  • Abigail Stackhouse from Wharton, NJ, studying biology
  • Brian Sumereau from River Vale, NJ, studying finance
  • Rachel Szeliga from Clifton, NJ, studying finance
  • Kaitlyn Vega from Newark, NJ, studying biology

During their time at Seton Hall, these students have dedicated themselves to service and leadership. "Being a part of the Servant Leader Scholars has taught me so much about what true leadership is," said Liem Pham, a graduating senior. "It's all about being vulnerable with your team and surrounding yourself with people who will inspire you to be better."

Servant Leader Scholars at the graduate level also shared their experiences for Charter Day. The three graduate Servant Leader Scholars are: Emily Osborn of Coxsackie, New York; Taylor Ratcliffe of Allentown, New Jersey; and Luisa Rinaudo of Red Bank, New Jersey.

At the ceremony, Fr. Kay recognized junior, sophomore and freshman Servant Leader Scholars. These individuals include:

Juniors:

  • Olivia Blackwood, Nursing
  • Bethany Davidheiser, Biology
  • Isabel Finan, Nursing
  • Jonathan Lester, Diplomacy and International Relations
  • Kathleen Mahon, Elementary Special Education
  • Katie Mazzarelli, Nursing
  • Audrey Pennington, Communications
  • Marisa Pla, Social and Behavioral Sciences
  • Claudia Romani, PsychologyJared Rubino, Finance
  • Rachael Servidio, Psychology
  • Allison Sumereau, Elementary Special Education
  • Meghan Vizzard, Elementary Special Education
  • Stephanie Wickman, Biology

Sophomores:

  • Melissa Bowker, Biology
  • Clare Donnelly, Secondary Special Education
  • Kylie Heneghan, Nursing
  • Anna Hosri, Biology
  • Catharine Matticola, Marketing
  • Jenna Mustafa, Biology
  • Joshua Novello, Biology
  • Lidia Prusak, Biology
  • Andrew Rogers, Accounting
  • Prescilla Marie Trinidad, Nursing
  • Joseph Valente, Accounting

Freshmen:

  • Jacob Borrillo, Business
  • Jocelyn Duallo, Finance
  • Kelsi Loewen, Biology
  • Jacob Mahon, Finance
  • Josephine McCartney, Finance
  • Cara Mia Norelli, Nursing
  • Peter Noto, Political Science
  • Megan Perumpail, Biology
  • Mary Tiffin, Diplomacy and International Business
  • Maxwell Wheeler, Biology

To see Fr. Kay's full remarks and to learn more about the seniors and graduate students who were recognized, please watch this video from the ceremony.

Categories: Faith and Service, Nation and World

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