News and Notes About Simsbury College Students

SIMSBURY, CT - Here are some recent awards and honors received by college students from Simsbury, as provided by readMedia Newswire.

Emerson College Graduation

On Sunday, May 8, Karla Maddy of Simsbury graduated from Emerson College. Maddy earned a BA in Writing, Lit and Publishing.

At Emerson's 136th Commencement ceremony, approximately 970 bachelor's degrees were conferred during the undergraduate exercises and more than 350 master's degrees were conferred during the graduate exercises.

Coastal Carolina University Graduation

Emily Forzono, of Simsbury, was among 1,100 candidates for graduation at Coastal Carolina University's commencement ceremonies on May 6 and 7, 2016. Forzono graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in marine science.

Worcester Polytechnic Institute's Salisbury Prize

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) has announced that Omesh Kamat of Simsbury, a senior majoring in mechanical engineering, has been awarded the university's Salisbury Prize for academic excellence.

A total of 20 undergraduate students -- out of a class of more than 900 -- were nominated by WPI faculty to receive this award. The Salisbury Prize was instituted in 1871 by Stephen Salisbury, a 19th century businessman and philanthropist who was one of the founders of WPI. Salisbury established the award to recognize outstanding members of the senior class "who have faithfully, industriously, and with distinguished attainment" completed all course and project requirements for the bachelor's degree.

Research Poster Presented at CREATE Conference

More than 250 talented students at Eastern Connecticut State University presented research and creative work at the university's second annual CREATE conference this past April. CREATE stands for Celebrating Research Excellence and Artistic Talent at Eastern, and is the university's premier, academic year-end showcase. At the culminating event, students of all majors presented professional posters, live music, dance performances, artwork, photography, documentaries and panel discussions.

Craig Williams '17 of Simsbury, who majors in Social Work, presented a research poster at the event. Williams' research, conducted alongside four other classmates, was titled "Stress and Stimulants on ECSU's Campus."

Tau Upsilon Alpha National Honor Society

The Assumption College Department of Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies (HSRS) has announced that Claire Keating, of Simsbury, has become a member of the Human Services National Honor Society, Tau Upsilon Alpha. Keating, a member of the class of 2017, was inducted into the honor society earlier in the spring semester.

"The purpose of Tau Upsilon Alpha is to honor academic excellence, to foster lifelong learning, leadership, and development; and to promote excellence in service to humanity," said Susan M. Scully-Hill, Ph.D., advisor of the honor society. She serves as chairperson of the Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies program and interim coordinator of the Rehabilitation Counseling program at Assumption.

Tau Upsilon Alpha is active with a variety of service events and awareness-raising events to benefit people living with disabilities and other challenging life situations. In order to qualify, students must be an HSRS major or minor and have a 3.25 overall grade point average.

Social Work Honor Society

A number of Social Work majors at Eastern Connecticut State University were recently inducted into Eastern's chapter of Phi Alpha, the national social work honor society.

Brianna Lopez '16 of West Simsbury was one of the inductees.

The society provides a closer bond among students of social work and promotes humanitarian goals and ideals. Phi Alpha fosters high standards of education for social workers and invites into membership those who have attained excellence in scholarship and achievement.