2023 Student Awards

2023 STUDENT AWARDS BANQUET
THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2023
Chestnut Room, Kilcawley Center
6:00 P.M.

The Student Awards Banquet is a very special night because we celebrate the many outstanding students, organizations and support staff that have helped make the 2022-23 school year such a resounding success. Each year this event is sponsored by Student Government, Student Affairs, and Student Activities.

All student and organizational awards, Student Affairs and Student Government Association awards are given that night.  Some of the highlighted awards include the AVI Leadership Scholarships, Hirsch-Satrum Leadership Scholarships, Emerging Leader Program recognition, Student Government’s Awards, Presidential Mentors and most notably concludes with the YSU Pin Awards.

Since 1948 the award has been a distinguished part of Youngstown State University’s rich tradition. The YSU Pin Award recognizes up to five graduating seniors annually who have achieved academic success and demonstrated outstanding leadership, motivation, and creativity in university and community activities.

Honorees will receive their awards at the Annual Student Awards Banquet, scheduled for Thursday, April 27, 2023. 

2022-2023 Award Recipients Listed Below:

Orion Award
Outstanding Student Organization

African and Caribbean Student Union
Tafadzwa Mapiki, President


Constellation Award
Outstanding University-Wide Program

Muslim Student Association
“Fast-a-Thon”
Layali Kusuni, President


Nova Award
Most Promising New Campus Organization

The National Society for Leadership and Success
Cassandra Snopik, President


Club Sport of the Year
Presented by Campus Recreation: Outstanding Club Both On and Off the Field of Play

Tennis Club
Emily Vo, President


Club Sports Member of the Year
Presented by Campus Recreation: For an Athlete with Strong Leadership Skills and the Respect of their Peers

Jacob Stack, President, Men's Baseball Club


Libra Award
Outstanding Advisor Award

American Sign Language Club
Jessica Basile, Part-Time Faculty Foreign Languages & Literature


Mentor Award
For Faculty/Staff Member Who has Contributed the Most to the Development of a YSU Student

Jennifer Frank, Part-Time Faculty Criminal Justice & Consumer Sciences


The DeCrane-Houser Memorial Scholarship
Presented by the Newman Center: In Memory of Father DeCrane & Judge Houser

Joseph Carlini
Anton Donghia


Cardinal Newman Service Award
Presented by the Newman Center: For a Graduating Senior For Service to the Newman Center, Catholic Penguins and YSU Community

Madison Kirshner


Kocinski Award
In Honor of Marilyn Kocinski, Recognizing Leadership, Artistry and Creativity in Dance

Destiny Magee


AVI Leadership Scholarship
For Outstanding Undergraduate Campus Leaders

Julie Centofanti
Korey Kihm
Adeline Whaley


Hirsch-Satrum Leadership Scholarship
For Outstanding Undergraduate Campus Leaders

Tafadzwa Mapiki
Jordan Pintar
Cassandra Snopik
Theresa Stolpa


Multicultural Leadership Award

Victoria Oluwasoorefunmi Olayiwola


Sirius Award
For Student Employee of the Year

Kira Bowman
Clayton Ketterer


Gina Tenney Memorial Scholarship
Presented to a Sophomore enrolled in the College of Creative Arts & Communication

Shirley Hill


Bernadine Marinelli Memorial Scholarship
Presented to an outstanding student supervisor in Student Experience in memory of an exceptional educator and student advocate.

Faith Blankenship
Patrick Donofrio
Zoe Finsley
Abigail Joseph
Tafadzwa Mapiki
Charles Quinn


Emerging Leader Program
Recognition of Completing the Emerging Leader Program

Kabir Abdullahi
Lucy Allen
Leah Brennen
Isabella Butchko
Ciarah Candelario
Sydney Cea
Jeremy Dang
Hannah Dennewitz
Vincent DeSanto
Emma Gniewecki
Rayvin Gorrell
Yara Habo
Anahni Harris
LeeAnn Harsha
Alannah Hetzel
Raeghan Hilton
Ashley James
George Kerg
Zainab Khanzada
Adil Nusair
Chelda Okeke
Victoria Oluwasoorefunmi Olayiwola
Jordan Pintar
Abigail Rader
Bella Spencer
Jessica St. Laurent
Jenna Wagner
Adeline Whaley
Saad Yousuf


Student Service Award
In Recognition of Exceptional Service to Students

Dr. Kristin Bruns, Associate Professor, College Counseling and Student Affairs Coordinator

Student Experience Facilities Team:

Kenneth Brown, Maintenance Repair Worker, Facilities
Paul Cetor, Building Maintenance Supervisor, Facilities
Chris Latimer, Maintenance Repair Worker, Facilities
Bohdan Lyubuska, Maintenance Repair Worker, Facilities
Dan Mohler, Maintenance Repair Worker, Facilities


Edna K. McDonald Cultural Awareness Award
In Recognition of Contributions Made to Cultural Diversity

Manav Ashish Desai, Student
Dr. Nicole Pettitt, Associate Professor, English & World Languages


Gillespie-Painter Award
For Outstanding Achievement in Support of Student Affairs

Erin Hungerman, Assistant Dean of Students for Community Standards, Advocacy, and Conduct
Dalton Korda, Coordinator, Operations and Event Services, Kilcawley Center Student Union


Dr. Luke N. Zaccaro Award
Presented by the YSU Student Government Association: For Exceptional Service to the University and Fellow Students

Elsa Khan


Dr. Charles McBriarty Award
Presented by the YSU Student Government Association: To an Exceptional Student-Oriented Staff Member

Marty Hyden, Senior Athletic Academic Advisor, Intercollegiate Athletics


Smith-Murphy Award
Presented by the YSU Student Government Association: To a Faculty Member Going Above and Beyond the Call of Duty

Dorian Mermer, Senior Lecturer, Department of Communication


Rebecca Banks Spirit Award
Presented by the YSU Student Government Association: For Outstanding Enthusiasm for the Work of the Student Government Association and the Campus Community

Rayvin Gorrell
Charles Sayre, Jr.


President Cynthia Anderson Lifetime Achievement Award
Presented by the YSU Student Government Association: For Extended Commitment and Dedication to Serving the Student Body

Nickiforos Mastorides


John J. Gocala Sr. Service Award
Presented by the YSU Student Government Association: For Going Above and Beyond to Serve the Traditions of Youngstown State University

Maguire Franko


Dr. Martin T. “Marty” Manning Award
Presented by the YSU Student Government Association: To an Exceptional Student Mentor

Eric Haake, Lecturer, Mechanical, Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering Department


Harry M. Meshel Legacy Award
Presented by the YSU Student Government Association: For Commitment to Public Service for the Greater Youngstown Community

Lauren Maciag


Erin E. Driscoll Empowerment Award
Presented by the YSU Student Government Association: For an Exceptional Student Organization Advisor

Erin E. Driscoll, Executive Director, Student Experience & Residence Life


YSU Pin Award
For Outstanding Graduating Student Leaders

Oluwatumininu Adeeko
Maguire Franko
Elsa Khan 
Galena Lopuchovsky
Clay Miller


Presidential Mentor
Recognition of Serving as a Presidential Mentor

Dominic Adams
Oluwatumininu Adeeko
Madylyn Aulbach
Gianna Battaglia
Dylan Brown
Zakria Chandio
Haley Dorion
Angelo Elia
Annabelle Himes
Elsa Khan
Bryan Kordupel
Ivan Ladutska
Faith Marscio
Timothy McClelland
Jordan Miller
Donquail Mims
Nadia Pace
Alexander Papa
Aubree Peterson-Spanard
Jennifer Rakowski
Samuel Restivo
Julianna Sandine
Cassidy Unger