Student leaders honored at banquet

The 2024-2025 editorial staff of the 1851 Chronicle (L-R) Elliot Pototsky, Jacob Lustig, Hanna Babek, Caitlin Orsino, Michael Curran, and Ryan Ruane pose after winning Student Organization of the Year. Photo by Jenna Sargent

On the evening of April 15, de Witt Hall played host to the 2025 Student Leadership Awards Banquet, where undergraduate students across Lasell University’s five schools were honored for their outstanding work on campus.

Planned by the Office of Student Activities and Orientation, the event centered around the presentation of 19 total awards, as well as the announcement of the 2025 undergraduate student commencement speaker, the Lamp yearbook dedication, and the newly-elected 2025-2026 Student Government Association (SGA) executive board.

The first award of the night, the Commitment to Service Award, recognized senior graphic design major Erin Tilley for her work with Lasell Votes.

Seven Lasell Bowl awards were presented to students for their exceptional efforts in academic and extracurricular pursuits. The students recognized included senior psychology major Jade Durkee, senior interdisciplinary studies major Inés Dupupet, junior english major Emma White, senior forensic science major Mia Sullivan-Sanders, senior sports communication major Elliot Pototsky, senior english major Amanda Brochhausen, and sophomore fashion design and production major Atllas Stone.

Lasell Village residents Kay Sloan and Caroline Schastny honored senior fashion design and production major Shelby Palazetti and first-year corporate finance major Yanckelee Berrouet with the Anne Doyle Book Award. Named after the former president of the Village, this award recognizes students who have formed significant connections with Villagers.

The Lasell University Alumni Association awarded scholarships to junior applied mathematics major Jacob Lustig, junior criminal justice major Delvarie Moore, junior graphic design major Nick Fernandes, and sophomore psychology major Jillian Welby.

The Leadership in Equity and Inclusion Award was presented to senior fashion design and production major Lyric Miller, who has served as a resident assistant for Case House and assisted in creating the community organization Club Case.

Junior sociology major Savanah Brooks was named the Michael B. Alexander Student Leader of the Year, an award named after the former president in recognition of his passion for the student body’s dedication to extracurriculars and community service. Brooks was honored and surprised to receive the recognition, and shared her appreciation for the entire event, which was the first to be organized by Director of the Office of Student Activities and Orientation Amanda Knight.

“Amanda did an amazing job planning and organizing her first banquet at Lasell, de Witt Hall looked beautiful,” Brooks said. “Being the recipient of the Michael B. Alexander Student Leader of the Year Award is truly an honor. I have so much love and respect for Lasell activities and the Campus Activities Board, and truly was not expecting to receive the award!”

Senior criminal justice major Ryan Ruane was announced to be the spring 2025 undergraduate student commencement speaker. Senior elementary education major Sarah Mendes presented the Lamp yearbook dedication to associate professor of education Amy Maynard. The 1851 Chronicle was announced as the 2025 Student Organization of the Year.

Senior elementary education major Isabelle Conway was presented with two of the night’s most notable honors: the Thomas E.J. de Witt Spirit Award, given by SGA representatives, and the Lasell Chair, a prestigious award for a highly notable record of service to the institution.

“I was first shocked then so honored to receive the two awards,” Conway said. “Most importantly, I felt such a sense of gratitude for every Lasell friend, faculty, and staff that has uplifted me here to this point. I am so proud of myself and thankful to be awarded!”