More than 100 Barry University students recognized at annual Honors Convocation

Contact: Whitney Sessa
(305) 899-4877

On Friday, May 7, more than 100 Barry University students were awarded for their academic, leadership and service achievements at Barry’s annual Honors Convocation, hosted by the Honors Committee of the Faculty Senate. During the ceremony, held at Barry’s Cor Jesu Chapel, faculty and deans from four of the university’s schools and its two colleges recognized exceptional students with Dean’s Awards, the St. Catherine Medal, honor society recognitions and writing and scholarship awards.

In addition to recognizing academic achievements, the Honors Convocation also reflects the Barry mission by also honoring students’ community service and professional and spiritual development. Two Barry students, Kelsa Bartley, a senior, and Vanessa Thomas, a junior, were awarded the St. Catherine Medal. The award, sponsored by Kappa Gamma Pi, the National Catholic College Graduate Honor Society, honors sophomore, junior or senior students who represent the high ideals of a Catholic college education by demonstrating leadership and service to Barry and the local community.

Bartley, a photography major and a student in the Honors Program, was selected for the St. Catherine Medal in the senior category for her extensive student involvement at Barry, working in Barry’s Admissions Office as a Student Ambassador, serving as a member of the Alumni Association and Phi Eta Sigma and Delta Epsilon Iota honor societies, and founding the Aperture Student Association Photography Club, among other activities. Bartley was also chosen for her dedication to serving the community, volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, Relay for Life and also teaching photography to Liberty City youth as part of her Honors thesis project.

Thomas, who is double majoring in Education and Spanish, is also an Honors Program student who has demonstrated leadership and service both at Barry and in the local community. She serves as president of Barry’s chapter of the American Sign Language Club, vice president of Alpha Mu Gamma Honor Society and secretary for the Honors Program Student Advisory Board. She also volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters, Hands On Miami and Habitat for Humanity.

Please find below a list of Dean’s Awards winners announced at the Honors Convocation:

DEAN’S AWARDS

College of Arts and Sciences

Sciences and Math
Emily Hanna (Major: Biology)
João Luna (Major: Chemistry)

Behavioral and Social Sciences
Kristine Siebken (Major: Psychology)

College of Health Sciences

Lydia Rivera (Major: Nursing)

School of Adult and Continuing Education
Lisa Leger (Major: Professional Administration)

School of Business
Sarah E. Simpson (Major: Accounting)

School of Human Performance and Leisure Science
Sandra L. Miller (Major: Exercise Science)

School of Social Work
I’Lisa Russell (Major: Social Work)