Stepping Up Day and Student Recognition Awards
Springfield College hosted the 92nd Annual Stepping Up Day Ceremony and Student Recognition Awards on Monday, April 9, 2018 in the Fuller Arts Center.
At this year's ceremony was the presentation of the following awards:
Outstanding first-year student - Frederick Clark - This award honors a first-year student who has embraced campus life and volunteer opportunities, has demonstrated a commitment to the Humanics philosophy, and shown the potential to succeed as a leader in service to humanity.
Outstanding sophomore - Shamar Martin - This award recognizes a sophomore who has taken an active leadership role on campus and, through this role, has affected positive change on campus or in the larger community.
Outstanding junior - Andrew Papirio - This award is presented to a junior who has consistently been involved in activities demonstrating leadership in service to humanity, and who has the ability to think critically and assess personal strengths and weaknesses in reflective and interactive practice.
Outstanding senior - Nicole Rigby - This award is presented to a senior who has consistently been involved in activities demonstrating leadership in service to humanity, and who has the ability to think critically and assess personal strengths and weaknesses in reflective and interactive practice.
Class of '57 Outstanding Senior Leadership Chair - Kailee Oakes - This award honors a senior who has demonstrated the ability to work as an effective group member and group leader, has made significant contributions to the community, and has an understanding and appreciation of the opportunities and challenges in a world that is increasingly diverse, multicultural, and international. This award was established in 2002 with generous contributions from members of the Class of 1957.
Class of '63 Senior Award - Jezavya Rivera
Outstanding Graduate Student - Aboshioma Obemeata - This award recognizes a graduate student who has taken an active leadership role on campus and, through this role, has affected positive change on campus or in the larger community.
With Stepping Up Day, the first-year students take a step up, sophomores become juniors, juniors become seniors, and seniors become alumni.
The spring of 1926 saw the first Stepping Up Day, which replaced the old "Decapitation Day" exercises, when the freshmen were allowed to remove their green beanies.
This year's ceremony started with remarks from Student Government Association President Lauren Buckley '19, and Springfield College President Mary-Beth Cooper.
President Cooper also led the swearing in of Student Trustee Samantha Dumas '19.
As part of the Stepping Up Ceremony, class presidents, Sarah Carucci '19, Bobby Bordieri '20, and Stephen Backman '21 were sworn in by Vice President for Student Affairs Shannon Finning.
