Dr. Richard Sayers, coordinator of the Honors Program, with Molly Mills, Jessica Nines, Meghan Hawn, Jiselle Oteyza, Faith Cook, and David Fisher. These students and three others (Jordan Deegan, Tristan Tarringer and Austin Taylor) completed the University Honors Program.

	Danielle Caratello was named valedictorian of the Class of 2015.
	Elizabeth Anderson received academic awards for English literature and secondary education.
	Roberta Pichini, Esq. ’77 delivered the keynote address.

Neumann University recognized more than 40 students at the annual Academic Awards Convocation on April 24 in the Meagher Theatre. Thirty academic awards, six special awards, nine Honors Programs certificates, and the valedictory and salutary medals were presented.

Valedictorian honors went to Danielle Caratello, an Education major, while Lauren Shipman received the salutary medal. Caratello was also one of five students to receive the Kelly Vaughan Chase Memorial Academic Award for achievement in Education.

Elizabeth Anderson and Richard Tutak received two awards each. Anderson won two academic awards: the Sister Jeanette Clare McDonnell, OSF Award for Excellence in English Literature and the Sister Theodore Klingseisen, OSF Award for Excellence in Secondary Education. Tutak received the Sister Elaine Martin, OSF Award for Excellence in History and Political Science and the Sister Jordan Marie Goeke, OSF Presidential Ambassador Academic Award.

For a full list of award winners, click HERE.

Roberta D. Pichini, Esq. '77 delivered the keynote address. Pichini is a partner in the firm of Feldman Shepherd Wohlglernter Tanner Weinstock & Dodig LLP and is the first woman in Pennsylvania to be invited to both the International Academy of Trial Lawyers and the American College of Trial Lawyers. Her colleagues have voted her one of the top 100 attorneys in Pennsylvania.

She reminded the students and their families of Neumann's mission, based upon the belief that knowledge is a gift to be shared in the service of others. Robert F. Kennedy, she said, defined each act of service as "a tiny ripple of hope," urging the graduates to create such ripples of hope in their lives.