Centenary University Honors 24 Students at Annual Academic and Student Leadership Awards Ceremony

Advisor also recognized at event recognizing academic and extracurricular contributions to the University and service to the local community 

HACKETTSTOWN, NJ, April 21, 2025—Centenary University recognized 24 students, as well as an advisor, at the annual Academic and Student Leadership Awards Ceremony on April 16. The ceremony celebrated outstanding academic and extracurricular contributions to the University and surrounding communities. 

“The students honored at this event are academic and extracurricular leaders who have distinguished themselves at Centenary University,” said Vice President for Academic Affairs Robert Battistini, Ph.D. “They inspire fellow students to strive for excellence in the classroom, and later in graduate school and the workforce. We’re extremely proud of their success.”

Vice President for Campus Life and Dean of Students Kerry Mullins agreed: “These students have committed themselves to excellence in both scholarship and service to our campus community, as well as to our local community.” 

During the ceremony, Hopatcong resident Juliana Belar, associate director of athletics and senior woman administrator, was presented with the Advisor of the Year Award. In addition, the University’s Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) was recognized with the Outstanding Community Engagement Group Award.

Individual student award recipients are: 

New Jersey

Cape May County

Cape May—Liana Wallace, Raymond Sloan Scholarship in the Arts

Essex County

Irvington—Jordan Henderson, Lotte Honors Award 

Newark—Erin Cooper, the Douglas Wolfe Turrell Community Service Award; Osaivbie Igiebor, Certificate of Recognition 

Hudson County

Bayonne—Anisa Powell, Seay Honors Award

Jersey City—Faith Kitchens, Greek Leadership Award

Kearny—Kristine Correa, First-Generation Student of the Year Award

Hunterdon County

Flemington—Ashley Carosella, Red Knot Award

Hampton—Madison Trevaskiss, Resident Assistant of the Year Award

Morris County

Long Valley—Nicolas Radovanic, First-Generation Valedictorian

Millington—Michael Rodriguez, Elaine Stewart Tyrrell Memorial Scholarship

Mount Olive—Kai A. Vialva, the Eugene A. Noble Award

Riverdale—Jasmine Sampong, the Catapano Family Community Service Award

Passaic County

Bloomingdale—Madison Passanante, the Douglas Wolfe Turrell Community Service Award

Somerset County

Basking Ridge—Claire Lodato, Cathleen Benedict Memorial Scholarship

Franklin Park—Troy Sumpter, the Centenary Spirit Cyclone Award

Warren County

Columbia—Gabriella Walaszczyk, Richard A. Dennis Scholarship

Hackettstown—Chris Catanzaro, Susan Bao Enactus Scholarship; Maria J. Franco, President of the Year Award; Kayla Sampong, Elizabeth Dickinson Dunlap Scholarship; and Alexandra Zeich, James Gregory Smith Scholarship

Hardwick—Kayla Senzig, Harry Strickhausen Endowed Memorial Scholarship

Port Murray—Eva E. Estrada, Bertha Florey Sloan Scholarship in Business 

California

Norca—Jenn Thistlethwaite, Jane Barbara Thomas Scholarship in Fashion Merchandising

ABOUT CENTENARY UNIVERSITY                                             

Centenary University offers extraordinary learning opportunities that empower students to develop intellectually, emotionally, and interculturally—keys to career and personal success. Under the leadership of President Dale Caldwell, Ed.D., the University aspires to advance its reputation as a world class institution offering innovative programs, including the world’s first Master of Arts in Happiness Studies, to lift the future for our students and local communities.