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

HACKETTSTOWN, NJ, May 4, 2026—Centenary University recognized 25 students, as well as one student organization and an advisor, at the annual Academic and Student Leadership Awards Ceremony on April 29. The ceremony celebrated outstanding academic and extracurricular contributions to the university and surrounding communities. 

“Tonight we celebrate students who pair strong scholarship with meaningful leadership,” said Vice President for Academic Affairs Thomas Jordan, Ph.D. “Their achievements reflect intellectual curiosity, resilience, and a commitment to serving others—qualities that strengthen our campus and will guide them well beyond Centenary. We congratulate each honoree and thank the faculty, staff, and families who helped make their success possible.”

Senior Vice President for Student Affairs and Administration Kerry Mullins agreed: “Our students lead with purpose, balancing academic excellence with a genuine commitment to caring for one another and giving back beyond our campus. These honorees have strengthened Centenary through their service, integrity, and perseverance, and we are proud to celebrate the difference they are making in our community.” 

During the ceremony, Director of Student Activities Jamie Weingarten of Kendall Park was presented with the Advisor of the Year Award. In addition, Omega Rho fraternity was presented with a Leadership Award, with members Jordan Henderson of Irvington and Jacoby Stewart of Milwaukee, WI, accepting on behalf of the organization.

Individual student award recipients are: 

New Jersey

Bergen County

Rutherford—Anthony Tardibuono, The Centenary Cyclone Spirit Award

Burlington County

Cinnaminson—Erin Clark, Raymond Sloan Scholarship in the Arts

Cumberland County

Bridgeton—Janae Victor, Lotte Honors Award

Essex County

Belleville—Mackenzie Almestica, Elaine Stewart Tyrrell Memorial Scholarship

Irvington—Jordan Henderson, The Douglas Wolfe Turrell Community Service Award

Hunterdon County

Hampton—Maria Ratsimor, The Harry Strickhausen Endowed Memorial Scholarship

Pittstown—David Leone, James Gregory Smith Scholarship

Middlesex County

Perth Amboy—Zaria Moore, First-Generation Student of the Year Award

Morris County

Budd Lake—Kaitlyn Adams, The Harry Strickhausen Endowed Memorial Scholarship

Denville—Pamela Mejia-Medina, The Cathleen Benedict Memorial Scholarship

Long Valley—Poppy Skjonnemand, The Harry Strickhausen Endowed Memorial Scholarship

Riverdale—Jasmine Sampong, The Eugene A. Noble Award; and Kayla Sampong, Seay Honors Award

Rockaway—Valentina Lopez, Resident Assistant of the Year Award

Ocean County

Bayville—Amanda Lorenzo, Greek Leadership Award

Sussex County

Sparta—Callista McKeon, Susan Bao Enactus Scholarship

Union County

Elizabeth—Dhrumil Upadhyay, Elizabeth Dickinson Dunlap Scholarship

New Providence—Nicholas Santacross, Bertha Florey Sloan Scholarship in Business

Warren County

Hackettstown— Alexis d’Ambly, First-Generation Valedictorian; Maria Franco, President of the Year Award; Carmella Vitel, The Catapano Family Community Service Award

Washington—Serafina Lopez, The Red Knot Award 

California

Norco—Jennifer Thistleswaite, Jane Barbara Thomas Scholarship in Fashion Merchandising

New York

Staten Island—Sand Morales, Richard A. Dennis Scholarship

Pennsylvania

Mount Bethel—Carmen Wright, Doris L. Moore Award

Photo Captions:

Photo 1—First-Generation valedictorian Alexis D’Ambly of Hackettstown is congratulated by Centenary University President John R. Schol, D.Min.

Photo 2—Red Knot Award recipient Serafina Lopez of Washington, NJ, is congratulated by Vice President for Academic Affairs Thomas Jordan, Ph.D., left, and Centenary University President John R. Schol, D.Min.

Photo 3—From left, Jacoby Stewart of Milwaukee, WI, and Jordan Henderson of Irvington, accept Leadership Awards on behalf of Omega Rho Fraternity from Centenary University President John R. Schol, D.Min.

ABOUT CENTENARY UNIVERSITY

Founded in 1867 by the United Methodist Church, Centenary University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs grounded in a strong liberal arts foundation and career-focused learning. Located in Hackettstown, New Jersey, with an equestrian center in Washington Township, Centenary provides students with hands-on, personalized educational experiences that prepare them for success in a global and evolving workforce. Guided by its commitment to student success, university vitality, and changing the world, Centenary empowers students to lead lives of purpose, impact, and lifelong achievement.