At Binghamton University, student excellence extends outside the classroom to involvement in student organizations, community engagement and on-campus jobs. Students continually go above and beyond to get involved on and off campus, take on leadership roles and make Binghamton a vibrant, welcoming community.

To applaud and recognize just some of the outstanding students who contribute to Binghamton's culture, the Division of Student Affairs hosted the annual Binghamton University Student Awards Gala on May 7 at the Holiday Inn in downtown Binghamton.

Nominees, nominators and special guests enjoyed hors d'oeuvres and music at a welcome reception.

The evening began with a welcome reception featuring hors d'oeuvres and music, followed by a plated dinner for the nominees, nominators and special guests. Baxter the Bearcat also made his rounds in a custom tuxedo. Vice President for Student Affairs Brian Rose thanked all of the nominated students for their engagement and involvement on campus.

"You make this University an extraordinary place to work, to attend school and to teach," he said, "and not only do you strengthen the University itself, you strengthen Binghamton as a community. Your example will inspire the students we will recognize here next year at this ceremony."

Throughout dinner, the following awards were presented.

Al Vos Excellence in Community Engagement

Madison Boss

Boss joined the New York State Mentoring Program as a first-year student and later founded the NYS Mentoring Club at Binghamton University. Additionally, through the Cornell University Contribution Project, she was awarded funding to assemble care packages for families in need in the Binghamton area. Finally, she has served as a campus ambassador for Gift of Life, educating students about the lifesaving potential of stem cell donation and encouraging them to join the registry.

Excellence in Community Engagement (Organization)

Binghamton Panhellenic Council

Through its annual philanthropic events, the council raised over $21,000 for the Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital in Syracuse. This year, the council additionally created a partnership with the YWCA, hosting two women's empowerment fundraisers and donating a portion of their recruitment registration charge to the organization. For the past 10 years, through a partnership with the Center for Civic Engagement, the council hosted a pen pal program with third-graders from Windsor Central School District, which culminates in a daylong event on campus where the pen pals get to meet and participate in various activities and games.

Excellence in Civic Engagement

Akira Kopec

As an Andrew Goodman Foundation Vote Everywhere Ambassador, Kopec has worked tirelessly to organize voter education events, panels and discussions. Additionally, as an editorial writer for the Pipe Dream newspaper, Kopec has contributed insightful opinion pieces that demonstrate her ability to engage in thoughtful discussions and use writing as a tool to raise awareness and advocate for change.

Bearcat of the Year (First-year)

Dimitri Mohamed

An engineering design major, Mohamed has excelled academically during his first year at Binghamton. He is a member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, the Binghamton Unmanned Vehicle Club, the Binghamton Climbing Club and the American Red Cross, and he is working toward earning his radio show license to become a DJ for WHRW radio station. On top of all this, he has started a small tutoring business with the aim of educating students from elementary school through college.

Bearcat of the Year (Transfer)

Shirley Morocho Mendez

Mendez is a member of the pre-medical association and participated in the Emerging Leaders Program as part of the Public Service Knowledge Community, where she maintained partnerships with on-campus offices and local nonprofits including the Broome County Office for Aging, the Addiction Center of Broome County, the Broome County Public Library and the Crime Victims Assistance Center. A biological sciences major, Mendez has demonstrated a desire to design a career path that aligns with her passion for understanding the healthcare needs of diverse populations.

#BingPride Award

Cassandra Kleid

Kleid has worked to spread #BingPride across campus as well as within her residential community in Mountainview College. She is a politics, philosophy and law and history double major, is involved in multiple clubs and e-board positions, is a University tour guide, has been a mentor for the Emerging Leaders Program, is on the University Kickline Team and works in the Fleishman Career Center as a student career influencer intern.

BFirst Resilience Award

Zenab Gabr

Through her hard work, intelligence and perseverance, Gabr was selected to be a "Give Back Scholar." This national scholarship supports students who face multiple barriers to entering college and completing a four-year degree. At Binghamton, Gabr has been a leader in the TRIO Student Support Services program. She was an academic tutor and worked with 80 students as a peer mentor in just the last year.

Campus Recreation Employee of the Year

Vishal Adhav

Adhav leads through consistency, kindness and a sense of ownership. Biking 321 miles, he was a top rider in the annual Fall Frenzy cycling competition. This commitment demonstrates how he shows up to work: fully vested, fully present and always striving to give his best.

Excellence in Fraternity and Sorority Life

Alexa Camillery

Camillery has served in many positions during her sorority career, including Kappa Kappa Gamma senior member experience director, academic excellence committee member and Panhellenic Council president. She has also been an active member of the Binghamton Kickline, as well as a two-time team relations chair for the BaxterThon Dance Marathon. During her time as Panhellenic president, she led her executive board to hold a rewarding Trunk or Treat event for children in the neighborhood of the Main Street American Legion, host a successful Miss Aphrodite pageant raising over $20,000 for the Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital, execute a recruitment process for over 400 interested women, and facilitate the popular pen pal program with Windsor Central School District.

Undergraduate Student Employee of the Year

Innovation and Technology and overall winner

Casey Lau

As program manager for the National Science Foundation-funded Status of Insects Research Coordination Network, Lau implemented a custom-built member database, taught herself HTML to develop an interactive directory, and even used open-source video game software to design a virtual conference space that hosted more than 350 international researchers.

Diversity and Inclusion

John Ferrara

Ferrara has made a lasting impact in the Educational Opportunity Program, supporting students from historically marginalized backgrounds and creating an inclusive space for academic growth.

Leadership

Jacey Ruisi

From her work as a resident assistant to her current role as an apartment assistant, Ruisi has consistently gone above and beyond in fostering community and supporting her peers. She has demonstrated outstanding initiative, from advocating for improvements in her building to organizing engaging events for her fellow students.

Critical Thinking

Caspar Carson

As a biological sciences major and long-time tutor with the Educational Opportunity Program, Carson has shown remarkable problem-solving and decision-making skills in high-demand tutoring environments. His thoughtful, strategic approach has made a lasting impact on the students he supports.

Community Engagement

Jenna Vallone

Vallone serves as an Andrew Goodman Foundation Vote Everywhere Ambassador with the Center for Civic Engagement and is a founding member of Uncommon Grounds, a student-led organization promoting civil dialogue. She has played a vital role in leading voter education initiatives, expanding programming and creating accessible tools to support democratic participation across campus. She has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to empowering others and fostering respectful civic engagement.

Graduate Student Employee of the Year

Matthew Pangburn

Pangburn has worked at the Binghamton University Food Pantry since spring 2020, and his leadership, compassion and dedication have made a lasting impact on both the students he serves and the community at large. He consistently goes above and beyond to support food-insecure students with professionalism and care. His work has not only strengthened the pantry's impact, but also reduced stigma around food access on campus.

Supervisor of the Year

Jane Kallmerten, program coordinator of aquatics in Campus Recreational Services

Kallmerten leads with calm, confidence and compassion, creating an atmosphere where student employees feel supported as both workers and individuals. Her exceptional leadership also earned her a nomination to the Northeast Association of Student Employment Administrators.

Residential Life Community Builder of the Year

Hartin Ferenc Bruncaj

As a dedicated and passionate leader within the Mountainview community, Bruncaj has continuously demonstrated an unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive, engaged and supportive residential environment. Throughout his time in the community as a community assistant and the president of Mountainview College Council, he has helped organize and execute large-scale events and advocated for lasting improvements in the community. Bruncaj has hosted collaborative events with campus partners and cultural organizations, provided education on civic engagement and voting, and raised funds for mental health services in the community. Bruncaj has contributed to community improvements in Mountainview such as a keyboard piano, additional TV equipment and gaming systems for residents in the community.

Student Organization President of the Year

Natalia Budhoo, president of the National Society of Black Engineers

Budhoo has been instrumental in advancing the mission of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) by fostering a culture of inclusivity, engagement and professional development. She has worked hard to ensure every member feels valued and empowered, fostering an environment where individuals can thrive personally and professionally. She was the driving force behind enhancing the organization's community-building initiatives. Another key aspect of her leadership has been her focus on ensuring NSBE's sustainability through effective leadership transitions.

Outstanding Organization of the Year

Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers

The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) conducts an assortment of workshops, seminars and networking events to equip its members with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in their respective fields. The organization's emphasis on mentorship facilitates valuable networks between seasoned professionals and aspiring engineers, fostering a supportive environment for growth and success. Additionally, SHPE encourages students to give back to the community through volunteer activities and outreach programs.

Bearcat Award for Outstanding Service and Support

Colleen Rozelle

Rozelle works tirelessly in her position as the director of Case Management Services (CARE Team) to assist students and inspire them to achieve their full potential. In her role, she is placed in very tough situations and she handles each case with grace and empathy. She is a fantastic collaborator with offices and departments across campus to make sure students have the wraparound support they need.

Jeremy Toulon

As the director of Student Transition and Success, Toulon's leadership style combines person-centeredness with a focus on productivity, creating a work environment that is supportive but always driven. He makes time for each and every person and task, from higher-level administrative duties to meeting with undergraduate students one on one.

Binghamton University Student of Distinction

Clay Jeon

Jeon is a 4.0 GPA student who serves as the Judicial Board Justice for the Student Association and the secretary for NYPIRG (the New York Public Interest Research Group). Serving as the Dickinson Town Council chief financial officer, he is also involved with the Binghamton Policy Project, the Binghamton Pre-Law Education Organization and the Harpur College Undergraduate Student Advisory Council. Jeon was a 2025 undergraduate speaker at the TEDx Conference at Binghamton University speaking on "How Anyone Can Be a Philanthropist" and exploring the accessibility of giving and its role in fostering connected communities, inspiring greater philanthropic sentiment.