On Monday, April 28, the Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry, and Physics celebrated the outstanding achievements of its students at its Annual Awards Banquet, co-hosted by the American Chemical Society and Gamma Sigma Epsilon student chapters.

Among those in attendance were Dr. Tim Ireland, university provost and vice president for Academic Affairs; Dr. Pete Butera, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; and Drs. Virginia Glazier and Cassie Marnocha from the biology department.

Several graduating seniors were recognized for their excellence in academics and research:

• Outstanding Pre-health Student: Michael Trapasso
• Outstanding Chemical Education Student: Raegan Lawton
• Top Chemistry Minor: Corinne Kleiner
• Top Chemistry Major - Bachelor of Arts: Isabella Peroni
• Top Chemistry Major - Bachelor of Science: Sarah Waldmiller
• Top Biochemistry Major: Anyanka Katz
• Research Achievement Award: Morgan Hildreth

In addition to senior awards, students from across all class years were honored for their academic accomplishments:

• Top Freshman Student: Faith Leader
• Top Sophomore Student: Isabella Nakhla
• Top Junior Student: Adrian Martinez, Elise Spence, and Zachary Holmes (triple tie with 4.0 GPA)

Faculty also presented awards for outstanding performance in individual courses:

• General Chemistry: Emma Schoenrock
• Organic Chemistry: Gabriella Butera
• Analytical Chemistry: Bethany Mangioni
• Biochemistry: Elise Spence
• Physical Chemistry: Zachary Holmes
• Physics: Patrick Hennegan

The department also celebrated new inductees into Gamma Sigma Epsilon, the national chemistry honor society, which recognizes exceptional achievement in chemistry. Eight students were inducted this year:

• Morgan Hildreth
• Adrian Martinez
• Bethany Mangioni
• Raegan Lawton
• Molly Handrich
• Chloe Briggs
• Patrick Hennegan
• Isabella Nakhla

Dr. Cassie Marnocha, associate professor of biology and director of environmental science, was also inducted for her contributions to interdisciplinary research and education.

Gamma Sigma Epsilon was founded in 1919 and became a co-educational honor society in 1931. Today, it includes 92 chapters across the country and has welcomed more than 20,000 members. Niagara University's Kappa Kappa chapter was established in 2008 and is currently led by Dr. Luis Sanchez, associate professor and chair of the Department of Biochemistry, Chemistry, and Physics.