Hartwick College

Senior defender Regan Kelly '27 (Warwick, N.Y.) of the Hartwick College Women's Lacrosse team has been named to the prestigious Allstate NACDA Spring Good Works Team, as announced on May 5 by Allstate and NACDA. The Allstate NACDA Good Works Team recognizes student-athletes across NCAA Divisions I, II, and III, as well as NAIA and junior/community colleges, for their outstanding commitment to community service. Honorees are selected across fall, winter, and spring seasons for their impact both on and off the field. Kelly is the first-ever Hartwick student-athlete to obtain this special honor. Kelly joins a select group of 20 student-athletes nationwide who exemplify excellence in athletics, academics, and community engagement. She played a pivotal role in organizing an NMDP "Get in the Game" swab drive on Hartwick's campus, helping add 64 individuals to the bone marrow and stem cell registry. The effort ultimately led to a life-saving match. That impact became deeply personal when Joe Holder, Kelly's boyfriend, was identified as a match and called upon to donate in February. Kelly traveled to Florida to support him throughout the process. Following the successful stem cell donation, Holder received a letter from the recipient's family, a 27-year-old woman, thanking him for giving her a second chance at life. "It is hard to put into words how much I am in awe of Regan's leadership," said Head Women's Lacrosse Coach Nora Fallon-Oben. "She went above and beyond to make the NMDP event happen on our campus, and it has come full circle for her and her family. Through her leadership, our team's efforts, and Joe's selflessness, we were able to help give someone a second chance at life. This honor is a reflection of Regan's commitment to something greater than herself and the integrity she brings to our program every day." Kelly's dedication to cancer advocacy and service is deeply rooted in her own life experiences. When she was nine years old, her father was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a form of blood cancer linked to his work as a New York City firefighter at Ground Zero following the September 11 attacks. He underwent a life-saving bone marrow transplant in 2013, receiving a donation from his sister. Inspired by that experience, Kelly has made it her mission to give back. Her leadership in organizing the campus registry drive created a powerful full-circle moment for both her family and the Hartwick community, demonstrating the life-changing impact of service. Here is Kelly's story in her own words: "When I was 9 years old, my dad was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), a blood cancer caused by his work as a New York City fireman at Ground Zero on 9/11. He needed a bone marrow transplant, and NMDP, previously Be The Match, worked with local organizations and my family to find a donor. In 2013, he received a transplant from his sister, Noreen, which saved his life and changed our family forever. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to work with NMDP and the Hartwick community to give back to an organization that gave so much to my family."

Anthony Ruggiero '29 of Schenectady, N.Y., earned the Empire 8 Men's Volleyball Player of the Week honor on March 16, 2026. The Hartwick College Outside Hitter exploded for a season-high 22 kills, while hitting .488 in a five-set win over E8 foe Houghton University on Saturday. He added 10 digs and three service aces in the victory.

Robby Lucas '29 of Clarks Summit, Pa., earned the Empire 8 Men's Basketball Rookie of the Week honor on Jan. 26, 2026. The Hartwick College first-year guard averaged 19.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game in two narrow losses against St. John Fisher and Nazareth. Lucas posted a career high 26 points against the Cardinals and followed that up with 13 points, nine rebounds and three assists against the conference leading Golden Flyers.

The Hartwick College women's volleyball team placed three Hawks on the College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-District Team. To be eligible for CSC Academic All-District honors, student-athletes must maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA and appear in at least 90% of their team's sets or start in 66% of them. A league-record 36 Empire 8 student-athletes from 11 institutions were selected. Shelby Swartz of Candor, N.Y., capped off a stellar senior season, earning Empire 8 First Team All-Conference honors for the first time, two Empire 8 Player of the Week accolades and a spot on the Empire 8 All-Tournament Team. Swartz led the Hawks with 379 kills, reached the 1,000 career-point milestone Nov. 8 and posted a career-high 21 kills while propelling Hartwick to its first-ever ECAC Championship title, earning tournament MVP honors. Lucille Walker '28 of Ithaca, N.Y., delivered a strong sophomore campaign, securing Empire 8 Second Team All-Conference honors for the first time. A consistent force in the middle, Walker ranked second on the team with 304 kills and added 71 blocks to tie for second on the squad. Isabella Gracias '27 of Oneonta, N.Y., put together another strong season from the right side, earning Empire 8 Third Team All-Conference honors. A constant offensive and defensive presence, Gracias posted a career-high 302 kills and led the team with 82 blocks.

Hartwick College congratulates approximately 400 students who were named to the Fall 2025 Dean's List.

Hartwick College congratulates the 376 students named to the Spring 2025 Dean's List.

Hartwick College congratulates approximately 425 students who were named to the Fall 2024 Dean's List.

Hartwick College congratulates approximately 350 students who were named to the Spring 2024 Dean's List.

The Hartwick College School of Nursing held an induction ceremony on Nov. 19 in Shineman Chapel for the Omicron Rho chapter of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. Sixteen nursing students were inducted this year, including Alayna Streeter '26 of Le Roy, N.Y. To be inducted, a nursing student must achieve academic excellence, rank in the top 35% of the graduating class, and demonstrate academic integrity and leadership potential. Founded in 1922 by six nursing students, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (Sigma) has more than 100,000 active members and 600 chapters at institutions of higher education and healthcare partners from Armenia, Australia and Botswana to Thailand, the United States and Wales.

The Hartwick College School of Nursing held an induction ceremony on Nov. 19 in Shineman Chapel for the Omicron Rho chapter of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. Sixteen nursing students were inducted this year, including Akua Manuh '26 of the Bronx, N.Y. To be inducted, a nursing student must achieve academic excellence, rank in the top 35% of the graduating class, and demonstrate academic integrity and leadership potential. Founded in 1922 by six nursing students, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (Sigma) has more than 100,000 active members and 600 chapters at institutions of higher education and healthcare partners from Armenia, Australia and Botswana to Thailand, the United States and Wales.

The Hartwick College School of Nursing held an induction ceremony on Nov. 19 in Shineman Chapel for the Omicron Rho chapter of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. Sixteen nursing students were inducted this year, including Lizbeth Varela-Cordero '27 of Monroe, N.Y. To be inducted, a nursing student must achieve academic excellence, rank in the top 35% of the graduating class, and demonstrate academic integrity and leadership potential. Founded in 1922 by six nursing students, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (Sigma) has more than 100,000 active members and 600 chapters at institutions of higher education and healthcare partners from Armenia, Australia and Botswana to Thailand, the United States and Wales.

The Hartwick College School of Nursing held an induction ceremony on Nov. 19 in Shineman Chapel for the Omicron Rho chapter of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. Sixteen nursing students were inducted this year, including Lilianna Van De Water '27 of King Ferry, N.Y. To be inducted, a nursing student must achieve academic excellence, rank in the top 35% of the graduating class, and demonstrate academic integrity and leadership potential. Founded in 1922 by six nursing students, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing (Sigma) has more than 100,000 active members and 600 chapters at institutions of higher education and healthcare partners from Armenia, Australia and Botswana to Thailand, the United States and Wales.

Hartwick College hosted the final round of its 2025 Moot Court Competition on Nov. 20 in Shineman Chapel. Cooper Cohen '28 of Delhi, N.Y., and John "Jack" Reichel '26 of West Islip, N.Y., emerged as the Io Bruce Champions of the Hartwick College Moot Court Competition. Finalists Adilyam Imyarova '27 of Almaty, Kazakhstan, and Sarah Matumbura '26 of Waterbury, Conn., also earned recognition for their outstanding performances. Io Bruce was a high school teacher of Thomas Holmgren '13, whose legacy reflects "rigor, generosity, and a lifelong commitment to students." The competition-created and led by Holmgren-featured a case he wrote on the constitutionality of a high school search involving a drug-sniffing dog named Stella. Reichel also received the Richard Pomp Orator Award. The oratory award recognizes Professor Richard D. Pomp, one of the nation's leading legal minds known for his clarity, creativity and command of complex issues. As director of the competition, Holmgren '13 also recruited dozens of Hartwick alumni lawyers to judge the multiple rounds of the competition with each of the 50 Hartwick student participants getting to argue at least twice. Aaron Carbone '03 and Carlo A. C. de Oliveira '02, returned to Oyaron Hill to serve alongside Holmgren as Supreme Court Justices for the final round. Holmgren also contributed thousands of dollars to support the cash prizes for the competition, which includes $1500 for each of the champions and $500 for each of the runner-ups, and encourages his fellow alumni to join him in making a gift so that Hartwick can offer this competition every two years going forward.

Samantha Lantzy of Valatie, N.Y., earned the Empire 8 Women's Tennis Player of the Week honor on Oct. 13, 2025. Lantzy was pivotal in helping the Hawks clinch their fourth consecutive regular season title with a 6-1 win over St. John Fisher. Lantzy began the day with a 6-1 win at No. 2 doubles with Lily Vanuga before ending the day with a statement, winning 6-4, 6-2 at first singles. It is Lantzy's third E8 Player of the Week honor this season.

Jillissa Cassanova '27 of Jamaica, N.Y., was awarded The Dr. James Elting H'13 Memorial Scholarship during the College's Honors Convocation held on April 30. Established in 2013 by family and friends of Dr. Elting, the scholarship is awarded to two students with a 3.0 GPA, demonstrating leadership in co-curricular activities and/or academics, and intending to pursue a career or graduate study in medicine, athletics, sports medicine, physical therapy, sports management, or another area related to medicine, healthcare, or athletics, and demonstrating financial need.

Jefferson Cruz '26 of Merrick, N.Y., was presented with two awards during the College's Honors Convocation held on April 30. Cruz was named a Faculty Scholar in Philosophy. All scholars have excellent academic records and have demonstrated an outstanding mastery of their respective disciplines. Rising seniors are nominated by faculty in their major departments based on academic achievement, leadership and character. Additionally, Cruz was recognized as an Andrew B. Saxton Undergraduate Fellow in Philosophy. Fellows are selected by faculty in each department to honor outstanding achievement in their respective fields. They serve as student assistants within their major department and receive a tuition credit.

Senior midfielder Kristen Vaccarelli of Dix Hills, N.Y., has once again claimed Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association honors with her third consecutive selection to the All-Region Second Team in the Empire Region. Vaccarelli was a force to be reckoned with this season on both ends of the field, earning a career-high 68 goals and a career-high 21 assists. She also ranked second on the team with 27 caused turnovers, and lead the team with 50 ground balls and 75 draw controls. Vaccarelli set a Hartwick women's lacrosse program record on March 8 in a victory over Bard College, becoming the all-time leader for points in a single game with 11. She later claimed the top spot for caused turnovers in a single game as well, recording eight in a win over Russell Sage on April 9. Continuing her standout season, Vaccarelli was named IWLCA National Offensive Player of the Week for the week of April 21, an honor awarded to only a select few players nationwide for exceptional performance. She also broke an 11-year-old Empire 8 record for career goals, finishing her senior season with a new conference-best 228. Full release can be found here.

Hartwick College congratulates 232 students who received their academic degrees on May 17, 2025.

Hartwick College congratulates 211 students who received their academic degrees on May 18, 2024.

Hartwick College congratulates 250 students who received their academic degrees on May 20, 2023.

Billie Metcalf '25 of Natick, Mass., recently received the Hartwick College Presidential Purchase Prize from President Jim Mullen. The award, recognizing Metcalf's mixed-media exhibit "Study of the Beast," includes a $500 cash prize. A piece from the exhibition will hang in the President's Office for a year before being added to the College Alumni Art Collection. Additional prizes included: Most Improved: Ash Rhodes '25 of McDonough, N.Y., and Alex Stanton '25 of Bovina Center, N.Y. Best in Show: Bailey Ernst '25 of Delhi, N.Y., for "Shadow Puppet."

Sebastian Knowles '25 of Plano, Texas, and Kristen Vaccarelli '25 of Dix Hills, N.Y., each received the Frederick M. Binder H'85 Scholar-Athlete Award during Honors Convocation held on April 30. Established in memory of former Hartwick College President Dr. Frederick M. Binder, the prize honors a senior male and a senior female whose four years at Hartwick reflect a consistent commitment to excellence in both academics and athletics.

Jaylene Rodriguez '26 of Orlando, Fla., received the John F. Kingston '49 Award in Theatre during Honors Convocation held on April 30. Established by John Kingston '49, P'76 in memory of his son, Thomas, a scholarship goes to the student who is most deserving, as determined by the Theatre Department.

Luna Lopez '26 of Harrison, N.Y., received the Kenneth Golden Award for Outstanding Design or Technical Achievement during Honors Convocation held on April 30. The prize, a seminal text in the subject, is given to the student selected by the Theatre Arts faculty who has produced outstanding design or technical work for a Theatre Arts class or production.