Hartwick College

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.

The Empire 8 released their Women's Lacrosse All-Conference List on May 5, with the Hawks landing four on the list. Senior midfielder Kristen Vaccarelli of Dix Hills, N.Y., received her fourth consecutive All-Conference First Team honor for her stellar performance on the field. This season, Vaccarelli snagged 68 goals and subsequently shattered a ten-year old Empire 8 record for most career goals. The new Empire 8 record stands strong at 228 career goals. Also selected for First Team All-Conference is senior defender Brianna Liebro of Castleton, N.Y., who led the team with 63 caused turnovers this season - an impressive feat that ranked her No. 1 in NCAA Division III for caused turnovers per game for most of the season. This is Liebro's first All-Conference First Team honor after receiving Second and Third team honors in her junior and sophomore years, respectively. Senior attackers Katrina Marten of Middlesex, N.Y., and Kara Anderson of Collingwood, Ont., both earned Second Team All-Conference honors for their contributions this season. Marten topped the team in assists this season with a total of 52. This will be Marten's third consecutive All-Conference Second Team honor. Anderson caps off the All-Conference selections, having enjoyed a solid final season with 46 goals, 5 assists, 54 draw controls, 11 caused turnovers and 18 ground balls. This is Anderson's first All-Conference Second Team honors, after having been previously selected for Third Team honors last season. In addition to the All-Conference selections, the Empire 8 announced Hanna Goodreau of North Reading, Mass., as Hartwick's representative for the Women's Lacrosse Sportswoman of the Year team, an honor awarded to those who have demonstrated exceptional sportsmanship.

Five Hartwick students selected for the College's 2025 Baker-Simpson Entrepreneurial Leadership Program.

Sebastian Knowles '25 of Plano, TX, was recognized as Hartwick College's representative for the Empire 8 Sportsman of the Year Award on April 1. One member of each team was named that institution's representative on the 2024-25 Men's Swimming & Diving Sportsman of the Year Team. The Empire 8 Conference emphasizes that "Competing with Honor and Integrity" is an essential component of a student-athlete's experience in conjunction with an institution's educational mission. These honorees have distinguished themselves and consistently exhibit the critical traits as outstanding sportsmen.

Timmy McQueeney of Wading River, NY, was recognized as Hartwick College's representative for the 2024 Empire 8 Sportsman of the Year Award on Nov. 12. This honor is awarded to one member of each institution that has distinguished themselves and consistently exhibits the critical traits as outstanding sportsmen.

Hunter Bulich of Catskill, NY, was recognized as the 2024 Empire 8 Men's Soccer Rookie of the Year on Nov. 12. This award is voted on by conference coaches. The first year forward enjoyed a stellar debut season with the Hawks, amassing eight points on three goals and two assists, ranking second amongst the team in both categories. Bulich played in all 17 matches this season, starting 13.

Michael Kuchinski of Owego, NY, was recognized as an Andrew B. Saxton Undergraduate Fellow in Computer Sciences during Hartwick College's annual Honors Convocation celebrated on May 1. A fellow is selected by the faculty in Hartwick's Computer Science Department to recognize outstanding achievement. Fellows serve as student assistants in their department and receive a tuition credit.

Baily Ernst won the Vice President's Purchase Prize.

Emily Heller took home the second annual President's Purchase Prize.

10 students were selected for the 2024 Silicon Valley Experience.

Five Hartwick students participated in the 2024 College's Baker-Simpson Entrepreneurial Leadership Program.

The Hartwick College Athletic Department recognized the achievements of student-athletes, coaches, faculty, staff and other members of the campus community during its annual awards ceremony held in late spring. Several awards were given out during the ceremony, including the True Blue Award for four-year letter winners.

The Hartwick College Athletic Department recognized the achievements of student-athletes, coaches, faculty, staff and other members of the campus community during its annual awards ceremony held in late spring. Several awards were given out throughout the course of the ceremony, including the True Blue Award for four-year letter winners.

Nicholas Cacciola of Wading River, NY, was presented with multiple awards during Hartwick College's spring recognition ceremonies. During Honors Convocation on May 3, Cacciola was awarded the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants Award for Superior Scholarship in Accounting. The award is based upon the nomination of the accounting faculty. At the College's Athletics Award Ceremony on May 11, Cacciola received the Philip S. Wilder Jr. Award for Academic Distinction, which is presented to athletes and/or managers of teams who have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. Cacciola is a member of the Hawks men's lacrosse team.

Sydney Gagnon of Chestertown, NY, was presented with multiple awards during Hartwick College's spring recognition ceremonies. During Honors Convocation on May 3, Gagnon received the Frederick M. Binder Scholar-Athlete Award, which is given to a senior male and a senior female whose four years at Hartwick are a cumulative reflection of excellence in both scholarship and athletics. The award was created in memory of Dr. Frederick M. Binder, former president of Hartwick College. At the College's Athletics Award ceremony on May 11, Gagnon received the Anna M. Meyer Award. It is presented to an athlete on a female team judged as being the best athlete in the Hartwick Athletic Department whose character and sportsmanship have had a positive contribution within the team, the college and the community. Gagnon not only had an outstanding senior season for the Hawks, but also an exceptional career, earning multiple Empire 8 and regional awards. She capped off her career being named a Second-Team All-American. Gagnon also received the Philip S. Wilder Jr. Award for Academic Distinction, which is presented to athletes and/or managers of teams who have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. Additionally, Gagnon received the True Blue Award, acknowledging her as a four-year letter winner. Gagnon is a member of the Hawks field hockey team.

Jack Armstrong of Windham, NH, was recognized with the Nursing Faculty Scholar award during Hartwick College's Honors Convocation on May 3. Faculty Scholars have excellent academic records and have demonstrated an outstanding mastery of their respective disciplines. Rising seniors are nominated by the faculty of their major departments on the basis of academic achievement, leadership and character.

Brynita Jean Haas of Red Creek, NY, was recognized with multiple awards during Hartwick College's spring recognition ceremonies. During Hartwick College's Honors Convocation on May 3, Haas was presented with the Helen & Howard Mayer Endowed Scholarship. Established in 1991, the scholarship is given to an academically able and financially deserving rising sophomore from western New York. Haas also received the Chemical Rubber Company Press Chemistry Achievement Award, which is presented on the basis of student performance in general or accelerated chemistry courses. During the College's Athletics Award Ceremony on May 11, Haas received the Philip S. Wilder Jr. Award for Academic Distinction, which is presented to athletes and/or managers of teams who have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. A member of the women's indoor and outdoor track and field teams, Haas also received the Most Valuable Player award for cross-country.

Quwayne Lawrence of Mount Vernon, NY, was recognized with multiple awards during Hartwick College's spring recognition ceremonies. At Honors Convocation held on May 3, Lawrence was awarded the Dr. James J. Elting Memorial Scholarship, established in 2013 by family and friends of Dr. Elting. The scholarship is awarded to a student with a 3.0 GPA who has demonstrated leadership in co-curricular activities and/or academics, and intends on pursuing a career or graduate study in medicine, athletics, sports medicine, physical therapy, sports management, or another area related to medicine, healthcare, or athletics, and has demonstrated financial need. Lawrence was also named a Faculty Scholar in Biology. Faculty Scholars have excellent academic records and have demonstrated an outstanding mastery of their discipline. Rising seniors are nominated by the faculty in their major departments on the basis of academic achievement, leadership and character. During the College's Athletics Award Ceremony held on May 11, Lawrence received the Philip S. Wilder Jr. Award for Academic Distinction, which is presented to athletes and/or managers of teams who have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. Lawrence is on the Hartwick Hawks men's outdoor track and field team.

Reid Sinkinson of Telford, PA, was recognized with multiple awards during Hartwick College's spring recognition ceremonies. During the College's Honors Convocation held on May 3, he was recognized with the Arkell Hall Foundation Award in Art & Art History. The award is given to outstanding students who have consistently contributed to the Department of Art & Art History. Sinkinson was also recognized during the College's Athletics Award Ceremony held on May 11. He received the Philip S. Wilder Jr. Award for Academic Distinction, which is presented to athletes and/or managers of teams who have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher. Sinkinson also received the True Blue Award, acknowledging him as a four-year letter winner. Sinkinson is a Hartwick Hawks men's swimming and diving team member.

Lillian Hagy of Baltimore, MD, was recognized with multiple awards during Hartwick College's Honors Convocation held on May 3. Hagy received the Richard J. Kohlmeyer & Edward Rayher Award, which was established in memory of two former members of the Hartwick College mathematics faculty. It is presented to a freshman or sophomore mathematics major who has done outstanding work. She also received the Outstanding First-Year Student in Biology Award, the recipient of which has attained the highest cumulative average for the year.

Tristan Bachonik of Carlisle, NY, was recognized for his induction into the Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society during Hartwick College's annual Honors Convocation celebrated on May 3. Inductees are selected by Hartwick's Music Department faculty to recognize outstanding musicianship and high academic achievement.

Josephine Becker of Elmira, NY, was recognized as an Andrew B. Saxton Undergraduate Fellow during Hartwick College's annual Honors Convocation celebrated on May 3. The fellows are selected by the faculty in each department to recognize outstanding achievement in their respective field. Fellows serve as student assistants in their major department and receive a tuition credit.

Chloe Bartholomew of Gansevoort, NY, was recognized with the Dornburgh Memorial Award in History during Hartwick College's annual Honors Convocation celebrated on May 3. The award is presented in memory of Edmund Leigh Dornburgh Jr., who was a student assistant in Hartwick's History Department. The award is presented to the student with the highest academic average in the department.

Victoria Balfe of Westville, IN, was recognized with the Political Science Faculty Scholar award during Hartwick College's annual Honors Convocation celebrated on May 3. Faculty Scholars have excellent academic records and have demonstrated an outstanding mastery of their respective disciplines. Rising seniors are nominated by the faculty of their major departments on the basis of academic achievement, leadership and character.

Nicholas Bantis of Brooklyn, NY, was recognized with the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants Award for Superior Scholarship in Taxation during Hartwick College's annual Honors Convocation celebrated on May 3. This award is based upon the nomination of the Hartwick College accounting faculty.

Ross Arvin of Richmondville, NY, was recognized with multiple awards during Hartwick College's annual Honors Convocation, celebrated on May 3. He was awarded the John Clemens Scholarship for Study in Business, which was established by alumni, friends, family and colleagues of Professor Emeritus John Clemens. It is awarded annually to a rising senior with financial need, demonstrated leadership, and a GPA of 3.5 or higher in both business administration and overall. Arvin was also honored as an Andrew B. Saxton Undergraduate Fellow. The fellows are selected by the faculty in each department to recognize outstanding achievement in their respective field. Fellows serve as student assistants in their major department and receive a tuition credit.

Austin Blair of Cohoes, NY, was recognized as an Andrew B. Saxton Undergraduate Fellow in Computer Science during Hartwick College's annual Honors Convocation celebrated on May 3. A fellow is selected by the faculty in Hartwick's Computer Science Department to recognize outstanding achievement. Fellows serve as student assistants in their department and receive a tuition credit.