The Western New England University Alumni Association hosted the 33rd Annual Skookum Awards ceremony on Sunday, September 26, inducting 15 exceptional students into an exclusive cohort of outstanding Golden Bear alumni.

The top three candidates, awarded the highest honors of Grand Skookum and Royal Skookum, include:

• Kathryn Henry, 2022 Grand Skookum, is a Forensic Chemistry major from Palmer MA
• Brendan Cassidy, 2022 Royal Skookum, is a first generation student and double major in Criminal Justice and Business and Computer Forensics from Taunton, MA
• Adell Gadzey, 2022 Royal Skookum, is an Information Technology major from Colchester, VT

The following 12 students received Skookum honors:

• Nelson Brunette, a Biomedical Engineering major from East Longmeadow, MA
• Christa-Elizabeth Cicerone, a Civil Engineering major from West Warwick, RI
• Alley Estrella, a Social Work major from West Tisbury, MA
• Ryan Hoover, a Criminal Justice major from East Bridgewater, MA
• Michaela McCormick, a Finance major from West Hartford, CT
• Kyle Nelson, a Business Analytics and Information Management major from Westfield, MA
• Megan Ross, a Political Science major from Thomaston, CT
• Irankunda Roza, a double major in Marketing Communication/Advertising and Management and Leadership from Tanzania, Africa
• Carly Schneider, an Industrial Engineering major from Fishkill, NY
• Samantha Sterner, a Computer Science major from Easton, PA
• Nick Tartsinis, a Law and Society major from Colchester, CT
• Angelina White, a Political Science major from Hunlock Creek, PA

The Skookum Award was established by the Alumni Association in 1989 to recognize the outstanding achievements of students for their commitment and dedication to service through their leadership roles on campus, community service and volunteerism, and participation in athletics and cocurricular programs. 

Learn more about the Skookum honorees at alumni.wne.edu/skookum2023.