As one of the first events celebrating the Class of 2024, the Office of Alumni Engagement held the 36th annual Skookum Awards on Sunday, September 24, inducting 15 exceptional students into an exclusive cohort of outstanding Golden Bear alumni.

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.

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

• Grant Manley, 2023 Grand Skookum, Political Science major from Lake Elsinore, CA
• Riley Franzo, 2023 Royal Skookum, Biomedical Engineering major with a double minor in Biomedical Physics and Mathematical Science from Canyon Lake, CA
• Abigail Hay, 2023 Royal Skookum, Neuroscience major with a minor in Chemistry from Plattsburgh, NY

The following 12 students received Skookum honors:

• Sean Alvord, an Accounting and Finance double major from Westfield, MA
• Max Brouillard, a Psychology major with a minor in Theater from Wolcott, CT
• Brian Cooper, a Mechanical Engineering major with a double minor in Computer Science and Mathematics from Glenville, NY

• Owen Feindel, a Civil Engineering major from Ellington, CT
• Helen Gillespy, a Mechanical Engineering major from Bedford, MA
• Taylor Keegan, a Sport Management major with a minor in Marketing from Bristol, CT

• Janis Negron, a Psychology major from Springfield, MA
• Kimberly Ngo, a Neuroscience major with a minor in Criminal Justice from Southbridge, MA
• Natalie Parker, a Health Science major with minors in Biology, Chemistry, and Spanish from Slingerlands, NY

• Loredanna Randazzo, a Psychology major and Occupational Therapy Doctorate student from Agawam, MA
• Dante Talamini, a Mechanical Engineer major from Stafford Springs, CT
• Kyle Zemba, a Marketing major with a minor in Computer Science from East Longmeadow, MA

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