IC News

Named after sociologist W.E.B Dubois and activist and politician Nelson Mandela, this award is presented to students “for pursuing scholarly achievements, service, and civic engagement.”

Nicholas David Lapining was one of the winners, and at the ceremony he reflected on the significance of the honor.

“It is an award founded on the tenets of community connection and building a better tomorrow,” he told the audience. “That word ‘community’ is so important. It’s been a critical part of my Ithaca experience. I didn’t really have one before this institution. I am grateful to say that over time, through various circumstances, I understand the power of community. I believe we are bonded. We are bonded by our own endurance and by the absolute fact that we here today. And how did we get here? We are here because of our connections and our own communities.”

Given to those recognized “for leading social change in Ithaca College and the local community,” this award is named after César Chávez, best known for his civil activism surrounding labor rights and farm worker advocacy, and Audre Lorde, whose work on marginalization and the complexity of selfhood made her a foundational theorist for intersectional feminism.

Jolivia Manning reflected on the challenges faced by members of the Class of 2023.

“We are grounded with unmovable roots. There were many situations that impacted us and should have deterred us from making it to this point, from COVID to financial strains, lack of support and personal issues could have stopped us from accomplishing our goals,” she told the audience. “I commend the class of 2023, especially BIPOC students.  It was not an easy task; you endured all the hardships, the tears, the pain, and the struggles. Nevertheless, today we are standing here being recognized for our greatness; not only for our accomplishments but also for being our authentic selves as students of color.”

Awarded to students “for contributing to research and knowledge creation,” the award is named for Kalpana Chawla, who was the first Indian-American woman to fly in space, and Dr. Severo Ochoa, who received the Nobel Prize for his work discovering an enzyme that builds RNA and DNA.

In her reflection, Frances Alia Blu told her fellow award winners to be proud of the recognition they have earned.

“For many of us, we question our abilities and our accomplishments, but it is time we stop underappreciating ourselves and recognize what we bring to the table,” she said. “We have the unique opportunities to lay the groundwork for those that come after us. Yes, there may not be much representation of folks that look like us, yet we do deserve recognition especially when we definitely earned it. We all have worked extremely hard to be where we are today, and our journey does not stop here. It is no longer, ‘Do I deserve this?’ but ‘Yes, I deserve this.’”

Named for Mary Chung-Hayashi, creator of the National Asian Women’s Health Organization, the first national organization devoted to Asian and Pacific Islander women in the U.S.; and Jim Thorpe, one of the most versatile athletes of modern sports. 

The award is given to students “for leadership and involvement in IC communities of color.”

Adrian Rosario Beato gave a reflection focused on the powers of leadership.

“This award recognizes my efforts and serves as a shared honor for all of us,” he said. “It symbolizes the strength and unity we have fostered as a community, making it even more meaningful. Leadership is not an innate quality but a continuous journey of growth. I constantly strive to be a better leader and avoid being a mere boss. A true leader puts others first, genuinely concerned for their well-being, progress, and welfare. They care deeply about each individual’s past, present, and future.”

Gloria Hobbs was the first African American elected to the Ithaca College Board of Trustees. She has since had a long and deep relationship with Ithaca College, including establishing the Shirley M. Collado Faculty Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Ithaca College Community, and the Dr. Gloria L. Hobbs Endowed Scholarship for Students in the African Diaspora.

The award is given to students “for cultivating empathy, helpfulness, and a willingness to go above and beyond.”

Oluwadamilola Oyetunji reflected on how her time in a student organization gave her a feeling of belonging while at IC.

“I joined the African Student Association organization my freshman year, and in the process of doing so I felt like I belonged somewhere finally,” she said. “I felt seen and heard. My E-board and I made efforts to push and drive community. I felt that ASA was my standing rock and that I felt that I was doing enough. Doing enough as a student, a friend, a colleague, a sister, a daughter, and most importantly as a human being.”

Angelica Carrington, who is the director of the Center for IDEAS, said that the recognition of these leaders means a lot to her personally, and that she hopes it means the same to them.

“This event is one of my favorites, as we get to acknowledge how our seniors persevered, survived, and thrived in a system that isn’t always created for us,” she said. “I encourage the seniors to celebrate their major accomplishment, to remember to coach and mentor those younger students, and to not forget to engage with the initiatives and offices that positively supported them during their time here at IC.”