The 2008-09 Convocation for Remembrance Scholars, honoring 35 outstanding
Syracuse University students from this year's senior class, will be held Friday, Oct.
24, at 3:30 p.m. in Hendricks Chapel.
The Remembrance Scholarships, among the most prestigious scholarships awarded
by the University, were founded as a tribute to the 270 people, including 35 SU
students, who were killed in the Dec. 21, 1988, bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over
Lockerbie, Scotland. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the tragedy.
The scholarships are funded through an endowment supported by gifts from alumni,
friends, parents and corporations. Significant support for the Remembrance
Scholarships has been provided by the Fred L. Emerson Foundation; and C. Jean
Thompson '66 and SU Trustee Richard L. Thompson G'67 in memory of Jean Taylor
Phelan Terry '43 and John F. Phelan, Jean Thompson's parents.
Applicants for the $5,000 scholarship were asked to highlight their academic
achievements and University activities, including community service. They also wrote
essays and participated in interviews with members of the selection committee.
"The Remembrance Scholars remind us that humankind has the capacity to turn
unspeakable tragedy into a celebration of life," says Suzanne Thorin, University
librarian and dean of the library and chair of the Remembrance Scholars Selection
Committee. "It is an honor to be present each year to see in current students the
hopes and dreams of classmates lost."
Additionally, each year two students from Lockerbie are selected as Lockerbie
Scholars. They spend one year studying at SU on a scholarship before returning to
the United Kingdom to complete their university degrees. This year's scholars,
Lauren Flynn and Kirsty Liddon, will also be recognized at the convocation. Both SU
and the Lockerbie Trust support this award. Representatives from Lockerbie, as well
as from SU's study abroad center in London, will be in attendance at the
convocation.
Thorin will preside over the convocation, and SU Chancellor and President Nancy
Cantor will deliver a message. Margaret L. Usdansky, assistant professor of
sociology, will speak on behalf of the selection committee. A Remembrance Scholar
will speak on behalf of the group, and Thorin will present the scholars. Gordon G.
Ferrie, deputy rector of Lockerbie Academy, will also speak. A reception will follow
the convocation in the lobby of the Heroy Geology Laboratory.
The 2008-09 Remembrance Scholars and their majors are Gary Michael Clark of
Auburn, N.Y., policy studies; Jillian Lee Cole of Hector, N.Y., civil engineering;
Kaitlin M. Dengos of Medway, Mass., inclusive elementary education and sociology;
Graham Bennett Douglass of Kerrville, Texas, drama; Ryan Anderson Doyle of
Niskayuna, N.Y., architecture; Jackson Droney of Erie, Pa., policy studies and
international relations; Curtis Martell Eatman of Paterson, N.J., political science and
communication and rhetorical studies.
Also, Caryn R. Espy of Andover, Mass., supply chain management and retail
management; Anthony M. Fatta of Bridgeport, N.Y., religion and political science;
Theresa Franzese of Gettysburg, Pa., architecture; Melissa A. Giroux of Guilford,
Conn., policy studies and magazine journalism; Marlene J. Goldenberg of
Minnetonka, Minn., political philosophy, Spanish and international relations;
Michael S. Grzelak of Moultonborough, N.H., policy studies and history; Samantha
Harmon of East Syracuse, N.Y., sculpture.
Also, Kimberly N. Harris of Aurora, Ill., policy studies, political science and magazine
journalism; Melanie Hicken of Stevenson Ranch, Calif., history, political science and
newspaper journalism; Nida Javaid of Middletown, N.Y., political science, economics
and history; Kyle Kwiatkowski of Grosse Pointe Woods, Mich., civil engineering;
Brianna Larson of Orchard Park, N.Y., drama and history; Melanie D. Mahanna of
Clinton, N.Y., inclusive elementary education and French; Carissa Matthews of
Huntington Station, N.Y., public relations.
Also, Shannon M. McLoughlin of Altamont, N.Y., public relations and marketing;
Marguerite M. Moore of Shaker Heights, Ohio, sociology and television, radio and
film; Amy Nneamaka Otuonye of Montgomery, N.Y., chemistry; Tinuke Oyefule of
East Norriton, Pa., drama; Francine A. Palmares of Yonkers, N.Y., biology and
history; Jaclyn A. Pfaehler of Bozeman, Mont., public relations and international
relations; Matt Reilly of Old Bridge, N.J., political science and public relations.
Also, Michael Erminio Rizzolo of Avon, N.Y., finance and accounting; Nana Sang-
Bender of Syracuse, N.Y., international relations; Jessica Elizabeth Sauve of Rapid
River, Mich., public relations and policy studies; Brian Spendley of Hampton, N.J.,
biomedical engineering; Jason Tarr of Calabasas, Calif., broadcast journalism,
international relations and Spanish; Thomas David Wichman of Neenah, Wis.,
finance and television, radio and film; and Claire S. Zillman of Maywood, Ill.,
newspaper journalism and history.
