Sociology Award Recipients

Loyola University Honors

The sociology department annually gives the Sociology Achievement Award to the top performing junior, sophomore, and first year majors/minors. Recent recipients include:

First Year Sociology Achievement

2018 - Hannah E. Tubman
2017 - No award
2016 - Lyric M. Gaines
2015 - Paige C. Miceli
2014 - Conor B. Skelton
2013 - No award
2012 - Da'Shante M. Smith
2011 - Lauren M. O'Brien
2010 - No award
2009 - Matthew R. Cook
2008 - Jerard G. Fagerberg
2007 - No award
2006 - Owen R. O'Hara
2005 - Meghan C. Cooper
2004 - No award
2003 - Carlos O. Dator, Jr.
2002 - Katherine M. Frieder
2001 - Brian L. Marana & Tosha L. Russock

Sophomore Sociology Achievement

2018 - Emily A. Griffin
2017 - No award
2016 - Grace M. Hymel
2015 - Conor B. Skelton
2014 - Siobhan P. McKenna
2013 - Da'Shante M. Smith
2012 - Lauren M. O'Brien
2011 - Diandra Fortune
2010 - Matthew R. Cook
2009 - Daniela M. Aguilera-Titus
2008 - Alice R. Stoddart
2007 - Alyssa Stoner
2006 - Meghan C. Cooper & Arlee A. Trembley
2005 - Angelina R. Palombo
2004 - Patrick J. Currlin
2003 - Erin C. Lashua
2002 - Dana M. Moss & Tosha L. Russock
2001 - Alison M. Cleary

Junior Sociology Achievement

2018 - Grace M. Hymel & Anna S. Marchio
2017 - No award
2016 - Conor B. Skelton
2015 - Rebecca R. Scullin
2014 - Da'Shante M. Smith
2013 - Lauren M. O'Brien
2012 - Diandra Fortune
2011 - Matthew R. Cook
2010 - Daniela M. Aguilera-Titus
2009 - Alice R. Stoddart
2008 - Nicolle Gameiro
2007 - Meghan C. Cooper
2006 - Angelina R. Palombo
2005 - Patrick J. Currlin
2004 - Erin C. Lashua & Kathryn A. League
2003 - Dana M. Moss
2002 - Alison M. Cleary & Paul A. Strocko
2001 - Danielle L. Deckard

The Sociology Medal

The Sociology Department annually awards the Sociology Medal to the graduating senior who has demonstrated the highest overall academic performance. Recent recipients include:

2019 - Gillian P. Chambres
2018 - Ayana M. Rhym (pictured with Dr. Vann on right)
2017 - Sarah C. Leder
2016 - Rebecca R. Scullin
2015 - Da'Shante M. Smith
2014 - Lauren M. O'Brien
2013 - Diandra Fortune
2012 - Matthew R. Cook
2011 - Daniela M. Aguilera-Titus
2010 - Alice R. Stoddart
2009 - Nicolle Gameiro
2008 - Meghan C. Cooper
2007 - Angelina R. Palombo
2006 - Patrick J. Currlin
2005 - Erin C. Lashua
2004 - Tosha L. Russock
2003 - Alison M. Cleary

Rev. John P. O’Connor, S.J. Community Service Award

Each year at Loyola’s commencement ceremony, the Rev. John P. O’Connor, S.J. Community Service Award is given to a graduating senior who has displayed outstanding participation in service to the Baltimore community and who has significantly connected their interest in service and justice with the Loyola community. A number of sociology majors have received this honor.

2011 - Bianca M. Vazquez
2009 - Justin T. White
2008 - Ashley K. Biggs
2007 - Megan O. Dunning & Mary E. Neckles
2004 - Danielle L. Miller
1996 - Kristen A. Cotter
1995 - Mollie B. Mahanna

Phi Beta Kappa

Five students at the College of William and Mary founded Phi Beta Kappa in 1776, during the American Revolution. Its campus chapters invite for induction the most outstanding arts and sciences students at America’s leading colleges and universities. The Society sponsors activities to advance these studies — the humanities, the social sciences, and the natural sciences — in higher education and in society at large. Only about 10 percent of the nation's institutions of higher learning have Phi Beta Kappa chapters. Only about 10 percent of the arts and sciences graduates of these distinguished institutions are selected for Phi Beta Kappa membership.

The ideal Phi Beta Kappan has demonstrated intellectual integrity, tolerance for other views, and a broad range of academic interests. Each year, about one college senior in a hundred, nationwide, is invited to join Phi Beta Kappa. Eligibility for election to membership in course is contingent upon fulfillment of a number of minimum requirements and selection by the Loyola Phi Beta Kappa Committee

Barbara Vann and Ivana Valenzuela, 2013 Phi Beta Kappa recipient.

Recent sociology recipients include:

Class of 2018 - Grace M. Hymel & Anna S. Marchio
Class of 2017 - Sarah C. Leder
Class of 2015 - Da'Shante M. Smith
Class of 2013 - Diandra Fortune, Ivana Valenzuela (pictured with Dr. Vann on right)
Class of 2012 - Mariel C. Pereda
Class of 2011 - Bianca M. Vazquez
Class of 2008 - Arlee A. Trembley, Meghan C. Cooper, & Sarah H. Pollock (pictured above left)
Class of 2003 - Alison M. Cleary
Class of 2002 - Danielle L. Deckard
Class of 2000 - Beth A. Barnyock

State Awards

Justin White Receiving the MHE Award The Maryland Higher Education Commission 2009 Regina Lightfoot Student Service Award was received by Justin White, '09, who was honored for his outstanding commitment and work with Loyola’s Center for Community, Service, and Justice (CCSJ).

White was selected for the statewide honor by the Maryland Higher Education Commission Student Advisory Council (SAC), which comprises student volunteer representatives from all Maryland colleges and universities.

During his time at Loyola, White participated in many community service programs, beginning with Student Orientation to Service (SOS) during his freshman year. Later, he recruited 40 students to tutor four afternoons a week at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in East Baltimore. He also designed a tutor orientation, set up training sessions, arranged transportation, and offered ongoing tutor support. In addition, he volunteered in food programs and transitional housing for people in Baltimore who are homeless.

Department of Sociology