President's Carpe Diem Award
At this year's Annual Dinner, which celebrated the achievements of Montclair State students, four outstanding students were the first to receive the President's Carpe Diem. The award was created to recognize students who have demonstrated the commitment, passion and determination to succeed by rising above difficult circumstances and/or overcoming formidable challenges to "seize the day" in one or more areas of academic life. Three of the four recipients—Carmen Michael Piccolo III, Carinne Stachelski and Orlando Cabrera—are graduating seniors. The fourth award winner was senior Alisha R. Tillman.
|
"The best aspect of Montclair State is
the excellence, enthusiasm and knowledge that each professor brings
to his/her subject...This friendly and diverse community has provided
me with the finest educational foundation." |
Carmen Michael Piccolo
III is a biology major with minors in chemistry and health professions.
He has been an active member of the campus community, volunteering
and participating in numerous organizations and clubs, including the
RecBoard, Senior Committee and Community Service Advisory Board, to
name a few. A member of the varsity wrestling team, Carmen has worked
on campus as a head lifeguard and water safety instructor at Panzer
Pool and is a second lieutenant with Emergency Medical Services. He
is a member of the Golden Key International Honor Society and has
received community service awards from College Leadership New Jersey
as well as the Student Government Association. |
|
Carinne Stachelski holds a double major in political science and history with minors in pre-law studies and public administration. A member of the Golden Key International Honor Society, she has made the Dean's List every year and was included in the 2003 Who'sWho Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. A volunteer for several campus organizations, Carinne also has been a member of the President's Commission on Affirmative Action and legislator of the Student Government Association. In 2002 she worked as an intern in the Communications Office of the State House in Trenton. She has been accepted to Georgetown Law School.
|
"When I leave MSU I will take with me the
knowledge that community involvement is essential for the improvement
of society as well as for personal development and satisfaction." |
|
"Montclair State offers a spectrum of diverse
opportunities to learn and grow. My experiences here have taught
me to accept and appreciate people's differences. I have gained
a world of knowledge. I have learned that one person can make a
positive difference, and I will take with me the University's motto--'Carpe
Diem'--and seize each day in becoming an integral part in positively
shaping our ever-changing world." |
Orlando Cabrera majored in biology with a minor in chemistry. A member of the Honors Program and the Health Careers Program, he is enrolled in the eight-year BS/MD program of MSU and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ). He will attend UMDNJ on an Armed Forces Health Professions Scholarship. He has been active in UMDNJ's Hispanic Center of Excellence, participating in its Summer Youth Program and Students for Medicine and Dentistry Program. Orlando has served in a variety of positions in the Student Government Association, including legislator, executive vice president and president pro tempore, and was one of 36 college students selected from across the state to participate in College Leadership New Jersey's week-long seminar on public policy issues, where he was a student leader on health care.
(Click here to read more about Orlando.)
|
