Western New England University honored 16 exceptional students during its annual Cupola Award of Excellence Brunch, recognizing seniors whose academic achievement, leadership, service, and campus involvement exemplify the very best of the Golden Bear community.
Hosted by the Division of Student Life and the Alumni Association, the event brought together students, alumni, faculty, staff, family members, and University leadership to celebrate a tradition of excellence that dates back to 1989. Formerly known as the Skookum Award, the newly renamed Cupola Award continues the longstanding recognition of students whose impact extends far beyond the classroom.
Opening the program, JP Powers, Executive Director of the Student Hub, welcomed attendees and praised the recipients for their accomplishments.
"The Cupola recipients who sit before you today went through a competitive and rigorous process to get here," Powers said. "This year's class has so much to be proud of, and we are grateful for all that they have accomplished and will accomplish in their senior year at WNE."
President Joseph C. Hartman also addressed the group, offering congratulations and reflecting on the important role student leaders play in shaping the University's culture and future.
A highlight of the event was a keynote address by alumna Adetayo Olatinwo, a 2020 Skookum Award recipient and current Vice President of Human Resources at Glenmeadow. Introduced by Professor Emeritus Brenda Garton-Sjoberg, Olatinwo reflected on her own student experience and encouraged recipients to embrace leadership, lifelong learning, and service to others as they prepare for their next chapters.
The Cupola Award of Excellence recognizes students who demonstrate outstanding academic performance while making significant contributions to the University community through leadership, mentorship, co-curricular involvement, athletics, and community engagement.
"This award recognizes students who positively represent Western New England University through their academic excellence, peer mentorship, campus and community engagement, leadership, participation in co-curriculars and athletics, and dedication to the University's mission," said Heather Coulter Kemp, president of the Alumni Association.
2026 Cupola Award of Excellence Recipients
This year's recipients represent every college across the University and have distinguished themselves through an extraordinary combination of scholarship, leadership, and service:
- David Nortey, Pharmacy
- Eleni Kantos, Mechanical Engineering
- Justin Gould, Electrical Engineering
- Gabriela Sliwka, Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Samantha Beaulieu, Psychology and Criminal Justice
- Madeleine Johnson, Biomedical Engineering
- Emily Day, General Business and Political Science
- Samantha Brady, Criminal Justice
- Katherine Greenwood, Marketing, Communication and Advertising
- Joshua Goodman, History
- Cora Taylor, Management and Leadership
- Adedunni Soyele, Mechanical Engineering
- Kelsey Bouchard, Finance and Accounting
- Rebecca Kilday, Mechanical Engineering
- Ahmed Elbakri, Marketing Communication and Advertising
- Blanca Amaya, Criminal Justice
Collectively, the recipients have served as student government leaders, peer advisors, resident advisors, student-athletes, researchers, honor society officers, tutors, mentors, ambassadors, and community volunteers. Many have also completed internships, conducted research, studied abroad, and led initiatives that have enriched the campus experience for their fellow students.
Three students received special distinction within the Cupola Award program:
- Rebecca Kilday was named a Royal Cupola Award Recipient.
- Ahmed Elbakri was named a Royal Cupola Award Recipient.
- Blanca Amaya received the event's highest honor as the 2026 Grand Cupola Recipient.
As part of the ceremony, alumni Patrick Riley and Naressa Kempadoo, both members of the Class of 2024 Skookum Award cohort, introduced each recipient and highlighted their achievements, leadership roles, and service contributions.
The program concluded with recipients recognizing the family members, friends, mentors, faculty, and staff who supported them throughout their academic journeys.
"Today's awardees join hundreds of alumni who earned this recognition during their time at Western New England," Kemp said. "We look forward to witnessing their continued contributions to their peers and communities for years to come."
As Western New England University continues its tradition of developing leaders and problem-solvers, the 2026 Cupola Award recipients represent a powerful example of student excellence, demonstrating the impact that scholarship, service, and engagement can have both on campus and beyond.
