Matt Russo Memorial Award 2020 Awarded to Jenny Singer
The Matt Russo Memorial Award is made in honor and remembrance of Matt Russo. Matt Russo was a student at Saint Vincent College, working towards his bachelor degree in Prek-4 education. He was in his junior year when he passed. Matt was a kind and gentle soul, a friend to all, a wickedly funny sense of humor, and someone whose future looked very bright. He was a young man that everyone claimed as a friend; he worked well as part of a group and had a very unassuming personality. He also had a leadership side that allowed him to pursue and become a member of the student government. He embraced everything about being a student at Saint Vincent. He joined the clubs of the education department and participated in the events they held. Matt's loss was a shock and an unspeakable blow to the Saint Vincent community. In honor of his memory and to ensure that he will not be forgotten, the SGA established the Matt Russo Memorial Award. This award and monetary gift are given to a junior, Pre K-4 major that shares the qualities that Matt exuded.
This award has been given to Emily Zeh class of 2013, Genie Fratto, class of 2014, Luke Daghir, class of 2015, Hannah Truong, class of 2016, Alaina D’Aloisa, class of 2017, Douglas (D.J.) Hough, class of 2018, and Dylan Paduano, class of 2019. These former students all shared the same redeeming qualities that Matt shared with the world.
This year, the Matt Russo Memorial Award has been awarded to Jenny Singer, class of 2020. Historically, the award is presented to the recipient by the previous year’s winner at the annual Education Department Senior Send Off Picnic. This year’s picnic has sadly been cancelled due to the restrictions brought on by the pandemic. Being unable to meet in person in no way diminishes the pride we have in awarding this honor to Jenny Singer. Jenny is a junior PreK-4 major that is preparing to pre-student teach in fall 2020 and student teach in spring of 2021.
Jenny is a friend to all, an engaged student, and an active member of the Education Clubs. Jenny is a valued counselor of the Challenge Program at Saint Vincent College. Jenny has the qualities of a quiet leader, able to be a team player, more than willing and capable of leading. If you know Jenny, you know that she always has a smile on her face and is always willing to listen, and always offers to lend a hand even when it means going the extra mile. I am sure many of you have your own story to tell about Jenny and her warm personality. Her caring, empathetic, and genuine disposition make her a wonderful and trusted friend. These same qualities will allow her to become a teacher that is able to connect with her students and peers through meaningful relationships. We predict she will accomplish great things!
This award has been given to Emily Zeh class of 2013, Genie Fratto, class of 2014, Luke Daghir, class of 2015, Hannah Truong, class of 2016, Alaina D’Aloisa, class of 2017, Douglas (D.J.) Hough, class of 2018, and Dylan Paduano, class of 2019. These former students all shared the same redeeming qualities that Matt shared with the world.
This year, the Matt Russo Memorial Award has been awarded to Jenny Singer, class of 2020. Historically, the award is presented to the recipient by the previous year’s winner at the annual Education Department Senior Send Off Picnic. This year’s picnic has sadly been cancelled due to the restrictions brought on by the pandemic. Being unable to meet in person in no way diminishes the pride we have in awarding this honor to Jenny Singer. Jenny is a junior PreK-4 major that is preparing to pre-student teach in fall 2020 and student teach in spring of 2021.
Jenny is a friend to all, an engaged student, and an active member of the Education Clubs. Jenny is a valued counselor of the Challenge Program at Saint Vincent College. Jenny has the qualities of a quiet leader, able to be a team player, more than willing and capable of leading. If you know Jenny, you know that she always has a smile on her face and is always willing to listen, and always offers to lend a hand even when it means going the extra mile. I am sure many of you have your own story to tell about Jenny and her warm personality. Her caring, empathetic, and genuine disposition make her a wonderful and trusted friend. These same qualities will allow her to become a teacher that is able to connect with her students and peers through meaningful relationships. We predict she will accomplish great things!
Mr. Sams Receives Quentin schaut faculty award
Mr. Aaron Sams, an instructor in the Saint Vincent College Education Department, has been named the recipient of the College’s Quentin Schaut Faculty Award. Named in honor of Rev. Quentin Schaut, O.S.B., an English professor and the seventh president of Saint Vincent College, the award recognizes the contributions, leadership and achievement of a junior faculty member to the curriculum and life of the College. The award was announced by Dr. John Smetanka, vice president for academic affairs and academic dean, during a special Honors Convocation video produced by the College in lieu of the traditional annual ceremony that was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sams has been a member of the Saint Vincent College faculty since 2014 and teaches a variety of courses in the Education Department at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. His undergrad courses include Physical and Cultural Geography, Science and the Environment for Early and Special Learners and Teaching of Science for Grades 7-12. He also helps oversee Saint Vincent College’s pre-student teaching and student teaching programs. At the graduate level, Sams presides over courses that include Current Issues and Trends in Education, Assessment Systems for Online Education, Integrated STEM Education and Technological Application for Differentiated instruction.
“Though I’m sad we can’t be together in the Basilica donned in regalia,” said Sams, “I am thankful that the entire Saint Vincent community has banded together during this time of isolation. I’d like to thank the college deans and administrators who selected me to receive this honor, and, though none of us become educators with the goal of receiving awards and honors for our work, it is nonetheless very encouraging to be recognized.”
Sams holds a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and a master’s in classroom instruction, both from Biola University, while he is currently completing his doctoral work in curriculum and instruction, with a concentration in STEM education, at Texas Tech University.
Prior to joining the faculty at Saint Vincent College, Sams taught chemistry in the Woodland Park School District in Colorado and has previously served as co-chair of the Colorado State Science Standards Revision Committee. In 2009, he was honored for his work when he was named a recipient of the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching, the highest honor given by the U.S. government to recognize excellence in STEM teaching.
The co-author of seven books on the flipped classroom concept and an adviser to Ted-Ed, Sams has delivered keynote addresses at numerous educational conferences, both nationally and internationally.
“Thousands around the world have benefited from his training and insights on how to teach face-to-face, online and by using hybrid models,” said Dr. John Smetanka, Saint Vincent College vice president for academic affairs and academic dean. “Saint Vincent is particularly blessed to have Professor Sams on faculty. This semester, more than any other, Saint Vincent faculty have benefited from his generous spirit and dedication to our educational mission. As we moved online, he offered his expertise in workshops, one-on-one consultation and in countless responses to email conversations. This pandemic has had lasting negative impacts, but it has also provided examples of dedication to community and our collective endeavor.”
“I consider it a great privilege to be part of the faculty at Saint Vincent College,” Sams stated, “and to have been so welcomed into the Bearcat family. I am truly humbled to receive this award for simply doing the work that I love. I can honestly say that I enjoy each day teaching my students, working with my colleagues and serving my department.”
Sams has been a member of the Saint Vincent College faculty since 2014 and teaches a variety of courses in the Education Department at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. His undergrad courses include Physical and Cultural Geography, Science and the Environment for Early and Special Learners and Teaching of Science for Grades 7-12. He also helps oversee Saint Vincent College’s pre-student teaching and student teaching programs. At the graduate level, Sams presides over courses that include Current Issues and Trends in Education, Assessment Systems for Online Education, Integrated STEM Education and Technological Application for Differentiated instruction.
“Though I’m sad we can’t be together in the Basilica donned in regalia,” said Sams, “I am thankful that the entire Saint Vincent community has banded together during this time of isolation. I’d like to thank the college deans and administrators who selected me to receive this honor, and, though none of us become educators with the goal of receiving awards and honors for our work, it is nonetheless very encouraging to be recognized.”
Sams holds a bachelor’s degree in biochemistry and a master’s in classroom instruction, both from Biola University, while he is currently completing his doctoral work in curriculum and instruction, with a concentration in STEM education, at Texas Tech University.
Prior to joining the faculty at Saint Vincent College, Sams taught chemistry in the Woodland Park School District in Colorado and has previously served as co-chair of the Colorado State Science Standards Revision Committee. In 2009, he was honored for his work when he was named a recipient of the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Math and Science Teaching, the highest honor given by the U.S. government to recognize excellence in STEM teaching.
The co-author of seven books on the flipped classroom concept and an adviser to Ted-Ed, Sams has delivered keynote addresses at numerous educational conferences, both nationally and internationally.
“Thousands around the world have benefited from his training and insights on how to teach face-to-face, online and by using hybrid models,” said Dr. John Smetanka, Saint Vincent College vice president for academic affairs and academic dean. “Saint Vincent is particularly blessed to have Professor Sams on faculty. This semester, more than any other, Saint Vincent faculty have benefited from his generous spirit and dedication to our educational mission. As we moved online, he offered his expertise in workshops, one-on-one consultation and in countless responses to email conversations. This pandemic has had lasting negative impacts, but it has also provided examples of dedication to community and our collective endeavor.”
“I consider it a great privilege to be part of the faculty at Saint Vincent College,” Sams stated, “and to have been so welcomed into the Bearcat family. I am truly humbled to receive this award for simply doing the work that I love. I can honestly say that I enjoy each day teaching my students, working with my colleagues and serving my department.”
