Order of Pegasus Archives | �鶹ԭ�� News

�鶹ԭ�� Celebrates Order of Pegasus, Student Awardees During Founders Day 2026

Joe Adams — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 16:45:01 +0000

�鶹ԭ�� will honor 56 exceptional students at Founders’ Day on Wednesday for excellence in scholarship, leadership and service across various disciplines.

Our students are groundbreaking national and global scholarship winners, researchers, athletes, teaching assistants, residence assistants and leaders in campus organizations, including Student Government, LEAD Scholars and the President’s Leadership Council. The honorees include transfer students, those from first-generation and international backgrounds and members of the Burnett Honors College.

Aside from focusing on academics and campus causes, many of the student honorees volunteered at hospitals, schools, parks, food banks, shelters, clinics, youth clubs and with many community service organizations — at times as organizers and coordinators for support drives and campaigns.

“When you look at this group, you see trajectory.” — John Buckwalter, �鶹ԭ��’s provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs

“The students we recognize at our Founders’ Day Student Honors Celebration are extraordinary not just for what they’ve achieved, but for how they’ve shaped their time at �鶹ԭ��. They’ve pursued opportunities, challenged themselves and lifted others along the way,” says John Buckwalter, �鶹ԭ��’s provost and executive vice president for Academic Affairs. “When you look at this group, you see trajectory — students whose experiences here are opening doors in meaningful ways and changing the direction of their futures, the trajectories of their families and the communities they inhabit.”

Student award categories highlight new inductees of the Order of Pegasus, �鶹ԭ��’s highest student honor; graduate awards for outstanding master’s thesis and outstanding dissertation; undergraduate awards for honors thesis; and individual college awardees as chosen by the respective college deans. All honorees earned financial awards.

This year’s 37 inductees into the Order of Pegasus mark the 25^th anniversary class of top-achieving Knights. The average GPA of the 2026 class is 3.912.

The campus community is invited to attend the Student Honors Celebration on Wednesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. in the Student Union’s Pegasus Ballroom. A brief reception will follow.

Here are the students to be recognized.

Order of Pegasus Inductees

Fatima Alziyad, College of Health Professions and Sciences and Burnett Honors College
Andy Ayup, College of Sciences
Megan Bailey, College of Engineering and Computer Science and Burnett Honors College
Stacie Becker ’23, College of Arts and Humanities
Akash Hari Bharath ’25MS, College of Engineering and Computer Science
Swati Bhargava ’25MS, College of Optics and Photonics
Sanjana Bhatt, College of Medicine and Burnett Honors College
Griffon Binkowski ’24, College of Sciences and Burnett Honors College
Ossyris Bury, College of Engineering and Computer Science and Burnett Honors College
Nico Chen, College of Arts and Humanities and Burnett Honors College
Kyle Coutray, College of Medicine, College of Engineering and Computer Science and Burnett Honors College
Allyson Crighton, College of Nursing and Burnett Honors College
Nyauni Crowelle-Feggins, College of Health Professions and Sciences and Burnett Honors College
Cameron Cummins, College of Arts and Humanities and Burnett Honors College
Andrew “Drew” Hansen ’25, College of Medicine and Burnett Honors College
Andrea Hernandez Gomez, College of Sciences
Lindsey Hildebrand, College of Health Professions and Sciences
Ariana Johnson, College of Medicine
Sanjan Kumar ’23, College of Medicine
Kworweinski Lafontant, College of Health Professions and Sciences
Meera Lakshmanan, College of Medicine and Burnett Honors College
Abrianna Lalle, College of Nursing
Ilana Logvinov, College of Nursing
Hannah Lovejoy, College of Business
Taiel Lucile, College of Health Professions and Sciences and Burnett Honors College
Robin Marquez, College of Sciences
Shanel Moya Aguero, College of Community Innovation and Education and Burnett Honors College
Gabrielle “Gabby” Murison, College of Sciences
Varun Nannuri, College of Medicine and Burnett Honors College
Natalie Otero, College of Business and Burnett Honors College
Om Pathak, College of Medicine, College of Arts and Humanities and Burnett Honors College
Pritha Sarkar ’24, College of Engineering and Computer Science
Jacob Vierling, College of Community Innovation and Education
Janapriya Vijayakumar, College of Medicine and Burnett Honors College
Ornella Vintimilla, College of Medicine and Burnett Honors College
Om Vishanagra, College of Medicine, College of Engineering and Computer Science and Burnett Honors College

Undergraduate Student Awards

College Founders’ Award

Liam Pivnichny, Burnett Honors College
Antonella Bisbal Hernandez, College of Arts and Humanities
Jordan Nell, College of Business
Jude Hagan, College of Community Innovation and Education
Ossyris Bury, College of Engineering and Computer Science
Timothy Horanic, College of Health Professions and Sciences
Sun Latt, College of Medicine
Abrianna Lalle, College of Nursing
Jacob Silver, College of Optics and Photonics
Emily Willis, College of Sciences
Fabian Rodriguez Gomez, Rosen College of Hospitality Management

Outstanding Honors Undergraduate Thesis

Edwin Garcia ’25, College of Arts and Humanities, Outstanding Honors Thesis in Arts, Humanities and Creative Inquiry
Eric Haseman ’25, College of Sciences, Outstanding Honors Undergraduate Thesis in Social Sciences
Shreya S. Pawar ’25, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Outstanding Honors Undergraduate Thesis in Natural Sciences
Andrea C. Molero Perez ’25, College of Medicine, Outstanding Honors Undergraduate Thesis in Health Sciences
Nicholas Rose ’25, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Outstanding Honors Thesis in Engineering and Technology

Graduate Student Awards

Outstanding Dissertation

Jessica Moon ’25PhD, College of Health Professions and Sciences
Michael Pierro ’20 ’23MS ’25PhD, College of Engineering and Computer Science

�鶹ԭ��’s Major Milestones of 2025

Juzanne Martin — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 14:00:07 +0000

�鶹ԭ�� continues to dare, to dream and to build what’s next. In 2025, that bold spirit powered major milestones across academics, research, athletics and the community — proving once again that when Knight Nation aims higher, it redefines what’s possible.

Here are the highlights that shaped an unforgettable year.

Daring to Boldly Invent the Future: Florida’s Next-Generation Preeminent University

�鶹ԭ�� met the 12 metrics required to earn the Preeminent State Research University designation from the Florida Board of Governors, the highest designation for state research universities. This landmark achievement highlights sustained progress in student success, research and more — affirming �鶹ԭ��’s leadership in advancing opportunity and impact in Florida and beyond.

�鶹ԭ�� Opens Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion in Lake Nona, Fueling a Talent Pipeline and Healthcare Innovation

�鶹ԭ�� opened the Dr. Phillips Nursing Pavilion on the Academic Health Sciences Campus at Lake Nona — a 90,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility dedicated to preparing the next generation of healthcare professionals. The pavilion expands immersive simulation technology and interdisciplinary learning spaces, enabling �鶹ԭ�� to graduate more nurses ready to serve communities across the region.

Pegasus Partners Expand with BNY and Lockheed Martin

This year saw strategic growth of �鶹ԭ��’s Pegasus Partners program, with major collaborations forged with global financial services company BNY and aerospace and defense leader Lockheed Martin. The BNY co-located educational innovation hub on �鶹ԭ��’s main campus — the first of its kind in Florida — brings experiential learning and cybersecurity education directly to students. Additionally, the expanded Lockheed Martin partnership will grow the highly successful College Work Experience Program and expand research in vital areas such as artificial intelligence, robotics and hypersonic technologies.

Elevating Impact Across Space

As America’s Space University, �鶹ԭ�� deepened its influence across the space sector this year, highlighted by the inaugural �鶹ԭ�� Space Week that took place Nov. 3-7. The university-wide celebration showcased all the ways Knight Nation is advancing space research, supporting Florida’s fast-growing space economy, and preparing the next generation of explorers, engineers, and entrepreneurs. The observance also marked the debut of the SpaceU Awards, which celebrated eight honorees — two students, three faculty, two organizations and a record-setting astronaut — for pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in space development, discovery and exploration.

�鶹ԭ��’s impact also extended into human health in space. Two internationally known  experts — William Powers and Jennifer Fogarty — joined the College of Medicine’s faculty as part of �鶹ԭ��’s new Center for Aerospace and Extreme Environments Medicine that will lead research and technology development for improving health in extreme environments such as space.

As the top talent provider to the nation’s aerospace and defense industries, �鶹ԭ�� also launched a new online space MBA program to meet the expanding needs of the booming space industry on Florida’s Space Coast and around the world. The 24-month part-time graduate business program focuses on space commercialization, business strategy and innovation, preparing graduates to lead in high-impact roles across the commercial space, aerospace, government, startups and emerging tech industries.

�鶹ԭ�� Launches Institute of Artificial Intelligence to Advance Research, Talent Development Across Disciplines

�鶹ԭ�� launched the Institute of Artificial Intelligence, a new university-wide initiative bringing together top faculty, industry partnerships and cross-campus collaboration to position the university as a national leader in AI. The institute will also support �鶹ԭ��’s AI for All Initiative, which integrates AI into teaching and learning across disciplines, ensuring students graduate with the ability to use AI effectively in their careers.

Honoring Excellence on Founders’ Day

�鶹ԭ��’s annual Founders’ Day honored the outstanding achievements of the university’s employees, faculty and students. Hundreds of Knights were recognized for their excellence and impact — among them Pegasus Professors Roger Azevedo, Fevzi Okumus and Yan Solihin; Medal of Societal Impact honoree Mohamed Abdel-Aty; Reach for the Stars honorees Amrita Ghosh, Leland Nordin, Yogesh Rawat and Kelly Stevens; and 37 Order of Pegasus inductees — the university’s highest student honor.

Epic Universe Launch Provides Immersive Learning Opportunities at �鶹ԭ��

Universal Orlando Resort’s highly anticipated new theme park, Epic Universe, opened its gates this spring, and Knights played a role in bringing it to life. Located less than a mile away, �鶹ԭ��’s — ranked No. 1 in the world for hospitality education (CEOWORLD magazine) — turned Epic Universe into a living case study for hands-on learning in hospitality, themed experience, engineering and beyond. While the park attracts millions of guests with its immersive worlds and attractions, it’s also transforming hospitality education for Rosen College students, building a direct talent pipeline into the park and developing a workforce ready to lead the industry.

Introducing John Buckwalter, �鶹ԭ��’s Next Provost 

Following a competitive national search, John Buckwalter was appointed �鶹ԭ��’s next provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. He and his wife, Amalia, officially joined Knight Nation on Aug. 1. Buckwalter brings more than 20 years of experience in academia to �鶹ԭ��. He most recently served as provost at Boise State University, where he led transformative interdisciplinary initiatives and championed student achievement. He succeeds Provost Michael D. Johnson, who retired this summer following 35 years of service to �鶹ԭ��.

Knights Shine in Athletics

�鶹ԭ�� Athletics delivered unforgettable moments this year — from the rowing team claiming its first Big 12 Championship in program history, to men’s soccer’s conference title, to men’s tennis clinching its , to 82-78 victory over Hofstra at Additional Financial Arena that sparked the best start (8-1) in head coach Johnny Dawkins’ tenure.

Together, We Unleashed Impact: Thank You, Knight Nation, for a Transformational Day of Giving 2025

Knights made a collective impact for another record-breaking celebration of all things Black & Gold. raised more than $14.8 million — a 63% increase from last year and the most in university history. With 10,472 gifts, inspired donors across the globe rallied together for the community-driven effort — fueling �鶹ԭ��’s academic programs, life-changing scholarships, groundbreaking research and more. These contributions were made across all 50 U.S. states, as well as globally, including Australia, France, Panama and the United Kingdom.

�鶹ԭ�� Graduates Prove to Be STEM Talent Real-World Needs

Wendy Sarubbi — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 18:02:03 +0000

Michael Bassett wants to use his �鶹ԭ�� engineering and medical training to create better surgical instruments. Melissa Deinys is a graduating Knight who is helping save Florida’s mangroves.

The two are among 6,000 undergraduate, master’s and Ph.D. students who will graduate from �鶹ԭ�� Dec. 12-13.

Bassett and Deinys, both Florida natives, credit �鶹ԭ�� with instilling in them a spirit of scientific discovery and a passion to use their love of science to help others.

A Burnett Honors College Scholar, Michael Bassett completed multiple internships at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.

Transforming Healthcare Through Tech

Bassett will graduate with a medicine-engineering double degree in molecular and cellular biology and mechanical engineering. The degree program, one of �鶹ԭ��’s most challenging, recognizes that the future of healthcare is in technology, and the workforce needs trained professionals who can understand both the biology of disease and the engineering principles to create new healthcare solutions.

The double major requires 163 credit hours and a lot of time management skills. With back-to-back engineering and biomedical sciences labs as part of his routine, Bassett jokes he could actually feel his mind transform as he walked from one classroom to the next to absorb and process two vastly different topics.

While at �鶹ԭ�� Bassett completed multiple internships at Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control. A Burnett Honors College scholar, he served as a teaching assistant and a chemistry undergraduate lab researcher.

Bassett says �鶹ԭ�� helped him understand the medical “whys” of the medical engineering he creates and wants to go into an industry that will allow him to design and test better medical tools that can make surgery less invasive, more efficient and safer.

“With my training, I know the what and the why,” he says. “I can use that knowledge to solve more medical problems. I hope I can help my colleagues understand why something is happening in the body.”

Through her research at �鶹ԭ��, Melissa Deinys helped create a sustainable nutrient to help protect Florida mangroves against a pathogen she discovered in high school. The product has been approved for use across Florida, and Deinys hopes it will soon receive EPA clearance for use nationwide.

Making Florida’s Mangroves More Resilient

Born in Miami, Deinys knew science was her passion at an early age while attending a STEM-focused middle and high school. During an internship at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, she discovered a pathogen that was threatening to kill Florida mangroves.

Later, in collaboration with the Marine Resources Council, a non-profit organization dedicated to protecting and restoring Florida’s Indian River Lagoon, they determined that 80% of the mangroves they had sampled tested positive for at least one of the pathogens.

Through her research at �鶹ԭ��, she helped create a nutrient of magnesium and sulfur nanoparticles called “Mag Sun” (MgSuN) that acts like an antimicrobial solution while helping nourish the plant. Mag Sun is also sustainable so it’s safe for the environment. The product, which reduced pathogens by 95%, has now been approved for use across Florida, and Deinys hopes it will soon receive EPA clearance for use nationwide.

“I grew up in South Florida and developed a deep love for the beach and coast,” she said. “And I knew something was happening to my mangroves. I’m committed to the community I’m from and I want to help people – that’s the goal.”

As an undergraduate, she was lead research assistant in an agricultural artificial intelligence effort between �鶹ԭ�� and Cornell University and �鶹ԭ��’s Material Innovation for Sustainable Agriculture Lab. She also served as an Office of Undergraduate Research peer mentor and has presented her research at conferences across the state and nation.

An Order of Pegasus honoree, Deinys will stay at �鶹ԭ�� to earn her Ph.D. in chemistry with a specialization in nanoscience. She said her goal is to be a “jack-of-all-trades,” in science because she’s excited by too many opportunities to use her inquisitive mind to solve real-world problems. As she speaks from her lab office filled with plants, she says she wants to use her love of agriculture to help find ways to link plant life and space travel.

�鶹ԭ�� Alumnus Continues Growth in Central Florida After Graduation

Layla Wall and Aaron Eades — Fri, 05 Dec 2025 15:12:10 +0000

Photonic science and engineering alumnus Alejandro Lopez Zelaya ’25 is proud that his professional journey is continuing near the community that helped him grow into an emerging tech leader.

“Central Florida is my home, and I’d like to be part of this community for as long as I can,” he says.

That plan fell into place when he landed a job at Lockheed Martin, a �鶹ԭ�� Pegasus Partner, just weeks after graduating with his bachelor’s degree in May. His new role as an electro-optical engineer associate in Lockheed Martin’s Orlando Missiles and Fire Control division involves developing new imaging systems — a project that comes with its own challenges.

“These systems make use of sensors specific to the mission,” says Lopez-Zelaya, who is part of the 83% of career-ready �鶹ԭ�� alumni who help fuel Florida’s workforce. “We’re concerned with how these sensors generate images, so we take the optics and other sources of noise into consideration.”

That’s exactly the skillset he honed during his time at the �鶹ԭ�� College of Optics and Photonics (CREOL). In addition to engineering and physics concepts, CREOL students learn the hands-on methods necessary to build optical and electro-optical systems — allowing them to contribute to technological developments that benefit humanity. Lopez Zelaya says he now puts that training to use every day.

“Somebody who doesn’t have an optics and photonics background can’t truly engage in these discussions,” he says, “Because they don’t understand the basics of what is actually happening in these systems.”

Lopez Zelaya’s early career success is a continuation of the legacy he built during his undergrad years. Between classes that taught him MATLAB, display technology, image processing and semiconductor devices, he got involved as an undergraduate student research assistant. He also volunteered at Grace Medical Home, served as president of the IEEE Photonics Society student chapter and served on �鶹ԭ��’s President’s Leadership Council. His dedication to both professional development and his fellow students led to his induction into Order of Pegasus, the most prestigious award �鶹ԭ�� bestows upon students.

Lopez Zelaya says �鶹ԭ��’s culture of creating lifelong learners prepared him well for his next steps at Lockheed Martin.

“Everybody is willing to learn something new about optics,” he says, adding that he’s often a source of expertise for questions that arise in the field.

Lopez Zelaya’s quick transition illustrates the value of the talent pipeline CREOL supplies to the Central Florida photonics industry. As a valued, longtime member of CREOL’s Industrial Affiliates Program, Lockheed Martin’s partnership has strengthened both the available opportunities for students and collaborative research efforts that aim to benefit the industry at large. And as a new Pegasus Partner with �鶹ԭ��, Lockheed Martin’s investment in the future will make impacts far beyond CREOL’s walls, building on a longstanding and pragmatic focus on talent pipeline.

With a 7-to-1 student-to-faculty ratio, CREOL’s students are in a unique position to have a small-college experience at a big university. Lopez Zelaya says he’s glad to have found a similar sense of community at Lockheed Martin.

“There’s a misconception that new technologies mostly emerge from startups, but a lot of them are being developed here,” he says. “Development is fun — taking a concept and making it into a working product.”

Lopez Zelaya says he’s proud to put those skills to use in his hometown, and for a company that’s leading the way in emerging optical technology – positively contributing to Central Florida’s economy along the way.

“It’s one of the best ways to make an impact here,” he says.

�鶹ԭ�� Student Achieves Excellence in Engineering, Medicine Before Graduation

Margot Winick — Tue, 29 Apr 2025 19:45:53 +0000

Chloe Pinkston, an aerospace engineering student on the pre-medical track, is poised to make significant contributions to the emerging field of aerospace medicine.

A native of Oviedo, Florida, Chloe’s journey at the �鶹ԭ�� reflects an exceptional blend of academic rigor, groundbreaking research and a passion for innovation.

“Even though it is such a big school, I was able to find my place at �鶹ԭ�� and create my own unique path,” says Pinkston, who has enjoyed finding friends studying a variety of disciplines. “�鶹ԭ�� provide so many opportunities for me to do research and get involved in research leadership through the student Undergraduate Research Council.”

Majoring in aerospace engineering with minors in bioengineering and mathematics on the pre-medical track, Pinkston is also a Burnett Honors Scholar. She says it was an opportunity “too good to turn down,” with a Lockheed Martin STEM Scholarship included.

Majoring in aerospace engineering with minors in bioengineering and mathematics on the pre-medical track, Pinkston is also a Burnett Honors Scholar.

Growing up close to campus, Pinkston says felt a sense of familiarity and community at �鶹ԭ��, making it the ideal place to pursue her aspirations. Her grandparents are �鶹ԭ�� alumni, and now, her younger sister is following in Pinkston’s footsteps, studying aerospace engineering too.

While initially focused on medicine, Pinkston’s interests broadened in high school, where she took advanced coursework in biology, chemistry and all three physics AP classes that were offered. This foundation, plus her love of mathematics, sparked her interest in aerospace medicine, which combines her passion for science and her fascination with engineering and exploration. Although she loved the nine-hour-long airplane flights to visit family in France, she also noticed that her body experienced changes afterwards.

“I’m especially interested in the effects of reduced gravity, oxygen and pressure on the human body,” Pinkston says. “I hope to be at the forefront of this research, as well as contribute to the development of technologies that help protect and optimize human health in these conditions.”

Her aerospace medicine background will allow her to better understand, design and test the technical systems impacting human health and position her in a valuable role on interdisciplinary teams, where collaboration between medical and engineering professionals is essential.

Her undergraduate career has been marked by rigorous research and academic achievements, especially in biomedical research, which combines her areas of interest. Pinkston has spent over three years in the assistive device lab at the �鶹ԭ�� Academic Health Sciences Campus in Lake Nona, studying the properties of the Achilles tendon, particularly stiffness and energy return during walking. This biomedical research, which began during her first year, has implications for improving mobility and understanding human biomechanics. Currently focused on healthy adults, Pinkston envisions future collaborations with Nemours Children’s Hospital to extend her work to pediatric applications.

Beyond her academic pursuits, Pinkston has been volunteering with organizations like HOPE Helps and Shepherd’s Hope Clinic, where she assists with patient communication and record-keeping.

Reflecting on her decision to study engineering, she attributes her passion to the unique opportunity to blend medicine with cutting-edge technology. She sees aerospace engineering as a pathway to specialize in aerospace medicine, a field that aligns with her dreams of solving complex challenges and improving lives through innovation.

High-Speed STOL UAV team members at the test flight for their senior design showcase capstone project.

She is part of a group that participated in engineering a Senior Design capstone project, which involved designing, modeling, constructing and flying a remote-controlled unmanned aerial vehicle capable of rapid delivery of emergency supplies that could be marketed as cost effective. This project, operated by a pilot using a remote control that sends a signal to the plane’s receiver and applies the pilot’s input to a motor, shows Pinkston’s engineering expertise and teamwork skills.

At �鶹ԭ��’s 2025 Founders’ Day, Chloe was recognized with the Order of Pegasus award, �鶹ԭ��’s highest honor for students. As graduation nears, she recently defended her honors thesis.

“I’m grateful for my time at �鶹ԭ��, which is a place that nurtured my academic and personal growth. I am excited to start medical school, combining my interests in engineering and healthcare,” she says.

Last year, �鶹ԭ�� College of Medicine recruited a vice chair of aerospace medicine, Emmanuel Urquieta, to build a multidisciplinary program in space health. Pinkston says pursuing the program will be a challenge that she looks forward to — especially the integrated sciences courses and opportunities to eventually pursue an aerospace medicine residency or fellowship once she graduates from the medical school.

Pinkston exemplifies the caliber of graduates �鶹ԭ�� is proud to send into the world: bright, driven and ready to positively change the world.

�鶹ԭ��’s Historical Graduation Ceremony is Also Personal

Robert Stephens — Thu, 04 Nov 2021 13:46:20 +0000

This weekend, Sharon Park ’19 ’20MS is traveling 900 miles for what will appear to outsiders to be a five-second walk across the stage at Addition Financial Arena.

Like the rest of the 1,700 participating graduates expected to attend this special commencement celebration, Park completed the requirements for her degree in 2020, but the Florida Board of Governors required all of Florida’s state universities last year to hold virtual commencement ceremonies due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Honestly, I thought the university talked about a make-up ceremony last year because they didn’t have the heart to say ‘canceled,’ ” says Park, who earned a master’s degree in materials science and engineering.

Many graduates from the spring, summer and fall classes of 2020 shared her skepticism and went on with their lives and careers. Park moved to Baltimore to begin her doctoral research at Johns Hopkins. A year passed. Then an unexpected email hit her inbox announcing the opportunity for �鶹ԭ��’s 2020 graduates to reserve a spot in the arena for an in-person ceremony. Appropriately, it would be held on the Friday of Homecoming weekend.

“At first I had to think about leaving my research team at Johns Hopkins,” says Park, “but then I thought about my parents.”

Making the Most of an Opportunity

Every returning graduate has a personal reason for coming back to �鶹ԭ�� for that brief moment on stage.

Park and her younger sister, Yuri, grew up in Apopka. Park remembers her mother not being at the breakfast table on most mornings. After school she and Yuri would go directly to their father’s dojang, where he taught taekwondo. Park would complete her homework in the dojang, train with her dad and ride home with him. It became her daily routine.

“I didn’t completely understand why my mom was gone for so many hours every day,” says Park.

She also wondered why her mother stressed academics so much.

“Mom helped with my schoolwork as much as she could after dinner. I could tell our education meant a lot to her.”

Park’s prowess in math and science grew so rapidly that eventually her mother could only offer encouragement, while her dad instilled the focus and discipline of taekwondo. Park used every bit of it to excel. She was accepted into �鶹ԭ��’s mechanical engineering program and earned a spot in the McNair Scholars Program, which provided a path toward post-graduate work.

In addition to learning about formulas and equations, Park developed an ability to think critically during her undergraduate education, and she began to finally realize something about her parents. She’d known the basic facts: that her mom and dad immigrated from South Korea in the early 1990s, as Park says, “for the reason any immigrant does, because they saw the U.S. as the land of opportunity.” With a changed perspective at �鶹ԭ��, she also appreciated what they’d left.

“They sacrificed everything they’d known in Korea: their jobs. Their relationships. Their language,” she says. “They literally had to start over when they came to the U.S.”

In the past 20 years, South Korea has rapidly developed both socially and economically. But when Hyun and Mi Young Park lived there, they faced limitations. They grew up in impoverished communities and had limited access to higher education. At that time, just one in three high school graduates in Korea went to college. As recently as 2009, 50% of the women in the country were employed, and 6% had either enrolled in, or completed, graduate school.

This explained why Mi Young pulled such long hours at a beauty-supply store and why Park and her sister spent so much time in the dojang. The land of opportunity wasn’t just for mom and dad.

“They wanted to make sure my sister and I could have what they never had growing up — the best education possible,” Park says. “Now I realize that’s all they thought about.”

Sharon Park became the first in her family’s lineage to earn a postgraduate degree, and she is now researching materials used to build aircraft and spacecraft at Johns Hopkins.

Worth the Wait

Park received her bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at a �鶹ԭ�� graduation ceremony in 2019. She knew it would be emotional for Hyun and Mi Young to see their daughter walk across the stage — representing the concept of opportunity being transformed into reality.

“I wanted that moment so badly for them,” Park says.

In the days leading up to commencement, though, her grandmother became severely ill. Hyun, Mi Young, and Yuri had to fly to South Korea. Park walked alone at graduation before joining the family for her grandmother’s final weeks.

“That was a very emotional time for reasons we didn’t anticipate,” she says.

For the next 18 months, she poured her focus and discipline into master’s studies in materials science and engineering. She became the first in her family’s lineage to earn a postgraduate degree, while also earning �鶹ԭ��’s Order of Pegasus — the most prestigious and significant award a student can attain at the university — which would reserve her a seat in the first row at the August 2020 graduation ceremony.

“That part of graduation was going to be a surprise for my parents.”

The surprise turned to another disappointment when COVID-19 forced the ceremony to be postponed with no guarantee of when a make-up ceremony would be scheduled. A few weeks later, Park left to begin her research on materials used to build aircraft and spacecraft at Johns Hopkins.

“It’s better than I thought it would be,” she says. “I’m working in a lab with scientists who are motivating me to be a better researcher and a better person.”

In fact, when she briefly contemplated whether to return to �鶹ԭ�� for graduation, her research team insisted that she go. They don’t even know Park’s whole family story.

“The ceremony is for mom and dad. I want them to know in my moment on stage that I’m saying, ‘I realize everything you did for Yuri and me. Now look. Your sacrifices were all worth it.’ ”

“I’m grateful to �鶹ԭ�� for following through on a promise,” she says. “For me, I’m looking forward to my mom’s galbi-jjim [braised beef]. But the ceremony itself …” she pauses for a few seconds. “The ceremony is for mom and dad.

“I want them to know in my moment on stage that I’m saying, ‘I realize everything you did for Yuri and me. Now look. Your sacrifices were all worth it.’ ”

23 Students to Receive �鶹ԭ��’s Highest Honor

Adrianne Demetry — Thu, 04 Mar 2021 20:05:39 +0000

�鶹ԭ�� has named 23 students as recipients of the Order of Pegasus, the university’s most prestigious student award.

The 2021 recipients were selected from a pool of 83 nominations. The 2021 class includes 15 Burnett Honors College students, six LEAD Scholars, six Student Government leaders, three President’s Leadership Council members, one Greek member, one student-athlete and three transfer students.

Because of the breadth of accomplishments required for this award, the Order of Pegasus is the highest student award that can be attained at the university.

The winners will be honored at a ceremony March 26.

The names and a picture of the inductees will be added to the wall showcasing past and present Order of Pegasus recipients in the Pegasus Lounge located on the second floor of the Student Union.

This year’s recipients are:

Undergraduate Students

Nikki Anne Ballelos, Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine and Burnett Honors College
Natali Barakat, Chemistry, College of Sciences
Stephanie Blanco, Political Science (Pre-Law), College of Sciences
Francesca Burri, Hospitality Management, Rosen College of Hospitality Management and Burnett Honors College
Corey Clancy, Entertainment Management, Rosen College of Hospitality Management and Burnett Honors College
Padmavathi Ganduri, Integrated Business, College of Business and Burnett Honors College
Eva Gluck, Industrial Engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science and Burnett Honors College
Gillian Gomer, Biology, College of Sciences and Burnett Honors College
Romina Homayoun, Health Sciences, College of Health Professions and Sciences and Burnett Honors College
Mariana Kellis, History, College of Arts and Humanities and Burnett Honors College
Fatema Khondker, Biomedical Sciences and Social Work, College of Medicine, College of Health Professions and Sciences and Burnett Honors College
Jasmine Masri, Political Science and Legal Studies, College of Sciences, College of Community Innovation and Education and Burnett Honors College
Bryan Medina, Computer Science, College of Engineering and Computer Science
Chantale Ninah, Computer Science, College of Engineering and Computer Science and Burnett Honors College
Julie Poulsen ’20, Human Communication, College of Sciences
Sadie Richards, Nursing, College of Nursing and Burnett Honors College
Abdullah Saqib, Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine and Burnett Honors College
Riya Shah, Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine and Burnett Honors College
Madeleine Smith, Music Education, College of Arts and Humanities and Burnett Honors College

Graduate Students

Jordan Dowell, Conservation Biology, College of Sciences
Cole Friedes, Doctor of Medicine, College of Medicine
Dakota Lewis ’17, Biology, College of Sciences
Emily Winchester ’17, Public Administration and Nonprofit Management, College of Community Innovation and Education

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24 Students Honored as Order of Pegasus Recipients

Wed, 19 Feb 2020 21:01:54 +0000

Twenty-four students —– ranging in disciplines from engineering to biology to education and more —– have been named as 2020 recipients of the Order of Pegasus, �鶹ԭ��’s most prestigious student award.

This year’s inductees include seven LEAD Scholars, five President’s Leadership Council members, seven Student Government leaders, 11 Burnett Honors College scholars, three Greek members, two student-athletes and three transfer students, including one as a master’s degree student. Their collective GPA is 3.88.

Undergraduate students are selected based on academic achievement, university involvement, leadership and community service. Graduate students additionally are chosen based on publication or research experiences.

This year’s recipients will be honored at 5 p.m. April 6 at a ceremony in the Pegasus Ballroom.

The names and pictures of the recipients will be added to the wall showcasing past and present Order of Pegasus recipients in the Pegasus Lounge on the second floor of the Student Union. Inductees also receive commemorative medals and scholarships from Student Government.

This year’s recipients are:

Yaser Ahmad, biomedical sciences (College of Medicine, Burnett Honors College)
Karla Badillo-Urquiloa ’14 ’15MS, modeling and simulation (College of Engineering and Computer Science)
Kyle Benkel, biomedical sciences (College of Medicine, Burnett Honors College)
Samantha Berg, (College of Sciences, Burnett Honors College)
Giorgi Beruashvili, international and global studies (College of Sciences, Burnett Honors College)
Safia Centner, – pre-clinical (College of Health Professions and Sciences, Burnett Honors College)
Breon Clark, – pre-clinical (College of Health Professions and Sciences)
Kristen Detz, elementary education (College of Community Innovation and Education, Burnett Honors College)
Jenna Dovydaitis, political science/biology (College of Sciences, Burnett Honors College)
Taylor Duffy, – pre-clinical (College of Health Professions and Sciences)
Kyler Gray, (College of Community Innovation and Education)
Timothy Hill ’18, /criminal justice (College of Community Innovation and Education)
Stephanie Jarmak, physics/planetary science (College of Sciences)
Samuel Mikhail, biomedical sciences (College of Medicine, Burnett Honors College)
Victoria Millington, biomedical sciences (College of Medicine, Burnett Honors College)
Madeline Mills, political science/pre-law (College of Sciences)
Sharon Park ’19, (College of Engineering and Computer Science)
Taylor Pryor, English literature (College of Arts and Humanities, Burnett Honors College)
Ryan Ridenbaugh ’16, biology (College of Sciences)
Allison Sabol, (College of Business)
Rachel Sampson, (College of Optics and Photonics)
Sirikanya Sellers, (College of Medicine)
Sarah Swiersz, (College of Undergraduate Studies, Burnett Honors College)
George Walters-Marrah, biomedical sciences (College of Medicine)

22 Students to Receive �鶹ԭ��’s Highest Honor

�鶹ԭ�� Communications — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 21:26:39 +0000

�鶹ԭ�� has named 22 students as recipients of the Order of Pegasus, the university’s most prestigious student award.

The 2019 recipients were selected from a pool of 77 nominations. The 2019 class includes eight LEAD Scholars, eight President’s Leadership Council members, three Student Government Association leaders, 14 Burnett Honors College scholars, one Greek member, two student-athletes and one transfer student.

Undergraduate students are chosen for Order of Pegasus each year based on their outstanding achievement in the areas of academic achievement, university involvement, leadership and community service. Graduate students are selected based on the same merits as well as publication or research experiences. Because of the breadth of accomplishments required for this award, the Order of Pegasus is the highest student award that can be attained at the university.

The winners will be honored at a ceremony this spring on April 10.

The names and a picture of the inductees will be added to the wall showcasing past and present Order of Pegasus recipients in the Pegasus Lounge located on the second floor of the Student Union. Inductees also receive commemorative medals and scholarships from the Student Government Association.

This year’s recipients are:

Undergraduate Students

Raquel Arthuzo, biomedical sciences (College of Medicine, Burnett Honors College)

Angelo Baldado, social work (College of Health Professions and Sciences, Burnett Honors College)

Maria Bower, environmental engineering (College of Engineering and Computer Science, Burnett Honors College)

Jonathan Brescia, physics (College of Sciences, Burnett Honors College)

Julia Carlin, biology (College of Sciences, Burnett Honors College)

Marley Denierio, biomedical sciences and anthropology (College of Medicine, College of Sciences, Burnett Honors College)

Yanelis Diaz, health services administration and biology (College of Community Innovation and Education, College of Sciences, Burnett Honors College)

Zachary Good ’18, political science (College of Sciences, Burnett Honors College)

Abbygail Lapinski, nursing (College of Nursing, Burnett Honors College)

Adrienne Li, health sciences-pre clinical (College of Health Professions and Sciences)

Latifah Maasarani, photonic science and engineering (College of Optics and Photonics, Burnett Honors College)

Uzoamaka Mbionwu, health sciences-pre clinical (College of Health Professions and Sciences)

Michael McWaters, political science and economics (College of Sciences, College of Business, Burnett Honors College)

Mansoor Qureshi, biomedical sciences (College of Medicine, Burnett Honors College)

Lauren Schmidt, environmental engineering (College of Engineering and Computer Science, Burnett Honors College)

Adam Searles, biology (College of Sciences, Burnett Honors College)

Graduate Students

Mohammad Ali ’16, health administration (College of Community Innovation and Education)

Brett Estrella ’18MBA, sports business management (College of Business)

Christopher Faulkner, security studies (College of Sciences)

Tyler Janz, doctor of medicine (College of Medicine)

Kate Kilpatrick, theatre for young audiences (College of Arts and Humanities)

Katrina Phillips, conservation biology (College of Sciences)

22 to Receive Order of Pegasus, �鶹ԭ��’s Highest Student Honor

Briant Coleman — Mon, 19 Feb 2018 13:30:36 +0000

Twenty-two �鶹ԭ�� students have been named as recipients of the 2018 Order of Pegasus, the university’s most prestigious student award.

The recipients were selected from a pool of 79 nominations. The new class includes seven LEAD Scholars, five President’s Leadership Council members, one Student Government Association leader, 12 from The Burnett Honors College, four Greek members, and four student-athletes.

Undergraduate students are chosen based on their outstanding achievements in the areas of academics, university involvement, leadership and community service. Graduate students are selected based on the same merits as well as publication or research experiences. The average GPA of the 2018 Order of Pegasus class is 3.91, the highest in the Order of Pegasus history. Because of the breadth of accomplishments required for this award, the Order of Pegasus is the highest student award that can be attained at the university.

The winners will be honored at an April 2 ceremony.

The names and a picture of the inductees will be added to the wall showcasing past and current recipients in the Pegasus Lounge on the second floor of the Student Union. Inductees also receive commemorative medals and scholarships from the Student Government Association.

This year’s recipients are:

Undergraduate Students

Ana Beltran, College of Arts & Humanities, Emerging Media and Digital Media

Eliana Benevento, Rosen College of Hospitality Management, Event Management

Erica Castaneda, College of Medicine, Biomedical Sciences

Anthony Catotti, College of Business Administration and College of Education & Human Performance, Management and Sports and Exercise Management

Sarah Davenport, College of Sciences, Anthropology

Jessie Dickens, College of Business Administration, Business Economics

Paul Gill, College of Sciences, Political Sciences and International Relations

Heather Holman, College of Medicine and College of Education & Human Performance, Biomedical Sciences and Sports and Exercise Science

Jeslin Kera, College of Medicine, Biomedical Sciences

Nicholas Larkins, College of Health & Public Affairs, Health Sciences Pre-Clinical

Minh-Chau N. Le, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering

Maria Pennella, College of Health & Public Affairs, Health Sciences

Michelle Prophete, College of Medicine, Biomedical Sciences

Bailey Ranson, College of Nursing, Nursing

Lindsey Webb, College of Engineering & Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering

Matthew Wright, College of Engineering & Computer Science, Aerospace Engineering

Graduate Students

Carissa Baker, College of Arts & Humanities, Texts and Technology

Porsha Dossie, College of Arts & Humanities, History

Daniel Franklin, College of Sciences, Physics

Ahmad Qasem, College of Medicine, Biomedical Sciences

Elizabeth Wellings, College of Medicine, Medical Doctor

Taylor Wickey, Rosen College of Hospitality Management, Hospitality and Tourism Management

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