INFORMATION FOR
Awarded to an academically outstanding, graduating History major who is continuing on to graduate school and/or is an outstanding Phi Alpha Theta National History Honor Society member.
Fazli Hida
Fazli Hida is a History major and a Humanities Honors Program minor at William Paterson University. He is co-recipient of the 2021-2022 Livio Stechhini Essay Award. Fazli is also a member of the Hawthorne Historical Society. After Spring 2023 graduation, Fazli will pursue a Master’s degree in Library and Information Sciences at Rutgers University before embarking on a career as a librarian.
Awarded to an academically outstanding, graduating History major.
Liam Hornbostel
Liam Hornbostel is a History major and a Humanities Honors Program minor at William Paterson University. He graduated in Fall 2022 and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Business Administration at WPU. In the future, Liam hopes to enroll in a graduate program in History and work an educator.
Mark Kirker
Mark Kirker is a History major and an Anthropology minor at William Paterson University. He graduated in Fall 2022 and intends to pursue a Master’s degree in History with a certification in Teaching Students with Disabilities. Mark plans to work as an Elementary School teacher.
Awarded to an academically outstanding, graduating History major who is also pursuing a degree in Elementary or Secondary Education.
Kyle Crispina
Kyle Crispina is a History major and a Secondary Education major at William Paterson University. After Spring 2023 graduation, he intends to work as a High School teacher. In the future, Kyle hopes to pursue a graduate degree in History with a certification in Teaching Students with Disabilities.
Evelin Vaquero
Evelin Vaquero is a History major and a Secondary Education major with a certification in Teaching Studies with Disabilities at William Paterson University. After Spring 2023 graduation, Evelin intends to work as a History and/or Social Studies teacher in a Middle and/or High School.
Awarded to an academically outstanding, graduating History minor and/or American Studies minor.
Alex Peterman
Alex Peterman is an Economics major and History minor at William Paterson University. Alex graduated in Fall 2022.
Awarded to any current History major/minor or American Studies minor for an outstanding writing assignment completed within a History course during the present academic year.
Maxamillian Anderson
Essay: “British Intervention During the Taiping Rebellion”
Maxamillian Anderson is a History major at William Paterson University. Maxamillian is considering a Master’s degree in Library and Information Sciences and embarking on a career working for a university library.
Michael Johnson
Essay: “The Primary Theme of Anti-Japanese American Propaganda”
Michael Johnson is a History major and a Legal Studies minor at William Paterson University. After Spring 2023 graduation, he intends to pursue a Juris Doctor degree in law school. Michael plans to work as a Constitutional or Civil Rights lawyer.
Christina Aviles
Christina Aviles is a Liberal Studies major with concentrations in Psychology and Sociology and an Elementary Education major at William Paterson University. Christina graduated in Fall 2022.
Maria Stella Gomez
Maria Stella Gomez is a Liberal Studies major with concentrations in Psychology and Sociology and an Elementary Education major with a certification in Teaching English as a Second Language at William Paterson University. Maria will graduate in Spring 2023.
Emily Suto
Emily Suto is a Liberal Studies major with concentrations in Psychology and Sociology and an Early Childhood Education major with a certification in Teaching Students with Disabilities at William Paterson University. Emily graduated in Fall 2022.
Maxwell Johnson
Maxwell Johnson is a History major, a Philosophy minor, and a Humanities Honors Program minor at William Paterson University. He is an inductee of the Phi Alpha Theta National History Honor Society. Having graduated in Fall 2021 with Summa Cum Laude academic honors, Maxwell will attend Rutgers University Law School to pursue a Juris Doctor degree in Fall 2022.
Victoria Huizing
Victoria Huizing is a History major, an Elementary Education major, and Teaching Students with Disabilities minor at William Paterson University. Having graduated in Fall 2021 with Summa Cum Laude academic honors, Victoria plans to work as an Elementary School teacher and also pursue a Master’s degree in Education Leadership.
Joseph Pawlica
Joseph Pawlica is a History major and a Secondary Education major at William Paterson University. He is an inductee of the Alpha Alpha Alpha Honor Society. After graduating in Spring 2022, Joseph plans to work as a Middle School or High School Teacher and later pursue a graduate degree in Educational Psychology or Educational Curriculum and Instruction.
Melissa Babyak
Melissa Babyak is a History major and an Early Childhood Education major at William Paterson University. After graduating in Spring 2022, Melissa plans to work as an Elementary Education teacher in South Carolina.
Katie Smeilus
Katie Smeilus is a History major and an Early Childhood Education major with a concentration in Teaching Students with Disabilities at William Paterson University. Having graduated in Fall 2021 with Summa Cum Laude academic honors, Katie currently works as a Second Grade teacher in the Vernon School District in New Jersey.
Anthony Finnen
Anthony Finnen is a Communications major with a concentration in Media Productions, a History minor, and a Performing and Literary Arts Honors Program minor at William Paterson University. After graduating in Spring 2022, Anthony plans to work in the film industry.
Essay: “Evaluating Korea’s Colonial Period”
Fazli Hida is a History major and a Humanities Honors Program minor at William Paterson University. He is a member of the Hawthorne Historical Society. Fazli plans to pursue a Master’s degree in Library and Information Sciences and a career as librarian.
Griffin Leary
Essay: “James Connolly’s Life and Legacy”
Griffin Leary is a History major, a Linguistics minor, and a Humanities Honors Program minor at William Paterson University. Griffin plans to pursue a Juris Doctor degree in law school and afterwards a career as a union-side labor attorney.
Jacqueline Antonette Messina
Jacqueline Antonette Messina is a History major, Elementary Education (Middle School Endorsement) major, and a Teaching of Students with Disabilities minor at William Paterson University. Jacqueline graduated in Fall 2020 with Summa Cum Laude academic honors. She is also an inductee into the Tau Sigma National Honor Society for transfer students and the Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education. Jacqueline currently works as a 4th Grade Teacher at Rockaway Township Public School in New Jersey.
Robert Ian Elfers
Robert Ian Elfers is a History major at William Paterson University. He is an inductee into the Phi Alpha Theta National History Honor Society. After graduating in Spring 2021, Robert plans to become a High School Teacher of History/Social Studies in New Jersey.
Victoria Cecelia Lipari
Victoria Cecelia Lipari is a History major, Elementary Education (Middle School Endorsement) major, and a Teaching of Students with Disabilities minor at William Paterson University. Victoria graduated in Fall 2020 with Summa Cum Laude academic honors. She is also an inductee into the Phi Alpha Theta National History Honor Society. Victoria plans to become Teacher of Middle Social Studies or Elementary Education in New Jersey.
William J. Mioduszewski
William J. Mioduszewski is a Political Science major and History minor at William Paterson University. William graduated in Fall 2020. He is also an inductee into the Phi Alpha Theta National History Honor Society. William plans to pursue a career in public service and is currently applying for positions at United States Congressional offices and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Maxwell JohnsonEssay: "Concerning Interwar (1918-1939) Transnationalism: Germany, China, Japan"
Maxwell Johnson is a History major, a Philosophy minor, and student in the Humanities Honors Program at William Paterson University. He is an inductee in the Phi Alpha Theta National History Honor Society. Maxwell plans to pursue a PhD in History or a JD in Law.
Abigail Taylor Jones
Abigail Taylor Jones is a double major History and Asian Studies (in the Japanese Language track), as well as a student in the Honors College (in the Humanities track) at William Paterson University. After graduation, her plans include attending graduate school to study contemporary Japanese cultural history.
Paul Michael Joseph Doumanis
Paul Michael Joseph Doumanis is a double major in History and Secondary Education at William Paterson University. He was accepted into the Japanese Exchange Teaching (JET) Program and will spend the 2020-2021 academic year teaching English in Japan to public school students.
Awarded to an academically outstanding, graduating History major who is also pursuing a degree in Elementary or Secondary Education (2 recipients for 2019-2020).
Monica Chigozie Ama
Monica Chigozie Ama is a double major in History and Early Childhood Education (with special emphasis on Teaching Students with Disabilities) at William Paterson University. She has accepted a job offer to teach at Saint Michael’s Junior Day Nursery in Paterson, New Jersey.
Serena Pearson
Serena Pearson is a double major in History and Elementary Education (with special emphasis on Teaching Students with Disabilities), as well as a student in the Honors College (in the Cognitive Science track) at William Paterson University. After graduation, her plans include becoming an elementary education teacher.
David Hunter
David Hunter is a double major in History and Secondary Education, minor in American Studies, as well as a student in the Honors College (in the Humanities track) at William Paterson University. After graduation, his plans include becoming a secondary education teacher.
Pooja PatelEssay: "Chinese Migrants to the U.S.:1882-1965"
Pooja Patel is a triple major in Management, Marketing, and Economics, a minor in History, as well as a student in the Honors College (in the Business track) at William Paterson University. She will graduate in May 2021 and plans to attend law school.
*** Magna Cum Laude ** Summa Cum Laude * Cum Laude
Students who took a minimum of 12 credits and earned a grade point average of 3.45 or better are named to the Dean’s List for Fall and Spring semesters. Courses taken under the pass/fail option are not counted towards the 12-credit minimum requirement.
