Honors Program

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Program

Welcome and Introductions
Dr. Zora Thomova
Dean of Graduate School and Associate Provost for Academic Affairs

Recognition of Faculty
Dr. Zora Thomova

Presentation of Honors Medallions
Dr. Stewart Diemont
Director of the Honors Program

Today’s ceremony recognizes the accomplishments of our Honors Program Graduates with the awarding of the ESF Honors Medallion. These medallions are bestowed in recognition of the outstanding academic achievements of each Honors student and, in particular, the completion of the Honors Thesis.

The Honors Medallion is to be worn as a part of the academic regalia traditionally reserved for use during commencement and convocation ceremonies. ESF’s Honors Medallions are designed in the College’s signature colors of gold and green, and include the oak leaf and acorn logo, symbolic of ESF’s dedication to cultivate the growth of knowledge and understanding of our environment in our students.

Closing Remarks
Dr. Zora Thomova

 

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Spring 2025 Graduates

 

Department of Environmental Biology

Alexandra Kaminski — Conservation Biology
Thesis: Investigating the Connections Between Food Choices and Climate Change Mitigation in Fijian Households
Dr. Joshua Drew, Advisor

 

Department of Environmental Resources Engineering

Molly Brown — Environmental Resources Engineering
Thesis: Mathematical Modeling of Horizontal Gene Transfer under Varying Initial Conditions
Dr. Yaqi You, Advisor

Sean Holbert — Environmental Resources Engineering
Theis: Poverty and Privation: Measuring Unseen Components of Human Development
Dr. Emme Christie and Dr. Sharon Moran, Advisors 

Zachary Isaman — Environmental Resources Engineering
Theis: Combined Sewer Overflow Reduction Predictions Using Dynamic Systems Modeling
Dr. Stewart Diemont, Advisor

Liam Quinn Rodewald — Environmental Resources Engineering
Thesis: Melanoma Prevalence and Polychlorinated Biphenyl Contamination Across NYS: Random Forest Predictive Modeling
Dr. Lindi Quackenbush, Advisor

 

Division of Environmental Science

Digby Barrios — Environmental Science 
Thesis: Analyzing the Pumpkinseed Sunfish Population in Onondaga Lake, New York
Dr. Joshua Drew, Advisor 

 

Department of Environmental Studies

Ashley Mitchell — Environmental Studies: Policy Planning, and Law
Thesis: Energy Democracy Discourse in Puerto Rico
Dr. Andrea Parker, Advisor

 

Department of Landscape Architecture

Cecilia Zajac — Landscape Architecture
Thesis: Public Space Agency: Informality and Empowerment in Kathmandu, Nepal
Dr. Jean Yang and Matt Potteiger, Advisors

 

Department of Sustainable Resources Management

Natalie Bianchi — Sustainable Resources Management
Thesis: Evaluating Traditional Arbustra Agroforestry: Grapevine Growth Based on Variety, Planting Density, and Management Type
Dr. Stewart Diemont, Advisor

Hollis Burt — Sustainable Energy Management
Thesis: Yield and Survival of Shrub Willow Clones over Two Rotations on Former Industrial Site Reveal Important Patterns About Selection for an Evapotranspiration Cover 
Dr. Timothy Volk, Advisor 

Jeremy Grovanz — Sustainable Energy Management
Thesis: Energy Retrofit Model for Homes in Upstate New York
Dr. Jenny Frank, Advisor