Some 150 students were honored, and faculty were recognized for having received teaching awards and dean’s scholarly achievement prizes at Hamilton's Class and Charter Day on May 10.
Fillius/Drown scholarship recipient Ryan Smolarsky is a physics major and pre-med student. A Dean’s List honoree and member of the Hamilton football team, he plans to declare a double minor in math and music. In September, Smolarsky earned his EMT certification and volunteers with the Central Oneida County Volunteer Ambulance Corps. A nominator called him “an extremely driven and self-motivated young man who is destined for great success in the future.”
Smolarsky has served as a physics student mentor and, through Stony Brook Hospital, has been a contributing author and researcher on two papers on cardiovascular surgery. He also volunteers as a high school tutor in algebra and biology through EduMate NYC.
Active as vice president of his fraternity, Delta Upsilon, Smolarsky also served as its vice president of academic excellence last year. As a member of the football team, he was named to the NESCAC All-Academic team both his sophomore and junior years, and he acts as a mentor for younger teammates while serving as a great example and leader, said a nominator.
The Milton F. Fillius, Jr./Joseph Drown Prize Scholarship, established by the Joseph Drown Foundation, is awarded to a junior who has been very successful academically, has demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities at Hamilton, and who is likely to make a significant contribution to society in the future.
Soper Merrill recipient Joel Adade received the Fillius Drown scholarship last year. A Posse Scholar from Worcester, Mass., and Dean’s List student, he is a residential advisor and co-founder of ROOTS, Hamilton’s society for students of color in STEM. The James Soper Merrill Prize is awarded to the member of the graduating class “who, in character and influence, has typified the highest ideals of the College.” The winner is selected by the faculty and speaks at Commencement.
Every year, Hamilton selects project proposals from members of the senior class that exhibit a “spirit of inquisitiveness and a seriousness of purpose” worthy of $30,000. Hamilton’s Bristol Fellowship awards this generous funding for worldwide research projects that will encourage both “discovery of self and the world.” This year’s recipients, Abigail Moone ’23 and Charlie Ratner ’23 hope to make those same discoveries.
The Thomas J. Watson Fellowship offers participants the chance to explore their “absolute passion.” This mission appealed to Salwa Sidahmed ’23. After graduation, Sidahmed will visit five different countries to follow her passion: plant-based practices and sustainability.