As students finish up their final assignments, pack away their rooms, say goodbye to our roommates, and soak up the last few days of the semester, four students shared their highlights for the 2023-2024 academic year. From freshmen to seniors, the experiences that students share are all things that they will talk about after they graduate.
Freshman Ashlyn Evans highlighted her experience being a part of sorority life and how her experiences have shaped her freshman year.
“Getting into Alpha Delta Pi in the fall has been the highlight of my year because I’ve never felt more comfortable with a group of girls. I’ve made so many lifelong friends that I am so thankful for. I’ve also had so many opportunities to grow as a leader as a freshman and I am very excited to see what the future has in store,” Evans said.
Annually, the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life (FSL) at SHU hosts their award ceremony to commemorate the students, advisors and chapters that have gone above and beyond expectations. At the ceremony, hosted Wednesday, April 17, Evans received the “Emerging Leader Award.” This past semester, Evans was a part of the Emerging Leader Institute that included students from all FSL chapters.
“I’m so grateful that my contributions did not go unnoticed. The Emerging Leaders Institute has aided my leadership skills in so many ways already, and this further proves that. Every conversation and lesson has resonated with me significantly,” Evans said. “I want to once again thank Kathryn Ionta, Nick Frias, and Wilson Valois for everything they have done to help me grow as a person and leader. I’m so honored to have represented Alpha Delta Pi during this series, and I’m ecstatic to see where my leadership journey goes from here!”
Sophomore Victoria Del Re shared that her highlight for the year was her leadership role as Vice President of Programming for the Panhellenic Executive Council. This was a role she was appointed to this past spring semester.
“The highlight of my year this school year has to be working as Vice President of Programming for the Panhellenic Executive Council and having the amazing opportunity to plan and execute Greek Week,” Del Re said.
Through her position, Del Re was able to create a memorable experience for the entire FSL community. From the musical competition of Greek Sing to flag football to guess that tune, her ability to promote a fun and collaborative environment among the FSL community demonstrated her dedication to maintaining university traditions.
Source; Contributed by Ashlyn Evans ’27
Source; Contributed by Hunter Harris ’25
Junior Hunter Harris, involved in the nursing program, FSL (Beta Theta Pi fraternity), the Division 1 Track Team, and a part of the Multicultural Center, spoke about attending the Black Love Gala, hosted by the Office of Multicultural Affairs.
“The Gala brought together people of various cultures and minority groups and was a beautiful, unifying event,” Harris said.
As one of the only Black male students in the class of 2025 College of Nursing, Hunter’s appreciation for the Gala’s celebration of Black culture was close to his heart. To create a community on campus and to celebrate various cultures and experiences is something he enjoyed being a part of.
As a D1 athlete, Harris also recognized the diversity in sports but found immense value in the school’s efforts to extend this celebration beyond athletics.
“Having the school be able to share that aside from sports is uplifting,” he said, highlighting the significance of inclusivity and representation in all facets of campus life.
Grace Posillico, senior and President of the Theater Arts Program (TAP), reflected on her standout moment of the academic year.
“My highlight of this year was working on ‘Ride the Cyclone,’” she said. “It was a special group of people that put everything into this production, and it was absolutely incredible.”
Posillico reflected on the efforts of the cast and crew.
“The cast, creative team, designers, and crew were the best in the program. We all stayed up until 2 am the night before opening night adding the final touches as a team,” Posillico said. “It was the best show and experience I have had over the past four years in the TAP program.”
Looking back on this year, whether it was students’ first or last, there will always be something special to hold on to. Whether it was joining a new club, a new organization, a favorite (or least favorite) class, students like these can all reflect on their years at SHU.
