AMHERST, N.Y. – Daemen College sophomore students celebrated completing their second year at the college’s second annual Sophomore Social, which included the presentation of new academic awards at the event held on April 4.

“We anticipate this special celebration will become a great new tradition at Daemen and help highlight the significance of the sophomore year, which is a pivotal one for students,” said Dr. Greg Nayor, vice president for student affairs. “As sophomores work toward their academic and professional goals, this event gives us the opportunity to acknowledge their success and to engage them in an activity that shows our support.”

Daemen students in attendance at the Sophomore Social each received a gift in remembrance of the event and in recognition of their achievements at the college. They also had the chance to reconnect with their first-year orientation leaders and with faculty and staff.

This year’s celebration also included the presentation of the inaugural Sophomore Academic Improvement Awards to students who achieved academic success while overcoming the challenging transition to the sophomore year. Students honored for increasing their GPA a full point from their first to sophomore year are Prince Brown of Brooklyn; Rachel Cooke of West Seneca; Jordan Carrero of Buffalo; Mikyla Fisher of Getzville; Dustin Greenawalt of Silver Creek; Hannah Lasher of Amherst; Gina Pluchino of Buffalo; Joseph Prunier of Elmira; and Tyler Smith of Hamburg.

Also, sophomore Anthony DelleValle of Tonawanda was named the first recipient of Daemen’s new Sophomore Achievement Award in recognition of earning a 4.0 GPA every semester since starting his studies at the college.

“We are pleased to recognize the achievements of all our sophomore students and the academic excellence of our inaugural award honorees,” said Dr. Michael Brogan, vice president for academic affairs and dean of students. “Through our many campus resources and other efforts, we are dedicated to providing sophomores the support needed so they may reach their full potential and achieve student success.”