AMHERST, N.Y. – The top 10 first-year Daemen College students who earned the highest grade point average in their first year at the college were recently recognized at a luncheon celebration that for the first time included a ceremonial ringing of the new Founders Bell.

In honor of their academic excellence, prior to the on campus luncheon each student participated in ringing Daemen’s Founders Bell, which was dedicated this fall at the college’s inaugural Founders Celebration.

The top students, who had a minimum cumulative 3.97 GPA, represent majors in biochemistry, business administration, early childhood education, nursing, physical therapy, physician assistant studies, and psychology.

Honorees for the 2016-17 academic year are:

• Samantha Barker of Hilton, physical therapy major.
• Dung Dinh of Tay Ninh, Vietnam, psychology major.
• Alison Greaves of Amherst, nursing major.
• Alec Karcher of Lancaster, undeclared major.
• Sarah Lewandowski of Lancaster, physical therapy major.
• Sydney MacInnis of Superior, Colo., business administration major with a marketing specialization.
• Julianna Moffitt of Mission Viejo, Calif., early childhood education major.
• Sharissa Morton of Churchville, physician assistant studies major.
• Jessica Schrader of Jamestown, biochemistry/pre-veterinary medicine major.
• Katelyn Szymkowski of Lancaster, physician assistant studies major.

The luncheon also included special acknowledgements by honored students for selected faculty members considered inspirational in their academic success at Daemen. Pictured below is Sydney MacInnis ringing Daemen’s Founders Bell.