AMHERST, N.Y. – The top 10 first-year Daemen College students who earned the highest grade point average in their first year of studies were recently recognized at a luncheon held in their honor.

The on-campus celebration included special acknowledgements by honored students for selected faculty members considered inspirational in their academic success at the college. Daemen President Gary Olson and Dr. Michael Brogan, senior vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college, also gave congratulatory remarks at the event.

The top first-year students, who had a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.92, represent majors in accounting, business administration, physical therapy, and physician assistant studies.

Honorees for the 2017-18 academic year are:

• Makayla Cash of Fabius, physician assistant studies major.
• Ziv Basden of the Bahamas, business administration with sport management specialization.
• Morgan Fowler of Depew, physician assistant studies major.
• Alison Greenwood of North Aurora, Ill., physical therapy major.
• Derek Mancuso of Friendship, undeclared major.
• Andrew McLaughlin of Buffalo, arts administration major.
• Darcy Paradiso of Angola, accounting major.
• Bilal Shah of West Henrietta, physician assistant studies major.
• Olivia Turck of Grand Island, physician assistant studies major.
• Angelina Wezelis of Churchville, physician assistant studies major.

Pictured (L-R) are: first row - Bilal Shah; Olivia Turck; Michelle Copolo, assistant athletic trainer; Alison Greenwood; Makayla Cash; Angelina Wezelis; and Andrew McLaughlin; second row - Sabrina Fennell, assistant vice president for student success; Cynthia Russell, biology lab coordinator; Ziv Basden; and Dr. Robert Waterhouse, associate professor of theater; and third row – Dr. Jonathan Good, assistant professor of biology; Dr. Shirley Peterson, dean of arts and sciences; Elizabeth Wright, dean of health and human services; Derrick Swartz, chemistry lab coordinator; Mike MacDonald, head men’s basketball coach; and Dr. Kevin Telford,  chair of modern languages.