University Announces Class of 2014 Presidential Scholars
Pictured with The University of Scranton President Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., (seated, far left) are the Jesuit university’s 11 incoming students awarded full-tuition Presidential Scholarships, seated, from left: Mary Armstrong, Craig Fisher, and Theresa Iannuzzi. Standing, from left, are: Deanna Lindberg, Louis Porreca, Emily Johnson, Joseph Butacci, Matthew Tibbitts, Michelle D’Souza, Lauren Prinzing and Christian Burne.
The University of Scranton has awarded 11 incoming students four-year, full-tuition Presidential Scholarships.
Presidential Scholarships are awarded to incoming freshmen with outstanding records in their high school and community involvement. The scholarship covers four years of full tuition provided that the student maintains at least a 3.25 grade point average. In addition, Presidential scholars are invited to participate in a Presidential Colloquy that includes academic discussions with the president, a seminar on leadership and civic responsibility, and meetings with the provost and faculty about topics raised by guest speakers at the University.
The following students were awarded Presidential Scholarships.
Mary Armstrong, Endwell, N.Y., graduated as salutatorian from Seton Catholic High School, Binghamton, N.Y., where she was president of the National Honor Society and received several achievement awards. As team captain of the varsity soccer, basketball and lacrosse teams, she was named Outstanding Senior Athlete and graduated with 11 varsity letters. She was active in the community as a volunteer youth counselor and an altar sever. Endwell, a biochemistry major with a pre-medical concentration, is a member of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program at Scranton. She is the daughter of Jack and Terri Armstrong.
Christian Burne, Langley Air Force Base, Va., was valedictorian at Peninsula Catholic High School, Newport News, Va. He is an AP Scholar and earned summa cum laude distinction on the National Latin Exam. He was captain of the varsity baseball team, president of Students Against Destructive Decisions and a member of the National Honor Society. Burne is majoring in political science and international relations and is a member of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program at Scranton. He is the son of Brig. Gen. Chris Burne of The University of Scranton’s class of 1980 and Robin Burne.
Joseph Butacci, West Wyoming, is a graduate of Scranton Preparatory School. He is majoring in biochemistry. He was a member of the National Honor Society and took first place in the American Chemical Society’s High School Chemistry Exam and Bloomsburg University’s Math Competition. He has volunteered in several community service activities, including holiday preparations in his church parish and Project Hope. He is the son of Joseph and Florence Buttacci.
Michelle D’Souza, East Meadow, N.Y., is a graduate of Sacred Heart Academy, Hempstead, N.Y. She was a member of the National Honor Society and the science, math, French and music honor societies. She held several leadership roles, including president of the Speech and Debate club, the Key Club, R.I.S.K. and the French club. She volunteered for community programs including Operation Shoebox and Pennies for Patients. A member of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program at Scranton, D’Souza is majoring in neuroscience. She is the daughter of Desmond D’Souza and Norma Lobo D’Souza.
Craig Fisher, Scranton, is a graduate of Scranton High School. He served as vice president of the German club and played in the marching band for five years. As a member of Future Business Leaders of America, he placed first in the state and ninth nationally in economics. He also ranked as a National AP Scholar. Fisher is an Eagle Scout and works at Goose Pond Scout Reservation, Lake Wallenpaupack, as a nature director. An undeclared major, Fisher is a member of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program at Scranton. He is the son of Herb and Annette Fisher.
Valedictorian of her graduating class at Susquehannock High School, Glen Rock, Theresa Iannuzzi, Shrewsbury, is a chemistry major and a member of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program at Scranton. In addition to being named an AP Scholar with Distinction, she was treasurer and principal chair of her high school’s orchestra and volunteered at her local library. She is the daughter of Michael and Christine Iannuzzi.
Emily Johnson, Brookeville, Md., is a graduate of Our Lady of Good Counsel High School, Olney, Md. She ranked as a National AP Scholar and a State of Maryland Distinguished Scholar semifinalist. She served as president of the Students for Life club and volunteered for four summers as a camp counselor. Johnson, an accounting major, is a member of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program at Scranton. She is the daughter Robert and Laurena Johnson.
Deanna Lindberg, Bridgewater, N.J., graduated from Bridgewater Raritan Regional High School, Bridgewater, N.J., where she was a member of the National Honor Society and Italian honor society. She is a 13-year member of the Girl Scouts of America and was involved in her home church as a youth group leader, a catechism teacher and office volunteer. She was a founding member of Students Raising Students, an organization dedicated to raising money for college-bound students in Kenya and Tanzania. A member of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program at Scranton, she is majoring in psychology with a pre-medical concentration. She is the daughter of Larry and Paula Lindberg.
Valedictorian of her graduating class at Bishop Kearney High School, Rochester, N.Y., Lauren Prinzing, Penfield, N.Y., is an exercise science major with a seat in the doctor of physical therapy program at Scranton. She was a member of the National Honor Society and ranked as an AP Scholar. She served as a peer minister and competed in varsity cross country and indoor and outdoor track. Prinzing volunteered in a variety of community service projects, such as donating arts and crafts supplies to a children’s hospital. She is the daughter of Kevin and Diane Prinzing.
Louis Porreca, Marlton, N.J., is a graduate of St. Joseph’s Preparatory School, Philadelphia. A member of the National Honor Society, Porreca was an Advanced Placement and National Merit Scholar. He is majoring in biology and is a member of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program at Scranton. He is the son of Lou and Ann Porreca.
Matthew Tibbitts, West Hartford, Conn., graduated with maximum honors from Conard High School. He was named second-team all-state in lacrosse and engaged in several community projects, including toy and clothing drives and Relay for Life. A member of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honors Program at Scranton, he is in an undecided major. He is the son of Jeff and Kate Tibbitts.
