University of Scranton Names Full-Tuition Presidential Scholars for Class of 2020

Oct 12, 2016

The University of Scranton has awarded 10 students from its class of 2020 four-year, full-tuition Presidential Scholarships. The Presidential Scholarship recipients are Kathryn Donnelly, Megan Dowd, Megan Fabian, Zoë Haggerty, Brian Kilner, Brian Martin, Katherine Musto, Colleen Rohr, Daniel Tartaglione and Joshua Toth.

Presidential Scholarships are awarded to incoming freshmen with outstanding records in high school and notable community involvement. The scholarship covers four years of full tuition provided that the student maintains at least a 3.25 grade point average.

Kathryn Donnelly, Havertown, graduated as salutatorian of Country Day School of the Sacred Heart. She was dual enrolled at Villanova University as an Archdiocese of Philadelphia Diocesan Scholar. An AP Scholar and member of the National Honor Society, Donnelly was awarded the Alumnae Essay Award for analytical writing. In high school, she was a member of the tennis team and the school choir, as well as a vocal soloist in the annual musicals. In 2015, she attended Beechwood Sacred Heart School in England as part of the Sacred Heart Network Exchange program. She was vice-president of the Community Service Corps and participated in multiple service projects across the nation including a trip to rebuild homes in New Orleans, Louisiana. A double major in neuroscience and philosophy, Donnelly is a member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honor Program. She is the daughter of Debra and Joseph Donnelly.

Megan Dowd, Laflin, graduated as salutatorian from Scranton Preparatory School. A member of the National Honor Society, Dowd was a student council representative and a National Honor Society tutor. In high school, she ran track and field, was active in her school’s Spanish club, and participated in the Students for the Ethical Treatment of Animals club. Dowd was highly active in community service efforts, volunteering at multiple parish community service events and traveling to John’s Island, South Carolina to participate in the Sea Island Habitat for Humanity project. A double major in biology and philosophy, Dowd is a member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honor Program. She is the daughter of Patricia and John Dowd.

Megan Fabian, Buffalo, New York, graduated as salutatorian from Mount Mercy Academy. A recipient of the University of Rochester Bausch and Lomb Science Award, she was on her school’s honor roll for four consecutive years, a member of the McAuley Chapter National Honor Society, a McAuley Scholar, and a recipient of the Advanced Designated Regents Diploma. Fabian was the co-captain of her school’s crew team, a member of a gold-winning handbell choir, lead attorney for her school’s mock trial club, a student ambassador, and participated in the Science Olympiad. She was very involved in community service as a volunteer at various soup kitchens, the Saint John Vianney Walkathon, and Mercy Hospital. Fabian hosted a meal-packaging event with the organization, Stop Hunger Now. She fundraised over $3,000 and packaged nearly 12,000 meals for orphanages in Swaziland, Africa. An exercise science major with a guaranteed seat into the DPT program, Fabian is pursuing a concentration in nutrition and a minor in psychology. She is also part of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Program. She is the daughter of Susan and David Fabian.

Zoë Haggerty, Clarks Summit, is a graduate of Holy Cross High School. A National Merit Commended Scholar, she was the valedictorian of her high school class and a Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit (of PA) Scholar of the Year. Haggerty was the president and member of her school’s National Honor Society, a competitor in the Pennsylvania Junior Academy of Science, and ran both cross country and track and field. Heavily involved in community service, she was a board member on both the Pastoral Council of the Church of Saint Gregory and Marley’s Mission Gala Planning Committee. Haggerty is double majoring in biochemistry, cellular and molecular biology and philosophy and is part of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Program. Her parents are Rebecca (class of G’09) and Daniel Haggerty.

Brian Kilner, Rockville, Maryland, is a graduate of Gonzaga College High School. The recipient of the Headmaster’s Award for Dedication to Gonzaga, Kilner was a member of the National Honor Society and the National Spanish Honor Society. In addition to crew, he volunteered at the D.C. Central Kitchen and the McKenna Center. An environmental science and biochemistry double major, Kilner is a member of the Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Program. His brother, Christopher Kilner (class of 2016), was also a Presidential Scholar and the first Scranton student to earn a Mitchell Scholarship. Kilner’s parents are Maura and Mark Kilner.

Brian Martin, Scranton, graduated as valedictorian from West Scranton High School. A member of the National Honor Society, Martin was the student council president, a Pete Kloss Award recipient, and a recipient of the PIAA Scholar Athlete Award. In high school, he was the captain of the cross-country, swimming and diving, and track and field teams, a HOBY Ambassador, Northeastern Educational Intermediate Unit (of PA) Scholar of the Year and a Times-Tribune Scholastic superstar. Martin was active in community service; specifically, as a volunteer for the Knights of Columbus organization and his school’s Feed-A-Friend program. A double major in biochemistry, cell and molecular biology and philosophy, Martin is a member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Honor Program. He is the son of Kathy and Paul Martin (class of ’83).

Katherine Musto, Pittston, is a graduate of Pittston Area High School. A National Merit Commended Scholar and 2016 Times-Tribune Scholastic Superstar, she was both the president and member of her high school’s National Honor Society. Musto was the captain of the swim team, class president for four consecutive terms, and chairperson of her school’s Relay for Life Committee. She was heavily involved in community service and earned the Presidential Service Award for completing more than 100 hours of service her junior year. Musto is currently a biology major on the pre-med track at the University. Her three older brothers were also Presidential Scholars at the University: Kevin (class of ’10), Brian (class of ’12), and Chris (class of ’16). Her parents are Alice (class of ’84) and Gerard Musto.

Colleen Rohr, Audubon, is a graduate of Villa Maria Academy. An Archdiocesan scholar, Rohr was the vice president and member of her school’s National Honor Society, a member of the Math Honor Society, played both field hockey and softball, and was in her school’s orchestra. In 2015, Rohr traveled to New Orleans to help restore houses of those affected by hurricane Katrina. She was heavily involved in ministry as a Eucharistic minister, altar server and organizer for the refurbishing of Stations of the Cross. A business administration major, she is also a member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Program. Her brother is Patrick Rohr (class of ’19) and her parents are Terri and Jay Rohr.

Daniel Tartaglione, Pocono Summit, is a graduate of Pocono Mountain East. A National Merit Commended Scholar, Tartaglione was his high school’s salutatorian and was the captain of his school’s chess team. He volunteered at the Pocono Raceway during his high school years and is currently a mathematics major at the University. His parents are Daniel and Susan Tartaglione.

Joshua Toth, Jefferson Township, is a graduate of North Pocono High School. A National Merit Scholar Finalist, he was the salutatorian of his high school class, a National AP Scholar, and a Times-Tribune Scholastic Superstar. Toth was a member of his school’s National Honor Society, the Chemistry Captain and Regional and State Medalist as a Science Olympiad, a member of both the Society of Torch and Laurel Honor Society and the National Society of High School Scholars. Toth was a member of his school’s varsity golf team and was heavily involved in community service at Logan Memorial Cemetery and the Jefferson Township Recycling Center. Toth attended both the Congress of Future Medical Leaders Conference in Washington D.C. and the Congress of Future Science and Technology Leaders in Boston. Toth is currently majoring in biophysics at Scranton. His parents are Lorraine and Paul Toth.

The University of Scranton has awarded 10 members of its class of 2020 four-year, full-tuition Presidential Scholarships. Front row, from left, are Presidential Scholarship recipients: Joshua Toth, Jefferson Township; Daniel Tartaglione, Pocono Summit; Megan Dowd, Laflin; Katherine Musto, Pittston; and University of Scranton President Kevin P. Quinn, S.J. Standing: Brian Kilner, Rockville, Maryland; Zoë Haggerty, Clarks Summit; Megan Fabian, Buffalo, New York; Kathryn Donnelly, Havertown; Brian Martin, Scranton; and Colleen Rohr, Audubon.


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