Ocean County College presented awards totaling over $90,000 to graduating students at its 58th Annual Awards Ceremony, held on Tuesday, May 20 in the Gateway Lecture Hall on the College’s main campus in Toms River.
Scholars were recognized for their hard work, commitment, and sacrifice in the pursuit of academic excellence at the annual ceremony, which is part of OCC’s Commencement Week activities.
“This program honors and celebrates our most deserving graduating students with awards and scholarships that are generously donated from both within the OCC community and beyond, thanks to the support of our community partners and the generosity of our donors through the OCC Foundation,” said Jennifer Fazio, OCC’s director of Student Life.
Dr. Pamela Monaco, president of Ocean County College, congratulated the honorees and expressed her personal pride in their accomplishments. “One of the true joys of my position is getting to know these students and witnessing the kind of human beings they are, and they humble me daily,” said Dr. Monaco. “I know I speak for all the faculty and staff who are here tonight when I say we truly have the best jobs, for we get to know inspirational people – our students – who motivate us to be better people ourselves.”
The Awards Ceremony was broadcast live on the College’s website and on Ocean TV-20. The video is available for viewing online at go.ocean.edu/graduation.
The 2025 student award recipients are:
- Charles Read Memorial Music Scholarship: Donald Shaner
- The Hayward Viking 2025 Scholarship: Caitlin Cortes
- Armando Quiroz Award: Isabella Lobo
- Viking Athletics Commitment Award: Erin Elizabeth
- Christopher W. Mannion Scholarship: Elizabeth Macchioni
- Patrick Carroll Award: Victor Colon, Dekari Harrell
- Julie Foukarakis Memorial Award: Jordan Motyka, Abigail Szuba
- Amanda Cantillon Award: Kaye Huet
- Who’s Who Among Students at Ocean County College: Yael Carpinteyro, Ashley Chandler, Larissa Chandler, Victor Colon, Erin Elizabeth, Bernard Graham, Ruth Huebner, Evan Kwortnik, Elizabeth Macchioni, Hunter Mantz, Raven Moore, Jordan Motyka, Ravyn Myers, Mariely Quinto Sanchez, Colin Reilly, Sky Rodriguez, Evan Ryan, Areeba Zulkarnain
- Meals on Wheels of Ocean County: Esther Richards
- James Inman Award: Elizabeth Macchioni, Mariely Quinto Sanchez
- John Morrison Memorial Scholarship: Jacob Mastroly
- Operation Ocean Heroes Scholarship: Alexis Donnelly
- Richard M. Trimble Scholarship: Dak Gregory
- The Mathematics Appreciation Award: Sean Larsen, Taylor Auriano
- The Mathematics Club Award: Max Kripinski, Macy Soper
- Jennie Horne Cece Award: Rachel Slocum
- Joseph Hathaway Commencement Speaker Award: Elizabeth Macchioni
- Phi Theta Kappa Fraternity Award: Larissa Chandler, Karina Rivera
- Faculty Association of Ocean County College: Christa Farrell
- Probation Officer Todd Benintente Scholarship: Patrick O’Brien
- Joan M. and William J. Kenneally Scholarship: Caitlin Cortes
- Dr. Albert Socol Memorial Scholarship: Sean Larsen
- Dr. Stephen A. Kubow Memorial Scholarship: Alexis Donnelly
- Ocean County Cultural and Heritage Art Award: Laura Garzon Salinas
- Phi Theta Kappa Outstanding Service Award: Areeba Zulkarnain
- PTK Heather Muser Memorial Alumni Award: Nayeli Rojas
- Pauline S. Miller History Award: James Pazik
- Donald W. Smith Scholarship: Taylor Auriano, Macy Soper
- Frank Richetti Sr. Memorial Scholarship: Donald Shaner
- Outstanding Tutor Scholarship: Evan Ryan
- Michael D. Vena Memorial MUAA Scholarship: Sky Rodriguez, Katie Zigo
- Associated Students of Ocean County College Award (In memory of Thomas J. Brady): Victor Colon, Ashley Chandler
- Support Staff Association of Ocean County College: Mariely Quinto Sanchez, Bernard Graham, Elizaveta Jarkezian
- Paul Family Scholarship (In memory of Joyce Previte): Vanessa Ossy
- Norcia Aspiring Attorney Award: Jordan Motyka
- Andrew T. Baran Scholarship: Christopher Censoplano
- Joyce Previte Memorial Scholarship: Koralynn Green
- Soroptimist Club of Toms River Scholarship: Evonne Jaludi
- Soroptimist Sigma Award: Sarah Rivera
- Soroptimist Sigma Award Kean Ocean: Christine Rinaldi
- Carleen Sterling Orsi Memorial Award: Areeba Zulkarnain, Sarah Brush (initial), Sara Festa (renewal)
- Douglas C. King Memorial Award: Kelsey Lowden