Emma W. Locke Award

Charles A. Locke established the Emma W. Locke Memorial Award in 1946 in memory of his mother, Emma W. Locke. One undergraduate winner is chosen by a committee from among nominees selected by the deans of the undergraduate schools. The award recognizes high scholarship, character, leadership, and devotion to the ideals of the University of Pittsburgh. 

Congratulations to the 2024 Emma W. Locke Award winner Benjamin Leslie!

2024 Emma W. Locke Nominees

Skyler Cheevers, College of General Studies

Skyler Cheevers is graduating from Pitt’s College of General Studies with a B.A. in Administration of Justice with a concentration in Law Enforcement Practice, Minors in Legal Studies & Political Science, and a Certificate in Leadership. Skyler has served as President of the College of General Studies Student Government Council and completed an internship at Regisinger Comber & Miller, LLC. Skyler also acted as Volunteer & Experimental Learning Lead during her time abroad in Sydney, Australia. Next, Skyler will attend Vanderbilt Law School.

Priya Gupta, School of Social Work

Priya Gupta is graduating from Pitt with a B.A. in Social Work, a minor in Chemistry, and a certificate in Global Health. While at Pitt, Priya served as Dr. Leah Jacob’s research assistant, being named the Bachelors Student Winner at the 2023 Health Disparities & Social Justice Poster Competition, and was then awarded a Summer Undergraduate Research Award. Following graduation, Priya will be working towards a master's degree in Social Work at the University of Chicago. 

Isabel Keidan, College of Business Administration

Isabel Keidan is graduating from Pitt’s College of Business Administration with a degree in Accounting. While at Pitt, Isabel became heavily involved with the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program. Isabel also served as a Resident Assistant in Pitt’s business living-learning community. After graduating, Isabel plans to continue working with Pitt's Residence Life in a new role as a House Fellow for the Honors College LLC while obtaining a Master's of Science in Accounting at Pitt.

Shinwoo Kim, School of Computing & Information

Shinwoo Kim is graduating with a B.S. from the School of Computing & Information. Shinwoo has taken a passion for computer science in and out of the classroom by being both a teaching assistant at Pitt, and working with the Hill District Community Engagement Center to develop and teach a course that introduces high school students to skills necessary for a career in information technology. Shinwoo will pursue a Master's in Computer Science here at Pitt after graduation.

Ann Kozak, School of Pharmacy

Ann Kozak is graduating with a B.S. in Pharmaceutical Sciences and a Minor in Chemistry. Ann is also currently pursuing a Doctor of Pharmacy degree in Pitt’s School of Pharmacy. While at Pitt, Ann has also been part of the Blue and Gold Society, served as co-director of Pittsburgh Attacks Cancer Together, and was accepted into the Rho Chi Pharmacy Honor Society. 

Callie Laubacher, School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences

Callie Laubacher is graduating with a B.S. from the School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences' Dietitian Nutritionist Program and a Minor in Applied Statistics. She has served as Secretary for the Student Dietetic Association and as a research assistant for Dr. Maya Ragavan in the Division of General Academics Pediatrics and has volunteered in sports nutrition. Now, Callie serves as a research assistant for Dr. Jill Demirci in the Department of Health Promotion & Development and the Ballet Club's Artistic Vice President. Next, she will pursue an M.S. in Nutrition & Dietetics in the maternal & pediatric specialty rotation.

Benjamin Leslie, Swanson School of Engineering

Benjamin Leslie is graduating with a B.S. in Bioengineering and a Minor in Chemistry. He has received several Honors College fellowships and scholarships to support his research, which he has presented at conferences nationwide. He was named the American Society for Engineering Education National Co-op Student of the Year for his role at ZOLL Medical. He is co-founder and CEO of his medical device startup, for which he has received several grants to fund its development, and he has served as a Captain and Vice President of Pitt's Men's Ice Hockey team. Next fall, Benjamin will attend Pitt's School of Medicine.

Leah Marks, School of Nursing

Leah Marks is graduating with a B.S. in Nursing with a Minor in Social Work. Apart from being involved with the Nursing Student Association doing nursing education and involvement, Leah has served as Vice President of both Chi Eta Phi and Pitt Pinky Swear. Leah is also involved in AFSP and bringing its services to Pitt. Leah will be using her near-1,000 clinical hours during undergrad in their upcoming professional nursing career.

Allison Mascio, School of Education

Allison Mascio is graduating with a B.S. in Applied Developmental Psychology and a Minor in Gender Studies/Women’s Studies. Allison is one of the youngest members of the Youth and Family Research Program Lab to have presented a poster at WPIC Research Day. Allison has also served as an undergraduate research assistant for the Youth & Family Research program, and an undergraduate intern at The Services For Teens At Risk clinic. Next, Allison will be pursuing a Doctor of Psychology degree.

Lily Wilson, Dietrich School of Arts & Sciences

Lily Wilson is graduating with a B.A. in History & German with a Minor in Political Science, as well as a Certificate in Central European Studies. Among numerous internships, including with the German American Chamber of Commerce, Lily also revived the organization Hard Hitters on campus and served as president of Phi Alpha Theta National History Honors Society. Lily will be spending the next year in Germany on a Fulbright ETA Fellowship and then continuing to graduate school at Queen’s University Belfast. 

Recent Recipients and Nominees

2023

Award Winner:
Sabella Prime, School of Nursing

Nominees:
Taylor Blake, College of Business Administration 
Mackenzie Buday, School of Social Work 
Raja Krishnaswamy, School of Computing and Information 
Abigail Lombardi, College of General Studies 
Rachel P. McLoughlin, Swanson School of Engineering 
Rachel Milke, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences 
Allison N. Mitchell, School of Education 
Danielle Obisie-Orlu, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences 

2022 

Award Winner: 
Tyler Viljaste, College of Business Administration 

Nominees: 
Jordann Antoan, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences 
Avery Emma Bazell, School of Social Work 
Eli Brock, Swanson School of Engineering 
Michelle S. Fernandez, School of Computing and Information 
Emily S. Jolly, Deitrich School of Arts and Sciences 
Murali Kovvur, College of General Sciences 
Kiera Rose Loftus, School of Education 
Brianna Wahlers, School of Nursing 

2021 

Award Winner: 
Rhiannon Bonnabell Stangl, College of General Studies 

Nominees: 
Victoria L. Bistarkey, School of Social Work 
Claire P. Chouinard, Swanson School of Engineering 
Katie Marie Gerber, College of Business Administration 
Derek Rogers Lamb, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences 
Alyssa Longo, School of Education 
Devin J. Mack, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences 
Katelyn Morrison, School of Computing and Information 
Youjia Wang, School of Nursing 

2020 

Award Winner: 
Sarah Elizabeth Steward, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences 

Nominees: 
Erin Joy Bergen, College of General Studies 
Evelyn Grace Bigini, School of Nursing 
K. Stetson Fenster, College of Business Administration 
Mirabel Reid, School of Computing and Information 
McKenzie Sicke, Swanson School of Engineering 
Elizabeth Sloan Steiner, School of Social Work 
Gregory Jay Strouse, School of Education 
Swapna Krithika Subramanian, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences 

2019

Award Winner: 
Kaylene Caswell Stocking, Swanson School of Engineering 

Nominees: 
Samantha Leigh Bordman, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences 
Anthony G. Harris, School of Computing and Information 
Anika G. Jones, School of Social Work 
Michaela Schreyer, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences 
Gabriella Maria Summa, College of General Studies 
Eric Vance, College of Business Administration 
Justine Wang, School of Nursing 
Leo J. Warren, School of Education 

2018 

Award Winner: 
Dina Fradkin, School of Nursing 

Nominees: 
Christa Brashier, College of General Studies 
Jonathan Patrick Lobo, School of Computing and Information 
Katherine M. McGovern, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences 
Rachel E. Mueller, College of Business Administration 
Ahona Raka Sarkar, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences 
Alexandra M. Sharick, School of Education 
Adam Smoulder, Swanson School of Engineering 

2017 

Award Winner: 
Abigail Erin Loneker, Swanson School of Engineering 

Nominees: 
Saskia Berrios-Thomas, School of Social Work 
Zachary Grewe, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences 
Julia Marie Helgert, College of General Studies 
William Owen James II, School of Information Science 
Jaimie M. Kopicko, School of Education 
Amanda Michelle Monaco, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences 
Diana Rivero, School of Nursing 
Alexandra N. Smith, College of Business Administration 

2016 

Award Winner: 
Emily J. Crabb, Swanson School of Engineering 

Nominees: 
Sana Daoud, College of Business Administration 
Alexis C. Donaldson, School of Social Work 
Antoinette Doyle, School of Information Science, 
Karl G. Gibson, College of General Studies 
Ashleigh M. Holmes, School of Nursing 
Jacquelyn Klunk, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences 
Meredith A. Monsour, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences 
Michael O. Wenger, School of Education 

2015 

Award Winner: 
Audrey-Marie H. Winn, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences 

Nominees: 
Jordan S. Feldman, School of Information Sciences 
Sarah E. Ford, College of General Studies 
Alison L. Hall, College of Business Administration 
Kristen Hochreiter, School of Social Work 
Annie Krzan, School of Nursing 
Michael Morais, Swanson School of Engineering 
Benjamin Swogger, School of Education 
McKenzie Rae Troutman, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences 

2014 

Award Winner: 
Lauren Matevish, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences 

Nominees: 
Benjamin J. Bucior, Swanson School of Engineering 
Chelsea Jennifer Davis, School of Social Work 
Pearl Eni, College of General Studies 
Ryan Frisbie, College of Business Administration 
Andrew Head, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences 
Megan Schug, School of Education 
Ryan C. Sosh, School of Nursing 

2013 

Award Winner: 
Leah Patrice Swanzy, College of General Studies 

Nominees: 
Sarah Connell, College of Business Administration 
Bethany D. Hyde, School of Nursing 
Christopher W. Martin, School of Information Sciences 
Stephanie Pinksy, School of Social Work 
Angela Sciulli, School of Education 
Julianna M. Sincavage, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences 
Robert Snyder, Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences 
Andrew C. Zmolek, Swanson School of Engineering