STUDENT AWARDS
Each year the Center for Peace and Justice Education honors students who have excelled in the academic work of Peace and Justice Studies and who have made concrete contributions to a just and peaceful world.
Natalie Schirmacher earned the St. Catherine of Siena Undergraduate Research Award.
Gaby Lee earned the Dorothy Day | Thomas Merton Award.
Katie Lynch earned the Dorothy Day | Thomas Merton Award.
Michael DiMaio earned the Thomas J. Mentzer Award.
Cathy Nguyen earned the Joseph Betz Solidarity Award.
Maddie Cerulli earned the Gustavo Gutierrez Medallion of Academic Excellence in Peace and Justice Studies.
St. Catherine of Siena Research Award
The St. Catherine of Siena Undergraduate Peace and Justice Research Award is awarded annually to an undergraduate student for a research project relevant to peace and justice issues. Submitted papers will be evaluated by CPJE affiliated faculty through a process of anonymous review. A cash award will be presented to the awardee.
The top three students, including the winner, present their work on a panel with a faculty respondent to a University-wide audience.
2023 Winner: Natalie Schirmacher, "The Impact of the Argentinian State in the Construction of the Mapuche Terrorist Identity: A Case Study of the Repression of the Lof Lafken Winkul Mapu"
2022: Daniel Estrada, “An Evolution of Exploitation: The Social Death of Migrant Laborers"
2021: Chloe Benson, "Subverting the Fetishization of Eurocentric Beauty Standards through African American Rhetoric"
2020: Nora Cowley, "Philadelphia’s Irish Memorial: Remembering the “Good Immigrant” after An Gorta Mór"
2019: Patrick Flynn, "Pittsburgh Public Schools Sanctuary Policy: Assessing Ambiguity"
2017: Katie Boyce, "American’s 'Youth' Go to Nazi Germany: The Movement to Boycott the 1936 Berlin Olympics and the Racial Divide in American Society"
2016: Claire Kimilu, "In the Shelter of Each Other We Will Live: Refugees in Kenya and the United States"
2014: John Catalano, "Empowerment through SNAP: From Hunger to Husbandry"
2013: Kevin Gallagher, "Ethnicity and the State: Philosophies of Memory Preservation in Rwanda"
- Students are invited to submit work completed in the preceding fall or spring semester.
- Submissions should be no less than six and no more than 20 pages.
- The submission deadline is in the beginning of the spring semester
- Papers will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Excellent writing, clear structure, and adherence to an academic citation style
- Significant use of research with sources well integrated and thoughtfully utilized
- Topic related to concerns of peace and/or justice
- Demonstration of critical thinking, insight, and creativity
- Appreciation of complexity
- Ability to effectively defend claims
- Exceptional papers will include constructive ideas in addition to identifying problems and challenges
By submitting your paper, you are agreeing to participate in the panel discussion should your paper be chosen as one of the top three. You will be notified if your paper is selected for inclusion in the panel.
Dorothy Day | Thomas Merton Award
The Dorothy Day | Thomas Merton Award is named after Dorothy Day and Thomas Merton who were two outstanding American contributors on the journey toward peace and justice. Their lives of study, writing, prayer and action have encouraged others to become involved in furthering the cause of justice and peace in the world.
This award is given to a graduating senior with a major, concentration or minor in Peace and Justice Education who has maintained academic excellence and made a significant contribution to the effort to further justice and peace during their four years at Villanova University.
2023 Recipients: Gaby Lee and Katie Lynch
Gaby Lee is a graduating senior majoring in Peace and Justice with a minor in Communication. Her academic work has been wide-ranging but has all been connected by a strong commitment to learning about the inequalities and inequities in both the United States and abroad. She has been particularly motivated to learn about housing inequality and homelessness through the lens of colonization and its harmful effects on communities across the globe.
Focusing on her hometown of Portland, Oregon, Gaby’s year-long thesis project researched these inequities as they intersect with urban development and capitalism, specifically thinking through the ways that capitalism influences what is built and where in urban cities, and who is benefiting (or not) from those decisions.
In addition to her academic work, Ms. Lee has dedicated herself to activism outside of the classroom as well. Over the summer of 2020, she attended weekly Black Lives Matter protests and also organized vigils for those people lost to police violence. During her sophomore year, she was invited to speak at a march for Black lives on Villanova’s campus and later became heavily involved with Villanova’s undergraduate chapter of the Black Law Student Association, serving as a member of its executive board. During her time with this organization, she helped to fundraise and organize an initiative to provide four professional development trips for students to meet with prominent lawyers and law schools. Her efforts contributed to the organization being named as an “Organization on the Rise,” and is hopeful that it may also be awarded Villanova’s “Organization of the Year.”
She will be taking her education and activism forward as she begins law school in the Fall.
Congratulations, Gaby!
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Katie Lynch was first inspired by Dr. Paul Farmer in high school, and this led her to earn a Major in Biochemistry with minors in both Peace and Justice and Global Health here at Villanova. She spent much of her time in labs and lectures learning about organic mechanisms and protein syntheses. But she also took the opportunity to take community and public health classes while studying abroad in Gaborone, Botswana this past summer. This led her to volunteer her time in Villanova Abroad Office as a Global Key Ambassador.
Katie has had her eyes set on global issues from the start. Since May of 2021, she has interned as a clinical researcher on a phase-one oncological clinical trial team at Mass General Hospital. She has since been co-authored on five publications through the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).
Katie has also devoted a great deal of energy to our own beloved Villanova Emergency Medical Service (VEMS). She has risen in the rankings to where she is now a crew chief, ambulance driver, and has served as treasurer on the executive board. She volunteered over 1,200 hours with the agency and this past year earned the Gold Presidential Service Award.
In her junior year, she had the unique opportunity to start her own student organization on campus. She founded and currently runs Partners in Health Engage, a campus chapter of the larger nonprofit Partners in Health (PIH). PIH was founded by Dr.Paul Farmer in 1987. Do you see the theme now?
We end with a quote from Katie herself: “When I graduate from Villanova this spring I will take with me not only years of service experience and classroom lessons but a willingness to listen and words to advocate for those who are voiceless.”
Congratulations Katie!
2022: Emily Galvin and Victoria Sanders
2021: Chloe Benson and Juliana Cosenza
2020: Rachael Huegerich and Colleen Sharp
2019: Julie Greenwald and Sarah Harris
2018: Danielle Bradley and Julia O'Connor
2017: Kara English
2016: Alissa Welker and Adam Vincent
2015: Kayla Cooke
2014: Noelle Mapes
2013: Caitlin Billingham and Emily Several
2012: Ellen Salmi
2011: Jen Maez
2010: Amy Richards
2009: Gail Sondermeyer
2008: Amy Knop-Narbutis
2007: Emma Stewart
2006: Diane L. Coffey
2005: Kathleen E. Krackenberger
2004: Caitlin Fouratt and Melissa Wibbens
2003: Nancy R. Steedle
2002: Teresa C. Mambu
2001: Megan A. Kasimatis and Craig E. Hickein
2000: David O. Suetholz
1999: Andrea Maresca
1998: Vincent J. Coccia
1996: Michael E. Kennedy
1995: Raj Chablani
1994: Tara Coughlin
1993: Nantiya Ruan
1992: Stephen M. Smith
1991: Steven G. Liga
1989: Gregory Tucci
1988: Ingrid M. Birnbach
1987: Michael P. McGinnis
Thomas J. Mentzer Award
Each year, Villanova University sponsors The Thomas J. Mentzer Award. The Award honors a graduating Villanova senior who has contributed significantly, through his or her service, to "expanding opportunities for the poor and marginalized." The award consists of a cash stipend and an inscribed plaque.
The award remembers Thomas J. Mentzer, a Villanova graduate of 1955, who later became a faculty member in the History Department. He was active in many of the social issues of the time, including work to oppose racial conflict and segregation. He died in an automobile accident in 1968.
2023 Recipient: Michael DiMaio
Michael DiMaio is graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Service and Administration. He credits Dr. Wesley Proctor’s Nonprofit Management class for inspiring him to establish his own nonprofit. And in 2020, he did just that—launching The Infinite Mission, an organization dedicated to empowering marginalized individuals, including veterans, who struggle with homelessness and substance abuse. Like many of the people his nonprofit serves, Michael overcame some of his own challenges. A veteran of the United States Air Force, he spent 23 years battling an opioid use disorder before getting sober in 2013 and then joining Villanova’s College of Professional Studies. Through that program he earned his Associate’s degree in 2020 at the age of 50.
In the few short years since its founding and under the leadership of Mr. DiMaio, The Infinite Mission has partnered with Mother of Mercy House in Philadelphia’s Kensington neighborhood to host more than a dozen outreach events and, even amid COVID restrictions, found ways to provide thousands of people in need with free water, fruit, healthy foods, clothing, wound care, hygiene items, and emergency overdose prevention medication. Since its inception, The Infinite Mission has served an estimated 15,000 vulnerable people in the Philadelphia area.
We will close with his own words: “As myself and my fellow seniors embark on this next mission in our lives after graduation, I’d like to think about how much of an honor it is to use all of the knowledge and passion we’ve accumulated during our time at Villanova University to remember to find a path to give it away to others. We may never make as big of an impact as Thomas J. Mentzer, but every act of kindness–big or small– makes a larger impact than we could ever know, and that alone makes it all worth it.”
Congratulations, Michael!
2022: Natalie Nwanekwu
2021: Madalyn Sullivan
2020: Michelle Kimura
2019: Ritesh Karsalia
2018: Zachary Ellenhorn
2017: Brendan Carchidi
2016: Rodrigo Rivera
2015: Patrick K. Williams
2014: Ariana Meltzer-Bruhn
2013: Jay Tighe
2012: Kristen Valosky
2011: Jeffrey Sved
2010: Emily Felesenthal
2009: Sarah Arscott
2008: Katrine Herrick
2007: Christine Feldmeier
2006: Jaime C. Gentile
2005: Bryan C. Rivera
2004: Matthew D. Nespoli
2003: Nancy Steedle
2002: Teresa Mambu
2001: Michael S. McGlinnis
2000: Paola Gaines
Joseph Betz Solidarity Award
The Solidarity Award is presented to a graduating senior or seniors concentrating in Peace and Justice Studies in exceptional circumstances to recognize distinctive service to the cause of justice and peace.
After 45 years of teaching at Villanova University, beloved philosophy professor Joseph Betz, PhD, retired in May 2011. Dr. Betz’s knowledge of social and political issues, and his commitment to active involvement in anti-war and social justice movements in the US and around the world inspired generations of Villanova students and countless colleagues. Among his many contributions to Villanova, Dr. Betz served as the faculty adviser for Amnesty International for 30 years. He is the longest serving faculty adviser for any Amnesty chapter anywhere in the United States. Dr. Betz was the 2009 recipient of the Lawrence C. Gallen, OSA, Faculty Service Award.
In honor of his steadfast leadership in countless social justice and peace movements, and his unflinching resolve to stand against injustice wherever it is found, the Center for Peace and Justice Education renamed its "Solidarity award" for Dr. Betz. This tribute is a small acknowledgment of the tremendous impact of a man who lives his commitment to peace and justice each and every day.
2023 Recipient: Cathy Nguyen
It is fitting that the recipient of this award has also shown leadership in countless initiatives for social justice and nonviolence during her time at Villanova. She too possesses an unflinching resolve to act against injustice wherever it is found. The Center for Peace and Justice Education is thrilled to honor Cathy Nguyen with the 2023 Joseph Betz Solidarity Award.
Cathy is graduating with a double major in Peace and Justice and Theology. A profound concern for justice defines her academic work as well as nearly every project and organization of which she is a part. And there are many! She is constantly educating herself and taking action, helping to organize Plastic-Free Lent, assisting on a fossil fuel divestment campaign, advocating for ethical purchasing, shining a light on food and housing insecurity. She served as Head Chair of Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week and as President of Villanova’s chapter of Catholic Relief Services. She brings a stunning generosity of spirit to all these leadership roles and makes great sacrifices so that worthy initiatives come to fruition.
Cathy has taught sessions at our annual Freedom School, is a regular at the Ignatian Teach-In for Justice, has participated and led numerous Service and Justice Experiences, and was a member of the Philadelphia Area Social Justice Internship program. In addition, she also served as an intern with the Center for FaithJustice in Lawrenceville, New Jersey, helping high school students to think more deeply about justice and Catholic social teaching.
Cathy has been a galvanizing force in growing our own community in the Center for Peace and Justice Education. Informally, as a sophomore, Cathy was bringing in new majors and minors and helping us to create spaces and events to bring Peace and Justice students together. With excitement and gratitude for these events, we turned her work into a formal program: the Peace and Justice Student Ambassadors. Cathy has served in the inaugural cohort for the last two years. She has not only enlivened our PJ community but has shaped it for years to come.
Her legacy goes beyond Villanova too. Cathy is part of a national group of youth activists, the Campaign Nonviolence Youth Collective. And she is actively engaged in building a just future for the Catholic Church. She has just finished writing an excellent senior thesis constructing an Asian American Theology of Liberation and has been serving as a student leader in our Philadelphia-area Catholic Higher Ed initiatives for the Global Synod.
This award, presented in exceptional circumstances, is clearly going to an exceptional person.
Congratulations, Cathy!
2022: n/a
2021: Kaylan Purisima
2020: Morgan Micari
2019: Yvonne Nguyen
2018: Mackenzie Niness
2017: Jordan Trinh
2016: Jane Richter
2015: Nora Doherty
2014: Siobhan Cooney
2014: Carolyn Rau
2013: Marissa Pardue
2012: Lauren Adderly
2012: Caitlin Ingraham
2011: Caitlin Greene
Justice in Business Award
The Justice in Business Award is no longer active as the designated funds for the honor have been fully utilized. We congratulate all previous recipients as well as current students who continue to pursue justice through their engagement with business.
2020: Yeralmi Valladares
2019: Nicole Anderson
2018: Shayla Frederick
2017: Jonathan Pizzutti
2016: Nicholas Carney
2015: Kelly Gabriel
2014: John Catalano
Gustavo Gutierrez Medallion of Academic Excellence in Peace and Justice Studies
The Medallion Awards are conferred each year by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences to graduating Seniors who have excelled in their study during their undergraduate years at Villanova. The medallion award for a Major in Peace and Justice is named in honor of Gustavo Gutierrez, a Dominican priest and a prophetic intellectual widely regarded as the of the founder of Liberation Theology.
2023 Recipient: Maddie Cerulli
The 2023 Gustavo Gutierrez Medallion of Academic Excellence in Peace and Justice Studies was awarded to Maddie Cerulli who graduates as a double major in Peace and Justice and Political Science and a minor in Spanish Language and Literature.
Since her very first year at Villanova, Maddie has been impressing professors with her exceptional critical thinking, depth of knowledge, and impressive work ethic. In classroom discussions she not only contributes thoughtfulness and insight but is also quite self-aware, revealing a remarkable sensitivity and emotional intelligence. She often submits near-flawless assignments and has even been invited by one professor to serve as a guest lecturer in undergraduate courses. Maddie’s senior thesis is an extraordinary project – original, sophisticated, and ambitious. She applies a disability lens to the Political Science subfield of International Relations using a feminist framework. Her research skills are outstanding, undoubtedly at the graduate level. Even more, Maddie is deeply committed to putting her academic commitments into action. With profound maturity and empathy, Maddie plays a leading role in disability rights and campaign groups on campus. In all she does, Maddie combines unprecedented intellectual curiosity with a powerful dedication to make the world a more just and peaceful place.
Congratulations, Maddie!
2022: Alli Baroni
2021: Lily Bui
2020: Leah Waltrip
2019: Kalin Schultz