2024 SGA Faculty of the Year Awards
Amanda DeFalco '24, Mia Hemme '24, Dr. Zachary W. Arth, Beatriz Matarazzo '24 and Ana Domenici '27 at the Faculty of the Year Awards. Credit: Ava Battinelli '26
The Student Government Association held its annual Faculty of the Year Awards to celebrate the nominated faculty members at Marist College during a ceremony on April 3.
Planned by the Academic Affairs Board, led by Vice President Beatriz Matarazzo ‘24 and Deputy Ana Domenici ‘24, the awards honored these faculty members for their dedication and efforts in the Marist community.
Dr. Joseph Campisi, Dr. Kuangnen Cheng, Dr. Matthew Glomski, Dr. Zion Klos, Dr. Zachary Arth, Dr. Gary Glick and Dr. David Bunn all received the award, which was accompanied by a plaque, a bouquet of flowers and a complimentary lunch buffet.
To nominate a faculty member that they felt deserved this award, students were instructed to fill out a form through MyMarist. After tallying the votes, the Academic Affairs Board sent emails and delivered a special invitation to the chosen faculty members.
Arth, a second-time award winner, said, “[Winning the first time] was super surprising, and I had only been here three years at that point, so it was unexpected in a lot of ways. This time, too. I don’t think we get into this field to win awards and get recognition, and the fact that it happens is an incredible thing every time.”
The nominated faculty members could bring five students to the awards to support them on this special occasion. While Arth did not bring any students, Cheng was accompanied by some of his students.
Dr. Dr. Kuangnen Hans Cheng accepting his award from Beatriz Matarazzo '24. Credit: Ava Battinelli '26
A member of Cheng’s crew, Ashwin-Benjamin Kurani ‘26 said, “Cheng is extremely deserving of this award because he goes above and beyond to ensure there is a strong connection between the professor and the students.”
Though the Faculty Plenary meeting was held immediately prior to the awards, Matarazzo said they were very satisfied with the attendance.
“It was also followed by school-wide meetings, so faculty were between two events that they had to attend at the same time, but a lot of them came to Faculty of the Year Awards, which was really special,” said Matarazzo.
Matarazzo also noted that all of the deans, as well as President Kevin C. Weinman, contacted the Academic Affairs Board to thank them and express appreciation for the nominated faculty members.
“I’ve never gotten so many thank you’s in one day,” said Domenici.
Matarazzo, Domenici and the rest of the board started planning the event over four months in advance.
“[Planning] was very challenging, but it was very successful, and I don’t think there was that much thought put into last year,” said Matarazzo.
Matarazzo has ample experience with SGA, as she’s been a part of it since her first year at Marist. Now acting as VP of Academic Affairs, Matarazzo is a member of the Office of the Provost, has a seat at the table of the Academic Affairs Committee and administers the rest of the board.
“[The Academic Affairs Board] is a very significant board because we deal with the administration and faculty more than other boards inside SGA, so our connections and network expand a lot more,” said Matarazzo.
Reflecting on the significance of the award, Arth said, “Of all the awards and recognition you could get, I feel like this is number one. If students like me enough to vote for me for this, it’s all I could ever ask for.”