Outstanding Senior Awards Are Presented

ALFRED – To say that both of the 2016 Alfred University (AU) Marlin Miller Outstanding Senior Award winners have amassed quite a track record of accomplishments in their time on campus would be an understatement.

Jasmine A. Ramón, a communication studies major with minors in Spanish, English, and women and gender studies from Newburgh, and Ryan Oliver Bane, a fine arts major with a concentration in ceramic tile and digital printmaking and an art education minor from Fairport, were selected as the members of their senior class who have “contributed the most to the life of the University overall” and who have “built uncompromised reputations” to deserve the highest all-around recognition of accomplishment that can be given to a student at AU.

Miller Outstanding Seniors exemplify scholarship, excellence in leadership, and character. Graduating seniors may be nominated by faculty, staff, and students. The selection committee is an appointed panel of faculty and staff members.

Ramón and Banewill each gave an address at the University’s Commencement ceremony that was held on May 14. They also each receive the Marlin Miller Award Tile, designed and created by artist Wayne Higby, AU professor of ceramic art. Made from local Alfred terra cotta roof tile clay, the tile depicts the village of Alfred and its surrounding landscape featuring words from the University alma mater in the foreground. The award tile is presented in its own unique box handmade by Don Kaake of Angelica from local cherry wood. Each boxed tile is housed for protection in a purple quilted-cloth bag with gold ribbon closure – AU colors – made by Pat Kaake.

“Jasmine and Ryan were selected out of a very competitive field of seniors, all of whom are talented, bright, and have given so much to Alfred University,” said Kathy Woughter, vice president for Student Affairs. “They are great choices as they exemplify the character, service orientation, and uniqueness that an AU education values, and teaches,” she explained. “Both Jasmine and Ryan are standouts academically, but also are superstars within Student Affairs, donating their time and energy to creating new leaders and ensuring a safe and vibrant campus environment,” Woughter added.

In nominating Ramón for the Marlin Miller Award, Robyn Goodman, assistant professor of communication studies and one of Ramón’s professors said: “Jasmine is an extremely intellectual, gifted student who will no doubt earn the master’s/doctoral degree she is now applying for in social justice. She will use her wisdom and hard work to make some very important changes in society, and we will be there to cheer her on; she is truly amazing.”

“I have spoken with Jasmine on many occasions about her love for AU and how important it is for her to add to its proud legacy of social justice before she graduates this term. She wants to make sure changes are not just talked about, but they are made…,” she continued.

“Jasmine is one of the most outstanding AU seniors that I have had the pleasure of working with since arriving here 20 years ago. She is smart, moral, giving and committed to making AU and her community as humane and inclusive as possible…,” said Goodman.

Ramón is on the Dean’s List, a member of campus honor societies for English, liberal arts, and foreign language; president of Poder Latino; a member of the Art Force Five, Drawn to Diversity Program; an Orientation Guide; and a member of the Bias Response Team, among her many campus activities.

“Ryan Bane is an active member of the School of Art and Design, the Spectrum Club, and has been an RA (resident assistant) for the past three years,” said Maria Bentley, Admissions counselor/art liaison, of Bane, the Outstanding Male Student. “He goes above and beyond to help his fellow students and is a pleasure to see around campus.

“He is engaged in multiple campus events including many in the School of Art and Design; currently he is organizing the Print Club fundraising auction… He is also present at many campus activities and events and also hosted prospective overnight students,” Bentley added.

She continued, “He promotes equality and positive energy no matter what he is doing on campus. Everything he is involved in he completes to the best of his ability.”

Bane has completed a variety of internships during his time at AU and was awarded funding to attend the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) in 2015. He is on the Dean’s List, was awarded a Leadership Scholarship, served as a Robert C. Turner exhibition manager, as a teaching assistant in the Freshman (art) Foundation program, and played a pivotal role in fundraising for a group of 10 students to attend the Southern Graphics Council International Printmaking Conference in Portland, OR this spring.

The Marlin Miller Outstanding Senior Awards were established to honor Marlin Miller, AU Class of 1954, a University trustee and generous benefactor.