This year, the WGSS Department selected three fabulous graduating students to receive Academic Excellence Awards: Samantha Aguirre, Julianna Goldman, & Devin Lobasco

Samantha Aguirre maintained an impressive 3.90 GPA as a double major in Sociology and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. At Stony Brook, Sammie not only excelled in her coursework but also contributed to campus culture as the associate editor of The Stony Brook Press. In Spring 2024, she prepared a poster based on her WGSS Senior Research Project, “Learning Gender: The Role of Play in Early Childhood,” which was featured at the annual URECA Celebration on campus.

Julianna Goldman also maintained a near-perfect GPA of 3.98 during her time at Stony Brook. As a Psychology and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies double major, she undertook both social science-based and humanities-based research. For example, her WGSS Senior Research Project analyzed gendered representations in contemporary crime dramas on US television. Since graduating, she has made time to rest, read, and swim and looks forward to pursuing a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling in the near future.

Devin Lobosco was honored for their excellence in both Academics and Activism. Devin maintained a perfect 4.0 GPA as a double major in Biochemistry and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. In addition to holding various research assistant positions on campus and beyond, they also served as the president of the Undergrad Student Government and volunteered as an EMT in Port Jefferson. Devin was a 2024 recipient of the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Academic Excellence. They are currently applying to medical school, with the goal of working as an emergency medicine physician while also advocating for more inclusive healthcare systems.