Stamford Student Earns President's Citation Award At CCSU

STAMFORD, CT — A Stamford nursing student was among the graduating seniors recognized by Central Connecticut State University this month for academic achievement and contributions to the university community.

The university announced the winners of several annual student awards ahead of commencement. Honorees were recognized during a May 11 reception at Alumni Hall on Central’s campus in New Britain.

Kadiatou Konate of Stamford received the President’s Citation Award, which is presented annually to graduating seniors nominated by faculty and staff. The award recognizes accomplishments in leadership, student success, and community engagement activities.

In remarks at the ceremony, CCSU President Zulma R. Toro said, "These awardees represent the very best of Central Connecticut State University. They are scholars, leaders, responsible citizens. They have shown us what it means to pursue a degree not just with talent, but with tenacity. We see in each of you the embodiment of determination and purpose."

Central selected six students to receive the President’s Citation Award this year. The recipients and their majors are:

• Aaliyah Brown of West Hartford; Criminology
• Kadiatou Konate of Stamford; Nursing
• Marissa McPherson of Newington; Dance Education
• Logan Palardy of Rockfall; Economics
• Montgomery Rios of Meriden; Strategic Communication
• Celimar Rivera Santos of New Britain; Nursing

The university also announced recipients of the Henry Barnard Distinguished Student Award, which is conferred by the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities Foundation on 12 seniors from Connecticut’s four state universities.

Students must have at least a 3.7 GPA and a record of significant community service to be considered.

CCSU’s Barnard Award winners this year were:

• Aaliyah Brown of West Hartford; Criminology
• Gabriel Garcia of Naugatuck; Physics & Philosophy
• Logan Moore of Manchester; Biology - Secondary Education
• Rumman Shahzad of Plantsville; Computer Science

The university also recognized graduates who completed the Honors Program and students nominated by academic departments for Departmental Honors Awards.

View the list of Honors students at https://www.ccsu.edu/academics/student-awards/.