Class of 2023 Ceremony (2024)

Valedictorian is an academic title of success awarded to the student(s) with the highest academic standing among their graduating class. At Susquehanna University, the designation of valedictorian is granted based upon the highest grade point average among all bachelor’s degree graduates.

The Senior Awards are presented to graduating seniors by their respective academic departments and other offices and organizations that recognize students for academic excellence, scholarship, leadership and service.

Not all departments submitted awards and honorees for inclusion on the website; a comprehensive list of departmental honors are notated next to graduates’ names in the Commencement program.

Download the full list of Senior Awards (PDF) here.

Alpha Lambda Delta is an honor society that celebrates academic excellence in first-year college students. The following are students who have maintained the qualifying Alpha Lambda Delta GPA throughout their four years at Susquehanna.

Susquehanna’s Honors Program supports students’ commitment to the total Susquehanna experience by contributing as leaders, performers, athletes and community servants in addition to their academics. Honors students are selected from the top 10% of the enrolling class and have followed a sequence of special course and projects throughout their four years at Susquehanna.

Susquehanna’s Leadership Awards were created to recognize awardees’ commitment to the betterment of the university and surrounding communities. The awards are made possible through the Baylor Family Endowment. Established in 1993, the endowment is an expression of the Baylor family’s appreciation for the university’s continued commitment to the region.

Each year since 1962, the Susquehanna University Alumni Association has recognized seniors who typify Susquehanna, who are well-rounded students with good academic standing, are active in leadership roles, extracurricular activities, volunteer work and other accomplishments.The 61st Outstanding Seniors areHannah MackeyandGrant Rowe.The full list of past award recipients can be foundhere.

Hannah Mackey ’23is a creative writing and publishing & editing double major from Dover, Delaware.

During her time at Susquehanna, Hannah has served as a student representative on the university Board of Trustees and has held several other leadership roles on campus, including senior director of the Forum for Undergraduate Research, president of SU Slam Poetry, editor for Flagship, teaching assistant for the Introduction to Creative Writing course, and the editor-in-chief for the Common Reading book. In addition, she was a student ambassador for 2 ½ years and a mentor for first-year students.

Hannah is one of 10 students selected to share their story in Susquehanna’s episode of The College Tour. She was compelled to speak about her experiences as a Black woman on a predominantly white campus and how the university provided abundant opportunities and experiences throughout her educational journey.

Grant Rowe ’23is pursuing dual degrees in environmental studies and political science. He is from Selinsgrove.

A tireless advocate and leader for environmental causes, Grant has collaborated with others in environmental studies and the Student Government Association to bring about significant changes on campus. During his time at Susquehanna, he helped implement single-stream recycling, a compostable substitute for single-use plastics, vegan and vegetarian options in the dining room and the forthcoming installation of electric vehicle charging stations. He was also active outdoors, connecting campus to the CEER via a nature trail, participating in Earth Day events and volunteering at the campus garden.

Grant partnered with Nike to create a running shoe recycling program, received a Rachel Carson Fellowship to create a climate activism podcast and twice received the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania annual Service to Community Award.

Susquehanna Athletics’ SUSKY Awards is an “Espys” style award show celebrating and honoring student-athletes. Hosted by Susquehanna’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, the awards ceremony is organized and produced entirely by Susquehanna students.

Watch the livestream of the event and learn more about this year’s nominees here.