Charles Stevenson, a resident of Rutland and a veteran of the Army Reserve, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Robert V. and Jeanne S. Antonucci Award, the highest honor bestowed upon a graduating senior at Fitchburg State University. President Dr. Donna Hodge announced the selection Monday, recognizing Stevenson for his academic excellence in mathematics and his transformative leadership within the campus community.
The award, the university’s most prestigious honor for a graduating senior, is not merely a trophy for the highest GPA. It is a recognition for those who have navigated complex personal journeys to lead and inspire the community. For Stevenson, the path to the 2026 undergraduate commencement stage began far from the main quadrangle, winding through military service before finding a home at Fitchburg State.
“Charles Stevenson represents the profound impact that dedicated service and intellectual rigor can have on a campus community,” said President Hodge. “It isn't just his mastery of mathematics or cybersecurity that sets him apart, but the way he has translated his experience as an Army veteran into a form of leadership that is both humble and transformative. Charles didn’t just join our community; he enriched it with his life experiences as an adult learner with a family.”
Stevenson will receive an honorarium and the distinct honor of delivering the student address during the Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 16 on the main quadrangle.
“It truly means the world to my family and me,” said Stevenson. “Being selected for the Robert V. and Jeanne S. Antonucci Student Leadership Award is such a profound honor. The Antonucci's embody community leadership and a commitment to public education, inseparable from their love and support for one another. My wife and I are inspired by their example to follow their lead in service to others.”
Stevenson led a distinguished group of 2026 finalists that includes Madison Ambrogi, a community-focused scientist; Julia Arena, a clinical exercise advocate and student leader; Michael Burns, a two-term SGA president and multi-sport athlete; Matthew Gill, a student trustee and education researcher; Amanda DeLeon Guimaraes, an award-winning pre-law orator; Autumn Hughes, a creative arts therapist and musical leader; Geybrell Liriano, a dedicated ambassador for first-generation students; Evan Pritchard, a non-traditional scholar and campus maintainer; and Trenton Skaggs, a business honors president and ice hockey captain.
The selection process for the Antonucci Award was rigorous. The "Top 10" finalists all underwent a formal interview process with the President’s Cabinet.
After nearly two decades of managing IT infrastructure and security for a mission-driven organization, Stevenson returned to school to study the mathematics and computation underlying the systems he was responsible for.
As a non-traditional student, Stevenson arrived at Fitchburg State in the spring of 2024. While many students are still finding their footing in their sophomore or junior years, Stevenson landed with a clear mission and a significant portfolio of transfer credits. As a dual major in Computer Science and Mathematics, with a specialized concentration in Cybersecurity, he didn't just join the Department of Health and Natural Sciences; he became one of its most visible advocates.
Being a non-traditional student often carries the weight of balancing life experience with academic rigor. Stevenson, however, viewed his veteran status not as a barrier, but as a bridge.
His academic work focuses on lattice-based cryptography, coding theory, and computational mathematics. He is currently looking toward research-based master's or PhD programs starting in the fall.
“Balancing a double major in Mathematics and Computer Science, alongside my role as an IT Manager and a father of two has required discipline and many sacrifices, but it has also made this achievement that much more meaningful,” said Stevenson. “I will always be a Falcon, and Fitchburg State will forever be my alma mater.”
The Antonucci Award recognizes students who pair academic excellence with transformative leadership and a profound impact on the campus community.
Stevenson’s academic record is a masterclass in dedication, highlighted by his recognition as the Outstanding Mathematics Major for his peerless analytical skills and his induction into Pi Mu Epsilon, a national mathematics honor society reserved for those with an exceptional mastery of the field. Beyond the classroom, Stevenson’s commitment to his craft took him to the national stage in 2026, where he and colleague Rohanji “Anji” Novas represented Fitchburg State at the Joint Mathematics Meetings (JMM) and demonstrated their technical expertise in the USCLAP statistics modeling competition.
His prowess in the classroom was so significant that it caught the attention of the university’s highest leadership. In April, Stevenson was invited to a Board of Trustees meeting to present his research and share his experiences at the JMM.
Beyond the numbers, Stevenson’s impact was felt in his role as a Health and Natural Sciences Student Ambassador. Whether he was helping prospective families navigate the complexities of a STEM degree at Future Falcon Day or proctoring the 45th annual Elizabeth Haskins Mathematics Contest for local high schoolers, he remained a constant, grounding presence.
Stevenson turned a complex academic path into a roadmap for others. By proctoring competitions for eight local high schools, he ensured that the next generation of mathematicians felt the same welcome he received when he first stepped onto campus.
When Stevenson stands on the main quadrangle at commencement to address his peers, he will speak as a veteran, a father, a mathematician, and a cybersecurity expert. But most of all, he will speak as the embodiment of the Antonucci legacy—a student who took a complex journey and calculated a path to greatness for himself and his university.
The Class of 2026 Undergraduate Commencement will begin at 2 p.m. on May 16, featuring a keynote address by Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll. For more information about the commencement ceremony, please visit fitchburgstate.edu/commencement.