Fitchburg State University President Dr. Donna Hodge is proud to announce the 10 finalists for the Robert V. and Jeanne S. Antonucci Award. As the university’s premier recognition for a graduating senior – named in honor of President Emeritus Robert V. Antonucci and his wife, Jeanne S. Antonucci – this award celebrates graduating seniors who embody the heart and soul of Fitchburg State. While academic and civic achievements are essential markers of a 2026 finalist, this honor transcends traditional metrics like GPA. Instead, the award prioritizes the diversity of the student journey and the resilience of character forged at Fitchburg State.
“The Antonucci Award represents the very best of who we are,” said President Hodge. “It celebrates the student journey—those who have navigated adversity, embraced the richness of our diverse community, and led with a passion that inspires others. These finalists aren’t just students; they are the architects of our campus culture.”
The Antonucci Award recognizes the exemplary student who has not only reached graduation but has navigated a complex path to get there—transforming personal challenges into leadership that strengthens our entire community. These finalists represent the very best of the Falcon spirit: a profound commitment to the University’s mission and a relentless drive toward both academic and civic success.
Selected from a distinguished pool of highly qualified applicants, these 10 finalists have achieved an extraordinary distinction.
The candidates will now advance to a formal interview process with members of the President’s Cabinet. Following these sessions, the Cabinet will provide final recommendations to President Hodge to determine the recipient of the Robert V. and Jeanne S. Antonucci Award.
The winner, who will be announced at the end of the day on Monday, April 27, will receive a $1,500 honorarium and the distinct honor of delivering the student address during the Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, May 16 on the main quadrangle.
The 10 finalists will be recognized at the Presidential Garden Gala: An Evening Where the Future Blooms – Fitchburg State University’s second annual black-tie fundraiser – from 5-11 p.m. on Saturday, April 25 at the Recreation Center, 130 North Street.
The Garden Gala program includes a cocktail reception and dinner, followed by the community awards ceremony and an evening of dancing. Honorees will include President Emeritus Robert V. Antonucci and Jeanne S. Antonucci; the Center for Italian Culture at Fitchburg State; and 2016 alumna Stephany Infante, now a member of the Lawrence City Council.
Tickets and sponsorship information may be found at fitchburgstate.edu/gala2026.
While one student will ultimately take the stage at Commencement, all 10 finalists represent a powerful cross-section of the Fitchburg State experience:
- Madison Ambrogi, of Templeton, is a dual Biology and Environmental & Earth Science major with minors in Chemistry and Geographic Information Systems. She served as lead intern for a three-year community service initiative to mitigate the "digital equity gap," has tutored for three years, and participated on multiple panels during Future Falcon Days.
- Julia Arena, of Shrewsbury, is an Exercise and Sports Science major with a concentration in Clinical Exercise Physiology and a minor in Biology. A former collegiate cross country and track athlete, she holds the titles of Lead Resident Assistant and Presidential Ambassador Emeritus. Arena founded the campus's Give and Go program, which recycles dorm items between departing and incoming students. As a junior, she represented the Exercise Science Department in the New England American College of Sports Medicine (NEACSM) College Bowl and was honored with the Leadership in Exercise and Sports Science Award for academic excellence and research in the field.
- Michael Burns, of Worcester, is a History major with a minor in Political Journalism. He served as president of the Student Government Association for two years and Managing Editor of The Point newspaper. Burns was also an inaugural Presidential Ambassador, a Peer Mentor & Tutor in the ACT Center, and a four-year varsity athlete in cross country, indoor, and outdoor Track & Field.
- Matthew Gill, of Ayer, is an English Studies major with a concentration in English Initial License (5-12) and a minor in Middle and Secondary Ed (5-12). Gill served as a Student Board of Trustee and a Presidential Ambassador Emeritus. Working with Dr. Katharine Covino (English Studies), Gill created an actionable research Presidential Ambassador/Fellow project focused on student sense of belonging at the university. He was also a Research Assistant and Teaching Intern, President of the Student Education Association of MA – Fitchburg Chapter, and a three-year athlete in cross country, indoor, and outdoor track and field.
- Amanda DeLeon Guimareas, of Leominster, is an Interdisciplinary Studies major with a Pre-Law concentration and a minor in Political Science. She advanced to the second day of the Moot Court National competition after winning the Regional Competition in November, receiving an orator award for speaking. Guimareas was also selected to receive the Outstanding Pre-law Student award.
- Autumn Hughes, of New Ipswich, N.H., is a Creative Arts Therapies major with a music concentration. She is a founding member of the Falcon Bands E-Board, served on the choir E-Board, is the assistant music director for the musical theater club, and tutors in the ACT Center.
- Geybrell Liriano, of Lawrence, is a Psychological Science major. He is a Presidential Ambassador, an Office Assistant and Community Desk Assistant for the Housing Office, an Orientation Leader, and a Summer Residential Assistant. He is also an Upward Bound Math & Science Resident Counselor and Tutor, the Secretary and an Actor for the Musical Theater Club, the Historian for Alpha Alpha Alpha —a first-generation student honor society– and a Chamber Choir member.
- Evan Pritchard, of Fitchburg, is a non-traditional dual Computer Science and Mathematics major with concentrations in Cybersecurity and Applied Mathematics. He also works full-time on campus as a Maintainer 1. Pritchard collaborated with staff and faculty to create an internship so he could tutor without pay and is known for helping his fellow students.
- Trenton Skaggs, from Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, is a dual major in Business Administration and Economics, with a minor in International Studies. He is the President of the Business Honors Society, Captain of the men’s ice hockey team, and serves as a member of both the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and the Dean’s Advisory Council.
- Charles Stevenson, of Rutland, is a dual Computer Science and Mathematics major with a concentration in Cybersecurity. Named the Outstanding Mathematics Major and inducted into Pi Mu Epsilon, the Army veteran is a Health and Natural Sciences Student Ambassador who represented the Mathematics and Computer Science departments at Future Falcon Day. He proctored the 45th annual Elizabeth Haskins Mathematics Contest, represented the university nationally at the 2026 Joint Mathematics Meetings, and shared his research and experience at a Board of Trustees meeting in April.
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.