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AMHERST, N.Y. – The top 10 first-year ´å»¨ÂÛ̳ College students who earned the highest grade point average in their first year of studies were recently recognized at a luncheon held in their honor.

The on-campus celebration included special acknowledgements by honored students for selected faculty members considered inspirational in their academic success at the college. ´å»¨ÂÛ̳ President Gary Olson and Dr. Michael Brogan, senior vice president for academic affairs and dean of the college, also gave congratulatory remarks at the event.

The top first-year students, who had a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.92, represent majors in accounting, business administration, physical therapy, and physician assistant studies.

Honorees for the 2017-18 academic year are:

• Makayla Cash of Fabius, physician assistant studies major.
• Ziv Basden of the Bahamas, business administration with sport management specialization.
• Morgan Fowler of Depew, physician assistant studies major.
• Alison Greenwood of North Aurora, Ill., physical therapy major.
• Derek Mancuso of Friendship, undeclared major.
• Andrew McLaughlin of Buffalo, arts administration major.
• Darcy Paradiso of Angola, accounting major.
• Bilal Shah of West Henrietta, physician assistant studies major.
• Olivia Turck of Grand Island, physician assistant studies major.
• Angelina Wezelis of Churchville, physician assistant studies major.

Pictured (L-R) are: first row - Bilal Shah; Olivia Turck; Michelle Copolo, assistant athletic trainer; Alison Greenwood; Makayla Cash; Angelina Wezelis; and Andrew McLaughlin; second row - Sabrina Fennell, assistant vice president for student success; Cynthia Russell, biology lab coordinator; Ziv Basden; and Dr. Robert Waterhouse, associate professor of theater; and third row – Dr. Jonathan Good, assistant professor of biology; Dr. Shirley Peterson, dean of arts and sciences; Elizabeth Wright, dean of health and human services; Derrick Swartz, chemistry lab coordinator; Mike MacDonald, head men’s basketball coach; and Dr. Kevin Telford,  chair of modern languages.