Payne named Honors Student of the Month

Madeline Payne, a junior Childhood Inclusive Education major with a concentration in Spanish 7-9, is the recipient of the February 2024 Honors Student of the Month Award.

Ms. Payne was nominated for this honor by Angela Pucciarelli Rice, assistant director of Athletics. Ms. Payne has taken SPMG 230-HR Sports in Diverse Societies with Ms. Pucciarelli Rice. As Pucciarelli Rice explains, “Maddie is the embodiment of a student-athlete. She is an exceptional student and also engages in co-curricular activities that enhance the experience at Fredonia.” She continues, “Maddie is an incredible student. Outside of class, she is the president of our Student-Athlete Advisory Council and a member of our women's soccer team, where she is engaged with our department and all student-athletes and champions many community service initiatives.” 

“Maddie is the embodiment of a student-athlete. She is an exceptional student and also engages in co-curricular activities that enhance the experience at Fredonia.” - Assistant Director of Athletics Angela Pucciarelli Rice

Payne is also Morgan’s Message Club secretary. Concerning her career goals, Payne explains, “I plan to be a special education teacher after graduation and move up into administration one day. I would also love to continue soccer after college whether that means playing or coaching.” 

Payne is grateful for the Fredonia community. “I love how close our campus is and the people. I have truly met some of the most amazing people and professors in Fredonia and I am forever grateful for the connections I have made at SUNY Fredonia.” 

According to Pucciarelli Rice, at Fredonia, Payne embodies the Honors Program Mission Statement, “The Fredonia Honors Program supports academically motivated students by connecting these students to meaningful opportunities to learn, lead, and live amid a community of like-minded peers.” As proof, she explains that Payne “is a role model for our students and student-athletes, leads by example, is inquisitive and collaborative, and consistently pushes to make the athletics department a better place.”

In response to receiving the award, Payne added, “I love all of the special perks and opportunities we get through the Honors Program. It includes honors lunches and small events as well as early class admission. I also love the specific classes that the program offers.” Of these, her favorite Honors course is HONR 305: Success After Graduation, which she took in Fall 2023 with Dr. Sue McNamara. 

Payne, who graduated from Williamsville South High School, concludes by advising Honors students “to enjoy the opportunities that the Honors Program offers. There is so much beyond the surface with honors and it’s truly an amazing program to be a part of.”

The Honors Student of the Month Award is a joint effort of the Honors Program and of the Office of Residence Life, which supports the various forms of recognition the winners receive.

The Honors Student of the Month Committee is composed entirely of Office of Residence Life staff. It was noted that this year's committee members, Alicia Wroblewski, Sabrina Sosa, and Grissom Hall and Honors House Residence Director Kyle Piscitelli, along with Director of Residence Life Kathy Forster, have been exceptionally supportive of the program and of the students.