St. 博纳旺蒂尔 University senior strategic communication major Grace 福利 was recognized Tuesday, 3月14日, as the Jandoli学校 of Communication’s 2023 Woman of Promise.

的博士. 玛丽一个. Hamilton Woman of Promise Award is presented to a female senior who possesses all the skills necessary to not only succeed but also thrive in her post-graduate career. The award’s namesake, Dr. Mary Hamilton, is a 1959 alumna and professor emerita of journalism and mass communication at St. 博纳旺蒂尔.

福利 is a strong leader who has impressed the Jandoli学校 faculty with her resolve and skill.

“I have had the great pleasure to get to know Grace the past few years,” said Aaron Chimbel, 学院院长 Jandoli学校. “She is a remarkable young woman, who perfectly represents what the Dr. 玛丽一个. Hamilton Woman of Promise Award is all about. I know in her career and life that Grace will do work that benefits others because she’s spent the past four years doing just that here and is determined to do so in the future.”

福利, who is from Somerset, 麻萨诸塞州, has spent her college career working toward a job in human resources, specifically in 第九条 advocacy.

“The main takeaway from my experience at 博纳旺蒂尔 is to keep pushing and fighting,” said 福利. “While we’re taking steps to create equal opportunities for everyone, we are not quite there yet. No matter what professional field you’re in, I have learned to keep pushing for greatness until you reach your dream.”

To experience a business environment, 福利 has spent hours in the Koop Lab working as the sports director of SBU-TV and more recently as a global talent acquisition operations and university relations intern at International Gaming and Technology (IGT).

“Grace 福利 is the future. Grace embodies the brilliance, 信心, and emotional quotient required of the modern-day female trailblazer,” said Anna Bulszewicz, a lecturer in the Jandoli学校 and director of the SBU-TV program. “In many ways she’s ahead of her time. But most important of all, she’s resilient and doesn’t let anything get in her way. 这就是力量.”

During her time at 博纳旺蒂尔, 福利 has also been active with the SBU Dance Team and Management Club and has worked as a peer tutor.

She is grateful for the faculty and students in the Jandoli学校, who have become important mentors and role models, encouraging her in her field of study and empowering her to go beyond her comfort zone.

Chimbel recalls the first day he met 福利 – Aug. 3, 2018. Why does he remember the exact date? It was Chimbel’s third day on the job as dean and he was excited to meet with 福利 and her dad, who were visiting SBU on a college tour.

“I guess it went OK because not only did Grace come to 博纳旺蒂尔 and the Jandoli学校 the next fall, a couple years later her sister, 艾莉, came too – and also to the Jandoli学校. 最重要的是, Grace was in my SBU 101 class her first semester and I have so enjoyed watching her grow, overcome challenges and, 最终, thrive the past few years,金贝尔说.

伊丽莎白·奥尔特加, a 2002 alumna and the first Woman of Promise honoree, was this year’s keynote speaker.

奥尔特加, of ECO Strategic Communications in Miami, 佛罗里达, counsels professional service firms and thought leaders worldwide. As an expert in business development strategies and litigation public relations, she advises professional firms and their clients in high-profile international legal matters. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy/counseling with a concentration in solution-focused coaching. She also co-founded The International Academy of Financial Crime Litigators.

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关于 the University: The nation’s first Franciscan university, St. 博纳旺蒂尔 University is a community committed to transforming the lives of our students inside and outside the classroom, inspiring in them a lifelong commitment to service and citizenship. St. 博纳旺蒂尔 was named the #5 regional university value in the North in U.S. News and World Report’s 2022 college rankings edition.