Christopher Santoriello of Brewster Receives Top Award at Saint Michael's College Commencement May 14th

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Chris Santoriello receives top award at Saint Michael's College; SMC President John J. Neuhauser presents the award.

COLCHESTER, VT (05/24/2012)(readMedia)-- Christopher Dylan Lauricella Santoriello, son of Francis and Joan Santoriello of Brewster was awarded the Father Prevel Memorial Award on May 14th at the Saint Michael's College 105th commencement ceremonies on the campus of the Burlington, Vermont, based liberal arts college.

Mr. Santoriello, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and in French Language, summa cum laude, and received the top award, given to the male graduate who demonstrates commitment and achievement related to the intellectual, spiritual, moral and social values of Saint Michael's College.

In presenting the award the VP for Academic Affairs described Chris Santoriello's achievements:

"Chris has been on the Dean's List every semester of his four years, and, as a junior he was inducted into the Phi Beta Kappa honor society, a remarkable distinction.

"He also graduates as a member of the Saint Michael's College Honors Program, of which he has been President and Faculty Liaison.

"Since Chris joined the Saint Michael's College community four years ago he has immersed himself in campus life, and exhibited a deep dedication to making the St. Mike's experience fulfilling and meaningful, not only for his own personal growth, but for the quality of life for everyone in the community. He truly exemplifies what it means to be well-rounded student. As a student he is fully engaged in his coursework, demonstrating tremendous intellectual talent and an unflagging sense of motivation.

"He was able to blend his passions for political science and French by spending a full year studying in Bordeaux, France, where he earned a certificate from the highly-regarded Institute of Political Science.

Chris's outside the classroom activities were also extensive:

"He has served as President of his class, participated in the student global AIDS campaign, and worked as a French tutor. In addition to his contributions on campus, Chris has been impressive in his work as an intern with the Office of United States Senator Bernie Sanders, and in his efforts as the director of a theater day camp for children in his home town.

"Chris is a role model to his peers, and for that matter, an inspiration to all of us here at Saint Michael's. He is a perfect choice for the Father Prevel Memorial Award," said Vice President Karen Talentino.

Commencement speaker, MTV media pioneer and humanitarian, Tom Freston, a member of the Saint Michael's graduate class of 1967, told the graduates hard work is key to your future. "My advice," he said, "is really to look for a career in fields that are on the ascent-social innoviation-and bring an old-fashioned work ethic to them."

"There is great value and sustaining dignity in good old-fashioned hard work, whether that means crunching numbers or cleaning bathrooms," Freston said.

Some 478 students received bachelor's degrees and another 65 received master's degrees at the commencement exercises held May 14th in the SMC Ross Sports Center. Some 4000 people including graduates and their families and friends, and faculty and staff of the college, located in Burlington, Vermont, heard excellent speeches from two students, from the college president, the chairman of the board, and from main speaker Tom Freston.

Learn What Matters at Saint Michael's College, The Edmundite Catholic liberal arts college, www.smcvt.edu . Saint Michael's provides education with a social conscience, producing graduates with the intellectual tools to lead successful, purposeful lives that will contribute to peace and justice in our world. Founded in 1904 by the Society of St. Edmund and headed by President John J. Neuhauser, Saint Michael's College is located three miles from Burlington, Vermont, one of America's top college towns. Identified by the Princeton Review as one of the nations Best 376 Colleges, and included in the 2012 Fiske Guide to Colleges, Saint Michael's has 1,900 undergraduate students and 500 graduate students. Saint Michael's students and professors have received Rhodes, Woodrow Wilson, Pickering, Guggenheim, Fulbright, and other grants. The college is one of the nation's top-100, Best Liberal Arts Colleges as listed in the 2012 U.S. News & World Report rankings.

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