LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ (05/14/2012)(readMedia)-- Loni Chasar '12 of Ewing, N.J., was one of the three graduating seniors to receive the prestigious President's Award at the annual University Awards Banquet on April 28.
Each year, the President's Award is given by Rider to one Westminster Choir College and two Lawrenceville campus seniors, who have demonstrated an exemplary record of academic performance, extracurricular achievement, and service to the University. The highly competitive selection process is lead by the dean of students and supported by faculty and staff who comprise the search committee.
The highly motivated Chasar has built an impressive portfolio of academic honors and leadership achievement. Achieving a cumulative 3.5 GPA, she has been inducted into the Kappa Delta Pi International Educational Honor Society and Psi Chi International Honor Society in Psychology.
Chasar has served as a summer orientation leader, an Admissions tour guide and senior admissions representative. An avid men's basketball fan, she has worked as an assistant in the team office since her freshman year. Since 2008, she has a volunteered more than 1,300 service hours in the surrounding community as a Rider Bonner Community Scholar and devoted her time to a variety of causes, including mentoring for young people with cognitive disabilities and autism. Last fall, Chasar was crowned Cranberry Queen in recognition of her school spirit, leadership, academic success and significant contributions to the community.
"I feel so honored and ecstatic to receive the President's Award since Rider will always be a part of my life," she said. "It was not easy to accomplish everything I did in four years, but I am proud of myself because I know I will be successful in future endeavors thanks to the way Rider prepared me for my future as an even better person, educator, and leader."
Chasar, who walked in Rider's Undergraduate Commencement on May 11, plans to teach full-time, pursue a dual master's degree in special education and speech pathology, and eventually, earn a doctorate in education.