As another year comes to a close, another graduating class takes the next step into “the real world.” In these last few weeks leading up to graduation, most seniors are scrambling to finish their last requirements, finalizing their future graduate school plans, or refreshing their LinkedIn accounts for new job updates. With all of this excitement buzzing, it is easy to lose sight of the wonderful memories and prestigious academic accomplishments that occurred over the past few years. Senior awards are one way to acknowledge some of the impressive academic achievements of this year’s graduating class. The Observer sat down with Dean Bacon and Dean Orlian to discuss this year’s graduation and senior awards.
There are two types of senior awards that are given out every year. The first set of awards is faculty nominated awards. Each department chooses nominees who have exhibited proficiency and achievement in their specific major. Most of these awards are endowed awards. However, for the departments without specific endowment funds, there is a dean’s fund that financially supports these departments. The number of recipients in each department is dependent on the size of the department and the caliber of the overall achievement. Aside from the department awards, there are also numerous awards which recognize excellence in writing, or which laud students with limited prior Judaic background who have made significant strides.
The second type of award is the student-nominated award. These awards recognize outstanding leadership qualities, excellence in character or personality, and public service. The senior class sends in their nominations, which are received and reviewed by the deans, who ultimately announce the winners of the awards. This year, the recipient of the Remes Award is the extremely deserving Miriam Barth. This award recognizes Miriam’s extraordinary leadership skills and her many accomplishments within Stern as well as her immense community work. Her many contributions within Stern include serving as head of TAC’s T-CUBED and serving as the radio DJ on the highly acclaimed PM in the PM, with Penina Cohen.
When she is not busy making Stern laugh on her hilarious radio show, Miriam can be found feeding Manhattan’s hungry regularly at a soup kitchen. Miriam does not neglect Stern’s hungry, either! Many can attest for her superb baking skills, as she often surprises her peers with spontaneous and generous (and delicious!) brownies and other goodies. The weekends are no break, as she is in charge of the Bnei Akiva sniffim (branches) in New York and New Jersey. Between feeding the hungry, making everyone laugh, learning Torah, and educating metropolitan youth in the values of Bnei Akiva, it is a wonder how this Political Science major makes time for her rigorous academic schedule. However, Miriam pulls it all off with a giant smile on her face.
When asked of her connection to Miriam, Chaya Kanarfogel (‘15) exclaimed, “I first met Miriam at a Nefesh B’Nefesh conference. We became friends after and later this year I began to work for her as a Rosh Snif in Bnei Akiva. She is one of the most creative, dedicated, and friendly people I know. I’ve gone to her for advice numerous times and always feels empowered and equipped by whatever wisdom she has imparted unto me… In short, she is an amazing role model.”
Chaya is not the only one raving about Miriam. When told about Miriam’s nomination and subsequent win, fellow senior Elana Raskas could not be more thrilled. “I can hardly think of anyone more deserving of this award,” Elana remarked. “Miriam is one of the most popular, well-liked students in Stern. She has an extremely wide range of friends and is known by everyone as a “Positive Patty” and never a “Complaining Caroline,” to borrow some Barth-isms. Plus she has an amazing Dee-troit accent.”
The charismatic and ambitious Miriam Barth is one of the approximately 231 seniors who have applied for graduation this May, not including the 51 seniors who completed graduation requirements in January, and the 29 seniors who will have finished by this coming September. In their closing remarks, both Dean Orlian and Dean Bacon mentioned the high esteem in which they regard the class of 2013.
Dean Orlian wishes the graduates “continued growth, intellectually and spiritually. Graduation is a concluding chapter in one’s life and it comes along with a realization that although one has concluded this chapter, it is also a significant beginning, A beginning of going on to the next stage to pursue one’s interests more deeply. ” Dean Orlian also stressed the important role a Yeshiva University graduate has of representing Yeshiva University in the broader world: “There is a focus on community, chessed, a responsibility to our people, and thinking broadly rather than only on one’s self. As Jews, we have a responsibility to focus both on self-development as well as on the interests of the wider community.”
Dean Bacon recognizes that graduation often comes along with, “A lot of fear and insecurity.” However, she offers her deepest well wishes to the class of 2013:“I hope their years in Stern have enhanced their feeling of emunah [belief] and instilled a recognition that the Jewish people have collective destiny. Each and every one of us is a part of that destiny. What is down that road is good, important, and meaningful. I hope that it is everything they want for themselves and their future families.” In addition, Dean Bacon hopes that graduates hold Stern and their experiences here with the utmost high regard. “Do not forget Stern College. The women who follow you need networking, financial, psychological support. Do not forget this college that needs your support in charting the future. Do not forget Stern. [Your experiences] will be lifelong comfort and joy. You can always come home, as this is your home.”