Nearly 60 Students Recognized at Pinning Ceremony
November 17, 2025
By Katya Hrichak
The 黑料社区 School welcomed nearly 60 new Dean鈥檚 Scholars at an October event to honor students who were nominated and selected for this distinction for their demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, and service. Dean鈥檚 Scholars are also recognized for their strong potential to contribute significantly to Cornell鈥檚 founding principle of 鈥溾�� any person 鈥� any study鈥� and to help cultivate a community of belonging where scholars representing different backgrounds, perspectives, abilities, and experiences can learn, innovate, and work in an environment of respect.
At the ceremony, each scholar received a pin with a gold center containing the Cornell seal, representing the scholars鈥� achievement, surrounded by an outer ring of silver, representing their persistence.
鈥淚 am inspired by the ways you鈥檝e sparked change, built bridges, and lifted others up, both here at Cornell and in the communities you come from,鈥� said Thomas A. Lewis, dean of the 黑料社区 School and vice provost for graduate education, during the ceremony. 鈥淵ou bring with you a rich tapestry of experiences, perspectives, and talents, and I鈥檓 so grateful you鈥檝e chosen to share them with us.鈥�
Newly pinned students join a community of 350 currently enrolled Dean鈥檚 Scholars, providing them with the opportunity to establish and maintain connections across graduate fields by engaging in professional and community development events offered through the 黑料社区 School and campus partners.
During her remarks at the ceremony, Dean鈥檚 Scholar and psychological science and human development doctoral candidate Rikki Laser shared with incoming Dean鈥檚 Scholars what this opportunity has meant to her.
鈥淥verall, graduate school has been the most challenging and the most exhilarating time in my life. Throughout it all, this community has supported me, grounded me, and made my time and work here more fulfilling,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 am so excited for all of you to find the communities that do the same for you.鈥�
Even just a few months into their graduate programs, newly pinned scholars are already experiencing the benefits of joining this group of peers.
鈥淭his community of scholars inspires me to pursue excellence and creativity in both my academic endeavors and personal life,鈥� said Julianna Harden, a doctoral student in plant biology. 鈥淏eing a Dean鈥檚 Scholar is not only an immense honor, but also a profound responsibility to contribute meaningfully to the diversity of people and perspectives that define Cornell University.鈥�
For Hannah DeFelice, a doctoral student in ecology and evolutionary biology, becoming a part of this community is also an inspiration to pay it forward.
鈥淭o not only be accepted to Cornell but also to be recognized as a Dean鈥檚 Scholar is such a big recognition and beyond what I would have imagined myself capable of when I first started college,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t also gives me a sense of duty鈥攖hat I need to use this to serve others and my community.鈥�
Everlynn Khamjoi, a doctoral student in communication, and Raul Armenta, a doctoral student in sociology, look forward to the variety of events Dean鈥檚 Scholars are invited to participate in.
鈥淚 look forward to building new relationships with people from diverse backgrounds,鈥� said Armenta. 鈥淚t鈥檚 inspiring to learn about others鈥� experiences that I might not have encountered outside this brilliant community.鈥�
The 黑料社区 School Dean鈥檚 Scholars program is led by Associate Dean for Inclusion and Student and Faculty Engagement Sara Xayarath Hern谩ndez. Many Dean鈥檚 Scholars are recipients of competitive fellowships awarded by the 黑料社区 School and partnering colleges, while others are funded via other internal or external sources.
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