Outstanding Seniors Honored with Top University Awards
Two outstanding members of the Class of 2020 are this year's recipients of the prestigious Belle K. Ribicoff Prize and the John G. Lee Award, which are typically presented at Commencement.
Quimby Wechter '20
Wechter is the recipient of this year’s Belle K. Ribicoff Prize, awarded for academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, and originality of thought. This health sciences/pre-physical therapy major from the College of Education, Nursing and Health Professions is graduating with a 4.0 GPA. She is passionate about helping others, as demonstrated by her work with young adults with developmental disabilities and children with cerebral palsy.
After graduation, Wechter will work at Boston Children's Hospital as a clinical research assistant in the neurology department and is looks forward to helping children with spinal muscular atrophy and muscular dystrophy.
Quimby Wechter '20, Belle K. Ribicoff Prize RecipientAlthough I have been a scholarly student through all levels of my education, I strive to use my knowledge to improve my community.”
Olaleye Onikuyide ’20
Onikuyide is the recipient of this year's John G. Lee Award, given annually to an exemplary graduating senior based on three criteria: academic excellence (based mainly on cumulative grade point average), community service, and a home address in one of 30 designated towns in the Greater Hartford area.
An honors student, Onikuyide majored in both economics and politics and government in the College of Arts and Sciences. He minored in complexity, the interdisciplinary study of the behavior of multiple interactions. He was an Obama Foundation Community Leadership Fellow in 2019-20 and has helped run political campaigns over the last four years.
Onikuyide plans to take the LSAT and attend law school. Long-term, he hopes to practice law in Connecticut and continue to service the community "at the highest levels."