College of the Arts graduates mark their achievements through “Medallion Awards: A Celebration of Excellence”

On Wednesday, April 29, the College of the Arts will recognize 11 graduating seniors for their exceptional artistic and academic achievements during “Medallion Awards: A Celebration of Excellence.”

The Medallion Awards represent the highest honors presented to soon-to-be graduates for superior performance, academic excellence and service in their specific fields of study. In addition to an award ceremony, the event will include performances and presentations of recipients' work in instrumental and vocal performance, visual art, theatre, dance, music industry and arts education. 

Please join the College of the Arts in celebrating the 2026 Medallion Award Recipients.

The 2026 College of the Arts Medallion Award recipients:

Hailey Cooper - Harvey and Harriet Alpert Creative Achievement in Fine Arts
“As someone who used to think their art could only be a hobby, I am honored to have had the opportunity to receive this award.” — Hailey Cooper

Illustrator and graphic designer Hailey Cooper is the recipient of this year’s award for creative achievement in fine arts.

Cooper’s detailed work focuses on digital and print design for publications and social media. Her senior solo exhibition, “Graceful Grotesque,” exhibited last fall in Westby Hall Gallery, celebrated “things we do not usually take the time to appreciate, such as bugs, bones, and all things creepy.”

She is vice president of Women of Westby, a campus-based nonprofit organization aimed at supporting and uplifting student and alumni art, for which she designed print and digital advertising and merchandise, and art-directed gallery exhibitions, including "WOW! It's Fall" in October of 2024.

After completing her dual-concentration BFA in Studio Art this spring, Cooper plans to continue making art “at all costs!”

Sophie Creed - Bryna G. Goldhaft Dance Award
“This award feels like a reflection of my hard work, passion and dedication, and it inspires me to continue sharing my love for dance and the arts in everything I pursue after graduation.” — Sophie Creed

Dance and Early Childhood Education double major Sophie Creed will receive this year’s dance award.

A member of the Alpha Psi Omega collegiate theatre honors society, Creed is also the president of Rowan Dance Extensions and vice president of the RU Hoofers Club. Her MainStage credits include “Raise Your Damn Voice!,” “Head Over Heels,” “Convergence” and the Faculty & Student Choreography Showcase, for which she choreographed “Shades of Blue” last April.

Among her favorite memories at Rowan was the opportunity to learn and perform choreographer Doug Varone’s “Strict Love” in the 2025 Fall Dance Concert, which followed a week-long residency with Doug Varone and Dancers company member Joniece “JoJo” Boykins. Creed described performing the piece as fulfilling, humbling and a deeply valuable learning experience.

Currently a student teacher in a preschool, Creed hopes to one day start an elementary school-based dance program.

Alexander DeStefano - Dr. Barbara Chamberlain Award for Outstanding Excellence in Performing Arts Education
“As I embark on my career as a music teacher, this medallion will serve as a reminder of the importance of balancing technical skills and knowledge with creativity.” — Alexander DeStefano

Pianist, composer and aspiring high school music teacher Alexander DeStefano is this year’s winner for excellence in performing arts education.

DeStefano is a two-time winner of the Rowan University Concerto Competition. In 2024, he performed "Piano Concerto No. 1 in F-sharp Minor, Op. 1" by Sergei Rachmaninoff with the Rowan University Symphony Orchestra. For his 2026 win, DeStefano will perform “Concerto for Piano and Winds” by Igor Stravinsky with the Rowan University Wind Ensemble on April 28.  

As a two-time Honors College Martinson Summer Scholar, DeStefano worked with faculty mentors Dr. Joseph Higgins and Dr. Christopher Thomas, under whose guidance he composed two original works: “Our Glass” for wind ensemble and the choral work “To You.” DeStefano cited the collaborative rehearsal process with the Rowan University Wind Ensemble that preceded the premiere of his experimental “Our Glass” as a particular highlight of his Rowan career.

Grace Hoeltje - Phillip Graneto Excellence in Theatre Award
“As a Tech/Design concentration student, I’m used to working behind the scenes and out of the spotlight. It is nice to see that Rowan values the work that goes on backstage as much as onstage.” — Grace Hoeltje

Frequent MainStage sound designer and stage manager Grace Hoeltje will receive the award for excellence in theatre.

While still a sophomore, Hoeltje was presented the opportunity to serve as sound designer for a MainStage production of “Five Survivors Tell the World.”

“It meant the world to me that the director, Tony Hostetter, trusted me with such a powerful and impactful show so early into my time at Rowan,” she said. “It is still one of my favorite designs I’ve done.”

In addition to her design and stage management work on many student-driven projects for the Lab Theatre, Hoeltje’s MainStage credits include “Almost, Maine”, the Faculty & Student Choreography Showcase and “MONSTER: a frankenstein play.”

After graduating with her BA in Theatre Arts, the Mount Laurel, NJ native will be heading to Orlando, FL to serve as a Show Technical Production Intern at Walt Disney Imagineering, the research and development arm of The Walt Disney Company.

Mallory Mazurkiewicz - Parthenia J. Vandermark Creative Arts Award
“I'm grateful for all my professors and peers who helped better me as a person, student, and artist to get me to where I am today.” — Mallory Mazurkiewicz

Illustrator/animator Mallory Mazurkiewicz is the recipient of this year’s award for creative arts.

Mazurkiewicz spent two semesters serving as a teacher’s assistant for Rowan’s smART Program, a visual and creative arts program for children in kindergarten through grade 8. Having attended the program as a child, Mazurkiewicz was glad to pay it forward by spending their Saturday mornings setting up the day’s activities and supporting students. 

A video game enthusiast, Mazurkiewicz is a member of the Splatoon team for Rowan Esports Club. Their senior thesis show, “Monkey Business,” gave them the opportunity to exhibit six illustrations and a 35-second animation in the Westby Hall Gallery.

After graduating with their dual degree in Studio Art and Psychology this spring, Mazurkiewicz will pursue a career in illustration and/or video game concept artistry. 

Kassandra Miano - W. Clarke Pfleeger Award for Musical Excellence
“Without the endless support from my family and teachers, as well as my friends, I would not be the person or musician that I am today. I owe so much of my success and overall happiness to them.” — Kassandra Miano

Trumpet performance major Kassandra Miano is this year’s winner for musical excellence.

Miano recently competed as both an individual and with the Rowan Trumpet Septet at the National Trumpet Competition in Iowa City, IA.

“Exploring the beautiful city with my friends and meeting other trumpet players from all over the country was such a unique and wonderful experience,” she said.

A dedicated musician, Miano was the only trumpet player selected through a national blind audition to join The Orchestra Now (TŌN), an orchestral graduate program at Bard College. One of two major training orchestras in the country, TŌN is a paid position that offers the performance, rehearsal, and recording schedule of a professional orchestral musician, with dozens of concerts each year at venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Amber Miller - Chamberlain Award for Outstanding Excellence in Singing
“I am beyond thrilled to have been recognized for my accomplishments and hard work while attending Rowan University. Thank you to those who saw something in me and believed in me.” — Amber Miller

Music education and vocal performance major Amber Miller is this year’s winner for excellence in singing. 

During their time at Rowan, Miller participated in Rowan University Concert Choir, Rowan University Chorus, Voces Chamber Ensemble, Collegium Musicum and Rowan Opera Company. Two of their most memorable experiences were with the Concert Choir. In 2024, they performed “Considering Matthew Shepard,” a three-part fusion oratorio by Craig Hella Johnson. This year, they had the opportunity to solo in the song cycle “Disquieted Prayers” by Rowan student Arturo Tapia-Minchez. 

Miller is part of Rowan’s American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) chapter and National Association of Music Education (NAfME) chapter. 

Next fall, they will be attending Johns Hopkins Peabody Conservatory to pursue their Masters of Performance for Voice with an emphasis in Performance Pedagogy.

Christian Arriola Moreno - Dr. Barbara Chamberlain Award for Outstanding Excellence in Music Production
“A consistent theme in my life has been the constant grace and kindness from others, and that has truly propelled me forward towards a path of success.” — Christian Arriola Moreno 

First-generation college student, musician and music producer Christian Arriola Moreno will receive this year’s award for excellence in music production.

Moreno is the keyboardist, project manager and producer for Calling From Pluto, a Rowan-grown band that recently released its first two singles. He started his own record label — maplegulf.records — to develop his band and other local artists with a focus on ethical practices that center fair compensation, audience connection and artist autonomy.  

Calling From Pluto won third place in Rowan’s Battle of the Bands and recently produced a successful release show, donating all proceeds to The Eleanor Corbett House.

During his time at Rowan, Moreno worked in the Rowan Recording Studio, served as AV Assistant at the Student Center, led marketing for Red Oak Records and helped found Rowan’s first music industry club, Rowan MIDI. 

This summer, he’ll be completing an internship with SoundExchange in Washington, D.C., while he continues to develop his band with the hopes of planning a US tour.

Bethany Oliveri - Rodney E. Gates Award for Excellence in Art Education
“I have dedicated over 147 hours of student teaching to develop engaging lesson plans for my students, [and] have spent countless nights after school creating teacher samples, prepping materials, organizing NAEA meetings, and making time to create my own artwork. To be recognized for that time and energy feels very rewarding.” — Bethany Oliveri

Art education major and BFA concentration metals and jewelry artist Bethany Oliveri is this year’s winner for excellence in art education.

Oliveri is president of the National Art Education Association and a studio mentor for the metals and jewelry department on campus. Her senior exhibition, “Growing Pains,” at Westby Hall Gallery featured intricate metalwork, mosaic and jewelry. Her work explores the graphic quality of flowers, landscapes, and organic items found in nature and how they interact with hard, rigid metals.

While working toward completing her dual degree this spring, Oliveri is already sub-certified and has been placed in classrooms, Pre-K through 12th grade. She currently works at Fleisher Art Memorial in Philadelphia, teaching adult and teen jewelry-making classes.

She plans to continue teaching adult classes at Fleisher while working as a school-based art teacher and hopes to pursue a master’s degree.

Carly Lane Robison - Joseph Robinette Excellence in Theatre and Dance Award
“I am truly honored! I am rarely rendered speechless, and yet I am.” — Carly Lane Robison

This year’s theatre and dance award goes to theatre major Carly Lane Robison.

Hailing from Loganville, Georgia, Robison moved 13 hours from home to pursue her degree at Rowan. This spring, she will graduate with her BA in Theatre with dual concentrations in musical theatre and design tech.

During her time at Rowan, Robison performed in five MainStage productions, including “Cinderella” and “Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really” and teched an additional eight. She can frequently be found around Tohill Theatre, where she works as an audio technician.

Her senior project, “Doe,” a devised one-act play about a college-age couple navigating an unplanned pregnancy, was filmed by Rowan Television Network and is available to stream on their YouTube channel. 

After graduation, Robison intends to audition for both theatre and film and build a career doing what she loves.

Ryleigh Walker - Ann B. Ward Creative Achievement in Fine and Performing Arts Award
“Art is my rebellion. It is a huge honor to be recognized for my hard work during my academic career at Rowan.” — Ryleigh Walker

Visual artist and photographer Ryleigh Walker is this year’s winner for creative achievement in fine and performing arts.

While at Rowan, Walker served as a teacher’s assistant for the Introduction to Film class and as a graphic design work-study student. Her creative practice includes taking photographs, collage-making and image-making.

Her final months at Rowan are marked by participation in several exhibitions on and off campus: “Emerging Visions: Southern New Jersey University & College Visual Arts Showcase”, on view from April 8–June 27, in Atlantic City, New Jersey; “For a Moment,” a capstone photography group exhibition at the JPEG Gallery in Camden, on view from April 25–May 23; and “Second Nature,” the Advanced Graphic Design Senior Thesis group exhibition, on view from April 30–May 13 in the Westby Hall Art Gallery, opening reception on Thursday, May 7 from 6–8 PM.

Walker graduates this spring with her BFA in Studio Art, specializing in graphic design and a minor in photography. She aims to find work in her creative field and hopes to secure an internship with a museum.