By Mary Best
Editor-in-Chief
Determined to get home to see her family and enjoy spring break, senior Maddie Gionet decided to wait to respond to an email from Pauline Hoffmann, dean of the school of journalism and mass communication, until she arrived home.
Before she could write a response, Gionet’s cellphone went off — Hoffmann called her to let her know she had been named the 2013 recipient of the Dr. Mary A. Hamilton Woman of Promise Award.
“It’s still sort of surreal,” Gionet said. “My mom was home and I just looked at her and said, ‘I guess I’m the woman of promise,’ and she freaked out. She was initially more excited than I was.”
The annual award, named for retired associate journalism professor Mary Hamilton, ’59, recognizes a female journalism and mass communication student who has excelled both in and out of the classroom, set an example for peers and demonstrated great promise for success in future endeavors.
Gionet said the recognition has begun to sink in, but takes some getting used to.
“Seeing posters with my face on them is sort of weird,” she said. “It feels good; it’s a huge honor. It’s nothing I was expecting and I really can’t take the credit for it.”
Gionet’s extensive on-campus involvement includes co-directing the Writing Lab in the Teaching and Learning Center and working as a peer tutor, peer coach, coordinator of Mountain Community Leaders and as an intern for the Sports Information Department. Gionet has also devoted her time to the American Advertising Federation as secretary as well as writing for The Bona Venture and acting as co-editor-in-chief of The Intrepid last semester.
Hoffmann said she was impressed by Gionet’s long list of accomplishments, mentioning she is a one-of-a-kind student and an ideal person to promote the journalism school.
“Maddie Gionet represents everything that is extraordinary about St. Bonaventure and the School of JMC,” Hoffmann said. “She was instrumental in helping to keep The Intrepid afloat and she has excelled scholastically. She is so energetic and passionate about her work and what she has been able to accomplish at SBU that she makes an extraordinary ambassador.”
Gionet credits her many opportunities at SBU to her success.
“Everyone that I know here has helped me to grow as an individual, to be a strong female and to hopefully be not only a peer but a mentor to those individuals in lower (academic) classes and be someone to look up to,” Gionet said. “Every single person I’ve met along the way here has given me an opportunity to shine and learn and grow in my leadership abilities.”
As she finishes her undergraduate career, Gionet advises the next generation of Bonnies to get involved and embrace all of the opportunities Bonaventure offers.
“I would tell everyone to find something they’re interested in and get involved in that kind of club on campus,” Gionet said. “And if there’s nothing that interests you, then start your own club. This university is such a great place to get involved and have a leadership position early on in your collegiate career. We should all take that opportunity to enjoy ourselves, learn some leadership skills and make a difference.”
In the fall semester, Gionet plans to return to Bona’s to pursue a Master’s degree in integrated marketing communications.
“I am excited to come back. I’m not ready to grow up and go into the real world yet,” she said. “I think it’s a great opportunity and Bona’s really has become my second home.”
Post-graduation, Gionet hopes to go into the Peace Corps and later pursue a career that embodies her many passion.
“I’m really big into volunteering and giving back. I want to make a difference in this world through my actions, and I’ve been given so much and so many people have changed and affected my life that I want to do the same,” Gionet said. “If I can combine my love of the outdoors with volunteering and giving back with photography and a little bit of PR, that’s where I’d like to be.”
Gionet will be honored at the Woman of Promise Awards Ceremony Tuesday at 4 p.m. in Dresser Auditorium. The ceremony will be open to the general public and feature Leslie Heywood, a professor of English and creative writing at Binghamton Univesity, as the keynote speaker.
