By Kiara Catanzaro
Staff Writer
The Russell J. Jandoli School of Journalism and Mass Communication presented the 12th annual Dr. Mary A. Hamilton Woman of Promise Award Tuesday in the Dresser Auditorium of the John J. Murphy Professional Building. The journalism school presented the award to Madeleine Gionet, a senior journalism and mass communication major.
In addition to her academic excellence, Gionet has held various leadership roles on campus. These positions include co-editor-in-chief of The Intrepid, account executive of the American Advertising Federation (AAF), coordinator for mountain Community Leaders at Mt. Irenaeus, a peer leader for the First-Year Experience Program and co-director of the Teaching and Learning Center’s Writing Lab, according to the event’s program.
Pauline Hoffmann, dean of the school of journalism and mass communication, presented the Woman of Promise Award to Gionet.
“I think it’s clear that we in J/MC made an extraordinary choice in naming Madeleine Gionet the 2013 Woman of Promise,” Hoffmann said.
The keynote speaker for the event was Leslie L. Heywood, professor of English and creative writing at SUNY Binghamtom. Heywood is the author of several academic books, along with being an established poet. Heywood discussed the significance between women’s participation in sports and academic success.
“The Woman of Promise award allows me to talk about my passion, which is how women who participate in sports help become women of promise who deliver,” Heywood said. “The most important correlation I want to address is (between) success and sport participation.”
Heywood discussed the various benefits women acquire by participating in sports.
“Academic achievement is correlated with participation in sports,” Heywood said. “For example, graduation rates as well as test taking scores are higher in women who participate in sports.”
Heywood also discussed the health advantages women gain through participation in sports.
“For example, women have higher confidence and self-esteem, which aid in mental health that non-athletes do not have,” Heywood said.
Heywood describes the business attributes women gain through participation in sports.
“More importantly, it is significant to see how sports help prepare those for success in the global economy,” Heywood said. “There are skills that are taught through sports culture that attribute to success in the workplace. Practicing competency, the illusion of confidence, competitiveness and loyalty to teammates are transferrable skills that can be used in business world.”
Gionet concluded the ceremony with a speech that highlighted her humble personality and appreciation regarding the award. She thanked her family, friends and professors for her achievements that lead her honor of being named the 2013 Woman of Promise.
“I can’t count the number of times I walked past the Women of Promise plaque during my four years as an undergraduate,” Gionet said. “They are the names of women who brought me inspiration whether they realized it, or not. To think that my name will sit next to those women is an indescribable honor.”
Gionet will return to St. Bonaventure in the fall to pursue her Master’s degree in integrated marketing communications.
