By Julia Mericle
News Assignment Editor
One of the great joys I have as dean is telling a student when he or she has won an award, and I was very excited to tell Anna,” Pauline Hoffmann, dean of the Russell J. Jandoli School of Journalism and Mass Communication, said about senior Anna Ciesla.
Each year a female senior journalism and mass communication major who excels in and out of the classroom and sets a good example for her peers receives the Dr. Mary A. Hamilton Woman of Promise award.
Anna Ciesla received the award on Tuesday at the 14th annual Woman of Promise award ceremony.
“The recipient is a student who, in the eyes of the faculty, possesses all the skills necessary to not only succeed but also thrive in her post-graduate career,” Hoffmann said.
Lori Quigley, ’81 and dean of the Esteves School of Education at The Sages Colleges, was the keynote speaker. She noted the importance of the event.
“This evening we have gathered together to celebrate the legacy of a great Bonaventure [professor], Dr. Mary Hamilton, who continued the Jandoli tradition of respecting the female intellect, who embraced the Franciscan belief in the goodness of every person and who reminded us of the importance of the valued roles that women play in media today,” Quigley said.
Ciesla will complete her bachelor of arts in three years. She has been on the dean’s list every semester and is a member of Kappa Tau Alpha and Phi Alpha Theta honors societies for journalism and mass communication and history respectively.
Cielsa said she spent most of her time in the journalism school working with SBUTV sports. She acted as both an anchor and producer for the Wolfpack Report, a weekly sports show. This past summer, Ciesla interned with the Buffalo Sabres. The internship allowed her to edit game material, help with a radio program and archive materials.
Following her graduation, Ciesla plants to attend law school and eventually enter the sports field.
Hoffmann spoke of Ciesla, complimenting her professionalism and maturity.
“I am proud and I know [Ciesla] will be someone I call a friend and colleague beyond these walls,” Hoffmann said.
During the ceremony, Ciesla thanked all of the journalism and mass communication professors.
“Doors on second Murphy are always open, and I am so appreciative of that,” Ciesla said.
Ciesla gave special thanks to Paul Wieland, a professor of journalism and mass communication and her adviser.
“Wieland is a huge reason why I came to school here in the first place,” Ciesla said. “I’m not really sure there is a proper way to thank him for all that he has done for me.”
Ciesla also thanked her mother Sue Ciesla, administrative assistant in the school of journalism and mass communication, for showing her what it means to be a Woman of Promise.
“As women we have to work a little bit harder to get what we want, but things are changing,” Ciesla said.
Ciesla encouraged other women to take all the opportunities they can and never settle for less than they deserve.
“Be the editor, the director, the executive. There is nothing saying you can’t,” Ciesla said.
Ciesla said it is important for women to step up now and set an example for the next generation as to what it means to be a Woman of Promise.
She ended the ceremony by offering women in the audience one final piece of advice.
“Keep your standards and your stilettos high,” Ciesla said.
