Three Student-Athletes Earn Special Awards at Anna Maria College 2017 Commencement

Paxton, Mass.-- Anna Maria College held the 2017 Commencement Ceremony at The Hanover Theater in Worcester, Mass. on Saturday. Graduating seniors Marissa Leonard (Billerica, Mass.) and Jessica Gautieri (North Attleboro, Mass.) of the women's tennis team along with Kate Kneeland (Windham, Maine) of the women's soccer team all received special awards.

Leonard and Gautieri were both awarded the Bishop Timothy J. Harrington award. This award was established in 1988 and is given to a student deemed to have demonstrated "compassionate service in the promotion of peace and justice."

Kneeland received the Dr. Bernadette Madore Award for Academic Excellence. This award is given to the full-time senior who has the highest grade-point average. Kneeland finished her Anna Maria undergraduate degree in just three years with a cumulative grade point average of 3.969.

Gautieri, Leonard and Kneeland embody the true meaning of the term "student-athlete". They were highly committed to their studies, community service, and Anna Maria College Athletics. 

Congratulations to all Anna Maria College 2017 Graduates. The Athletic Department wishes you all the best in your future endeavors.