2025 Presidential Award Winners
Emily Do
B.S. Biology and B.B.A. in Finance and Risk Management
“One of the most impactful experiences of my time at St. Mary’s was participating in LEAD with Mary, a summer immersion program focused on service and social justice. The experience reinforced the importance of respecting human dignity and using my education to uplift others. It renewed my commitment to helping communities in need, using both my academic and personal strengths to make a difference.”
Francisco Garcia
B.S. in Biology and B.A. in Mathematics
“My St. Mary’s experience has been like no other, yet with my peers I share success and personal growth I can only attribute to the wonderful environment cultivated by the Marianists, faculty and staff. Formation in faith on our campus happens in University Ministry and in the chapels, but also any activity or event where we improve our faith in each other and grow closer as a community.”
Linda Masabo
B.S. in Electrical Engineering
“My time at St. Mary’s has been more than just an academic journey — it has been a transformative experience. I have faced some of the most difficult moments of my life here, but learned to lean on my community and give back in return. I have discovered my strengths, resilience and purpose. I will forever be grateful to St. Mary’s University, my home away from home.”
Michele Oyarzabal
B.S. in Biology
“On top of being close to home and being a Catholic Marianist University, I came to St. Mary’s for its stellar pre-medical professional programs; high medical school acceptance rate; and integral, high-quality education. I excelled in my courses and made incredibly close connections with my professors and classmates, who are now like family to me. I am blessed to have had my life’s path come to St. Mary’s and will be forever grateful.”
Gianluca Porzio
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering
“The organizations that I am involved in have given me amazing friendships and experiences that I will always carry in my heart. I have grown as a scholar, as a leader and, most importantly, as a human being and a servant of Christ. I know that the only way to be successful is to go out there and be proud of who I am. I will take my memories with me and apply them to make the world a better place.”
Kylee Smith
B.S. in Computer Science
“Reflecting on my journey at St. Mary’s, I see how every experience has shaped who I am today. From navigating the uncertainties of my freshman year to stepping into leadership roles and pursuing my passions in computer science and cybersecurity, I’ve grown personally and professionally. I look forward to contributing to the world and giving back to others, just as I have received.”
2024 Presidential Award Winners
- Elisa Alejandra Aguilera (Engineering Management)
- Maria Chiara Cossio (Biology)
- Theresa Mayorga (Biology)
- Riya Ajay Patel (Biology)
2023 Presidential Award Winners
- Vilma Sofia Caballero (Biology)
- Maroun Joe Harb (Finance and Risk Management and Mathematics)
- Kristina Heerdegen (Mathematics with Teacher Certification)
2022 Presidential Award Winners
- Ankita Chabra (Biology)
- Regina de la Parra (International and Global Studies and Environmental Science)
- Midori Flores (Environmental Science)
- Pragyan K C (Computer Science)
- Wilzave Quiles Guzmán (International and Global Studies and Environmental Science)
2021 Presidential Award Winners
- Andrea Maresa Aldaz (Biochemistry)
- Steven Alfred Rudy Castillo (Biology)
- Kathryn Clare Drees (Biology)
- Alain Patrick Peralt (Forensic Science)
- Ana Paula Saravia (Economics and Mathematics)
- Josemaria Sebastian Soriano (Engineering Systems Management)
2020 Presidential Award Winners
- Faris Adrian Andonie (Engineering)
- Jocelyn Baca (Physics)
- Victoria Anne Leh (Chemistry)
- Nicolas Alberto Romero (Mechanical Engineering)
- Jesus Valencia (Biochemistry)
2019 Presidential Award Winners
- Christine N. Flores (Computer Information Systems)
- Geyner Andres Gaona (Biology)
- Rebeca M. Gurrola (Physics and Mathematics)
2018 Presidential Award Winners
- Elena Janay Botello (Electrical Engineering)
- Stephen Mark Braden (Biology)
- Iliana Esther De La Cruz (Physics and Mathematics)
- Kathryn Lorraine Ellebracht (Biology)
- Deandra C. Gonzalez (Biology)
Notable Alumni
Ravi Chaudhary, D.L.S. (M.S. ’99)
As director of Advanced Programs and Innovation in the Office of Commercial Space Transportation at the FAA, Chaudhary is responsible for looking into the future of commercial space transportation. And for Chaudhary, a man with a direct line to the president, not a day goes by during which the lessons he learned as an Industrial Engineering graduate student at St. Mary’s University aren’t on his mind.
“I was blessed to have (Professor of Industrial Engineering) Rafael Moras invest heavily in my development and guide me through a challenging graduate engineering degree. Over time, Dr. Moras become more than an academic adviser; he became a good friend and mentor.
Looking back, going to St. Mary’s was one of the best decisions I could’ve made.”
Giovanni Fazio
With an award-winning career that spans more than half a century, Giovanni G. Fazio earned both a B.S. in Physics and a B.A. in Chemistry from St. Mary’s in 1954. A renowned astrophysicist, Fazio helped pioneer NASA’s development of gamma-ray astronomy using balloon-borne and ground-based detectors. He is a senior physicist at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.
Erika Gonzalez-Reyes, M.D. (B.S. ’98)
Gonzalez-Reyes serves as the CEO & President of South Texas Allergy & Asthma Medical Professionals and STAAMP Clinical Research. As a student at St. Mary’s, Gonzalez-Reyes participated in the Health Careers Opportunity Program and the MARCU*STAR program before completing medical school at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston on an Air Force scholarship.
As an alumna, Gonzalez-Reyes mentors pre-med students and allows them to rotate through her clinic. She also serves on the Advisory Council for the School of Science, Engineering and Technology, and by sharing her story with women and minorities, she hopes to inspire them to realize, “That could be me one day.”
“The sense of community that St. Mary’s has, along with the faith-based mission, surrounds you with mentors and educators who are concerned with your success. It’s just as important to them as it is to you.”