Arts & Sciences students honored for contributions to UC

Born in Appleton, Wisconsin, and later moving to Mason, Ohio, Alberta Negri committed to UC after being offered a spot in the Darwin T. Turner Scholarship program. Pursuing a double major in chemistry and Spanish, Negri hopes to practice medicine in underrepresented communities. In her free time, Negri loves to play soccer, work out and work on crossword puzzles.

To Negri, the Eleanor Hicks award is the chance to say thank you to everyone who has helped her on this journey.

“To me, winning this award lets me give my mentors over the past four years recognition for all they have helped me with,” Negri said.

“I wouldn’t have accomplished as much or taken on so many activities as a student without the guidance and motivation from the professors, advisors, and peers that I met along the way.”

Cincinnati native Madeline Abanto was drawn to the sense of community that radiated throughout UC during her first campus visit. From an early age, Abanto knew she wanted to study history but was unable to choose a preferred area of study until her senior year. Abanto said it was the diverse courses offered that helped her find her niche area of study – Latin American history.

“My love for Latin American history was not only brought about by my own family’s heritage, but by the courses, history and otherwise, I have taken here,” Abanto said.

“Alongside majoring in history, I am minoring in political science and women’s, gender, and sexuality studies and pursuing certificates in international human rights and Latin American studies, all of which have provided me with a well-rounded liberal arts education.”

In her free time, Abanto is the president of UC’s Undergraduate History Club and often involves herself with on and off-campus activism pertaining to social justice.

Winning the Spirit of Community award is a physical representation of the dedication and passion Abanto has shared with her community during her time at UC.

“Winning this award really means a lot to me as it is evidence of my dedication not only to my studies and my fellow majors but also to the UC community at large, which has been like a second family to me over the course of my four years here,” Abanto said.

“UC has provided me with the tools to continue to serve my community, students and otherwise, long after I graduate, which I am eternally grateful for.”