ESU Names Spring 2014 Shirley Chisholm Award Winners

Posted by: admin on May 21, 2014, No Comments

Pictured from left to right are: ESU Associate Professor of Digital Media Technologies Beth Sockman, Ph.D., and Regina Sayles Koilparampil, who received her master’s in instructional technology from ESU this May and was named the Shirley Chisolm Award recipient based on her academic accomplishments and her involvement in improving the lives of others.

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Pictured from left to right are: Molly Carson, a recent graduate from East Stroudsburg, Pa., who earned her degree in social work, and Shannon Frystak, Ph.D., associate professor of history. Carson has shown a dedication and sincere commitment to women’s issues by working at ESU’s Women’s Center, participating in ESU’s Feminist Alliance, working with the ESU VOICE (Victims’ Options in the Campus Environment) Center and participating in annual Take Back the Night marches.

East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania recently bestowed the spring 2014 Shirley Chisholm Award on two of its latest graduates: Regina Sayles Koilparampil, who earned a master’s degree and Molly Carson, who earned her bachelor’s degree. This award is sponsored by ESU’s Commission for Women, Commission on Racial and Ethnic Diversity, Graduate School, the Women’s Studies minor and the Women’s Center.

The Shirley Chisholm Award was established in 1991 after Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American woman to be elected to congress and the first to run for United States President, was awarded an honorary doctoral degree from ESU. The award honors graduating female students who, like Shirley Chisholm, are dedicated to academic excellence, are sensitive to issues of social justice and are committed to activism.

Koilparampil received her master’s degree in instructional technology from ESU on May 9, 2014. She was named the Shirley Chisolm Award recipient based on her academic accomplishments and her involvement in improving the lives of others. Koilparampil, who is a singer and writer, has achieved a grade point average of 3.9. She has composed and performed songs for numerous benefits including: Melon’s gift for cancer, the Red Cross, several AIDS events and recently for an event sponsored by ESU Women’s Center and Women’s Resources of Monroe County. She is a passionate advocate for social justice and has participated in rallies to support women.

Carson, who is from East Stroudsburg, Pa., earned a bachelor’s degree in social work with a GPA of 3.57. She has shown a dedication and sincere commitment to women’s issues by working at ESU’s Women’s Center, participating in ESU’s Feminist Alliance, working with the ESU VOICE (Victims’ Options in the Campus Environment) Center and participating in annual Take Back the Night marches. She received sexual assault counselor training at Monroe County Women’s Resources, where she volunteers.

ESU is very proud of these talented and intelligent young women who are both well-deserving of the Shirley Chisholm award. They will be an asset to the communities where they choose to live and work.