POUGHKEEPSIE, New York – The Marist women's rowing program was honored with a special graduation ceremony on Thursday afternoon at the Cabaret on Marist's campus.
 
President Kevin Weinman conferred Bachelor's degrees to two graduates, Avalon Johnson and Natalia Miklos. Deans present for the ceremony included Dr. Deborah Gatins (School of Social and Behavioral Sciences) and Dr. Alicia Slater (School of Science), as well as Provost and Dean of Faculty Dr. Catherine Kodat.
 
An address was given by Class of 2024 Valedictorian Emma Spiro, who was a previous member of the Marist women's rowing team.
 
Undergraduate commencement is set for Saturday at Marist. At that time, the Marist women's rowing team will be on site preparing for the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Women's Rowing Championships, which are set for Sunday on the Cooper River in Pennsauken Township, New Jersey.

 

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More on our graduates:
  
Avalon Johnson

• From Minnetonka Beach, Minnesota.
• Came to Marist with athletic experience in Nordic skiing and rowing.
• Current member of the Varsity 8, previous member of the 2nd Varsity 8.
• Member of the 2021 MAAC championship team as a freshman. Competed in the 2nd Varsity 8 which won the gold medal at the MAAC Championship, and placed 21st in the NCAA Championships (best finish for any MAAC crew at the event at that time).
• Part of the Varsity 8 that prevailed at this year's New York State Championships, and enabled the Red Foxes to win the Team Point Trophy for the first time.
• Majoring in Biology and Environmental Science, member of the Honors Program.
• Won the Pizzani Award at our Senior Awards Dinner this year. This award honors those who have dedicated their time and talents to the Athletics Department, the Marist community, and the surrounding communities in the Hudson Valley.
• Is a TA for Geology, Ecology, and Freshman Field and Lab.
• On the SGA Sustainability Committee as Deputy Vice President. Is part of the Campus Sustainability Advisory Committee.
• Founder & President of the Outing Club, which was featured in The Circle.
• In Athletics, is a member of our Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), and Ladies Empowering Athletic Program (LEAP).
• Is looking to attend graduate school for Hydrology, and will be spending time in Alaska following the conclusion of rowing season.

 
Natalia Miklos

• From Shaker Heights, Ohio.
• Psychology major.
• Has made the Dean's List in all seven of her previous semesters at Marist.
• Multi-year MAAC All-Academic Team selection.
• College Sports Communicators Academic All-District selection, 2023.
• Member of the 2021 MAAC championship team as a freshman. Competed in the 2nd Varsity 8 which won the gold medal at the MAAC Championship, and placed 21st in the NCAA Championships (best finish for any MAAC crew at the event at that time).
• Member of the Varsity 8 the last three years. First Team All-MAAC honoree in both 2022 and 2023.
• Part of the Varsity 8 that prevailed at this year's New York State Championships, and enabled the Red Foxes to win the Team Point Trophy for the first time.
• Co-captain, head coach Tom Sanford believes that she is "one of my most supportive captains" ever. Proponent of student-athlete wellness within the program who constantly shows care for others and has been a driving force behind positive team morale.
• Holds the school record on the ergometer at both 2,000 meters and 6,000 meters.
• Coach Sanford believes that she is "our overall top female rower in the history of the program."
• Finalist for Female Sportsperson of the Year at our Senior Awards Dinner this year.