Notre Dame College has recognized four students in its Class of 2021 who have demonstrated service to the College and are inspiring their communities, the country and the world.
Abigail Dallas Plewes, who completed a Bachelor of Science in comprehensive biology, was honored with the Sr. Mary Agnes Bosche Award this year. Rico Blackman Jr., who received a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science, earned the 2021 Notre Dame Mission Award. Christine Musgrave-Jones graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) and was recognized with the Sr. Mary LeRoy Finn Award. Kristine Ann Fiorilli completed a master’s degree in national security and intelligence studies. Fiorilli was presented with the St. Catherine of Alexandria Award for 2021.
Three of the four graduates received their awards during the College’s 97th commencement ceremonies. Graduation activities were conducted on campus under a tent to allow for appropriate social distancing. Christine Musgrave-Jones was unable to attend in-person but was able to view the ceremonies, which were broadcasted live on the Notre Dame website.
Bosche Award: Abigail Dallas Plewes
Abigail Dallas Plewes, a premed student with a 3.842 grade-point average, completed her bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude, in comprehensive biology with the Honors Scholar Distinction in December 2020. She conducted independent undergraduate research, some of which was selected for presentation at the Ohio Academy of Science, and worked as a lab technician with faculty at Notre Dame. She also served as a research assistant with the Indiana School of Medicine at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis.
While a student at the College, Plewes worked as a peer tutor in math and biology for multiple years; was a two-sport athlete, playing both women’s soccer and lacrosse; and volunteered for community service with her sports teams.
Notre Dame’s Sr. Mary Agnes Bosche Award, first bestowed in 2006, is presented to a student who embodies the qualities evident in the life and service of Bosche: honesty, trustworthiness, a commitment to excellence and selfless service to the College and the larger community. Bosche was the first dean and third president of Notre Dame. The student award winner is nominated by faculty members and approved by academic leadership.
Mission Award: Rico Blackman Jr.
Rico Blackman Jr. earned a B.A., cum laude, in political science from Notre Dame during the summer of 2020 and was recognized with the 2021 College Mission Award. He has been working as a preschool teacher in Southern Ohio and is pursuing a Master of Public Administration degree with an emphasis in social justice at the University of Cincinnati.
While at Notre Dame, Blackman at times participated in Campus Ministry events, such as a dialogue with a visiting Abrahamic Center speaker. He also would volunteer at an after-school program at the Salvation Army in East Cleveland.
Blackman previously won the 2019 men’s rugby Lion’s Heart Award for exemplifying selflessness and positive leadership.
In addition, Blackman developed his advocacy skills as a member of Notre Dame’s nationally recognized moot court team. He has returned to his hometown of Cincinnati, where he is feeding the hungry with home-cooked meals, supporting women’s rights initiatives and conducting clothing drives for those experiencing homelessness and poverty, among other community services. Blackman also has founded a nonprofit organization called Black Power Initiative, which has hosted free and open political discussions on the group’s Facebook page, BPInonprofit.org.
The College Mission Award, created in 2015, recognizes a well-rounded graduating student or students who, in special ways, display care for others, commitment to spiritual or religious traditions, dedication to global issues and sustainability and personal growth made possible through their Notre Dame education.
Finn Award: Christine Musgrave-Jones
Christine Musgrave-Jones works as a registered nurse (R.N.) and a Certified Lactation Counselor in the neonatal intensive care unit at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, where she and her husband, Kevin, live with their family.
Musgrave-Jones graduated with a B.S.N. from Notre Dame. She has received the 2021 Sr. Mary LeRoy Finn Award.
Musgrave-Jones’ application of class content and demonstration of leadership to the profession of nursing has been apparent through her assignments and her capstone project. She identified a community need for breastfeeding education and through research created a project that delivers essential content to antepartum and postpartum patients. Focusing on current evidence and patient safety, she delivered multimedia tools to enhance the educational experience.
The Sr. Mary LeRoy Finn Award was first awarded in 2006 and is named in honor of the woman who worked as a pioneer in adult education and founded the Notre Dame Weekend College, now known as the Finn Center for Adult, Graduate and Professional Programs. Recipients of the award are adult students who must attain a minimum grade-point average of 3.5 and embody the characteristics inscribed on the custom-made Wisdom Bowl presented to winners: “Scholarly, Catalyst, Diligent, Resilient.”
St. Catherine Award: Kristine Ann Fiorilli
Kristine Ann Fiorilli graduated summa cum laude with a master’s degree in national security and intelligence studies from Notre Dame. She was selected for the St. Catherine of Alexandria Award for facilitating excellent discussions, assisting classmates academically and exemplifying the work expected of graduate-level students. She earned a 3.909 cumulative grade-point average in her coursework. With her master’s degree, she plans on working in intelligence for the U.S. government.
Fiorilli volunteered at a summer camp in her hometown of Twinsburg, Ohio, and worked with a family-owned grocery and continued her association with the owners and other employees for six years. While taking undergraduate classes at Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio, Fiorilli joined the Philalethean Society, a sorority founded on giving back to community. She completed a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice, cum laude, from South University.
The St. Catherine of Alexandria Award was first presented at Notre Dame in 1956 when the College was one of only two institutions to bestow the medal. The award is given to outstanding master’s degree candidates in the graduating class. The recipients are chosen by the graduate faculty based on leadership, scholarship and service to and support of the College and community-at-large.
May 2021
Kimberly Krozser contributed to this article
About Notre Dame College
Notre Dame College is a private, Catholic, liberal arts college in South Euclid, Ohio, committed to teaching students how to make a good living and live a good life. Founded by the Sisters of Notre Dame in 1922, the College offers bachelor’s degrees in 30 disciplines plus a variety of master’s degrees, certification programs and continuing and professional development programs for adult learners on campus and online. For more information, visit NotreDameCollege.edu.