Pleasantville Awards Ceremony 2024
Paul Cimicata - Scholastic Achievement Award & Bachelor of Business Administration/Master of Business Administration Public Accounting Program Department Award
Paul is receiving the Scholastic Achievement Award as well as the BBA/MBA award for the highest GPA in the Combined Degree Program in Public Accounting. Paul earned a perfect 4.0 in both his undergrad and graduate programs and was recently selected as valedictorian. He is a member of the football team, where he achieved the Northeast 10 Conference Honor Roll every semester and helped his team achieve an overall top GPA. In addition to football, Paul was very active in Delta Sigma Pi, our business co-ed fraternity where he served as President. Paul is also a Resident Assistant on campus and held the position of Chief Financial Ocer in the Pace Fit student business for a year. Knowing that he wanted to work for the Big 4, Paul took on various internships working with EY, and Deloitte as an Audit Assurance intern and PWC, as a tax intern. Volunteering is near and dear to his heart, and he has always found a way to give back to the community speaking at Pace Bound events, volunteering at the Ronald McDonald House food drive, participating in Relay for Life, and volunteering as a Lyndhurst youth coach. Paul knows how to challenge himself and he continues to strive for excellence, planning to study and take the CPA exam as soon as possible, as well as beginning a full-time position with Deloitte.
Thomas Lidondici - Lubin Alumni Association Award
Thomas is graduating with his BBA in Finance. Thomas is the captain of the football team and has been an active player all 4 years, earning many recognitions. These include All Rookie Team in 2021, Academic All-conference, and the Northeast 10 Academic Honor Roll all 4 years. While at Pace Thomas also served as a role model for his peers, as an Academic Mentor in the Learning Commons. He also was a member of the Student Athlete Advisor Committee, as well as an active member of Delta Sigma Pi (a National co-ed business fraternity) where he held various positions as Vice President of Finance, Community Service and Chapter Operations. Thomas also volunteered his time acting as a panelist at our Open House, Pace Bound events, and University 101 classes. Thomas held various internships working at National Professional Planning Group as an Operations intern, and last summer as an Analyst with BlackRock Wealth Advisory. As a result of that internship, and his hard work Thomas was offered a job with BlackRock starting in August as an Analyst in their Wealth Advisory Division.
Raquel Gallagher - Public Accounting Department Award
Raquel Gallagher exemplifies academic and professional excellence, rightfully earning the Public Accounting Department Award. Her remarkable academic journey at Pace University’s Lubin School of Business is highlighted by a GPA of 3.93 in the rigorous 150-credit CPA program and recognition of the Dean’s List. Raquel has also been a recipient of multiple scholarships, including the KPMG Fund for Excellence in Accounting Scholarship, which underscores her academic prowess and dedication. Her internship experiences at prestigious firms like RSM US LLP and YMC Associates LLC, where she excelled in roles ranging from audit intern to trusts and estates intern, demonstrate her practical application of accounting principles and commitment to the field. Raquel’s leadership as the secretary of the Robert S. Pace Accounting Society further showcases her initiative and involvement in enriching the academic community. Moreover, Raquel’s contribution to community services, particularly her extensive volunteer work at Watchtower Educational Center, speaks volumes about her character and her ability to balance substantial commitments alongside her academic responsibilities. Her plan to pursue the CPA exam indicates her ambition and dedication to furthering her professional qualifications.
Rowan Kelly - New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants Award
Rowan Kelly is not only a high achiever in the classroom, but he is also a leader on the field. Rowan is a captain of the men’s lacrosse team, and was selected by the coaches to wear # 18 in honor of Michael Piegare, a beloved member of the Pace lacrosse team who passed away several years ago. Rowan was chosen for being a great teammate and a leader on and off the field. Off the field Rowan has been a content tutor for accounting, finance, math and academic mentor in the Learning Commons since sophomore year. As a result of his 4.0 accounting GPA, and his dedication to Pace and the surrounding community, Rowan received the KPMG Excellence in Accounting scholarship. Rowan has also done an internship at KPMG in 2023 in the Investigations, Disputes and Compliance Department, an area of forensic accounting he has always been interested in. KPMG recognized Rowan’s outstanding work ethic and extended him a full-time offer in that Division where he will do a 2-year audit rotation. Rowan continues to give back to the community working with inner city youth teaching them lacrosse and raising money for the Tunnel to Towers organization.
David Molle - Professional Auditing Award
David is receiving the Professional Auditing Award and is graduating from the BBA/MBA program in Public Accounting. David is a proud veteran and has served our country for 5 years. David, THANK YOU for your service. David chose Pace to pursue his professional degree. David has been an excellent student and role model for his classmates. He has been juggling his academic career with a demanding internship at Morgan Stanely, and is an active member of the Robert S. Pace Accounting society. All this while planning his wedding! In June he will be starting his full-time position as an Audit Associate at PFK O’Connor Davies in their Harrison Oce. David will also be preparing for the CPA exam in September.
Laura Antonucci - Master of Business Administration Program & Accounting Faculty Award
Laura is receiving awards both for her academic excellence in the MBA accounting program, and the Accounting Faculty Award which she is receiving for the active role she played in the Robert S. Pace Accounting Society, as well as her contributions to the accounting department. Laura chose to transfer to Pace after finding her enthusiasm for accounting at Westchester Community College. She has been a high achiever in and out of the classroom. She has been the recipient of numerous scholarships including the EY and KPMG excellence in accounting education awards. She is a member of Beta Gama Sigma and Tau Sigma national honor societies. Laura has served for 2 and a half years as the Vice President and President of the Accounting Society, organizing guest speakers and onsite visits from accounting firms large and small. Laura also was a panelist for our Open House and has served as a mentor to her peers. Her faculty have described her as internally motivated and extremely generous with her time to help others. Laura has taken 3 parts of the CPA exam and has passed Audit, and is awaiting the results of 2 more. She will take the final part in June. Laura has interned with EY as an Audit Assurance Intern, and she has received a full-time offer and will be starting in the fall.
Lisa Gentile - Finance Department Award
Lisa Gentile’s remarkable achievements at Pace University make her receipt of the Finance Department Award for academic excellence in Finance well deserved. Pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Finance, Lisa has maintained an impressive GPA of 3.99 and consistently earned a spot on the Dean’s List. Lisa has always chosen rigorous courses that challenge her academically. Beyond her academic pursuits, Lisa’s practical experiences as a Finance intern at PJS Group, where she managed over 100 weekly invoice entries and ensured the accuracy of financial statements, showcases her ability to apply theoretical knowledge in a real-world context. Additionally, Lisa’s leadership roles, including serving as a Peer Leader and Secretary on the Pforzheimer Honors College Student Council, highlight her dedication to the academic community and her peers.
Anthony Moretto - Finance Faculty Award
Anthony is graduating with his BBA in Finance and is a member of the Pforzheimer Honors College. His Honors advisor Nori has dubbed him “The Unocial Face of the Honors College,” where he is recognized for his outstanding and dedicated role as mentor to younger Finance majors. Another of Anthony’s most visible roles is that of the General Manager of Pace Mart, starring in their incredibly entertaining Instagram stories. Having initially served as the assistant finance manager, he worked his way up to the GM position. Anthony is also the face of the Pace Investment Club, having helped grow the club and strengthen its operations and making it a major presence on campus. As President, Anthony has created numerous investment presentations, coordinated with major financial institutions such as JPMorgan and Morgan Stanley to organize events, and much more. He regularly represents this club at Lubin University 101 classes each fall. He has also served as the treasurer of the Pace University Programming Board. Despite his many commitments, he’s always found time to nurture his love of the outdoors, serving as a volunteer at Pace’s Environmental Center. In addition to the Finance Faculty Award, Anthony has received the incredible honor of being awarded the Pace University 2024 Trustee Award.
Melissa Ritchie - Management Department Award
Melissa Ritchie’s outstanding achievements in the field of Human Resources management at Pace University make her a deserving recipient of the Management Department Award for Academic Excellence. Melissa’s exemplary academic performance is reflected in her impressive 3.93 GPA and consistent placement on the Dean’s List. Her dedication extends beyond the classroom into practical leadership roles, notably as General Manager at Pace Fit, where she led a team of 15, demonstrating her adeptness in creating a diverse and ecient workforce. Furthermore, her Honors Thesis on toxin handling in Human Resources professionals showcases her innovative approach and dedication to improving workplace well-being. Melissa’s involvement in athletics as a member of the Pace University Filed Hockey Team further exemplifies her ability to balance a rigorous academic schedule with team collaboration and leadership, underscoring her worthiness of this prestigious award.
Aidan Martinez - Marketing Department Award
Aidan Martinez is the recipient of this year’s BBA Program Award for Academic Excellence in Marketing. Throughout his academic career, Aidan has exemplified outstanding commitment to his studies and has demonstrated a profound mastery in the field of Digital Marketing. Aidan’s education journey at the Lubin School of Business has been marked by a rigorous engagement with cutting edge marketing tools and strategies, preparing him exceptionally well for a dynamic business environment. His leadership roles, especially as the President of the Pace University Esports program and his participation in the Esports Marketing Subcommittee, highlight his ability to integrate marketing theory with practical, impactful applications. In his role as Senior Marketing Manager at Pace Fit, Aidan led initiatives that significantly enhanced social media engagement and campus awareness, showcasing his skill in creating compelling marketing content. His internship experiences, including his role at Havas Health & You, have further refined his skills in project management and strategic communication, underscoring his readiness to make a significant impact in the marketing field. Aidan Martinez stands out for his academic achievements and also for his exceptional ability to apply his knowledge in practical settings.
Peter Rossi - Marketing Award
Peter is graduating Summa Cum Laude with the second highest GPA in the Marketing Department, with a concentration in Advertising and Integrated Marketing Communications, as well as a minor in Political Science. Peter has been very active on campus in leadership roles. He has served as Vice President of Marketing for Delta Sigma Pi, Assistant Marketing Manager for Pace Delivers, one of the student-run businesses in the Center for Student Enterprise, and Recruitment Manager for the Pace Pep Band, in which he plays guitar and saxophone. Peter has received several other prestigious honors here at Pace including a Trustee Recognition Award, a Spirit Grant for Pep Band, the L Russell Feakes Memorial, and the Dudley Nearing Jr. Endowed Scholarship. Peter was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma as a sophomore and has been on the Dean’s List every semester. Off campus Peter is the proud owner of his very own business, Pete’s Sac-O-Suds Mobile Auto Detail, a business he has grown since starting it in 2016. He spoke about the experience of starting his own business on a panel about Entrepreneurship for the Lubin Business Association. After graduation Peter will go to work this summer in an internship at C&A Digital in White Plains, and plans to expand his business.
Lindsey Bilton - American Marketing Association Award & Career Services Award
Lindsey Bilton is receiving the American Marketing Association Award, and it is no surprise that Lindsey would receive this honor. She has been extremely active throughout her 4 years at Pace. She is an outstanding student, earning Dean’s list all four years of her academic career, and is an active member of the Pace Community. She has been a Resident Assistant for two years providing guidance and programming in the resident halls. She has also been a University 101 peer leader for 3 years helping new freshmen adjust to college and serving as a mentor to them. Lindsey has always balanced 3 jobs on campus while managing a full-time academic load. Her contributions to the Pace Perk Café as the marketing manager have set the expectations high for others who follow in her footsteps. She created some of their most innovative social media, and managed a contest for the new logo for the Café. Lindsey has been a terrific ambassador for the Lubin school, representing Lubin at our Open Houses and Pace Preview days. Her enthusiasm is infectious, and with that same passion and enthusiasm Lindsey gives campus tours for our welcome center. As you can see, she is a very deserving recipient of the award.
In addition to her academic achievements, Lindsey is a dedicated professional. She proudly takes all her jobs seriously, and always has been promoted to the highest level within those jobs. Lindsey has held several professional positions at Pace. She worked as a University 101 peer leader for 3 years. She has worked as a Tour Guide for the Welcome Center since 2021, and as a Resident Advisor since 2022. Lindsey also spent 2 years at one of the student-run businesses, Pace Perk, where she was promoted shortly after she started and then assumed the position of Senior Marketing manager for the remainder of her time. As amazing as all the experience she was getting at her Pace jobs was, knowing that an outside internship was also important, Lindsey secured an internship with Edelman over this past summer as a Brand Publications Relations intern working on clients such as TJ Maxx and Marshals. She was essentially their “Gen Z” expert, so she was able to bring a new fresh perspective to her team. Lindsey certainly made every moment outside of the classroom count. Lindsey is anxiously waiting to see what comes next for her. Whatever it is, she will succeed.
Danielle Bellino - Career Services Award
Danielle graduates with a major in Digital Marketing. She is the current President of the Lubin Business Association, and recently participated in a student panel for Pace Bound where she spoke to admitted students about her experiences here at Pace. Danielle completed several internships during her time here. Danielle interned at the Ronald McDonald House of the Greater Hudson Valley in the summer of 2022, where she worked as a social media and PR intern. She continues to volunteer her time there in fundraising events, doing digital marketing for them, and even cooking dinner for the families staying there. Danielle also interned at Publicis Media-Spark Foundry as a Video Investment Intern this past summer where she worked with creative and production teams and managed three separate client accounts. Most recently, Danielle completed yet another internship at TMPG Uncover as a Media Intern. Danielle has been featured several times in profiles on Lubin’s social media accounts where you can see her in action at these internships. In addition to these impressive experiences, Danielle has also spent 3 years as the Social Media Manager for Twin Jewelers, a local Pleasantville business. Danielle is still pursuing a full-time job and hopes to work in the media or Digital Marketing Industry.
Daniela Hernandez - Career Services Award
Daniela Hernandez has demonstrated exceptional leadership and personal and professional development, making her a prime candidate for the Career Services Award. As a combined degree student, Daniela is graduating with a BBA in Finance and an MBA in Business Analytics. Daniela was connected to Career Services from her very first semester at Pace, having Jim Davis as her University 101 instructor. Daniela soon began her first professional experience working for one of the student-run businesses, Pace Connect, soon working her way up to Research Manager. She went on to do another internship with the company Credible, and worked as the Student Coordinator at the Pace University Welcome Center. Additionally, her experience as a Graduate Assistant for Leadership Initiatives at Pace has further honed her leadership skills, allowing her to lead and mentor peers effectively. Daneila’s achievements extend beyond academia and professional roles; she has also been an active Dance Teacher at Fancy Feet Dance Studio for over seven years. Daniela worked as a Data Entry Analyst at JSB Partners, where she has been instrumental in updating and managing critical data for nearly 2,000 individuals per project. Daniela is thrilled to have accepted a full-time position there where she will begin working next month.