Two Alverno College Students Honored With 2019 Leona Truchan Service Awards

March 22, 2019

Two Alverno College students are being recognized for their service to the Natural Science, Mathematics & Technology (NSMT) division at Alverno. Elizabeth Gamillo ‘18 and Sarah Snoubar are both receiving the 2019 Leona Truchan Service Award. The awards are presented to students who have demonstrated selfless dedication and exceptional service across departments within the NSMT division. This year's awards were presented at the semi-annual NSMT luncheon at Alverno College.

Gamillo, who graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a minor in Creative Studies in Writing in December 2018, was honored for her volunteer work with the Alverno College Girls' Academy of Science and Mathematics. Despite graduating, she still volunteers with the academy every week. Gamillo also founded a science writing group on campus, and served as a peer mentor.

Snoubar, who will graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science in May, was recognized for her work as a lab assistant in both the chemistry and microbiology labs. She also trains other lab assistants, and serves as a study group monitor and peer mentor. Snoubar spent last summer serving as a liaison between Alverno College students and faculty, who were conducting biology and chemistry research in local waterways, and Milwaukee RiverKeeper. In addition to her work on the research, she also helped explore new methods for detecting lead concentrations in the water.

The Leona Truchan Service Award is named for Sister Leona Truchan ‘53, OSF, an alumna and beloved faculty member in the NSMT division for 50 years. She taught microbiology, immunology, virology and chronobiology. She was also actively involved at the national, regional and state levels in pre-service and in-service preparation for science teachers. Truchan retired from Alverno in 2011, the year the service award was created.