Rachel Schwenk '20 is one of the recipients of this year’s top three awards for graduating students at Rider University. Awards were presented to the awardees at a luncheon held in their honor on April 26.

“The accomplishments of these hardworking and talented students have distinguished them among their peers and their honors are well deserved,” says Rider President Gregory G. Dell'Omo, Ph.D. “These individuals truly embody Rider’s commitment to excellence. Given the extent of their accomplishments, I have no doubt that they will continue to excel in their future endeavors. Each is an inspiration to other students, and collectively, they have contributed so much to our campus community.”

The President’s Award recognizes graduating seniors who demonstrate exemplary leadership skills, academic achievement, service to the University and extracurricular involvement. This year’s President’s Award recipients are Rachel Schwenk and another Rider student, Zachary Fernandez.

Schwenk is a marketing major with a minor in business analytics. A member of the track and field team, Schwenk serves as president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and is a member of Morgan’s Message, an organization that works to support and strengthen student-athlete mental health.

“My journey at Rider began during the pandemic,” notes Schwenk, “but I found solace in my teammates, classmates and professors. It is so rewarding to look back on myself as a freshman and see how far I’ve come. I’m beyond thankful for every opportunity and challenge that I’ve been presented and for those who have cheered me on along the way. Rider University will forever be a place that I call home.”

Schwenk assists freshmen business majors as a senior mentor for the Business Living and Learning Community, is a member of the Norm Brodsky College of Business Dean’s Advisory Council and participated in the American Marketing Association Case Study competition. Her service reached beyond campus through her work with the Boys and Girls Club of Mercer County and the Hopewell Valley Mobile Food Pantry. During her time at Rider she earned a 3.98 GPA.