University of New Haven Celebrates Exclusive Group of Students for Academic Excellence and Passion for Serving the Community

Each year, the University of New Haven proudly celebrates the exceptional students selected as John D. Hatfield Scholars. These distinguished juniors and seniors in the University’s Honors Program exemplify academic excellence, campus leadership, and a deep commitment to serving their communities.

Established in 2004 in honor Dr. John D. Hatfield’s transformative contributions as the University’s first executive vice president, provost, and chief operating officer, the program reflects his vision of fostering student success and intellectual curiosity. The Hatfield Scholars Program and its accompanying endowed scholarship have been generously supported by the Bartels family, whose dedication to the University has created opportunities for generations of Chargers.

From participating in impactful research projects to leading community service initiatives, the 2024 Hatfield Scholars represent the very best of what it means to be a Charger.

Below, the scholars reflect on what being a Hatfield Scholar means to them and share the experiences that have shaped their journeys at the University of New Haven.

Nora Isabela Garcia Punin ’26

Being a Hatfield Scholar is incredibly important to me. This scholarship reminds me that there are people who see my potential and are willing to support my goals and my future career aspirations. I am currently taking legal classes to earn my paralegal certification, which is a crucial step in preparing for a career in the legal field. I'm also studying and preparing myself for an upcoming Model United Nations conference in the Galápagos Islands, which I am looking forward to, since I am going to be able to have a study abroad experience while also learning about international relations.

Looking ahead, I am considering various paths, such as working as a paralegal in immigration law to helping immigrant communities or joining a nonprofit that aids women facing challenges in employment and education, since these are causes I fully connect with. I believe I can make a significant difference in either area, and I am thankful to the Hatfield Scholarship for helping me pursue these aspirations and for reminding me that everything is possible if you work for it.

Forrest D. Kreeger ’25

I am honored to have been chosen to be a Hatfield Scholar. It shows my dedication to academics and my involvement in the community. It gives me the motivation to continue to put myself out there and to do my best in all aspects of college life and beyond. I have always enjoyed learning, and this award will help support my continued study at the University.

I am enrolled in the 4+1 program so I will be able to continue my love for learning in a program that allows me to gain my master’s in less time. I can gain a greater diversity of knowledge and more experience in various fields. It is important to me to foster my love of learning and to give me experience and knowledge I can use in the future.

As a Hatfield Scholar, I was able to attend a luncheon with Mr. and Mrs. Bartels and my fellow peers. During this time, I was able to talk with the Bartels Family and make connections with my peers. I learned all the great things they have been a part of on and off campus, and I know that they will continue to support an institution they are so passionate about.

Olivia Hall ’25

I come from a family with five siblings during a time when higher education is an extremely signifcant investment. Throughout my time at college, I have had a part-time job to help pay for school. I work 25-30 hours a week on top of my classes and extracurricular activities. After doing the math, receiving this scholarship is equivalent to working about 150 hours. Because of this scholarship, I was able to take an unpaid internship with the Department of Homeland Security. This scholarship allows me to spend more time focusing on my schoolwork, campus activities, and now, as a senior, job applications.

One of my proudest achievements was serving on the University of New Haven’s Presidential Search Committee. This opportunity allowed me to work closely with the University’s Board of Governors and to play an integral role in the selection of our current president. It was truly an honor to represent the undergraduate student body in such an important role, and to make sure that the student voice was heard.

Throughout my experiences here at the University, I have taken a strong interest in Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). I have been able to take courses on this topic, and now, CPTED is the focus of my Honors Thesis project. Specifically, I am looking at how CPTED principles can impact the crime rate on the University of New Haven’s campus.

I am currently in the 4+1 program, so after graduation this spring, I will return to the University of New Haven to pursue my Master of Public Administration. Following the completion of my MPA, I would like to pursue a career in federal law enforcement.

Angelina Paulus ’26

To me, being a Hatfield Scholar means being a student that consistently strives for high achievement and takes pride in all the work that one is doing, regardless of who is watching or what tangible benefits it will give you. This means I go beyond just the requirements that one must meet to graduate. As a Hatfield scholar, I embrace every opportunity that is handed to me, and I juice every ounce of experience and memories I can get out of my time here at the University of New Haven.

Being a Hatfield Scholar and seeing the medal on my desk every day reminds me why I work so hard and push through any roadblocks I may face. Even more than this, being a Hatfield Scholar in combination with my student employment has made it possible for me to go through the rest of my time at the University without taking out any loans.

My most proud achievement at the University has been my leadership role as a Resident Assistant. I get to see the positive impact that my work has every day; it continues to give me purpose as I am a part of something far bigger than myself.

After graduating from the University of New Haven, I plan to attend law school. I am currently in the process of studying for my LSAT exam.

Ronan Johnston ’25

It is a tremendous honor to be a Hatfield Scholar. It is a testament to my work in the Greater New Haven Community and my academic achievements at the University of New Haven. It has had a profound impact because it provides proof that the work pays off.

Currently, I am working on an independent study project detailing the impact of the student debt crisis. It cannot be underestimated the impact this has on everyday Americans. This scholarship relieves the burden that I have felt financially throughout my academic career, and I could not be more grateful.

Winning the Pompea Cup through the BUSA program in my first year was a highlight of mine. The project combined a great deal of creativity and also provided me with friendships that I have retained through my senior year.

Currently, I am working on a thesis detailing the economic impact of errors found in machine learning algorithms. I hope to apply the knowledge I have gained from this thesis to my future career in the economics field. Specifically, I would like to work in big data where my impact can be felt on a large scale.

Beverly Ukoha ’26

It is an honor to be chosen and recognized as a Hatfield Scholar. Being a Hatfield Scholar to me means representing and upholding values such as academic excellence, integrity, and delivering value to the community. As an active member of the University community, I hold various leadership roles, such as being a tutor and mentor to students, as well as volunteering to serve students with accommodations. Handling all of these roles has been made easier thanks to this generous scholarship.

The additional funding has allowed me to focus on my studies while serving others at the University. This year, I’ve realized how rewarding it is to make a meaningful impact in the various roles I take on, especially as an ambassador for the Defeating Roadblocks in Education through Awareness and Mentoring (D.R.E.A.M.) program. It supports first-year students with accommodations to integrate well into college. I collaborated with a dedicated team of volunteers over the summer to plan the 2-day orientation program, where we had roundtable discussions about campus resources and time management skills. I am proud to dedicate my time to teaching students to advocate for themselves and to make the most of the college experience.

I aspire to optimize my college experience through more leadership positions, networking, and mentee opportunities. As a mechanical engineering student, I also strive to foster an entrepreneurial mindset to approach problems with innovative solutions.

Olivia Hall ’25 and Angelina Paulus ’26 are criminal science majors at the University of New Haven. Ronan Johnston ’25 is a business analytics major, Forrest D. Kreeger ‘25 is studying forensic science, Nora Isabela Garcia Punin ‘26 is majoring in political science, and Beverly Ukoha ’26 is majoring in mechanical engineering.