Buffalo, NY – The Canisius University DiGamma Honor Society inducted 13 new members on Tuesday, February 15, 2022 during a ceremony at Christ the King Chapel. The prestigious honor society is composed of Canisius alumni, faculty, administrators and students who have distinguished themselves through exemplary service to the college over an extended period of time. This year’s inductees are:
Maeve Devine ‘24 is in the All-College Honors Program, is an English and creative writing major with a minor in philosophy. She is the co-president and founder of the English Department book club, as well as executive editor for Canisius’ literary magazine, Quadrangle.
Abriana Will ‘24 is a biology major on the pre-med track and is a member of the All-College Honors Program. She is a teaching assistant and research assistant in the Biology Department, a tour guide in admissions and an All-College Honors program mentor.
Natalie Faas ‘24 is in the All-College Honors program. She is double majoring in journalism and political science with a minor in English. She is the news editor of The Griffin, Canisius University’s student newspaper.
Gwynn Furlich ‘23 is studying sport management and pursuing a minor in child, family and community studies. She is currently the president of Phi Sigma Sigma, the only all-female social sorority on campus. Furlich is heavily involved in the Athletics Department working in event operations and the ticket office.
Jasmine Thomas ‘22 is in the All-College Honors Program and will graduate in May with a bachelors of science degree in biology. She plans to attend medical school after a gap year. Thomas currently serves as president of the Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students (MAPs), and diversity chair in addition to the senior senator role in the Undergraduate Student Association (USA). Thomas works as a tour guide, an orientation leader and a biology/chemistry tutor on campus.
Julia Slazyk ‘22 is a political science major with minors in criminal justice and sociology, and is on a pre-law track. She is the president of mock trial, vice president of Phi Alpha Delta, the international pre-law fraternity, as well as a member-at-large of Canisius’s sorority, Phi Sigma Sigma.
Elizabeth Hertz ‘24 is in the All-College Honors Program and is majoring in accounting. She is a member of the Accounting Society and coxswain for the Division I women’s rowing team.
Courtney Johnt ‘22 is majoring in history and political science. She is president of the Iota Lambda Chapter of Phi Alpha Theta, a national honor society in history, and also serves as co-president of the women and gender studies club.
Hawa Saleh ‘24 is in the All-College Honors Program and a double major in English and creative writing. She is a senator in the Undergraduate Student Association (U.S.A.), chair of its J.U.S.T.I.C.E. committee, co-chair of the Young Democratic Socialists of America, and secretary of the Asian Student Association.
Liana Posella ‘22 is a double major in psychology and communication studies with a concentration in relational/organizational communication. She is also pursuing a minor in human resource management and child, family, and community studies. Posella is president of Lambda Pi Eta, the communication studies honor society, and secretary of the Association of Women and Men in Communication Studies.
Elnara Karadzhayeva ‘23 is a double major in political science and international relations with minors in Spanish and European studies while on a pre-law track. Karadzhayeva is the vice president of Model UN, secretary of Latin American students and friends, a member of the Canisius cheerleading team, team leader for the New Griff Orientation, and a member of the pre-law fraternity, Phi Alpha Delta.
Sarah Lynch ‘24 is double majoring in integrated marketing communication and digital media arts and double minoring in Spanish and entrepreneurship. She is the communications chair and the community service coordinator/New Buffalo Institute liaison of the honors student association, president of the American marketing association, vice president of Griffins Giving Back, and a music scholar in chorale on campus.
Colin O’Neill ‘24 is in the All-College Honors Program, is a political science major with a minor in philosophy. He is the president of the Canisius University Young Democratic Socialists of America and a member of the Philosophy Club.
Canisius University is one of 27 Jesuit colleges in the nation and the premier private college in Western New York. Canisius prepares leaders – intelligent, caring, faithful individuals – able to pursue and promote excellence in their professions, their communities and their service to humanity.
