Top row, left-right: Sara M. Aparicio, Cameron Chamberlain, Joelle de Poto, Julia English, Carmela Garcia, Timson Lai. Bottom row, left-right: Edward Lu, Salma Mahmoud, Alexandra Milchovich, Lilyan Minicozzi, Claire Niessen, Paige “Freddy” Toglia.
Twelve seniors in Syracuse University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) have been named VPA Scholars, the college’s highest undergraduate academic honor.
The VPA Scholars program was established to recognize the achievements of the college’s top seniors. Students are selected based on academic performance, creative/scholarly work and service to the college and the community.
Traditionally, the VPA Scholars are recognized at the college’s convocation ceremony during Commencement Weekend. The 2026 VPA convocation is scheduled for Saturday, May 9, at 7:30 p.m. in the JMA Wireless Dome.
The 2026 VPA Scholars are:
- Sara M. Aparicio, a computer art and animation major in the Department of Film and Media Arts
- Cameron Chamberlain, an acting major in the Department of Drama
- Joelle de Poto, a studio arts major in the School of Art
- Julia English, an illustration major in the School of Art
- Carmela Garcia, an environmental and interior design major in the School of Design
- Timson Lai, a film major in the Department of Film and Media Arts
- Edward Lu, a music composition major in the Setnor School of Music
- Salma Mahmoud, an acting major in the Department of Drama
- Alexandra Milchovich, a communication and rhetorical studies major in the Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies
- Lilyan Minicozzi, an industrial and interaction design major in the School of Design
- Claire Niessen, a computer art and animation major in the Department of Film and Media Arts
- Paige “Freddy” Toglia, an illustration major in the School of Art