Founders Week is the annual celebration of the College’s heritage and the Dominican Sisters who established it. Activities include preaching in action projects, guest lectures, a barbecue, and the presentation of the Spirit of the Founders Award to two deserving students.

The “Spirit of the Founders Award” is highly regarded at Dominican University. This award represents a respect for the values and traditions that have endured for centuries and holds the promise that the Dominican tradition will be carried on. The “Spirit of the Founders Award” also represents for its recipients, a strong belief in their potential as leaders.  

This year's nominees for the Spirit of the Founders Award are:

Hannah Ameen- Senior
Communications Major
Resident assistant for 2 years
Member of Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society
President of Lambda Pi Eta Honor Society
Leader in ASB – 2016-2017
Vice President of Habitat for Humanity
Vice President of Rotoract Club
Vice President of Junior Class
Dominican Dining Intern – 2016-2017
Student Ambassador for 2 years
Received the Fr. Ron Stanley Award for Service in 2017
El Salvador service trip in 2018

John Ameen – Senior
Communications Major
Vice President of Campus Ministry for 2 years
Member of CAB for 3 years
Vice President of CAB in 2017-18
Peer Mentor for 2 year
Aquin Player for 2 years
President of the Ultimate Frisbee Club in 2017-18
Eager to help others

Rollens Florvil- Sophomore
Athletic Training Major
Member of Track and Field Team
Member of Cross Country Team
Freshman Honor Society –Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society
Top Freshman Male Athlete (GPA) in 2017
Helpful, caring and good friend

Joshua Guzman – Junior
Nursing Major
Peer Mentor – 3 years
Student Ambassador – 2 years
Member of the Ultimate Frisbee Club – 2 years
Outspoken, friendly, compassionate
Received the Spirit Award for Significant Involvement
in Campus Life in 2017

Aleksandra Pogon- Senior
Nursing major
Active in NADC events
Active duty in army for 5 years
Volunteers to translate in Polish Communities
on legal issues
Member of Alpha Chi
Member of Sigma Theta Tau
Positive, compassionate, deeply kind
Helpful to many nursing students

Cliona Smith- Junior
Education Major
Secretary of Habitat for Humanity
(will be President in 2017-18)
Attended two ASB trips
Member of CAB (Secretary in 2017-18)
Member of Campus Ministry
Member of Anime and Gaming
Student Ambassador
Student Government representative
Secretary of Alpha Lambda Delta Honor Society
Member of Sigma Tau Delta Honor Society
Member of Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society
Attended the Dominican Preaching in Action Conference
at Molloy College, May 23-28, 2017