Meet Queensborough's 2026 Special Award Recipients
Among Queensborough’s student body, there are a select few who receive an award due to upholding the virtues that the college holds dear, such as academic excellence, exceptional athletic and scholarly achievement, outstanding college, and community leadership, and for promoting harmony and appreciation of cultural diversity.
Three such students were recognized for these accomplishments during Queensborough’s 65th Commencement ceremony.
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Kehinde Adekunle, Associate in Science (A.S.) - Public Health
John F. Kennedy Award
“I am grateful to God and to everyone who has given me the opportunity to serve in one way or another on campus. I am also excited about it.”
Kehinde Adekunle, recipient of the John F. Kennedy Award, is a Public Health major who aims to become an Obstetrician-Gynecologist.
In the spirit of the award, Adekunle is a leader on campus. Among countless other endeavors, she's a Senator of the PTK Sigma Lambda chapter, an organizer of a Scholarship Writers' Retreat that encouraged students to begin and complete scholarship applications early, as well as a member of the 2026 Student Electoral Review Committee which seeks to ensure that SGA elections are smooth-running and balanced.
After graduation, she will be headed to the Columbia School of General Studies, but not before continuing her research internship over the summer at the Dennehy Lab at Queens College.
Ajay Bhagwat, Associate in Applied Sciences (A.A.S.) - Management (Marketing)
Martin Luther King Jr. Award
“It feels like an absolute honor to have been selected for this award; it makes me feel even more motivated to continue working hard and make a difference. I sincerely want to thank those who worked closely with me, because I truly could not have achieved this without their support.”
Ajay Bhagwat, recipient of the Martin Luther King Jr. Award, is a Marketing major who can adapt and thrive in any environment.
His experience in Queensborough reflects that ability, with him doing a little bit of everything on campus. He's a leader in the Caribbean Student Coalition, helping organize initiatives like the Holiday Toy Drive; has led the Vicki Kasomenakis Business Society for the past two semesters; and is also a part time employee at the Academic Computing Center.
Bhagwat ultimately hopes to work in business logistics, though he’ll be taking an unconventional route to reach that goal. First, he wants to get some real-world experience by joining the workforce, and only after that will he continue his education by going to Baruch for his bachelor's.
Domenic Ruggiero, Associate in Science (A.S.) - Health Sciences (Occupational Therapy Concentration)
John P. Bevilacqua Athletic Scholarship Award
“It feels amazing to be selected for this award because I’ve worked so hard my entire life to be the best athlete and teammate I can be and put my best effort on the field every single day. There’s been many ups and downs since I started playing but I’ve never given up on myself and neither has my mom, she’s always supported me through everything and has always had my back, so being able to win this award means a lot to the both of us.”
Domenic Ruggiero, recipient of the John P. Bevilacqua Award, is a Health Sciences major whose focus on academics is only matched by that of his sport of choice: baseball.
A pitcher for the Tigers, some of his fondest memories at Queensborough are located on the diamond. This includes the first home run he ever hit in a game against the Monroe Express or pitching a complete game against the BMCC Panthers to help bring the Tigers to the CUNY Championship.
Unsurprisingly, he foresees even more baseball in his future. He hasn’t fully committed to a specific four-year college yet, but he knows it will be one where he can continue both his academic and baseball career.
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