The recipient of the Josephine Daggett Prize is selected by the faculty and the prize is awarded annually to the senior deemed to be of the best character and conduct.
The recipient of this year’s Daggett prize combines a commitment to academic excellence with a strong record of service to – or perhaps I should more accurately say “partnering with” – those who find themselves in challenging life circumstances.
This year’s Daggett recipient is a member of the highly selective Leadership in Medicine Program. Students admitted into this eight year program, involving study at Union, Union Graduate College, and Albany Medical College, are renowned for their commitment and academic prowess. These qualities certainly characterize this year’s Daggett Prize winner.
Our recipient put her leadership skills on display when she coordinated a dementia awareness event in Old Chapel. She handled the complex details of securing and training volunteers from different campus groups and delivered a successful and meaningful event that did indeed increase awareness.
When Hurricane Sandy struck, our Daggett Prize recipient, in the words of one of those who nominated her, “jumped in with both feet.” She oversaw and coordinated much of our campus community’s efforts to collect donations and distribute them to victims of this devastating disaster.
Our Daggett Prize recipient has become synonymous with one of Union’s high impact volunteer efforts: Campus Kitchens. As Director of this program, our recipient worked with others to salvage food not used by Dining Services, plan menus, cook meals and deliver them to the wider community in an effort to battle hunger. Perhaps not surprisingly, she also helped co-coordinate the Empty Bowls fundraiser similarly aimed at addressing hunger.
Through all her accomplishments and contributions, our Daggett Prize recipient has displayed characteristic humility, intelligence, and compassion.
It is in recognition of these admirable qualities, her commitment to community, and her tireless efforts to improve lives that we present Victoria Chee with the Daggett Prize.