In keeping with tradition, St. Joseph’s University, New York recently awarded one of its most prestigious honors, the Donald R. Boomgaarden Leadership in Action Award, to two outstanding seniors who embody the institution’s motto: Esse non videri — “To be, not to seem.”
Recognized during the annual “Toast to the Graduates” events on each campus, Colleen Egan ’25 and Madison Frascogna ’25 were selected to receive the prestigious award because they exhibit the ideals of integrity, intellectual rigor, spiritual depth, social responsibility and service that lie at the heart of the University’s mission.
Colleen Egan
Egan was born in Brooklyn, NY and raised by a supportive family who instilled in her the values of hard work, humility and caring for others. Bringing those qualities with her to St. Joseph’s University, New York as a child study major with a concentration in speech, and carrying a second major in speech-language pathology and audiology, Egan quickly found a home among SJNY’s many clubs and organizations.
During her time at SJNY, she has served as president of the Child Study Club and fundraising coordinator of the NSSLHA (National Student Speech Language Hearing Association). Egan is also a member of the Kappa Delta Pi and Lambda Pi Eta honor societies.
“When I first came to this campus, I never imagined how I would grow, not just academically but also as a person and a leader,” Egan said when accepting the award on the Brooklyn campus on May 13.
In recognition of all that she has accomplished to date, Egan recently was awarded the Sister Marie Clotilde Falvey ’37 Scholarship and S. Alice Francis Young ’40 Scholarship, both named in honor of SJNY alumnae and Sisters of St. Joseph.
In addition to her participation on campus, Egan has worked with children ages 1-12, is specialized in ABA therapy and manages her own small business where she plans and decorates parties. She is also the vice president of a local soccer league, keeping a family tradition of service to the club alive for a third generation.
Egan, who is currently on track to earn a master’s degree from SJNY in August 2026, believes that St. Joseph’s University has prepared her for the future.
“As I close this chapter and look ahead, I carry with me the lessons, friends, memories and values that St. Joseph’s has instilled in me,” she said. “I hope to continue leading with integrity and purpose wherever the road takes me.”
Madison Frascogna
Frascogna ‘25 arrived at St. Joseph’s University, New York with a mission to revitalize campus life. Serving as SGA president for three years, Frascogna has done just that, contributing to the number of clubs the University offers and balancing a multitude of on-campus responsibilities, all while maintaining a 3.9 GPA as a mathematics, adolescence education major and participant in the SJNY honors program.
In fact, she was recently presented with the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph Endowed Scholarship and the Thomas J. Wendt Alumni Scholarship in recognition of her hard work and upstanding values.
Some of the many responsibilities Frascogna has taken on during her time at the University include orientation team leader, as well as a planning committee member and first-year experience leader; vice president of the Kappa Mu Epsilon Mathematics Honor Society; secretary of the Kappa Delta Pi Education Honor Society; box office manager of the Clare Rose Playhouse; founder of Circle K International; Student Alumni Association member; and a member of the Gamma Tau Delta, Delta Epsilon Sigma and Kappa Gamma Pi honor societies.
“To me, I’m accepting this award on behalf of the entire class. We have all accomplished so much more than just our degree,” Frascogna said during her acceptance speech at the 2025 Toast to the Graduates celebration. “It has truly been an honor to lead as your student government president.”
In the community, Frascogna volunteers at the St. Francis De Sales Soup Kitchen, works as a secretary for the North Patchogue Medford Youth Athletic Club, and is also a tutor.
After graduation, Frascogna plans to become a teacher.
The Donald R. Boomgaarden Leadership in Action Award is named for the University’s president, Donald R. Boomgaarden, Ph.D.
