Pinnacle Award Recipients
The Pinnacle Award is the highest honor the University bestows on a graduating student. One student from each campus who has demonstrated academic excellence, public service and commitment to the University is honored. Recipients will address their fellow graduates and the assembled audience.
Student Pinnacle Award Recipients for 2023
Joseph Anthony Nigro
Joseph Anthony Nigro, of South River, N.J., will graduate magna cum laude with a bachelor of science in business administration. He started for the Devils men’s basketball team, was a student assistant coach and served on the Student Athletic Advisory Committee. After his sophomore season, Joseph was diagnosed with Stage 2B Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. After a six-month battle with cancer, filled with chemotherapy and radiation treatments, he was declared cancer free! Just a year after he found out he was diagnosed with cancer, Joseph and his family founded the Fightstrong Foundation, a nonprofit organization that aims to improve the quality of life for those who are currently battling or who have battled any form of cancer. Following graduation, he will return to FDU in pursuit of an MBA.
Nanakua Aboagye-Addo
Nanakua Aboagye-Addo, known as Nana, of Wood Ridge, N.J., will graduate magna cum laude with a bachelor of science in nursing. Nana enjoys mentoring high school and college students. She is a member of two honors programs at FDU, Global Scholars and the Honors Academy. These programs gave her the opportunity to work with students across majors on creative projects, academic research and writing assignments. Nana is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and the National Black Nurses Association. In addition to her studies, she works at Englewood Hospital as a patient care associate and at Holy Name Medical Center in Teaneck, N.J., as a patient care technician. After graduation, Nana plans to work as a nurse this coming fall. Her long-term career goals include becoming a nurse researcher and educator, and she has a particular interest in public health.
Divya Kanabar
Divya Kanabar, from Hyderabad, India, moved to Vancouver to attend FDU. She will graduate cum laude with a bachelor of science in information technology with a minor in business technology. During the past four years, Divya has maintained her status on the academic honors list every semester, completed an internship in software engineer at Intellyon Inc. and worked as a student IT assistant on campus. In Vancouver, she spent much of her time exploring the nearby trails and parks. As a wildlife enthusiast, she believes that her true passion lies in wildlife conservation. While she enjoys programming, she hopes to start her journey as a wildlife conservationist. After graduation, Divya plans to work as a backend software engineer.