Meet the 2025 Pinnacle Award Recipients!
It’s time for a Commencement tradition — let’s meet the Student Pinnacle Award recipients!
Natalie Van, BA’25
Criminology
Florham Campus
What advice do you have for incoming students?
Join clubs and organizations that interest you, attend events, or run for a leadership position. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try something new. Getting involved has also helped me develop leadership skills, exceptional time management and organizational abilities.
What will you miss most about FDU?
The sense of community. I’ve had the privilege of meeting so many amazing people and they made FDU feel like home. As I begin my graduate studies at FDU, I am very excited to continue my journey in criminal justice and I am forever grateful for the opportunities FDU has given me.
What was your favorite college class and why?
One favorite was a crime and forensics course taught by Roger Forsthoff [adjunct instructor], a former lieutenant, forensic lab director and homicide investigator. It was fascinating to explore the intersection of crime, investigation and science. He incorporated his firsthand experiences from his past career, making the discussions and lessons engaging.
I also want to express my appreciation for professors Jordan Nowotny [associate professor of criminology] and Meghan Sacks [professor of criminology]. They played a huge role in my academic experience at FDU, and I am grateful for their guidance.
Jayla Grady, BA’25
Government and Politics
Metropolitan Campus
What advice do you have for incoming students?
There are so many opportunities to get involved on campus, whether it be student clubs, intramural sports, or Greek life, and I can’t stress it enough for incoming students to take advantage of these opportunities. I’ve met some of my closest friends through the clubs and organizations I’ve joined or at events I have attended. Student clubs work so hard to put together programming. In addition to the social aspect, getting involved has helped grow my professional skills, such as public speaking, time management, and delegation.
What will you miss most about FDU?
The thing I will miss the most about FDU is my village. I’ve had the opportunity to work with, meet, and befriend so many amazing people, whether friends I made freshman year, during my time at Wroxton College, or through collaborating in clubs and organizations, such as the Student Government Association or Black Student Union. I am so grateful for the time we’ve had together and will miss them all dearly.
What was your favorite college class and why?
My favorite college class was either Social Justice and Structural Inequality, taught by Jonnese Arrington, adjunct instructor, or Women and Race in Modern Britain, taught by Angela Morris, tutor and lecturer in social policy and history at Wroxton College. In Social Structures and Structural Inequality, we explored the way certain characteristics influence and intersect with the social institutions of society. As for Women and Race in Modern Britain, we analyzed how race and gender were integrated in British society.
Fatima Alharazi, BS’25
Business Administration
Vancouver Campus
What advice do you have for incoming students?
Start building your network early. The relationships you create — whether with classmates, professors, or industry professionals — can make a big difference, even years after graduation. Also, stay organized. Managing your weekly schedule will help you stay on top of things and avoid feeling overwhelmed, especially when things get busy.
What will you miss most about FDU?
I’ll miss University life as a whole. There’s something so special about waking up early, dressing up for class, taking little breaks between lectures and catching up with friends, and tapping into quiet focus during library sessions. Even the stress — I’ve come to realize it pushes me to perform better, and weirdly, I love that part of it. But above all, I’ll miss chatting with professors who truly care and bonding with classmates over shared struggles. That everyday connection is what really makes FDU feel like home.
What was your favorite college class and why?
It’s hard to choose because I genuinely enjoyed so many of my courses, but I’d say Career Strategies was one of the most valuable. It helped me clarify my goals and gave me practical tools to prepare for life after graduation. I also loved International Marketing, Global Issues, and even the finance ones — they challenged me in a good way!