LOWELL, Mass. – Three graduating River Hawk student-athletes were honored during an awards celebration as part of the 2025 Commencement festivities.

Sarah Ross (Agawam, Mass.) of the UMass Lowell women's cross country and track and field teams, who graduated with a 4.0 as a Plastics Engineering major, was honored with three awards. Ross received the Trustee's Key, the highest recognition accorded to baccalaureate graduates and is awarded to students who have completed all four years of baccalaureate study at the University with academic records of 4.0. She was also honored with the Chanecellor's Medal for Distinguished Academic Achievement, given to the student in each of the undergraduate colleges who has attained the highest cumulative average for baccalaureate study as a Francis College of Engineering student. Lastly, she was recognized with the University Scholar-Athlete Award, recognizing the graduating varsity athlete with the highest cumulative average.

For her efforts in the community, field hockey's Cate Kleeman (Gibbsboro, N.J.) was awarded the Chancellor's Medal for Student Service, awarded to members of the graduating senior class who have made outstanding contributions to the university during their undergraduate studies in day or online and continuing education programs. Kleeman is involved with multiple student-athlete organizations including Morgan's Message and helps lead the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). She is also involved at the University level, being a part of the Society for Sustainability and the Rist Institute for Sustainability and Energy. Her work ethic has created opportunities that very few student-athletes will unlock at UMass Lowell.

Rounding out the awards, senior Olamide Bamgbose (Fitchburg, Mass.) of the women's track and field team was given the Chancellor's Medal for Diversity and Inclusion. This award recognizes the accomplishments of undergraduate and graduate students for significant achievements in advancing the university's goals in the areas of diversity, inclusion, and social justice through service, advocacy, community outreach initiatives, and/or research at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. During her time at UMass Lowell, Bamgbose was heavily involved in the Student-Athletes of Color Affinity group, was a member of the Student of Caribbean Ancestry Dance Group, and served as president of the Association of African Origin. Since she is so well connected within the university, Bamgbose often helps others find a place where they feel like they belong and make an impact for both themselves and others.

"Sarah, Cate and Mide are all wonderful examples of students and athletes, who have taken full advantage of their time as River Hawks," said Director of Athletics Lynn Coutts. "They each made a significant impact that stretched far beyond their respective sport. I am so proud of their pursuits over these last four years and congratulate them on these recognitions from the campus community to cap off incredible careers."