Local resident Julia T. Skiba, a SUNY Fredonia senior and daughter of Michael and Karen Skiba of Troy, is taking home the highest academic honor for her graduating class: the Lanford Presidential Prize. This prestigious award, established by the Fredonia College Foundation in memory of former President Oscar E. Lanford, recognizes balanced achievement and Fredonia ideals, and Skiba earned it based on her “future physician” trajectory.
With a stellar 4.0 GPA, an impressive minor in Communication, and active participation in the Honors Program, Julia’s dedication to excellence shines through. Her path isn’t just about academics; her experiences as a medical assistant in dermatology and a patient care technician in an emergency department have solidified her desire to enter the medical field, specifically surgical dermatology.
Skiba’s sights are set on becoming a “physician-scientist,” merging her genetics background with medical training to provide personalized patient care. Her journey, highlighted by leadership, creativity, and a strong work ethic, has led her from Averill Park High School to being recognized as an exemplary Fredonia graduate heading towards a promising career in healthcare.