Alfred University announces 2025 Marlin Miller Outstanding Seniors

Winners of the Marlin Miller Outstanding Senior Award are chosen based on scholarship, extracurricular achievement, personal character and conduct, and nominations by faculty, students, staff, or alumni. The award was established to honor Alfred University alumnus Marlin Miller ’54, H ’89, H ’19 one of Alfred University’s most generous supporters. Miller was a member of Alfred University’s Board of Trustees for 50 years, from 1972-22, and is Board Chair emeritus.

Peccorini, from San Salvador, El Salvador, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in biomaterials engineering, with a minor in chemistry, and has a 3.82 grade-point average. The daughter of Marcella Moran and Eduardo Peccorini, she is a graduate of Escuela Americana de El Salvador/American School of El Salvador. Peccorini spent one year at Sungkyunkwan University in Suwon, South Korea, before transferring to Alfred University as a sophomore in the fall of 2022.

She is the recipient of a Dean’s Scholarship, the Treddenick Scholarship, and Keeling Scholarship as well as support from the New York State College of Ceramics Endowed Performance Fund. Peccorini is a member of several honor societies, including the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Tau Beta Pi, Omicron Delta Kappa, and Material Advantage.

Peccorini participated in the Glass Research Program in Alfred University’s Inamori School of Engineering during the summer of 2023, collaborating with master’s and doctoral students on a project which focused on the development of bioglass compositions. She also participated in the Biomaterials Research Program, studying the metallic doping of bioglass composites for the maximization of therapeutic effects on soft tissue healing.

She has served as a supplemental instructor in chemistry and biology; as an admissions student ambassador and tour guide; and as a Center for Student Involvement event supervisor. After graduation, Peccorini plans to stay at Alfred University to pursue a master’s degree in materials science and engineering.

In nominating Peccorini for the award, Deanna Spencer, assistant director of Enrollment Visits and Events in the Admissions Office, noted her involvement in several honor societies and campus organizations. “Through her membership in these organizations, Marce has been able to realize her academic potential and contribute to our campus in a meaningful way,” Spencer commented

Of Peccorini’s time serving as a student ambassador, Spencer said, “She is passionate about sharing her love for engineering and our incredible engineering facilities with prospective families and will often go out of her way to give tours or speak with international students and students interested in engineering.”

Tim Keenan, associate professor of biomaterials engineering, noted in his nomination that Peccorini has completed summer internships on the Alfred University campus while also working on several funded research projects. “Marce is not only exceptionally intelligent and extremely independent and fearless as a young woman obtaining her education abroad, but she is also exceptionally kind and willing to help anyone in or out of the classroom setting,” Keenan stated.

“Marce is a former rugby team member and member of the Tau Beta Pi engineering honor society, and as a resident assistant has helped and engaged with students across the university. Her diverse background and life experience has led to her ability to really help peers in these clubs and societies and the university community writ large,” stated Benjamin Moulton, assistant professor of glass science engineering, in his nomination of Peccorini. “She simply goes everywhere and uses her will to make AU and its community come together. I could not recommend a better candidate for this award.”

Hammarlund, from Florence, MA, is pursuing bachelor’s degrees in biomaterials engineering and chemistry. He has a 4.00 grade-point average and has been on the Dean’s List each semester he has been at Alfred. The son of Alicia Spence and Nooni Hammarlund, he is a graduate of Northampton High School in Northampton, MA.

The recipient of a Presidential Scholarship, Hammarlund is winner of the 2024 Outstanding Ceramic Engineering and Materials Science (CEMS) Senior Award, given to an outstanding senior and based on scholarship and service to the university and community, the 2023 Scholes Scholar Award, presented to the sophomore engineering student with the highest GPA, and is a member of Tau Beta Pi honor society.

Hammarlund is president and founder of the university’s Cooking Club and 3D Printing Club; president of the Outdoor Club; corresponding secretary of the Tau Beta Pi Sigma chapter at Alfred University; and is former treasurer of the Student Senate. He also serves as a ski patroller at Swain Ski Resort.

He has served as an undergraduate researcher in the Inamori School of Engineering, Biomaterials Department, since spring 2022; was a neuroscience intern at the Yale University School of Medicine in the summer of 2024; and was a research and development intern at Arthrosurface in Franklin, MA. He has served as a microeconomics teaching assistant in Alfred University’s College of Business, and as a chemistry lab teaching assistant and chemistry tutor.

After graduation, Hammarlund plans to take a gap year to gain additional experience before pursuing an MD/PhD degree with a focus on biomedical research.

“Elijah has sought out laboratory experiences in the biomaterials labs since the first week of his first year, and as a result, has been involved in several research projects over his time at AU,” Keenan remarked in his nomination of Hammarlund for the Marlin Miller award. “Additionally, he completed a high-level summer internship experience with an Ivy League institution, and since that experience, has taken on a leadership role in our laboratories, utilizing his range of experiences and training to help mentor other undergraduates completing their senior thesis projects.”

“I have worked closely with Elijah over the last two years as he is very active in several clubs and organizations,” said Eliza Ordway, director of student activities, in nominating Hammarlund for the award. Ordway referred to the two student clubs, 3D Printing and Cooking, which he started. “Elijah is able to use his intellect and his passions to create meaningful experience for students on this campus. His leadership skills have been developed through these experiences.”

“Elijah possesses not only strong intellectual ability but also excellent character. I have observed his interactions with other students and have only seen positive exchanges. He is friendly toward everyone, treats people with respect, and often helps other students understand the course material,” said Darin Stohr, scanning electron microscopist in the Inamori School of Engineering, stated in his nomination of Hammarlund. “He is both confident in himself and capable of great humility—traits that do not often go hand in hand. His interactions with other students elevate the entire class.”

Peccorini and Hammarlund will be honored during Commencement ceremonies on May 17, when they will offer comments to their classmates and others in attendance.