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St. Bonaventure University senior Cadence Rodgers has won the 2026 Ryan Realbuto Award, an honor presented annually to recognize students who exemplify kindness, service and a commitment to positive social change.

Presented on or near Jan. 31, the Feast day of St. John “Don” Bosco, the award is named in memory of Ryan Realbuto, a 2023 St. Bonaventure graduate remembered for his compassion and self-sacrifice. Rodgers was formally honored today at a small campus ceremony.

Rodgers was chosen for the award in recognition of her tireless efforts to make meaningful social change on campus and beyond.

“Cadence is well known for her generosity and willingness to help others,” said Dr. Andrew Dombek, faculty member in the Department of Criminology and Sociology. “She embodies the spirit of service and compassion that the Realbuto Award was created to honor.”

A native of Frewsburg, New York, Rodgers began her college journey four years ago exhibiting many of the same qualities for which Realbuto is remembered — driven yet thoughtful, deeply concerned for others, and eager to create change while still discovering how best to do so.

An Honors student, Rodgers will graduate summa cum laude in May with degrees in Criminology and Psychology. Her academic work reflects a strong commitment to understanding social and mental health issues, with an Honors thesis titled “The Impact of Generalized Anxiety Disorder on Driving Over the Speeding Limit” and a senior thesis titled “The Impact of Parental Incarceration on Children’s Mental Health.”

Rodgers has presented her research at national conferences, including the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) and the Association for Psychological Science (APS) meetings in Denver and Philadelphia. She completed her internship at the Communities in Action Kinley Hill Homeless Shelter, exceeding the required 80 hours by completing more than 165 hours of service.

Beyond academics, Rodgers serves as treasurer of the Criminology Club, president of Spectrum, and vice president of Alpha Phi Sigma, the criminal justice honor society. She plans to pursue a graduate degree in Forensic Psychology.

Rodgers is also deeply committed to her family, including mentoring her teenage sister, and works as an assistant manager at Arby’s.

Known for his incredible work ethic and ability to uplift those around him, Realbuto tragically lost his life on Jan. 19, 2024, while serving with the Capuchin Volunteer Corps at Don Bosco Cristo Rey High School in Washington, D.C.

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About the University: The nation’s first Franciscan university, St. Bonaventure is a community committed to transforming the lives of its students inside and outside the classroom, inspiring in them a commitment to academic excellence and lifelong civic engagement. Out of 167 regional universities in the North, St. Bonaventure was ranked #8 for value and #19 overall by U.S. News and World Report (2025).