Adriana Giambanco ’24, a psychology major with minors in biology, sociology, and criminology, was honored for her significant contributions to enriching the Randolph-Macon community with The Pepper and Stuart Laughon Commitment to Community Award Friday afternoon.

The award was established in 2004 by the late Frank E. “Pepper” Laughon, Jr. ’59 and his wife, Stuart Bost Laughon, and reflects its namesakes’ legacy of championing campus leadership and service. The Laughons were actively involved in and showed tireless support for the RMC community. Pepper served on the Board of Trustees, Student Affairs Committee, Athletic Committee, and Greek Alumni Advisory Board. Likewise, Stuart was committed to increasing opportunities for all Yellow Jackets.

Giambanco’s community involvement is both wide-ranging and prolific, with hours dedicated to Habitat for Humanity and as a kids volunteer for Circles of Ashland. She is a safety manager for RMC’s SERVE Committee, performing safety checks with Ashland residents for the Big Event and Macon A Difference Day, a key role in the process of those events. Giambanco also volunteers at the St. James Free Clinic, where she helps patients with medical and dental appointments.

“It is difficult for an individual to rise to the highest level according to this award’s criteria,” said Grant Azdell, vice president for student affairs and dean of students. “But when it happens, it is because the individual is extraordinary.”

In addition to her challenging courseload and part-time jobs as a CVS Pharmacy Technician and an intramural referee, Giambanco serves as the vice president of two student organizations—the Pre-Health Society and the Rugby Football Club.

In praise of her determination, Azdell quoted one of Giambanco’s nominators, who said “Adriana pushes to succeed in all her commitments. She has always pushed for more and I am in awe of her abilities. Adriana has demonstrated the utmost commitment to the community during her whole college career. Everything she does, she does to her highest power.”

“This award means a lot to me because it shows how hard I’ve worked towards my goals and how appreciated all my hard work has been,” Giambanco said.

The Laughon Commitment to Community Award includes a monetary prize given to the on-campus organization of the winner’s choice. Giambanco chose for the prize to be split between the Rugby Football Club and the SERVE Committee.