Alessia Ingargiola ’25, a biology major with a Spanish minor, was recognized for her dedication to service and her impact on the Randolph-Macon and Ashland community with The Pepper and Stuart Laughon Commitment to Community Award Friday afternoon.

“This future-ready Yellow Jacket has evidenced her enduring commitment to community both in her engagement within the health services field and in her dedication to service,” said Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Grant Azdell while presenting the award.

Ingargiola has made a difference in a wide range of roles on campus and beyond. Ingargiola volunteers at St. James the Less Free Clinic, whose mission is to provide free services for the medical, dental, podiatry, and eye care needs of Hanover County residents who are uninsured and low-income. She has volunteered both as a student coordinator managing scheduling and communications, and as a dental assistant. She plans to attend dental school after graduation and Dr. Thomas Hubbard ’75 and Susan Hubbard ’76, who established the St. James the Less Free Clinic and have mentored Alessia, were in attendance to celebrate Ingargiola’s award.

Ingargiola also acts as Head Ashland Public Relations Chair for events on the SERVE Committee supporting service events like The Big Event and Macon a Difference Day. She has led the process of providing job request forms and marketing materials in Spanish to better serve the growing Spanish-speaking community in Ashland.

Ingargiola also serves as the Vice President for Randolph-Macon’s Collegiate Chapter of Habitat for Humanity, planning and participating in Habitat home builds, and as a New Student Transition Executive Captain, where she guides students through their first year and trains other Captains.

In recognizing her above-and-beyond commitment, Azdell quoted one of Ingargiola’s nominators, who said “her profound impact on both the College community and the broader Ashland community exemplifies the spirit of this prestigious award.”

“This award serves as a reminder that even seemingly small actions can have a profound impact on the communities around me,” Ingargiola said. “I am honored to receive this award, especially for something I’m passionate about and truly enjoy, which is helping others.”

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.

The Laughon Commitment to Community Award includes a monetary prize given to the on-campus organization of the winner’s choice. Ingargiola chose for the prize to be split between the RMC Collegiate Chapter of Habitat for Humanity and the SERVE Committee.