Albertus Magnus College Spotlights 2025 Alumni Award Recipients

New Haven, Conn., September 11, 2025 – As Albertus Magnus College celebrates 100 years of providing access and opportunity to higher education, it is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 Alumni Awards. Both the Alumni of the Year and the Premier Achievement Award recognize the standard of excellence in purpose and joyfully making an impactful difference in the lives of others. The ceremony will take place on Friday, October 3 at 6pm in the Behan Community Room at the award-winning Hubert Campus Center.

• The Alumni of the Year Award is presented to a living member of the Alumni Association who has attained preeminence in their life through outstanding professional, scholarly, and artistic achievement; who is devoted to serving others through volunteer and community service; or who has manifested extraordinary loyalty and dedication to Albertus. This year, there is both an undergraduate and graduate recipient.

• The Premier Achievement Award is presented to a living member of the Alumni Association who has graduated from Albertus within the last 10 years and who has either excelled professionally within the community or has shown extraordinary loyalty to the College.

Dr. Ann Jakubowski ’71, a resident of Hamden, Conn, is the 2025 undergraduate recipient of the Alumni of the Year Award.

Dr. Jakubowski embodies the mission of Albertus through a lifetime of extraordinary professional achievement, service to others, and unwavering humility. A proud first generation college graduate, she began her Albertus journey with a state scholarship, majoring in chemistry and laying a solid foundation in the liberal arts.

She completed her M.D. at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. A board certified hematologist and oncologist, Dr. Jakubowski has dedicated her life to treating patients with leukemia and myelodysplastic syndromes, and she has been at the forefront of cutting-edge cancer therapies. Her involvement in the development of Neupogen, a life-saving drug that stimulates white blood cell production during chemotherapy, has had a lasting, global impact on cancer care and medical science.

Despite her remarkable accomplishments, Ann remains grounded. As a eucharistic minister and advocate for holistic healing, she speaks about the importance of spiritual care in medicine. Her values reflect the Dominican tradition of Albertus, blending faith, knowledge, and care as demonstrated by her enthusiasm for the College’s new nursing program.

Samuel Gray, Jr. ’17, ’19 M.S., a resident of Bloomfield, Conn, is the 2025 graduate recipient ofthe Alumni of the Year Award.

He’s a visionary leader and lifelong advocate for youth empowerment. In 2024, Gray was named Vice President of the Northeast Region for Boys & Girls Clubs of America, following more thanthree decades of dedicated service to the organization, including nearly 17 years as President & CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford (BGCH).

A club member since the age of eight, Gray’s journey has been marked by meaningful community partnerships and tireless work for underserved youth. BGCH became a national model for programming and community impact. His efforts have earned numerous accolades, including the Masters and Mentors Award in 2023, the highest professional honor given by theBoys & Girls Clubs of America. He was recognized in the Hartford Business Journal Power 50 and named One of the 100 Most Influential Blacks in Connecticut by the NAACP.

Sam’s life and work embody the Four Dominican Pillars of Albertus: he is a lifelong learner (Study); his work reflects the deeply spiritual act of serving others and uplifting the dignity of every person (Prayer); he has built a career around community by creating safe spaces for young people (Community); and he gives back through board service with organizations (Service). Through his unwavering commitment, he stands as a true example of what it means to be a powerful force for good in the world.

Chelsea Sherrod ’16, a resident of New York, New York, is the 2025 recipient of the PremierAchievement Award.

She has quickly made her mark in the world of sports broadcasting. Since graduating from Albertus, she has built an impressive and steadily rising career. In 2022, Sherrod joined SportsNet New York (SNY) as a Sports Anchor, Host, and Reporter. In 2023, she added sidelinereporting duties to her role, covering UConn women’s basketball throughout their historic 2024-25 season.

In the studio, Sherrod anchors SportsNite, SNY’s nightly scores and highlights show, and hosts arange of New York Jets and New York Mets programming, including pre- and postgame coverage. She got her start as a proud Albertus student-athlete, as she captained the women’sbasketball team and credits her experience there for laying the foundation for her professional drive.

Sherrod has remained deeply connected to the Albertus community by mentoring students, visiting classes, and most recently serving as the keynote speaker at the 2024 Fra Angelico Leadership Luncheon. She also contributes her insight as a member of the College’s Ad Hoc Intercollegiate Athletics Committee. Her achievements, leadership, and commitment to giving back make her a role model for current students and exemplify the spirit of the Premier Achievement Award.