DANBURY, CONN. — This year’s Barnard award recipients have a lot in common.

For starters, Western Connecticut State University seniors Brittany Serke and Kathryn Kupchik both grace the Dean’s List on a regular basis, spend most of their free time studying and share what’s left helping others. But their greatest commonality is crediting WCSU for contributing to their success.

Named in honor of the first president of a Connecticut State University, the Henry Barnard Distinguished Student Award was established in 1983 as the private development foundation of the CSU system. There are 12 given annually to distinguished students from Western, Central, Eastern and Southern Connecticut State Universities.

Kupchik, of Cromwell, and Serke, of Southbury, are the only students chosen this year from WestConn. Recipients are selected for their academic and leadership qualities and must have maintained at least a 3.7 grade point average and have a record of substantial voluntary service to their university and community.

“WestConn is really geared to bettering the students,” said Kupchik, who maintains a 3.73 grade point average (GPA) and will receive her bachelor’s degree in music performance in May. “The (music) program is put together to push the students in the right direction. You need to be engaged in what you’re doing, but you’ll be successful if you take what they’re giving you.”

“I feel really honored,” said Serke, who will graduate in May with three undergraduate degrees in Spanish, chemistry and biochemistry and a 3.92 GPA. “It’s a good feeling to be recognized for the hard work you do and for what you want to do in the future. It’s another motivating factor to continue to be successful.”

Serke also said that her professors and classes at WCSU have more than prepared her for doing well in everything from taking exams to interning as a formulations chemist. She appreciates the small student-to-teacher ratios and the diverse backgrounds of her instructors.

“You learn something from those different backgrounds. You see yourself evolve,” Serke said. “WestConn is very reputable. There’s a huge world of opportunity here. If you take it seriously and excel, you really do have a future.”

Serke’s academic achievements have earned her numerous scholarships, including the Capital scholarship, WCSU Foundation award, Carey Foundation award scholarship, Isabelle Farrington Scholarship, and the Ellen and Jason Hancock Scholarship. The General Chemistry student of the year for 2003-04, Serke has been an American Chemical Society affiliate since 2008 and a member of the Sigma Delta Pi National Spanish Honor Society since 2006. She also has served as president and vice president of Sigma Delta Pi and secretary and president of the Chemistry Club, where she also tutored university students.

In addition to her internship, she has worked at WCSU as a supplementary instructor and lab assistant and a dietary aide at an independent/assisted living facility. Serke’s community activities include mentoring WCSU freshmen and sophomores with disabilities and working with IMPACT (International Multi-Cultural Promise for the Advancement of Community) and helping the club become officially recognized by the university.

While studying abroad in Guatemala and Puerto Rico, Serke helped gather pencil boxes and other supplies for school children and also donated $300 of her money so the school could install plumbing and toilets and tap into the public water system. Over the past three years, she has sponsored clothing and food drives at WCSU to donate to areas of Guatemala that were devastated by mud slides.

During a study program in Puerto Rico last year, Serke attended classes at the University of Puerto Rico in Mayaguez and learned about projects to preserve beaches, aquatic life and agriculture and visited local schools. Serke said what the students saw inspired them to start IMPACT and, by piggy-backing her efforts in Guatemala, they packed up suitcases of supplies for the students. They also help in the local community by translating financial aid information into Spanish and Portuguese.

Kupchik’s love of music started with voice lessons in the eighth grade. As a high school junior, she decided to make singing a life-long endeavor and started looking at music schools. “I kept asking around what’s a good school for music — and Western kept coming up,” Kupchik said. In May, Kupchik will earn her a bachelor’s degree in music performance with a concentration in classical voice.

Kupchik’s vocal skills have earned her leading roles in both of this season’s WCSU operas — “Gianni Schicchi” and “Suor Angelica” and last year’s “Pirates of Penzance.” She is a member of the WCSU Chamber Singers and WestConn’s Concert Choir. She recently placed second in the College II division of the National Association of Teachers of Singing competition and was among seven WCSU music students selected to participate in a cultural exchange with SIAS University in China.

Her academic achievements have earned Kupchik numerous scholarships including awards from The Connecticut Choral Society and the James Sommers Opera, and two from the Alumni Association.

Excelling in athletics as well, Kupchik is tri-captain of the WCSU volleyball team, where she earned “Rookie of the Year” in 2004. She and her teammates donated blood to see if anyone was a possible match for a bone marrow recipient for the American Red Cross in 2006.

Despite a hectic schedule, Kupchik manages to squeeze in time as team manager of the university men’s hockey club and participate in community events that include singing the national anthem at home games for local sporting events, including the Danbury Westerners baseball team, and frequently soloing at area churches. She also has served as a tutor as part of the P.A.S.S. program for the past three years and is a member of the Black Student Alliance annual fashion show and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.

In addition to maintaining a 3.7 GPA and performing in two operas this spring, Kupchik is preparing for her hour-long senior recital, which includes pieces sung in German, Italian and French. Future plans include attending graduate school for performance arts, performing, and later teaching at a college level.

Serke also plans to attend graduate school in the fall at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry where she will work towards a Ph.D. in molecular toxicology and environmental medicine. She plans to work in industry or the medical field to solve toxicology issues associated with health programs and environmental protection. She also would like to eventually teach at the college level.

Regardless of their accomplishments and with a nod to their peers, both students said they were surprised to learn they were honored with the award. They agreed that there are many students on campus who work hard and deserve recognition.

“There’s a ton of great students here at WestConn,” Serke said.

For more information, call University Relations at (203) 837-8486.