A Conversation with President’s Cup Winner Stephen Cobbs ’23

The President’s Cup is presented each year to a Stonehill senior who has displayed a commitment to intellectual excellence and a dedication to service throughout their college career. Stephen Cobbs ’23 received this honor during the 2023 Student Life Awards, held on April 30.  

“I feel incredibly blessed and humbled to be given this award,” he said. “I truly could not have done it without my support system, including my friends, family and the Stonehill community.” 

The biology major from Maryland is known to most for his work as the current president of Student Government Association’s Executive Board, but he has also made many other impactful contributions to campus life. As a SURE scholar, Cobbs worked with Professor Nicole Cyr on a project examining the link between stress and obesity. Through his work as a resident assistant, he created a nurturing environment for the students under his watch. On the football field, he helped motivate his fellow Skyhawks to reach their full potential. 

To celebrate his President's Cup win, we recently sat down with Cobbs to discuss his Stonehill experience and what the future holds for him. 

Why did you choose Stonehill College? 

I came here because of the College’s incredible football program. I didn’t know much about Stonehill before I decided to apply, but after I visited for the first time, I fell in love with the campus and the people that make up the community. They made me want to stay here. 

What was your favorite class? Why?  

I have two favorite classes. It’s a tie between Organic Chemistry II with Professor Louis Liotta and Genetics with Professor Magdalena James-Pederson. They’re my favorites courses because they taught me how driven I can be. Both classes are incredibly challenging, but I focused and got good grades in both. I not only learned the intricacies of the genetics that encode every living thing, but also came to realize the beauty of chemistry and how it is all around us.  

What is your favorite college memory? 

I loved participating in the SURE program with Professor Nicole Cyr, who made the experience so much fun. I also really enjoyed working with my partners Megan MacIver ’22 and Deirdre Boyer ’22. They both mentored me, and we’ve stayed close since we worked in the lab together. Working on SURE during summer break really helped me figure out what I want to do with my life. 

What is on the horizon for you after you graduate? 

Starting in June, I will be working in Dr. Marsha Moses’s lab at Boston Children’s Hospital. Dr. Moses graduated from Stonehill and is on the College’s Board of Trustees. I’m going to be doing cancer research. I’m going to learn so much. I’m excited about the future for that reason.  

What advice do you have for incoming students? 

It sounds cliché but you should make every day count because four years goes by quicker than you can even imagine.  

What is something surprising you learned during your time at Stonehill?  

I didn’t learn this per se, but my Stonehill experience reinforced the idea that there is good all around us. I think the Stonehill community is amazing. Everyone is committed to working toward the same cause. It’s great that everyone has the same drive. They truly want to help students succeed. It’s admirable to see that across the board.