MAY 7, 2020
2020 Convocation Departmental Awards Program
UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS - ART
Novinski Art Achievement Award Awarded to outstanding art students in Art and Art History.
Veronica Barrera
Veronica grew up as the fifth of six children near the humid bayous of Houston, Texas. Growing up, she often spent her time excavating “dinosaur bones” and “ancient artifacts” in the backyard, memorizing the names and traits of as many plants and animals as she could and making her own stuffed animals and elaborate Shrinky-Dink earrings. To the surprise and confusion of both her peers and second grade teacher, Veronica dressed up as a paleontologist for her second grade play, “What I Want to Be When I Grow Up.” Veronica’s interest in and love for the ancient world, dirt, and making all made sense when she was introduced to ceramics in college. Focusing on ceramics Veronica majored in Studio Art at the University of Dallas in Irving, Texas. These days she primarily makes ceramic sculptures while dabbling in different mediums like printmaking and fiber art. Striving to use art as a means to internalize and express the world around her and her place in it, her work pulls from the plants and wildlife that surround her.
UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS - BIOLOGY
Biology Distinction Awards Biology annually recognizes students who have completed comprehensive exams with distinction. Achievement of distinction entails that a student does not simply demonstrate a working undergraduate knowledge in biology, but also a degree of knowledge characteristic of a graduate level of understanding, evident not simply from the presentation but from the facility with which they answer questions on the comprehensive exam.
Sarah "Ana" Henriquez For outstanding oral presentation of research she conducted at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center as a participant in the Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program and member of the Reese Laboratory, Sarah "Ana" Henriquez and her talk "Identifying Biochemical Binding Partners of a MAP kinase-like protein in Toxoplasma gondii"
Paul Henry Flynn For outstanding oral presentation of research he conducted in the Republic of Zimbawabe with Dr. Greg Rasmussen and the Painted Dog Research Trust, Paul Henry Flynn and his talk "Characteristics of African wild dog natal dens selected under different interspecific predation pressures"
UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS - BIOLOGY
Biology Distinction Awards
Lydia Jones For outstanding oral presentation of research prompted by her job at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science and interactions with Dr. Becca Peixotto, Director of the Center for the Exploration of the Human Journey, Lydia Jones and her talk "Evolutionary history and adaptation of a human pygmy population of Flores Island, Indonesia"
Devon Romano For outstanding oral presentation of research she conducted as a member of the Soper Lab at the University of Dallas and in collaboration with the Michigan Swimmer’s Itch Partnership, Devon Romano for her talk “Exploration of Swimmers Itch causing schistosome in Southern Michigan gastropods”
Thomas Pecha For exceptional test scores on a standardized professional or graduate school entrance exam, in particular the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT).
UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS - BUSINESS
The Business Leadership Faculty Award for Outstanding Senior The Business Leadership Faculty Award for Outstanding Senior is awarded to the student who shows outstanding academic achievement, as well as service to both the Collegeof Business and the University.
Christiane Flynn
This year’s winner is active in the Rotary Club and has been a past member of the UD Women’s Lacrosse team. She has spent the past two summers studying and working in Guatemala. Her ultimate goal is to someday move to and run a non-profit in Guatemala As voted on by the faculty of the Gupta College of Business, it is our pleasure to award Christiane Flynn the 2020 Business Faculty Award for Outstanding Senior.
UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS - BUSINESS
The Robert Lynch Entrepreneurial Promise Award Named for the late Dr. Robert Lynch, the founding dean of the Graduate School of Management, the award is given to the student, who, like Dr. Lynch, showed an entrepreneurial spirit and a plan of action to make that vision a reality.
Edisson Ramos
The Groundhog Library will be this student’s legacy at UD. Based on his own experiences and other's, he knew he that there were many students at UD who could not afford books for their classes. So he came up with an idea of a book lending library for undergraduate core classes. Students would donate their books at the end of the semester and then the following semester, students who were in need could check out books at no cost to them and use them all semester. At the end of the semester, the books would be returned so another student could use them the next semester. After a year and half of working with administrators, the Groundhog Library was born in October of 2019. As voted on by the faculty of the Gupta College of Business, it is our pleasure to award Edisson Ramos the 2020 Robert Lynch Entrepreneurial Promise Award.
UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS - CHEMISTRY
American Chemical Society Outstanding Student Award An award sponsored by the D/FW section of the American Chemical Society, given to a student who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, been active in the UD student chapter of the ACS, completed a significant research experience, and be planning a career in chemistry or chemical education.
William Rackers
William Rackers completed three research experiences while at UD. His first research experience was at the University of North Texas in the lab of Dr. Hong Wong. He presented his work from this conference at the National American Chemical Society meeting in 2019. Last summer, Will traveled to France for a research project at the UniversitÊ Claude Bernard Lyon 1. Will’s abstract was accepted to the 2020 ACS meeting in Orlando. .Will will be attending graduate school at the University of Washington in Saint Louis in the fall.
UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS - CHEMISTRY
Welch Research Award Awarded to a student with distinguished research accomplishments as demonstrated by multiple summers of research, including a presentation at a professional conference or a research publication. Given in the name of the Welch Foundation, in recognition of the support provided to the Chemistry Department over the last thirty-five years.
Christian Lopez
Christian completed two research experiences, one at Johns Hopkins and another last summer at University of San Francisco. Christian presented his work on ALS at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students.
Negede Alemayehu Negede has been an integral part of the department and has served as a TA for 5 semesters. Last summer he completed research with Dr. Steinmiller investigating composite semiconductor particles. Negede is heading to the University of Rochester in the fall where he will be pursing a PhD in chemistry.
UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS - CLASSICS
Father Placid Csizmazia, O. Cist. Award The departmental award to the outstanding student in Classics is named after the founder of the Department, Father Placid Csizmazia, one of the remarkable Cistercian monks who came to the United States from Hungary. Fr. Placid was a model scholar and teacher, and a example of the virtue of charity.
Rose Dougherty
Anastasia Heiser
UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS - COMPUTER SCIENCE
Outstanding Computer Science Major Award Awarded to a student who has shown his or her ability and leadership in Computer Science coursework, senior comprehensive exam, and across the university.
Paul Devlin
Learning computer science seemed to come effortlessly to Paul Devlin during all of his year at UD, but what impressed his CS professors most was his ability to synthesize knowledge learned in disparate classes. For example, employing string alignment algorithms from bioinformatics to measure phoneme similarity in a computational poetry project. As a freshman! Paul has done REU research in artificial intelligence and interned at Amazon one summer. Having turned down an offer of full-time employment from Amazon, he will be starting his career at Wealthfront this summer in the Bay area.
UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS - COMPUTER SCIENCE
Outstanding Computer Science Major Award
Yeabkal Wubshit
For hard work, tenacity, talent and a desire to learn, you cannot find a better student of computer science than Yeabkal Wubshit. From the time he began at UD he was putting in many extra hours, complementing his classroom learning with independent learning and interesting projects. He frequently asked for extra interesting assignments and research projects, looking for ways to help out, even while working 20 hours a week at the dining hall. After receiving 14 rejections for internships for the summer after his sophomore year, his 15th letter was an acceptance, and he spent the summer at Google. His next summer was also spent there, and he'll start at Google full-time this summer.
UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS - ECONOMICS
University of Dallas Economics Department Outstanding Student Achievement Awards Recognizing an outstanding senior student based on Economics GPA and performance on the comprehensive exams, as well as any achievements that merit special attention.
Quinn O'Brady
During her time at UD, Quinn has been an exceptional student. Among all of our 2020 Economics and Economics & Finance graduating seniors, she had both the highest GPA and scored the highest on the economics comprehensive exam. More importantly, however, Quinn is admired by her colleagues and professors alike for her exceptional character, participation in class, and willingness to offer a friendly smile or helpful answer to a question. We are blessed to have the privileged of counting students like Quinn as graduates of our department.
UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS - ECONOMICS
University of Dallas Economics Department Outstanding Student Achievement Awards
Vincent Christianson
Vincent is an outstanding economics student in his own right. He had the second highest GPA--missing the top by a mere 1/100th of a point---and received a top score on the comprehensive exams! In addition to outstanding performance in classes, Vincent also worked with Dr. Kass to perform econometric research. Vincent's presence in the department the past 4 years has been impactful. He has contributed highly to many class discussions and encouraged all of us to pursue deeper inquiry through his questions and enthusiasm for the subject.
UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS - EDUCATION
Teller Award The Teller Medal is given yearly to the outstanding major in Interdisciplinary Studies. The award is named for Professor Emeritus James D. Teller and is awarded based upon scholastic achievement, leadership ability, and potential as a teacher.
Michelle Chouinard
Michelle Chouinard is a strong teacher who did an exceptional job during clinical teaching, recognized by her mentor teachers and school administration for working beyond her schedule and planning on Sunday afternoons with her team for the coming week.
UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS - EDUCATION
McDermott Award Named in honor of Dr. Hazel McDermott, professor and certification officer from 1975-1992, the award is given occasionally, when there is a student teacher of rare caliber, and so recognizes a student whose experience in the classroom has reflected the highest ideals in teaching.
Mary Goodykoontz
Mary Goodykoontz has a calm, relaxed demeanor, and she developed and presented powerful lessons during her education courses and clinical teaching experience. Her student engagement and classroom management were excellent.
UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS - ENGLISH
Sister Frances Marie Manning, SSMN, Award for Excellence in Literary Study Named after Sister Frances Marie Manning, one of the original members of the department’s faculty, the award recognizes the achievement of a student whose work and whose presenceas a member of the class has been consistently outstanding throughout his or her four years at the university.
This year, there are two recipients of year’s Manning Award – two students who over their four years at UD have each exhibited excellence in their reading of literary texts, a fine command of language and argument, and a rare capaciousness and eagerness for understanding.
Rose Dougherty
Maria Rossini
UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS - ENGLISH
Dr. Katherine Maren Sorensen Award For Excellence in the Study of the Novel The Katherine M. Sorensen Award recognizes one student in Literary Study II whose presentation reveals him or her to be a superior reader of the novel, exhibiting in his or her reading, writing and delivery Katherine’s characteristic virtues: a precise intelligence and wit, a capacious magination, and a humane learning.
Madison Vielhauer
This year’s winner enacted the very process that she analyzed, confronting a tangle of critical and narrative confusion, and then, with boldness, elegance, and exemplary clarity, bringing insight to light. The 2020 Sorensen Award Winner is Madison Vielhauer for her paper “Lying to Herself: Lucy’s Muddle in E.M Forster’s A Room with a View”
UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS - HISTORY
Father Louis J. Lekai, O. Cist. Award A member of the Cistercian Order, Fr. Louis J. Lekai was one of the founding faculty of the University of Dallas, who earned recognition as the world’s foremost historian of the Cistercian Order. Each year the Department of History acknowledges the outstanding performance in the major with a departmental award named in his honor.
David Morales
UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS - HISTORY
John Sommerfeldt Award This award is named for a longtime member of the History Department (teaching for 40 years) who worked alongside Fr. Louis Lekai and shared his interest in the history of the Cistercian Order.
David Morales Morgan Flottmeier
UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS - MATH
Outstanding Math Major of the Year Awarded to a student who has show his or her mathematical acumen and talent throughout their four years at the University.
Nina Ryalls
In recognition of her strong academic achievement and her high level of enthusiasm for all things mathematical, exemplified by such activities as her summer research at St Mary's College of Maryland in her sophomore year, her summer semester in Mathematics in Budapest, as well as her boundless enthusiasm for additional mathematical activities such as Junior Workshop Redux and impromptu mathematical conversations, the Mathematics Department is pleased to award Nina Ryalls the title of Outstanding Math Major of the Year.
UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS - MODERN LANGUAGES (COMPARATIVE LITERARY TRADITIONS)
Comparative Literary Traditions Award The CLT award recognizes outstanding graduating seniors who throughout the course of their CLT studies at UD have demonstrated academic excellence.
Giada Mirelli
Giada is an extraordinary student using her knowledge of Spanish, French, and Italian, for her Comparative Literature degree. She has served as a very popular tutor, teaching assistant, and intern in a local Catholic school. She has excelled in all of our programs and courses and will be sorely missed around the department. She is the poster child for what language excellence and literary studies should be.
UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS - MODERN LANGUAGES (FRENCH)
French Award Recognizing outstanding graduating seniors who throughout the course of their French studies at UD have demonstrated both academic excellence as well as a commitment to supporting French language and culture.
Madison Vielhauer
Since her freshman year, Maddy has showed a continual commitment to the study of French and the promotion of the French language at UD, notably by serving as president of the French Club. Her accomplishments include organizing innumerable crepe sales on the mall; finishing a senior thesis in French on the underappreciated Catholic French writer, Joseph Malègue; and recognition by the Fulbright committee, which named her the alternate for the 2020 award for an English Teaching Assistantship in Luxembourg. For the fall, she has accepted a French teaching position at Great Hearts San Antonio, where the pleasures of the Texas Hill Country’s music, scenery, and wineries await her.
UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS - MODERN LANGUAGES (ITALIAN)
Italian Award Recognizing graduating seniors who have demonstrated high academic achievement in completing an Italian Major and who have promoted the study of Italian language and culture at UD and in the community.
Marlena Figge This year's Italian Program Award recipient is most deserving. Marlena Figge (Italian and English ’20) is the first-ever major in Italian at the University of Dallas. So eager was she to study Italian that she - a freshman intending to major in Chemistry - declared an Italian major well before the major became official! Marlena has been an indispensable tutor of Italian for the Italian Program and has been a model student. We could not imagine a better representative for UD's first Italian graduate. It is not only her first-in-history status to recommend her, but also her exceptional performance. Just three years ago she spoke no Italian; she is now giving erudite academic presentations, writing intellectually acute research papers of considerable length, reading complex Italian texts from the medieval period to today, and memorizing and reciting beautiful Italian poetry. Imagine doing the Core, but in a language you have just learned! That is what students of Modern Languages do. Marlena is currently completing a senior thesis on Dante and Keats. She has already been to Rome, and in summer 2019 she was a camp counselor at both Concordia Language Villages, an Italian-language immersion summer camp in northern Minnesota, and an Italian-language day-camp in Chicago. Marlena has received two scholarships to attend Middlebury College in Florence, Italy, in pursuit of an M.A. in Italian. Congratulazioni vivissime!
UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS - MODERN LANGUAGES (SPANISH)
Spanish Award Recognizing students for consistent and thoughtful work throughout their time in the Spanish Program, excellence on both their comprehensive exams and their senior theses, and overall contribution to the Spanish Program.
Giada Mirelli Giada is an extraordinary student not only in the Spanish Program, but also in the French, Italian, and Comparative Literature Programs. She has tutored students in Spanish and Italian, she is the president of the Spanish club, and she has participated in multiple programs abroad in France, Spain, and Italy. In the Fall 2020, Giada will pursue a PhD in Spanish literature at Indiana University.
Bryan de la Cruz Bryan is a hard-working student and he always puts the maximum effort into every paper and assignment. Bryan has participated in the Costa Rica program abroad and has been one of the best tutors in the Spanish Program. In Fall 2020, Bryan de la Cruz will continue his studies with the Masters of Arts in Teaching at the University of Dallas.
UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS - PASTORAL MINISTRY
The Luby Medal Named in honor of Dr. Daniel J. Luby, a long-time faculty member who was integral to the development of the major, this medal is presented to the students who witness to the faith, engage in wholesome relationships, and exemplify a theology of presence in the service of the gospel with and for the university and wider community.
Katherine Audrey Groves Katie is described by her professors as bright and wise, "a golden combination that’s uncommon." She has a penchant for asking the surprising question in class and conversation, arising from a sharp and unconventional mind. They observed that she can be depended upon to recognize elements of the texts which are not only important but often hidden from her peers. She raises questions and offers takes which are often a little disorienting, and in so doing invites her classmates (and professors) to new insight, even regarding very familiar material. She has been a significant contributor to the life of the University during her years here, serving in a number of capacities which enrich students’ lives. She’s been active in student government and campus ministry. Her leadership in the Awakening program, so pivotal for the spiritual growth of many students, showcases her capacity for not only organization and planning, but for compassion and welcome as well. Finally, Katie has a heart for the marginalized among us. This capacity for recognizing and reaching out to those on the periphery has deep roots, going back at least to her work in high school as an employee at (and unofficial cheerleader for) a local cinema whose business plan included hiring mentally challenged adults as a way to build community. This commitment was also reflected in her internship work, where she has been called upon to serve children on the autism spectrum, not by formal assignment but by her own instinct for service and solidarity. It is also on display in her treatment of classmates who might, apart from her efforts, fall to the wayside of social connection and communal thriving.
UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS - PHILOSOPHY
Fr. Thomas Cain, OP, Aquinas Medal Named for St. Thomas Aquinas and for Fr. Thomas Cain, a humble and faithful follower of his great Dominican predecessor and confrere, it is awarded to the most accomplished student in each year’s class of graduating seniors.
Mary Katherine Johnson
Always as quick with a smile as an incisive question, this year's recipient is a welcome presence in every classroom. Her patient and sunny disposition makes her an excellent tutor. She wows her professors with the quality of her writing, manifest most splendidly in her senior thesis: "Presenced Absence: Towards a Phenomenology of Feminine Embodiment." She received offers of admission to three prestigious graduate programs, and she is headed off to St. Louis University next year. No doubt her absence will be as keenly felt as her presence is treasured The Philosophy Department is delighted to present this year's Fr. Thomas Cain Aquinas Medal to Mary Katherine Johnson.
UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS - PHILOSOPHY & LETTERS
The Very Reverend Thomas M. Cumiskey, O.P. Memorial Award for Excellence in Philosophy & Letters Fr. Thomas Cumiskey was a much-beloved member of the University of Dallas community, and Rector of Holy Trinity Seminary from 1989 to 1996. This award recognizes the Philosophy &Letters Major who achieves the highest cumulative GPA as well as passes his thesis with distinction.
Bryce Baumann The winner of this year’s Cumiskey Award has benefited tremendously from his education at UD combined with the formation program offered at Holy Trinity Seminary. As a student, he has been stellar in coursework. Only the first letter of the alphabet shows up on his transcript, with just a minus or two appearing here or there. In the classroom, he is a bright presence, always prepared to answer questions and offer insights. Outside of class, he is diligent and willing to take on new challenges that stretch him intellectually. At the seminary, he is a cheerful and encouraging brother to fellow seminarians. On campus, he is always willing to contribute to the common good, serving as a student senator and performing during campus events as a member of the seminary band Down the Hill. He has joyfully immersed himself in the riches of the Catholic intellectual tradition, and undoubtedly he will share these riches generously when, God willing, he exercises his priestly ministry in the future. Next year this seminarian will continue priestly formation at the Pontifical North American College. We hope and pray that his time of Rome, undertaken with gratitude and a sense of pilgrimage, will bear much fruit in his life as he prepares to serve the people of God as a priest for the Diocese of Dallas. May he continue to draw closer to Christ, befriending Christ more and more each day and bringing Christ’s light to all whom he encounters.
UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS - PHYSICS
Father Benedict Monostori, O.Cist. Award Fr. Benedict, a Cistercian and founding father of the University, was known as an exacting teacher who insisted on the highest qualities of a scientist: rigor, patience, and precision of thought. This award is given to an outstanding student majoring in physics who has conducted research leading to a paper presentation, and who plans to pursue graduate studies in physics.
Aidan Medcalf
Thesis: Time-of-Flight at NOvA Test Beam Supervisors and Collaborators: Dr. Flanagan (UD) Research Experiences: Summer 2018-CERN; 2018-Present Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment, NOvA test beam, presented at Fall 2019 meeting of TSAPS; 2020-Cerium Labs-Air Force, smallest neutron detector Post-graduation plans: EE graduate program at UTA, Continue to work for High Point Electronics
UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS - PHYSICS
Joe Oscar Neuhoff Physics and Astronomy Award Named in honor of a long time University of Dallas Board of Trustees member and strong supporter of physics and astronomy research at the University of Dallas, this award is given to a student majoring in physics who has completed an outstanding undergraduate research thesis in physics or astronomy.
Mary Fox
Thesis: AC and DC amplifiers for in vivo electroretinogram detection in fruitfly, Drosophila Melanogaster Supervisors and Collaborators: Dr. Moldenhauer (UD), Dr. Stenesen (UD), Mr. Sweeney (UD) Research Experiences: Summer 2019-UD Biophysics, AC DC amplifiers for small voltage signals,Fall 2019 Texas Section of American Physical Society top undergraduate presentation for her thesis Post-graduation plans: looking for an industry job, or biophysics, medical physics research labs.
UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS - POLITICS
Willmoore Kendall Award Professor Kendall was chairman of the Politics and Economics Department from 1963 until his death in 1967. He was a vigorous and influential participant in the debates that shaped contemporary politics. This award is only given to a student whose overall performance in the major the department considers so outstanding as to merit special recognition.
Noah Lombardozzi
Noah is a Politics major and served as the Politics tutor this past year. He has worked very hard to complete his degree in only three years. Noah will attend Baylor Law School this fall.
UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS - POLITICS
Honors on the Senior Comprehensive Examination Awarded to those seniors who excelled on every portion, both written and oral, of the Politics comprehensive examination. The student’s name will be engraved on the plaque that hangs in the Department, encouraging generations of successors to strive for excellence.
Kathleen White
Kathleen is a Politics major with a German concentration. Among her many on-campus activities, Kathleen has worked as a German tutor, interned with the Goethe Institute, and participated in the German Club and the Crusaders for Life. Following graduation, Kathleen hopes to work in Dallas or Washington, D.C.
UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS - PSYCHOLOGY
Honors on the Senior Comprehensive Examination Father Adrian Van Kaam was a Catholic priest who became one of the founding fathers of the existential phenomenological movement in psychology. This award is presented to a senior psychology major in recognition of outstanding academic achievement and service to the department and the broader community.
Ajla Pervan
We are delighted to award this year’s Van Kaam medal to Ajla Pervan. A native of Bosnia, Ajla is a top-flight student in every regard, earning the highest grades among her psychology peers, gaining the respect of the psychology faculty through her thoughtful, mature, and global perspectives on psychological theory, and engaging the research process throughout her tenure at UD. She completed an exemplary Senior Thesis which examined the process of worldview transformations and identity shifts. She has been involved in the UD Science Journal for several years, and her involvement in research regarding psychological attitudes toward death was recently accepted for presentation at the annual meeting of the Southwestern Psychological Association.
UNIVERSITY OF DALLAS - THEOLOGY
Fr. David Balás Award The department of theology acknowledges an outstanding senior in the major with an award named after Fr. David Balas, a Cistercian who taught at UD from 1959 until he retired in 2010, and who exemplified the highest ideals of a life committed to theological learning and teaching.
Sophia Forget
This year’s Fr. David Balás Award recipient has a quiet and humble demeanor, but is not afraid to ask thoughtful and incisive questions in class or offer her well-reasoned theological opinion. She wrote an extraordinary senior thesis and passed her oral and written comprehensive examinations with distinction (one of only two this year). Those who served on her oral comps panel described her performance as “stellar,” “brilliant,” and “a joy to behold.” One of her professors remarked: “Her enthusiasm for theology matches her intelligence, and she is one of the best ambassadors for our program that I’ve encountered in my time here.” In addition to her high academic achievements, she has helped cultivate theological excellence on campus by serving as an officer of the Aspiring Theologians Society. She has truly lived up to her sapiential name. Sophia will receive a copy of Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger’s Principles of Catholic Theology—in commemoration of this award and her excellent thesis pertaining to the theology of Pope Benedict XVI. We wish her all the best as she pursues graduates studies in theology!
Congratulations Class of 2020
Thank you We would like to acknowledge those that helped us with this presentation. Members of the Senior Committee Provost Office Dean's Office Academic Departments & Career DevelopmentÂ