Looking Back on a Special Moment in 2025: Athletic Hall of Fame Induction
As the holiday season invites reflection and gratitude, we are taking a moment to look back on some of the meaningful milestones that shaped 2025 at Roberts Wesleyan University. One such highlight was the Athletic Hall of Fame induction ceremony held this past April, a memorable evening that celebrated excellence, faithfulness, and a deep love for the Roberts community.
The ceremony took place during The Reggies, Roberts Athletics’ annual awards celebration, where student-athletes, alumni, coaches, and families gathered to honor both present achievements and lasting legacies. This year’s Athletic Hall of Fame inductees, Kendra Zaffuto and Susan “Aunt Sue” Harkins, represent two remarkable expressions of what it means to be a Redhawk.
Kendra Zaffuto poses holding her award surrounded by family and friends
Kendra Zaffuto: A legacy of excellence on the track and in the classroom
Kendra Zaffuto ’12, ’14 (Childhood and Special Education; Master of Education) was recognized for a collegiate career defined by both athletic distinction and academic excellence. Competing in cross country and track and field, Kendra earned NAIA and NCCAA All-American honors, standing out as a student-athlete who excelled on the track, on the trails, and in the classroom.
Among her many accomplishments, Kendra placed eighth in the 1,000-meter run at the 2012 NAIA National Championships, breaking her own program record with a time of 2:57.34. She was also a member of the 4x800 relay team that shattered the school record, finishing in 9:42.86. Her senior season culminated in a historic milestone when she became Roberts Wesleyan University’s first Capital One Academic All-America® College Division First Team selection for women’s cross country and track and field, and she was named Senior Female Athlete of the Year.
“Roberts has been a part of my life for my entire life”
Kendra’s connection to Roberts runs deep. She recalls childhood memories of toddling around the cinder track, learning to swim in the pool, and attending community events on campus. As a student, she balanced competition with service, working in multiple campus roles, participating in the Student Education Association, and continuing a family legacy that includes parents, a sister, and even a father who once played soccer for Roberts.
Kendra Zaffuto accepts her award from Dr. and Mrs. Hayles
Today, Kendra continues to invest in student growth as a reading teacher, soccer coach, and track and field coach, living out the same commitment to education and mentorship that defined her time at Roberts.
Aunt Sue poses holding her award with her daughter and Dr. and Mrs. Hayles
Susan "Aunt Sue" Harkins: A Lifetime of Love for Roberts Athletics
The induction of Susan “Aunt Sue” Harkins ’68 (English) honored a legacy built not through competition, but through six decades of faithful presence, generosity, and care. A devoted supporter of Roberts Athletics for more than 60 years, Sue first engaged as a student through intramurals and cheering from the stands. Over time, her role grew into something far more personal.
Known affectionately as “Aunt Sue” since 2000, she has offered emotional, spiritual, and financial support to countless student-athletes and coaches, baking birthday cakes, sending cards, hosting team dinners, and even opening her home to students in times of need. Along with her late husband, Glenn, Sue embodied hospitality and compassion, creating a sense of family that extended well beyond campus.
Aunt Sue with Director of Athletics, Bob Segave and Dr. and Mrs. Hayles
Her generosity lives on through the “Aunt Sue” Harkins Women’s Basketball Scholarship, which has blessed numerous student-athletes and reflects her unwavering belief in the power of encouragement and opportunity.
The April ceremony included a Hall of Fame reception at the Voller Athletic Center, a guided tour of the Hall of Fame, and a formal awards program in Hale Auditorium, bringing together generations of Redhawks to celebrate stories of excellence and service.
As we look back on that evening now, months later, we are reminded that the true measure of athletics at Roberts is not found only in records or awards, but in the lives shaped, the relationships formed, and the faith lived out through sport.
Congratulations again to Kendra Zaffuto ’12, ’14 and Susan “Aunt Sue” Harkins ’68. Your legacies continue to inspire the Roberts community—past, present, and future.
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About the author
Roberts Wesleyan University
As a community of learners committed to historic Christianity, Roberts Wesleyan University seeks to prepare thoughtful, spiritually mature, service-oriented people who will help transform society.
We are a private Christian university in Rochester, New York, offering over 80 undergraduate and graduate programs.
As the only NCAA Division II institution in the region and member of the East Coast Conference, Roberts is committed to academic excellence, spiritual formation, and competitive athletics.