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| Some of the award recipients display their leadership awards with Dr. Vicky Triponey, Vice President for Student Affairs (front row, far right). |
By Andy Elder, Student Affairs Writer
Leadership is often something easier defined than recognized. And on a campus with more than 40,000 students, leadership in many forms can easily blend in to the daily hustle and bustle of campus life.
But some leadership efforts deserve to be singled out and held up as an example to follow. The Division of Student Affairs is acutely aware of that notion.
To spotlight those student leaders who stand out, Student Affairs held its inaugural "Above and Beyond: A Celebration and Recognition of Student Leadership" on April 9 at the Worship Hall of the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center.
"This university is, indeed, a better place because of the leadership and full engagement of today's honorees," said Dr. Vicky L. Triponey, Vice President for Student Affairs. "We are extremely appreciative of their willingness to contribute their time and talents and unwavering commitment in service to our university community."
After a welcome by Triponey and opening remarks by Penn State President Dr. Graham Spanier, the program's focus turned to recognizing students with a variety of awards.
Dr. Triponey started by recognizing the Cabinet of Student Leaders. They include:
- LaCosta Aumiller, Adult Learners at Penn State
- Brian Bertges, Interfraternity Council
- Travis Burke, Association of Residence Hall Students
- Tara Burnham, Overall Chairperson for Homecoming
- Christy Cheung, Multicultural Greek Council
- Bridget Daly, Council of Commonwealth Student Government
- Galen Foulke, Undergraduate Student Government
- Raya Guruswamy, International Student Council
- Meredith Levine, CERA Student Advisory Board
- Christy Merchant, Allies
- Jennifer Moreno, Latino Caucus
- Seth Moser, THON
- Tom Truong, University Park Allocation Committee
Gail Hurley, Assistant Vice President for Housing, Food Services, and Residence Life then took center stage to present leadership awards.
"President Kennedy once said, 'Leadership and learning are indispensable to one another' and there is no place where it is clearer than at Penn State," Hurley said.
What follows is a list of the leadership awards, the honorees for each award and a brief description of what the awards represent:
Charlotte E. Ray Scholarship
Andrew Hackett
The award is for outstanding students who are members of the Archousai Chapter of Mortar Board of Penn State. Students have demonstrated scholarship, leadership and service to Mortar Board, Penn State and the community.
Craig Millar Award
Annalena Ewing and Stutee Khandelwal
The award honors the outstanding achievement of a Penn State senior who holds a leadership position in a group or club and has attained a minimum 3.3 grade point average.
The Fred Fotis Endowed Scholarship
Meesha Ahuja, Annie Chang, Michael Helbing and Katherine Shelley
The Award recognizes outstanding undergraduate students who have achieved academic success and contributed positively to the community by demonstrating exemplary leadership in the residence hall setting.
Gayle Beyers Pahnellenic Scholarship
Alexandra Bindus, Colleen Briley, Lindsey Connell, Lauren Lukens, Meagan Paulson
The award recognizes outstanding women students enrolled or planning to enroll in the University.
Helen Eakin Eisenhower Memorial Scholarship
Joy Ford, Doris Golebiewski and Ashley Marzzacco
The award recognizes outstanding students who are members of the Archousai Chapter of Mortar Board. Eligible students have demonstrated scholarship, leadership and service to Mortar Board, Penn State and community.
Penn State - USA TODAY Student Leadership Award
Daniel Barber, Greg Heleniak, Ellyn Rice and Keyur Shah
The award honors and recognizes undergraduate students who have achieved superior academic records or show promise of outstanding academic success and who also show leadership and services through involvement in student activities.
Rick Funk Leadership Award
Holly Hantz
The award honors and recognizes outstanding achievement by an undergraduate student who is enrolled in Penn State in at least their sixth semester and who has shown extraordinary commitment to the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon.
William W. Asbury Capstone Award
Andrea New
The award honors University Park students who have made valuable contributions in the area of service and volunteerism to the Penn State community.
Hurley yielded the stage to Dr. Philip Burlingame, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs, who presented the student citizenship awards.
"Each year, Penn State becomes a more caring and cohesive community thanks to the selfless contributions of time and talents of our students. Today, we are pleased to honor the following students for their dedication to their fellow students, their campus and their community and thank them for being role models of citizenship for all of us," Burlingame said.
Charles and Sharon Bell Scholarship for Citizenship and Leadership
Michael Everett, Michael Hines, and Mark Wicoff
The award provides recognition to undergraduate students enrolled or planning to enroll at The Pennsylvania State University.
Eclipse Award (Commonwealth Campus)
Dana Duncan
The award recognizes Commonwealth Campus students who provide valuable contributions in the area of service and volunteerism to the Penn State community and its surrounding areas.
Eclipse Award (University Park)
Nicole VanVoorhis
The award recognizes University Park students who provide valuable contributions in the area of service and volunteerism to the Penn State community and its surrounding areas.
Jane Wood Reno Memorial Scholarship
Kim Levengood and Amanda Sabec
The award provides recognition and financial assistance to outstanding undergraduate students enrolled or planning to enroll at Penn State who provide services to the community and/or who hold a leadership position in any student group.
Laurel Award for Outstanding Service
Jennifer Regester
The award recognizes a University Park student who has made valuable contributions in the area of service and volunteerism to the community and its surrounding areas.
Partisan Award
Sara Miller
The award recognizes a University Park student who has made valuable contributions in the area of service and volunteerism to the community and its surrounding areas.
Rose Cologne Keystone Citizen Award (Commonwealth Campus)
Jennifer Searcy
The award recognizes a Commonwealth Campus student who has made valuable contributions in the area of service and volunteerism to the community and its surrounding areas.
Rose Cologne Keystone Citizen Award (University Park)
Paul Hostetter and Amanda Sabec
The award recognizes a University Park student who has made valuable contributions in the area of service and volunteerism to the community and its surrounding areas.
Burlingame then turned the microphone over to Joe Puzycki, Interim Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs to present the Advocacy Student Awards.
"Penn State is proud of the rich array of perspectives, cultures and traditions that our students bring onto campus, and we continue to be thankful of the students who educate and advocate for diversity in their classrooms, residence halls, organizations and activities," Puzycki said.
Barry H. Marshal Scholarship
Josh Brimmeier, Benjamin Holsinger, and Joseph Zagame
The award recognizes outstanding undergraduate students who advocate for or contribute to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community.
Jabir Shibley Memorial Scholarship
Thomas Sperlich
The award recognizes undergraduate students who have recorded their intention to pursue careers in the ministry.
Lambda Alumni Outstanding Student Award
Juan Contreras, Misty Doane and Christine Merchant
The award honors and recognizes contributions to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community.
Paul Robeson Award
Black Graduate Student Association
A tribute to the legacy of Paul Robeson, the award recognizes a student organization that is actively engaged in promoting programs, activities and service that supports a climate of racial harmony, cultural diversity and social justice.
William W. Asbury Award for Student Organization Leadership
Tahiirah Allen, Amy Anderson, Lisa Beckman, Brian Bertges, Tiffany Bogich, Tara Burnham, Jacqueline Kromer, Jennifer Searcy, Kimbery Snyder, Deepti Soni and Anna Zusinas
The award recognizes student organization leaders who have excelled in one or more of the following: dedication to community service, educational endeavors, promotion of diversity, responsible citizenship, creative programming.
Dr. Triponey then introduced Edgar Snyder, Penn State alum, sponsor of LateNight Penn State, and sponsor of the prestigious Nittany's Pride: The Journey Back award.
Nittany's Pride: The Journey Back
Kristen Fortney
The award recognizes a Penn State University Park graduate who was an outstanding student and has a success story tied to their career. Recipients must also have exhibited leadership and service as a role model in their communities. This award recipient would return to University Park to be recognized and to inspire through lectures, open forums or small group discussions.
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