Academics Focus is Strong at Annual Honors Ceremony
More than 80 students at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, were honored for their academic accomplishments at the college’s 45th Annual Honors and Awards Convocation ceremony on Sunday, April 23, in Erie Hall.
Faculty and staff members, including Chancellor Jack Burke, Senior Associate Dean Robert Light and Associate Dean David Christiansen, presented more than 80 awards to individual students, student organizations, and fellow faculty and staff in five primary categories: student life, athletics, academics, special service, and faculty and staff awards.
The featured speakers represented two of Penn State Behrend’s honor societies. Laura Stuart, president of Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Society, welcomed attendees to the ceremony, while Hilary Neal, president of Lambda Sigma Honor Society, gave closing remarks. The ceremony was followed with a reception in the Wintergarden for all winners.
The academic awards are listed alphabetically by recipient.
Corinne L. Baccanti: President’s Freshman Award
Leann M. Bartomioli: Outstanding Tutor Award, Writing
Danielle N. Brown: President Sparks Award
Joel M. Carr: Evan Pugh Scholar, Junior
Patrick J. Conklin: Division of Undergraduate Studies, Sophomore
John D. Crane: Undergraduate Student Research
Christopher T. Dine: Outstanding Tutor Award, Engineering
Geoffrey S. Dworakowski: Penn State Behrend Future Teacher Award
Jordan T. Gilmore: Evan Pugh Scholar, Junior
Rebecca T. Hart: President’s Freshman Award
Ashraf Khalifa: President’s Freshman Award
Alicia M. Klinvex: President Sparks Award
Louis J. Kobielski: President’s Freshman Award
Lauren A. Kremm: President’s Freshman Award
Daniel B. Kubacki: Evan Pugh Scholar, Junior
Allison B. Mudrey: Division of Undergraduate Studies, Sophomore
Brian M. Nypaver: The Behrend College Writing Awards, Engineering
Stephen R. Oyler: Outstanding Tutor Award, Other Subjects
Krista Pugliano: Evan Pugh Scholar, Junior
Nicholas M. Ross: Division of Undergraduate Studies, First-Year
Arthur G. Russakoff: President’s Freshman Award
Torrey R. Schmidt: President Sparks Award
Drew P. Seker: President’s Freshman Award
Joseph W. Shaffer: Outstanding Tutor Award, Mathematics
Heather L. Sopher: President’s Freshman Award
Jessica L. Storm: The Behrend College Writing Awards, First-Year
Joseph A. Synowka: Division of Undergraduate Studies, First-Year
Joshua L. Wilczynski: The Behrend College Writing Awards, Humanities
Xiaonan Zang: Evan Pugh Scholar, Senior
In addition, the Penn State Behrend Honors Program awarded 55 students who completed at least nine honors credits while maintaining a minimum 3.2 grade-point average each semester through their sophomore year. Recipients include: Jason D. Agajanian, Julia D. Andrus, Sean V. Benim, Melanie M. Blais, Stephanie L. Burbules, Patrick J. Conklin, Christopher W. Creveling, Amy L. Dine, Dustin P. Fairchild, Geoffrey G. Geisel, Jory J. Giger, Huseyin Gitmez, Megan M. Hammers, Kara I. Hesch, Richard L. Holzworth, Evan J. Hoovler, Jon M. Hull, Katie L. Kelecseny, Julie K. Kosin, Andrew J. Lloyd, Kristen A. Lord, Sara A. Lucas, Kimberly A. McCray, Sabina Medilovic, James B. Morosky, Allison B. Mudrey, Hilary A. Neal, Daryl J. Nowacki, Christine L. Palchak, Jodi M. Rae, Katherine E. Redington, Grant P. Reschenthaler, Adam D. Rhodes, Natalie C. Romano, Torrey R. Schmidt, Israel T. Schultz, Erika L. Segear, Joseph L. Sepich, Joseph W. Shaffer, Cleon A. Smith, Leisl M. Soergel, Angela J. Speck, Jesse M. Stimpson, Meredith R. Straub, Kirstin R. Strobel, Monika Tobiszewska, Rocco P. Viggiano, Michael J. Vollmer, Andrew E. Walker, Zachary D. Walko, John D. Watkins, Jessie J. Westrick, Kyle R. White, Rachael J. Zelina and Alyssa K. Zimmerman.