University Park, Pa. -- Each year, the University recognizes students for the highest levels of academic excellence, outstanding leadership and meritorious service. This year's Student Awards Ceremony luncheon was held Sunday, April 25, at 2 p.m. at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel. The following is a list of students who were honored at the ceremony.
NGOMANE RECEIVES INTERNATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Tsakani Ngomane of State College was selected to receive Penn State's 2004 W. LaMarr Kopp International Achievement Award. The award annually recognizes one graduate student who has contributed significantly to the advancement of the international mission of the University. Named for the retired deputy vice president for international programs at Penn State, the award's designation of achievement includes, but is not limited to, the display of excellence in: teaching and research with a significant international component; participation in international programs and/or field projects; and service to the international community.
For the full story, visit http://www.live.psu.edu/story/6610
KNECHT RECEIVES KOPP UNDERGRAD AWARD
Sean Knecht, a Penn State senior originally from Orwigsburg, Pa., has been selected to receive the 2004 W. LaMarr Kopp International Achievement Award for Undergraduate Students. This annual award recognizes undergraduate students who significantly contribute to the advancement of the University's international mission. It is named for the retired deputy vice president for international programs. The award's designation of achievement includes, but is not limited to, the display of excellence in: an academic course of study and/or research with a significant international component; leadership in improving relations among people from different regions of the world; participation in international programs and/or field projects; and service to the international community.
For the full story, visit http://www.live.psu.edu/story/6611
FUTCHER, KEITHLEY RECEIVE MCCOY MEMORIAL AWARD
Two seniors, Kathleen Futcher and Clint Keithley, received the Ernest B. McCoy Memorial Award. The award is presented to a senior man and woman who successfully combine athletic participation with academic excellence. It is named for a past dean of the former College of Physical Education who was also once Penn State's athletic director.
For the full story, visit http://www.live.psu.edu/story/6614
BAUMGARDNER RECEIVES OUTSTANDING ADULT STUDENT AWARD
John D. Baumgardner of Lewistown, Pa., received the 2004 Outstanding Adult Student Award. This award recognizes an undergraduate student at the University Park campus who has begun or resumed study after the age of 21 and who demonstrates initiative, tenacity and flexibility in overcoming obstacles to furthering his or her education; who serves as a role model for other adult students by sensitizing the institution to the needs of adult students and by becoming established as a leader in the peer group; who achieves academic excellence; and whose goals reflect the values and ideals of higher education.
For the full story, visit http://www.live.psu.edu/story/6626
FIVE PENN STATE SENIORS RECEIVE OSWALD AWARDS
Five seniors have been honored with the John W. Oswald Award for outstanding leadership: Dana Cuomo of Robbinsville, N.J.; Andrew Lavenberg of Fort Washington; Brian Mabry of Orchard Park, N.Y; Jill Pakulski of Natrona Heights; and Lauren Piera of Erie. The Oswald Award is named for Penn State's 13th president (1970 to 1983), and awarded to graduating seniors who have provided outstanding leadership in at least one of several activities at the University.
For the full story, visit http://www.live.psu.edu/story/6621
GRADUATE STUDENTS RECOGNIZED FOR OUTSTANDING TEACHING
Penn State has presented 10 students with Graduate Assistant Outstanding Teaching Awards during the annual Student Awards Ceremony: Ilenia Colón Mendoza, a Ph.D. candidate in art history from Puerto Rico; Eric Cummings, a Ph.D. candidate in education theory and policy from State College; Dennis Foster, a Ph.D. candidate in political science from State College; Sandra L. French, a Ph.D. candidate in communication arts and sciences from State College; James Nendel, a Ph.D. candidate in kinesiology from Boalsburg; Isabella Rodrigues, a Ph.D. candidate in biobehavioral health from Brazil; Matt Seigel, a master of fine arts candidate in English from Bellefonte; Matthew E. Szapacs, a Ph.D. candidate in chemistry from State College; Ilie Ugarcovici, a Ph.D. candidate in mathematics from State College; and Jessica C. Whitehead, a Ph.D. candidate in geography from Port Matilda.
The award, jointly sponsored by the Graduate School and the Office of the Vice Provost and Dean for Undergraduate Education, recognizes graduate student teaching assistants for superior instruction in the areas of physical science and engineering, life sciences, social and behavioral sciences, and the arts and humanities.
For the full story, visit http://www.live.psu.edu/story/6624
LIU RECEIVES GRADUATE SERVICE AWARD
Chin-Fang Liu, a doctoral candidate in nursing and native of Taiwan, has been honored with the Graduate Student Service Award. The award recognizes graduate students who combine academic achievement with leadership in University or other activities.
For the full story, visit http://www.live.psu.edu/story/6625
BARRON SELECTED TO RECEIVE TOLERANCE AWARD
Kim Barron of Bethlehem, Pa., was selected to receive Penn State's 2004 Jackson Lethbridge Tolerance Award. The award annually recognizes juniors, seniors, or graduate students for outstanding efforts to enhance the understanding of diverse cultures and create a community where all individuals are accepted and valued equally. It is named for its benefactor, a Penn State alumnus.
For the full story, visit http://www.live.psu.edu/story/6609
CRUZ, ZUCKERMAN RECEIVE RALPH DORN HETZEL AWARD
Alissa Cruz of State College and Molly Zuckerman of Greensburg, Pa., were both honored with the Ralph Dorn Hetzel Memorial Award. The award, named for Penn State's 10th president (1926-1947), recognizes a combination of high scholastic attainment together with good citizenship, participation and leadership in student activities.
For the full story, visit http://www.live.psu.edu/story/6623
MACAULAY RECEIVES ERIC A. WALKER AWARD
Christine MacAulay of Clarion, Pa., was honored with the Eric A. Walker Award. The award is presented annually to the student who has contributed most to enhancing the reputation of the University through extracurricular activities. Walker was president of the University from 1956 to 1970.
For the full story, visit http://www.live.psu.edu/story/6613
VANVOORHIS RECEIVES HOBBS STEEL EMERGING LEADER AWARD
Nicole J. VanVoorhis, an undergraduate student from Lagrangeville, N.Y., was honored with the first Mary Lee Hobbs Steel Emerging Leader Award. The new award recognizes a sophomore or junior student whose involvement demonstrates leadership, creativity and initiative in both on- and off-campus settings. The award was established by Penn State Trustee William A. Steel and is named in memory of his late wife.
For the full story, visit http://www.live.psu.edu/story/6622