Fayette

Penn State Fayette honors employees at annual event

Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

The Advisory Board of Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus, recently recognized outstanding achievement and service among campus faculty and staff at a special awards banquet. The University also honored this year’s retirees at the “Celebrate the Season” retirement/recognition holiday party, which was held Dec. 5 at the Uniontown Holiday Inn.

Attending for his first time was newly appointed Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer Charles Patrick, who noted, “We are proud of the staff and faculty honorees receiving Excellence Awards at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus. These individuals exemplify the high standards of the Penn State community. I feel very fortunate to be working with such dedicated colleagues, especially with most of their efforts focused on student success.”

Patrick presented staff and faculty members with the following 2014 Excellence Awards:

  • The Scholarly Excellence Award was presented to Bohdan Schatschneider, assistant professor of chemistry for his outstanding academic achievements. Schatschneider published 10 papers and was awarded a $320,000 grant from the National Science Foundation.
  • The Teaching Excellence Award was presented to William Gardner, instructor in business administration, for exploring new ways to engage students in their academic and professional pursuits. He brings employers and community organizations to Fayette campus for students to learn about jobs and internships.
  • The Continuing Education Teaching Excellence Award was presented to Jan Merlino for his dedicated service to students. Merlino takes pride in the success of each of his students and works hard to provide them with the opportunity to succeed.
  • The Adjunct Teaching Excellence Award was presented to Mary Budinsky, lecturer in English, for demonstrating flexibility and expertise as well as an eagerness to assist her students and the campus.
  • The Administrative Excellence Award was presented to Rick Van Buren, student aid coordinator, for his dedication to service, commitment to excellence and professional manner. Each year, Van Buren is instrumental in awarding more than half a million dollars in campus awards and scholarships.
  • The Ellen M. Laun Advising Excellence Award was presented to William Gardner, instructor in business administration and the business program coordinator, for outstanding student advising, in particular for developing and offering “orientation-styled” advising sessions.
  • The Support Services Excellence Award was presented to Joseph Friend, IT support specialist, for providing high-quality, professional and compassionate service to faculty, staff and students.
  • The Barbara B. Solesky Staff Assistant Service Excellence Award was presented to Janet Kowalczyk, administrative support assistant in the development office, for her calming persona and her gracious and professional demeanor.

In addition to the presentation of the Excellence Awards, the following individuals received certificates measuring milestones in their service to the campus:

  • Five years—Garret Daley, Collette Ridgeway, Bohdan Schatschneider, Lindsey Simon-Jones and Rick Van Buren
  • 10 Years —Frederick Botti, Vincent Gall, JoAnn Jankoski, Apryl Kadish, Sherry Scully and Billie Jo Yuhaniak
  • 15 Years—Michelle Henrish, Nicole Hill, Kevin Maxwell, John Rapano and John Riddle
  • 20 Years—Melissa Miner, Janet Ritenour and Jerrold Hoeg
  • 25 Years—Lynn Petko
  • 35 Years—Dave Meredith

Also honored at the awards banquet were this year’s retirees: Richard Ball, Joyce Barnhart, Germaine Fotta, Evelyn Pluhar-Adams and Prem Sattsangi.

Last Updated December 19, 2014