Academics

Students and faculty honored for achievements at Penn State Hazleton

HAZLETON, Pa. — Penn State Hazleton’s Academic Achievement Awards ceremony honored 200 students for high scholastic achievement on Thursday, May 5. Faculty members were also recognized for excellence in teaching, advising, research and technology integration.

Chancellor Gary M. Lawler and Director of Academic Affairs Elizabeth J. Wright presented the awards during the ceremony in the Dr. Thomas M. Caccese Gymnasium. Gina Monks, instructor in mathematics, Math Dimension coordinator and president of the Penn State Hazleton Faculty Senate, served as faculty marshal.

The following awards were presented to students at the ceremony:

Campus Honors Program: The honors medal is presented to currently enrolled honors students who have met the requirements of the Penn State Hazleton Honors Program, which include grade-point average requirements and the completion of honors coursework each semester. Students are invited to join the program based on demonstrated academic achievement and potential for growth. They enroll in specially designed honors courses, complete honors independent studies projects, and have an opportunity to take part in enrichment activities.

This year’s recipients were Nicholas L. Brandtmeier, Drums; Thomas P. Bruno, Hazleton; James Dalessandro, Freeland; Armani O. Edgar, Bronx, New York; Dylan W. Everhart, Bloomsburg; Bryan S. Hardy, Pocono Pines; Jessica A. Horlacher, Hazleton; Kayla M. Middleton, Bronx, New York; Hari Patel, Mountain Top; Thomas J. Rushton, Mountain Top; Robert P. Vitagliano, Hazle Township; Kristian L. Wendel, Westfield, New Jersey; and Arabelle N. Williams, White Haven.

Eric A. and Josephine S. Walker Award: This award recognizes students from Penn State Commonwealth campuses whose outstanding qualities of character, scholarship, leadership and citizenship have been directed into programs and services that have positively influenced fellow students and have contributed to the prestige and well-being of their campus and hence, to the reputation of the University as a whole. This year’s honoree was Paul M. DiBenedetto, Saint James, New York.

The President’s Freshman Award: This award is presented annually to undergraduate degree candidates and provisional students who have earned a 4.00 (A) cumulative grade-point average based on at least 12 graded Penn State credits. Candidates are eligible for this award if they have not exceeded 35 total credits earned. This award was established during the tenure of University President Eric A. Walker (1956-1970).

Recipients included Bridget M. Baksa, Hazleton; Matthew Balas, Freeland; Jesselyn Fernandez, Hazleton; Nathan C. Johnston, Ephrata; Christian Nonnemacher, Hazleton; Regan Plaza, West Hazleton; Casey K. Ray, Drums; Hendrik D. Scheepers, Marshalls Creek; Marcus D. Schmerfeld, Barnesville; Anthony P. Sidari, Hazle Township; Zachary J. Stefanick, Drums; Shaylee Traugh, Berwick; Alexander J. Vary, Canadensis; Kayla R. Wirth, Bethlehem; and Taylor K. Young, Lewisburg.

President Sparks Award: This award is presented annually to those undergraduate degree candidates who have earned a 4.00 (A) cumulative grade-point average based on at least 36 graded Penn State credits. Candidates are eligible for this award if they have not exceeded 59 total credits earned. The award is named for Edwin Earle Sparks, university president (1908-1920). Earning the award this year were Steven M. Baksa, Hazleton; James Fisher, Frackville; Maria Magabo, Hazleton; Paige Steigerwalt, Lehighton; and Robert P. Vitagliano, Hazle Township.

Evan Pugh Scholar Award: This award is named for Evan Pugh, Penn State’s first president (1859-1864). The Evan Pugh scholars are those juniors and seniors who are in the upper 0.5 percent of their respective classes and have completed at least 48 graded Penn State credits at the end of the fall semester of the academic year the award is given. Candidates are eligible if they have been full-time undergraduate students for at least four semesters prior to selection. This year’s winners were Thomas P. Bruno, Hazleton; Jessica A. Horlacher, Hazleton; and Katharine E. Ray, White Haven.

Scholar’s Lion Award: This award is presented to currently enrolled Penn State Hazleton full-time degree students who have earned the highest grade-point average (minimum 3.8) in their college and have completed at least 45 Penn State credits by the end of the fall semester of the academic year the award is given.

Colleges and recipients were: Agricultural Sciences: Michael M. Grega, Weatherly; Capital: Thomas P. Bruno, Hazleton; Business Administration: Paige Steigerwalt, Lehighton; Division of Undergraduate Studies: Garrett W. Steinmetz, Stewartsville, New Jersey; Engineering: Maria Magabo, Hazleton; Health and Human Development: Victoria A. Hendershot, Nazareth; Information Sciences and Technology: Thomas J. Rushton, Mountain Top; and Liberal Arts: James Fisher, Frackville.

Campus associate degree program: This award is presented to currently enrolled Penn State Hazleton full-time or part-time degree students who have earned the highest grade-point average (minimum 3.8) in their program and have completed at least 40 Penn State credits by the end of the fall semester of the academic year the award is given. In the Physical Therapist Assistant program, the recipient was Miranda E. Edler, Jersey Shore.

Campus baccalaureate degree program: This award is presented to currently enrolled Penn State Hazleton full-time or part-time degree students who have earned the highest grade-point average (minimum 3.8) in their program and have completed at least 104 Penn State credits by the end of the fall semester of the academic year the award is given. This year’s recipient was Jessica A. Horlacher, Hazleton.

Academic Achievement Award: This award is presented to currently enrolled Penn State Hazleton full-time or part-time students who have earned a cumulative grade-point average of 3.7 or higher by the end of the fall semester of the academic year the award is given.

Students earning this award included Andrew P. Adams, Clifford Township; Ivette Amancio, Hazleton; Jennyfer Amancio, Hazleton; Matthew R. Antanavage, Frackville; Bryanna M. Ator, Hazleton; Bridget M. Baksa, Hazleton; Steven M. Baksa, Hazleton; Matthew Balas, Freeland; Hunter C. Baran, West Hazleton; Glenn J. Barwicki, Kulpmont; Bernardo J. Becerra, Hazle Township; Paige M. Bettis, Ringtown; Rachel Betz, Berwick; Lauren Blakeslee, Conyngham; Glenn Blessington, Lords Valley; Moises Brens, Hazleton; Cory W. Brogan, McAdoo; Thomas P. Bruno, Hazleton; Keith M. Campbell, Hazleton; Alexander M. Carpenter, Stroudsburg; Jared J. Carrelli, Conyngham; Carla B. Cohen, Drums; Daramarie J. Conte, Albrightsville; Chad M. Crispell, Luzerne; Joseph Cuono, Mountain Top; James Dalessandro, Freeland; Lauren A. Degler, Fleetwood; Haley R. Deorio, Fairfield, Connecticut; Giovanni L. Diblasi, Hazle Township; Veronica R. Diblasi, Hazle Township; Tahiry Dominguez, Hazleton; Myles Douglin, Brooklyn, New York; Trevor Durako, Drums; Armani O. Edgar, Bronx, New York; Miranda E. Edler, Jersey Shore; Marc A. Edun, Tobyhanna; Dylan J. Eilenberger, Stroudsburg; Clarence W. Evans, Manalapan, New Jersey; Richard E. Facyson, East Stroudsburg; Kelly Farrell, Freeland; Jessie W. Faust, Northumberland; Kassandra A. Ferdinand, Mountain Top; Jesselyn Fernandez, Hazleton; Cruz A. Finnicum, Drums; James Fisher, Frackville; Samantha J. Flohr, New Windsor, Maryland; Jonathan R. Fogarty, Hazleton; Gabrielle Freed, Tamaqua; Lilibeth Fuentes, Drums; Laurel E. Funk, Hazleton; Rosa-Blanca Garcia, Whitestone, New York; Dominique M. Gennaro, Lords Valley; Jenna N. Gombeda, Hazle Township; Tyler Gonnella, Highlands, New Jersey; Michael M. Grega, Weatherly; Jack Gross, Danville; Bryan S. Hardy, Pocono Pines; Rachel S. Harner, Paxinos; Troy R. Hartman, Mahanoy City; Megan E. Hayes, Pottsville; Victoria A. Hendershot, Nazareth; Samantha L. Hilsher, Williamsport; Jessica A. Horlacher, Hazleton; Michael A. Horn, Effort; Edva Hoxhallari, Hazleton; Shahan Hussain, Bangladesh; Alyssa A. Hyduk, Drums; Melissa C. Iman, Zionsville; Nathan C. Johnston, Ephrata; Aaron B. Kacyon, Fern Glen; Shane L. Kitzmiller, Wapwallopen; Samantha L. Koch, Tamaqua; David B. Krane, Zion Grove; Gabrielle M. Leshko, Hazle Township; Amanda Liebermann, Succasunna, New Jersey; Donald Lombardo, Drums; Marvin Machado, Berwick; Garrett R. Madison, Canadensis; Maria Magabo, Hazleton; Kelly S. Maloney, Freeland; Megan T. Marcinkus, Hazle Township; Zachary T. Markle, Hazleton; Dury J. Martin, Sugarloaf; Joseph Marushin, Sugarloaf; Jamie L. Mateyak, Tamaqua; Virginia Mazack, Ashland; Jhonel Mejia, Hazleton; Matthew R. Michelin, Hazleton; Kayla M. Middleton, Bronx, New York; Joshua R. Miller, Weatherly; Ty C. Morzilla, Berwick; Gabrielle A. Nabholz, Pottsville; Arjan S. Nahal, Drums; Christian Nonnemacher, Hazleton; Mauro J. Notaro, McAdoo; Michael D. Novosel; Mountain Top; Austin B. Pataki, Hazleton; Hari Patel, Mountain Top; Miten J. Patel, Mountain Top; Tapaswi J. Patel, Mountain Top; Lenora L. Paulukonis, Mahanoy City; Angel M. Pena, Bronx, New York; Regan Plaza, West Hazleton; Yessica Polanco, Hazleton; Casey K. Ray, Drums; Katharine E. Ray, White Haven; Ronald J. Reedy, Williamstown; Luke A. Reiner, Weatherly; Miranda J. Rish, Freeland; Franchesca Rodriguez, Hazleton; Dana A. Rooney, Moscow; Anais G. Rosario, Washingtonville, New York; Brian M. Rothrock, Lewistown; Elle Rowe, New Albany; Thomas J. Rushton, Mountain Top; Aisa M. Sam, Nigeria; Philip J. Saveri, Nazareth; Hendrik D. Scheepers, Marshalls Creek; Summer L. Schley, Valley View; Marcus D. Schmerfeld, Barnesville; Alison P. Seier, Drums; Gage T. Shaffer, Sugarloaf; Sara M. Shane, Lattimer; Anthony P. Sidari, Hazle Township; Sofia Skuba, Sugarloaf; Rebecca L. Slusser, Berwick; Jasmin A. Smith, Woodbury, New Jersey; Christopher J. Snyder, Sugarloaf; Lilly S. Snyder, Jim Thorpe; Robert Snyder, Bloomsburg; Alexei P. Snytkine, Delaware Water Gap; Ryan T. Sod, Plains; Aleigha C. Sokolowski, Drums; Sara Stauffer, Mifflinburg; Zachary J. Stefanick, Drums; Paige Steigerwalt, Lehighton; Garrett W. Steinmetz, Stewartsville, New Jersey; Anthony G. Stianchie, Summit Hill; Melissa N. Szmurlo, White Haven; Emelee C. Toth, Mary D; Shaylee Traugh, Berwick; Joshua M. Tulanowski, Drums; Alexander J. Vary, Canadensis; Amanda Viechec, Lattimer; Robert P. Vitagliano, Hazle Township; Michael J. Weaver, Lewistown; Kristian L. Wendel, Westfield, New Jersey; Kayla R. Wirth, Bethlehem; Jessenia K. Wright, Brooklyn, New York; John Yakubik, Wilburton; and Taylor K. Young, Lewisburg.

M. Leonard Shaevel Award: This award is presented in memory of M. Leonard Shaevel, who taught physics at Penn State Hazleton from 1967 until his death in 1982. It consists of a cash award and is given to a student with a high grade-point average enrolled in science who best exemplifies the educational values of Professor Shaevel. These values include, but are not limited to, a strong work ethic, persistence, and a commitment to science and scientific inquiry. The winner of this year’s award was Anthony P. Sidari, Hazle Township.

Lifetime Learning Award: This award is presented to a student whose persistence and dedication to lifelong learning is evidenced by a continued commitment to academic coursework at Penn State. Kelly Farrell, Freeland, was the recipient.

 

Faculty Awards

Members of the Penn State Hazleton were also recognized for excellence with the following awards:

Outstanding Teaching Award for Part-time Faculty and Staff: This award recognizes part-time Penn State Hazleton faculty and staff who have demonstrated continued instructional excellence. All staff and part-time faculty who have taught credit courses for a minimum of six semesters at the Hazleton campus and who have not previously received this award are eligible. Candidates may be nominated by students, faculty, administrators, staff, parents and friends of the campus. The award consists of an inscribed plaque and a stipend. This year’s recipient was Ryan Boris, instructor in chemistry.

Penn State Hazleton Faculty Scholar Award: This award honors a Penn State Hazleton faculty member who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in research, scholarship, or creative accomplishment. All full-time faculty are eligible for the award. The award consists of a suitably inscribed plaque and a stipend. This year’s honoree was Semyon Litvinov, associate professor of mathematics.

Penn State Hazleton Council Teaching Excellence Award: This award recognizes and celebrates outstanding teaching. It was established in 1994 by the Penn State Hazleton Council, the campus advisory board. Candidates for this award may be nominated by students, faculty, staff and friends of the campus. The award consists of a suitably inscribed plaque and a stipend. This year’s award was presented to Gina Monks, instructor in mathematics.

George T. Bobby Advising Award: This award is a tribute to Professor George T. Bobby, who taught exercise and sports science at Penn State Hazleton from 1967 until his death in 1989. Professor Bobby is remembered as a conscientious adviser. The award, consisting of a suitably inscribed plaque and a stipend, is given annually to a faculty member whose commitment to academic advising is in keeping with the high standards maintained by Bobby. The award was given to Lorie Kramer, instructor in Rehabilitation and Human Services.

Charles T. Butler Technology and Teaching Award: This award recognizes faculty members who have demonstrated outstanding application and innovation in the use of computer technology in the classroom. In selecting an award recipient, the committee considers creativity and originality of the project and whether it has had a positive impact on students. The award consists of a suitably inscribed plaque and a stipend. This year’s honoree was Justin Nordstrom, associate professor of history.

Student Government Association Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year: This award recognizes outstanding teaching at Penn State Hazleton. Nominations for this award must come from students. The students then vote to choose the recipient. Associate Professor of History Justin Nordstrom was this year’s winner.

Additional photos are available on the Penn State Hazleton Facebook page.

Last Updated June 13, 2016