UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Smeal Alumni Society Board honored its 2017 Alumni Society Board award winners on Friday, March 24. Two students and four alumni were recognized at the 2017 Awards Program and Hammond Society Dinner at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel.
The awards and the 2017 recipients are as follows:
Board Sponsorship Award
Recognizes a Smeal graduating senior for demonstrating outstanding leadership and scholarship. The recipient is given the opportunity to be an ex-officio member of the Alumni Society Board for the year following graduation.
Recipient: Jess Solley, class of 2017, finance
Student Diversity Award
Recognizes a Smeal student for leadership in an individual or group project that furthers diversity efforts at Smeal.
Recipient: Jessie West, class of 2017, accounting
Alumni Diversity Award
Recognizes a graduate who has demonstrated a commitment to the college’s goal of being a diverse and mutually supportive community that provides a climate of sensitivity, open-mindedness, and respect.
Recipient: Karla Wallace Trotman, class of 1998, business logistics
Outstanding Young Alumna Award
Recognizes a graduate for career achievements and community service.
Recipient: Ruby Zhou, class of 2013, finance
Undergraduate Distinguished Achievement Award
Recognizes a graduate alumnus/alumna whose career achievements have enhanced the prestige of the college.
Recipient: Lara Warner, class of 1988, finance
Graduate Distinguished Achievement Award
Recognizes a graduate alumnus/alumna whose career achievements have enhanced the prestige of the college.
Recipient: Michael Piwowar, bachelor of arts, 1990; doctorate, 1998
Nine new members were also inducted into the Hammond Society, which is named in recognition of J.D. Hammond, dean of the Smeal College of Business from 1989 to 1999.
Induction into the Hammond Society serves to honor alumni who have demonstrated a commitment to Smeal and to foster their continued involvement in the college. Membership is offered to alumni of the college who have served out their maximum number of terms on the Smeal Alumni Society Board as an at-large director.
Hammond Society inductees:
- James Brandau, class of 2003, finance (served from 2007-17) current president
- Barbara Bridendolph, class of 1982, MBA (2011-17)
- Timmy Garde, class of 1978, accounting (2011-17)
- Gregory Grose, class of 1980, MBA (2008-17)
- Russell Hartz, class of 1993, management (2011-17)
- David Koerner, class of 2006, marketing (2011-17)
- Abigail Mendes, class of 2005, finance (2007-17)
- Glenn White, class of 1977, business logistics (2011-17)
- Harold Wright, class of 1958, business (2008-17)