UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Stanley G. Aungst, senior lecturer of information sciences and technology in the College of Information Sciences and Technology, is the 2017 recipient of the Barash Award for Human Service.
Created in 1975 by the family of the late Sy Barash, the award honors a full-time member of the faculty or staff or student body on the University Park campus who, apart from his or her regular duties, has contributed the most to human causes, public service activities and organizations, or the welfare of fellow humans.
Aungst has made significant efforts to recognize veterans including organizing a Military Appreciation Day at Penn State that last year treated more than 10,000 veterans to a meal and home football game against Iowa. Aungst first helped organize the event five years ago, treating more than 1,000 veterans during the inaugural event.
“Veterans told me how much they appreciated the effort by Sgt. Aungst and how good they felt when he personally welcomed then to the tailgate,” said a nominator. “While this may seem profound to some, it really reflects how Sgt. Aungst remembers where he came from, who he fought with and what he owes to those veterans. The veterans of Centre County are proud to call Sgt. Aungst one of their own.”
A former veteran who served in the Vietnam War, Aungst is committed to helping veterans in the classroom, on campus and in the community. Ten years ago, he launched Operation Salute to recognize veterans at the University. The event, which features speakers and services across campus, is now called Military Appreciation Day.
In 2012, Aungst was commended by Maj. Gen. Wesley Craig on behalf of 19,000 Pennsylvania National Guard soldiers and airmen for a project he did to celebrate a boy’s life. Inspired by a mother’s request to honor her son Ryan Roberts with banana split parties, Aungst organized the 175-treat party in five days.