UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Ten students will represent the College of Health and Human Development as student marshals during at the May 9, 2015, commencement ceremony at Penn State.
Katie Rodden, daughter of Marylou and Tim Rodden of Ardmore, Pennsylvania, is the Health and Human Development college marshal for the May 9, 2015, commencement ceremony. She is receiving a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology.
While at Penn State, Rodden served as captain of the varsity cross country and indoor and outdoor track teams. She was a member of the Athletic Director's Leadership Institute. She also served as a laboratory assistant at the Penn State Women's Health and Exercise Lab.
Her accomplishments include Academic All-Big Ten Honoree and NCAA Elite 89 Nomination for having one of the highest GPA’s among NCAA participants. She was an Evan Pugh Scholar and Big Ten Cross Country Sportsmanship award winner in 2013 and 2014. She was also the recipient of the Werden Family Memorial Award, a scholarship awarded to a student with highest GPA in his/her college.
Rodden conducted a thesis project, titled, “The Impact of Energetic Factors on the Performance in Female Long-Distance Runners,” as a Schreyer Honors Scholar under the supervision of Mary Jane De Souza, professor of kinesiology and physiology. De Souza will also escort Rodden as faculty marshal.
Rodden graduated in 2011 from Archbishop Carroll High School in Ardmore, Pennsylvania.
The following students will serve as student marshals for the eight academic majors within the College of Health and Human Development:
Athletic TrainingBrittany Orr, daughter of Karen and Paul Orr of St. Marys, Pennsylvania, was a member of the Health and Human Development Honor Society and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. She held offices in the Kinesiology Club and the Athletic Training Club and received the Edward A. Sulkowski Athletic Training Scholarship and the Sayers J. “Bud” Miller Jr. Memorial Award. Following graduation, Orr plans to attend Kansas State University to receive a master of science degree in kinesiology and work as an athletic trainer graduate assistant for the K-State women’s tennis team.
Biobehavioral HealthChristine Wert, daughter of Marietta and Edgar Wert of Laureldale, Pennsylvania, served as fundraising chair for Bee House for the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon and as a teaching assistant in the Department of Biobehavioral Health. She was a member of the Penn State National Society of Collegiate Scholars and participated in the Biobehavioral Health Internship Program. She was also a member of the Division of Undergraduate Studies Leadership Council and the Health and Human Development Honor Society. Additionally, Wert held the position of community inclusion provider for the Kaleidoscope Family Solutions of State College. Following graduation she plans to work in the field of biobehavioral health.
Communication Sciences and DisordersMolly Lichtenwalner, daughter of Katherine and Mark Lichtenwalner of Macungie, Pennsylvania, served as public relations captain and morale committee member for the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, public relations captain for Relay For Life of Penn State, and member for the National Student Speech Language Hearing Association. A Schreyer Honors Scholar, Lichtenwalner conducted a thesis project, titled, “The Effect of AAC Stimulation on the Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex.” She earned several awards and honors, including the John W. White Graduate Fellowship, Penn State Alumni Recognition for Student Excellence Award, Penn State Evan Pugh Scholar Award, Penn State President Sparks Award, and the Penn State President’s Freshman Award.
Health Policy and AdministrationTimothy Chiang, son of Chao-Houng Chiang of Taipei, Taiwan, and Chao-Yi Yeh of State College, Pennsylvania, is a Schreyer Honors Scholar who served as president and treasurer with the Penn State Pre-Medical Society. He was a member of the HealthWorks peer education/outreach program, volunteered at Mount Nittany Medical Center, and served as a Penn State Orientation Leader during the summer of 2013. Chiang received the University Trustee Scholarship, Virginia L. Mayers Memorial Scholarship, John Gilmartin University-wide Trustee Scholarship, John K. Tsui Honors Scholarship, Frederick and Jeanne Riebel Lord Academic Excellence Scholarship, and Class of 1922 Memorial Scholarship. After graduation he will attend medical school.
Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional ManagementCarolyn Low, daughter of Low Siak San and Mary Leong of Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, served as mass coordinator for the Catholic Campus Ministry, communications chair for the National Society of Minorities in Hospitality, co-vice president and activity/snack chair for Cooking With Kids, and served on the performance, hall decoration, and hospitality committees for the annual Malaysian Cultural Night. Low was a member of Eta Sigma Delta Honor Society and tutored other students at Penn State Learning. She conducted a thesis project titled, “Tipping and Service Charge,” as a Schreyer Honors Scholar. Low received numerous scholarships and awards, including the Bayard D. and Ethel M. Kunkle Scholarship.
Human Development And Family StudiesMary Claire Doyle, daughter of Gary and Megan Doyle of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, conducted thesis research for the Schreyer Honors College on “Costs to Implement a 3-Condition, Substance Use and Sexual Risk Prevention Program in Cape Town, South Africa.” She held positions in the Newman Catholic Student Association, Students Consulting Non-Profit Organizations, and Penn State Project Haiti, and was a tutor at the Morgan Academic Support Center for Student Athletes. She was a member of the Health and Human Development Honor Society and received a Yost Scholarship. Doyle plans to pursue employment as a human capital analyst.
KinesiologyKara Shaley, daughter Rebecca Priester of Kittanning, Pennsylvania, and Michael Shaley, of Leechburg, Pennsylvania, was a member of the Disciplemakers Christian Fellowship and the Penn State New Kensington Women’s Volleyball team. She was an intern at the Center for Fitness and Wellness, and received the Marie Haidt Scholarship, the Evan Pugh Scholar Award and the Renaissance Fund Scholarship. She was also a member of the Women’s Volleyball United States Collegiate Athletic Association’s Academic All-American team. After graduation Shaley plans to attend graduate school.
NutritionSydney Micucci, daughter of Jay and Ricki Micucci of Wexford, Pennsylvania, served as a committee for the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon from 2012 to 2015. She held the position of nutrition team leader and facilitator for the HealthWorks peer education and outreach program from 2013 to 2015. She received the President’s Freshman Award in 2011, the Evan Pugh Scholar Award in 2012, and the Bayard D. and Ethel M. Kunkle Scholarship in 2014. Following graduation she will attend Bastyr University’s Dietetic Internship program in Seattle, Washington.
Recreation, Park, and Tourism ManagementGianna Maria Cancelli, daughter of Luciana and Dante Cancelli of Peckville, Pennsylvania, volunteered with UNICEF while studying in Perugia, Italy, at the Umbra Institute. She volunteered for the American Red Cross, LifeLink PSU, and OHANA, a special interest organization for the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon. Cancelli was a member of the Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management Student Society and Health and Human Development Honors Society. She interned at the Marriott’s Canyon Villas in Phoenix, Arizona, and volunteered with Marriott’s Spirit to Serve. Cancelli plans to complete a working internship with the EverHart Museum in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in interpretive programs, and assist with marketing and special events.