Berks

Winners of Penn State values poetry writing contest announced

READING, Pa. -- In an effort to highlight the Penn State Values among the student population, the Penn State Berks Diversity Committee held its first Penn State Values Poetry Writing Contest for students in the spring 2019 semester.

The requirement was to write an original poem on the six Penn State Values:

  • Integrity. We act with integrity in accordance with the highest academic, professional and ethical standards.
  • Respect. We respect and honor the dignity of each person, embrace civil discourse, and foster a diverse, inclusive and safe community.
  • Responsibility. We act responsibly and hold ourselves accountable for our decisions, actions and their consequences.
  • Discovery. Through advanced research and scholarship, we seek and create new knowledge and understanding, and foster creativity and innovation, for society’s benefit.
  • Excellence. We strive for excellence in all of our endeavors as individuals, an institution, and a leader in higher education and research.
  • Community. We work together for the betterment of our University, the communities we serve, and the world. 

Prizes were awarded in each of four categories according to semesters of attendance at Penn State Berks and the poems were judged by members of the faculty and staff. Winners received gift cards to the Penn State Berks Bookstore.

1-2 Semesters

  • 1st place: Lijuja (Anne) Chen 
  • 2nd place: Janique Jules                   
  • 3rd place: Reese Mason            

3-4 Semesters

  • 1st place: Xylene Rivera             
  • 2nd place: Brooke Chiappetta   
  • 3rd place: Yezhen Li                     

5-6 Semesters

  • 1st place: Tessa Simmons         
  • 2nd place: Hunter Beane             
  • 3rd place: Ashley Wellman/Natalie Searle 

7 or more Semesters

  • 1st place: Elizabeth Sitko   
  • 2nd place: Steven Filby       
  • 3rd place: Jamin Levan      

For more information on the Penn State Values Poetry Writing Contest, contact Sharon Pitterson-Ogaldez, coordinator of Diversity and International Programs, at 610-396-6080 or via email at SUP373@psu.edu.

Last Updated March 27, 2019