MCKEESPORT, Pa. — “Dream bigger, you’re already EPIC!”
This was the message of Aaron Whigham, Penn State Greater Allegheny’s co-coordinator for the Mon Valley Launchbox, who discussed inspirational topics with students, faculty, staff and families at the recent Empowering Purpose Through Individual and Cultural-Awareness (EPIC) Awards, held in the campus’s Ostermayer Room. More than 30 students received an award for their academic achievement.
“You have knocked down doors and broken through barriers,” said Whigham. “For you to be first generation students who are learning on a whole other level, you’re creating a brand-new boundary for your families.”
Jacqueline Edmondson, chancellor and chief academic officer; Siobhan Brooks, learning center coordinator; Erica Willis, director of ACE (Academic and Career Excellence) program; and Evan Williams, residential education specialist, handed out the Academic Achievement Awards and the EPIC Awards.
The Academic Achievement Awards have four tiers which distinguish students who have achieved a 2.7 or higher GPA in the previous semester. The tiers include Bronze, Silver, Gold and the Gold Star.
This year’s EPIC and Academic Achievement awards winners are listed below.
- Adam Smith
- Alexandra Hall
- Andrew J. Speranza
- Angela Kij
- Bimal Regmi
- Brenden Robert Caruso
- Codey Hamilton
- Danaesia Terrell
- Darwin Christian Jr.
- Wenqi Deng
- Dharma Kharel
- Ebonie R. Slade
- Gary Faupel Jr.
- jagesh subba
- Jalen Bolger
- Jay-Jay Fields
- Jayla Ellis
- Jeffrey Holden
- Jessica N. Gatti
- Jiahao Huang
- John M. Mesco
- Katarina Shields
- Katie Summer Chuahong
- Ke'ira Marie Williams
- Koran Fleming
- Korionna DeVaughn
- Kyle Smith
- Ting Lei
- Livia Bodner
- Manuel Rosario
- Ma'Nyah Wright
- Maria Koedel
- Namrata Pokhrel
- Nathaniel Mehring
- Nicholas Kazousky
- Om Koirala
- Payton Burnsworth
- Raeann Emily Sleith
- Raphael Trillanes
- Savanna Lorraine Simm
- Shawn Dainty
- Sierra Thimons
- Teraja Anada Bull
- Todd Hone
- Tyler Patterson
- James Joseph Fields
- Koran Fleming
- Tommi Lynn Barnes
- Xueyao Wang
- Xinyu Zhang
- Zihui Xie