Alexandra Stone, daughter of Christopher and Effie Stone of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, is receiving a bachelor of science degree in biobehavioral health.
Stone was a research assistant in the Stress and Health Lab in the Department of Biobehavioral Health, which examines the effects of psychological stress and stress responses on physical health, and she served as a teaching assistant for biology and organic chemistry labs. She also worked as a medical scribe in the emergency department at UPMC Pinnacle hospitals and volunteered at LifeLink PSU.
Stone served as a member of various Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON) organizations, including Futures and Springfield. Stone was a Schreyer Honors College ambassador and student council member, and a College of Health and Human Development student ambassador.
She was the recipient of the President’s Freshman Award, the Spark’s Sophomore Award, the Evan Pugh Scholar Senior Award, and the College of Health and Human Development Undergraduate Research Award. A Schreyer Honors Scholar, Stone conducted a thesis project, “Interaction Between Physical Pain and Negative Affect in Predicting Levels of Salivary Inflammation in Young Adults.”
Following graduation, Stone will start medical school in the fall.
Blake Gillikin, son of Walt and Taryn Gillikin of Smyrna, Georgia, is receiving a bachelor of science degree in kinesiology. He pursued the movement science degree option.
Gillikin was the punter for the Penn State Football team, being recognized as a two-time First Team Academic All American. He participated in the backpack program for the Centre County Youth Services Bureau, Lift for Life, and visits to Penn State Hershey Medical Center.
He was the recipient of the John W. Oswald Award, the Evan Pugh Scholar Award, and will be graduating Summa Cum Laude. He was also a three-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, a member of the National Football Foundation’s Hampshire Honor Society, and was a finalist for the Pop Warner 10th Annual National College Football Award.
Following graduation, Gillikin will attend medical school.