Academics

Penn State Fayette recognizes student awards in virtual gallery

The 54th Annual Student Awards Recognition featured winners in an online gallery. Credit: Penn State Fayette / Penn StateCreative Commons

LEMONT FURNACE, Pa. — Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus has transformed the 54th annual Student Awards Banquet into an online gallery to recognize student achievement over the 2019-20 academic year.

The banquet, which brings together over 200 members of the campus community, along with family and friends, was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“Although our format may look a little different this year, there’s one thing that hasn’t changed -- what we celebrate today and what we celebrate every day -- the academic persistence, scholarship, campus and community engagement, altruism and athletic excellence of our students,” said Chad Long, director of student affairs.

“There are so many student accomplishments to recognize from this academic year,” said Charles Patrick, chancellor and chief academic officer, in a video message featured in the gallery.

“The THON team placed first among all 19 Commonwealth Campuses in fundraising efforts, raising over $71,000 for pediatric cancer research. This spring’s learning fair participants pioneered audio-visual posters for the event’s first online format. There were two USCAA national championship wins in women’s volleyball and track and field. This online event will recognize and honor many of those individual and group achievements.”

Penn State Fayette congratulates all award recipients, including:

Campus Academic Awards

Administration of Justice Student of the Year Award: Taylor White

Jerome Joseph Guzy Memorial Art Award: Elizabeth Brunelli, Painting: “Flowers” and Colleen Cavanagh, Drawing: “African Violets”

David Hyatt Snyder Award in Business: Hope Hixson

Associate in Business Student of the Year Award: Sondra Gales

Bachelor of Science in Business Student of the Year Award: Julia Gaggiani

Engineering Student of the Year Award: Savanna Spazak

Engineering Technology Student of the Year Award: Steven Fabian

Physical Therapy Student of the Year Award: Jessica Mahoney

Project and Supply Chain Management Student of the Year Award: Rebekah Junk

Psychology Student of the Year Award: Emily Blaker

Life Sciences Student of the Year Award: Nicole Bush

Physical Sciences Student of the Year Award: Keaton Wright

University Awards

Eric A. and Josephine S. Walker Award: Iman Young

Established in 1971, the Eric A. and Josephine S. Walker Award recognizes students from each of the Penn State Undergraduate Campuses whose outstanding qualities of character, scholarship, leadership, and citizenship have positively influenced the campus and University community.

President’s Freshman Award: Gabrielle Beatty, Aubree Bowers, Torren Bricker, Adam Croci, Elijah Earnest, Braden Nicols, Skylar Reda, Marissa Shipp, Rodney Wilson and Stephen Zacoi

The President’s Freshman Award is presented annually to students who have earned a 4.00 cumulative grade-point average based on at least 12 graded credits.

President Sparks Award: Maria Schultheis

The President Sparks Award is presented annually to students who have earned a 4.00 cumulative grade-point average based on at least 36 graded credits.

Evan Pugh Scholar Award: Kaylee Aaron and Matthew Baker

The Evan Pugh Scholar Award is presented to juniors and seniors who are in the upper 0.5 percent of their respective classes and have completed at least 48 graded Penn State credits.

Campus Merit Awards

David J. Leone Memorial Leadership Award: Savanna Spazak

The David J. Leone Memorial Leadership Award honors outstanding leadership in an on-campus student organization by an undergraduate engineering student.

Dennis Hippo Memorial Award: Emily Blaker and Brandon Demchak

Established in 1970, the Dennis Hippo Memorial Award recognizes students who exemplify the attributes of Dennis Hippo in the areas of leadership, academic persistence, engagement, service, and altruism.

Drozd Family Humanitarian Assistance and Community Service Award: Jay Willard

The Drozd Family Humanitarian Assistance and Community Service Award recognizes outstanding achievement by undergraduate students who have given of themselves by performing community service and/or humanitarian assistance to their community, state, country, and/or other nations affected by catastrophic natural events.

Port Family Public Service Award: Torren Bricker The Port Family Public Service Award recognizes a student who has volunteered or assisted in public service programs within the campus or regional community.

Club of the Year Award: Pride Alliance Working for Students (PAWS)

The Club of the Year Award recognizes a student-run organization that has contributed outstanding service to the campus, regional, and/or global community.

For more information and the full list of winners, visit the 2020 Student Academic Awards online gallery.

Last Updated May 12, 2020

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