Academics

Schuylkill students' scholarship recognized at Academic Program Awards ceremony

Pingxu Hao, left, accepts the President's Freshman Award from Penn State Schuylkill Chancellor Patrick M. Jones, right. Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, Pa. — On Friday, April 23, Penn State Schuylkill awarded students for outstanding scholarship in several degree program and academic areas during the campus’ first in-person awards ceremony since fall 2019.

The event was held in the Morgan Auditorium where 45 students were recognized, many of whom accepted their awards in person. The ceremony was livestreamed via Zoom webinar for those who could not attend in person.

Darcy L. Medica, Penn State Schuylkill's director of academic affairs, said, "We are delighted to recognize these students who have demonstrated academic excellence and a deep commitment to developing their professional expertise. I offer my heartfelt congratulations to this year's awardees."

The President’s Freshman Award

This award is presented annually to undergraduate degree candidates and provisional students who have earned a 4.0 (A) cumulative grade-point average based on at least 12 graded Penn State credits completed by the end of the fall semester of the academic year the award is given. Candidates are eligible for this award if they have not exceeded 35 total credits earned. (CEEB advanced placement credits are not counted in the total credits earned for purposes of this award.)

  • Savannah Bowmer
  • Meghan Brake
  • Emily Carestia
  • Olivia Dacey
  • Pingxu Hao
  • Brittney Hirschel
  • Abree Lewis
  • Kathryn Muth
  • Gaetshelyne Najac
  • Kole Ney
  • Emily Papa
  • Kayleigh Raczka
  • Mia Raguso
  • Caleb Reedy
  • Briar Riegel
  • Samantha Robbins
  • Logan Seddon
  • Melanie Shimko
  • Vanessa Snyder
  • Leo Thompson

The President Sparks Award

This award is presented annually to those undergraduate degree candidates who have earned a 4.0 (A) cumulative grade-point average based on at least 36 graded Penn State credits completed by the end of the fall semester of the academic year the award is given. Candidates are eligible for this award if they have not exceeded 59 total credits earned. (CEEB advanced placement credits are not counted in the total credits earned for purposes of this award.)

  • Amber Boger
  • Gabriel Fleming
  • Bethany Haag
  • Haley Tidmore

The Evan Pugh Scholar Award

The Evan Pugh Scholars are those 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 at the end of the fall semester of the academic year the award is given. Candidates are eligible if they have been full-time undergraduate students for at least four semesters prior to selection.

  • Lexi Johns
  • Michael Russell
  • Debra Terraciano
  • Alex Witmer

Associate Degree in Business Award

This award is presented to the graduating student who has best excelled in the associate degree program in business administration at Penn State Schuylkill and, in the opinion of the business faculty, is deserving of the award.

  • Rachel Wiest

Bachelor Degree in Business Award

This award is presented to the graduating student who has best excelled in the bachelor’s degree program in business at Penn State Schuylkill and, in the opinion of the business faculty, is deserving of the award.

  • Michele Atkinson

Corporate Communication Award

This award recognizes outstanding scholarship in communication. To qualify, a student must be a corporate communication major who has completed at least 60 total credits (12 in communication coursework) and achieved an overall grade-point average of at least 3.0. The student should also demonstrate exemplary work in the field of communication. Items that may be considered include cumulative G.P.A., honors coursework, participation in research, conference presentations, outstanding internship performance, and service related to the field.

  • Haylea Winand

Communication Research Award

The Communication Research Award recognizes high-quality undergraduate student research in the communication discipline. This award is given to a student who has presented original research at a state, regional, or national communication conference. The award winner is decided by the communication faculty based on quality of research and writing, as well as paper ranking at the conference. This award may be given to any eligible student, regardless of major.

  • Adam Moyer and Courtney Weikel

Project and Supply Chain Management Award

This award is presented to the graduating student who has best excelled in a bachelor’s degree program in project and supply chain management at the Schuylkill campus and, in the opinion of the business faculty, is deserving of the award.

  • Evan Sukeena

Biology Award

The Biology Award is presented to a student at the sophomore level or higher who, in the opinion of the biology faculty, shows strong promise in the biological field. To be eligible to receive this award, the student must have taken Biology 110 and one of the following courses: Biology 220W, Biology 230W, Biology 240W, or Microbiology 201.

  • Julia Hahn

Chemistry Award

This award is presented to the sophomore who has done outstanding academic work in chemistry and has demonstrated a superior understanding of the field. The recipient must have completed Chem 212 and Chem 213, or be enrolled in these courses at the time of their nomination.

  • Lexi Johns and Grace Muench

Physics Award

This award is presented to the student who has completed with excellent performance either Physics 211 or Physics 250 and either Physics 212 or Physics 251. Extra consideration is given for honors work within those courses and for good academic citizenship, such as being a peer tutor. The recipient of this award shall have demonstrated a superior knowledge of the fundamental principles of physics.

  • Morgan Lusch

Humanities Award

This award recognizes outstanding ability in the humanities. To qualify, students must have taken at least three courses in humanities at Penn State Schuylkill. Extracurricular activities related to the humanities may be considered in selection, but these are not prerequisites for receiving the award.

  • Siobhan Moore

Best Student Paper in the Humanities Award

This award recognizes outstanding writing and scholarship in papers written for a course in humanities at Penn State Schuylkill. The papers should demonstrate the application of skills appropriate to the discipline or interdisciplinary field; a high level of original, critical thinking; an imaginative use of language; and the ability to write in a compelling manner.

  • Sophia Bates

Criminal Justice Award

This award is presented to an outstanding student who has considerable potential for success in the criminal justice field.

  • Jacob Leininger

Human Development and Family Studies Award

This recognizes undergraduate scholarship, research, and service through community outreach in the Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) Program. Candidates must have at least fourth semester standing at the beginning the of spring semester, demonstrate outstanding scholarship in HDFS with a cumulative 3.0 GPA or above in the HDFS curriculum), including a thorough understanding of life-span developmental processes in individuals and families, and demonstrate outstanding accomplishment in undergraduate research or community service as part of the Field Studies Program in HDFS 395.

  • Bethany Haag

Psychology Academic Award

This award is given to an upper-division psychology major who shows exceptional promise and outstanding scholarship in the field of psychology. The winner should maintain an overall GPA of at least 3.30, and with grades of A in at least three advanced psychology courses. The student should also demonstrate special interest and initiative in the field of psychology by taking honors courses, participating in research teams, presenting at student conferences, or serving in clubs or committees within the Penn State Schuylkill community.

  • Richard Harper

Psychology Research Award

This award is given to a student who has presented original research at a regional or national psychology conference, with the award winner decided by the psychology faculty.

  • Gianna Campanicki

Sociology Award

This award is given to a student for outstanding scholarship in sociology and for exhibiting a commitment to using sociological knowledge. The student must have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher, grades of B or higher on all sociology and behavioral sciences courses that are recorded on the student’s Penn State transcript, and a demonstrated ability to use sociological knowledge in creative ways to help solve social problems.

  • Michael Kalyan

Tutor Award

The Tutor Award is given to the student tutor who exemplifies the characteristics of a model student and peer tutor. They should be regarded as such by other tutors and tutees. The awardee also displays an exceptional ability to provide academic assistance to other students, while recognizing and adhering to the high standards of integrity, fairness, commitment, respect for others, and professionalism that this position demands (as outlined in the College Reading and Learning Association’s Code of Ethics). Finally, the awardee will have completed all mandatory training, maintained the required academic standing, and served as a peer tutor for a minimum of two semesters.

  • Maddy Matsago

View the awards ceremony online.

Last Updated April 27, 2021