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Students Honored at Convocation Ceremony

5/23/2007 —

Academic award recipients, scholarship winners, and university scholars were recognized for their achievements on Thursday, May 17, at Penn State Lehigh Valley’s 21st annual Honors Convocation. Students honored for outstanding achievement included:

·     Roger A. Kuhl of Alburtis, Ronald K. Heft and Rodney L. Santiago of Allentown, Elizabeth C. Mertz of Lehighton, June A. Toro of Nesquehoning, and Christopher J. Ulmer of Schnecksville received the 2007 President’s Freshman Award for undergraduate students who carry a full-time credit load and earn a 4.00 grade-point average for the first semester of the freshman year.

·     The Eric A. and Josephine S. Walker Award, given for qualities of leadership, scholarship, character, and citizenship to a student who completes two years at a Penn State campus, was presented to Mercedes M. Pereira of Allentown. Nominees for this prestigious University award included Adam Beani of Walnutport, Sara E. Elchin of Bethlehem, Carla M. Gonzales-Schwarz of Allentown, Heather G. Mader of Breinigsville, David F. Merida of Easton, and Sou Young S. Park of Bethlehem.

·     The Outstanding Student Award in Applied Psychology was presented to Heather J. Daly of Mount Bethel. This award is presented to a junior or senior who has demonstrated outstanding performance in the major.

·     Nadia Y. Abidi of Macungie and Daniel J. Devine of Bethlehem were recipients of the Biology Award.  This award is given to a student with the highest overall grade-point average who has completed both Biology 110 and 240W and is dedicated to collegiate excellence.

·     Kristin L. Leayman of Allentown and Thomas S. Lieberman of Emmaus were presented with the Michelle and Harry Kline Outstanding Business Intern Award for demonstrating an integration of academic training and professional application through the internship/co-op experience with a local employer.

·     Christopher J. Ulmer of Schnecksville was awarded the First-Year Chemistry Achievement Award for exceptional academic achievement in Chemistry.

·     The Communication Arts and Sciences Excellence Award is earned by the student who shows exemplary promise in public speaking. Kimberly A. Voortman of Bethlehem earned the highest possible score in each of the three main speech categories for the course.

·     Andrew S. Rejmaniak of Pennsburg was awarded the Community Service Award for his outstanding leadership and commitment to enriching the community through his time, energy, and talent.
 
·     The Engineering Student Achievement Award was presented to Jestin K. Abraham of Easton for demonstrating outstanding academic achievement.

 ·     The English Department Award for Exceptional Achievement in Expository Writing was awarded to Benjamin W. Updegrove of Allentown for his essay, “Amnesty or Justice.”

 ·     Kristin E. Branning of Bethlehem and Mary Ellen Roesch of Macungie received the Michelle and Harry Kline Outstanding Graduate in Financial Services award which provides recognition to an outstanding business student enrolled at Penn State Lehigh Valley who has excelled in Financial Services coursework.

 ·     The IST Achievement Award recognized Beth A. Meckes of Laurys Station as an outstanding IST student who has earned at least 60 cumulative credits toward her IST degree by the end of the fifth semester with a cumulative GPA of 3.67, and has demonstrated outstanding leadership and academic achievement.

·     The Outstanding Student Award in Marketing/Management, sponsored by Drs. James and Denise Ogden, was presented Heather G. Mader of Breinigsville who academically excelled in special course projects in the field of marketing and management.

 ·     Mark D. McCully of Royersford is the recipient of the Outstanding Student Award in Organizational Leadership.

 ·     The Physics Excellence Award was presented to Jestin K. Abraham of Easton who has displayed exceptional potential in the field of Physics.

 ·     Tarren L. Cummings of Bethlehem, was the recipient of the Alexandrea Downing Outstanding Student Award in Sociology, presented to the student who has demonstrated outstanding academic performance and promise.

 ·     The Award for Outstanding Theatre Performance was presented to a student for performance in either a production or in the classroom. Janet Billings of Easton received the award for performance as a feature actor in the Penn State Lehigh Valley production of Lysistrata.

 ·     Jestin K. Abraham of Easton was presented with the Outstanding Tutor Award presented to an individual who displays excellence in the Learning and/or Writing Center. Professional and peer tutors are eligible for this award with special consideration given to individuals based upon length of service, number of students served, and feedback from students, faculty, and staff.

·     Participants in the Penn State Lehigh Valley Honors Program maintain a high grade-point average while taking required honors courses and participating in extracurricular activities, including international travel. These students include Roger A. Kuhl of Alburtis; Carla M. Gonzales-Schwarz, Kathleen McKitish, Vishakha B. Patel, Mercedes M. Pereira, Joseph M. Shelley, Quyvinh T. Tran, and Benjamin W. Updegrove, all of Allentown; Mallory G. Zingone of Bath; Laura B. Albanese, Daniel J. Devine, Nicholas M. Dzienis, and Athena E. Greenspan of Bethlehem; Madeline Savoy of Breinigsville; Shannon D. Sims of Catasauqua; Janet Billings, Didier D. Greenleaf, Joshua Lederman, Francis J. Piazza, Tanya E. Stoneback, and Sheri B. Zlotnick of Easton; Steven T. Wehr of Emmaus; Jeremy J. Butt of Hamburg; Stephanie A. Derstine of Kutztown; Caroline L. Andersen, Paul D. Jones, Mary Ellen Roesch, and Stephen B. Seaquist of Macungie; Karl G. Frankenfield of Martins Creek; Megan E. Brown of New Tripoli; Emily M. Redline of Slatington; Amanda R. Silfies of Wescosville; and Mizan T. Albert of Whitehall.

·     Courtney L Phillips of Allentown, Tamara D. Lubysheva of Bethlehem, Jestin K. Abraham of Easton, Christopher M. Albright of Fogelsville, Beth A. Meckes of Laurys Station, and Christopher J. Ulmer of Schnecksville were named Schreyer Scholars. Schreyer Scholars meet exacting standards set by Penn State’s Schreyer Honors College in academic excellence, global perspective, and civic engagement.

·     Students honored for High Cumulative Average by College were Laura B. Albanese of Bethlehem and Gretchen M. Braun of Easton, Arts and Architecture; Megan E. Brown of New Tripoli and Garrett V. Schorran of Kempton, Agriculture; Bobby D. Melwani of Allentown and Brandon R. Schmoyer of East Greenville, Business Administration; Tyler S. Meining of Palmerton, Capital; Karl G. Frankenfield of Martins Creek, Communications; Thomas G. Barndt, Jr. of Perkiomenville and Courtney L. Phillips of Allentown, Division of Undergraduate Studies; Tamara D. Lubysheva of Bethlehem, Earth and Mineral Sciences; Jesymar Sola-Torres of Allentown, Education; Jestin K. Abraham of Easton and Christopher J. Ulmer of Schnecksville, Engineering; Jason C. Hinkle of Bath, Health and Human Development; David M. Adams of Slatington, Ronald K. Heft of Allentown, and Beth A. Meckes of Laurys Station, Information Sciences and Technology; Suzanne M. Harryn of Breinigsville and Elizabeth C. Mertz of Lehighton, Liberal Arts; Jonathan W. Akers of Allentown, Heather J. Daly of Mount Bethel, Elizabeth M. Gerancher of Coplay, and Alicia L. Rohrbach of Breinigsville, Penn State Lehigh Valley Programs; Rodney L. Santiago of Allentown, Provisional; and Daniel J. Devine of Bethlehem, Science.                      

Campus scholarship recipients for the 2006-2007 academic year were also recognized at the event:

·     The Donald E. Allen Memorial Scholarship, established in 1993, is awarded to outstanding first-year students at Penn State Lehigh Valley. The recipients were Roger A. Kuhl of Alburtis; Angela Maldonado of Allentown; Michael J. DeFazio and Dung M. Tran of Bethlehem; Brandon R. Schmoyer of East Greenville; Jestin K. Abraham of Easton; and Ryan M. Fluck of Hellertown.

·     The Bayard D. and Ethel M. Kunkle Scholarship was awarded to nine students. They were Mercedes M. Pereira of Allentown; Luke A. Springer of Barto; Valeria N. Tatlow of Bethlehem; Suzanne M. Harryn and Madeline Savoy of Breinigsville; Jeremy J. Butt of Hamburg; Kristin L. Wasilewski of Nazareth; Mazin T. Albert of Whitehall, and Nathan J. Safer of Zionsville. Criteria for this scholarship include academic achievement, good citizenship, leadership potential, and professional promise. 

 ·     Five students were the recipients of the Lehigh County Chapter of Penn State Alumni Association Scholarship. They were Bobby D. Melwani of Allentown; Jill H. Grieshaber of Bethlehem; Christopher R. Steiner of Coplay; Beth A. Meckes of Laurys Station; and Deanna M. Reinert of New Tripoli. Winners of this scholarship are selected on the basis of superior academic records or the promise of outstanding academic success.

·     Andrea M. Gaydos of Easton was the recipients of the Lehigh Valley Alumni Scholarship which provides recognition and financial assistance to outstanding students enrolled at Penn State Lehigh Valley.

·     Courtney L. Phillips and Brian J. Polaha of Allentown and Teresa A. Kashuba of Macungie were the recipients of the Rudy Mohr Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship, established in 1989 by friends of Rudy Mohr and alumni, provides recognition to outstanding students.

·     The Patt Family Scholarship recognizes and assists students in the College of Business who have achieved superior academic records. The recipient was Alicia L. Rohrbach of Breinigsville.

·     Nine students were the recipient of the Penn State Lehigh Valley Achievement Scholarship: Christopher Lai, Paul K. Petrogeorge, and Diane Tolaj of Allentown; Michael A. Reed of Coplay; Cody A. Swoyer of Mertztown; Charles R. Mackes of Saylorsburg; Christopher J. Ulmer of Schnecksville; and Gregory W. Rotariu of Slatington.

·     The Penn State Lehigh Valley Campus Scholarship was awarded to Mary Ellen Roesch of Macungie.  Recipients of this scholarship are chosen for academic achievement, extracurricular achievement, and potential.

·     Janet Billings of Easton and Cheryl L. Green of Quakertown received the Penn State Lehigh Valley General Scholarship, which assists outstanding undergraduate students enrolled at Penn State Lehigh Valley.

·     The Penn State Lehigh Valley Student Affairs Scholarship, presented to a Penn State Lehigh Valley junior or senior in recognition of their academic achievement and campus involvement, was awarded to Andrea M. Gaydos of Easton.

·     Nicholas M. Dzienis of Bethlehem; David R. Sefranek of Coplay; Jestin K. Abraham of Easton; Michelle L. Jarrouj of Orefield, and Bilal A. Aslam of Schnecksville received the Penn State Lehigh Valley Trustee Scholarship, which provides financial assistance to students enrolled at Penn State Lehigh Valley.

·     Jonathan W. Akers, David B. Howarth, Anthony R. Santos, Jesymar Sola-Torres, Quyvinh T. Tran, and Susan M. Yacoub, all of Allentown; Heather G. Mader of Breinigsville; Christopher R. Steiner of Coplay; Brandon R. Kleckner of Macungie; Dustin J. Fioravanti of Orefield; David M. Adams of Slatington; Majed T. Dayoub and Nicolas C. Nunez of Whitehall were the recipients of the Penn State Lehigh Valley Renaissance Scholarship which provides financial assistance to academically-talented students with the greatest financial need.

·     Jesse R. Altman and Christopher Lai of Allentown; James M. Roth of Green Lane; Nadia Y. Abidi and Stephen B. Seaquist of Macungie were the recipients of the Presidential Scholarship awarded to new first-year students involved in the honors program.

 ·     The Mabel White Riker Memorial Scholarship recognizes full-time students at Penn State Lehigh Valley who demonstrate outstanding academic records in the College of Education with a Mathematics Teaching Option.  Preference is given to students from the Allentown School District. The recipient was Tonia N. Khouli of Allentown.

 ·     The Eugene and Sandra Slaski Scholarship recognizes and assists outstanding students at Penn State Lehigh Valley. The recipients were Kristin E. Branning of Bethlehem and Peter L. Wilson of Stroudsburg.

·     The Richard Laird Smith Memorial Scholarship was awarded to three Parkland High School graduates: Jason Abdo, Christos Lambrinos, and James P. Richard, all of Allentown. This scholarship recognizes outstanding full-time undergraduate students who plan to study mechanical engineering or enroll in the college of engineering. This scholarship was established by the family of Richard Laird Smith.

 In addition to student recognition, the following faculty and staff were honored:

·     The Student Appreciation and Recognition Award is selected by the student body through the Student Government Association and is given to a staff or faculty member for outstanding work and dedication to the success of students on campus. This year’s recipient was Emory Guffrovich, Admissions Officer.

·     The Lehigh Valley Campus Teaching Excellence Award, which recognizes and encourages teaching excellence at Penn State Lehigh Valley, was presented to Dr. David E. Livert, Assistant Professor of Psychology.

·     The Lehigh Valley Campus Outstanding Part-Time Faculty Teaching Award, which recognizes and encourages teaching excellence at Penn State Lehigh Valley, was presented to Dr. Brian Mauro, Director of Student Affairs.

·     Dr. Jacqueline S. McLaughlin, Assistant Professor of Biology, was awarded the Outstanding Research and/or Creative Accomplishment Award. This award recognizes and encourages excellence in academic research, creative activity, scholarship, and mastery of subject matter by faculty at Penn State Lehigh Valley.

·     The Outstanding Staff Award was presented to Carol Buddock, staff assistant in Continuing Education, for outstanding dedication and commitment to the Penn State Lehigh Valley campus.

Special recognition was given to the following students:

·     Academic All-Conference Golf Team Award was presented to Joseph D. Farley of Easton, Adam T. Greene and Dustin J. Fioravanti of Orefield, and Peter L. Wilson of Stroudsburg.

·     Academic All-Conference Tennis Team Award was presented to Julie L. Zemyan of Allentown; Eliseos A. Anenoglou and Jeffrey S. Godley of Easton, Ali Jawad S. Khimji of Macungie; Joshua J. Moyer of Orefield; Garrett B. Cooper of Schnecksville, and John R. Webb of Whitehall.

·     Penn State Lehigh Valley Women’s Commission Adult Learner Award was presented to Janet Billings of Easton and Mary Ellen Roesch of Macungie.

·     Excellence in Student Leadership Scholarship was awarded to Katie L. Saniski of Orefield.

·     Rose Cologne Keystone Citizen Award was presented to Sara E. Elchin of Bethlehem.

·     USA Today Student Leadership Award was awarded to Courtney L. Phillips of Allentown.

·     The 2007 Wall Street Journal Student Achievement Award was awarded to Carla M. Gonzales-Schwarz of Allentown.

·     Debra L. Hartley of Effort for The 2007 Women's Opportunity Award from Soroptimist International of Emmaus.

The event was held in the West Garden at Penn State Lehigh Valley in Fogelsville.

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