Penn State Alumni Association President Anand Ganjam, right, congratulates Leila Farzam, the 2023 recipient of the K. David Weidner Diversity Award.
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Volunteer leaders are the heartbeat of the Penn State Alumni Association. In living out the Alumni Association’s mission, affiliate groups and inspiring volunteers give back to their communities, support current and future Penn State students, and unite Nittany Lions across the country and around the world.
The seven individuals and 11 groups that comprise this year’s class of Volunteer Award recipients represent the best of Penn State’s alumni volunteers. The honorees are listed below, along with a summary of their accomplishments.
The 2024 Volunteer Awards Ceremony will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 2, at the Hintz Family Alumni Center. Sign up to view the livestream of the ceremony. Those who register online will receive a livestream link prior to the awards ceremony.
2024 Volunteer Award individual recipients
Joan M. McLane Recent Alumna Award
Molly Sizemore ’21, ’21g Eng
President, Alumni Society of Architectural Engineers Affiliate Program Group
Created and expanded social media presence for three affiliate groups; selected as Young Alumni Ambassador .
K. David Weidner Diversity Award
Dan Berlin ’92 Agr
Founder and President, Team See Possibilities
Founded scholarships for students with vision impairments, ensuring the Penn State experience is open to all and remains so in the future.
Kay and Ernie Salvino Volunteer of the Year Award
Kathleen G. Hume ’96g IDF
President, Graduate School Alumni Society; Immediate-Past President, Centre County Chapter
Reconstituted the Penn State Great Valley Alumni Society Board; increased alumni engagement by 50% for Centre County Chapter.
Mark and Carol Poblete Award for Alumni Leadership Development
Emily Yarbrough ’08 Lib
Vice President, Metro Washington, D.C., Chapter
Provided guidance to current volunteers; created a section in the chapter's newsletter that recruited and connected alumni.
Martin R. Cepeda Jr. Award for Alumni Career Advancement and Development
Kevin Frick ’91 H&HD
Mentor, Penn State Health and Human Development Alumni Mentoring Program
Advises Penn State students in several colleges through one-on-one mentorship and group talks; has inspired colleagues to become mentors themselves.
Martin R. Cepeda Jr. Award for Alumni Career Advancement and Development (2023)
Megan Hennigan ’00 Bus, Lib
Treasurer, Daily Collegian Alumni Interest Group
Connected 200-plus Collegian staffers and alumni through online roundtable discussions, secured several high-profile guests to ensure the program was successful.
Philip Philip Mitchell Alumni Service Award
Thomas R. Roberts ’94 Lib
Social Entrepreneur
Helped raise $2 million for the Shenango LaunchBox powered by the Greater Sharon Community; helped create a nonprofit organization that provides free after-school art programs for students and training programs for adults.
2024 Volunteer Award group recipients
Engagement with Young Alumni Award
Brandywine Alumni Society
Hosted a monthlong series of dinners that engaged 100 local alumni and aligned with Penn State Brandywine’s strategic plan.
Fellowship and Networking Award
Harrisburg Alumni Society
Brought Penn State alumni together for a fun and spirited event while engaging with the Harrisburg community.
Fundraising Award
Myrtle Beach Chapter
Increased engagement with young alumni by re-imagining football watch parties and strategic promotion on Instagram.
Joint Activity Award
Los Angeles Chapter, Orange County Chapter, San Diego Chapter
Hosted an entertaining evening at a ranch winery while supporting a scholarship fund that benefits local Penn State students.
Ned Brokloff Award for Alumni Association Affiliate Group Innovation
Smeal College of Business Alumni Society
Improved on existing steadfast focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, after analyzing recent board member trends.
Outstanding Service Project Award
Vermont Chapter
In response to historic flooding that hit Vermont last summer, the chapter participated in a state-organized Flood Clean Up Day.
Professional Development Award
New York City Chapter
Increased attendance at annual Nittany Networking event by 75% and ensured all participants felt welcomed.
Scholarship Development Award
Greater Chicago Chapter
Raised the amount of its endowment, which supports local Penn State students, with a versatile and thoughtful approach.
Tracy and Rick Riegel Pinnacle Event Excellence Award
Great Valley Alumni Society
Expanded upon annual tailgating watch party by leveraging campus space and seeing growth in several key areas.
The groups and individuals recognized in the Volunteer Awards reflect the activities and achievements that take place throughout Penn State’s alumni community. Penn Staters can visit the Alumni Association's website to see the entire affiliate group network and get involved with a group that’s important to you. You can also view pictures from last year’s Volunteer Awards, with photo captions detailing the honorees’ accomplishments, and visit YouTube to watch last year’s ceremony.
