Eric A. and Josephine S. Walker Award
Andi Moritz
We are honored to award Andi Moritz with this prestigious award, recognizing her unwavering dedication to scholarship, exemplary leadership, and compassionate citizenship, both on- and off-campus. Andi is a standout student, praised for her thoughtfulness and true intellectual curiosity. She excels in engaged scholarship, seamlessly integrating her classroom learning with her community work, driven by an unwavering pursuit of knowledge.
Andi's impact on campus is profound, as she holds multiple leadership roles. As a PAWS ambassador, she collaborates with Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), Student Health Services (SHS), and Student Disability Resources (SDR) to advocate for her peers' physical and mental well-being. Her passionate advocacy for disability rights and accessibility is marked by integrity, vision, and a deep sense of responsibility. Additionally, as a research specialist intern at the Institute of State and Regional Affairs (ISRA), Andi showcases remarkable analytical and problem-solving skills, proving to be an invaluable team member.
Andi's commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive campus environment is evident through her mentorship of students, both formally and informally. She educates faculty and staff via programming and workshops aimed at removing barriers and fostering inclusivity for neurodiverse students. Furthermore, she has founded the club The Hookers, providing a safe space for her peers.
Her nominators describe her as “an exceptional individual, capable of tackling anything she sets out to do.” Andi inspires us all with her dedication to making the campus, community, and broader world a more accessible and understanding place. She truly embodies the spirit of working in, with, and for the community.
Doris Hughes Memorial Award
Adriana Medina Galindo
Adriana Belen Medina Galindo is receiving this award as she is not only excelling in her Mechanical Engineering major and Mechatronic minor as one of the top STEM students at the college, but has also contributed extensively to campus life at Penn State Harrisburg. Adriana is a well-rounded and successful student leader. She has held many roles, including vice president of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) student branch, treasurer of the Society of Women Engineers, Lion Ambassador, Latino Club member, Global Lion Mentor, part-time Student Services Specialist, Global Ambassador coordinator, and peer tutor at the Learning Center. Adriana has also participated in the Chancellors Leadership Access Student Program and is now helping to bring in speakers, such as Dr. Esther Zeledon. She has also been a participant of the alternative spring break in Las Galeras, Dominican Republic and both attended and served as student coordinator for the Global Engagement and Leadership Experience (GELE). Given her strong academic and campus service record, she is a stellar recipient for the Doris Hughes Award.
Linda Rhen Career Studies Award for Excellence as a Peer Mentor
Ashna Reddy Rapaka
Ashna embraces the role of a peer mentor with enthusiasm and care. She builds trusting relationships and sincere friendships with the students. Ashna’s fun demeanor is infectious, and the students genuinely enjoy their time with her. This semester, she has taken on the additional role of intern for Career Studies, embracing all the challenges this position brings. Ashna demonstrates strong leadership skills and completes all responsibilities with ease. Ashna’s dedication to the students and the program epitomizes the meaning of this award.
Tiara T. Taylor
Tiara is an exemplary peer mentor. She fosters meaningful relationships with the Career Studies students, demonstrating patience and compassion when working with them. Tiara has the innate ability to adjust her level of support according to the students’ needs. In turn, she can bring out the best in each student. Her reliability is commendable. This semester, Tiara accompanied students on job shadows and served as a job coach. She excelled in these roles, taking initiative and building students’ self-determination skills. Tiara truly deserves this award.
Linda Rhen Career Studies Award for the Outstanding Career Studies Student
Daniel Mills
Daniel was selected as the recipient of the Outstanding Career Studies Student Award because he exemplifies all the characteristics the Career Studies program hopes to see in its students. Career Studies students are encouraged to embrace all the experiences available to them at Penn State Harrisburg, including academic enrichment, social opportunities, and campus life. Daniel works extremely hard and has done well in all the academic classes he has audited. Daniel is from Massachusetts and lives independently in Nittany Place Apartments. He takes full advantage of the opportunity to participate in evening and weekend activities on campus and in the community, seeking out activities that interest him. Daniel is always game for a fun adventure! Daniel continues to amaze us with his enthusiasm and dedication to making the most of his college experience.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Poster Design Contest
Bryna Isabel Brinkman
Bryna Brinkman, a Biobehavioral Health major set to graduate in 2028, has been selected as the winner of this year’s Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. poster design contest. Each year, the contest committee chooses a theme and seeks entries that best embody its message. This year’s theme, Inspiring Love Through Change, was beautifully reflected in Bryna’s design. Her poster centered around a powerful quote from Dr. King: “Yes, it is love that will save our world and civilization, love even for enemies.” Dr. King gave the quote in a sermon at Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama on November 17, 1957. This message, which encapsulates Dr. King’s teachings, remains profoundly relevant today. Bryna’s artwork deeply resonated with the committee, making her the clear choice for this year’s award.
Penn State Harrisburg Alumni Society Outstanding Graduate Student Award
Anna G. Shank
Anna was selected for the Outstanding Graduate Student award because of her exceptional academic achievements, along with her involvement in many campus organizations from the Kappa Beta Gamma (KBG) International Sorority to the Finance Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and Penn State Harrisburg Pro Sales Club. Anna has continued to work her way through graduate school while maintaining multiple part-time jobs and being involved on campus, and continues to mentor younger students in the clubs. The committee wishes her the best of luck in her future.
Penn State Harrisburg Alumni Society Outstanding Senior Award
Adriana Medina Galindo
Adriana was selected for the Outstanding Senior award because of her impressive academic achievements along with her commitment to STEM Research. She has been involved in numerous clubs on campus, such as the Latino Club, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and the Society of Women Engineers (SWE) club. She has truly integrated herself into the campus and local community and the committee could not be more delighted to present her with this award.
President Walker Award
Himanshu S. Adwani
Bayad R. Ahmed
Lauren M. Ajebon
Abdullah T. Al-Zoubi
John R. Ames
Tyler R. Angelo
Yousef Ayaad
Yutong Bai
Fatima I. Baloch
Sadikshya Basnet
Jonathan S. Boktor
Brayden F. Bowlsbey
Nathan M. Catalfano
Aratrika Chakrabarti
Emma P. Champion
Hiba Charioui
Susmita Chimariya
Emily M. Christian
Qianhui Dai
Rebekah E. Daley
Griffin A. Decker
Bipasha Devkota
Parmila Dhimal
William Diamantoni
Panikadis Diskul
Kacie M. Doran
Xiuqi Du
Tyler J. Duverna
Hajar El Harragui
Sarah El Harragui
Raheeg H. Elgezouli
Penelope J. Ellsworth
Ryan A. Flor
Ian Y. Fong
Logan S. Fraunfelter
Megan E. Gallagher
Bailee K. Geary
Zachary M. Gibson
Reda Guerch
Meijun Guo
Elise S. Halewijn
Tamsila Hameed
Nathan Hanna
Victoria L. Hepler
Daniel Hsu
Hsuan-Han Huang
Ireh Kang
Tyler E. Kerstetter
Emily Kiefer
Evan L. Kuo
Shane P. Lamprey
Jason A. Laskoski
Ashley N. Lavin
Jonathan Leong
Shizhe Li
Xintong Li
Yanxin Liu
Anna E. Lubnow
Holden B. Mackley
Sydney E. Marmol
Allison M. Metzgar
Emily J. Miller
Kyle L. Minarich
Faheem Iman Mohammad
Andrew M. Moss
Aryanna N. Mumford-Rodriguez
Kamilla Muradilova
Siena M. Ondecko
Dhyana N. Patel
Divya Patel
Diya B. Patel
Brighton E. Pearson
Xue Ze Ren
Alexandra Reyes
Michael Rivino
Brayden I. Rose
Grace A. Roudebush
Hunter D. Ruch
Noosha Sadeghi
Marwa Sbai
Isabella L. Seibert
Subin Sherry
Chieh-Kai Shih
Cassandra E. Smith
Hannah M. Smith
Simran R. Sookram
Simon K. Stewart
Simon D. Stump
AliviaL. Sutherland
Nico S. Tassone
Joshua M. Todd
Vu My H. Tran
Diellon Trinaku
Thomas Q. Truong
Jessica O. Ugwoaga
Elijah J. Vargas
Amir A. Wahba
Nicholas J. Weir
Robin S. Weir
Mindy Zheng
Yi Zhu
President Sparks Award
Tyler C. Barton
Raphael F. Bastos
Dylan Bowling
Kate Bukowski
Aadithya Chandramouli
Matthew Choi
Trinity Dang
Zoee Edmonds
Kayla Estorque
Riley Fallon
Hibatallah Harit
Paul Hwang
Steven Johnson
Yingxin Liu
Jaime Alessandro Panaligan
Suchi Patel
Trevor Peirce
Muskaan Seth
Makayla Shutt
Yaadhavi Venkatesan
Evan Pugh Scholar Award (Juniors)
Tressa Burger
Shaoyi Guo
Vishnu Lella
Yi Lu
Xinyi Yin
Evan Pugh Scholar Award (Seniors)
Macy E. Eisenhart
Isaiah Fisher
Jenna A. Frey
Hannah M. Gorrell
Meghan LeHew
Colleen MacAdam
Willow A. Marsh
Mark Petrik
Dana M. Riccardi
Faaiq Rizwan
Matthew G. Sharp
Justice C. VanSkyhawk
John E. Warfel
Shujun Yao
Outstanding Undergraduate in Human Development and Family Science Award
Jaelynn Carter
Jaelynn exemplifies the values that HDFS professionals hold dear. She is committed to gaining and developing knowledge, her work is high quality, and she strives to take on new challenges academically. Jaelynn shows kindness and sensitivity towards peers, professors, and clients, and demonstrates excellent communication skills. Her smile and positivity always comfort others. Even in times of tension, she knows how to resolve conflict or find a bright side to the situation.
Jaelynn is highly involved in many programs on campus. She has brought speakers and organized events to create a more multicultural and friendly campus. As an emerging leader and president of the Health and Human Services Club, she analyzes achievements and opportunities for improvement, and with her team, plans new strategies to address challenges. She is accountable and holds others accountable while offering support. Finally, she is a fierce advocate when necessary.
We know Jaelynn will achieve great things in the future, and she truly deserves the Outstanding Undergraduate in Human Development and Family Science Award.
Jane Blakely Keat Award for Excellence in Elementary Education
Valentina M. Scottodicarlo
This honor is bestowed upon a graduating senior who has excelled and demonstrated remarkable dedication, professionalism, ethics, and commitment in elementary education. As everyone knows, one of the most significant and difficult jobs in the world is teaching. It takes a special expertise and enthusiasm to instruct and inspire young students, and Valentina possesses all the qualities needed to be successful in this line of work. She has established a solid foundation for her future success by working tirelessly to build a supportive and stimulating learning environment that has influenced many young students. Valentina deserves our utmost respect and appreciation for her outstanding achievements in elementary education.
Valentina, we congratulate you on this well-earned honor and wish you the very best as you pursue your goal of becoming an exceptional educator.
Thomas G. Bowers Award for Excellence in Applied Clinical Psychology
Zoya Dawar
Zoya Dawar is well deserving of receiving this award due to her high level of clinical acumen and consistent ethical practices in her work within clinical settings. She is adept at considering various psychological theories to implement clinically indicated interventions with a variety of populations. She consistently employs culturally sensitive interventions that underscore her commitment to working with clients from all backgrounds to address their mental health concerns.
Outstanding Graduate Student in Applied Clinical Psychology Award
Leana Eugene
Leana Eugene is well-deserving in recognition of her outstanding engagement with both research and clinical practice while in the Clinical Psychology master's program. Leana is highly engaged in research outside of the requirements of the graduate program. She is engaged in meaningful research, while also balancing a challenging clinical internship. She engages in all aspects of the master's program with a high level of integrity, curiosity, and humility.
Communication Sciences and Disorders Undergraduate Student Award
Alexandra Lister
The Communication Sciences and Disorders Undergraduate Student Award recognizes a student in the major who has demonstrated excellence in their academics, service to the major, and overall potential in their future career as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist. The award this year is being presented to Alexandra Lister and she is certainly deserving. Although Ali has only been on campus for two years, she has made a significant impact in all of her academics, student organizations, and in sports. Faculty feedback is unanimous in that Ali is a joy to have in class, as she not only contributes to classroom discussions, but also elevates the discourse and encourages others to participate. Ali has been active with the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSSLHA), and has worked to increase their exposure on campus as well as on the national stage. Finally, Ali is a very talented basketball player and helped the Penn State Women's basketball team win the United East Conference Championship in 2024 and advance to the NCAA Championship tournament for the first time. While all of these accomplishments and accolades qualify Ali to win this award, it is perhaps the final component that is most notable. That is, her potential in the profession. Ali is going to be an exceptional speech-language pathologist. This profession requires a combination of critical thinking and a caring nature and Ali embodies both of those qualities. Congratulations Ali!
Outstanding Graduate Student in Applied Behavior Analysis Award
Samara Wilson
Samara Wilson is the recipient of the Outstanding Graduate Student in Applied Behavior Analysis Award in recognition of her exceptional scholarly achievements, dedication to research, and academic excellence. As a coauthor on a published paper, with another under submission, Samara has already made meaningful contributions to the field. She has also presented her research at the Association for Behavior Analysis International Annual Conference, demonstrating her commitment to advancing behavior analytic knowledge. Beyond her research accomplishments, Samara is a joy to have in class, consistently engaging with course material at a high level and demonstrating strong analytical and critical thinking skills. Her intellectual curiosity, work ethic, and scholarly potential set her apart as an emerging leader in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis.
Clem E. Gilpin Award for Outstanding Social Science Student
Andi Moritz
The Clem E. Gilpin Award for Outstanding Social Science Student is given to an outstanding undergraduate student who exhibits excellence in academics, as well as excellent service to school and community. Andi Moritz exemplifies these criteria. An active participant in her classes, Andi maintains a 3.8 GPA and actively serves the Sociology major and the campus in a variety of ways. She routinely volunteers to promote the sociology program at various campus events and is eager to serve as a peer mentor to new students and transfer students. As the creator and leader of the fabric arts club, Andi brings people together across campus to explore their creative sides. She states that "If we want our world to be more beautiful, kind and just, then let’s make our art beautiful, kind and just. Together we’ll create change one stitch at a time.” Andi has stepped into the educator role in several professional development trainings hosted on campus by Student Disability Resources, the Center for Teaching Excellence, and Counseling and Psychological Services. In these presentations, she spoke to faculty and staff to bring awareness to the student experience of neurodiversity and offer guidance on what the community can do to remove barriers and create a more inclusive environment for neurodiverse students. Recently, as part of her internship experience with the Pennsylvania State Data Center, Andi published an excellent research brief on cost of living for Pennsylvania residents. Andi's dedication to the Sociology program, the Penn State Harrisburg campus, and the community are inspiring, and represent the best among many fine students in the Sociology program.
Outstanding Undergraduate Psychology Student Award
Debra Eshleman
Debra Eshleman has been selected for the Outstanding Undergraduate Psychology Student Award. Debra excels in academics, service, and research. Her professors describe her as a "pleasure to have in class." They identify her thorough preparation and active participation as characteristics that elevate the class environment. Debra also serves the campus through her membership in Psi Chi, the International Honors Society in Psychology, where she served as vice president in 2023-24. In January 2025, Debra coordinated a campus Human Trafficking Awareness event featuring Greenlight Operations. Debra also serves the community as a facilitator on the Hands and Hearts Together research project investigating the Circle of Serenity Parenting Program in Harrisburg. In addition, Debra is building her clinical skills through her work as a case manager at the Foundation of the Pennsylvania Medical Society in the Nurses' Health Program. Her work there began as a summer internship experience, and she was able to successfully transition into employment. We are thrilled that Debra has accepted her offer to attend the Penn State Harrisburg Clinical Psychology Master's program in Fall 2025. Congratulations Debra!
Betty Fortner Literacy Education Award
Audrey Foster
Audrey is receiving this award for her exemplary performance throughout her graduate work and literacy practicum experience. As a third-grade teacher in the Middletown Area School District, Audrey demonstrated a keen interest in framing literacy teaching and learning as one of the most powerful levers to increase access, opportunity, and equity for her students. Audrey is a compassionate thinker, gifted practitioner, and teacher-researcher who is deeply committed to transforming literacy instruction.
During her literacy clinic experience, Audrey implemented interventions to support a student facing difficulties with learning to read. Through her scaffolded, student-centered approach, she provided multisensory, evidence-based interventions to meet the instructional goals for the student. She has also developed a professional growth agenda that has empowered her to deliver literacy instruction in ways that are both culturally responsive and research-based.
Audrey is a lifelong learner who has made a positive impact on students' literacy learning and has demonstrated leadership both within and beyond the classroom.
Outstanding Residency Candidate in Teacher Education
Haley Lynn Hosman
Haley Hosman has been an exemplary student and certification candidate in Elementary Education. She shows excellence in her scholarly work, participation in her courses, and contributions to service. Haley's mentor teacher at her student teaching placement shared the following: "Haley jumped into co-teaching as soon as she entered the classroom and hasn’t slowed down. She is quick to assess the needs of each individual student and tailors her interactions with them to meet the level of need. Haley has taken the initiative to talk with a reading specialist at school to gain some insight and ideas to continue her groups’ growth. She has created various activities to keep the students engaged during her small group lessons. Her dedication to quality work is evident in her detailed lesson plans and lesson maps. Haley’s positive and nurturing attitude is felt by all students and staff." Congratulations, Haley.
Outstanding Undergraduate in Kinesiology Award
Hailey Clouser
Hailey Clouser was selected for this award because she has demonstrated both academic excellence and leadership within the Kinesiology program. Academically, Hailey has performed exceptionally across the range of sub-disciplines that comprise the Kinesiology core: physiology, biomechanics, exercise psychology, history, and philosophy. Hailey has also been a leader, serving as both the vice president and president of the Kinesiology club, during which time she organized and led numerous campus events, such as the annual Exercise is Medicine campaign.
Outstanding Graduate Student in Teaching and Curriculum Award
Marissa Butts
Marissa Butts is receiving this award because she excelled in every area of her master's degree program in Teaching and Curriculum and completed the K-12 special education certificate program. She worked diligently to submit the highest quality academic work, while also working full time as a special education teacher. Marissa made valuable contributions to the courses, building rapport and providing examples of how the concepts from the two programs could be applied to teaching. Her work also demonstrated her commitment to her special education students and inclusivity to ensure equitable access to education.
Ben D. Spangler
From the first class he took in the master's program in Teaching and Curriculum, Ben has demonstrated a commitment to learning. He takes advantage of every opportunity to improve his knowledge and teaching practices for his students. In the last year, Ben has been teaching math full-time in the Middletown Area School District, participated in a grant-funded program for STEM teachers, and is currently taking 3 classes. On top of all of that, Ben has earned A’s in every course he has taken as a graduate student. Ben is the personification of a committed lifelong learner and educator, making him more than deserving of the outstanding Graduate Student in Teaching and Curriculum award.
Excellence in Secondary Education Award
Cristina Orozco
Cristina Orozco epitomizes what it means to be a committed educator. She is a non-traditional student with full-time family responsibilities, and she took on a full-time teaching position on emergency certification in a high-needs middle school while attending Penn State Harrisburg full time. She persevered through a range of scheduling challenges and roadblocks. Cristina consistently exhibits the professional dispositions and capabilities needed to meet her future students' needs, and she is admired by Teacher Education faculty and her peers alike. Through everything, Cristina finished with a 4.0 GPA, demonstrating a commitment to excellence rivaled by few of those who previously completed the program. Cristina Orozco is most deserving of this award.
Roy W. Allison Outstanding Education Alumni Award
Delaney Bitner
Delaney Bitner is a graduate of both Penn State Harrisburg's undergraduate Secondary Education Social Studies program and the Master of Education Teaching and Curriculum Program. Delaney is a fifth-year ninth grade English teacher at Cumberland Valley who has distinguished herself as an alumna of Penn State Harrisburg and in the field of education. Not only has she long been committed to engaging her students in high level learning experiences and meeting their academic and social needs, no matter their background, she has also been a recognized teacher leader in her school district. She has facilitated various professional development sessions, received the "Portrait of an Eagle Award for Adaptability" from CV's superintendent, led her building's wellness committee, and was elected to represent her building in the school district's Professional Education Committee. Further, after earning her master's degree, she earned her principal certification through Shippensburg University. Delaney epitomizes what it means to be a teacher leader and possesses all of the qualities that make her eligible for this award. We are proud to call her an alumna of our programs.
Beta Gamma Sigma Graduate Student Award
Nathan M. Tillson
Nathan graduated Magna Cum Laude from Lycoming College with three degrees: finance, marketing, and management. He has more than 20 years of business experience as an agency operations manager, a senior account executive, and the agency principal, which he gained while working at Tillson Insurance and Financial Services. He has numerous certifications and is a Pennsylvania notary. Nathan has also been working as a realtor since 2022, while being a successful MBA student at Penn State Harrisburg. He has demonstrated exemplary academic performance and embodies the principles and values of Beta Gamma Sigma: honor and integrity, the pursuit of wisdom, and earnestness. Nathan has been described as a very motivated individual whose comments in class were always thought-provoking.
Graduate Student Engagement Award
Dhruvi Patel
Dhruvi combines academic excellence with leadership in both school and extracurricular activities. She is a IUG student with an exceptional GPA who received a bachelor's degree in finance in December 2024 and plans to finish an MBA in May 2026. She is a recipient of the President Walker Award. Dhruvi is a natural leader. She is the current president of the Finance Club, and she has increased club membership and student engagement through her leadership. In addition to the Finance Club, she is the fund manager of the Student Investment Fund, overseeing 10 committees and an investment portfolio of over $38,000, which increased to $42,000 within one year. Dhruvi is also involved in Future Business Leaders of America on campus, serving as Treasurer. She is exceptionally motivated, conscientious, hardworking, and a student with creative ideas.
Outstanding MBA Student Award
John A. Ponnett, III
John is an outstanding student in the MBA program. In 2019, he graduated from Smeal with a bachelor of science in Finance with Honors from the Schreyer Honors College and a bachelor of arts in International Politics, with a minor in Economics from Penn State College of Liberal Arts. He received many academic scholarships, including the Provost's Award, the Academic Excellence Scholarship, and the President's Freshman Award. As an undergraduate student, John was a member of the Blue Band and received the Richard Bundy Blue Band Scholarship. John started his career at Armstrong Flooring, beginning as a finance associate and working up to assistant plant controller. As a graduate student, he impressed faculty with the depth and clarity of his analysis of complex ethical cases discussed in class. He has worked at TE Connectivity since June 2023 as a finance manager for two partner facilities in the Aerospace Defense and Marine business unit with a combined $30 million cost budget. John's long-term plan is to excel as a corporate finance professional. In addition to working full-time and going to school, John volunteers his time as the treasurer at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Middletown.
Outstanding MSIS Student Award
Rohit Chorghe
Rohit is a highly accomplished graduate student in the MSIS program. He will be graduating in May 2025 with an exceptional GPA and was the recipient of the Arnold Memorial Graduate Scholarship. He was inducted into the Upsilon Pi Epsilon Honor Society for the computing and information disciplines and has been nominated for Beta Gamma Sigma, the international business honor society for schools accredited by AACSB. Rohit earned his Computer Science and Engineering undergraduate degree from Vellore Institute of Technology in India and worked as a software engineer at LTIMindtree. He has earned programming certificates in his field and completed various projects, including a property price analysis, at Penn State Harrisburg. His future goals after completing his degree are to research, develop, and learn new technologies in the field of Information Systems related to Data/Business Analytics and Information Science.
Beta Gamma Sigma Undergraduate Student Award
Brianna Brennan
Brianna is a hard-working, disciplined and dedicated student majoring in both marketing and management while working to earn a certificate in Human Capital Management. She has been on the Dean's List every semester since she joined Penn State Harrisburg. Moreover, she was the recipient of the President Walker Award in 2023 and was awarded the Penn State Harrisburg Board of Advisers Scholarship in 2024. During the eight years she served on active duty in the U.S. Air Force, Brianna received numerous medals and awards. She is very deserving of this award that recognizes all the qualities she possesses - honor, integrity, the pursuit of wisdom, and earnestness.
Dr. Sheela Pandey Memorial Scholarship
Leona Strine
Leona Strine is deserving of the Dr. Sheela Pandey Memorial Award. In terms of academics, she has proven herself a superior student. For her undergraduate career, she is majoring in Management and is also pursuing an MBA through the IUG program. Leona will be pursing a career in human resources. She has already successfully converted an internship at Constellation Energy into a full-time position. In addition, she obtained her SHRM-Certified Professional certification. However, Leona also believes that a good life must include helping others. In recent years, she has served as vice president and president of the York Suburban Impact Foundation. This is a student group that offers a food pantry, free clothing closet, and other resources to students in need. During the pandemic, she was instrumental in reorienting the organization to ensure that struggling families were able to access their food bank. Her spirit of volunteerism aligns with the vision of Sheela Pandey, who believed that businesses should always make the world a better place.
Brennan Quigley
Brennan Quigley is deserving of the Dr. Sheela Pandey Memorial Award. In terms of academics, Brennan is an outstanding student. He is majoring in both Marketing and Human Capital Management, has earned an impressive GPA so far, and has been admitted in the IUG program. In honor of his academic achievement, he was inducted into the Beta Gamma Sigma honor society. Brennan also believes in giving back to the community. In coming years, he aspires to work in human resources for a socially responsible company. Actually, he already is. Even though he is busy with his classes and student organizations, he finds the time to work in the human resources office of Country Meadows Retirement Communities, where he is an employment specialist who focuses on recruiting. He is proud to work for Country Meadows because their mission is about helping people - not just securing profits. That aligns with both his personal beliefs and with the vision of Sheela Pandey, who believed that business should always make the world a better place.
Higher Information Group Business Excellence Award
Ashley Elefante
Ashley Elefante is an excellent candidate for the Higher Information Group Excellence Award. Ashley is very capable of grasping the ideas and models presented in class and applying them to real world examples during the lectures and class discussions. Her attendance and class participation have been consistently excellent and she demonstrates great effort in analyzing and answering questions correctly. Moreover, given her outstanding performance, Ashley has shown determination to achieve her academic goals at Penn State Harrisburg.
Ashley is a junior majoring in Accounting with an excellent GPA. She is in the Capital College Honors Program and the National Society of Leadership and Success. In addition to her outstanding academics, she is also an NCAA athlete, playing softball at Penn State Harrisburg.
Ashley's outstanding academic abilities and great character make her a very strong candidate to receive this prestigious award.
Sarah Hale
Sarah transferred to Penn State Harrisburg to complete her bachelor's degree in marketing. She is a very organized and disciplined student who is determined to pursue a successful career. It is especially impressive that Sarah has been actively working while being a very successful full-time student. She has several years of customer service experience, which helps her easily apply the theories she learned in class to real-life case scenarios. Sarah is also part of the Integrated Undergraduate/Graduate (IUG) program, and will be completing her MBA degree next year. Because of her academic success, Sarah has been invited to join two honor societies for the School of Business, Mu Kappa Tau National Marketing Honor Society, and Beta Gamma Sigma, the international business honor society. An invitation to join BGS is the highest honor that can be bestowed on business students at AACSB accredited schools.
FEI Central PA Chapter Outstanding Student Award
Genesis Santana
Genesis Santana is awarded the 2025 FEI Central PA Chapter Outstanding Student Award. This award recognizes outstanding students in finance, economics, accounting, and other business-related majors from local colleges and universities. Genesis is a senior majoring in Accounting with an impressive GPA. She has been the recipient of several scholarships and was inducted into Beta Gamma Sigma business honor society as a junior. In addition to her high academics, Genesis has been involved in Lion Ambassadors and more recently, the Student Initiated Fee Committee. She also tutors other students at the Learning Center. Genesis already has experience working as a tax intern and, after graduation, she will work as a part-time tax associate with Brown Plus in Camp Hill while preparing to take the CPA exam.
Composition Writing Award
Daniel Franklin
Daniel Franklin’s essay, “Our Lonely Metal Boxes: How to Reverse Society’s Social Isolation Brought About by Cars in Our Cities,” distinguishes him as a thoughtful and capable writer. His essay looked at the relationship between cars and social isolation, ultimately arguing that the U.S. ought to encourage alternative transportation methods to foster stronger communities. This essay, which was aimed at identifying a problem and proposing a solution, showed his creativity, diligent research, and ability to synthesize sources in support of his argument. His work demonstrates a keen sense for word choice, sentence structure, and phrasing, as well as the stakes of written argumentation. His nominator writes, “Apart from being a great essay... I think this sample also reflects some of the larger lessons students should take from ENGL 15: even the strongest writers can (and should!) continue to grow and writing can be a tool to advocate for changes we want to see.”
Academy of American Poets Prize at Penn State Harrisburg
Lauren Ajebon
"How Much for One Palestinian Life?" approaches a challenging subject with subtle artistry and sophistication. Rather than being a didactic poem about the state of the world, the poem zooms in on the relationships between the speaker, her sister, and her father, and uses them as a lens through which to consider the question presented in the poem's title. The poem is rich with images, conveys a taut yet poignant narrative, and reflects on the value of personal relationships and often-fraught family dynamics, while leaving largely in the backdrop the specter of a world in upheaval. We congratulate first-year student Lauren Ajebon for winning this year's Academy of American Poets Prize!
Amy Colleen (runner up)
"Meditations on 'Good Parenting' in the Smartphone Age" waxes lyrical on the challenges of raising children--with one hand on a child's fevered brow and another holding a smartphone. The poem shuffles between staccato one-word sentences that highlight the transitory nature of how we interact with the world through technology, and longer narrative sequences in which the mother-speaker's tension between wanting to record and look up everything, and wanting to be present for the important people in her life, is brought to the fore. We congratulate Amy Colleen for being this year's runner-up for the Academy of American Poets Prize.
Outstanding Undergraduate Creative Writing Award
Emily Lynne Keim
This award recognizes excellence in a collected body of undergraduate creative writing and Emily Lynne Keim is a deserving winner. In the words of their nominator, “Lynne is easily one of the most talented and hard-working creative writers it’s ever been my pleasure to teach... They are always challenging themself to work in new form and experiment artistically.” Their current novel project “In The Clear Blue Sea” demonstrates their craft and creativity, but this award recognizes their excellence across a broad body of work. Keim has been repeatedly published in both "Fission" and "From the Fallout Shelter," Penn State Harrisburg’s campus literary journals, with works spanning creative nonfiction and fiction.
Creative Achievement Award in the Visual Arts (Undergraduate)
Elizabeth Vigliano
Elizabeth Vigliano is being recognized for the short film, “Loose Grip.” Composed for a course in Cinema Art, this short film is constructed around the theme of dreams, with the motifs of fairy tales. Elizabeth not only wrote the script, but directed the film, drew the sketches in the film, and more. It is an excellent demonstration of cinematography, lighting, motifs, and mise en scene, as well as narrative and mood. Elizabeth's film exemplified the spirit of this award, which recognizes skill and creativity in expressive visual arts.
William J. Mahar Award of Excellence in the Performing Arts
Isabella (Bella) Walls
This award recognizes students who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to the theatre, musical theatre, and/or choir programs. Bella Walls is being awarded for her contribution to the theatre program. A Theatre minor, Bella has demonstrated immense talent, drive, and commitment to the theatre program on campus. Throughout her coursework, she has proven to be a thoughtful, rigorous, and passionate artist. Her outstanding classwork carried over to the theatre history and criticism classes, and she excelled in thoughtfully analyzing play texts and applying that to her acting work. Bella served as an assistant stage manager for many Penn State Harrisburg productions, and was the production stage manager for several blackbox theatre productions. She has worked on the student technical crew for the Mukund S. Kulkarni theatre and has also performed in numerous productions. Bella attended and participated in the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival in January 2024, when the 2023 production of "Clue" was invited to perform and won two national awards. In addition to her production experience, Bella has consistently shown a strong commitment to the arts. As president of the student-run theatre organization, Capital Players, in 2023-24, she was a driving force in the extracurricular theatre activities on campus, organizing community fundraisers, talent shows, and multiple creative outlets for her fellow students.
Jonathan (Jack) Wolfe
This award recognizes students who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to the theatre, musical theatre, and/or choir programs. Jack Wolfe is being awarded for his contribution to the music program over the past three years. During this time, Jack has participated as a vocalist in a number of ensembles, including campus choir and campus band. He is a great leader who always comes to rehearsals prepared and willing to help those around him. He is also self-motivated to add to the music program. For the past three years, Jack has been part of a small group of singers who rehearse on their own to present music during the music program concerts. The music is always funny, and this group has become a fan favorite during the concerts. Jack Wolfe is a deserving winner of this award!
George D. Wolf Award for Academic Excellence in American Studies (B.A.)
Jenavieve Hottenstein
The George D. Wolf Award for Academic Excellence recognizes outstanding academic achievement by an undergraduate student in American Studies and Jenavieve Hottenstein is a deserving winner. She has consistently impressed her faculty with her thoughtfulness, inquisitive nature, eagerness to learn, scholarly aptitude, and sincere commitment to understanding and contributing to the world around her. She exemplifies the American Studies ethos of interdisciplinary engagement, fierce curiosity, and attention to the stakes of scholarship in the world. Her work in museum studies and historical interpretation has been particularly impressive, which she has demonstrated both inside the classroom and beyond. Not only has she designed compelling virtual exhibits, written rich analytical essays, and presented her work at the American Studies program symposium, Jenavieve has consistently sought out opportunities to learn and stretch herself through internships at local historic sites and museums. She is constantly seeking ways to expand her knowledge and to make connections. Jenavieve is a skilled interpreter, student of history, and guide; her commitment to animating the past and more fully understanding our relationship to it is clearly visible in all she does.
Media Arts Award -- Undergraduate
Antonio (AJ) Castellano, Jay Jacobs, Lauren Krakowski
Antonio (AJ) Castellano, Jay Jacobs, and Lauren Krakowski are the joint winners of this year’s Media Arts Award, which recognizes an undergraduate School of Humanities project that employs a medium in a unique or especially creative manner. Their collaborative digital humanities project, “Pirates of the Renaissance: A Collection of Digital Humanities,” was developed for ENGL 443: The English Renaissance. Their objective was to create a WordPress site on a specific keyword from the English Renaissance, developing a public-facing digital humanities project. Their website's design showed an advanced understanding of web design, using interactive elements like a timeline. The research that they did was also impressive, covering a vast amount of material and making it accessible for a public audience. They are well-deserving winners for this inventive use of the medium, which was well thought out, organized, and slick.
Outstanding Analytical/Scholarly Research Writing Award
Hannah Gorrell
Hannah Gorrell is the deserving winner of this award which recognizes excellence in a collected body of undergraduate analytical/scholarly research. Hannah’s skills as a writer and researcher are exemplary. Although they are being recognized for a broad body of excellent work, one piece in particular stands out. Hannah’s research, compelling analysis, and inventive presentation are on wonderful display in her public-facing, digital WordPress site: "To My Lady: Rediscovering the Women of English Renaissance Literature Dedications." This exceptional piece of research writing was well-organized, focused, and an ingenious approach to an intriguing topic, the powerful patronesses of the English Renaissance. Her framing is intelligent and insightful; she narrows her focus to two contrasting and contemporary authors, showing how they address the same women in their dedications in different ways. Hannah needed to do a lot of biographical research on these subjects as well as research into the critical studies of literary dedications and patronage at this time. Her nominator was impressed with her independent research and ability to incorporate scholarly sources into her writing. She then paired this research with excellent close readings and analysis of the dedications themselves. Hannah's commitment to shining a light on an under-discussed topic in literary studies, the role of women in creating the literature of the English Renaissance, shows that she is a student deeply invested in uncovering marginalized voices and fresh perspectives.
Composition Writing Award for Multilingual Students
Abiola Cheo Fadel Hounkpe
Abiola Hounkpe is being recognized for their fantastic essay, “The Outfit That Taught Me a Lesson.” This piece stands out for its honesty, reflection, and the engaging way it tells a relatable story about decision-making. Abiola takes us through a memorable and somewhat awkward experience at a gala, where a questionable outfit choice turned into a lesson that stuck with them. The story isn’t just about clothes, it’s about learning how important it is to think through decisions and consider their potential outcomes. What makes this essay so impactful is the way Abiola connects a personal experience to a bigger life lesson. They even reflect on how this realization has influenced their later choices, like studying in the U.S. The writing is vivid and full of details that pull you into the moment, making you feel the discomfort, the regret, and eventually, the growth. It’s relatable, engaging, and leaves you thinking about your own decisions. Abiola’s ability to take a seemingly simple event and turn it into something meaningful is impressive. Their nominator writes: “This essay is such a great example of using writing to reflect and grow, and I’m happy to support Abiola for this recognition. They truly deserve it!”
John S. Patterson Award for Academic Excellence in American Studies (M.A.)
Joseph Gagermeier
Joe Gagermeier has been selected for the John S. Patterson Award for Academic Excellence in American Studies, an award that recognizes outstanding academic achievement by an M.A. student in American Studies. Joe has been an excellent student in graduate seminars, making insightful connections between new scholarship, his robust body of knowledge and research, and his own hands-on work in the field of public history. His work goes beyond the classroom, extending into rigorous independent studies, interpretive work at the Susquehanna National Heritage Area, and exciting new research for his M.A. thesis. Joe’s work is interdisciplinary, insightful, and deeply grounded. Faculty have been impressed by his ability and interest in exploring new approaches and bodies of literature in his research on the American Civil War and his sense of the importance of this ongoing work. Recently, he has begun to pursue important new research on the largely unremarked role of African Americans from south central Pennsylvania in the Gettysburg military campaign. In his studies, Joe has exhibited the combination of scholarly engagement and ability that make him a truly deserving recipient of the John S. Patterson Award.
Outstanding Writing Award--Graduate
Edward Hauck
Ed Hauck’s paper, “Non Nobis Solum: Not for Ourselves Alone, Upper Class Sportsmen and the Birth of Progressive Conservation," is a beautifully written research paper that traces the origins of the modern conservation movement in Pennsylvania to the turn-of-the-twentieth-century efforts of the state’s sportsmen. Written for a graduate seminar in American Studies, this paper deftly argues that these sportsmen, hunters and fishermen, were reacting to the devastating impact of market-oriented hunters whose depredations threatened the very existence of certain species. He connects this regional history to the larger history of the Progressive Movement, noting how some of the earliest stirrings of that movement originated in this unlikely corner of the state’s history. Drawing together a broad range of primary sources with a keen eye for gripping firsthand accounts, Ed produced a fascinating and significant piece of scholarship, and one that was remarkably well written.
Effective Speech Speaking Award
Aratrika Chakrabarti
Aratrika Chakrabarti presented a wonderfully crafted speech entitled "Reading Between the Lines (or not)," in which she explored the decline in students' ability to engage in sustained reading. Aratrika posits that this stems from the current education system’s focus on metrics through standardized testing and increasingly shortened attention spans and compellingly argues that these factors hinder critical thinking skills needed for basic college-level coursework, as well as the workplace. In this thoughtful and well-delivered speech, she demonstrated excellence in public oratory.
Sue Samuelson Award for Academic Excellence in American Studies (Ph.D.)
Timothy Smith
Timothy’s research and teaching exemplify his keen intellect, curiosity, and dedication to becoming the strongest scholar he can be in the field of American studies. His dissertation, “Distortion and Morality in Editorial Caricature: An Interdisciplinary Study in Graphic Satire of the Late Antebellum United States, 1835-1860,” examines a fascinating range of archival materials and print culture to consider how the genre of caricature has not just reflected, but shaped pivotal moments in American history through their play with and establishment of moral codes in the visual realm. In addition to his scholarship, he also has developed an impressive and extensive record in teaching courses across disciplines, including American studies, History, and Communications at and beyond Penn State Harrisburg. Timothy is committed to being a successful pedagogue and works tirelessly to provide his students with attention, care, and feedback so that they can become strong critical thinkers and writers. He is invested in helping students become informed and thoughtful citizens of the world who have a range of literacies that will help them in whatever field they choose to pursue.
Master of Health Administration Academic Excellence Award
Bhumi Patel
Bhumi Patel is an exemplary MHA student with an excellent GPA, demonstrating exceptional dedication and accomplishment in her coursework despite holding a full-time job. Her commitment to the program is evident in her timely completion of classes with outstanding results. Bhumi possesses strong communication skills, fostering positive relationships with faculty and instructors, and excels as a team player. She is a highly deserving candidate for this student award.
Criminal Justice Community Service Award
Melahat Akdemir
That Melahat is performing well above and beyond her coursework is especially impressive, considering everything else she has on her plate. Maintaining an impressive GPA, Melahat excelled in six courses last semester to complete her two undergraduate majors while engaging in all of the requirements and activities of the Penn State Harrisburg Honors Program. To pay for her tuition and living expenses, Melahat was employed as an Emergency Medical Technician for Penn State Health, working to save lives in the community. Indeed, Melahat has a strong commitment to her community, and she strives to promote citizenship by helping others. Despite her busy schedule, she carves out time to volunteer as a youth mentor through Sky Academy and improve her language skills - Melahat is proficient in four languages and has taught ESL courses to Turkish refugees.
James M. Ruiz Criminal Justice Scholar Award
Sydney Burch
Sydney has excellent academic performance and is very conscientious about her work and takes her studies seriously. She cares deeply about violence against children and women.
Andrew S. Donahue Award
Fabian Vantassell
Fabian is always there to serve others. He previously served as student government association president, and actively engaged in the student community. He was also a mentor for the Career Studies program. He performs exceptionally well in classes and is pursuing a career to serve the community. As a double major in sociology and criminal justice, Fabian will no doubt be a star in the field.
Criminal Justice Online Student Award
Ella Reed
Ella is an outstanding student. Her work is top-notch, as is her diligence and conscientiousness. She goes above and beyond to contribute to an overall environment of scholarship that elevates the class in a way that demonstrates not just excellence, but leadership. This award is well deserved; it represents not only our respect for her achievements here at Penn State, but also our faith that she will go on from here to make an outstanding contribution to her community and her profession.
Criminal Justice Outstanding Graduate Student Award
Mackenzie Bingaman
Our faculty reported that Mackenzie does excellent work when she served as a graduate assistant. Aside from being academically talented, she is incredibly organized, open to suggestions and willing to learn, and pays close attention to deadlines. She is very proactive and engaged in research and collaborated with Dr. Jennifer Gibbs on two manuscripts submitted for publication - one of which was recently accepted for publication in the peer-reviewed journal, Policing: An International Journal.
Irving and Mildred Hand State, Urban and Regional Affairs Award
Yeobin Yoon
Yeobin Yoon has demonstrated exceptional dedication and excellence in the study of state, regional, and local affairs through her academic achievements and active engagement in research and leadership. As a third-year Ph.D. student in Public Administration, she has focused her scholarship on collaborative governance, particularly at the inter-organizational level, to address complex policy issues and improve public service performance. Her contributions include presenting at prestigious conferences such as the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) and the Public Management Research Conference (PMRC), showcasing her ability to generate valuable insights for public administration. Beyond academics, Yeobin serves as the president of the Public Administration Doctoral Student Organization (PADSO) and as a board member for the Keystone Chapter of ASPA, where she has facilitated meaningful discussions and events connecting students and practitioners. Yeobin’s intellectual rigor, combined with her commitment to fostering collaboration and improving regional governance, exemplifies the qualities this award seeks to honor.
Public Administration Outstanding Graduate Student Award
Devita Putri
Devita Cempaka Putri, a second-year M.P.A. student, has consistently demonstrated exceptional academic achievements and consistent dedication to public service throughout her time in the program. Her strong commitment to excellence and high academic standards are evident in her outstanding performance in coursework and research projects. Devita has worked diligently to bridge theory and practice, applying her knowledge to address practical challenges within the Indonesian government. Her remarkable work ethic, innovative approach, and passion for advancing good governance set her apart as a role model for her peers. Devita's dedication to making a meaningful impact in the public sector embodies the core values of the M.P.A. program, making her a highly deserving recipient of the Outstanding Graduate Student Award.
Criminal Justice Outstanding Master’s Thesis Award
Ally Mullen
Ally Mullen completed a qualitative study examining the university policies at self-identified conservative Christian college campuses and how their policies contributed to rape culture on campus. Her thesis topic is timely and fills an important gap in existing literature on sexual assault on college campuses, much of which focuses on large, secular, and public colleges and universities. She will be presenting her thesis in a panel at the upcoming ACJS meeting and is working toward publication in an esteemed journal.
Steven A. Peterson Political Science and Public Policy Award
Naomi Garcia
The Steven A. Peterson Political Science and Public Policy Award honors an outstanding senior who demonstrates academic excellence and an unwavering commitment to public service, qualities that Naomi Garcia embodies in every way. Naomi is deeply committed to justice, with a sharp analytical mind and a strong moral compass that position her for success in civil rights law, public defense, or government service. Her academic excellence is matched by her exceptional writing skills, which reflect both intellectual depth and a relentless pursuit of clarity. Throughout her coursework, Naomi has demonstrated a self-directed and deeply curious approach to learning, constantly engaging with complex political issues and questioning assumptions. More than just an outstanding student, she is a force for change, bringing empathy, determination, and a commitment to advocacy that will shape her future contributions to law and public service. Congratulations, Naomi!
Kenneth W. Masters Award in Public Policy
Zachary Rusnak
The Kenneth W. Masters Award in Public Policy recognizes academic excellence and the potential for a productive career in the public sector, qualities that Zachary Rusnak has demonstrated in abundance. Zach’s record speaks for itself: a strong GPA, extensive campus involvement, and multiple internships, including the prestigious Pennsylvania House Fellowship. His research contributions further set him apart, he and Dr. Mallinson received Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) funding for a systematic review of cannabis access research, a project that Zach is leading while supervising another student and collaborating with the library’s Emily Reed. His leadership extends beyond research, he co-founded the School of Public Affairs Student Association (SPASA), creating a lasting space for student engagement in public policy. Through rigorous coursework, he has continually challenged himself to engage deeply with complex policy issues. Zach is not just preparing for a career in the public sector, he is already shaping it. Congratulations, Zach!
The Robert J. Bresler and Carol R. Nechemias Outstanding Political Science Senior Award
Samuel Albright
This year’s recipient, Samuel Albright, is a scholar of exceptional caliber, distinguished by his intellectual curiosity and dedication to critical inquiry. Sam’s engagement in class was consistently sharp, producing top-tier work that reflected his near-perfect GPA. His ability to dissect complex political concepts made him an ideal candidate for this prestigious recognition. But what truly sets Sam apart is his relentless pursuit of knowledge. Sam continually challenged his own assumptions, applied theories to real-world cases, and enriched classroom discussions with his probing questions. His intellect, discipline, and passion for learning make him a truly deserving recipient of this award and a future leader in political science. Congratulations, Sam!
Computer Science Graduate Student Award
Alex Li
Alex completed both a bachelor's degree and a master’s degree in computer science through the Integrated Undergraduate/Graduate Program in computer science. He also completed a minor in mathematics. He earned a perfect GPA. Alex is a member of the Penn State Harrisburg chapter of Upsilon Pi Epsilon, the International Honor Society for the Computing and Information Disciplines. His excellence as a student is recognized by his instructors. He received several awards and scholarships, such as the Evan Pugh Scholar Award and the Jane Filby Leonard Scholarship, among others. Previously, he served in the U.S. Army Reserve and he is committed to demonstrating and upholding the principles of discipline, leadership, and national service. He is currently working as a software engineer at Honeywell Aerospace.
Computer Science Outstanding Student
Jie Lee
Jie Lee is completing a bachelor’s degree in computer science. He has excelled academically in a rigorous program of study, earning a perfect GPA thus far. In addition to his stellar academics, he has been very active outside the classroom organizing technology-themed workshops for students. He has served on the TECS (Technical Education and Career Success) Club executive committee, as secretary in Spring 2024 and as vice president since the Fall 2024. As part of this club, he hosted numerous workshops providing hands-on practice with a range of technologies, including Git, GitHub, and GitHub Pages. He was also instrumental in organizing soft skill-oriented workshops, including the Entrepreneurial Leadership talk and Technical Interview Prep Workshop. He has also been active in various student competitions, including the Penn State Generative AI competition, where his team finished second place, and the ICPC regional programming competition, where his team finished with 8th place in the 2nd division of the entire Mid-Atlantic region. He has also participated in hackathons including HackPSU and YCP Hacks, where he and his team have been recognized with prizes. After graduation, he plans to pursue graduate studies at a university in China.
Mechanical Engineering Outstanding Senior Award
Caden Kurzenknabe
In addition to being an excellent student in the classroom, Caden Kurzenknabe has been active outside the classroom. Caden participated in the 2023 Multi-Campus Research Experience for Undergraduates, working with Dr. Ola Rashwan on antimicrobial coating of PEEK, a biocompatible polymer used in biomedical implants. He has continued that work as a Schreyer Honors scholar, presenting his results at the 2024 International Materials Science and Technology conference in Pittsburgh. Caden is also on track to be the first graduate from our Mechanical Engineering integrated undergraduate/graduate degree. Caden has also received the Even Pugh Scholar and the President Sparks awards.
Mechanical Engineering Technology Outstanding Senior Award
Jaden Longdon
Jaden Longdon has worked hard to balance his academic pursuits with outside activities. In addition to being an excellent student, Jaden earned the most valuable player award and second-team all-conference honors as a member of the men's soccer team. In recognition of his excellence on the field and in the classroom, Jaden was inducted into Penn State Harrisburg chapter of Chi Alpha Sigma. In addition to these honors, Jaden has worked as an undergraduate researcher focused on reducing the noise generated by air conditioning systems in automotive applications. He presented his work at the 2023 Penn Manufacturing Expo. This past summer Jaden completed an internship with Serco, expanding his interest in acoustics by working in their submarine group.
SDCET Outstanding Senior Award
Caleb Yinger
Caleb has demonstrated exceptional academic performance and is a natural mentor to his classmates. For the past 10 years, Caleb has served in the military, serving 5 years in the United States Marine Corps, and another 5 years in the United States Air Force. During his time in the military, Caleb has taken part in COVID-19 relief missions and continues to play adult sports with his fellow airmen.
CE Outstanding Senior Award
Taylor Heiner
Taylor has demonstrated exceptional academic performance. He is also heavily involved with the Penn State Harrisburg American Society of Civil Engineering club, where he has given paper presentations at ASCE competitions and is the leader of the Penn State Harrisburg Surveying Team for this year's ASCE competition. Taylor is a natural mentor and has taught his fellow classmates surveying as part of preparing for the ASCE competition.
Gerald Brey Award for Outstanding Senior Designer
Halley Peffley
Halley has exceptional academic performances as well as being highly involved in the American Society of Civil Engineers club at Penn State Harrisburg. Halley is a 4-year competitor on the ASCE steel bridge team and has also been involved with the ASCE concrete canoe competition. Halley is hard working, dedicated, highly motivated, and a natural leader.
Science Outstanding Student Award
Nicholas Corbett
Nicholas Corbett is a proud student of Penn State Harrisburg’s biology department. Since May 2023, he has been working at the Penn State College of Medicine NMR lab, where he was responsible for contacting, screening, scheduling, and performing data collection for two studies. The first study investigates the connection between asymmetric neurodegeneration of the olfactory bulb with the early progression of Parkinson's Disease. The second study is investigating the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis as it relates to anorexia. A normal day with a participant would include neuropsychiatric evaluations, collection of sensory data for either olfaction or gustation, and then an fMRI using machines designed to deliver scent or tastants to the participant while in-magnet. Nick also scribed for the Hershey Medical Center in both the heart and vascular ICU and pediatric ED. Nick also has a degree in Kinesiology. Nick did his internship along with the physical therapists of The Hetrick Center. Nick got his first exposure to research at the Biofuels laboratory working with Industrial hemp. He has an impressive GPA and has been accepted into Geisinger Medical School.
His hobbies include playing guitar and to quote him “Whenever I feel overwhelmed with work or school, I can pick up my guitar, play a song, and feel better almost immediately thereafter.”
Mathematical Sciences Outstanding Student
Chunyu Lu
Chunyu Lu completed her bachelor’s in Mathematical Sciences in fall 2024. Her enjoyment of problem solving led her to majoring in mathematics. She has excelled as a student through college and has earned an impressive cumulative GPA. In spring 2024, she was inducted into Pi Mu Epsilon (PME), the national mathematics honor society. She has been a constructive addition to every class of which she has been a part. She was selected by the math faculty for this award due to her demonstrated excellence in mathematics, her discipline and dedication as a student, and her enthusiasm for learning.
Electrical Engineering Scholastic Achievement Award
Patrick Burnham
A veteran of the United States Navy, Patrick chose to pursue a second bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, a significant departure from his initial B.A. in Political Science. During his time at Penn State Harrisburg, he has exhibited academic and professional excellence, maintaining an excellent GPA. He successfully completed an internship as a reliability engineer at PPL Electric Utilities and passed the FE Exam, a crucial first step towards becoming a licensed Professional Engineer. Patrick has accepted a position as an electrical project engineer at James Posey Associates in Baltimore, Maryland.
Electrical Engineering Technology Scholastic Achievement Award
Daniel Morris
Dan graduated in May of 2022 with a bachelor’s in biology, but after working for a year as a research technician at the Hershey Medical Center, he decided to take a different direction and enrolled in the EET program, making Dean’s List in the spring and fall of 2024 while also juggling a part-time job and extracurriculars. In the summer of 2024, he secured an internship at Microchip Technology and gained some industry experience and is now in his final semester and excited to begin working as an engineer! In the future, he hopes to combine both his biology and engineering education and design electronics for medical devices.
Electrical Faculty Outstanding Senior Award
Chase Brown
Chase credits Penn State Harrisburg with helping him develop not only academically, but also in his overall character. Being involved with activities on campus, most notably the IEEE student branch, he significantly improved his communication and public relation skills. Engagement with staff, faculty, and colleagues afforded him with opportunities and insights that could be applied to life both inside and outside of the college environment.