Student Activities Banquet Honors Campus Leadership

Pennsylvania College of Technology's 2008-09 Student Activities Awards banquet, a night "filled with rewards, recognition and flavorsome food" dedicated to student leaders and organizations, was held Wednesday in Penn's Inn.

The evening included awarding of a $1,000 Student Leadership Legacy Scholarship to Justin A. Ball, of Sandy Ridge, a business administration: management major. The scholarship, first presented in 2007, honors full-time students with a grade-point average of at least 2.5 and a minimum of one year of full-time status remaining in their studies, who demonstrate a strong determination to continue the legacy of student leadership at Penn College.

Student Leader of the YearMark R. Capellazzi, a culinary arts and systems major from Rochester, N.Y., was chosen as Student Leader of the Year from among an all-star slate of involved and invaluable campus leaders. "Mark is involved with many aspects of the college, including as student ambassador and chairperson of the Wildcat Events Board (serving his second consecutive term)," his nominator noted. "Mark always has a smile on his face and is willing to assist students in any way possible. Mark is admired greatly by his friends and peers."

At last year's SGA banquet, he was named one of two recipients of a $500 Student Leader Legacy Scholarship for the 2008-09 academic year.

New Student Leader of the YearGarrett M. Book, an ornamental horticulture major from Lancaster and SGA senator for the School of Natural Resources Management, was honored as the New Student Leader of the Year.

"Garrett is an outgoing, well-spoken and devoted new student leader. He goes out of his way to help anyone, at anytime, and to the best of his ability," his nominator said. "Garrett has stepped up to the plate and shown his pride as a Penn College student. I believe we can expect great things in the near future."

Outstanding Student Organization of the Year An increasingly visible campus group, affecting its surrounding "College Town"through activities ranging froma municipal egg hunt to a headline-making canned-food drive, Students in Free Enterprise was honored as the Outstanding Student Organization of the Year. "SIFE has transitioned from a dormant organization into one of the most active clubs at campus/community events," one of its members wrote in recapping an eventful year. "We have also established many relationships within our surrounding communities, including the Mayor's Office, Williamsport Businessand Merchant Association and the Little League World Series. Our membership has increased 186 percent (from seven to 20 active members). Projects such as Campbell Soup's 'Let's Can Hunger' drive allows the team to make a huge impact on our area. I think this year's SIFE team has made a firm foundation for (the) future and has developed a lagging organization into one that holds great potential."

Special Recognition of Outstanding ServiceDeparting from tradition, SGA did not present a "most improved" student organization this year. Rather, it chose to specially commend the nationally recognized civic work performed by the Collegiate Association for County Correctional Education.

"This organization has put a lot of time into creating educational opportunities for those who are imprisoned," the nominator said. "These are a group of students who take time out of their schedules for those who still want to learn, regardless of being in jail. I give this group kudos for doing a community service that is above and beyond expectations."

Adviser of the YearHonored as Adviser of the Year for exemplifying faculty commitment to students beyond their course work was Dennis R. Williams, associate professor of business administration/management and mentor to SIFE.

"Advising is more than signing off on forms," it was noted. "It is truly motivating our students outside of the classroom. Each and every member of the various student organizations should be more than thankful to have a faculty or staff member supporting them in ways that will benefit them beyond their days at Penn College."

Williams' nominator described him as being the "true backbone to the organization" and "able to give honest advice on both matters of business and personal development."

Outstanding Senator of the Year Micah A. Metzel, a technology management major from Dallastown, was chosen as SGA's Outstanding Senator of the Year for his representation of the School of Business and Computer Technologies. (An alumnus of the diesel and heavy construction equipment technology associate-degree majors, he also has served as a senator for the School of Natural Resources Management during his Penn College tenure.)

"This senator is active and visible across campus through his role as a student ambassador and member of the Student/Staff Judicial Council, as well as involvement in student organizations," his nominator said. "He has shown unwavering dedication to student government and consistently does ... the epitome of a thorough and meticulous job in fulfilling his duties as a senator. His work as chair of the ad-hoc Constitution Revision Committee is appreciated across the organization. He is a person of integrity, respect and honesty, and is always willing to help."

The Rest of the Story PCAlliance won the SGA Cup as the most active student organization, an award that wasn't decided until the results of Wednesday's campus Bloodmobile were factored in. Student groups at Penn College compete annually for "Cup" points, awarded for members' participation in meetings and other campus events.

PC Alliance was awarded $700 for its club account; the American Welding Society placed second and received $500; Gamer's Guild, third, $300; and ACM, fourth, $200. Two "Wild Card" organizations also were chosen, each receiving $100 for its organizational coffers: Alpha Omega CMI and United Campus Ministries.

Also honored during the catered affair were two familiar faces around the Bush Campus Center: Leslie G. Caputo, who is retiring as lead General Services custodian; and Lizabeth S. Mullens, whose three-year service as vice president for academic affairs/provost is coming to a close.

Each was presented with a plaque by Andrew R. Christoffel, SGA executive vice president.

The evening also included a wrapup of the year's activities by a number of student organizations and the swearing-in of the 2009-10 SGA Executive Board: Scott M. Elicker, president; Kyle M. Pfueller, executive vice president; Zachary E. Litchert, vice president of finance; and Ashlyn M. Hershberger, vice president of public relations.

Unless noted, all photos by Micah A. Metzel