Awards banquet kicks off busy commencement weekend

Twelve students graduating in this weekend's three Spring Commencement ceremonies were honored Thursday night during the Excellence in Student Leadership and Service Awards Ceremony in Le Jeune Chef Restaurant.

"Penn College is a great place because of students like you," they were told by Anthony J. Pace, dean of enrollment and academic operations. "Thank you for your hard work and service to the college and the community. And thank you for enriching the lives of your fellow students and the lives of the faculty and staff you have encountered."

In his welcoming remarks, President Michael J. Reed asked the recipients to appreciate that they represent some of the very best among Penn College's 4,200 students, "challenging us to be better and leading by example."

And just how special they are soon became evident, as speaker after speaker shared inspiring stories of the honorees' lasting impact.

"We've charged the presenters with the most difficult task of the evening," Pace said at the outset, briefly laying out ground rules that were just as quickly skirted, "which is to introduce these exceptional students and tell you all about their amazing achievements in just two minutes."

No one seemed to mind, however, engrossed by tales of military service and medical miracles ... of faculty friendship and peer-to-peer engagement  ... of maturity far beyond one's years and kindness well beyond campus boundaries ... of everyday contributions and extraordinary academic achievement.

First up were the Dr. Davie Jane Gilmour Awards for Leadership & Service to Penn College, conferred upon eight graduates who exemplify the former president's "legacy of outstanding leadership and contributions to the student experience." The awards were presented by Allison A Grove, director of student engagement, and Jennifer McLean, dean of students (who gave each student a lapel pin, then posed for photos with them and their presenters).

An alphabetical list of recipients – along with their hometowns, majors and an ever-so-short summary of their outstanding involvement – follows:

Nathan L. Caputo (introduced by Chet Beaver, coordinator of veteran and military services)
Williamsport
Residential construction technology & management

Student Veterans Organization (president, vice president and treasurer); involvement in various veterans activities: leading meetings, assisting with orientation days, college decorating and setup for events; hosting cookouts, information sessions and social events; Wildcat Egg Hunt; SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society

Dylan F. Ceschini (introduced by Jeffrey M. Januchowski, assistant professor of automotive)
East Freedom
Automotive technology

SGA senator for transportation technologies, leadership training through Army ROTC (one semester), Bald Eagle Battalion Leadership Excellence Coin Award; Penn College Benefiting THON, Pep Band, Wildcat Events Board

Dean R. Fulton (introduced by Anita M. Tressler, disability and access resources specialist)
Palmyra
Business administration: marketing concentration

Men's cross-country team (captain/leader), Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, recognition by United East Conference for athletic and academic achievement, Habitat for Humanity Spring Break Trip, Community Garden service project, Penn College Business Club, Accessibility Committee for Disability and Access Resources, Allies Lead to Access.

Abigail E. George (introduced by Brian J. Walton, assistant dean of business and hospitality)
Harrisburg
Applied management

Residence Life (resident assistant and senior resident assistant), Hospitality Connections Club (secretary), American Red Cross blood drive volunteer, SPCA treat donation, Taste the World event, Chocolate and Bourbon event in Le Jeune Chef, Penn College Dance Team, Ultimate Frisbee, Karate Club, CRU

Amanda F. Ritter (introduced by Ellyn A. Lester, assistant dean of construction and architectural technologies)
Center Valley
Building science & sustainable design: architectural technology concentration

Penn College Women in Construction (serving as president, vice president and treasurer); Student Government Association senator for construction and architectural technologies; Wildcat Events Board (team lead for live events); Architecture Club; LEED Green Associate certification; Riverwalk cleanup; and "(community) Service Saturdays."

Michael J. Sormilic (introduced by Chris S. Weaver, instructor of diesel equipment technology)
Southbury, Conn.
Building automation engineering technology
Electric power generation technology: diesel emphasis

Service Technician and Operators Association (president), speaker at the Schneebeli Earth Science Center 50th anniversary celebration. CTE Diesel Competition (2021 and 2022), Motorama (2020 and 2023), PA Build My Future, MLK Day of Service, ESCape Day, Arc Asylum hayrides, Dwell Orphan Care blanket project, voter registration drives, Trunk or Treat

Lauryn A. Stauffer (introduced by Melissa M. Stocum, LEAP adviser-mentoring)
Bath
Automation engineering technology: robotics & automation

Virtual campus tour on-screen personality, Wildcat Events Board (Wildcat Wednesday team lead), Presidential Student Ambassador, Student Government Association senator for industrial and computer technologies, Admissions Office assistant, Penn College Benefiting THON, Penn College Women in Construction, Penn College Foundation dinner, Awesome Woman Exemplar, SPCA Paws Run

Sydney M. Telesky (introduced by Jillian T. Scanlon, instructor of human services/social science)
Milton
Human services & restorative justice

Student Government Association (president, vice president, vice president for finance, senator for arts and sciences); college relations assistant; writing tutor; Fall Fusion; dunk tank for "College Tour" premiere; student speaker for Fall 2022 Convocation, Legacy Gala and presidential inauguration; Penn College Foundation dinner; Scholarship Luncheon, on float for Little League Grand Slam Parade.

The evening also included presentation by President Reed of the five collegewide commencement awards:

President's Award
The President's Award, which reflects its recipient's leadership and service to the college, was presented to Sormilic, who was introduced by one of his many faculty nominators: John D. Motto, instructor of diesel equipment technology.

Board of Directors' Award
Two students were honored with the Board of Directors' Award, presented for achievement under exceptional conditions: Jerron M. Snyder, of Muncy, and Margaret M. Stutzman, of Montoursville.

Snyder, who earned a bachelor's degree in nursing, was nominated by Mindy L. Carr, a faculty member in the paramedic program; Stutzman, graduating with an associate degree in allied health, was joined by Katie L. Mackey, assistant director of disability and access resources.

Academic Vice President and Provost's Award
Rachel L. Thompson (introduced by Craig A. Miller, professor of history/political science) was presented with the Academic Vice President and Provost's Award for scholastic achievement and service. The Williamsport resident earned a bachelor's degree in human services & restorative justice.

Rose Staiman Memorial Award
This year's recipient of the Rose Staiman Memorial Award – presented for brotherhood, service to college and community, and scholastic achievement – is Sophia G. Wiest, of Butler, graduating with an associate degree in landscape/plant production technology. She was accompanied by Jaycie M. Loud, assistant director of student engagement.

Lewis H. Bardo Memorial Award
Fulton, another of the evening's multiple honorees, received the Lewis H. Bardo Memorial Award – presented to a graduate who exemplifies the ideals of Lewis H. Bardo (devotion to duty, helpfulness to others, friendliness and high ideals). As with his earlier award, he was introduced by Tressler.

Closing out the celebration, Shelley L. Moore, senior director for the Center for Career Design, welcomed the evening's VIPs into the 65,000-plus membership roster of the Penn College Alumni Association. She encouraged them to continue their campus connection by becoming alumni mentors and by coming back to campus for events, and reminded them of the lifetime availability of career services.

"If you need to brush up a resume, or interview for a promotion, we're here for you – always," Moore said.

(A complete list of Spring 2023 commencement awards is available elsewhere on PCToday.)