Collegewide honors presented at pre-commencement banquet

Four students graduating in Saturday's Summer Commencement were celebrated the night before, during an Excellence in Student Leadership and Service Awards Ceremony in the Thompson Professional Development Center.

"When we say that we are incredibly proud of the students receiving awards this evening, that would be an understatement," said Anthony J. Pace, Pennsylvania College of Technology's dean of enrollment and academic operations. "You have astonished us with your academic achievements and amazed us with your contributions to your fellow classmates and community members. By the end of the evening, I suspect that everyone here will share the same sense of pride that we all feel in this group of outstanding students."

College President Michael J. Reed reinforced the recipients' standout performances, noting their hard work in rising to the peak of recognition from among the institution's 4,200 students.

Three awards were presented by Joanna K. Flynn, interim vice president for academic affairs/provost; and one by Reed.

The President's Award, which reflects its recipient's leadership and service to the college, was presented to Kathryn Ann Plankenhorn, of Montoursville, who was introduced by Tina R. Strayer, coordinator of physician assistant studies. Plankenhorn, who was also selected as this semester's student commencement speaker, received a combined Bachelor/Master of Science degree in physician assistant studies.

Nicole B. Cowperthwait received the Academic Vice President and Provost's Award for scholastic achievement and service. The Bloomsburg resident earned a Master of Science degree in nursing and was introduced by Kelly T. Bidlespacher, director of nursing, bachelor/graduate degrees.

Presented with the Lewis H. Bardo Memorial Award – for graduates who exemplify the ideals of Lewis H. Bardo (devotion to duty, helpfulness to others, friendliness and high ideals) – were Alicia Marie Freed, of Freeberg, who earned a Master of Science degree in nursing and was also introduced by Bidlespacher; and Gabrielle Renee Fries, who earned a Bachelor/Master of Science degree in physician assistant studies and was accompanied by Jen M. Cullin-Hetrick, associate director of admissions.

While all of the honorees were from the School of Nursing & Health Sciences, a crosscurricular contingent of supportive Penn College faculty and staff was on hand in the PDC Mountain Laurel Room to celebrate the students' accomplishments:

• Administration – Jennifer McLean, dean of students; and Allison Bressler Grove, director of student engagement.
• School of Business, Arts & Sciences – Brian D. Walton, assistant dean of business and hospitality; Barb F. Di Marco, assistant dean of arts and sciences; and John F. Chappo, assistant professor of history/history of technology.
• School of Engineering Technologies – Justin W. Beishline, assistant dean of diesel technology and natural resources.
• School of Nursing & Health Sciences: Wendy A. Miller, assistant dean of health sciences; Tanae A. Traister, assistant dean of nursing and health sciences; and Victoria Hurwitz, director of physical therapist assistant.
• Enrollment & Academic Operations – Pat M. Scheib, coordinator of academic preparedness initiatives.

Also taking part in the proceedings was Shelley L. Moore, senior director of the Center for Career Design, who welcomed the soon-to-be-graduates into the alumni fold.

"This is a large family," she noted. "With your graduation tomorrow, we will have over 70,000 alumni from Penn College and our predecessor institutions. Our graduates are spread across the nation and around the world. This means no matter where you go to reach your personal and career goals, there is likely a fellow graduate around you."

(A complete list of Summer 2023 commencement awards is available elsewhere on Penn College News.)