Pennsylvania College of Technology President Michael J. Reed congratulates students who received collegewide honors during the Fall 2025 Commencement ceremony on Dec. 20, including (left to right) Cadence Copson, of Jersey Shore, Patriot Award; Jodeci Nicole Chasen, of Howard, Board of Directors’ Award; Nathan William Brown, of Littlestown, Academic Vice President and Provost’s Award; President Michael J. Reed; Hayden D. Lester, of Jersey Shore, President’s Award; Maddison H. Smith, of York, Lewis H. Bardo Memorial Award; and Mitchell Campbell, of Riegelsville, Lewis H. Bardo Memorial Award. (Photo Credit: Alexandra Butler, Penn College)
The award winners, their hometowns and academic majors are:
President’s Award, presented for leadership and service to the college: Hayden D. Lester, Jersey Shore, business administration.
Board of Directors’ Award, presented for achievement under exceptional conditions: Jodeci Nicole Chasen, Howard, nursing.
Academic Vice President and Provost’s Award, presented for scholastic achievement and service: Nathan William Brown, Littlestown, heavy construction equipment technology: technician emphasis and heavy equipment operator technology.
Lewis H. Bardo Memorial Award, presented to graduates who exemplify the ideals of Lewis H. Bardo (devotion to duty, helpfulness to others, friendliness and high ideals): Mitchell Campbell, Riegelsville, welding technology and welding & fabrication engineering technology; Maddison H. Smith, York, applied management.
Chef Leah Chase Excellence in Hospitality Award, presented to a graduate who demonstrates the late Chef Chase’s commitment to being a positive role model for the hospitality industry, work and scholastic excellence, stewardship of personal and professional resources, respect for self and others, and excellence and leadership in hospitality education: Hannah Katherine Lingle, Mill Hall, culinary arts technology.
Hospitality Faculty Award, presented to a graduate who demonstrates academic achievement, exemplifies professionalism and is committed to excellence in hospitality: Lorelei Elliott, Middletown, baking and pastry arts.
Academic Excellence in Nursing Award, presented to a graduate of the associate-degree nursing major for outstanding academic achievement and exceptional ability in clinical and communication skills: Kerry Elizabeth Steinbacher, Williamsport, nursing.
Spirit of Nursing Award, presented to graduating associate-degree nursing students who exemplify the caring, compassion and empathy that are the very spirit of nursing and embody the spirit of the Penn College nursing philosophy – professional identity, comprehensive person-centered care, teaching and learning, nursing process, information literacy, collaboration, and evidence-based practice: Danielle L. Barton, Muncy, nursing; Abigail Nicole Kuntzman, Danville, nursing; Kerry Elizabeth Steinbacher, Williamsport, nursing.
Shirley Novosel Memorial Award, presented to a nursing graduate who demonstrates excellence in clinical performance and clinical leadership and proficiency in clinical skills; promotes client advocacy; demonstrates a desire to learn and to help others learn; displays a caring, compassionate and empathetic attitude toward clients; and maintains a positive professional attitude: Stuart Dare, Mifflintown, nursing.
UPMC Program Award for Nursing, presented to a graduate of a nursing major who has exhibited strong leadership and teamwork skills; has demonstrated excellence, professionalism and commitment to the health care profession; and has demonstrated academic excellence: Jade Neiman, Williamsport, nursing.
Nursing Peer Recognition Award, presented to graduates of the associate-degree nursing major whose fellow classmates believe exhibit the characteristics of the technical nurse role: Alison Terese Benna, Morris, nursing; Zachary Roy Putman, Westfield, nursing; Steven M. Thompson, Muncy, nursing.
UPMC Program Award for Applied Health Studies, presented to a graduate of the applied health studies program who has exhibited strong leadership and teamwork skills; has demonstrated excellence, professionalism and commitment to the health care profession; and has demonstrated academic excellence: Jillian Kate Phillips, Mohrsville, applied health studies.
Penn College Welding Faculty Award, presented to a graduate of a two- or four-year welding major who exemplifies the college’s philosophy of excellence: Mitchell Campbell, Riegelsville, welding technology and welding & fabrication engineering technology.
Robert G. Thomas Award, presented to a graduate who has attained the highest cumulative average in welding: Matthew Woolcock, Oil City, welding and fabrication engineering technology.
Allan Myers Award, presented to the top-performing graduates of heavy construction equipment technology: Davis Rowell, Boalsburg, heavy construction equipment technology: technician emphasis and heavy construction equipment technology: operator emphasis; Jon T. Wagner, Jersey Shore, electric power generation technology: diesel emphasis and heavy construction equipment technology: technician emphasis.
Pathfinders to Excellence Award, presented to a graduate of the heavy construction or diesel program who demonstrates the qualities of an exemplary individual and the potential to become a model technician: Harry Thomas Wedwaldt, Highlands, New Jersey, heavy construction equipment technology: Caterpillar equipment emphasis.
Heavy Construction Equipment Faculty Award, presented to the graduate who most exemplifies professionalism within the field: Drew Gregory Gordner, Millville, heavy construction equipment technology: technician emphasis and heavy construction equipment technology: operator emphasis.
William E. Curry Award, presented to the graduate who most exemplifies the late William Curry’s pursuit of technical excellence and his enthusiastic passion for the diesel technology industry: Nathan William Brown, Littlestown, heavy construction equipment technology: technician emphasis, and heavy equipment operator technology.
Earth Science Center Service Award, presented to a graduate who shows exceptional leadership, professionalism and service to the majors at the Earth Science Center: Michael David Poorman, Lilly, heavy construction equipment technology: technician emphasis and heavy equipment operator technology.
Horticulture Faculty Award, presented to a graduate who best exemplifies academic achievement, motivation and professionalism in the field of landscape and plant production technology: Trinity Elizabeth Willoughby, Danville, landscape and plant production technology.
Aviation Technology Faculty Award, presented to a graduate who demonstrates academic achievement, ethics, teamwork, professionalism and a commitment to excellence in the field of aviation maintenance: Steven Michael Gautsch, East Berlin, aviation maintenance technology.
Collision Repair Department Award, presented to an outstanding graduate of a collision repair major: Madison B. Anders, Gilbertsville, collision repair technology.
Patriot Award, presented to a current member of the military or a veteran of the armed forces, who has enhanced the college experience for the veteran student community: Cadence Copson, Jersey Shore, nursing.
Dr. Davie Jane Gilmour Award for Leadership & Service to Penn College, presented to graduates who exemplify Davie Jane Gilmour’s legacy of outstanding leadership and contributions to the student experience: Samantha Tala Linn Hess, Muncy, nursing; Hayden D. Lester, Jersey Shore, business administration.
For information about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, visit www.pct.edu, email admissions@pct.edu or call toll-free 800-367-9222.