See this year's University Academic and Campus Academic Program Award winners:
About the Awards:
University Academic Awards
The President Walker Award
This award is presented annually to undergraduate degree candidates and degree-seeking provisional students who have earned a 4.0 (A) cumulative grade-point average based on at least 12 graded Penn State credits completed during their first semester of admission. Credits where Alternative Grades were selected do not count in the graded credits total. Candidates are eligible for this award if they have fewer than 36 Penn State credits earned. During the presidency of Eric A. Walker (1956-1970), and with the approval of the Board of Trustees, the number of awards was increased and in 1960, the President's Freshman Award was established.
The President Sparks Award
This award is presented annually to those undergraduate degree candidates who have earned a 4.0 (A) cumulative grade-point average based on at least 36 graded Penn State credits completed y the end of the fall semester of the academic year in which the award is given. Credits where Alternative Grades were selected do not count in the Penn State graded credits total. Candidates are eligible for this award if they have fewer than 60 total credits earned. In 1919 the President Sparks Medal was awarded to one student for attaining the highest average. Edwin Erle Sparks was president from 1908 to 1920.
The Evan Pugh Scholar Award - Junior
These scholars are those students who are in the upper 0.5 percent of their respective classes and have completed at least 48 graded Penn State credits and at least 60 cumulative credits with no more than 92 cumulative credits, at the end of the fall semester of the academic year in which the award is given. Candidates are eligible if they have been full-time Penn State undergraduate students for at least four semesters prior to selection. The students this year have cumulative grade-point averages of 4.0.
The Evan Pugh Scholar Award - Senior
These scholars are those students who are in the upper 0.5 percent of their respective classes and have completed at least 48 graded Penn State credits, with more than 92.1 cumulative credits, at the end of the fall semester of the academic year in which the award is given. Candidates are eligible if they have been full-time Penn State undergraduate students for at least four semesters prior to selection. The students this year have cumulative grade-point averages of 4.0. The Evan Pugh Scholar Awards began in 1933 and were given to the top five persons in both the junior and senior classes. The award is named for Evan Pugh, Penn State’s first president (1859-1864).
Academic Program Awards
Associate Degree in Business Award
To be presented to the graduating student who has best excelled in the Associate degree program in Business at Penn State Schuylkill as demonstrated by academic excellence and integrity in the classroom as well as leadership in the student's community, campus, and/or workplace. The student must have an overall average G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher and grades of B or higher in all courses prescribed for the major. Candidates will be determined by campus business faculty annually.
Baccalaureate Degree in Business Award
To be presented to the graduating student who has best excelled in the Bachelor of Science degree program in Business at Penn State Schuylkill as demonstrated by academic excellence and integrity in the classroom, as well as leadership in the student's community, campus, and/or workplace. The student must have an overall grade-point average of 3.0 or higher and grades of B or higher in all courses prescribed for the major. Candidates will be determined by campus business faculty annually.
Baccalaureate Degree in Health Policy and Administration Award
To be presented to the graduating student who has best excelled in the Bachelor of Science degree program in Health Policy and Administration at Penn State Schuylkill as demonstrated by academic excellence and integrity in the classroom as well as leadership in the student's community, campus, and/or workplace. The student must have an overall average G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher and grades of B or higher in all courses prescribed for the major. Candidates will be determined by campus business faculty annually.
Corporate Communication Award
This award recognizes outstanding scholarship in communication. To qualify, a student must be a Corporate Communication major who has completed at least 60 total credits (12 of which need to be in communication coursework) and achieved an overall grade-point average of at least 3.0. The student should also demonstrate exemplary work in the field of communication and be a good representative of the Corporate Communication major. Items that may be considered include cumulative GPA, honors coursework, participation in research, conference presentations, outstanding internship performance, service related to the field, and passion for the discipline. Candidates will be determined by campus communication faculty annually. In the event that there are no qualified candidates in a particular year, the award will not be given that year.
Communication Research Award
The Communication Research Award recognizes high-quality undergraduate student research in the communication discipline. This award is given to a student who has presented original research at a state, regional, or national communication conference, or to a student who has published original research with a communication faculty member in a peer-reviewed communication journal. The award winner will be decided by the communication faculty based on quality of research and writing, paper ranking at the conference, competitiveness of the conference, number of papers presented during the conference, number of conferences attended, and/or quality of the journal in which the research was published. This award may be given to any eligible student, regardless of major.
Baccalaureate Degree in Project and Supply Chain Management
To be presented to the graduating student who has best excelled in a bachelor's degree program in Project and Supply Chain Management at Schuylkill campus as demonstrated by academic excellence and integrity in the classroom as well as leadership in the student's community, campus, and/or workplace. The student must have an overall average G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher and grades of B or higher in all courses prescribed for the major. Candidates will be determined by campus business faculty annually.
English Award
This award recognizes outstanding ability in English, writing and literature. To qualify, students must have taken at least three courses in writing and/or literature at Penn State Schuylkill. (Literature courses with the designation CMLIT and ENGL are considered applicable for this award, as well as ENGL courses in writing). Extracurricular activities related to English —such as writing for publications or creative writing performances—may be considered in selection, but these are not prerequisites for receiving the award. The award will seek nominations annually, but the committee is not required to make any award if submissions are not of sufficient quality.
Humanities Award
This award recognizes outstanding ability in the Humanities. To qualify, students must have taken at least three courses in Humanities at Penn State Schuylkill. Extracurricular activities related to the Humanities may be considered in selection, but these are not prerequisites for receiving the award. The award will seek nominations annually, but the committee is not required to make any award if submissions are not of sufficient quality.
Best Student Paper in the Humanities Award
This award recognizes outstanding writing and scholarship in papers written for a course in Humanities at Penn State Schuylkill. The papers should demonstrate the application of skills appropriate to the discipline or interdisciplinary field; a high level of original, critical thinking; an imaginative use of language; and the ability to write in a compelling manner. The award will seek nominations annually, but the committee is not required to make any award if submissions are not of sufficient quality.
Criminal Justice Academic Award
This award in Criminal Justice promotes academic excellence for students majoring in criminal justice in Penn State Schuylkill. Students who receive this award are considered to be in good academic standing during their junior and senior year while majoring in criminal justice. Consideration of the award is determined by outstanding leadership abilities with considerable potential for success in the criminal justice field.
Criminal Justice Research Award
The Criminal Justice Research Award recognizes high-quality undergraduate student research project related to criminal justice, criminology, law or related field. The student must have performed research with a criminal justice faculty member for at least one semester. The student must also have presented a poster or oral presentation at a campus symposium. Preference may be given to students who have presented original research at a state, regional, or national conference. The award winner will be decided by the criminal justice faculty.
Human Development and Family Studies Award
The Human Development and Family Studies Award recognizes undergraduate scholarship, research, and service through community outreach in the Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) Program. Candidates must have at least fourth semester standing at the beginning of spring semester, demonstrate outstanding scholarship in HDFS (3.0 or above in the HDFS curriculum), including a thorough understanding of life-span developmental processes in individuals and families, and demonstrate outstanding accomplishment in undergraduate research or community service as part of the Field Studies Program in HDFS 395.
Psychology Academic Award
The Psychology Academic Award is given to all upper division psychology major who shows exceptional promise and outstanding scholarship in the field of psychology with an overall grade-point average of at least 3.30, and with grades of A in at least three advanced psychology courses taught by a number of psychology professors. The student should also demonstrate special interest and initiative in the field of psychology by taking honors courses, participating in research teams, presenting at student conferences, or serving in clubs or committees within the Penn State Schuylkill community.
Psychology Research Award
The Psychology Research Award is given to a student who has presented original research at a regional or national psychology conference, with the award winner decided by the Psychology Program faculty. The plaque displayed in the library is sponsored by the Psychology Club of Penn State Schuylkill through its dues and fundraisers, but the recipient does not need to be a member of the Psychology Club.
Sociology Award
This award is given to a student for outstanding scholarship in Sociology and for exhibiting a commitment to using sociological knowledge. The student must have an overall grade-point average of 3.0 or higher, grades of B or higher on all Sociology and Behavioral Sciences courses (i.e., courses with prefixes BESC, SOC, and SOCIO) that are recorded on the student's Penn State transcript, and a demonstrated ability to use sociological knowledge in creative ways to help solve social problems.
Biology Award
The Biology Award may be given to a student who has been at Penn State Schuylkill for at least three semesters and, in the opinion of the biology faculty, shows strong promise in the biological field. To be eligible to receive this award, the student must have taken Biology 110 and one of the following courses: Biology 220W, Biology 230W, Biology 240W, or Microbiology 201.
Chemistry Award
An award may be presented to the student who has done outstanding academic work in chemistry and has demonstrated a superior understanding of the field. The recipient must have completed Chem 212 and Chem 213, or be enrolled in these courses at the time of their nomination.
Engineering Award
An award may be presented to a student in an engineering curriculum who has at least second semester standing at the Schuylkill campus and who has excelled in the engineering and science courses required by the student’s curriculum. Final determination of the award recipient will be determined by campus engineering faculty.
Mathematics Award
An award may be presented to the student who has best demonstrated a comprehension of mathematics in sufficient depth to promise success in further study. The recipient of this award is chosen by the campus mathematics faculty on the basis of the student's performance in the courses in mathematical and differential equations, the majority of which must have been taken at Penn State Schuylkill.
Physics Award
A student will be considered for the Penn State Schuylkill Physics award if they have completed with excellent performance in either Physics 211 or Physics 250 and either Physics 212 or Physics 251. Additional consideration will be given for honors work within those courses and good academic citizenship (such as being a peer tutor in these or related courses). Final determination will be made jointly by the campus physics faculty.
STEM Student Research Award
The STEM Student Research Award recognizes high-quality undergraduate student research in the STEM disciplines. The student must have performed research with a STEM faculty member for at least one semester. The student must also have presented a poster or oral presentation at a campus symposium. Preference may be given to students who have presented original research at a state, regional, or national conference. Preference may also be given to students who have published in a reputable peer-reviewed journal. The award winner will be decided by the STEM faculty. This award may be given to any eligible student, regardless of major or semester standing.
Cybersecurity Award
The Cybersecurity Award recognizes a student who has demonstrated academic excellence in the undergraduate Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations (CYAOP) curriculum. This student also has sought opportunities outside of their studies to take advantage of other experiences such as undergraduate research, campus and/or community service, professional certifications, and related field work. Candidates must have at least a fourth semester standing, have demonstrated outstanding scholarship in the CYAOP degree curriculum (3.0 GPA minimum) and have pursued opportunities beyond their degree work to apply their knowledge creatively and contribute to the body of knowledge in the cybersecurity field.
Information Technology Award
The Information Technology Award recognizes a student who has demonstrated academic excellence in the undergraduate Information Technology (IT) degree curriculum. This student also has sought opportunities outside of their studies to take advantage of other experiences such as undergraduate research, campus and/or community service, professional certifications, and related field work. Candidates must have at least a fourth semester standing, have demonstrated outstanding scholarship in the IT degree curriculum (3.0 GPA minimum) and have pursued opportunities beyond their degree work to apply their knowledge creatively and contribute to the body of knowledge in the IT field.
Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing Award
To be presented to the graduating students who have best excelled in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program offered at the Schuylkill campus, as demonstrated by academic excellence and integrity in the classroom. The student must have an overall G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher and grades of B or higher in all prescribed courses for the major. Candidates will be determined by nursing faculty annually. In the event there are no qualified candidates in a particular year, the award will not be given that year.
The award will be presented annually. The students must be eligible to participate in the May graduation* ceremony. The award can be awarded to one BSN student and one RN to BSN student as determined by the nursing faculty.
*An RN to BSN student graduating in August and December of the prior year is eligible for consideration.
Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing Service/Leadership Award
To be presented to the graduating student who has best-demonstrated leadership and service in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree program offered at the Schuylkill campus, as demonstrated by service/leadership to the student’s community and/or campus. The student must have an overall G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher and grades of B or higher in all prescribed courses for the major. Candidates will be determined by the nursing faculty annually.
The award will be presented annually. The student must be eligible to participate in the May graduation ceremony. In the event there are no qualified candidates in a particular year, the award will not be given that year.
Nursing Academic Award
6th semester student May 3rd year-----
To be presented to a nursing student in the 6th semester of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program who shows exceptional promise and outstanding knowledge in nursing. The student must have an overall G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher and grades of B or higher in all prescribed courses for the major. Candidates will be determined by the nursing faculty annually. In the event there are no qualified candidates in a particular year, the award will not be given that year.
Tutor Award
The Tutor Award is given to that student tutor who, in the opinion of the director of the Learning Center and the professional tutors, exemplifies the characteristics of a model student and peer tutor. The student should be regarded as such by other tutors and tutees. The awardee also displays an exceptional ability to provide academic assistance to other students, while recognizing and adhering to the high standards of integrity, fairness, commitment, respect for others, and professionalism that this position demands (as outlined in the College Reading and Learning Association’s Code of Ethics). Finally, the awardee will have completed all mandatory training, maintained the required academic standing, and served as a peer tutor for a minimum of two semesters.