Schuylkill students' achievements celebrated at Academic Program Awards Ceremony

SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, Pa. — Penn State Schuylkill recognized students for their outstanding scholarship in several degree program and academic areas at the annual Academic Program Awards Ceremony held Friday, April 22. Dozens of students were honored for their scholastic achievements at the University and campus level.

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. 

• Gordon Arnold 
• Karlena Bartashus 
• Alexandra Chattin 
• Kaitlyn Cheng 
• Brianna Hall 
• Larissa Hanlon 
• Mackenzie Illyes 
• Katherine Joyce 
• Mikayla Kupstas 
• Lily McDonald 
• Cealinn McGroarty 
• Mackenzie Moser 
• Malak Mowafi 
• Kathryn Silverberg 
• Taylor Skwait 
• Christine Thompson 
• Sarah Tran 
• Brett Volker 
• Kaely Walshaw 

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 by 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. 

• Meghan Brake 
• Mia Raguso 
• Samantha Robbins 
• Logan Seddon 

The Evan Pugh Scholar Award - Junior

These scholars are students in the upper 0.5 percent of their respective classes who 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. 

• Bethany Haag 

The Evan Pugh Scholar Award - Senior

These scholars are students in the upper 0.5 percent of their respective classes who 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. 

• Grace Muench 
• Michael Russell 
• Aleksandra Williams
• Alex Witmer 

Academic Program Awards

Human Development and Family Studies Award

The Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) Award recognizes undergraduate scholarship, research and service through community outreach in the HDFS Program. Candidates must have at least fourth-semester standing at the beginning of the spring semester; demonstrate outstanding scholarship in HDFS, including a thorough understanding of lifespan 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. 

• Poetic Session 

Psychology Academic Award

The Psychology Academic Award is given to an upper division psychology major who shows exceptional promise and outstanding scholarship in the field of psychology with an overall GPA of at least 3.3, and with grades of A in at least three advanced psychology courses taught by more than one member of the psychology faculty. 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 at Penn State Schuylkill. 

• Sierra Santarsiero 

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 members of the psychology program faculty. The plaque awarded to the winner and 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. 

• Saige Lowe 

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 GPA of 3.0 or higher, grades of B or higher in all sociology and behavioral sciences courses, and a demonstrated ability to use sociological knowledge in creative ways to help solve social problems. 

• Lauren Covely 

Bachelor Degree in Business Award

This award is presented to the graduating student who has best excelled in the Bachelor of Science in Business program 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 GPA of 3.0 or higher and grades of B or higher in all courses prescribed for the major. 

• John Lindenmuth 

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. 

• Katherine Joyce 

Corporate Communication Award

This award recognizes outstanding scholarship in communication. The awardee must be a corporate communication major who has completed at least 60 total credits, 12 of which need to be in communication coursework, and who has achieved an overall GPA 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 honors coursework, participation in research, conference presentations, outstanding internship performance, service related to the field, and passion for the discipline. 

• Brandon Harris 

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. 

• Sophia Bates 

Criminal Justice Award

This award promotes academic excellence for students majoring in criminal justice at Penn State Schuylkill. Students who receive this award must 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. 

• Carol Rayos 

Criminal Justice Research Award

The Criminal Justice Research Award recognizes a 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 and 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. 

• Adam Amend 

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. 

• Michael Russell 

Physics Award

A student will be considered for the Physics Award if they have completed, with excellent performance, Physics 211 or Physics 250 and 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. 

• Kole Ney 

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 and 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, or those who have published in a reputable peer-reviewed journal. The award may be given to any eligible student, regardless of major or semester standing. 

• Caitlyn Goggin 

Cybersecurity Award

The Cybersecurity Award recognizes a student who has demonstrated academic excellence in the cybersecurity analytics and operations curriculum. This student also has sought opportunities outside 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 and have also pursued opportunities beyond their degree work to apply their knowledge creatively and contribute to the body of knowledge in the cybersecurity field. 

• Melanie Shimko 

Information Technology Award

The Information Technology Award recognizes a student who has demonstrated academic excellence in the undergraduate information technology degree curriculum. This student also has sought opportunities outside 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 and have also pursued opportunities beyond their degree work to apply their knowledge creatively and contribute to the body of knowledge in the IT field. 

• Brent Hinkle 

Tutor Award

The Tutor Award is given to a 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 awardee should also display 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. 

• Sierra Santarsiero