Danielle Richardson named Walker award winner at student achievement ceremony

 

Communications major garners
campus’ highest student honor

Students and faculty honored at annual awards celebration
LaVarr McBride selected for “Excellence in Teaching” award

UPPER BURRELL, Pa. -- Demonstrating excellence in the classroom, providing leadership on campus and displaying citizenship in the community are Penn State ideals. Danielle Richardson, a junior communications major, personifies these ideals.

Richardson was named the 2016 recipient of the Eric A. and Josephine S. Walker Award on April 29, at the Academic and Student Achievement Awards ceremony at Penn State New Kensington. The Walker award is given to the student whose outstanding qualities of character, scholarship, and leadership contribute to the prestige of the campus. The award was established in 1980 by Penn State President Eric Walker and is presented at each of the 24 Penn State campuses.

At the annual "Celebration of Excellence" ceremony, students, faculty and staff were honored for their achievements inside and outside the classroom. More than 100 students were recognized for their academic prowess and extracurricular accomplishments during the fall and spring semesters.

Three faculty members were honored with the Excellence in Teaching Awards -- LaVarr McBride, instructor in administration of justice (full-time); Joshua Karelitz, instructor in psychology (part-time); and Skip Laratonda, adjunct instructor in engineering (Continuing Education). Faculty has three areas of responsibility: teaching, research/scholarly activity and service. The award recognizes campus faculty contributions in teaching. The principle criterion is classroom performance, but excellence in other activities such as advising, supervision of learning outside the classroom, and course development are also considered.

Students received academic recognition for the highest grade-point averages in each major, as well as for earning memberships in honor societies and honors programs. Brittany Hydock received the President Sparks Award for earning a 4.0 GPA with at least 36 credits. Five first-year students -- Dylan Clinton, Huating Lang, Kayly Lazaroff, Jiahui Lin and Thomas Sonnie -- were recognized for earning 4.0 GPAs during the fall semester.

Student achievement honorees included: Trevor Guerico, Lion Ambassador of the Year; Tyler John, Emerging Leader; and Richardson, Penn State New Kensington Alumni Society’s Penn State Spirit award. In athletics, Louis Payne (men’s basketball) was named Male Athlete of the Year, and Rachel Lojas (softball) was selected as Female Athlete of the Year.

 An animated Nicolas Regoli, the Literary award recipient.

Danielle Richardson
A member of the campus' Honors program, Richardson’s academic prowess and leadership acumen provided solid credentials for a Walker award. Richardson is vice president of the Lion Ambassadors, former vice president of the Student Government Association (SGA), student representative of the Student Activity Fee committee, a New Student Orientation leader, and staff writer for the Nittany Pride, the student newspaper.

In addition, Richardson serves as an academic success coach. She is trained to assist students using academic resources and navigating the new class scheduling tool, LionPath. One nominator wrote, “Ms. Richardson’s contributions to the work of the Penn State New Kensington Academic Success Center in the newly formed role of student academic success leader have been nothing short of invaluable.”

When campus leaders are needed to serve as delegates on campus-wide teams, Richardson is the first name on the volunteer list. She designed a public relations campaign for the new “Common Schedule” at Penn State, helped a local community organization prepare training videos for displaced workers re-entering the workforce, and contributed to the Better Block initiative for the city of New Kensington.

The Kiski Area High School graduate presented two research projects at the campus’ annual Research and Creative Exposition. She also helped plan Career Day, which is held in conjunction with the expo, and the Etiquette Dinner, which is designed for students as a workshop on proper business dinner etiquette and on best practices for networking and handling of awkward social situations.

“I am truly happy when I get to contribute to the well-being of the campus, the community, and to my fellow students,” Richardson said. “To me, serving means more than just achieving personal and professional goals. To me, it is a way of life, and something that I will continue to do after I graduate.”

For photos of the awards ceremony, visit http://psnk.smugmug.com/

ACADEMIC AWARDS

COLLEGE ACADEMIC AWARDS

COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES (Baccalaureate Degree): Brittany A. Hydock (Sophomore)
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING (Baccalaureate Degree) Alec J. Hydock (Sophomore)
Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology (Baccalaureate Degree): Michael J. Frenak (Senior);
Nathan A. Piluso (Junior); Matthew A. Rzewnicki (Sophomore)
Biomedical Engineering Technology (Associate Degree): Watipaso Kumwenda (Sophomore)
BEHREND COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING (Baccalaureate Degree): Zachery J. Smith (Sophomore)
COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT: Kelsey L. Belitskus (Sophomore)
COLLEGE OF INFORMATION SCIENCES AND TECHNOLOGY (Baccalaureate and Associate Degrees): Christian B. Kamenic (Senior, Baccalaureate); Matt I. Lomicka (Junior, Baccalaureate);
Rachael L. Goch (Sophomore, Baccalaureate); Jeremy Salisbury (Sophomore, Associate)
COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS, Administration of Justice (Baccalaureate Degree): Nicholas J. Welsh (Senior);
Nicholas J. DiMaria (Sophomore)
Liberal Arts (Baccalaureate Degree): Jonathan P. McCabe (Sophomore); (Associate Degree): Bethany D. George (Sophomore)
Organizational Leadership (Baccalaureate Degree): Leslie J. Davis (Senior)
EBERLY COLLEGE OF SCIENCE (Baccalaureate Degree): Ariel C. Festa (Sophomore)
SCHOOL OF NURSING (Baccalaureate Degree): Megan E. Myers (Senior)
THE JOSEPH A. AND MARY M. QUARATO NURSING PROGRAM AWARD
Outstanding achievement by students in Nursing program: Cathleen Choby, Amy B. Lutz
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, Bachelor of Science, Psychology (Baccalaureate Degree): Shawn A. Shannon (Senior) and
Joshua T. Gump (Sophomore)
Business Administration (Baccalaureate Degree): Jennifer Shannon (Senior);
Madison N. Tonarelli (Junior); Nathaniel K. Coup (Sophomore)
Communications (Baccalaureate Degree): Sarah E. Steighner (Senior)
Radiological Sciences (Associate Degree): Danielle N. Wertz (Sophomore)
DIVISION OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES: Hon Tak Cheng (Sophomore)

HONORS PROGRAM
FOUR-YEAR PARTICIPANTS: Christian B. Kamenic
THREE-YEAR PARTICIPANTS: Carley L. Carnahan
TWO-YEAR PARTICIPANTS: Ariel C. Festa, Laura K. Gensamer, Brittany A. Hydock,
Jonathan P. McCabe, Danielle A. Richardson, Vanessa J. Sacco, Evan J. West
ONE-YEAR PARTICIPANTS: Isabella M. Borondaro, Ryan J. Breen, Jared J. Burk, Nathaniel K. Coup, Justin M. Dumm,
Derek A. Fuhrman, Joshua T. Gump, Jacob C. Lutz, Evan M. Shaffer, Ashley B. Worlds

THE PRESIDENT’S FRESHMAN AWARD
Presented to undergraduate degree candidates and provisional students who earned a 4.0 cumulative grade-point average at the end of the fall semester.
Dylan G. Clinton, Huating Lang, Kayly A. Lazaroff, Jiahui Lin, Thomas Sonnie

THE PRESIDENT SPARKS AWARD
Presented to undergraduate degree candidates earning 4.0 cumulative grade-point averages with at least 36 credits.
Brittany A. Hydock

EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING AWARDS
Faculty have three areas of responsibility -- teaching, research/scholarly activity, and service. This award recognizes a faculty member’s contribution in teaching. The principal criterion is excellent classroom performance, but excellence in other activities such as advising, supervision of learning outside the classroom, and course development are considered.
FULL-TIME FACULTY: LaVarr W. McBride, Instructor in Administration of Justice
PART-TIME FACULTY: Joshua L. Karelitz, Instructor in Psychology
CONTINUING EDUCATION: Skip Laratonda, Adjunct Instructor in Engineering

 

STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS

WHO’S WHO AMONG STUDENTS IN AMERICAN JUNIOR COLLEGES AND AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES AWARDS:
Milagros J. Barta De Brasser; Brandon B. Burchette; Ian R. Callender; Carley L. Carnahan; Hon Tak Cheng;
Ariel C. Festa; Laura Gensamer; Joshua T. Gump; Brittany A. Hydock; Christian B. Kamenic; Watipaso Kumwenda;
Jiahui Lin; Jonathan P. McCabe; Brittany L. Miller; Marissa A. Russo; Madison M. Sedilko; Savannah M. Smith;
Cheyenne D. Swanger; Evan J. West; Ashley D. Worlds

PENN STATE SPIRIT AWARD
Presented by the Penn State New Kensington Alumni Society to the student who exhibits integrity and character as a leader and exemplifies the meaning of Penn State pride.
Danielle A. Richardson

PERFORMING ARTS AWARDS
Presented to students who merit recognition for outstanding efforts in performing arts.
BEST PERFORMER: Nathan A. Traini
BEST TECHNICIAN: Watipaso Kumwenda

LITERARY AWARD
Recognizes a student who authors a creative fiction or nonfiction published or accepted for release in a current campus publication.
Nicolas G. Regoli

LION AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR AWARD
Lion Ambassadors represent Penn State at campus recruitment events and in the community.
Trevor J. Guercio

 

STUDENT ORGANIZATION AWARDS

EMERGING LEADER
Recognizes a student’s leadership impact on a student organization through dedication to community service, promotion of diversity, responsible citizenship, and academic excellence.
Tyler A. John

STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION AWARDS
Presented to officers of the Student Government Association for exemplary leadership. The SGA sponsors activities for students, assists other campus organizations, and promotes student welfare.

SGA EXECUTIVE BOARD 2015-2016
Marissa A. Russo, President
Cody M. Shoemaker, Vice President
Taylor M. McHenry, Secretary
Ashley D. Worlds, Treasurer
William J. Carney, Upperclassmen Faculty Senate Representative
Jonathan P. McCabe, Underclassman Faculty Senate Representative
Shannon M. Josefoski, Shawna M. Fluhme, THON Co-Chairs

 

ATHLETIC ACADEMIC AWARDS
The New Kensington campus is a member of the Penn State University Athletic Conference, United States Collegiate Athletic Association and
National Collegiate Wrestling Association. Student-athletes are recognized for academic and athletic success.

USCAA ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA
Selected for earning or maintaining a GPA of 3.5 or higher
MEN’S SOCCER: Austin C. Baer, Nathaniel K. Coup, Nicholas S. Osikowicz
COED GOLF: David A. Sadecky
WRESTLING: Dylan R. McAnallen
MEN’S BASKETBALL: Brandon B. Burchette
SOFTBALL: Brittany L. Miller

PSUAC ACADEMIC ALL-CONFERENCE
Selected for earning or maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher
COED GOLF: Patrick Fegan, Liam D. Fitzgerald, Grant N. Rukat, David A. Sadecky
MEN’S SOCCER: Austin C. Baer, Nathaniel K. Coup, Francesco E. DiCocco, Roya M. Fashandi, Samuel W. Longwell,
Alain J. Niyibizi, Nicholas S. Osikowicz, Brennan T. Rodden
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL: Emily Carnes, Kathleen M. Dugan, Madison A. Graham, Cora P. Rejniak,
Aubrey H. Simpson, Bethany C. Weiblinger, Brittney N. Wolford
WRESTLING: Eric S. Green; Dylan R. McAnallen, Alain J. Niyibizi
MEN’S BASKETBALL: Brandon B. Burchette, Mihnea A. Dinu, Louis C. Payne
SOFTBALL: Melanie Campbell, Madison A. Graham, Brittany L. Miller, Katlin V. Miskanic, Branna R. Wyant

JOHN EVANS SCHOLAR / ATHLETE MEMORIAL AWARD
Recognizes sophomore, junior, and senior student-athletes for academic achievement.
COED GOLF: Patrick Fegan, Liam D. Fitzgerald, Grant N. Rukat, David A. Sadecky
MEN’S SOCCER: Austin C. Baer, Nathaniel K. Coup, Roya M. Fashandi, Alain J. Niyibizi, Nicholas S. Osikowicz
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL: Emily Carnes, Kathleen M. Dugan, Madison A. Graham, Aubrey H. Simpson
WRESTLING: Eric S. Green, Dylan R. McAnallen, Alain J. Niyibizi
MEN’S BASKETBALL: Brandon B. Burchette, Mihnea A. Dinu, Louis C. Payne
SOFTBALL: Melanie Campbell, Madison A. Graham, Brittany L. Miller, Katlin V. Miskanic, Branna R. Wyant

 

ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE AWARDS
The campus, PSUAC, USCAA and NCWA recognizes students for athletic ability.

ALL-CONFERENCE
MEN’S SOCCER: Cole Wilson, Second Team, PSUAC
MEN’S BASKETBALL: Joret A. Chambers, Honorable Mention, PSUAC
WRESTLING: Phillip C. Marra, Champion (184-pound division), PSUAC, USCAA, NCWA Mid East

CONFERENCE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Cole Wilson (Soccer); Dylan R. McAnallen (Wrestling); Phillip C. Marra (Wrestling)

NCWA ALL-AMERICA
Phillip C. Marra, NCWA Nationals, Sixth Place (184-pound division)

MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Louis C. Payne (Men’s Basketball)

FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR
Rachel N. Lojas (Softball)

ROBERT DARBY “THE DARB” SPORTSMANSHIP AWARD
The award was established in honor of Robert Darby, kinesiology instructor, athletic director, and coach, who retired in 2006 after 38 years at the campus. "The Darb" recipient demonstrates exceptional sportsmanship.
Alain J. Niyibizi

 

 

News Contact: Bill Woodard
Alumni and Public Relations
724-334-6049, uxw1@psu.edu