New Kensington scholarship recipients like quality of academic programs

 

Hira Mian, Alexander Stack extoll
benefits of scholarships; thank benefactors

UPPER BURRELL, Pa. -- More than 120 students and donors were recognized for their outstanding achievements Oct. 2, at Penn State New Kensington’s Fall Scholarship Reception at Hill Crest Country Club in Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania.

The reception gives students who receive scholarships and benefactors who establish scholarships a chance to meet face to face. Students attending the reception delivered personal thanks to their donors, who, in turn,saw the personification of their philanthropic endeavors. Hira Mian, a sophomore in the Biomedical Engineering Technology (BET) program, and Alexander Stack, a sophomore in the Civil Engineering program were the featured student scholars.

Mian is the beneficiary of the Dr. Karl and Jennifer Salatka Trustee Scholarship. A native of Pakistan, Mian came to the United States when she was five years-old and grew up in Bethlehem, Pa., located in the Lehigh Valley region of the eastern Pennsylvania.

Her talk, “My Motivation,” outlined the struggles of her father in a new country. The source of her pride, he came to the United States to find work before sending for his family. She said the Salatka scholarship is instrumental in her achieving academic success as it gives her some financial security. She noted that her father never received any help on his way to an engineering career, and that is what drives her determination to succeed as an engineer.

“The sacrifices my dad made for his kids are what motivate me to do well and be successful,” said Mian, who works on-campus as a service desk consultant in the Computer Center.

A member of the campus’ Muticultural club, Mian traversed the commonwealth to attend college in Upper Burrell, Pa., because New Kensington is the only Penn State campus that offers the BET program. In addition, the campus’ BET associate degree program is one of only four nationally to be accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET (formerly called the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology). The biomedical engineering technology program trains students to operate, maintain, troubleshoot and repair medical equipment. Mian expects to graduate in 2015, find a job in the field, and continue her education.

Hira Mian and her father hug after her scholarship reception speech.

Stack, a resident of Murrysville, is the recipient of the Hazel. L. Hug Scholarship, a $3,500 Honors award. The Franklin Regional High School graduate is a member of the campus’ Honors program, which is designed for stronger students in all majors. Honor students work closely with advisers and fellow honors students to individually design their first two years of study.

The title of Stack’s remarks was “The Future Happens One Day at a Time.” He described how scholarship donors affect students by helping them strive for a better future and overcome the financial struggles that are a big part of earning a degree.

Stack, who will move on to Penn State University Park in the fall to complete his degree requirements, chose to start at the New Kensington campus because of the small campus atmosphere and the close relationships with faculty.

“To be able to start out at Penn State but have a smaller campus to transition into is an excellent combination,” said Stack, a member of the Lion Ambassadors and THON committee. “New Kensington is small enough as to not be overwhelming, but large enough to really get a lot out of what there is to offer.”

 

Chancellor Kevin Snider talks with scholarship recipients Rafael Rodriguez, left, and Alex Stack.

The opening speaker was Jennifer Wood, associate professor of communication arts and sciences. Wood, a 2014 Penn State Teaching Fellow, talked about Penn State quality, the cornerstone of Chancellor Kevin Snider’s strategic plan for the campus. She noted that quality at Penn State is not assured or permanent. On the contrary, it “requires constant, daily tending and maintenance.”

“Fortunately, Penn State New Kensington students provide a constant supply of nourishment.” said Wood, who joined the campus faculty in 1999.

Wood teaches courses in conflict resolution, rhetoric, and effective speech. Her research focuses on crime victim policy, the prison-industrial complex, and restorative justice. She co-edited a book, “Working for Justice: A Handbook of Prison Education and Activism,” that was published last year by University of Illinois Press.

The keynote speaker was Karl Salatka, benefactor of Mian’s scholarship. Salatka and his wife, Jennifer, established the $50,000 endowment in February. Their connection to the New Kensington campus is their support of higher education in the Alle-Kiski Valley. The Salatkas encourage others in the community to invest in the region.

“Penn State New Kensington is an asset in the community,” said Salatka, a retired general surgeon. “It is training the next generation for jobs in the region.”

Knowing the impact that higher education can have on a community, the Salatkas wanted the scholarship to be given to New Kensington students whose ethnic, cultural and national backgrounds contribute to the diversity of the student body. The donor’s gift is the first to support diversity at the campus. The recipients of the inaugural Salatka scholarship are Rafael Rodiguez, Hannah McBean, Meng Huo Tang, Anastasia Carrasco and Mian.

Salatka earned a medical degree and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and biology from the University of Pittsburgh. Jennifer received her nursing degree from Mercy Hospital School of Nursing. They reside in Lower Burrell.

Campus scholarships are awarded to eligible students based on academic promise, leadership qualities, community service and financial need. This year, new and returning students at the New Kensington campus earned a total of $150,000 in scholarship money from campus donors. The campus has 50 scholarship endowments, annual gifts and program awards that funded 83 students this year with an average award of $1,800 per student.

“Scholarships are the lifeblood of the University’s history and its vibrant future,” said Kevin Snider, chancellor of the campus. “They provide a source of financial support as well as encourage academic and personal growth.”

Alumni and friends can contribute to the campus by establishing an endowment or by contributing to already established campus endowments or funds. Gifts can be in the form of a one-time gift in cash or securities or a pledged commitment to be paid over a specified number of years. Gifts can also be created through bequests or in the form of a deferred gift designed to provide a life income for the donor or his or her dependents.

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

For more on giving to the campus, call Donna Speer, director of development, 724-334-6057 or visit http://www.nk.psu.edu/Giving/giveoptions.htm

Scholarship benefactor Ray Mastre, right, talks with recipients of his scholarship, left to right,
Riaz Khatri, Adam Cooper and Daryl Harrington at Penn State New Kensington's fall reception.

Endowed Scholarships
Donors and Recipients

Dr. N.A. Kopelman and Freda D. Kopelman Trustee Scholarship
Jonathan McCabe

Penn State New Kensington Advisory Board Trustee Scholarship
Jennifer Phillips; Kylie Kinlough

Bozzone Family Foundation Scholarship
Shawn Weaver; Laura Gensamer

Thelma M. Clausner Scholarship
Danielle Cicak; Jonathan Simmen; Amanda Stumme

Roger H. and Barbara L. Claypoole Endowed Scholarship
Gregory Moore

Dr. Saul and Emma Fleegler Family Scholarship
John Phelps; Tanya Leeman

Gregory and Xenia Kotyk Memorial Trustee Scholarship
Seth Grafton; Blake Rojeski

Dr. David H. Clements Jr. and Gertrude “Trudi” Clements Booth Family Trustee Scholarship
Hannah Barnes; Brittany Miller; Sheree Vergerio

Honorable L. Alexander Sculco Scholarship
Carli Crawford

Patrick Kopnicky and Mardelle Sacco Kopnicky Trustee Scholarship
Samantha Simon; James Jospeh

Charles H. Booth Family Scholarship
Ava Witter; Erin Bruce; Christian Kamenic

Gertrude A. “Trudi” Miller-Clements-Booth Trustee Scholarship
Juan Rodriguez; James Serra

Jermone-Little Endowed Scholarship
Nicholas Welsh

William and Claudia Harbaugh Trustee Scholarship
Zachery Hudak

R.P. Simmons Family Trustee Scholarship
John Cadamore

G.E. Marquette Medical Systems Scholarship
Joshua Gump

Ruth and Harry Stein Scholarship
Shaun McGrath

Doc and Linda Mueller Scholarship
Cody Shoemaker; Nathan Piluso

Elizabeth S. Blissell Scholarship
Evan Keener; Regina Cherish

John H. Yeamans Family Endowed Scholarship
Joshua Milanak

Francis C. Frary Scholarship
Cullen Morgan

Ganassi Family Scholarship
Ava Witter

Penn State New Kensington General Scholarship
John Phelps; Dayanna Lugo; Sarah Steighner

Bernard and Gearldine Guss Endowed Scholarship
Ryan Davis

Elbert S. Howarth Endowed Scholarship
Tyler Delancey

Hazel L. Hug Scholarship
Tanya Leeman; Nicholas Dimaria; Rene Hatheway; Alexander Stack

Erick Sean Link Memorial Scholarship
Isabella Bordonaro

Moore Family Scholarship
Evan West

Penn State Alumni Association Trustee Scholarship
Milagros Barta De Brasser; Madison Auten

Laura Lee “Lolly” Benner-Booth Trustee Scholarship
Dayanna Lugo; Jalana Sigler

New Kensington Campus Endowment Fund
Evan West; Joshua Milanak; Allison Beattie; Codi Belfield; Tyler Delancey
Carli Crawford; Steven Pawloski; Ryan McLaughlin; Ryan Davis

New Kensington Faculty and Staff Scholarship
Ava Witter

Raymond Mastre Professional Advancement Trustee Scholarship
Adam Cooper; Riaz Khatri; Jordan Miller; Daryl Harrington

Dr. James Ramage and Lynn Ramage Trustee Scholarship
Lawrence Russo; Brittny Logesky

Dr. Karl and Mrs. Jennifer Salatka Family Trustee Scholarship
Rafael Rodriguez; Hannah McBean; Hira Mian; Meng Huo Tang; Anastasia Carrasco

Penn State New Kensington Trustee Scholarship Fund
Nathan Schartner

PNC Financial Corporation Endowed Scholarship
Ryan McLaughlin

Advisory Board Endowed Scholarship
Danielle Cicak

Charles H. Booth Jr. Trustee Scholarship
Darren Myers; Michael Daly; Nicholas Cirrincione; Carley Carnahan

Alle-Kiski Society Scholarship
Nathan Schartner; Nathan Piluso; Justine Rojeski; Jay Eiler