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UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
HONORS PROGRAM
Honors certificates are presented to students who completed the requirements for the Honors Program.
Four-Year Participants
Ally Albert
Laurel Cowling
Bryce Eddy
Clayton Groves
Daniel Kinter
Izabel Kislan
Heather Shultz
Three-Year Participants
Meredith Carter
Kelly Dugan
Gabriella Wolfkill
Two-Year Participants
Ryan Litzinger
Aaron McCrea
Lauren Reed
Alexandra Reilly
Edward Ripple
One-Year Participants
Isabel Cruz
Karee Jackson
Britta Lindgren
Aiden Pounds
Crystal Zembrzuski
PRESIDENT WALKER AWARD
This award is presented annually to undergraduate degree candidates and degree-seeking provisional students who have earned a 4.0 cumulative grade-point average based on at least 12 graded Penn State credits completed during their first semester of admission.
Kayla Carnahan
Dylan Davenport
Casey Gorman
Karee Jackson
Ethan Kerr
Rachel Klemmensen
Ryan Litzinger
Shawn Mankamyer
Carly O'Connell
Brandon Regan
Caleb Shultz
Madaline Struhar
Samantha Wise
Austin Zheng
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.
ARLENE HALL SERVICE AWARD
Each year, faculty of Penn State New Kensington nominate outstanding faculty for the Arlene E. Hall Excellence in Service Award in recognition of high-quality service to the campus, college, University, discipline and the community as a representative of the University.
Staff Award: Service to Penn State New Kensington Campus
This service to campus award will recognize a staff member who demonstrates a pattern of extraordinary dedication and goes above and beyond assigned job responsibilities in an effort to serve the needs of members of the New Kensington campus.
Staff Award: Service to Students
This service to students' award will recognize a staff member who promotes a consistent student-centered learning environment while fostering a positive student experience. This staff member will also provide excellent service towards students and contributing a holistic development of students both personally and professionally.
USCAA NATIONAL ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM
Selected for earning or maintaining a GPA of 3.5 or higher (minimum of 24 credits)
MEN’S SOCCER
Devin Murray
Tanner Stockdill
BASEBALL
Vaughn Gallicano
Karter Weitzel
SOFTBALL
Olivia Waldrop
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Sarah Usko
Antonia Velasquez
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL
Kayla Unger
Gabriella Wolfkill
PSUAC ACADEMIC ALL-CONFERENCE
Selected for earning or maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher
MEN’S SOCCER
Finnegan Bethurum
Mac Chaloupka
Bryce Eddy
Jacob Guerrini
David Jimenez
Kenton Knox
Ericson Kimbell II
Jeremy Mack Jr.
Jake Morgan
Devin Murray
Braden Piatt
Michael Pilka
Dylan Shaw
Tanner Stockdill
Mason Wicks
Ethan Wineberg
WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL
Kayla Carnahan
Tatum Clayton
Emily Lewandowski
Giana Miller
Cheriden Turiczek
Kayla Unger
Gabriella Wolfkill
MEN’S BASKETBALL
Shyheim Flanagan
Napat Ratanaphunsri
BASEBALL
Jayden Alba
Kenneth Boyle
John Galeano Del Castillo
Jobeth Diaz Osorio
Thomas Fedel
Vaughn Gallicano
Lucas Habash
Matthew Hodgins
Dominic Megats
Timothy Morris
Caden Rupert
Sean Walker
Karter Weitzel
SOFTBALL
Kali Barnett
Kendra Butler
Addyson Gregg
Madison Hoyt
Jada Norman
Olivia Waldrop
Piper Zufall
WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Kali Barnett
Destiny Batiste
Kendra Butler
Esther Cole
Kaylie Kickbush
Jada Norman
Sarah Usko
Antonia Velasquez
Piper Zufall
TOP INFLUENCER AWARD
Presented to the student who demonstrate excellence in out-of-class involvement and leadership. This student consistently demonstrate a positive influence with their peers, have high integrity and are an example to their fellow students while simultaneously excelling academically.
Ally Albert
Meredith Carter
Joseph Haskins
Heather Schultz
ERIC A. AND JOSEPHINE S. WALKER AWARD
This award was established in 1980 by former Penn State President Eric A. Walker. Presented at each Penn State campus, the award recognizes students whose outstanding qualities of character, scholarship, leadership, and citizenship have been directed into programs and services that have positively influenced fellow students and have contributed to the prestige and well-being of the campus and University.
Audrey Surma
Major: Communications Class: Senior Hometown: Lower Burrell, PA
Audrey Surma began her Penn State story by taking part in the Penn State New Kensington PaSSS Program the summer before her first year at the campus. During the program, she was able to learn about all the opportunities the campus provided, as well as start making connections. Since then, she's been an active student on and off campus.
"Through my involvement in various roles and initiatives, I have demonstrated a strong commitment to fostering a supportive and vibrant environment on campus and in the community," said Surma.
Surma's involvement has spanned multiple units, organizations and activities over the years. She has worked as a Success Coach in the Academic and Career Success Center and served as a PaSSS peer mentor and Orientation Leader, where she helped incoming students get acclimated to college and be successful. She is also the Editor-in-Chief of the Nittany Pride News. Since 2022, she has been a member of Lambda Pi Eta, the National Communication Association's honor society, where she helps lead volunteer initiatives on and off campus. This past year, she accepted an internship with the Success Center and Blissel Library on campus to create and lead a marketing campaign. As part of her classwork over the years, she has been dedicated to connecting to the City of New Kensington and has helped create a marketing plan for a local small businesses, as well as raising funds for a local nonprofit animal welfare organization.
"I’ve dedicated my time and energy to guiding and supporting my peers in navigating the complexities of college life, helping them navigate academic challenges, setting goals, and achieving success," explained Surma. "Through my leadership roles, initiative, and dedication, I hope to have made a lasting and positive impact at Penn State New Kensington.
It is this type of dedication to helping others that her nominators recognized.
One nominator wrote, "Her warm and friendly personality puts students at ease and allows them to feel welcomed and less anxious about their transition to college. It’s these personality traits that make Audrey a wonderful tutor, peer mentor and leader on our campus. with the Nittany Pride News. On top of balancing her academics and extra-curriculars, she is dedicated to making positive changes in the local communities of New Kensington and Lower Burrell through her volunteer work."
"Students seem to gravitate toward Audrey’s kind and confident personality," said another nominator. "I have had the opportunity to watch Audrey flourish here at Penn State New Kensington."
Making a lasting impact on the campus, and the local community, is part of Surma's personal philosophy.
"The idea of service to the campus and community drives my philosophy, which consists of seeking out opportunities that will make a positive impact on myself and others," said Surma.
Let's Celebrate!
We want to see how you're celebrating your achievements! Be sure to share your photos on social media and tag the campus so we can keep the celebration going!
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
A special thanks to the Penn State New Kensington Alumni Society and the Penn State New Kensington Student Government Association (SGA) fo their support and participation in our academic and student achievement awards ceremony.
PENN STATE NEW KENSINGTON ALUMNI SOCIETY
The Penn State New Kensington Alumni Society endows a $110,000 scholarship at the campus and presents the Spirit Award. The society represents more than 7,000 alumni living in the local region, engages in various campus projects and interacts with current students by social and fundraising events and other networking activities throughout the year.
STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION
The Student Government Association, the primary advocacy group for Penn State New Kensington students, co-sponsored the student gifts. The SGA supports campus clubs and organizations and encourages communication of the student body with faculty, staff and administration.
And with much appreciation to the Penn State New Kensington Awards Committee:
Amanda Beacote
Renee Brown
Candee Christy
Corinne Coulson
Susan Dale
Rebecca Dietrich
Paula Dove
Jack Gochis