Each year, Penn State Worthington Scranton honors and recognizes student leaders, volunteers and student groups for their contributions to the campus and the community at an annual awards event held at the campus.
A highlight of the evening is the presentation of three campus awards that have been set up by campus donors to celebrate students who show excellence and are actively involved in the campus community.
Dr. Mary-Beth Krogh-Jespersen, campus chancellor, presented this year's Eric A. and Josephine S. Walker Award to Heather Konrad. This award is given to the student who has most improved the reputation of the university through extracurricular activities. Students must be nominated by faculty, staff or current Worthington Scranton students.
Acting Director of Student Services Matthew Nied presented the Patrick J. Rose Award for Excellence in Student Leadership and Service to Nisherag Gandhi. This award honors and recognizes outstanding achievement by an undergraduate student who has completed at least two semesters at Penn State Worthington Scranton.
The Greater Scranton Penn State Chapter's Pride of Lions Award was presented to Allison DeWitt. Athletic Director Jeff Mallas presented this award, which honors and recognizes the achievements of a student who shows exceptional character, perseverance, enthusiasm and distinguished performance, and, through outstanding example or involvement, has enhanced student life at Penn State Worthington Scranton.
Scranton Times-Tribune Lifestyles writer Josh McAuliffe was guest speaker at this year's event. Mr. McAuliffe is a 1999 Penn State graduate and a Worthington Scranton alumnus. He spoke to the students about his involvement at the campus when he was an undergraduate, and how it helped him both as a student and in his journalism career.
The campus also recognized student clubs and their members for their work and contributions. They were:
Lion Ambassadors: The mission of the Lion Ambassadors is to provide student representation of PSWS and to assist and promote the campus' admissions and alumni efforts.
Linde Family Business Mentoring Program: Created for junior- level students enrolled in the four-year business program, to enhance their educational experience through advanced instruction and participation in special programs and projects. Students obtain first- hand knowledge of the business world by being paired with a professional in their field of choice.
THON: Fundraising group who work to raise funds and awareness for the annual Penn State IFC/Pan-Hellenic Dance Marathon, benefitting the Four Diamonds Fund and children with cancer.
Student Activity Fee Committee: This group helps to oversee the campus' student activity fee funds and holds meeting and reviews application from campus groups requesting money for events, programming, enhancements, and activities aimed at improving the campus' co-curricular environment.
Student Government Association: This group sponsors various functions for the Penn State Worthington Scranton student body, assists campus student organizations, and generally promotes student welfare.
Other clubs that were recognized were: the Athletics Club; Business Club; Blue and White Society; Community Service Club; Information Sciences and Technology Club; Paranormal Society; Student Nurse Association; Student Publications; and the Veterans' Club.
One of the groups recognized at the 2012 Student Awards Dinner was the Lion Ambassadors, shown in the picture above. Seated, from left are: John Jaramillo; Nisherag Ghandi; and Rachel Havenar. Standing, from left, are: Vicky Pettinato; Club Advisor and Director of Enrollment Management Sandra Feather; Dhaval Patel; Kristian Ng; Allison DeWitt; Julia Greenlaw; and Banney Leh.
