10 Women Receive Achieving Women Awards

March 27, 2000
University Park, Pa. -- The Penn State Commission for Women has honored 10 women from across the University and the community with its Achieving Women Award in recognition of their outstanding accomplishments. Applauded for their dedication, leadership and achievements are:

– Helen Behrer, a member of the janitorial staff in the Office of Physical Plant for 21 years, was recognized for her commitment, flexibility and work ethic, as well as her work for Special Olympics’ Summer Games at University Park.

– Student Bonnie Bremner, a Lady Lions volleyball player, was recognized for her excellence both on the court and off the court. While leading the Penn State women’s volleyball team to its first national championship and its sixth Big Ten championship this past fall, the senior co-captain maintained a 3.64 cumulative GPA and earned GTE Academic All-American of the Year honors for the second year in a row.

– Terri Dowdy, who served as a University financial officer for nine years in five departments across Penn State, was honored for her extensive fiscal knowledge, ability to communicate and her ongoing participation in a number of initiatives. Dowdy is currently the manager of capital and space planning in the Office of Physical Plant.

– Mimi Coppersmith Fredman, president of The Barash Group, a State College-based advertising/publishing firm, has contributed to numerous causes over the years and has received recognition for her devotion to her profession, her community and her belief in personal involvement. She served for 21 years on the University’s Board of Trustees, a portion as board president. In 1999, she and her husband, Samuel G. Fredman, gave $1 million to Penn State to support 10 programs, several aimed at helping women.

– Nancy L. Herron, associate dean for academic programs for the Commonwealth College, was recognized for her superb mentoring of colleagues and involvement in various aspects of the University.

– Jean Landa Pytel, assistant dean for student services in the College of Engineering, was honored for her advocacy for women and their advancement.

– Della M. Roy, professor emerita of materials science, has had a vast and lasting impact on her field in the 53 years she has been with Penn State. Retired for eight years, she maintains an office and supervises half a dozen of the many research contracts she helped to bring to the University. Throughout her career, Roy has been an important model and mentor for women in science. She is one of the world’s leaders in cement research.

– Susan Trolier-McKinstry, associate professor of ceramic science and engineering, and associate director of the Materials Research Laboratory, was recognized for her outstanding scholarship and for her teaching and mentoring.

–  Ann Ward, project manager for the Northern Appalachia Leadership Initiative on Cancer (NALIC) in Penn State’s Department of Food Science, was honored for her continued efforts to help women.

– Janet L. Yates, assistant director of Student Affairs at Penn State DuBois, was recognized for her mentoring abilities, her ongoing work with adult learners, disability services and the student body. She has served Penn State DuBois’ Office of Student Affairs for the past 31 years.

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Contact: Lisa Rosellini (814) 865-7517 or e-mail at