Academics

Gomez-Tanamachi, Coffey, Flournoy, Ballentine, Toth named Oswald Award winners

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Five Penn State students in their respective areas of leadership have been honored with the 2015 John W. Oswald Award. David Gomez-Tanamachi is the recipient in the field of athletics; Tatum Coffey, journalism, speech and mass media; Matthew Flournoy, scholarship; Christopher Ballentine, creative and performing arts; and Dante Toth, social sciences, religious activities and student government.

The John W. Oswald Award, established in 1983, annually recognizes graduating seniors who have provided outstanding leadership in at least one of several areas of activity at the University. The award consists of a medallion honoring John W. Oswald, president of the University from 1970 to 1983.

Athletics

Gomez-Tanamachi is a senior majoring in finance in the Smeal College of Business with aspirations of representing Mexico in fencing at the 2016 Olympic Games. He’s a six-time team champion of the Mexican National Olympics. At Penn State, he’s started all four years for the fencing team, which won the NCAA National Championship in 2014. This year, he serves as captain of the men’s foil squad. He’s made the Dean’s List four out of six semesters, attaining a 4.0 GPA twice, and twice earning the Big Ten Scholar award as well as the SAAB Certificate of Recognition for Academic Excellence.

Gomez-Tanamachi has made appreciation for the sport as important of a mission as competing in it. Fencing demonstrations he recently started reached an audience of about 1,400 students on campus.

“Gomez-Tanamachi is a selfless leader who performs in athletics and academics,” a nominator said. “As someone who devotes a great deal of time and energy to the betterment and advancement of our institution, he was chosen to be a member of Parmi Nous, the oldest honor and tradition society at the university.”

Journalism, Speech and Mass Media

As a starting midfielder for the Penn State women’s lacrosse team and sideline reporter at several broadcast news outlets, Coffey has gained insight that will help her achieve her dream of becoming a professional sports broadcaster.

The two-time All American senior has played on the USA Women’s National Team, interned at ESPN and gained air time at media outlets such as GoPSUSports.com, the BigTen StudentU, the Centre County Report and the Penn State Network, all while maintaining a 3.93 GPA.

“Penn State has brought the best out of me and has helped me achieve my academic, athletic and personal goals beyond what I could have imagined,” said Coffey.

Before enrolling at Penn State, Coffey was recognized by Sports Illustrated ‘Faces in the Crowd,” a feature spotlighting outstanding efforts in high school athletics and academics.

A nominator said Coffey is “the face of Penn State athletics. She’s on the sideline of every athletic event and works tirelessly to put Penn State in the best possible light.”

Scholarship

Flournoy, a senior majoring in meteorology, started Penn State’s first storm-chasing team and served as its president. The group, he said, “brings the University to the forefront of student opportunity in meteorology and advocates for public awareness and safety during severe weather events.”

The Schreyer Honors Scholar maintains a cumulative 3.92 GPA and a 3.98 in his major. He’s also a teaching assistant as well as a researcher, a role in which he hopes to continue professionally.

A nominator said Flournoy “elevates classroom conversation through his engagement in the material and his willingness to ask great questions.”

Creative and Performing Arts

Ballentine, a senior majoring in music education, is a four-year member of the Penn State Blue Band. There, he’s been music section leader, overseeing 68 trumpet players, for the past two years. He served as Region III Representative of the Penn State chapter of the National Association for Music Education. Three times, he’s been awarded the Jury Recognition Award, which is given to one student from each musical area each semester.

Ballentine is one of the University’s most talented musicians, said a nominator. “He’s a gifted trumpeter and a well-rounded musician who excels in a variety of performance styles and genres.”

The nominator added that Ballentine has demonstrated the rare ability to motivate his peers and to strive for excellence while being engaging and positive.

Social Sciences, Religious Activities and Student Government

Toth, a senior majoring in administration of justice at Penn State’s Hazleton, served three years as Lion Ambassador and as president for his last term. Later, he was president of the campus’ Student Government Association.

Toth used his influence to organize events such as an Alzheimer’s Awareness basketball game, a “Pink Out” soccer game to promote breast cancer awareness, and an art drive for patients at Geisinger Children’s Hospital.

Under Toth’s leadership, a nominator said, the Student Government Association has become a more organized, well-attended and productive group.

Last Updated March 24, 2015