McKEESPORT, Pa. — Penn State Greater Allegheny honored its faculty, staff and students for their contribution to a positive campus culture, academic research and service at its annual Evening of Excellence. Photos from the event can be viewed on and downloaded from Penn State Greater Allegheny's Flickr.
Honor Society Inductions
Psi Chi (Psychology Honor Society)
- Mikala Bilbie
- Alina Nestlerode
- Declan O’Leary
- Riley Schmidt
- Nicholas Smith
Sigma Beta Delta (Business Honor Society)
- Lillian Barker
- Emma Gatto
- Brayden Patton
- Jason Shank
Honors Program Recognition
One Semester
- Victor Sandoval
Two Semesters
- Carly Bills
- Kaylie Butler
- Emma Campbell
- Holly Collins
- Tasneem Ekhtiar
- Chazdine Harmon
- Kody Hynes-McCutcheon
- Gabriel Kendrick
- Andrew Marflak
- Ashley McKernan
- Brady McNew
- Braden Pringle
- James Richmond
- Madison Thomas
- Jonathan Tudor
Three Semesters
- Elisabeth Hager
Four Semesters
- Annabella Croyts
- Emma Gatto
- Erica Gray
- Ymani Merritt Bates
- Lawrie Ong
- Amy Paczula
- Nevaeh Ragsdale
- Dawn Rees
- Gabriella Tokar
Eight Semesters
- Aubree Sample
Academic Achievement Awards
These awards provide recognition to current degree students with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.60 and above who attend Penn State Greater Allegheny (minimum third semester standing).
- Ryan Amarantes
- Baidar Bakht
- Lillian Barker
- Nathan Beauchamp
- Ashmita Bhandari Chhetri
- Mahesh Bhattarai
- Ian Brown
- Ryan Bugay
- Ira Campos
- Brandon Cirucci
- Antonio Cristallini
- Annabella Croyts
- Stephen Dickmann, IV
- Tina Dong
- Tasneem Ekhtiar
- Alana Fant
- Shayla Fulton
- Lauren Gaydos
- Erica Gray
- Elisabeth Hager
- Mira Hardman
- Monjeana Henderson
- Po Hsu
- Olivia Huber
- Anthony Janiga
- Morgan Johnson
- Joseph Kalemon
- Mehdi Khazaal
- Christopher Klinger
- Kaitlyn Mancuso
- Ryan Mangone
- Alexander Mann
- Ashley McKernan
- Ymani Merritt Bates
- Jenna Moranelli
- Ayushma Neopaney
- Alina Nestlerode
- Declan O’Leary
- Ryan Patterson
- Christopher Pavlan
- Gino Penascino
- Kyle Pferdehirt
- Gianna Pici
- Swastika Pokhrel
- Chlose Puza
- Luis Quizhpi
- Dawn Rees
- Angelina Ricco
- James Richmond
- Tanner Rittiger
- Zainab Saleem
- Aubree Sample
- Victor Sandoval
- Riley Schmidt
- Jason Shank
- Skyler Shoben
- Nicholas Smith
- Kiara Thomas
- Aryan Timsina
- Avante Webb
- Maxwell Whitson
- Aiden Yuscinsky
- Alexander Zimmerman
- Khaing Zin
Campus and Community Scholarships
G.C. Murphy Company Foundation Scholarship
The G.C. Murphy Company™ Foundation maintains a scholarship fund at Penn State Greater Allegheny. Preference is given to descendants of G.C. Murphy Company™ employees, but if no qualified students apply, other applicants from Western Pennsylvania are considered.
- Ashley Round
- Duston Strom
Dr. Patricia A. Klemans Endowed Memorial Scholarship
This award was established in memory of beloved faculty member, Patricia A. Klemans. Candidates must be full or part-time adult students who have earned at least 24 Penn State credits, have achieved a minimum of 2.50 cumulative GPA and plan to continue study at Penn State Greater Allegheny. Applicants have shown evidence of overwhelming personal obstacles to attend school, have made a positive influence over their peers and have provided service to the campus or others.
- Mahesh Bhattarai
- Luis Quizhpi
Dr. Edward Sichi, Jr. Endowed Memorial Scholarship
This award was established in memory of revered faculty member Dr. Edward Sichi, Jr. The award is presented to a full time student enrolled at Penn State Greater Allegheny in the College of Liberal Arts, University College, or the College of Education as a Secondary English Education Major who has at least second semester standing. Awardees are to have achieved a minimum of 2.85 cumulative GPA, have demonstrated interest in the arts and have exhibited some exemplary achievement.
- Gianna Pici
Faculty Awards for Academic Excellence
These awards were created by Penn State Greater Allegheny faculty to recognize the top students in various academic disciplines.
Administration of Justice/Criminal Justice
- Luis Quizhpi
Agricultural Sciences/Science
- Olivia Huber
Biobehavioral Health
- Zainab Saleem
Business
- Lillian Barker
Communications
- Shayla Fulton
Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations
- Gino Penascino
Engineering/Earth and Mineral Sciences
- Angelina Ricco
Health and Human Development/Educational and Social Science
- Ryan Amarantes
Information Technology
- Mahesh Bhattarai
Project and Supply Chain Management
- Jason Shank
Psychology
- Alina Nestlerode
Social Work
- Alana Fant
Student Affairs Awards
Outstanding Contribution to the Student Government Association
This award is presented to a member of the Student Government Association that exemplifies the mission and purpose of the organization.
- Ayushma Neopaney
Emerging First-Year Leader Award
This award is given to a student who has served his or her organization in an unassuming and quiet manner, and who has not yet held a leadership role, but through a commitment of time and energy, this student has made an impact on the organization and the campus community.
- Acelynn Cole
Emerging Sophomore Leader Award
This award recognizes a second-year student who has demonstrated academic achievement, leadership potential and active engagement in campus life. The recipient exemplifies initiative, growth and a commitment to contributing positively to the Penn State Greater Allegheny community.
- Sheldon Taft
Student Affairs Award for Student Leadership
This award recognizes a student as being especially dedicated to the Student Affairs mission and co-curricular experience. The student is passionate about campus activities and have made outstanding contributions to campus-wide co-curricular programs and demonstrates high-quality leadership and organizational ability in helping plan and present programs.
- Emma Campbell
EPIC Awards
These awards honor first-generation college students (neither parent/guardian has a bachelor’s degree) and students of color whose work in the classroom, campus community and local community advances the values of the University.
EPIC Academic Achievement Awards
This award recognizes first-generation college students and/or students of color who have achieved a 2.70 or higher GPA in the previous semester. Awards are categorized into Bronze (GPA of 2.70-2.90), Silver (GPA of 3.00-3.49), Gold (GPA of 3.50-3.99) and Gold Star (GPA of 4.0).
Bronze
- Mycy Makiese
- Shamar Mills-Smith
Silver
- Diane Banks
- Pratiksha Chapagain
- Tapashya Ghimirey
- Ring Noi
- Mikah Tulloch
Gold
- Ashmita Bhandari Chhetri
- Emma Campbell
- Sipan Edo
- Keren Medina
- Brayden Patton
- Joy-Ann Sanderson
- Victor Sandoval
- Aryan Timsina
- Aiden Yuscinsky
Gold Star
- Monjeana Henderson
EPIC Award
This award recognizes three students whose work and service exemplifies a combination of Penn State’s values.
- Emma Campbell
- Mojeana Henderson
- Joy-Ann Sanderson
EPIC Discovery Award
This award recognizes a student who has engaged in campus research opportunities that contribute to an existing body of knowledge, and fostered creativity and innovation, for the benefit of our communities, society and the environment.
- Victor Sandoval
EPIC Community Award
This award is presented to a student who has made valuable contributions in the areas of service and volunteerism, serving as a positive role model and has boosted courage, spirit and hope in other individuals.
- Ayushma Neopaney
Campus Athletics Recognition
Athletes of the Year
This award recognizes a male and female student-athlete who has demonstrated exceptional athletic performance, leadership, dedication and sportsmanship throughout the academic year. This individual not only excels in their sport but also serves as a role model for their teammates, contributes positively to campus life and embodies the values of perseverance, integrity and pride that define Penn State Greater Allegheny athletics.
- Lillian Barker
- Bryce Phillips
Alumni Society Scholarship
These awards provide recognition to current degree students with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 who attend Penn State Greater Allegheny. Theses students have contributed to the campus through scholarship and leadership.
- Mahesh Bhattarai
- Shayla Fulton
- Erica Gray
- Tapashya Ghimirey
- Emma Campbell
- Swastika Pokhrel
Faculty and Staff Recognition
Faculty Scholar Award
- Jennifer Breese, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Information Sciences and Technology
Faculty Teaching Award
- James Jaap, Ph.D., Teaching Professor of English
Excellence in Advising Award
- Eric Lipsky, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Excellence in Community Engagement Award
- DeAnna Jakubek, Administrative Assistant
Staff Excellence
- Jodi Petro, Auxiliary and Business Services
2025 Open and Affordable Education Resources Champion
- Larry Dupak, Lecturer in Information Sciences and Technology