UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The College of Health and Human Development (HHD) announces its 2017 student recipients of the Francis Hoffman Award for Excellence in Writing.

The award recognizes HHD undergraduate students who demonstrate excellence in writing as determined by the submission of a paper for competitive judging.

The program is made possible through an endowment created by Adeline M. Hoffman and Bertram J. Hoffman, daughter and son of Francis Hoffman.

"More than 70 percent of employers list written communication skills as the key attribute they seek in new employees, making it among the top three skills college graduates need to develop,” said Dennis G. Shea, associate dean for undergraduate programs and outreach in the College of Health and Human Development. “These students are being recognized by the faculty in their department for having demonstrated their writing skills, and I am grateful for the resources provided by the Francis Hoffman Writing Award, which allows us to call attention to their accomplishments."

This year’s recipients include:

Emily Boylan, nutritional sciences

Morgan Bryan, human development and family studies

Anna Canova, biobehavioral health

Krystal Coleman, health policy and administration

Samantha Costa, communication sciences and disorders

Maura Franey, biobehavioral health

Laura Hernandez, human development and family studies

Nicolette Khosa, communication sciences and disorders

Rebecca Machtinger, human development and family studies

William Manbeck, health policy and administration

Grace Mannix, recreation, park and tourism management

Alana Mazzei, biobehavioral health

Melissa Minniti, kinesiology

Olivia Morgan, hotel, restaurant and institutional management

Katie Smith, health policy and administration

Bradley Winegardner, nutritional sciences

Allison Witmer, nutritional sciences