Penn State Erie hosted its 46th Annual Honors and Awards Convocation ceremony on Sunday, April 29, in Erie Hall. Faculty and staff members, including Chancellor Jack Burke, Senior Associate Dean Robert Light and Associate Dean David Christiansen, presented more than 160 awards to individual students, student organizations, and fellow faculty and staff in five primary categories: student life, athletics, academics, special service, and faculty and staff awards.

Two student leaders served as the event's featured speakers. Meredith Straub, president of the Student Government Association and member of Omicron Delta Kappa, welcomed attendees to the ceremony, while Robert Theuret, president of Lambda Sigma Honor Society, offered closing remarks. The ceremony was followed with a reception in the Reed Union Building's Wintergarden for all winners.

Unless noted, all awards are listed alphabetically by recipient.

Student Life Awards
-- Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority: Outstanding Greek Chapter Award;
-- Heidi L. Brackbill: Most Outstanding Student Organization Officer Award;
-- Daniela E. Campana: USA Today Student Leadership Award;
-- Kyle A. Chase: Irvin H. Kochel Lion Ambassador Award;
-- Leah C. Ehrman: Irvin H. Kochel Lion Ambassador Award;
-- Lou Ann Glontz: Outstanding Adult Learner Award;
-- Hockey Club: Best Student Organization Award;
-- Ilona S. Joseph: Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Service Award;
-- Katie L. Kelecseny: Penn State Behrend Alumni Society Leadership Award;
-- Katherine E. Knight: Most Outstanding Student Organization President Award;
-- Lion Entertainment Board: Most Creative Program Award;
-- Kenneth W. Middlemiss: Student Government Association President's Award;
-- Megan L. Miller: Student Employee of the Year Award;
-- Giovanni J. Morganti: Gen. Anthony Wayne Excellence in Leadership Award, First Year;
-- Stephen R. Oyler: Student Activities Leadership Award;
-- Margaret E. Plecenik: Gen. Anthony Wayne Excellence in Leadership Award, Second Year;
-- Samantha J. Pratte: Irvin H. Kochel Lion Ambassador Award;
-- Eliska Repkova: Most Outstanding Student Organization Officer Award;
-- Nathan C. Steele: Guy W. Wilson Award for Student Service to the College;
-- Meredith R. Straub: Student Activities Leadership Award;
-- Student Government Association (THON): Distinguished Community/Campus Service Award; and
-- Molly B. Thomas: Most Outstanding Student Organization Member Award.

Athletic Awards
-- Chick Magnets: Intramural Point System, Men's Division;
-- Chick Magnets: Intramural Point System, Co-ed Division;
-- Joshua Hannold: Male Intramural Athlete of the Year;
-- Brandith C. Kinney: Behrend Lion Spirit Award;
-- Brittany E. Mays: Cheryl Ramsdell-Anderson Female Athlete of the Year Award;
-- Daniel G. Mitchell: James Frye Male Athlete of the Year Award;
-- Karla P. Murray: Herb Lauffer Sportsmanship/Leadership Award;
-- Paige A. Payer: John Zahniser Female Scholar-Athlete Award;
-- Joshua W. Serafini: John Zahniser Male Scholar-Athlete Award; and
-- Elaine Voltz: Female Intramural Athlete of the Year.

In addition, Keith C. Cerroni is the recipient of this year's Richard Dill Outstanding Service Award, which is given annually to the person who has provided outstanding service as a volunteer to the Penn State Erie athletics program.

Academic Awards
-- Filho Leandro Azevedo: Outstanding Tutor Award, Mathematics;
-- Danielle N. Brown: Evan Pugh Scholar Award, Junior;
-- Brandon H. Bruner: President's Freshman Award;
-- Brandon M. Carangi: President's Freshman Award;
-- Emily K. Giering: Division of Undergraduate Studies Award, First-Year;
-- Jordan T. Gilmore: Evan Pugh Scholar Award, Senior;
-- Christine M. Giuliano: President's Freshman Award;
-- Jamie M. Iesue: Division of Undergraduate Studies Award, Sophomore;
-- Matthew D. Jackel: The Behrend College Writing Award, Science;
-- Jason A. Kinsel: President's Freshman Award;
-- Alicia M. Klinvex: Evan Pugh Scholar Award, Junior;
-- Thomas J. Kronenberger: The Behrend College Writing Award, Engineering;
-- Daniel B. Kubacki: Evan Pugh Scholar Award, Senior;
-- Robert E. Magoon: President's Freshman Award;
-- Allison M. Maino: President's Freshman Award;
-- Manal S. Malik: President's Freshman Award;
-- Kyle C. Markwardt: The Behrend College Writing Award, First-Year;
-- Christopher B. Meals: The Behrend College Writing Award, First-Year;
-- Sean M. Mihlo: The Behrend College Writing Award, Humanities;
-- Paige A. Payer: Penn State Behrend Future Teacher Award;
-- Krista Pugliano: Evan Pugh Scholar Award, Senior;
-- Eliska Repkova: President's Freshman Award;
-- Torrey R. Schmidt: Evan Pugh Scholar Award, Junior;
-- Jeffrey A. Schneider: Division of Undergraduate Studies Award, First-Year;
-- Erika L. Segear: Evan Pugh Scholar Award, Junior;
-- William C. Senneway: Outstanding Tutor Award, Other Subjects;
-- Joseph W. Shaffer: Evan Pugh Scholar, Junior and Outstanding Tutor Award, Engineering;
-- William J. Shields: Outstanding Tutor Award, Writing;
-- Michael W. Skrzypczyk: The Behrend College Writing Award, Business;
-- Christopher A. Suprock: Undergraduate Student Research Award;
-- Joseph A. Synowka: Division of Undergraduate Studies Award, Sophomore;
-- Lisa N. Wagner: Penn State Behrend Future Teacher Award; and
-- Kala R. Wolfe: Undergraduate Student Research Award.

The Sam and Irene Black School of Business
-- Lou Ann Glontz: Business, Liberal Arts, and Science Award;
-- Michelle M. Kosko: General Business Award;
-- Laura E. Martin: Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) Accounting Award and Wall Street Journal Student Achievement Award;
-- Adam G. Marshall: Management Award;
-- Elizabeth Mayoglou: Master of Business Administration Award;
-- Ashley D. McFarland: International Business Award;
-- Benso Ogura: Economics Award;
-- Jason C. Pflueger: Economics Award;
-- Linda C. Phillips: Management Information Systems Award;
-- Daniel A. Poland: Management Information Systems Award;
-- Krista Pugliano: Delta Sigma Pi Scholarship Key Award and Finance Award;
-- Julianne M. Samella: Management Award;
-- Michael W. Skrzypczyk: Business Economics Award;
-- Amanda M. Vinson: Marketing Award; and
-- Jessica M. Walters: Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) Accounting Award.

School of Humanities and Social Sciences
-- Elizabeth L. Bross: The Kenneth Jonathan Sonnenberg Poetry Award, First Place;
-- Sarah J. Davis: General Arts and Sciences Award;
-- Keith T. Doak: Julia A. Rebman Fiction Award, First Place;
-- Patrick E. Doyle: Julia A. Rebman Fiction Award, Second Place;
-- Christopher R. Engelhardt: Outstanding Scholarly Achievement in Psychology Award;
-- Brian C. Forfa: Outstanding History Major Award and Outstanding Political Science Major Award;
-- Jordan T. Gilmore: Outstanding Achievement in Communication and Media Studies Award;
-- Allison M. Gray: Corey N. Farrell Nonfiction Award, First Place;
-- Gordon J. Greene: Ernest E. and Bernice C. Fryer Family Psychology Award;
--Raleigh S. Lee: Clarence A. Smith and Eugenie Baumann Smith Creative Writing Fellowship Award; The Kenneth Jonathan Sonnenberg Poetry Award, Second Place; and Outstanding English Major Award, Creative Writing;
-- Elizabeth A. Long: Outstanding English Major, Literature;
-- Sean M. Mihlo: Outstanding English Major, Professional Writing;
-- Benjamin C. Morris: Corey N. Farrell Creative Writing Award and Julia A. Rebman Fiction Award, Third Place;
-- Melinda S. Oravitz: Corey N. Farrell Nonfiction Award, Third Place;
-- Paige A. Payer: Outstanding Achievement in Communication and Media Studies Award;
-- Nathan W. Roggenkamp: Corey N. Farrell Nonfiction Award, Second Place;
-- Elizabeth R. Sansone: Outstanding Psychology Student Award; and
-- Jessica L. Storm: Corey N. Farrell Creative Writing Award and The Kenneth Jonathan Sonnenberg Poetry Award, Third Place.

School of Science
-- Charles A. Barr: Physics Award;
-- Amy J. Brem: Mathematics Competition Award;
-- Ryan N. Buzzanca: Computer Science Award, Senior;
-- Matthew D. Jackel: Chemistry Award;
-- Melanie A. Keefer: Mathematics Award, Undergraduate;
-- Gregory S. Lutz: Computer Science Award, Senior;
-- David R. Miller: Computer Science Award, Sophomore;
-- James Pander: Outstanding Freshman in Chemistry/American Chemical Society Award;
-- Dennis A. Paskorz: Mathematics Competition Award;
-- Joseph F. Pleso: Mathematics Competition Award;
-- Erin R. Rodgers: Biology Award;
-- Tyler M. Schmidt: CRC/Outstanding Freshman Award;
-- Jeremy D. Sopko: Mathematics Competition Award;
-- Jesse M. Stimpson: Mathematics Competition Award; and
Malorie B. Winters: Mathematics Award, Senior.

School of Engineering
-- Michael M. Berrier: Software Engineering Award;
-- Joel M. Carr: Plastics Engineering Technology Award, Four-Year Program;
-- Kevin E. Heiderman: Electrical Engineering Technology Award, Four-Year Program;
-- David B. Irvin: Mechanical Engineering Award;
-- Dane M. Klaproth: Electrical Engineering Technology Award, Two-Year Program;
-- Thomas J. Kronenberger: Mechanical Engineering Award;
-- Daniel B. Kubacki: Electrical Engineering Award;
-- Brad A. Minman: Mechanical Engineering Technology Award, Four-Year Program; and
-- Philip A. Tullai: Computer Engineering Award.

The Penn State Erie Honors Program awarded students who completed at least nine honors credits while maintaining a minimum 3.2 grade-point average each semester through their sophomore year. Recipients include: Richard L. Anderson, Jennifer L. Bailey, Krystle A. Bell, Raechul M. Bowser, Jarrod L. Bradbury, Ashley R. Bressler, Kimberly V. Chapman, Patrick M. Combes, Ariel L. Denman, Natalie J. Engel, Brittanie A. Everhart, Devin M. Faulhaber, Jennifer L. Ferguson, Jessica C. Friday, Michael J. Halapy, Michael J. Horning, Ashraf Khalifa, Adam M. Laubham, Harold R. Lilly, William P. McAndrew, Timothy A. McNeal, David R. Miller, Matthew W. Ohler, Wesley A. Salandro, Kaylynn M. Smith, and Heather L. Sopher.

Special Service Awards

-- Elizabeth C. Warheit received the Outstanding First-Year Student, which recognizes a first-year student who demonstrates outstanding promise of character, scholarship, leadership and citizenship through achievements in the first year of study.

-- Katherine E. Knight and Samantha C. Yong were each presented with the Irvin H. Kochel Award. The award is presented annually to an undergraduate student who demonstrates outstanding qualities of character, scholarship, leadership and citizenship through their involvement in programs and services that positively influence fellow students and have contributed to the college community.

-- The Thomas H. Turnbull Award, which lists outstanding service as its the most important criterion, was presented to Stephen R. Oyler. This award is presented annually to a Penn State Erie student who has contributed to the college community through outstanding qualities of character, scholarship, leadership and citizenship.

-- Co-recipients Katie L. Kelecseny and Grant P. Reschenthaler were awarded the T. Reed Ferguson Award, which recognizes a junior who has demonstrated scholarship, leadership and citizenship that has impacted fellow students through academic and out-of-class involvement and gives promise of further achievement in the senior year.

-- Brian C. Forfa was the recipient of the Eric A. and Josephine S. Walker Award in recognition of outstanding qualities of character, scholarship, leadership and citizenship that have been directed into student programs and services. Scholarship is a primary criterion along with a record of outstanding service to the college.

-- The John W. Oswald Award was presented to Daniel B. Kubacki and Karla P. Murray. This University award was established by the Omicron Delta Kappa Honor Leadership Society to recognize a graduating senior who has provided outstanding leadership in at least one of several areas of student leadership activity at Penn State.

Faculty and Staff Awards

-- John T. Roth, assistant professor of mechanical engineering, earned the Council of Fellows Faculty Research Award. This award was established in 1982 and recognizes a faculty member who truly fills the role of an inspired, dedicated researcher at Penn State Erie.

-- Mary Beth Pinto, associate professor of marketing and director of the Center for Credit and Consumer Research, was presented with the Council of Fellows Excellence in Outreach Award, which recognizes a faculty member who most truly serves the campus, community and an academic profession.

-- Brian Young, assistant professor of engineering, was awarded the Council of Fellows Excellence in Teaching Award. Established in 1969, the award recognizes a faculty member who most truly fills the role of inspired and committed teacher.

-- Rod L. Troester, associate professor of speech communication, earned the Guy W. Wilson Award for Excellence in Academic Advising by a Penn State Erie faculty member.

-- Kenneth P. Miller, director of Student Affairs, was presented with the Benjamin A. Lane Outstanding Service Award. The award honors a faculty or staff member who has demonstrated outstanding service and dedication to Penn State Erie as exemplified by the unparalleled devotion of Benjamin A. Lane, associate professor of English emeritus. Miller also was presented with the Best Student Organization Adviser Award, honoring a club adviser who supports the organization through regular attendance at meetings and organization-sponsored events, consistently helpful advice to the officers and its members, and service to the organization.