UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Twelve people, a combination of Penn State faculty, staff and graduate students, earned awards for their contributions and for the quality of their work when the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications conducted its annual awards program.
The Bellisario College’s awards recognize people who have made a meaningful positive impact in the classroom and beyond. Winners were:
Djung Yune Tchoi Award for Outstanding Teaching by a Graduate Student
- Triwik Kurniasari
- Lana Medina
Deans’ Excellence Award for Teaching
- Mila Sanina, assistant teaching professor, Department of Journalism
Deans’ Excellence Award for Research and Creative Activity
- Christopher Ali, Pioneers Chair, Department of Telecommunications
Deans’ Excellence Award for Service
- David Norloff, associate teaching professor, Department of Telecommunications
- Tara Wyckoff, associate teaching professor, Department of Advertising/Public Relations
Deans’ Excellence Award for Integrated Scholarship
- Mary Beth Oliver, the Donald P. Bellisario Professor of Media Studies, Department of Film Production and Media Studies
In addition, with the emphasis on classroom success for students and quality teaching, two part-time faculty members were honored. The winners for Outstanding Faculty Associate were Leon Valsechi, a marketing and communications specialist in the College of Arts and Architecture at Penn State, and Mike Zelazny, the equipment room manager for the Bellisario College.
The Bellisario College recognizes the vital role staff members play as well. Nominations for those awards come from colleagues, and this year one of the winners was nominated by a student. The winners were:
- Danielle Harris, the Bellisario College’s instructional designer, and
- Terri Klinefelter, an alumni relations and stewardship officer who focuses on student scholarships and related support.
The Bellisario College also presented one staff award for the first time this year. The Rising Star Award recognizes a staff member who has done quality work in a comparatively brief period. Only employees with three years of experience or less at Penn State are eligible to be nominated. Scott Travers, the equipment room assistant manager, was selected for the award.