CENTER VALLEY, Pa. — Penn State Lehigh Valley celebrated undergraduate excellence at the campus’s annual Student Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, April 26.
A large crowd of students, faculty members, staff and family members turned out for one of the marquee events of the academic year.
“In the audience tonight, we have our outstanding students and other honorees who will be awarded plaques, certificates and other memorabilia to celebrate academic excellence, notable service and exceptional leadership,” said Director of Academic Affairs Anibal Torres Bernal as he led off the ceremony.
Associate Teaching Professor of Mathematics Maryam Kiani delivered an inspiring keynote address on the topic of “cinnamon moments.” She told the story of a former student who struggled to pronounce the word “cinnamon,” but who said they used that embarrassing moment as a motivator to succeed in life.
Kiani urged the crowd to use their own "cinnamon moments" as an opportunity “to be born again and live with our best potential.”
“Cinnamon moments are moments when the sun is lost, and we see nothing but darkness. The moments that we may feel alone, poor, helpless, or even worthless,” Kiani said. “Each of us has had or will have cinnamon moments in our life because it is impossible to live without failing at something. … My message for tonight is: Do not be afraid of adversity since it helps you to know yourself, and such knowledge is a true gift. Yes, it might be painful, but it has worth more than any degree you may earn.”