Featured Image: Penn State Lehigh Valley’s 2019 Student Awards Ceremony (Photo Credit-Top Shelf Photography)
CENTER VALLEY, Pa. (April 30, 2019) – Academic award recipients, scholarship winners and university scholars were recognized for their achievements on Wednesday, April 24 at Penn State Lehigh Valley’s 2019 Student Awards Ceremony. Jacqueline McLaughlin, associate professor of Biology at Penn State Lehigh Valley and recipient of the 2018 Teaching Excellence Award, was the keynote speaker. McLaughlin was introduced by the 2019 Student Marshal Samuel Azzalina. For images from this event, visit the Student Awards Flickr website.
Students honored for outstanding achievement included:
Eric. A. and Josephine Walker Award: Naseeba Saeed (Bethlehem, Pa.)
This honor recognizes a student who has completed two full years at a Commonwealth Campus and whose outstanding qualities of character, scholarship, leadership, and citizenship have positively influenced fellow students and have contributed to the prestige and well-being of his or her campus and, hence, to the reputation of the University as a whole.
Saeed was nominated for her leadership and positive contributions to campus through her work as a New Student Orientation Leader, president of RISE student club, her leadership roles for the Communication Society, Lambda Pi Eta, Nittany News and the Ethics Bowl Team. She is also part of the Honors Program at Penn State Lehigh Valley. In the community, Saeed volunteers for Feed the Children and VAST.
Her one nominator wrote, “What has continually impressed me is Naseeba’s desire to not just meet requirements, but to exceed expectations and challenge herself… Naseeba’s peers recognize her commitment and drive for excellence and look to her as a role model to emulate.”
2018 Evan Pugh Scholar Award: Sean D. Graver (Quakertown, Pa.); Daniel A. Jalosinski (Perkasie, Pa.); Joseph Anasti (Zionsville, Pa.); Samuel A. Azzalina (Easton, Pa.); Naseeba Saeed (Bethlehem, Pa.)
The Evan Pugh Scholars are those juniors and seniors who are in the upper 0.5 percent of their respective classes and have completed at least 48 graded Penn State credits at the end of the fall semester of the academic year the award is given. Candidates are eligible if they have been full-time Penn State undergraduate students for at least four semesters prior to selection.
Heart of the Lion Award: John Lahutsky (Bethlehem, Pa.)
The Heart of the Lion Award is presented to a Penn State Lehigh Valley student who has overcome notable obstacles of any kind, and has demonstrated grit, gumption and sheer determination.
2018 President’s Freshman Award: Vera Aldeeb (Bath, Pa.); Mason L. Bunce (Northampton, Pa.); Katherine Guzman (Hellertown, Pa.); Jonah Hartzell (Perkasie, Pa.); Jacob B. Kromer (Walnutport, Pa.); Tyler T. Nguyen (Quakertown, Pa.); Anastasia Seremula (Nazareth, Pa.); Nadine Youssef (Jersey City, NJ.)
This award is presented annually to undergraduate degree candidates and degree-seeking provisional students who have earned a 4.00 (A) cumulative grade-point average based on at least 12 graded Penn State credits completed during their first semester of admissions. Candidates are eligible for this award if they have not exceeded 35 Penn State credits earned.
2018 President Sparks Award: Peiqi Chen (Zhengzhou, China.); Adryanna H. Jenkins (Pen Argyl, Pa.); Haoquan Liang (Kunming, China.); Marquis M. McMillan (Pen Argyl, Pa.); Christopher Trapp (Harleysville, Pa.)
This award is presented annually to those undergraduate degree candidates who have earned a 4.0 (A) cumulative grade-point average based on at least 36 graded Penn State credits completed by the end of the fall semester of the academic year the award is given. Candidates are eligible for this award if they have not exceeded 59 total credits earned.
Alexandria Downing Outstanding Student in Sociology Award: Angela Phillips (Easton, Pa.)
This award is presented to the student who has demonstrated outstanding academic performance and promise in the field of sociology. Special consideration is given to those who have presented papers at professional conferences, have published in a sociology journal, or whose work has furthered Penn State’s promise in the area of outreach scholarship.
English Department Award for Exceptional Achievement in Expository Writing: Anastasia Seremula (Nazareth, Pa.); Ella McCoy (Lansdale, Pa.); Chad Davis (Nazareth, Pa.); Mary Williams (Quakertown, Pa.)
This award is presented to a student whose writing demonstrates sophisticated analysis or interpretation of literature and/or exceptional master of voice, content and form.
Excellence in Public Speaking Award: Nadine Youssef (Jersey City, NJ.); Hibah Akbar (Bethlehem, Pa.)
Recognizing the importance of effective communication in the world, this award is conferred upon the student who demonstrates excellence in public communication. Criteria for selection include excellence in researching and presenting a speech as part of a Penn State Lehigh Valley course.
First-Year Chemistry Achievement Award: Abigayle Ward (Bethlehem, Pa.)
This award is presented to a first-year student for outstanding academic achievement in all four lecture and laboratory courses in chemistry.
Mathematical Excellence Award: Chad Schaeffer (Quakertown, Pa.)
This award is presented to a student completing his or her sophomore year who has demonstrated excellence in the Calculus and Differential Equations series of courses and who has evinced an appreciation for the depth, power, and beauty of mathematics.
IST Achievement Award: Angelo Sesma (Allentown, Pa.)
The IST Achievement Award is presented to a Penn State Lehigh Valley campus student who has achieved a cumulative GPA of at least 3.67, has earned at least 60 cumulative credits in the Information Sciences and Technology program by the end of his/her fifth semester, and has demonstrated outstanding leadership and academic achievement.
Outstanding Art Student Award: Francisco Vasquez (Trexlertown, Pa.)
This award recognizes a student whose work demonstrates excellence in a variety of media for art projects created during courses offered at Penn State Lehigh Valley.
Outstanding Engineering Student Award: Chad Schaeffer (Quakertown, Pa.)
The award is presented to an engineering student who began his or her undergraduate studies at Penn State Lehigh Valley and who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in all engineering courses.
Outstanding Student in Corporate Communication Award: Naseeba Saeed (Bethlehem, Pa.)
This award is granted to a graduating Corporate Communication student who has achieved one of the highest GPAs in the major and demonstrated outstanding academic performance and contribution to campus and community welfare.
Outstanding Spanish Language Student Award: Hannah Selassie (Easton, Pa.)
This award is given to a student who has earned an A in at least three semesters of Spanish at Penn State Lehigh Valley, has been an active member in classes and activities organized to promote Hispanic culture, and has shown a serious interest in pursuing language studies (minor or major in Spanish) or a major in Latin American Studies.
Outstanding Student in Biology Award: Kyle Gilbert (Whitehall, Pa.)
This award is recognizes a sophomore majoring in biology who has achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or above and displays a strong ability for scientific writing scholarship and a talent for research. He or she also demonstrates initiative, independence, and the ability to design and carry out experiments while providing service to the department.
Outstanding Marketing/Management Award: Brianna Bast (Emmaus, Pa.)
This award is presented to a senior in the marketing management option who has demonstrated outstanding achievement.
Outstanding Student in Project & Supply Chain Management Award: Alesia Lomenzo (Perkasie, Pa.); Sara Siddiqi (Northampton, Pa.)
This award is presented to a senior in the Project & Supply Chain Management option who has demonstrated outstanding achievement.
Outstanding Student in Psychology Award: Erika Belskie (Emmaus, Pa.)
This award is presented to a junior or senior who has demonstrated outstanding performance in the major.
Outstanding Student in Rehabilitation and Human Services Award: Billy Vu (Allentown, Pa.)
This award is presented to a senior who has demonstrated outstanding performance in the major.
Outstanding Student in Health Policy Administration Award: Erica Hughes (Fogelsville, Pa.)
The Health Policy and Administration (HPA) student achievement award recognizes an HPA student who exemplifies high academic achievement, leadership, and excellence in healthcare engagement and/or research.
Highest Cumulative Average by College (3.5 or above):
Agricultural Sciences: Abigayle Ward (Bethlehem, Pa.); Kyle Gilbert (Whitehall, Pa.); Adryanna Jenkins (Pen Argyl, Pa.)
Business Administration: Mason Bunce (Northampton, Pa.); Matthew Young (Allentown, Pa.); Hannah Selassie (Easton, Pa.)
Communications & Corporate Communication: Tyler Nguyen (Quakertown, Pa.); Zhand Jiang (Wuhan, China)
Division of Undergraduate Studies: Peiqi Chen (Zhengzhou, China); Denise Hassick (Emmaus, Pa.)
Engineering: Jonah Hartzell (Perkasie, Pa.); Anastasia Seremula (Nazareth, Pa.); Jacob Kromer (Walnutport, Pa.); Haoquan Liang (Kunming, China); Christopher Trapp (Harleysville, Pa.); Vera Aldeeb (Bath, Pa.)
Health and Human Development: Jeanette Bautista (Easton, Pa.); Soma Asad (Allentown, Pa.)
Information Sciences and Technology: Joseph Raymond (Macungie, Pa.); Malik Dilshad (Allentown, Pa.)
Liberal Arts: Katherine Guzman (Hellertown, Pa.); Qinyuhui Chen (Shanghai, China)
Science: Rana Moawad (Bethlehem, Pa.); Grace Rauscher (Allentown, Pa.)
About Penn State Lehigh Valley
Penn State Lehigh Valley provides a Penn State University education in a small campus setting that integrates individualized teaching, research, and dynamic community outreach. With its convenient location in Center Valley, traditional students and adult learners can choose from many options including 9 bachelor’s programs, which can be completed at the campus, as well as access to 275 majors offered by other Penn State campuses. In addition, students and community members who have a scalable business idea are invited to participate in professional development offered by Lehigh Valley LaunchBox, a business accelerator for early stage entrepreneurs. The campus’ diverse Continuing Education and Outreach programs offer opportunities for professional development, business training, and youth programming. For more information, visit lehighvalley.psu.edu.
Information provided to TVL by:
Dennille Schuler
PR Specialist
Penn State Lehigh Valley
2809 Saucon Valley Road
Center Valley, PA 18034
