Leadership, service acknowledged in pre-graduation ceremony
Published 12.16.2023
Three students who graduated in Saturday's Fall Commencement exercises were recognized at an Excellence in Student Leadership and Service Awards Ceremony in the Community Arts Center's Capitol Lounge prior to their 11 a.m. procession.
President Michael J. Reed paid tribute to the "small, but mighty group of absolutely extraordinary" honorees in his welcoming remarks, noting their selection for collegewide recognition from among 4,300 Penn College students.
Presiding over the ceremony was Anthony J. Pace, dean of enrollment and academic operations; presentation of the awards was split between Reed and Joanna K. Flynn, vice president for academic affairs/provost.
The President's Award, which reflects its recipient's leadership and service to the college, was given to Samir Khalid Pringle, of Philadelphia, who was introduced by Ashley M. Hunter, coordinator of residence life operations. Pringle earned an associate degree in business management and will begin work in the spring toward a bachelor's in business administration. (Pringle was also recognized as the day's student commencement speaker.)
Jay Kanaiyalal Patel received the Board of Directors' Award for achievement under exceptional conditions. A resident of Canton, Michigan, Patel earned a bachelor's in manufacturing engineering technology and was accompanied by Heidi E. Roupp, disability and access resources specialist.
Presented with the Academic Vice President and Provost's Award for scholastic achievement and service was Jordan Specht, of Frederick, Maryland, who earned a bachelor's in nursing. She was introduced by Christine B. Kavanagh, assistant professor of nursing.
Additional recognition was accorded Coryn Aliyah Oswald, a student-athlete chosen to sing the national anthem en route to accepting her degree in plastics & polymer engineering technology.
The event (also attended by recipients' families and a number of administration representatives) concluded with Shelley L. Moore, senior director of the Center for Career Design, welcoming the award winners into the 70,000-member Penn College Alumni Association.
(A complete list of Fall 2023 commencement awards is available elsewhere on Penn College News.)