Awards presented to Summer 2024 Penn College graduates

Pennsylvania College of Technology has presented student achievement awards to its Summer 2024 graduates.

A commencement ceremony was held Saturday, Aug. 3, at the Community Arts Center, Williamsport. Penn College is a special mission affiliate of Penn State.

The award winners, their hometowns and academic majors are:

President’s Award, presented for leadership and service to the college: Jake Spinosa, Wood Ridge, New Jersey, heavy construction equipment technology: operator emphasis and technician emphasis.

Academic Vice President and Provost’s Award, presented for scholastic achievement and service: Phillip Jeffery Silvagni, Williamsport, physician assistant studies.

Lewis H. Bardo Memorial Award, presented to a graduate who exemplifies the ideals of Lewis H. Bardo (devotion to duty, helpfulness to others, friendliness and high ideals): Erica Ann Hawbaker, Huntingdon, physical therapist assistant.

UPMC Program Award for Nursing, presented to a graduate of a nursing major who has exhibited strong leadership and teamwork skills; has demonstrated excellence, professionalism and commitment to the health care profession; and has demonstrated academic excellence: Amanda Leigh VanGilder, Bloomsburg, nursing.

UPMC Program Award for Applied Health Studies, presented to a graduate of the applied health studies program who has exhibited strong leadership and teamwork skills; has demonstrated excellence, professionalism and commitment to the health care profession; and has demonstrated academic excellence: Chastity J. Murray, Tyrone, applied health studies.

UPMC Program Award for Radiography, presented to a graduate of radiography who has exhibited strong leadership and teamwork skills; has demonstrated excellence, professionalism and commitment to the health care profession; and has demonstrated academic excellence: Trinity Andrus, Lock Haven, radiography.

Radiography Major Faculty and Staff Award, presented to a graduate who exemplifies outstanding clinical attributes and technical skill as evidenced through the 24-month clinic practicum: Sophia Mae Mussare, South Williamsport, radiography.

Susquehanna Imaging Associates Award, presented to the graduate of radiography who most exemplifies the ideals of selflessness; unusual devotion to duty; sensitivity to the patient’s comfort and needs; and service to colleagues, patients and the hospital beyond the ordinary: Anne Marie Rosanelli, Troy, radiography.

Mount Nittany Medical Center Excellence in Customer Service Award, presented to a graduate of radiography who has consistently demonstrated exceptional customer service and commitment to excellence during their clinical practicum at Mount Nittany Medical Center: Alara Zade Emig, Hughesville, radiography.

Evangelical Community Hospital in Memoriam of Bethany Hughes, Clinical Excellence Award for Radiologic Technology Student Achievement, presented to a graduate of radiography who demonstrates a demeanor of compassion, caring, thoughtfulness and clinical expertise.  The recipient also demonstrates unquestionable ethics, customer courtesy, dependability and loyalty to the profession: Billiegean Dawn Hennessy, Holtsville, New York, radiography.

Radiography Director’s Award for Leadership and Professionalism, presented to a graduate who has exhibited strong leadership and professional growth; has demonstrated high ethical qualities and emotional intelligence; and is empowering, respectful and prideful in their work and education: Kirsten Ivy Stauffer, Middleburg, radiography.

UPMC Program Award for Paramedic, presented to a graduate of the emergency medical services or paramedic technician program who has exhibited strong leadership and teamwork skills; has demonstrated excellence, professionalism and commitment to the health care profession; and has demonstrated academic excellence: Cole N. Hillyer, Cogan Station, emergency management & homeland security.

Paramedic Humanitarian Award, presented to the graduate who has best demonstrated the traits and behaviors of a “humanitarian,” as determined by a vote of staff, faculty and preceptors: Kiley Morgan, Annville, paramedic science.

Paramedic Director’s Award, presented to the graduate who has the highest GPA and demonstrates superior performance in all phases of the paramedic curriculum: classroom, clinical and field: Deven Jenkins, State College, paramedic science.

Dennis R. Dougherty Memorial Paramedic Award, presented to the graduate of the paramedic program who has achieved the highest cumulative field performance grade average during the course of their education: Deven Jenkins, State College, paramedic science.

UPMC Program Award for Physician Assistant, presented to a graduate of the physician assistant program who has exhibited strong leadership and teamwork skills; has demonstrated excellence, professionalism and commitment to the health care profession; and has demonstrated academic excellence: Brandyn M. Choplosky, Williamsport, physician assistant studies.

Physician Assistant Achievement Award, presented to a graduate who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement: Phillip Jeffery Silvagni, Williamsport, physician assistant studies.

Russell M. Trapp Professionalism Award, presented to a graduate who exemplifies ideals consistent with the physician assistant profession as exhibited by exceptional commitment, comportment and attitude: Sarah Lynn Fetterolf, Millmont, physician assistant studies.

UPMC Program Award for Surgical Technology, presented to a graduate of the surgical technology program who has exhibited strong leadership and teamwork skills; has demonstrated excellence, professionalism and commitment to the health care profession; and has demonstrated academic excellence: Ashley M. Connelly, Middlebury Center, surgical technology.

Surgical Technology Outstanding Academic Achievement Award, presented to a graduate who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement: Kristin M. Avery, Falls Creek, surgical technology.

Surgical Technology Outstanding Program Achievement Award, presented to a graduate who demonstrates exemplary characteristics of a surgical technologist, outstanding clinical performance, professional behaviors and academic achievements: Ashley M. Connelly, Middlebury Center, surgical technology.

Surgical Clinical Performance Award, presented to a graduate who has demonstrated outstanding clinical performance and professionalism in surgical technology: Allison Ann Enders, Halifax, surgical technology.

Physical Therapist Assistant Founding Program Director’s Award, presented to a graduate who has exhibited strong leadership and teamwork skills; has demonstrated excellence, professionalism and commitment to the physical therapy profession; and has demonstrated academic excellence as evidenced by their overall GPA: Marianna Lilia Dariychuk, Leola, physical therapist assistant.

UPMC Program Award for Physical Therapist Assistant, presented to a graduate who has exhibited strong leadership and teamwork skills; has demonstrated excellence, professionalism and commitment to the health care profession; and has demonstrated academic excellence: Jamie Olivia Krause, Lititz, physical therapist assistant.

Heavy Construction Equipment Faculty Award, presented to the graduate who most exemplifies professionalism within the field: Barry Devin Decker, Spring Mills, heavy construction equipment technology: technician emphasis/operator emphasis.

Earth Science Center Service Award, presented to a graduate who shows exceptional leadership, professionalism and service to the majors at the Earth Science Center: Jake Spinosa, Wood Ridge, New Jersey, heavy construction equipment technology: operator emphasis and technician emphasis.

Aviation Technology Faculty Award, presented to a graduate who demonstrates academic achievement, ethics, teamwork, professionalism and a commitment to excellence in the field of aviation maintenance: Alicia Martinez, Allentown, aviation maintenance technology.

Grant Berry Sr. Automotive Excellence Award, presented to the graduate with the highest cumulative GPA in an automotive associate degree major: Zachary Wiernusz, Mountain Top, automotive Technology.

Automotive Technology Faculty Award, presented to a graduate of an automotive associate degree program who demonstrates academic achievement, ethics, teamwork, professionalism and a commitment to excellence in the field of automotive maintenance: Zachary Wiernusz, Mountain Top, automotive technology.

For information about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, email admissions@pct.edu or call toll-free 800-367-9222.