The Student Activities Office hosted its third "Awesome Women Exemplars" program in observance of Women's History Month on Tuesday night, honoring nearly 50 women from the campus community.Students, faculty and staff were encouraged to nominate any Pennsylvania College of Technology female (faculty, staff or student) they admire.
During a dessert reception in Penn's Inn, each received a commemorative wristband and a necklace bearing the theme of the National Women's History Project: "Our history is our strength."
The evening was organized by Shadra D. Smith, assistant director of programming, who, with Kimberly R. Cassel, director of student activities, read excerpts from each honoree's nomination.
Mary S. Sullivan, dean of natural resources management, was the keynote speaker for the event, sharing an introspective look at her own journey into leadership including applicable lessons learned from parenthood, such as the importance of humor, structure, consistency, responsibility, humility and listening.
An alphabetical list of the 2008 "Awesome Women Exemplars," comprising student leaders and esteemed employees nominated from within the Penn College community, follows:
- Barbara A. Adzema, secretary to residence life
- Michelle M. Belawske, student, pre-surgical technology
- Jen J. Bowers , Penn College Police officer
- Katie E. Buhrman, student, occupational therapy assistant
- Kimberly R. Cassel , director of student activities
- Katie E. Chearney, student, construction management; peer tutor, Student Support Services
- Wendy A. Cunningham, documentation manager
- Jacqueline L. Daniels, student, accounting
- Rhonda L. Davis, assistant professor, legal assistant
- Deb A. Dougherty, secretary to vice president of student affairs
- Glenda D. Ferguson, secretary to the dean of transportation technology
- JenniferA. George, student life informationspecialist
- Davie Jane Gilmour , college president
- Patti J. Haefner, secretary to the senior vice president/director of alumni relations
- Kristi L. Hammaker, health and fitness specialist
- Christie D. Henning, student, legal assistant/paralegal studies; presidential student ambassador and Resident Assistant
- Mary Ann Hollenbach, secretary for Academic Support Services
- Kimberley F. Hummel,student, graphic communications management; community assistant
- MistyD. Kennard-Meyer, coordinator of matriculation and retention, natural resources management
- Gayle M. Kielwein, student life accounting assistant
- Larissa Kryder, student, pre-physician assistant; Act 101 peer tutor
- Jamie L. Lear, student, business administration: management information systems
- Courtney L. McAtee, student, pre-nursing
- Katie L. Mackey , coordinator of residence life
- Kathleen V. McNaul, Advisement Center specialist
- Crissy L. Matter, interim director of food services
- Marion C. Mowery, residence life assistant
- Lizabeth S. Mullens , vice president for academic affairs/provost
- Paula Neal, distance learning service assistant
- Mary Jo Nonnemacher, student, nursing; tutor and Resident Assistant
- Janice L. Overdorf, food service worker, Wildcat Express
- Karen Woland Payne, Children's Learning Center director
- Leann M. Ritter, college nurse
- Krista R. Sampsell, college nurse
- Pat M. Scheib, academic skills specialist
- Rachel G. Scheiderich, student, general studies; peer tutor, Student Support Services, and student ambassador
- Elizabeth A. Shively, clinical director of surgical technology; adviser to the Society of Student Surgical Technologists
- AshleyA. Smith, interim assistant director of residence life
- KathyM. Stahl, secretary to the president's office
- Molly J. Steele-Schrimp , secretary to the vice president for academic affairs/provost
- Marija Staznik, student, hospitality management; Resident Assistant
- Carolyn R. Strickland , assistant vice president for academic affairs
- Jessica L. Tobias, student, graphic design; student photographer and president of the Penn College Motorsports Association
- Chelsey L. Wayman, student, accounting; computer lab student assistant
- Debra L. Welch, advising services specialist
- Lisa M. Welker , information center clerk
- Brenda A. Wiegand , secretary to the director of student life
- Lisa J. Worth, athletic assistant