Year-End Tradition Honors Students, Organizations for Exemplary Service

The annual Student Activities Awards Banquet recently honored student organizations, student leaders and advisers for their contributions to the Penn College campus and the Greater Williamsport community during the 2014-15 academic year. The guest speaker was Barbara Hudock, CEO and founding partner of the Hudock Capital Group, LLC, who shared stories and experiences that have helped shape her leadership over the course of an extremely successful career. More than 50 nominations were received for fewer than 20 honors, including two new awards in this year's ceremony: Student Leader Committed to Social Justice and Diversity, and Penn College Community Betterment Program of the Year. The annual passing-of-the-gavel ceremony closed out the evening as Zachary T. Peachey was sworn in as the Student Government Association president for the 2015-16 academic year.

– Photos by Sara H. Ousby, associate director of student activities for diversity and cultural life

A complete list of award-winners follows:

Student Leader of the Year
Paul A. Evans

New Student Leader of the Year
Anthony D. Gobbi

Adviser of the Year
Todd M. Keeley

Outstanding Student Organization of the Year
Penn College Construction Association

Most Improved Student Organization of the Year
Diners Club

Outstanding Senator of the Year
Gracie R. Cooper

Outstanding Community Service Program of the Year
Phi Mu Delta Fraternity

Outstanding Philanthropy of the Year
Interfraternity Council

Outstanding Program of the Year
Running Without ED

New Program of the Year
Wildcat Events Board

Greek New Member of the Year
Evan N. Moore

Greek Member of the Year
Samuel R. Scheide

Greek Scholar of the Year
Bhismadut B. Contractor

Greek Academic Achievement Award
Sigma Nu Fraternity

Chapter of the Year
Phi Mu Delta Fraternity

Penn College Community Betterment Program of the Year
Penn College Alliance

Student Leader Committed to Social Justice and Diversity
Wesley G. Ginnick

Student Leader Legacy Scholarship Recipients
Kyle D. Bomboy and Kyani L. Lawrence

Selected as Most Improved Student Organization of the Year was the Penn College Diners Club.

Next year's SGA President Zachary T. Peachey accepts the gavel from predecessor Ryan A. Gibson in an annual tradition.

Guest speaker Barbara Hudock, with Anthony J. Pace, assistant director of student activities for student organizations/orientation

Robb Dietrich (left), executive director of the Penn College Foundation, joins recent Student Leader Legacy Scholarship winners. From left are Kyle D. Bomboy, a co-recipient for 2014-15; Lauren J. Crouse and Julie H. Carr, selected in 2013-14; and Kyani L. Lawrence, this year's other honoree.

Advised by Sara H. Ousby (left), PC Alliance took the night's two newest awards. The organization was chosen as Penn College Community Betterment Program of the Year and its president, Wesley G. Ginnick (second from left) was recognized as a Student Leader Committed to Social Justice and Diversity.

The Penn College Construction Association, advised by Barmey A. Kahn IV (lower right), was named Outstanding Student Organization of the Year.

The brothers of Phi Mu Delta fraternity, some of whom were individually honored during the evening, join adviser Jeffrey D. Filko (top left) in being honored as Chapter of the Year and Outstanding Community Service Program of the Year.

Running Without ED, founded by Julie H. Carr (left) and mentored by Shannon L. Skaluba, was selected as Outstanding Program of the Year.

Student Government Association President Ryan A Gibson congratulates Gracie R. Cooper, SGA's Senator of the Year.

Presented with the Greek Academic Achievement Award, the brothers of Sigma Nu show that fraternity membership and good grades can co-exist.

Members of the Wildcat Events Board, with adviser Allison A. Bressler (right), were honored for New Program of the Year.