Virtual ceremony honors 'adaptable, forward-thinking' campus leaders
Thursday, April 15, 2021
The 2020-21 Student Leadership & Involvement Awards, held virtually by the Office of Student Engagement for the second year, were presented Wednesday evening to a deserving lineup of campus notables.
“There have certainly been some challenging circumstances presented to all our student organizations and student leaders during the past year," said Trisha M. Temple, coordinator of student engagement. "They have been asked to shift the format of meetings, find creative ways to recruit new members while engaging with current members, and reimaging how to safely plan and host events on campus. It hasn’t always been easy, but the students have been adaptable, forward-thinking, committed and truly willing to put in the extra work. Even a worldwide pandemic couldn’t slow our Wildcats down!”
Recognized this year for excellence are:
Most Improved Organization of the Year
Theta Phi Alpha
New Program of the Year
Staff of Clinton, Delaware and Juniata halls – Student Car Show
Emerging Student Leaders of the Year
Madison L. Kistler
Tiana M. Rawls-White
Noah W. Shafer
Harrison Wohlfarth
Outstanding Philanthropy Project
Penn College Benefiting THON
Outstanding Organization of the Year
Wildcat Events Board
Outstanding Community Service Project
Student Athlete Advisory Committee
Student Leader Committed to Diversity and Social Justice
Ethan M. McKenzie
Student Leader of the Year
Caila N. Flanagan
Unsung Hero of the Year
Kate M. Ruggiero
Penn College Community Betterment Program
Kailan K. Marshall and Ethan M. McKenzie – Inclusive Housing Campaign
Fraternity/Sorority Scholar of the Year
Tanner J. Layne (Phi Mu Delta)
Fraternity/Sorority Member of the Year
Serena V. Bergeron (Theta Phi Alpha)
Fraternity/Sorority Academic Achievement Award
Omega Delta Sigma
Outstanding Senator of the Year
Maddie A. Newell
Adviser of the Year
Thomas E. Ask– CRU and the Society of Inventors and Mad Scientists
“Tom has continually supported Cru in continuing to host events and meetings during this challenging time. He has attended those events and meetings in person, as well as virtually, in order for Cru to continue offering options for our students. Tom’s response is always, 'What do you need and how do we make this work?'" his nominator wrote. "He is a great resource, cheerleader and supporter of our students, but especially those student groups he works with.”
“Tom is great to work with and truly wants what is best for our students," another said. "We appreciate all that he does in his student organization adviser roles, especially as we navigated this academic year and its many challenges.”
Interested in advising a student organization? Contact Student Engagement to learn more.
More than 80 faculty and staff members were recognized throughout the week with social media posts, special messages and small gifts for all they do in support of and guidance to more than 60 student organizations on campus:
Heather L. Allison, Susan K. Armstrong, Thomas E. Ask, Becky P. Bartlett, Chet Beaver, Sara M. Bidlespacher, Carl J. Bower Jr., Marc E. Bridgens, Daniel L. Brooks, Joel Brooks, Summer L. Bukeavich, Stephen R. Cheskiewicz, Dan K. Christopher, Meghan R. Delsite Coleman, James N. Colton II, Rob Cooley, Michael Damiani, Sammie L. Davis, Lee A. Dawson, Kevin R. Derr.
Lisa E. DeVito, Elizabeth A. Dixon, Chris L. Eckenrod, Nancy J. Eisenhauer, Michelle L. Finn, Sadie L. Folmar, Cathy E. Gamez, Scott A. Geist, Ryan P. Good, Sandra Gorka, Georgia T. Grey, Allison Bressler Grove, Allen Heimbach, Harry W. Hintz, Jacob B. Holland, Victoria Hurwitz, Barney A. Kahn IV, Jeanne M. Kerschner, Roy H. Klinger, Steve J. Kopera.
Matthew D. Krepps, Spyke M. Krepshaw, Peter Kruppenbacher, Nicole E. Lapinski, Shelley L. Litz, Joe Loehr, Brad H. Lyon, Alicia McNett, Craig A. Miller (engineering design technology), Tammy A. Miller, Cheressa L. Mix, Steven J. Moff, Britni E. Mohney, Bridget E. Motel, John D. Motto, Scott D. Neuhard, Charles R. Niedermyer II, Bob M. Nolan, Jessica U. Oberlin, Charles F. Probst.
Jeff L. Rankinen, Franklin H. Reber Jr., Joshua J. Rice, Tammy M. Rich, Brian J. Schurr, Wayne R. Sheppard, Mark E. Sones, Nicholas L. Stephenson, Joe A. Tavani, Trisha M. Temple, Christine A. Tilburg, Mary G. Trometter, Timothy S. Turnbach, John G. Upcraft, Christopher H. Van Stavoren, Chris S. Weaver, Timothy M. Weigle, Cody W. Wolfe, Timothy L. Yarrington and Daniel W. Yoas.
“There have certainly been some challenging circumstances presented to all our student organizations and student leaders during the past year," said Trisha M. Temple, coordinator of student engagement. "They have been asked to shift the format of meetings, find creative ways to recruit new members while engaging with current members, and reimaging how to safely plan and host events on campus. It hasn’t always been easy, but the students have been adaptable, forward-thinking, committed and truly willing to put in the extra work. Even a worldwide pandemic couldn’t slow our Wildcats down!”
![Presenters gather in the Thompson Professional Development Center for the virtual awards presentation. From left are Shannon L. Skaluba, student organization and information center specialist; Sammie L. Davis, coordinator of diversity and student engagement; intern Cameron K. Ramsey (an applied human services student who sat on the selection committee); Ethan M. McKenzie, 2020-21 Student Government Association president; 2021-22 SGA President Robert A. Luna; Allison Bressler Grove, director of the Office of Student Engagement; Trisha M. Temple, coordinator of student engagement; and Becky J. Shaner, senior manager of donor relations and special events.](http://www.pct.edu/files/news/images/2021/04/Presenters.jpg)
Most Improved Organization of the Year
Theta Phi Alpha
New Program of the Year
Staff of Clinton, Delaware and Juniata halls – Student Car Show
Emerging Student Leaders of the Year
Madison L. Kistler
Tiana M. Rawls-White
Noah W. Shafer
Harrison Wohlfarth
Outstanding Philanthropy Project
Penn College Benefiting THON
Outstanding Organization of the Year
Wildcat Events Board
Outstanding Community Service Project
Student Athlete Advisory Committee
Student Leader Committed to Diversity and Social Justice
Ethan M. McKenzie
Student Leader of the Year
Caila N. Flanagan
Unsung Hero of the Year
Kate M. Ruggiero
Penn College Community Betterment Program
Kailan K. Marshall and Ethan M. McKenzie – Inclusive Housing Campaign
Fraternity/Sorority Scholar of the Year
Tanner J. Layne (Phi Mu Delta)
Fraternity/Sorority Member of the Year
Serena V. Bergeron (Theta Phi Alpha)
Fraternity/Sorority Academic Achievement Award
Omega Delta Sigma
Outstanding Senator of the Year
Maddie A. Newell
Adviser of the Year
Thomas E. Ask– CRU and the Society of Inventors and Mad Scientists
“Tom has continually supported Cru in continuing to host events and meetings during this challenging time. He has attended those events and meetings in person, as well as virtually, in order for Cru to continue offering options for our students. Tom’s response is always, 'What do you need and how do we make this work?'" his nominator wrote. "He is a great resource, cheerleader and supporter of our students, but especially those student groups he works with.”
“Tom is great to work with and truly wants what is best for our students," another said. "We appreciate all that he does in his student organization adviser roles, especially as we navigated this academic year and its many challenges.”
![Appreciation shown to advisers of Penn College's varied student organizations includes a mug and clip from The College Store and a sticker designed by Todd Moore, student affairs marketing specialist, and printed in-house.](http://www.pct.edu/files/news/images/2021/04/Adviser-Gift-2021.jpg)
More than 80 faculty and staff members were recognized throughout the week with social media posts, special messages and small gifts for all they do in support of and guidance to more than 60 student organizations on campus:
Heather L. Allison, Susan K. Armstrong, Thomas E. Ask, Becky P. Bartlett, Chet Beaver, Sara M. Bidlespacher, Carl J. Bower Jr., Marc E. Bridgens, Daniel L. Brooks, Joel Brooks, Summer L. Bukeavich, Stephen R. Cheskiewicz, Dan K. Christopher, Meghan R. Delsite Coleman, James N. Colton II, Rob Cooley, Michael Damiani, Sammie L. Davis, Lee A. Dawson, Kevin R. Derr.
Lisa E. DeVito, Elizabeth A. Dixon, Chris L. Eckenrod, Nancy J. Eisenhauer, Michelle L. Finn, Sadie L. Folmar, Cathy E. Gamez, Scott A. Geist, Ryan P. Good, Sandra Gorka, Georgia T. Grey, Allison Bressler Grove, Allen Heimbach, Harry W. Hintz, Jacob B. Holland, Victoria Hurwitz, Barney A. Kahn IV, Jeanne M. Kerschner, Roy H. Klinger, Steve J. Kopera.
Matthew D. Krepps, Spyke M. Krepshaw, Peter Kruppenbacher, Nicole E. Lapinski, Shelley L. Litz, Joe Loehr, Brad H. Lyon, Alicia McNett, Craig A. Miller (engineering design technology), Tammy A. Miller, Cheressa L. Mix, Steven J. Moff, Britni E. Mohney, Bridget E. Motel, John D. Motto, Scott D. Neuhard, Charles R. Niedermyer II, Bob M. Nolan, Jessica U. Oberlin, Charles F. Probst.
Jeff L. Rankinen, Franklin H. Reber Jr., Joshua J. Rice, Tammy M. Rich, Brian J. Schurr, Wayne R. Sheppard, Mark E. Sones, Nicholas L. Stephenson, Joe A. Tavani, Trisha M. Temple, Christine A. Tilburg, Mary G. Trometter, Timothy S. Turnbach, John G. Upcraft, Christopher H. Van Stavoren, Chris S. Weaver, Timothy M. Weigle, Cody W. Wolfe, Timothy L. Yarrington and Daniel W. Yoas.
Photos provided