Honoring the Awesome Woman Exemplars
Monday, April 14, 2025
Photos by Anna E. Reed, student photographer
Honorees attending the 2025 Awesome Woman Exemplar Ceremony pause for a group photo on the patio of the Thompson Professional Development Center. Joining them is Bruce (front and center), a service dog dutifully posing with his person.
The annual honoring of awesome women took place recently, with the spotlight shining on 25 Penn College students.
Hosted by the Office of Student Engagement in the Thompson Professional Development Center, the 2025 Awesome Woman Exemplar Ceremony featured appetizers, mingling and awards. An inspiring keynote address was shared by Tanya Berfield, director of student advocacy and Title IX coordinator.
The honorees, who were nominated by fellow students or college employees, are:
Chandra Apker, software development & information management
Rachael Brunner, landscape/plant production technology
Sarah Crabtree, automotive restoration
Katherine Farley, automotive technology
Valarie Ferrebee, nursing LPN-RN
Emily Fink, human services & restorative justice
Kenni Galbreath, human services & restorative justice
Kyersten Gett, nursing
Kierstin Goodby, nursing LPN-RN
Kelly Herb, graphic design
Samantha Hess, nursing
Anika Huynh, nursing LPN-RN
Cassie Johnson, graphic design and advertising art
Sarah Kanagy, dental hygiene
Taylor Luzier, nursing
Samantha Magni, nursing
Alexis Manhart, nursing
Anastasia Maxwell, nursing
Devon Mendler, nursing
Karissa Prosser, business administration
Ashley Rich, physical therapist assistant
Marissa Rupert, software development & information management and automation engineering technology
Mildred Sanchez, nursing
Julia Schall, human services & restorative justice
Sophia Solimando, engineering design technology
Also participating in the evening were Jennifer McLean, dean of students; Kate Hummel, senior director of campus life and the residential experience; and Meghan Delsite Coleman, assistant director of student engagement.
The Awesome Woman Exemplar awards began in 2006 and are held in honor of Women’s History Month.
The evening gets underway with appetizers and conversation.
A lineup of delicious fare
Among those mingling: Poppy! As director of goodvibes, she is the facility dog at the Michael J. Hudock Sr. Center for Academic Excellence.
Spring is here!
The "awesome event" has been held on campus since 2006.
Berfield shares sage advice with the audience.
One by one, the honorees, like Chandra Apker, receive their certificates.
Katherine Farley marks the special occasion with a photo op.
Outside the PDC, the honorees and their supporters capture more memories. Here, Gayle Kielwein (center), coordinator of student engagement operations, joins two students she nominated: Kelly Herb (left) and Emily Fink. Both are student employees in the Office of Student Engagement.
Nursing students and "AWE-some" honorees enjoy their moment in the "golden hour" sun (from left): Anastasia Maxwell, Samantha Hess and Alexis Manhart.