Schreyer Honors College recognizes two outstanding alumni
6/18/2007
University Park, PA – North Carolina State University engineering professor Richard J. Spontak and Ann Hsu, CEO of RivalWatch Shanghai Co., have been selected to receive the Schreyer Honors College’s 2007 Outstanding Scholar Alumni Awards.
Spontak and Hsu are both graduates of Penn State’s College of Engineering—Spontak was a member of the class of 1983; Hsu earned her degree in 1989. Both graduated from Penn State with honors as University Scholars. The two were recognized by the honors college at a special reception and ceremony on October 4, 2007.
Following his graduation from Penn State, Spontak earned his PhD. from the University of California at Berkeley in 1988. Prior to joining North Carolina State’s faculty in 1992, Spontak worked as a research scientist for Proctor & Gamble. A professor in the department of chemical and biomolecular engineering and materials science and engineering at North Carolina State, Spontak, who lives in Raleigh, N.C., received the North Carolina State College of Engineering Board of Governor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2006.
Spontak’s involvement with the Schreyer Honors College includes serving as an alumni mentor to current Schreyer Scholars.
Hsu earned a master of science degree in electrical engineering and an MBA from the University of California at Berkeley. Her early career included marketing, sales, and business development positions with Tandem Computers (now Hewlett Packard), Philips Electronics, and Siebel Systems. Hsu is the co-founder of RivalWatch, a leading provider of margin-improvement solutions for retailers and manufacturers. In May 2006, Hsu moved to China to develop RivalWatch’s business on mainland China. Hsu also spends a great deal of her time in San Francisco, CA, and has participated in developing the Sister City relationship between that city and Shanghai.
As a member of the Schreyer Honors College’s External Advisory Board, Hsu has been involved in overseeing the college’s development into one of the country’s premier honors programs. Hsu has worked with the college to develop internship opportunities in China for Schreyer Scholars wishing to gain international experience.
The Outstanding Scholar Alumni Awards were created to recognize a Scholar alumna and Scholar alumnus who have demonstrated leadership in their professions and citizenship in their communities. The award is presented to graduates of Penn State’s University Scholar Program or the Schreyer Honors College who have demonstrated exemplary leadership skills, professional achievement, and a passion for life-long learning that reflect the Schreyer Honors College’s mission—achieving academic excellence with integrity, building a global perspective, and creating opportunities for civic engagement and leadership.
For more information about his award, contact Marc McMullin, Director of development and alumni relations, at mcmullin@psu.edu.
