Living Our Mission Award Winners

Our Scholar alumni are achievers. Passion, commitment, and dedication are what drew them to pursue an honors education at Penn State in the first place, and those traits remain strong long after they've left the Honors College.

Scholar alumni are recognized each year by their alma mater for their professional achievements and contributions to society.

Schreyer Honors College alumni awards displayed at the ceremony

Outstanding Scholar Alumni Award

The Outstanding Scholar Alumni Award recognizes graduates who demonstrate exemplary leadership skills, professional achievement, and a passion for lifelong learning. Members of the Scholar Alumni Society select two award recipients each year.

Award Recipients

Antoinette Gomez headshot
2024 Award Winner Antoinette Gomez '94 Agr
Jason Wendle headshot
2024 Award Winner Jason Wendle '01 Lib
Mark Lavallee headshot
2023 Award Winner Mark Lavallee '90 Sci, '94g Medicine
Hallie Murray headshot
2023 Award Winner Hallie Murray '02 Eng
Trevor Kress headshot
2022 Award Winner Trevor Kress '07 Com
Stephanie Barone McKenny headshot
2022 Award Winner Stephanie Barone McKenny '87 Lib, '90g Edu
Brian J. Harkless headshot
2021 Award Winner Brian J. Harkless '95 Eng
Iris V. Rivero headshot
2021 Award Winner Iris V. Rivero '96 Eng, '98g Eng
Joseph Kasprzyk headshot
2019 Award Winner Joseph Kasprzyk '07 Eng, '12g Eng
Quinta Nwanosike Warren headshot
2019 Award Winner Quinta Nwanosike Warren '05 Eng
Leslie Oley headshot
2018 Award Winner Leslie Oley '04 Eng
Ryan Rzepecki headshot
2018 Award Winner Ryan Rzepecki '01 Bus
Christa Hasenkopf headshot
2017 Award Winner Christa Hasenkopf '03 Sci
Herman Pontzer headshot
2017 Award Winner Herman Pontzer '99 Lib
Jayatri Das headshot
2016 Award Winner Jayatri Das '99 Sci
Jared Edgar McKnight headshot
2016 Award Winner Jared Edgar McKnight '11 A&A, Lib
Andrew El Bardissi headshot
2015 Award Winner Andrew El Bardissi '03 Sci
Jenna Knapp headshot
2015 Award Winner Jenna Knapp '02 Edu
Meena Bose headshot
2014 Award Winner Meena Bose '90 Lib
Shawn Safford headshot
2014 Award Winner Shawn Safford '92 Sci
Michael Rieker headshot
2013 Award Winner Michael Rieker '90 HHD
Farnoosh Torabi headshot
2013 Award Winner Farnoosh Torabi '02 Bus
Casimer DeCusatis headshot
2012 Award Winner Casimer DeCusatis '86 Eng
Stella Tsai headshot
2012 Award Winner Stella Tsai '85 Lib
Reginald Hedgebeth headshot
2011 Award Winner Reginald Hedgebeth '89 Lib
Dawn Trautman headshot
2011 Award Winner Dawn Trautman '87 Bus
Lisa Baird headshot
2010 Award Winner Lisa Baird '82 Lib, '84g Bus
Peter Klein headshot
2010 Award Winner Peter Klein '91 Lib
Kelly Ayotte headshot
2009 Award Winner Kelly Ayotte '90 Lib
Kevin Frick headshot
2009 Award Winner Kevin Frick '91 HHD
Stephanie Hulina headshot
2008 Award Winner Stephanie Hulina '92 Lib
John Woerner headshot
2008 Award Winner John Woerner '91 Bus
Ann Hsu headshot
2007 Award Winner Ann Hsu '89 Eng
Richard Spontak headshot
2007 Award Winner Richard Spontak '83 Eng
Doug Evans headshot
2006 Award Winner Doug Evans '86 Eng
Mary Beth Long headshot
2006 Award Winner Mary Beth Long '85 Com

Outstanding GOLD Scholar Alumni Award

The Outstanding GOLD Scholar Alumni Award recognizes recent graduates who demonstrate exemplary leadership skills, professional achievement, and a passion for lifelong learning. Members of the Scholar Alumni Society select two award recipients each year that have graduated with honors within the last decade.

Award Recipients

Zoe Roane-Hopkins headshot
2024 Award Winner Zoe Roane-Hopkins '19 A&A
Suzanne Zakaria headshot
2024 Award Winner Suzanne Zakaria '14 Lib
Michael Banerjee headshot
2023 Award Winner Michael Banerjee '16 Lib
Uma Moriarity headshot
2023 Award Winner Uma Moriarity '14 Bus, '14g Bus
Christopher X. Hong headshot
2022 Award Winner Christopher X. Hong '12 Eng
Laura Shupp headshot
2022 Award Winner Laura Shupp '14 Lib

Outstanding Scholar Alumni Mentor Award

The Outstanding Alumni Mentor Award recognizes the invaluable contributions made by Scholar alumni who give their time, provide counsel, and share their experiences through the Schreyer Honors College's Mentoring with Honors program. Scholar alumni who have participated in the Mentoring with Honors program and who are nominated by their mentee are eligible for this award. Members of the Scholar Alumni Society select only one award recipient each year.

Award Recipients

Eric Gibney headshot
2024 Award Winner Eric Gibney '94 Sci
Todd Bacastow headshot
2023 Award Winner Todd Bacastow '05 IST
Laurie Burgess headshot
2022 Award Winner Laurie Burgess '85 Lib
Alyssa Tudaro Brooks headshot
2021 Award Winner Alyssa Tudaro Brooks '10 HHD
Maura McLaughlin headshot
2019 Award Winner Maura McLaughlin '94 Sci
Kristin Lambert headshot
2018 Award Winner Kristin Lambert '14 Agr, '19g Med
Doug Evans headshot
2017 Award Winner Doug Evans '86 Eng
Rosanna McCalips headshot
2016 Award Winner Rosanna McCalips '99 Lib
Matthew Garrison headshot
2015 Award Winner Matthew Garrison '05 Eng, '05g Eng
Stephanie TerMaath headshot
2014 Award Winner Stephanie TerMaath '93 Eng
Edward Marx headshot
2013 Award Winner Edward Marx '98 Eng
James Douglas headshot
2012 Award Winner James Douglas '04 A&A, '06g Bus
Hilary Justh headshot
2011 Award Winner Hilary Justh '97 EMS, '03g EMS
James
2010 Award Winner James "Ted" Rauth '86 Eng
Ryan Newman headshot
2009 Award Winner Ryan Newman '01 Bus

Penn State Alumni Awards

Alumni Achievement Award

The Alumni Achievement Award recognizes alumni 35 years of age and younger for their extraordinary professional accomplishments. These prominent young alumni are nominated by an academic college and invited by the President of the University to return to campus to share their expertise with students, faculty, and administrators. They demonstrate to students that Penn State alumni succeed in exceptional fashion at an early age.

2025

  • Asia Grant '17 Bus
  • Dr. Victoria Heasley '14 Eng, '18g Medicine
  • Ryan Henrici '15 Sci
  • Connor Sattley '11 Behrend

2024

  • Paul Suhey '14 Eng

2023

  • Chad Littlefield '13 Lib, '13g Edu
  • Leah Liu '09 Sci

2022

  • Alison V. Beam '08 HHD
  • Joshua Brady Branch '13 Lib
  • Sienna Helfrich '14 Agr, '14 Eng
  • Therese Jones '09 Lib, '09g Sci
  • Stefen Wisniewski '10 Edu

2021

  • Heather Bennett '08 Lib, '13g Law
  • Emily Zheng '14 Bus, '14 Lib

2020

  • Hallie Grossman '07 Lib

2019

  • Benjamin Ross '06 Eng, '07g Eng
  • Aniyia Williams '07 A&A

2018

  • Nicole Fry '05 EMS, '08g EMS
  • Jared Edgar McKnight '11 A&A, Lib

2016

  • Jill Jayne '04 HHD
  • Aleks Radovic-Moreno '05 Eng
  • Ethan Wendle '13 Eng

2015

  • Rebecca Delaney '06 Eng, '06g Eng
  • Aaron Gotwalt '04 Inter
  • Andrew Griffin '05 Inter

2014

  • Mohit Bhende '01 Lib

2013

  • Matthew Brezina '03 Eng
  • Laura Rosenberger '02 Lib

2012

  • Heather Agnew '13 Sci
  • Danielle Bassett '04 Sci
  • Sean Misko '04 Lib, Com
  • Daniel Veltri '07 Bus

2011

  • Jeremy Frank '97 Eng, '01g Eng
  • Ryan Newman '01 Bus
  • Melissa Shirey '97 Erie

2010

  • Holly Leppo '98 A&A
  • Paul Markowski '96 EMS
  • David Rusenko '07 IST
  • Rachel Tereska '00 Sci, '01g Eng
  • Farnoosh Torabi '02 Bus

2009

  • Sara Woods '96 Lib

2006

  • Bruce Booth '96 Sci
  • George Bryan '96 EMS, '98g EMS
  • Bryan Koontz '95 Eng

2005

  • Theodore Blackmon '92 Eng
  • Sherri Lombra * '90 Bus
  • Susan Pac '95 HHD

Alumni Fellow Award

The Alumni Fellow Award is the most prestigious award given by the Penn State Alumni Association. Since 1973, the Alumni Fellow Award has been given to select alumni who, as leaders in their professional fields, are nominated by an academic college and accept an invitation from the President of the University to return to campus to share their expertise with students, faculty, and administrators.

2024

  • Farnoosh Torabi '02 Bus

2023

  • Ryan Newman '01 Bus
  • Jane Rigby '00 Sci

2022

  • Jean Olewang '87 Bus

2020

  • Reginald Hedgebeth '89 Lib

2019

  • Robert Edwards * '75 Bus, '83g Bus

2018

  • Julie McHugh '86 Bus

2017

  • Vincent Sorgi '93 Bus

2016

  • Barbara Cohen * '74 Lib
  • Craig Pearce '87 Bus
  • John Rooney * '86 Eng

2015

  • Lisa Baird '82 Lib, '84g Bus

2014

  • Dawn Behnke '87 Bus
  • Alex Hartzler '90 Lib
  • Cathy Lowenbraun McKeon * '71 Lib

2013

  • Andrew Sieg '89 Bus

2012

  • Douglas Evans '86 Eng, '94g IDF
  • John A. Meyer Jr * '78 Sci
  • Richard Spontak '83 Eng

2011

  • R. Wayne Atwell, Jr. * '69 EMS
  • David Han '88 Sci, '05 Med

2010

  • Kenneth Fasola * '81 HHD
  • Charlotte McLaughlin * '75 Bus

2009

  • Greg Lucier '86 Eng

2008

  • Louis D'Ambrosio '86 Bus
  • Mary Beth Long '85 Com
  • John K. Tsui * '60 Bus

2007

  • John Ball Jr. * '55 Lib
  • Karen Bretherick Peetz * '77 HHD
  • Robert Kumpf * '84 EMS, '86g EMS

2006

  • John P. Surma Jr. * '76 Bus

2003

  • James Carnes * '61 Eng

2001

  • Robert Poole * '72 Bus

2000

  • Cynthia Ackron Baldwin * '66 Lib, '74g Lib
  • Edward M. Frymoyer * '59 Eng, '67g Sci
  • Arthur J. Nagle * '61 Lib

1998

  • Gregory Wolf * '77 HHD

1997

  • Mimi U. Barash Coppersmith * '52 Com
  • Linda Brodksy Strumpf * '69 Lib

1996

  • Arthur Glenn * '56 Eng

1995

  • Catherine Shultz Rein * '64 Lib

1994

  • Joseph Miller * '66g Sci
  • James Wiggins * '72 Com

1993

  • Peter G. Tobmros * '64 Agr, '68g Agr

1988

  • William Leonhard * '36 Eng
  • Philip Sieg * '57 Bus
  • Thomas W. Tewksbury * '54g HHD

1985

  • Allen L. Rayfield * '59 Eng

1984

  • A. M. 'Don' MacKinnon * '48 Eng

1983

  • Charles Dillman * '66g HHD, '70g HHD
  • William Schreyer * '48 Bus

1982

  • Edward Hintz * '60 Lib

1981

  • Edward R. Book * '54 HHD
  • Robert Klein * '48 Lib

1980

  • J. Lloyd Huck * '43 Sci

1972

  • Barbara H. Franklin * '62 Lib

Distinguished Alumni Award

Established by the Board of Trustees in 1951, the Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest honor bestowed by Penn State upon an outstanding alumna or alumnus. The award salutes the achievements of alumni whose "personal lives, professional achievements, and community service exemplify the objectives of their alma mater."

2024

  • Gregory Lucier '86 Eng

2023

  • Julie McHugh '86 Bus
  • Lou D'Ambrosio '86 Bus

2022

  • Douglas Evans '86 Eng, '94g IDF

2021

  • Lisa Baird '82 Lib, '84g Bus
  • Charlotte McLaughlin * '75 Bus

2018

  • Richard Riegel * '85 Eng

2017

  • Mary Beth Long '85 Com

2011

  • John K. Tsui * '60 Bus

2010

  • Karen Bretherick Peetz * '77 HHD

2006

  • Robert Poole * '72 Bus
  • Peter G. Tobmros * '64 Agr, '68g Agr

2005

  • Arthur Glenn * '56 Eng

2004

  • Edward M. Frymoyer * '59 Eng, '67g Sci
  • Suzanne Pohland Paterno * '62 Lib

2003

  • Peter Carlino * '69 Lib

2001

  • Arthur J. Nagle * '61 Lib

2000

  • K. David Boyer * '73 Lib, '82g HHD
  • Donald W. Hamer * '68 Eng

1999

  • Linda Brodksy Strumpf * '69 Lib
  • Joseph Miller * '66g Sci

1998

  • Mimi U. Barash Coppersmith * '52 Com

1997

  • Thomas W. Tewksbury * '54g HHD

1996

  • James Carnes * '61 Eng
  • Ray S. Walker * '35 Lib

1995

  • Cynthia Ackron Baldwin * '66 Lib, '74g Lib
  • Samuel G. Fredman * '42 Lib
  • Catherine Shultz Rein '64 Lib
  • Quentin E. Wood * '48 EMS

1994

  • Robert Klein * '48 Lib

1993

  • J. Lloyd Huck * '43 Sci
  • Philip Sieg * '57 Bus

1992

  • David Joyner * '72 Sci, '76g Med

1988

  • Allen L. Rayfield * '59 Eng
  • Gilbert S. Wetzel * '54 Eng

1987

  • Edward Hintz * '59 Bus
  • A. M. 'Don' MacKinnon * '48 Eng

1986

  • Edward R. Book * '54 HHD

1982

  • William Leonhard * '36 Eng

1979

  • William Schreyer * '48 Bus

1977

  • Barbara H. Franklin * '62 Lib

1970

  • B. Paul Blasingame * '40 Eng

Honorary Alumni Award

The Honorary Alumni Awards have been given by the Penn State Alumni Association since 1973 to honor people who are not graduates of The Pennsylvania State University but who have made significant contributions toward its welfare, reputation, or prestige.

2024

  • Cheryl Achterberg *

2016

  • Rodney P. Kirsch *

2013

  • Edward H. Arnold *

2012

  • Paul Axt *

2010

  • Rodney A. Erickson *

2007

  • Helen Henderson *

2006

  • Linda Gall *

2003

  • Paige L. Nagle *

1998

  • John J. Curley *

1991

  • Joan Schreyer *

1980

  • Stanley O. Ikenberry *

1973

  • Joseph Paterno *

Philanthropist of the Year

The Philanthropist of the Year Award, established in 2002, is intended to recognize an individual or family who has demonstrated exceptional generosity in the promotion and support of The Pennsylvania State University. The recipients of this award, through their philanthropy and service, have helped shape the University’s future and improve the quality of life for the student body, faculty, and staff.

2016

  • Edward Hintz * '59 Bus
  • Helen Hintz * '60 HHD

2014

  • Donald W. Hamer * '68 Eng

2009

  • Edward H. Arnold *

2007

  • DrueAnne Schreyer *
  • Joan Schreyer *
  • William Schreyer * '48 Bus

2004

  • William Leonhard * '36 Eng
  • Wyliss Leonhard *

2002

  • J. Lloyd Huck * '43 Sci

  • Dorothy Foehr Huck * '43 HHD

Teaching Fellow

This award recognizes distinguished teaching and provides a forum for encouraging effective teaching. Recipients are asked to share their talents and expertise with others throughout the University system. Year-long responsibilities may include such activities as participating in workshops and symposia, giving lectures or presentations on teaching techniques for new faculty and graduate assistants, taking part in discussions or seminars with students in the Schreyer Honors College, or teaching honors courses.

2011

  • Robert D. Richards '83 Lib

2010

  • Oranee Tawatnuntachai *

* Denotes a friend of the College

For a full listing of Penn State awards, visit the Alumni Association website. Many Scholar alumni also receive awards and recognition through their academic colleges.

Schreyer Scholar Connor Cassady

Being in Schreyer has pushed me further than I ever thought an undergraduate education could. I knew coming to Penn State that I would receive an amazing education with access to a multitude of state-of-the-art resources, but being a Scholar has allowed me to use this environment to maximize my potential and place my education in an ever-changing global community.

Connor Cassady ' 18 Mathematics