Recognizing Excellence Scholar Awards
Each year Schreyer Honors College presents awards that recognize exceptional accomplishments and contributions by Schreyer Scholars. Eligibility, selection process, and criteria vary by award, so we invite you to review details and past recipeints below.
Scholar Awards
The Paul Axt Prize
The Award
Established in 1987 by Penn State in recognition of the career of Dr. Paul Axt, founding director of the University Scholars Program, the Paul Axt Prize recognizes a Schreyer Scholar who has displayed exceptional breadth and depth in their studies. Recipients are presented with a certificate and monetary award.
Eligibility & Timeline
Awarded in May to a graduating Schreyer Scholar; graduates from the previous fall and summer are also eligible. Eligible students will be notified via email when nominations are open.
Selection Process & Criteria
Students self-nominate with faculty recommendations. Decisions are made by the Schreyer Honors College Faculty Advisory Committee in consultation with the Dean. Successful candidates will have demonstrated, through coursework (typically culminating in multiple majors and/or minors) and scholarship, a high-level understanding of how different disciplines create, evaluate, and disseminate knowledge or creative value, and how they can enhance and support each other. For purposes of this award, established interdisciplinary majors are not in themselves evidence of such accomplishment.
Previous Recipients
2024
- Jamie Nguyen '24 LIB
2023
- Coltrane Conner '23 Eng
2022
- Jocelyn Krieger '22 BUS, LIB
2021
- Hope Bodenschatz '21 Lib, EMS
- Jocelyn Bodenschatz '21 Lib, EMS
2020
- Sapol Raadnui '20 EMS
- Daniel Zahn '20 Lib
2019
- Celeste Belknap '19 A&A, Lib
2018
- Alex Grigas '18 Sci
2017
- Sarah Newby '17 Sci
2016
- Nicholas Frazzette '16 Eng, Intercollege
2015
- Zoe Todd '15 Sci
2014
- John Groh '14 Sci
2013
- Reva Baylets '13 Lib
2012
- Sylvia Ranjeva '12 Eng, Lib
2011
- Kathryn Barber '11 Eng
2010
- Alyssa Todaro '10 HHD
2009
- Therese Jones '09 Sci, Lib, '09g Sci
2008
- John McManigle Jr. '08 Sci
2007
- Rachel Evans '07 Agr, Lib
2006
- Tiffany Bogich '06 Sci, '06g IDF
2005
- Thomas Essinger-Hileman '05 Sci, Lib
2004
- Danielle Perry '04 Sci
2003
- Alison Kepner '03 Com
2002
- Allison Carey '02 Agr
2001
- Maureen Gramaglia '01 Sci, Lib
2000
- Jane Rigby '00 Sci
1999
- David Dudzinski '99 Sci, Lib
1998
- Moriah Szpara '98 Sci
1997
- Jennifer Langer '97 EMS
1996
- Amy Kapp '96 Com
1995
- Michelle Dionne '95 Lib
1994
- Brian Pavlakovic '94 Eng, Lib, '94g Eng
1993
- Elena Wilken '93 Lib
1992
- Deborah Wells '92 Sci, '92g Sci
1991
- Anne Glosky '91 Lib
1990
- David Schweisguth '90 Sci
1989
- Mary McLean '89 Sci
1988
- Dorothy Kielkopf '88 Lib
1987
- Mary Sperry '87 Lib
The Douglas G. and Regina C. Evans Award for Research Achievement
The Award
Endowed in 2003 by Scholar Alumnus Douglas G. Evans '86 and his wife, Regina C. Evans, the Evans Award recognizes a graduating Scholar's outstanding research or creative achievement, typically culminating in the honors thesis. Recipients are presented with a certificate and monetary award.
Eligibility & Timeline
Awarded in May to a graduating Schreyer Scholar; graduates from the previous fall and summer are also eligible. Eligible students will be notified via email when nominations are open.
Selection Process & Criteria
Students self-nominate with faculty recommendations. Decisions are made by the Schreyer Honors College Faculty Advisory Committee in consultation with the Dean. The committee includes faculty from a wide range of departments, so nominations should be composed accordingly and should reference at least some of the following points:
- How does the project stand out from other strong Schreyer Scholar work in the field?
- Has the project been recognized via disciplinary awards, publication, or conference presentation?
- What is the potential impact of the project on the field of study and/or on society generally?
- Did the student develop new skills or techniques to carry out their work?
- How does the project relate to the student's overall accomplishments as a Schreyer Scholar?
Previous Recipients
2024
- Jenna Lugo '24 LIB
2023
- Wezi Mkandawire '23 Eng
2022
- Sean Melanson '22 EMS
2021
- Andrew Tamis '21 Eng, Sci
2020
- Matthew Aronson '20 BME
- Katelyn Kirchner '20 EMS
2019
- Michael Bichnevicus '19 Eng
2018
- David Kauffman '18 Eng
- Weiyu Luo '18 Sci
2017
- Danling Ye '17 Sci
2016
- Grace Lee '16 Sci
2015
- Arjun Agrawal '15 Sci
2014
- John Groh '14 Sci
2013
- Michael Howard '13 Eng
2012
- James Pander III '12 Erie
2011
- Lena Bradley '11 Sci
2010
- Rachel Urban '10 Eng
2009
- Matthew Gardner '09 Agr
2008
- Laura Hoch '08 Sci
2007
- Tina Lin '07 Sci
2006
- Ryan Lynch '06 Sci
2005
- Holly Hantz '05 HHD
2004
- Laura Tach '04 Lib
2003
- Nicholas Hartman '03 Sci
2002
- Nicholas Bond '02 Sci
2001
- Joseph Geddes III '01 Eng, '01g Eng
2000
- Rhiannon Weaver '00 Sci, Eng
The Robert W. "Bear" Koehler Award for Distinguished Service
The Award
Established in 2007 by Scholar alumnus Dr. Noah P. Barsky '92, Smeal College of Business Professor Charles H. Smith '61, and other students, colleagues, friends, and family of Dr. Robert “Bear” Koehler, this unique pair of awards recognizes Schreyer Scholars—one graduating and the other continuing—whose service and accomplishments follow Dr, Koehler's legacy. Recipients are presented with an engraved Nittany Lion statue.
Eligibility & Timeline
Awarded in May to a graduating Schreyer Scholar in the Smeal College of Business; graduates from the previous fall and summer are also eligible. Eligible students will be notified via email when nominations are open.
A second Koehler Award is given to a Schreyer Scholar completing their first or second year in Smeal.
Selection Process & Criteria
The graduating Scholar award is determined by student self-nomination with faculty recommendations. Decisions are made by the Schreyer Honors College Faculty Advisory Committee in consultation with the Dean.
There is no application process for the award given to first- or second-year Scholars in Smeal. Smeal College of Business faculty and academic advisers choose award recipients in consultation with the Dean of the Schreyer Honors College.
Previous Recipients
2024
- Ruby Bjalme '27 BUS
- Madelyn Fisher '24 BUS
2023
- Ryan Banks '25 BUS
- Chimwemwe Mitole '23 BUS
2022
- Derek Deihl '24 Bus
- Benjamin Wackerman '22 Bus
2021
- Kristen Chomos '23 Bus
- Faith Gongaware '21 Bus, Lib
2020
- Rachel Hooker '20 Bus
2019
- Grant Hopkins '22 Bus
- Maria Lucchi '19 Bus
2018
- Elizabeth Weiland '21 Bus
- Emily Weiland '18 Bus
2017
- Rachel Hooker '20 Bus
- Andrew Murphy '17 Bus
2016
- Rachel Ebner '19 Bus
- Colleen Tygh '16 Bus
2015
- Grace Hall '18 Bus
- Eric Stoltz '15 Bus
2014
- Christina Kehoe '14 Bus
- Boyoung Kim '17 Bus, Lib
2013
- Justin Cook '13 Bus
- Emily Zheng '14 Bus
2012
- Charles Frazier '12 Bus, Lib, '12g Bus
- Qishuai (Sherry) Wang '14 Bus
2011
- Maegan Capuano '11 Bus
- Nicholas Fakelmann '14 Bus
- Sean Gillooly '13 Bus
2010
- Leum (Alex) Han '10 Bus
- Courtney Quisenberry '12 Bus
2009
- Robert Cilley '09 Bus
- Gary McMillen '12 Bus, Lib
2008
- Rishin Banker '11 Bus
- Jonathan Foley '08 Bus, Lib
2007
- Rachel Epperly '07 Bus
- Simran Grover '09 Bus
The Usharani C. and C. Channa Reddy Mission Award
The Award
Endowed in 2000 by Prof. Channa Reddy and his wife Usharani Reddy, the Reddy Mission Award recognizes two Schreyer Scholars who exemplify the mission of the College and have excelled in all three parts of the Schreyer Honors College mission: academic excellence with integrity, global perspective, and leadership/civic engagement. Recipients are presented with a certificate and monetary award.
Eligibility & Timeline
Awarded in May to a graduating Schreyer Scholar; graduates from the previous fall and summer are also eligible. Eligible students will be notified via email when nominations are open.
Selection Process & Criteria
Students self-nominate with faculty recommendations. Decisions are made by the Schreyer Honors College Faculty Advisory Committee in consultation with the Dean. The selection committee considers the applicant's fulfillment of all three aspects of the Schreyer Honors College mission:
- Academic excellence: GPA, degree of challenge and ambition in coursework and degrees, and awards/recognitions received will all be considered.
- Global perspective: May be demonstrated by study or other activities abroad, and/or by on-campus coursework or activities.
- Leadership/civic engagement: May be demonstrated by participation in on- or off-campus organizations, especially when that participation involves leading or coordinating the work of others in support of worthwhile goals
Previous Recipients
2024
- Brandon Bixler '24 AG
- Sonika Kohli '24 BME
- Caden Vitti '24 ENG
2023
- Lillian Aronson '23 Lib, '23g SIA
- Luisina Kemanian-Leites '23 Lib
- Casey Sennett '23 Lib, '23g Lib
2022
- Nicholas Birosik '22 LIB, SCI
- Grace Lemke '22 SCI
- Abigial O'Connell '22 ENG
2021
- Siena Baker '21 Lib, Ag
- Erin Brown '21 Lib
- Autumn Deitrick '21 Eng
2020
- Milan Liu '20 Lib, EMS
- Guinevere Oliver '20 BMB
- Noelia Ortiz-Landazabal '20 LIB
2019
- Zachary Adams '19 SIA, Lib
- Karina Grullon-Perez '19 Sci
- Alison Kuznitz '19 Bus, Com
2018
- Odgeral Bat-Yeruult '18 Lib
- Alice Greider '18 Lib
- Adelynn Rabold '18 A&A
2017
- Andrea Biscoveanu '17 Sci, Lib
- Margaret Featherstone '17 Lib
2016
- Joshua Bram '16 Sci, Agr
2015
- Rhoda Moise '15 HHD
2014
- Christian Brendel '14 Berks
2013
- Amarpreet Ahluwalia '13 Sci
- Dana James '13 Agr
2012
- Shruthi Baskaran '12 Bus
- Rachel Dzombak '12 Eng
- Meryn Oswald '12 Lib
2011
- Hillary Darville '11 HHD
- Dana Ray '11 Lib
- Kathleen Smith '11 Lib
2010
- Adam Brown '10 Bus
- Farnaz Farhi '10 Sci, Lib
2009
- Stephanie Ohlson '09 HHD
- Herschel Thomas III '09 Lib, '09g Lib
2008
- Rebecca Funk '08 Bus, Lib, Sci
- Marian Hamilton '08 Lib
- Adena Schwartz '08 Lib
2007
- Rachel Epperly '07 Bus
- Nikki Hill '00 Sci, '07 HHD
- McKenzie Jones-Rounds '07 HHD
2006
- Victoria Killion '06 Lib
2005
- Nomi Deutch '05 Lib
- Matthew Lee '05 Sci, Lib
2004
- Lee Bassett '04 Sci
2003
- Annina Burns '03 HHD, Com
2002
- Amanda Wetzel '02 Lib
2001
- Kimberly Singer '01 Lib
Student Involvement Award
The Award
Endowed in 2010 through contributions and pledges made by Schreyer Honors College staff in support of the For the Future campaign, the Student Involvement Award recognizes a Scholar for sustained service to the Schreyer community, through student organizations or other activities and initiatives. Recipients are presented with a certificate and monetary award.
Eligibility & Timeline
Awarded each year to a fourth-year Schreyer Scholar.
Selection Process & Criteria
There is no application process; the Schreyer Honors College staff chooses award recipients in consultation with the Dean.
Previous Recipients
2025
- Emma Khoury '25 SCI
2023
- Giselle Concepcion '24 Lib
2022
- Krystal Leung '23 Eng
2021
- Adwait Chafale '22 Lib
2020
- A'dryanna Jenkins '21 Agr
2019
- Daniel Zahn '19 Lib
2018
- Tessa Sontheimer '18 Lib, Agr
2017
- Mark Frederick '18 Eng
2016
- Matthew Crager '17 Lib
2015
- Briana Adams '16 Lib
2014
- Cynthia Bober '15 Eng
2013
- Martha Herr '14 Edu
2012
- Rachel Chang '13 Sci
2011
- Matthew Kaslow '12 Bus
2010
- Thomas Novack '11 HHD
Scholar Alumni Society Future Leader Scholarship
The Award
Members of the Scholar Alumni Society Board established this award to recognize Scholars at least in their third-year of study that have demonstrated outstanding leadership in the Honors College, Penn State overall, and/or their local community.
Eligibility & Timeline
Awarded each year during the fall semester to a third- or fourth-year Schreyer Scholar. Eligible students will be notified via our weekly newsletter when nominations are open.
Selection Process & Criteria
Scholars apply for this award and decisions are made by the Scholar Alumni Society Board.
Previous Recipients
2025
- Cameron Koch '26 SCI
- Mabel Tong '25 SCI
2024
- Lia Gerboc '25 Sci
- Emmanuel Kraft '26 Lib
2023
- Katelyn Farrar '24 Agr
- Aryath Narayanamangalam '23 Eng
2022
- Luisina Kemanian-Leites '23 Lib
- Alysha Ulrich '24 EMS
2021
- Adwait Chafale '22 Lib
2020
- Andrew Pei '21 Eng
2019
- Hannah Lombardo '20 Sci
2018
- Abigail Kennedy '18 Lib
Neil C. Patel Changemaker Honors Scholarship
The Award
Established in 2022 in memory of Schreyer Scholar Neil Patel, recipients embody Neil's motto of family, community, education and opportunity as they make an impact on the world. Recipients are presented with a certificate and monetary award.
Eligibility & Timeline
Awarded each fall. All Schreyer Scholars are eligible. Students will be notified via the weekly newsletter when applications are open.
Selection Process & Criteria
Scholars apply for this award and must include a letter of recommendation from a Penn State staff, faculty, or other affiliated member. Applications open prior to the start of the fall semester.
Previous Recipients
2025
- Nicole Croushore '25 ENG
2024
- Ryan Setzenfand '24 Bus
2023
- Juntae Rocker '23 Lib
2022
- Nora Van Horn '22 Lib
