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2024 Volunteer Awards To Highlight Strength Of Alumni Network
By Sponsored Content,
2024-07-30
Volunteer leaders are the heartbeat of the Penn State Alumni Association. In living out the Alumni Association’s mission, affiliate groups and inspiring volunteers give back to their communities, support current and future Penn State students, and unite Nittany Lions across the country and around the world.
The seven individuals and 11 groups that comprise this year’s class of Volunteer Award recipients represent the best of Penn State’s alumni volunteers. The honorees are listed below, along with a summary of their accomplishments.
The 2024 Volunteer Awards Ceremony will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, August 2, at the Hintz Family Alumni Center. Sign up to view the live stream of the ceremony (https://web.cvent.com/event/bd9cd3e2-f776-4d01-b77a-615e2622c414/summary). Those who register online will receive a livestream link prior to the awards ceremony.
2024 Volunteer Award individual recipients Joan M. McLane Recent Alumna Award Molly Sizemore ’21, ’21g Eng President, Alumni Society of Architectural Engineers Affiliate Program Group Created and expanded social media presence for three affiliate groups; selected as Young Alumni Ambassador.
K. David Weidner Diversity Award Dan Berlin ’92 Agr Founder and President, Team See Possibilities Founded scholarships for students with vision impairments, ensuring the Penn State experience is open to all and remains so in the future.
Kay and Ernie Salvino Volunteer of the Year Award Kathleen G. Hume ’96g IDF President, Graduate School Alumni Society; Immediate-Past President, Centre County Chapter Reconstituted the Penn State Great Valley Alumni Society Board; increased alumni engagement by 50% for Centre County Chapter.
Mark and Carol Poblete Award for Alumni Leadership Development Emily Yarbrough ’08 Lib Vice President, Metro Washington, D.C., Chapter Provided guidance to current volunteers; created a section in the chapter’s newsletter that recruited and connected alumni.
Martin R. Cepeda Jr. Award for Alumni Career Advancement and Development Kevin Frick ’91 H&HD Mentor, Penn State Health and Human Development Alumni Mentoring Program Advises Penn State students in several colleges through one-on-one mentorship and group talks; has inspired colleagues to become mentors themselves.
Martin R. Cepeda Jr. Award for Alumni Career Advancement and Development (2023) Megan Hennigan ’00 Bus, Lib Treasurer, Daily Collegian Alumni Interest Group Connected 200-plus Collegian staffers and alumni through online roundtable discussions, secured several high-profile guests to ensure the program was successful.
Philip Philip Mitchell Alumni Service Award Thomas R. Roberts ’94 Lib Social Entrepreneur Helped raise $2 million for the Shenango LaunchBox powered by the Greater Sharon Community; helped create a nonprofit organization that provides free after-school art programs for students and training programs for adults.
2024 Volunteer Award group recipients Engagement with Young Alumni Award Brandywine Alumni Society Hosted a monthlong series of dinners that engaged 100 local alumni and aligned with Penn State Brandywine’s strategic plan.
Fellowship and Networking Award Harrisburg Alumni Society Brought Penn State alumni together for a fun and spirited event while engaging with the Harrisburg community.
Fundraising Award Myrtle Beach Chapter Increased engagement with young alumni by re-imagining football watch parties and strategic promotion on Instagram.
Joint Activity Award Los Angeles Chapter, Orange County Chapter, San Diego Chapter Hosted an entertaining evening at a ranch winery while supporting a scholarship fund that benefits local Penn State students.
Ned Brokloff Award for Alumni Association Affiliate Group Innovation Smeal College of Business Alumni Society Improved on existing steadfast focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, after analyzing recent board member trends.
Outstanding Service Project Award Vermont Chapter In response to historic flooding that hit Vermont last summer, the chapter participated in a state-organized Flood Clean Up Day.
Professional Development Award New York City Chapter Increased attendance at the annual Nittany Networking event by 75% and ensured all participants felt welcomed.
Scholarship Development Award Greater Chicago Chapter Raised the amount of its endowment, which supports local Penn State students, with a versatile and thoughtful approach.
Tracy and Rick Riegel Pinnacle Event Excellence Award Great Valley Alumni Society Expanded upon annual tailgating watch party by leveraging campus space and seeing growth in several key areas.
The groups and individuals recognized in the Volunteer Awards reflect the activities and achievements that take place throughout Penn State’s alumni community. Penn Staters can visit the Alumni Association’s website to see the entire affiliate group network and get involved with a group that’s important to you (alumni.psu.edu/groups).
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