SPRING SCHOLARSHIP RECEPTION RECOGNIZES CURRENT AND INCOMING STUDENTS
Penn State New Kensington's scholarship receptions are semiannual events that bring together scholarship recipients and donors. The socials give students who receive New Kensington campus scholarships a chance to meet their benefactors face to face. The spring reception, held March 22 at Oakmont Country Club, recognizes current students who earned scholarships for the second semester and incoming freshmen who were awarded scholarships for the 2013 fall semester. More than 60 students and donors attended the reception.
Penn State New Kensington's scholarship receptions are semiannual events that bring together scholarship recipients and donors. The socials give students who receive New Kensington campus scholarships a chance to meet their benefactors face to face. The spring reception, held March 22 at Oakmont Country Club, recognizes current students who earned scholarships for the second semester and incoming freshmen who were awarded scholarships for the 2013 fall semester. More than 60 students and donors attended the reception.
Students Mikaela Dunegan, a freshman in the Health and Human Development program and Bill Staniszewski, a sophomore in the Mechanical Engineering Technology program, were the special guest speakers. Dunegan is a recipient of the Shaffer Family Trustee Scholarship and Staniszewski earned the William and Claudia Harbaugh Trustee Scholarship. Dunegan thanked her benefactor Suzette Schultz, a former campus student, for the scholarship support. The Plum Borough resident noted that scholarships help students realize their dreams and achieve their goals with without additional stress and anxiety. Staniszewski expressed appreciation for Bill and Claudia Harbaugh, who established the trustee scholarship. He explained that their support will help him earn is associate degree without incurring debt.
Andrea Adolph, director of academic affairs, gave brief remarks on the quality of a Penn State education and John “Craig” Hammond, assistant professor of history, spoke about the importance of higher education. A question-and-answer session followed the speakers’ remarks.
Campus scholarships are awarded to eligible students on the basis of academic promise, leadership qualities, community service and financial need. This year, new and returning students at the New Kensington campus earned a total of $293,000 in scholarship money. The campus has 50 scholarship endowments, annual gifts and program awards that funded 183 students this year with an average award of $2,000 per student.
Penn State New Kensington is part of "For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students," a University-wide effort to raise private donations to strengthen support for students, faculty and programs. All gifts enhance Penn State's historic mission of teaching, research and service to society. For more on giving to the campus, call Donna Speer, director of development, 724-334-6057 or visit http://www.nk.psu.edu/Giving/givetoday.htm online.
SCHOLARSHIPS AND RECIPIENTS
Charles H. Booth Jr. Trustee Scholarship: Chelsea Gearhart
Thelma M. Clausner Scholarship: Jordan Lane
G.E. Marquette Medical Systems: Derek Faltot
William and Claudia Harbaugh Trustee Scholarship: William Staniszewski
The Hyman Family Foundation Scholarship: Andrew Sheffler
Dr. N.A. Kopelman and Freda D. Kopelman Trustee Scholarship: Christopher Capo, Jamie Mazzotta
Patrick Kopnicky and Mardelle Sacco Kopnicky Trustee Scholarship: Nicole Thoma
Gregory and Xenia Kotyk Memorial Trustee Scholarship: Michael Dixon, Lauren Essel, Jesse Vulgris
Penn State Alumni Association Trustee Scholarship: Andrew Valicenti, Brandi Dickerhoff, Angela Jones
Penn State Campus Scholarship: Jacob Johnson
Penn State New Kensington Advisory Board Trustee Scholarship: Samantha Geisel
Penn State New Kensington Campus Endowment: Jonathan Simmen
Rotarian Trustee Scholarship: Chelsea Gearhart
Shaffer Family Trustee Scholarship: Aubri Covol, Mikaela Dunegan
.jpg)
Scholarship recipient Shanna Williams meets scholarship donor Mike Kotyk at the campus' annual Scholarship Reception.
RECIPIENT SHANNA WILLIAMS’ PASSION FOR
ACADEMICS AND HORSES LEAD TO CAREER CHOICE
Benefactors’ Generosity Supports Her Aspirations
Melding academic prowess with a passion for horses, Penn State New Kensington student Shanna Williams desires to start a new business after graduation. Penn State alumnus Mike Kotyk funds a campus scholarship that is helping Williams fulfill her desire.
Williams, a senior in the Applied Psychology program, was the guest speaker Oct. 23 at the campus’ annual Scholarship Reception, an event that brings together recipients and donors. The reception gives students who receive scholarships and benefactors who establish scholarships, a chance to meet face to face. Students attending the reception were able to deliver personal thanks to their donors, who in turn were able to see the personification of their philanthropic endeavors.
Williams is the recipient of the Gregory and Xenia Kotyk Memorial Trustee Family Scholarship. The $50,000 endowment was established in 2011 by Kotyk in honor of his parents.
“I cannot thank Mr. Kotyk enough for his generosity and kindness that has been beneficial to me in so many ways,” said Williams, a product of the Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School. “I never imagined being able to afford college. By working hard academically, and with the scholarships, grants and some loans, I have seen the fruits of my labor through the helping hands extended to me by Mr. Kotyk and other scholarship donors.”
A strong academic ethic is one part of Williams’ genetic makeup. The Apollo resident has been a member of the dean’s list for each of the six semesters she has attended the campus. The dean's list recognizes students earning a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher. William carries a 3.95 GPA in the Honors program, an academic initiative that is designed for only the best students in all majors.
Her classroom acumen has resulted in numerous campus scholarships that helped pay tuition during the past four years. In addition to the Kotyk scholarship, Williams was awarded the Hazel L. Hug Scholarship, Penn State Alumni Association Scholarship, Alle-Kiski Society Scholarship, and Bozzone Family Foundation Scholarship.
“Growing up as an only child of a single mother, we have always struggled financially,’ said Williams, a member of Phi Kappa Phi and Psi Chi honor societies. ”Scholarships have aided me in taking a new step to a brighter future for myself, my family and my community.”
The classroom is not the only place that Williams excels. Her extra-curricular activities include tutoring fellow students in a myriad of academic subjects. The tutoring is complemented by her position as work-study student in the Academic and Career Success Center. She assists students with major and career exploration decisions and helps them navigate the center’s resources.
Williams holds leadership positions for two student clubs--president of the Group Investigating God and secretary of the Psychological Association. A component of all campus clubs’ mission statement is community service, and through her association with the clubs, Williams has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and Rachel Carson’s Homestead.
“Penn State New Kensington has helped me develop leadership skills that I never imagined I could develop as an undergrad,” said Williams, who will earn her bachelor’s degree in May 2013. “The faculty and staff have supported me every step of the way throughout my education here and I am so thankful to all of them.”
When not on campus, Williams’ leisure time is spent caring for her three horses and her fiancé’s two horses. The equine herd is stabled at his farm in Apollo. During the summer, she rides local trials during the week and takes part in riding contest on the weekends.
“My favorite riding trail is Summers Allegheny Trail that runs through the mountains of the Allegheny National Forest,” Williams said. “I like the judged trail competitions at Northmoreland Park and Crooked Creek Horse Park. The competitions are essentially obstacle courses in the woods.”
Riding horses goes hand-in-hand with her career aspirations. After graduation, Williams plans to get a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling, and open a therapeutic horseback riding practice to help children and young adults with disabilities. To that end, she volunteers for Riding for the Handicapped of Western Pennsylvania.
“I help disabled children reap the physical and emotional benefits of horseback riding,” said Williams, who is studying to be a psychologist. “Because of the horses, I see my riding students flourish and grow in ways that I never would have imagined.”
Williams works with children of various disabilities—blindness, attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, and autism. While working on a class research project, she delved into the little-known topic of the social, emotional, and behavioral benefits of horseback riding. Most research studies extolled only the physical benefits. Her findings spawned the idea of starting her own business.
“Many parents enroll their children in therapeutic horseback riding for the physical benefits,” Williams said. “I want to open a practice exclusively for children and adolescents with social, emotional, and behavioral problems, including chronic mental illness.”
More than 50 students and donors attended the reception. Mardelle and Patrick Kopnicky, benefactors of an endowed scholarship at Penn State New Kensington, gave brief remarks on the importance of giving back to the campus and the community. Both are Penn State alumni and both are active in their Harrison Hills community. They sat with their scholarship recipients, Michael Daly, Craig McNair, Christopher Rae, and Edwin Sosa.
For photos of the reception, visit http://psnk.smugmug.com/
PENN STATE NEW KENSINGTON
SCHOLARSHIPS AND RECIPIENTS 2012-13
ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS
Alle Kiski Society Scholarship: Lauren Richards, Brandi Ritenour
Elizabeth S. Blissell Scholarship: Joshua Pilat
Charles H. Booth Family Scholarship: Jon Benson, Samuel Boswell, Christopher Weimann
Charles H. Booth Jr. Trustee Scholarship: Jacob Baird, Matthew Brueggeman, Abigail Cush, Veta Obazenu, Hunter Reinsfelder, Kyle Shreckengost
Laura Lee “Lolly” Benner-Booth Trustee Scholarship: Abby Deluisio, Bhawani Harrell, Denver Moyer,
Brian Oyenik, Christina Spahn
Gertrude A. “Trudi” Miller-Clements-Booth Trustee Scholarship: Justin Koscianski
Thelma M. Clausner Scholarship: Bradley Mayo, Jessica Noland, Kelsey Nulph, Brandi Ritenour
Bozzone Family Foundation Scholarship: Brady Boyer, John Fetchko, Crystal Greenlund
Roger H. and Barbara L. Claypoole Scholarship: Jacob Johnson
Dr. Saul and Emma Fleegler Family Scholarship: Kalie Montgomery
Francis C. Frary Scholarship: John Fetchko, Alina Fokina, Matthew Peretic
Ganassi Family Scholarship: Emily Bolewitz
G.E. Marquette Medical Systems: Tyler Craft
Bernard and Geraldine Guss Endowed Scholarship: Connor Minford
William and Claudia Harbaugh Trustee Scholarship: Matthew Kepple, Tyler Lloyd
Elbert S. Howarth Endowed Scholarship: Brad LeDonne, Marissa Russo
Hazel L. Hug Scholarship: Brad LeDonne, Alexander Rudolf, Cody Shoemaker,
Hannah Sribniak, Sarah Steighner
The Hyman Family Foundation Scholarship: Brad LeDonne, Amanda Stumme, Jessica Summerhill
Internal CES Scholarship: Adam Albright, Frederick Alston, Michael Cavazza, Matthew Collins,
John Creighton, Liam Fitzgerald, Talah Furrakh, Nicholas Guzik, Christa Hampshire, Adam Hand, Chelsea Leake, Joseph Maltese, Jacob Matis, Zachary Metzler, Jacob Woodside
Jerome-Little Endowed Scholarship: William Vaughn
Dr. N.A. Kopelman and Freda D. Kopelman Trustee Scholarship: Melissa Betush,
Michael Palumbo, Ronald Wolfe
Patrick Kopnicky and Mardelle Sacco Kopnicky Trustee Scholarship: Michael Daly, Craig McNair, Christopher Rae, Edwin Sosa
Gregory and Xenia Kotyk Memorial Trustee Scholarship: Shanna Williams
Evelyn Barker Krepley Scholarship: Joseph Schreckengost, Jacalyn Thomas,
Tracey Samuel, Joshua Swinehart
Bayard D. and Ethel M. Kunkle Scholarship: Melissa Anthony, Nina Miranda, Michael Pintea
Erik Sean Link Memorial Scholarship: Rebecca McGowan
Moore Family Scholarship: Brandon Defalco, Brittany Walker
Doc and Linda Mueller Trustee Scholarship: Michael Klaric, Brittany Logesky
New Kensington Faculty and Staff Scholarship: Jeremy Kowalczyk
Penn State Alumni Association Trustee Scholarship: Payton Wranich, Joe Mandak
Penn State Campus Scholarship: Vincent Palombo
Penn State New Kensington Advisory Board Endowed Scholarship: Mark Ankrah
Penn State New Kensington Advisory Board Trustee Scholarship: Kylee Danko,
Daniel Daugherty, Ryan Duke
Hyman Family Foundation: Brian Ferraccio, Kelly Haugh, Ryan McLaughlin,
He Mei, Samantha Polons, Brandon Smail, Anthony Stimmel, James Stull
Lora Lee Phillips Memorial Scholarship: Caitlyn Cody
PNC Financial Corporation Scholarship: Ryan Jessup
Presidential CES Scholarship: Cordell Dilzer, Ethan Ritzert
Rotarian Trustee Scholarship: Darren Myers, Michael Rivi
Honorable L. Alexander Sculco Scholarship: Jake Howard
Shaffer Family Trustee Scholarship: Christopher Deet, Bobbie Knotts
R.P. Simmons Family Trustee Scholarship: Kriss Bookwalter, Aaron Hoover, Tyler Flohr,
Michael Lockerman, Brittany Logesky
Ruth and Harry Stein Scholarship: Christian Kamenic
Technical Employees of Alcoa Metallurgical Award: Emily Bolewitz
Trustee Scholarship Fund for Penn State New Kensington: Kelly Kabel, Jennifer White, Jonathan Rearick
John H. Yeamans Family Endowed Scholarship Fund: Cari Chavira, Chelsy Cessna
SCHOLARSHIP GIFTS
Mittie B. Hightower Memorial Scholarship: DeAndra Barron
Doc and Lynn Ramage Scholarship Gift: Donna Camp
Joseph C. Culp Scholarship Gift: Brandon Short
PROGRAM AWARDS
J & M Quarato Nursing Program Award: Nancy Graham
MD Publishing Program Award for BET: Jamie Connelly
RECIPIENT SHANNA WILLIAMS’ PASSION FOR
ACADEMICS AND HORSES LEAD TO CAREER CHOICE
Benefactors’ Generosity Supports Her Aspirations
Melding academic prowess with a passion for horses, Penn State New Kensington student Shanna Williams desires to start a new business after graduation. Penn State alumnus Mike Kotyk funds a campus scholarship that is helping Williams fulfill her desire.
Williams, a senior in the Applied Psychology program, was the guest speaker Oct. 23 at the campus’ annual Scholarship Reception, an event that brings together recipients and donors. The reception gives students who receive scholarships and benefactors who establish scholarships, a chance to meet face to face. Students attending the reception were able to deliver personal thanks to their donors, who in turn were able to see the personification of their philanthropic endeavors.
Williams is the recipient of the Gregory and Xenia Kotyk Memorial Trustee Family Scholarship. The $50,000 endowment was established in 2011 by Kotyk in honor of his parents.
“I cannot thank Mr. Kotyk enough for his generosity and kindness that has been beneficial to me in so many ways,” said Williams, a product of the Pennsylvania Leadership Charter School. “I never imagined being able to afford college. By working hard academically, and with the scholarships, grants and some loans, I have seen the fruits of my labor through the helping hands extended to me by Mr. Kotyk and other scholarship donors.”
A strong academic ethic is one part of Williams’ genetic makeup. The Apollo resident has been a member of the dean’s list for each of the six semesters she has attended the campus. The dean's list recognizes students earning a grade-point average of 3.5 or higher. William carries a 3.95 GPA in the Honors program, an academic initiative that is designed for only the best students in all majors.
Her classroom acumen has resulted in numerous campus scholarships that helped pay tuition during the past four years. In addition to the Kotyk scholarship, Williams was awarded the Hazel L. Hug Scholarship, Penn State Alumni Association Scholarship, Alle-Kiski Society Scholarship, and Bozzone Family Foundation Scholarship.
“Growing up as an only child of a single mother, we have always struggled financially,’ said Williams, a member of Phi Kappa Phi and Psi Chi honor societies. ”Scholarships have aided me in taking a new step to a brighter future for myself, my family and my community.”
The classroom is not the only place that Williams excels. Her extra-curricular activities include tutoring fellow students in a myriad of academic subjects. The tutoring is complemented by her position as work-study student in the Academic and Career Success Center. She assists students with major and career exploration decisions and helps them navigate the center’s resources.
Williams holds leadership positions for two student clubs--president of the Group Investigating God and secretary of the Psychological Association. A component of all campus clubs’ mission statement is community service, and through her association with the clubs, Williams has volunteered for Habitat for Humanity and Rachel Carson’s Homestead.
“Penn State New Kensington has helped me develop leadership skills that I never imagined I could develop as an undergrad,” said Williams, who will earn her bachelor’s degree in May 2013. “The faculty and staff have supported me every step of the way throughout my education here and I am so thankful to all of them.”
When not on campus, Williams’ leisure time is spent caring for her three horses and her fiancé’s two horses. The equine herd is stabled at his farm in Apollo. During the summer, she rides local trials during the week and takes part in riding contest on the weekends.
“My favorite riding trail is Summers Allegheny Trail that runs through the mountains of the Allegheny National Forest,” Williams said. “I like the judged trail competitions at Northmoreland Park and Crooked Creek Horse Park. The competitions are essentially obstacle courses in the woods.”
Riding horses goes hand-in-hand with her career aspirations. After graduation, Williams plans to get a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling, and open a therapeutic horseback riding practice to help children and young adults with disabilities. To that end, she volunteers for Riding for the Handicapped of Western Pennsylvania.
“I help disabled children reap the physical and emotional benefits of horseback riding,” said Williams, who is studying to be a psychologist. “Because of the horses, I see my riding students flourish and grow in ways that I never would have imagined.”
Williams works with children of various disabilities—blindness, attention deficit hyperactivity disorders, and autism. While working on a class research project, she delved into the little-known topic of the social, emotional, and behavioral benefits of horseback riding. Most research studies extolled only the physical benefits. Her findings spawned the idea of starting her own business.
“Many parents enroll their children in therapeutic horseback riding for the physical benefits,” Williams said. “I want to open a practice exclusively for children and adolescents with social, emotional, and behavioral problems, including chronic mental illness.”
More than 50 students and donors attended the reception. Mardelle and Patrick Kopnicky, benefactors of an endowed scholarship at Penn State New Kensington, gave brief remarks on the importance of giving back to the campus and the community. Both are Penn State alumni and both are active in their Harrison Hills community. They sat with their scholarship recipients, Michael Daly, Craig McNair, Christopher Rae, and Edwin Sosa.
For photos of the reception, visit http://psnk.smugmug.com/
Office of Development
Donna Speer, Director
724-334-6057
dms46@psu.edu
146 Conference Center
Tina Sluss, Staff Assistant
724-334-6056
tms57@psu.edu
Scholarship Students' Profiles