Service-Oriented Students Honored With 'Penn College Awards'

Seventeen Pennsylvania College of Technology students who plan to graduate during the 2009 calendar year were presented with Penn College Awards during a Thursday banquet at Le Jeune Chef Restaurant.

The 13th annual ceremony recognized students who have made outstanding contributions to Penn College and who have risen above their peers as a result of their leadership. Any student who anticipates graduating in May, August or December and who has been active in campus life, played a leadership role or otherwise served the college and/or the Greater Williamsport community was eligible to apply or be nominated.



An alphabetical list of recipients, hometowns and majors, a sampling of the activities that show the breadth of their service, and selected comments from their nominators and/or presenters:

Temilade O. Agboola
Philadelphia
Civil engineering technology
Resident Assistant, Wildcat Welcome Team, Dance and Step Team, Multicultural Society, Gospel Show, Awesome Woman Exemplar, Residence Life events, Powder Puff Football, Valentine's Day dinner, YWCA cleanup, Habitat for Humanity, United Christian Ministry Alternate Spring Break

• "Temi is a strong and goal-oriented young woman; she is a student in a nontraditional field for females and has done very well academically. She has pursued her schooling and her internships without hesitation and regardless of the roadblocks. (She) is always enthusiastic, creative, friendly, involved, willing to share her skills and helping others succeed."

James E. Allshouse
Indiana
Welding and fabrication engineering technology
American Welding Society, WPTC, Wildcat Welcome Team, SGA, Student/Staff Judicial Council, Residence Hall Association, Mini-Indy, Walk-It-Out

• "Jim is considered 'That guy' of Penn College. Someone might ask, 'Jim who?' but, when you call him over and list all the things that he's done, the person says, "Oh, that guy."

Mark R. Capellazzi
Rochester, N.Y.
Culinary arts and systems
Student Leader of the Year, Student Leadership Legacy Scholarship winner, Wildcat Events Board executive board member and creator of WEB's "Fan the Flame" culinary competition, SGA senator, RHA, Wildcat Welcome Team, Student Ambassador, Hospitality lab assistant and tour guide for Open House, "Salute to Excellence" honor delegate, College Council, Food Advisory Committee, Food Services student liaison

• "Mark has been instrumental in directing campus events and programs to nontraditional students. WEB has focused ... toward nontraditional students with afternoon programs and targeted events at unique times through the week to show other students what a vibrant campus life can really be. Mark (also) has made a commitment to program not just social events for students. Last year, he spearheaded the Walk-It-Out program (to benefit the American Cancer Society), which I believe is the biggest student philanthropy event on campus."

Kaitlyn M. Charmbury
State College
Residential construction technology and management: architectural technology
Resident Assistant, Alpha Chi honor society, Student of the Month, SGA leadership conferences, Student/Staff Judicial Council, peer tutor in math and English, Facilities Committee, North Central Sight Services volunteer

• "Kaitlyn exudes a great amount of strength, has placed a great amount of focus on her academics and has exceeded expectations in the areas of time management, balancing her position as an RA, intense schoolwork and her social life. Kaitlyn's desire to succeed and wilingess to make a difference is something that is very unique."

Andrew R. Christoffel
Lancaster
Environmental technology management
SGA executive vice president and senator, Student Leadership Legacy Scholarship winner, Connections link, College Town Committee, Wildcat Welcome Team, Community Assistant, Student Ambassador, peer tutor, lab assistant for natural sciences, president and secretary of Earth Smart, highway cleanup, SMART Girls, search committee for director of Greek life, Residence Life search committee, CLASS student leadership program.

• "I can think of no other student who is more deserving of a Penn College Award for leadership. In my 10 years of teaching at Penn College, Andrew is one of the best and brightest. He is personable, hard-working and very intelligent. I am honored to have been his teacher. Andrew also assisted many of my students through the years while working as a peer tutor."

Terry M. "Matt" Clark
Honesdale
Technology management
Commander of Sigma Nu fraternity (also helped establish Greek life on campus and aided in startup of Sigma Nu colony at Penn College), Phi Theta Kappa, Walk-It-Out, Downtown Holiday Parade

• "I have seen 'Matt' really grow this year from a student (who was) not really involved into a leader of his fraternity that has given back to campus. He asks lots of questions and has helped a new group develop into a viable organization."


• "He does not lead by ordering; he leads by doing."

Dustin R. Derr
Lewisburg
Business administration: management
Chief executive officer of Students in Free Enterprise, Student Government Association senator, Chi Phi alumni chair, Let's Can Hunger food drive, Williamsport Merchants and Business Association; Downtown Holiday Parade, Williamsport Easter Egg Hunt

• "I've not had a team leader like him. I've got him on speed dial, and I don't even know how to plan for next year without him. If I had a son, I'd want him to be like Dustin."

Thomas P. Garrett
Lansford
Information technology: security specialist
SGA vice president of finance (two terms), resident Assistant, Connections link (twice) Association of Computing Machinery president (two terms) and tech officer, Residence Hall Association officer, Created the "Bring Your Own Computer" LAN and Gaming Event, Welcome Weekend, Connections, Student Leadership Conference, Habitat for Humanity, SGA food drive, Civility Saturday, service to variety of Governance and college search committees, various RA honors

• "Tommy leads with a sense of compassion of selflessness, dedicating his Penn College life to leadership and involvement. He gives his time and energy to the betterment of students, and he has earned their respect in the process."

Jessica R. Larson
Montoursville
Business administration: marketing
Archery team, SGA vice president of public relations, chair of SGA Advertising Committee, coordinator of SGA Silent Auction, acting president and member of Delta Mu Delta honor society, Awesome Women Exemplar, Alpha Chi honor society, service to Long Range Planning Committee and One College Avenue Advisory Committee

• "Jessica is a committed, dedicated and concerned member of the college community. She actively participated in (Long Range Planning) discussions and often contributed insightful ideas and suggestions, several of which were incorporated into the committee's suggestions to College Council. (She) seems to have a heart for service and a talent for leadership, qualities that should carry her successfully through life."

Micah A. Metzel
Dallastown
Technology management
SGA senator, Student Ambassador, peer tutor for Act 101 and Tutoring Center, Honors Program, Phi Theta Kappa, Delta Mu Delta, Diesel Club, Curriculum Committee, Wildcat Welcome Team

• "As part of the college's presence at the Pennsylvania Farm Show, we host an alumni breakfast and also help staff (a) display booth. For the past two years, Micah has come to the Farm Show to assist. He is never without his camera thanks to that trait, we have a wonderful photographic composite of our breakfast and the booth on the days he is in attendance. The first year of that event, Adam Yoder and Brian Walton served as the Penn College mascot, with Micah taking photos. The interaction of all three young men with the children and adults attending was wonderful. The highlight of that day was when Brian made the evening news of a local station by being on the carousel in the Wildcat suit. Micah, of course, was snapping photos!"

Cassandra L. Neidig
Williamsport
Occupational therapy assistant
Co-president of OTA Club, Backpack Awareness event, Career Day, Health Sciences Camp, Open House, Health Library Workshop, SMART Girls, American Occupational Therapy Association Conference, SGA Leadership Conference, Red Cross Bloodmobiles, United Way Day of Caring, Phi Theta Kappa

• "My definition of a leader is one that is supportive, caring, optimistic and strives to include everyone.Cassie has been identified by one of her teachers for 'sharing her strengths for the betterment of each individual and the group. Her sense of humor is used as a powerful tool in building relationships and diffusing conflict by being assertive.' During the past two years, I have witnessed firsthand Cassie's active involvement in helping her peers, her school (and) her community. It is my honor to have nominated and to present this award ... for all that she has done."

Mary Jo Nonnemacher
Bethlehem
Nursing
Student Nurses' Association president (2008-09), vice president (2007-08) and webmaster, RA (two years), SGA senator (two years), WEB, Alternative Spring Break, peer tutor, Open House, CARE packages for troops, Operation Snowflake, community blood-pressure screenings, Giving Tree, winter clothing collection for children, Awesome Woman Exemplar, National Residence Hall Honorary, various RA, SGA and scholarship honors

• "Out of the 13 Resident Assistants I supervise, Mary Jo has been one of the most consistant/trustworthy in areas such as maturity, teamwork and promptness. Her fellow RAs look to Mary Jo for guidance when making group decisions and they seem to think highly of her opinions.


• 'MJ' isn't standing up as the forefront figure; she's always the one in the back helping that visible leader get done what needs to be done. She knows what's work and what's play, and she'll always tell you how it is."

John C. "J.C." Phillippy
Greencastle
Information technology: network specialist
SGA senator, RHA, WEB, SIFE president (for two years) and member, ACM member, Student Ambassador (two years) Mardi Gras parade float (among many Residence Life projects), Habitat for Humanity, Operation Snowflake, Walk-It-Out

• "I'm not sure if there is a student that I have liked more in my time at Penn College ... In his (many roles), 'J.C'. has a passion for Penn College and works extremely hard to make sure that he represents himself and the college in the most positive way possible."

Hideky R. Silva
Linden
Electronics engineering technology
SGA senator, Career Services Student Advisory Board. SGA Silent Auction, IEEE treasurer, SIFE director of operational records, ISA treasurer, Alcohol Awareness Week, Sexual Awareness Week, peer tutor, Alpha Chi honor society

• "As we bid farewell to Hideky in regards to his educational experience, understand that it is just one part of him. Another part is his friendship; he likes to spend time with us. That is a true friend. Wherever (he) ends up in life, his strong sense of urgency, his perception of loyalty, his philosophy and values, his respect for authority and his dedication will help make that organization the best in the industry."

Kari L. Sones
Williamsport
Applied human services
Human Services Club, peer mentor, Mid-Atlantic Consortium for Human Services, organized Locks of Love event, Salvation Amy food drive, Open House, Homecoming candidate

• "When Kari graduates in August, she will be the first person in her family to earn a college degree. (She) works hard in her classes and has taken advantage of the many activities Penn College offers. In addition, she works in the field for Hope Enterprises. Kari ahs internalized and exemplifies the human services' ethical and professional standards in all of her interactions with other students, faculty and in the field. I cannot think of a more deserving."

Brian D. Walton
West Chester,
Technology management
SGA president and senator, RA, Student Ambassador, American College Personnel Association, Air Conditioning Contractors of America

• "I've had the great pleasure of working with (him) consistently this past year within the Student Government Association. He truly has done everything in his power to be a great student representative and respecting the administration, as well. He is definitely going to be a great leader in whatever field he enters post-Penn College."


• "There's no typical day in the Admissions Office, but Brian was always there to handle an unepxected tour or to escort a family to a school. It's skills like his like all of the students we honor tonight that are truly the soul of Penn College."

Joel P. Weir
Laceyville
Building automation technology
Campus Crusade for Christ president (2008-09) and treasurer (2007-08), United Campus Ministries, SGA, RHA, Habitat for Humanity, Walk-It-Out, canned food drive

• "Being involved is not easy, but he proves that you can succeed academically and still have a social life. His kind heart even when cooped up working in the Student ID Center is what I'll remember; he works hard and always has a positive attitude."