Student Activities Banquet Honors Those Who Left Their Mark on 2013-14

With commencement barely a month away, Penn College's campus leaders recently brought the curtain down on another impressive year. The annual Student Activities Awards Banquet, held Wednesday in Penn's Inn, shone the spotlight on a number of deserving individuals and organizations, many of whom took home awards for academic achievement, philanthropy, community service and mentorship.

– Photos by George S. Phillips Jr., a mass media communications student from Williamsport, and Marc T. Kaylor, student photographer

Allison A. Bressler, assistant director of student activities for programming and Greek life. presents "Greek of the Year" honors to Mitchell J. Berninger, a web and interactive media major from Williamsport, president of the Interfraternity Council.

Information technology: information assurance and security concentration major Joseph W. Bourgart, of Warrington, is the 2013-14 "Student Leader of the Year."

Bradley M. Webb, director of student affairs administration, prepares to honor student leadership.

A busy buffet line

Shining in their Sunday best, praiseworthy student leaders enjoy an evening of relaxed recognition.

Elliott Strickland, chief student affairs officer, introduces the evening's keynoter.

The Student Government Association gavel silently awaits its big moment ...

An all-Greek gathering poses a formidable lineup. Among those pictured is Sigma Nu's Tylor J. Burkett (front row, third from left), an aviation maintenance technology major from Middletown, holding awards as "New Student Leader of the Year" and "Greek Scholar of the Year." Holding Sigma Nu's "Greek Academic Achievement Award" is Nicholas C. Choiniere, of Millbury, Mass. (front row, third from right), a welding and fabrication engineering technology student.

Accepting the Health Information Association's award (and $750 in cash) as "Outstanding Student Organization" are Amanda D. Slick (left), of White Haven, a health information technology student, and Jessica A. Long, a health information management major from Shoemakersville.

Selected as "Most Improved Student Organization," which also carries a $750 prize, is the Information Security Association.

Kimberly R. Cassel, director of student activities, presented two awards to deserving organizations.

Julie H. Carr (left), a nursing major from Souderton, and Lauren J. Crouse, an applied human services student from Turbotville, each received a $1,000 award from the Student Leader Legacy Scholarship.

Katie L. Mackey, coordinator of off-campus living and commuter services, honors the Interfraternity Council for best "New Program of the Year" – “Man-i-Cures for a Cause.”

The outgoing SGA president offers welcoming remarks.

... being passed from this year's president, Michael L. Spear, to 2014-15 leader Ryan A. Gibson.

Phi Mu Delta celebrates the numerous awards with which is is affiliated, including "Outstanding Chapter;" "Outstanding Philanthropy" for a gift-basket project involving Wise Options; and the "Greek New Member of the Year" – Alexander R. Wetzel, of Sunbury, an industrial and human factors design major (at rear left).

With so many student all-stars, you definitely need a program!

This year's SGA Executive Board and Senate, including "Senator of the Year" Jacob A. Cram, an electrical technology student from Lewistown (back row, second from right).

Students Making a Contribution members display their plaque for "Outstanding Community Service Program" − a Habitat for Humanity build over Spring Break.

The night's guest speaker, 2002 graphic design alumnus Joseph M. Tertel Jr., inspires his audience.

Sara H. Ousby, associate director of student activities, ends the suspense by announcing "Adviser of the Year." The winner? Carl J. Bower Jr. from the Horticulture Club.