Audrey Surma, a senior communications student at Penn State New Kensington, is pictured right standing next to Kevin Snider, chancellor of the campus, at the 2024 Academic and Student Achievement Awards ceremony on April 26, 2024. Surma was awarded the Eric A. and Josephine S. Walker Award, which is presented to a student whose outstanding qualities of character, scholarship, leadership, and citizenship have been directed into programs and services that have positively influenced fellow students and have contributed to the prestige and well-being of the campus and University.
NEW KENSINGTON, Pa. — Academic, teaching and extracurricular honors were bestowed at the annual Penn State New Kensington Academic and Student Achievement Awards ceremony on April 26. Approximately 40 awards were presented in the Forum Theatre, which was filled with campus faculty, staff, students, and students’ family members and friends.
Eric A. and Josephine S. Walker Award
The highest student honor presented, the Eric A. and Josephine S. Walker Award, was presented to Audrey Surma, a communications student.
Surma began her Penn State story by taking part in the Penn State New Kensington PaSSS Program the summer before her first year at the campus. During the program, she was able to learn about all the opportunities the campus provided, as well as start making connections. Since then, she's been an active student on and off campus.
"Through my involvement in various roles and initiatives, I have demonstrated a strong commitment to fostering a supportive and vibrant environment on campus and in the community," said Surma.
Surma's involvement spanned multiple units, organizations and activities over the years. She has worked as a success coach in the Academic and Career Success Center and served as a PaSSS peer mentor and orientation leader, where she helped incoming students get acclimated to college and be successful. She is also the editor-in-chief of the Nittany Pride News. Since 2022, she has been a member of Lambda Pi Eta, the National Communication Association's honor society, where she helps lead volunteer initiatives on and off campus. This past year, she accepted an internship with the Success Center and Blissel Library on campus to create and lead a marketing campaign. As part of her classwork over the years, she has been dedicated to connecting to the City of New Kensington and has helped create a marketing plan for a local small businesses, as well as raising funds for a local nonprofit animal welfare organization.
"I’ve dedicated my time and energy to guiding and supporting my peers in navigating the complexities of college life, helping them navigate academic challenges, setting goals, and achieving success," explained Surma. "Through my leadership roles, initiative, and dedication, I hope to have made a lasting and positive impact at Penn State New Kensington.
It is this type of dedication to helping others that her nominators recognized.
One nominator wrote, "Her [Surma's] warm and friendly personality puts students at ease and allows them to feel welcomed and less anxious about their transition to college. It’s these personality traits that make Audrey a wonderful tutor, peer mentor and leader on our campus. with the Nittany Pride News. On top of balancing her academics and extra-curriculars, she is dedicated to making positive changes in the local communities of New Kensington and Lower Burrell through her volunteer work."
"Students seem to gravitate toward Audrey’s kind and confident personality," said another nominator. "I have had the opportunity to watch Audrey flourish here at Penn State New Kensington."
Making a lasting impact on the campus, and the local community, is part of Surma's personal philosophy.
"The idea of service to the campus and community drives my philosophy, which consists of seeking out opportunities that will make a positive impact on myself and others," said Surma.
Student Awards
Students receiving academic honors were recognized for having high grade-point averages in their respective majors or within the University, as well as participation in the campus honors programs. Fifteen students were celebrated for earning a 4.0 cumulative grade-point average.
Accolades for leadership and participation in athletics and campus activities also were highlighted. The Penn State New Kensington Alumni Society recognized Destiny Batiste as this year’s Penn State Spirit Award winner for exhibiting integrity and character while exuding Penn State pride. Joseph Haskins was awarded the Emerging Leader Award, and the Top Influencer Award was given to Ally Albert, Meredith Carter, Haskins and Heather Schultz.
A number of athletics awards were presented, including United States Athletic Association All-Academic honors and Penn State University Athletic Conference Academic All-Conference awards.
In addition to numerous student awards, Penn State New Kensington's 2024 Academic and Student Achievement Awards ceremony also recognized faculty with honors. A full photo gallery from the event can be viewed on the campus' Facebook page.
Joy Krumenacker, assistant teaching professor of psychology at Penn State New Kensington, is pictured on the right with Kevin Snider, chancellor of the campus. Krumenacker was awarded the Excellence in Teaching Award - Full-Time at the 2024 Academic and Student Achievement Awards ceremony.
Joke Slagle, adjunct professor of art at Penn State New Kensington and pictured right, stands with Kevin Snider, chancellor of the campus, during the 2024 Academic and Student Achievement Awards ceremony. Slagle was awarded the Excellence in Teaching Award - Part-Time at the event.
Joseph Cuiffi, associate teaching professor and program coordinator of electro-mechanical engineering technology at Penn State New Kensington, is pictured on the right and enjoys a laugh with Kevin Snider, chancellor of the campus. Cuiffi received the Arlene Hall Service Award during the campus' 2024 Academic and Student Achievement Awards.
In addition to recognizing student achievement, faculty and staff were also honored at the event.
Teaching Awards
Two faculty members were honored with Excellence in Teaching Awards — Joy Krumenacker, assistant teaching professor of social sciences and education (full time) and Joke Slagle, adjunct instructor in art (part time). Faculty have three areas of responsibility: teaching, research/scholarly activity and service. The principle criterion is classroom performance, but excellence in other activities such as advising, supervision of learning outside the classroom, and course development are also considered for the accolades.
Joseph Cuiffi, associate teaching professor and program coordinator of electro-mechanical engineering technology, was recognized with the Arlene Hall Service Award, which is awarded by faculty of Penn State New Kensington in recognition of high-quality service to the campus, college, University, discipline and the community as a representative of the University.
Staff Awards
Two awards honoring staff members were given during the ceremony. The Service to Campus Award was given to Jim Shields, associate director of career services and professional development programs, for demonstrating a pattern of extraordinary dedication and going above and beyond assigned job responsibilities in an effort to serve the needs of members of the New Kensington campus. The Service to Students Award was presented to Paula Dove, administrative support assistant in the Office of Student Affairs, for promoting a consistent student-centered learning environment while fostering a positive student experience.
A full photo gallery from the event can be viewed on the Penn State New Kensington Facebook page and the event program can be view on the ceremony's electronic program page.
In addition to numerous student awards and faculty awards, Penn State New Kensington's 2024 Academic and Student Achievement Awards ceremony also recognized staff with honors. A full photo gallery from the event can be viewed on the campus' Facebook page.
Jim Shields, associate director of career services and professional programs at Penn State New Kensington and standing right, accepted the Service to Campus Award from Kevin Snider, chancellor at the campus. The award was given during the 2024 Academic and Student Achievement Awards ceremony.
Paula Dove, administrative assistant in the Penn State New Kensington Office of Student Affairs, is pictured right and accepted the Service to Students Award from Kevin Snider, chancellor of the campus. The award was presented during the 2024 Academic and Student Achievement Awards ceremony.
2024 Awards and Winners List
Academic Awards
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES (Baccalaureate Degree): Elizabeth Master
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING (Baccalaureate Degree): Edward Ripple; Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology: Bradley Carr, Tom Gniewkowski, James Matus; Biomedical Engineering Technology (Associate Degree): James Reesman
SMEAL COLLEGE OF BUSINESS (Baccalaureate Degree): Lauren Jones
THE JOSEPH A. AND MARY M. QUARATO NURSING PROGRAM AWARD: Joseph Lonjose, Caylyn Piovesan, Marissa Studer
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE (Baccalaureate Degree): Biobehavioral Health: Ally Albert, Kali Barnett, Aidan Harlow; Business Administration: Chelsea Kristof, Delaney Tevelonis, Sarah Usko, Reyna Vance; Communications: Audrey Surma; Criminal Justice: Rebecca Handke, Izabel Kislan, Jared Sidwell; Information Sciences and Technology: Ian Campbell, Daniel Kinter; Project and Supply Chain Management: Zachery Ferguson; Psychology: Madelaine Quarles; Radiological Sciences (Associate Degree): Sonya Selvaraj
DIVISION OF UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES: John Byrnes, Thomas Iseman
HONORS PROGRAM - Four-Year Participants: Ally Albert, Laurel Cowling, Bryce Eddy, Clayton Groves, Daniel Kinter, Izabel Kislan, Heather Shultz; Three-Year Participants: Meredith Carter, Kelly Dugan, Gabriella Wolfkill; Two-Year Participants: Ryan Litzinger, Aaron McCrea, Lauren Reed, Alexandra Reilly, Edward Ripple; One-Year Participants: Isabel Cruz, Karee Jackson, Britta Lindgren, Aiden Pounds, Crystal Zembrzuski
THE EVAN PUGH SCHOLAR AWARD: Chelsea Kristof
THE PRESIDENT WALKER AWARD: Kayla Carnahan, Dylan Davenport, Casey Gorman, Karee Jackson, Ethan Kerr, Rachel Klemmensen, Ryan Litzinger, Shawn Mankamyer, Carly O'Connell, Brandon Regan, Caleb Shultz, Madaline Struhar, Samantha Wise, Austin Zheng
THE PRESIDENT SPARKS AWARD: Joseph Haskins, Ryan Litzinger
Excellence in Teaching Awards
FULL-TIME FACULTY: Joy Krumenacker
PART-TIME FACULTY: Joke Slagle
ARLENE HALL SERVICE AWARD: Joseph Cuiffi
Staff Awards
SERVICE TO CAMPUS AWARD: Jim Shields
SERVICE TO STUDENTS AWARD: Paula Dove
Student Achievement Awards
ERIC A. AND JOSEPHINE S. WALKER AWARD: Audrey Surma
TOP INFLUENCERS’ AWARD: Ally Albert, Meredith Carter, Joseph Haskins, Heather Schultz
PENN STATE NEW KENSINGTON ALUMNI SOCIETY - PENN STATE SPIRIT AWARD: Destiny Batiste
LITERARY AWARD: Amari Walker
LION AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR AWARD: Heather Shultz
EMERGING LEADER: Joseph Haskins
STUDENT ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR AWARD: STEAM Club
CLUB ADVISOR AWARD: Joy Krumenacker
Athletic Academic Awards
USCAA NATIONAL ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM: Baseball - Vaughn Gallicano, Karter Weitzel; Men’s Soccer - Devin Murray, Tanner Stockdill; Softball - Olivia Waldrup; Women’s Basketball - Sarah Usko, Antonia Velasquez; Women’s Volleyball - Kayla Unger; Gabriella Wolfkill
PSUAC ACADEMIC ALL-CONFERENCE: Baseball - Jayden Alba, Kenneth Boyle, John Galeano Del Castillo, Jobeth Diaz Osorio, Thomas Fedel, Vaughn Gallicano, Lucas Habash, Matthew Hodgins, Dominic Megats, Timothy Morris, Caden Rupert, Sean Walker, Karter Weitzel; Men’s Soccer - Finnegan Bethurum, Mac Chaloupka, Bryce Eddy, Jacob Guerrini, David Jimenez, Kenton Knox, Ericson Kimbell II, Jeremy Mack Jr., Jake Morgan, Devin Murray, Braden Piatt, Michael Pilka, Dylan Shaw, Tanner Stockdill, Mason Wicks, Ethan Wineberg; Softball - Kali Barnett, Kendra Butler, Addyson Gregg, Madison Hoyt, Jada Norman, Olivia Waldrop, Piper Zufall; Women’s Basketball - Kali Barnett, Destiny Batiste, Kendra Butler, Esther Cole, Kaylie Kickbush, Jada Norman, Sarah Usko, Antonia Velasquez, Piper Zufall; Women’s Volleyball - Kayla Carnahan, Tatum Clayton, Emily Lewandowski, Giana Miller, Cheriden Turiczek, Kayla Unger, Gabriella Wolfkill
