MANSFIELD, Pa. – Mansfield University honored students during its annual Academic Honors Reception on Wednesday, April 6 at Straughn Auditorium.
The reception included recognition of the Mansfield University Ali-Zaidi Award nominee, the Outstanding Senior Award nominees from each academic department, and academic department honors.
Ali-Zaidi Award
Created in 2000, the Syed R. Ali-Zaidi Award for Academic Excellence is conferred upon a graduating senior from one of the State System universities. This award was founded by Dr. Syed R. Ali-Zaidi, a charter member of the Board of Governors.
Candidates for the award are recommended by their university president at the conclusion of a campus application and selection process that is open to all graduating seniors. Multiple selection criteria included outstanding academic scholarship, including prizes, honors, and honorary societies; participation in extra/co-curricular activities; and a two-page essay by the nominee addressing how the university has prepared him or her for the next career step.
The 2021-22 Mansfield University nominee for the Ali-Zaidi Award is Shae Marx, a cell & molecular biology major from Stroudsburg, Pa.
Outstanding Senior Nominees
Seniors whose activities and accomplishments have brought recognition to themselves and to the University may be nominated for the Outstanding Senior Award. The Award is presented annually at commencement, and the recipient is chosen by members of a faculty-student award selection committee who review nominations from the various departments. To be nominated, the student must be a graduating senior of the current academic year, have at least a 3.0 grade point average, and have shown exemplary leadership and service to Mansfield University and the surrounding region.
This year’s Outstanding Senior Award nominees are:
Claire Ames
Art, Communication, English, and World Languages
Communication: Sports Information
Aaron Butters
Business Administration, Mathematics, Computer Science, and Information Systems
Applied Mathematics
Sarah Craig
History, Education, Political Science, Philosophy, Sociology
Early Childhood Elementary Education & Special Education
Hannah Gilliland
History, Education, Political Science, Philosophy, Sociology
Secondary Education: Earth & Space Science
Sarah Hart
Business Administration, Mathematics, Computer Science, and Information Systems
Business Administration, General
Elizabeth Long
Art, Communication, English, and World Languages
Graphic Design
Shae Marx
Natural Sciences
Biology: Cell & Molecular
Jessica Nistad
Music
Music Education & Vocal Performance
Lacey O’Donnell
Behavioral and Social Sciences
Social Work
Zena Parkhurst
Art, Communication, English, and World Languages
English: Literary & Cultural Analysis Concentration
Natalie Piganelli
Behavioral and Social Sciences
Psychology: Forensic
Courtney Russell
History, Education, Political Science, Philosophy, Sociology
Secondary Education: Social Studies/History
Academic Department Honors
The following students were recognized by their respective academic departments for their outstanding achievement during the academic year.
Art
Lucia Briar
Kristina Zenga
Amanda Rutledge
Elisabeth Harding
Biology
Sadie Beers
Graham Wooden
Isaac Ilgen
Shae Marx
Business
Idris Ali
Seth Anderson
Hannah Caccia
Sarah Hart
Chemistry
Caitlin Irwin
Micah Yoder
Communication
Justin Gerber
Karissa English
Tanner Demchak
Claire Ames
Criminal Justice
Natalie Blackstone
Imari VanDyke
Joshua Colon
Dylan Garner
English
Alyssa Messmer
Gabrielle Orcutt
Kaitlyn Orcutt
Kevin Long
Geosciences/Safety Management
Samuel Rozanski
Isaac Walker
Emma Stone
Honors
Gaetana Argot
Nathan Metzger
Stephanie Moir
Samantha Shemeluk
Health Sciences
Hannah Route
Tiphanie Stocks
Grace Foltz
Lauren Watson
Savanna Snyder
Hailey Weidenhammer
Library
Jared Espiritu
Alyssa Messmer
Hayne Webster
Kaitlyn Orcutt
Math & CIS
Chad Coleman
Kiersten Gerbes
David Guerra
Sara Strong
Music
Kyla Kemper
Jared Vamvakias
Patrick Murphy
Jessica Nistad
Psychology
Cara Doherty
Megan Gordish
Kaitlyn Orcutt
Daniel Moco
Social Work
Cassidy McCain
Brandon Schrader
Akiah Lovett
Cara Griffith
Sociology
Kayla Thompson
Warren Kendal
Burdette Passmore
TRiO
Lucas Sherwood
Chad Coleman
Elizabeth Coates
Tamsyn (Tammy) Valashinas-O’Donnell