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2019-2020 Academic Awards

Special Note: Academic student awardees were asked to submit brief bios highlighting their academic careers and future goals. Bios, in alphabetical order by name, can be viewed below.

Luke Barkley (Sophomore): I am a sophomore Information Sciences and Technology Major. My future goals include finishing my undergraduate degree and then hopefully working in a field related to internet security. When I am not working on schoolwork or participating in my organizations, I enjoy playing video games and playing with my dogs.

Elian Buchi (Junior): After graduation, I plan on getting a Master's degree in genetic counseling from the University of Pittsburgh.

Cameron Clark: Major: Communications with a focus in Corporate Comm. I love the outdoors, my family, and getting involved. I am so proud to follow in my mother’s footsteps by learning at Penn State. It is truly a wonderful institution and will always have a special place in my heart.

Hannah Comeau (Sophomore): I am a sophomore student majoring in Business Management and Marketing. My plans after I graduate college is to work within the marketing /sales industry and one day work in pharmaceutical sales.

John Culhane: My major is currently in business with a concentration in accounting. I plan to finish my undergrad degree and follow with an MBA, as well as complete my CPA testing.

Emily Daugherty (Sophomore): Emily is a sophomore majoring in Radiological Sciences.

Carly Duncan: I am a graduating BBH senior. I will be attending Pitt in the fall pursing an MPH in Epidemiology.

Hailey Dikun (Sophomore): For the upcoming academic school year, I will be Co-Chair for THON, as well as working in the student Success Center. Outside of campus, I work at Giant Eagle, and my goal for the future is to achieve internships and jobs in the business managment or human resources fields.

Brianna Dynka (Senior): I am a senior psychology major, graduating this semester. I am planning on continuing my education with graduate school and pursuing a license in professional counseling.

Benjamin Edwards (Junior): I am currently a junior majoring in Psychology. After I graduate, I plan on going to seminary school.

Jessica Eshenbaugh: I am a sophomore majoring in statistics with a concentration in actuarial science. I would like to work in the casualty insurance division of a major insurance company, while continuing to study for the actuarial exams to become a Fellow.

Olivia Ferrante (Senior): I am a business marketing/management major, and I plan on working in the marketing industry for a little while and eventually plan to open my own bakery.

Gabriel Gaertner (Senior): I am a project and supply chain management major also pursuing my SAP certification. I am a senior graduating in December 2020. I am planning on actually earning my financial licensing to pursue the wealth management world with the business knowledge and interpersonal skills I have learned over the years.

Allyson Henry (Sophomore): I just finished my sophomore year. My major is letters, arts, and sciences. My future plans are to continue school online to receive my medical coding certification from Pittsburgh Technical College.

Lindsey Hessom (Senior): I plan on pursuing my interest in business and hopefully combining it with my love for fashion in the future.

Robert Holmes: My future goal is to become a Cyber Security Analyst within the CIA! With this position, I would be able to travel the world while working on a career path I'm passionate about.

Zachary Jones (Junior): My future plans are to become a network administrator and potentially move forward with my education and pursue a masters degree.

Moriah Kromer (Senior): I am double-major in Project and Supply Chain Management, as well as Information Sciences and Technology, with a minor in Security Risk Analysis. I am currently a senior and will be graduating in May of 2021. In my immediate future, I would like to find another internship and eventually a career with a company such as Amazon that would be able to expand upon my education and skills that I have developed during my time at Penn State. As for my long term goals, I would like to own my own business one day. Until then, I am looking forward to where life takes me as the opportunities come my way.

Nathan Litzinger: I am currently a Computer Engineering major in my Freshman year. By the end of my formal academic career at Penn State, I hope to be equipped with the background and knowledge to begin tackling the big problems we face using computers, software, electronics and some creativity. With the right people and ideas, I also hope to someday apply my background and build a business of my own.

Jeremy Lucas: I am a freshman majoring in finance and supply chain management. After earning my degrees, I plan to find a job as a Financial Advisor or Project Manager.

Ryan Mandich (Sophomore): My major is Mechanical Engineering, and I am finishing my sophomore year. My goals are to eventually become a mechanical engineer in the automotive industry.

Korbin Meyer: I am a freshman who is tracking towards a degree in Chemical Engineering. I am unsure of what professional focus I want to take due to my broad interests, but I am particularly passionate about the processing and applications of minerals and materials.

Kylie Meyer (Sophomore): I am currently a sophomore majoring in psychology. I plan to go to graduate school in hopes of pursuing my dream of becoming a clinical psychologist.

Graeson Nordby: Major- Pre-Med. I am planning on attending medical school, but am unsure of what specialty I would like to join. Pathology, neurology, psychiatry, and genetics some specialties I am exploring.

Christopher Oberdorf (Senior): Christopher is a senior majoring in Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology and a four-year member in the Honors Program.

Michael Ott (Senior): I am a senior in the EMET program, and I am graduating this May. After graduation, I will be seeking employment in industrial engineering (preferably electrical). After finding a full-time position for a few years, I will be looking at attending graduate school.

Dalynn Park (Sophomore): I am a sophomore majoring in Biomedical Engineering Technology and Biobehavioral Health. After graduating from Penn State, I hope to go to graduate school for prosthetics and orthopedic sciences. My dream is to work for kids who are in need of a prosthetic or orthopedic devices.

Sarah Peppler: I obtained a full time position at Siemens LDA New Kensington as a Quality Manager in Projects in February of this year. I am currently working 20 hours a week, but will transition to 40 hours a week upon graduation in May.

Sarah Pflueger (Senior): I am a BBH major here at Penn State New Kensington. I am a non-traditional student, with a previous Associate of Applied Science in Respiratory Therapy. I love working in healthcare and have done so since I was 18 years old as a nurses aide. I currently work at Allegheny General Hospital as a Respiratory Therapist and have a strong interest in expanding and growing my career in healthcare at PSNK! I plan to finish my undergraduate degree here, then advance on to graduate school (undecided at this time) for Public Health. Eventually, I would like to earn a graduate degree and work with some of my amazing professors who do some research work in the public health field.

Samuel Ramsey: I am a freshman in the EMET program. I plan to graduate from Penn State New Kensington to have my degree and make an impact in the world of robotics. I am looking forward to learning more about my major and applying it to help others in the best way possible.

Sedona Rogers (Junior): I am interested in the field of Research & Development and am currently considering continuing my education with graduate school after I graduate in the spring of 2021.

Dylan Rummel (Junior): I am an aerospace engineering student desiring to work in the area of hypersonic flight when I graduate. I am currently pursuing my pilot's license to further expand my knowledge and gain experience regarding activities related to my field.

John Stafford: My major: Political Sciences. After I graduate from Penn State in 2022, I plan to attend law school where I can learn more about politics and the legal system. In the future, I hope to be a successful constitutional law attorney.

Bevanny Stearman: I'm a freshman majoring in Information Sciences and Technology, and I plan to pursue a minor in Security and Risk Analysis. I'm also a peer tutor, and I enjoy reading and playing the piano.

Janet Surma (Junior): After graduation, I would like to apply the concepts and skills I learned at Penn State to communicate with colleagues and the community.

Aurora Stover: I am a first-year Radiological Sciences major. Once I graduate, my goal is to pass my boards on the first try. I also planning on furthering my education.

Louis Surma (Sophomore): I'm majoring in Biomedical Engineering Technology, and I am in my second year of the program. I plan to succeed in my job as a biomedical technician and even become certified!

Sairam Tanuboddi: My major is Management Information Systems. I am a sophomore. In the future, I want to work for the FBI, mainly in their technology department.

Bethany Underwood (Senior): I am a BBH major, and I am a senior graduating in May. I am not really sure exactly what I plan to do yet, but I know I want to do a job where I get to help people. I am a Veteran, so I am considering applying for a position at the VA.

Logan Villella (Senior): Logan is a senior majoring in Information Sciences and Technology. Upon graduation, she is planning to pursue a career in cybersecurity or data analytics and is considering job offers from the FBI and other private industry firms.

Karen Whittaker (Sophomore): I am going to be a Junior in the EMET program.