University Park, PA -- Twenty-four Graduate Students Recognized for Outstanding Achievements
Each year, the Graduate School recognizes graduate students for their outstanding achievements in scholarship and professional accomplishments, outreach, and teaching performance. In total, twenty-four graduate students from across the University system were selected to receive this year's Alumni Association Dissertation Awards, the Intercollege Graduate Student Outreach Achievement Award, and the Harold F. Martin Graduate Assistant Outstanding Teaching Awards.
Thirteen students receive the Alumni Association Dissertation Awards
Thirteen graduate students received the Penn State Alumni Association Dissertation Awards this spring in recognition of their outstanding achievement in scholarship and professional accomplishments. These awards, considered to be among the most prestigious available to Penn State graduate students, provide funding to full-time doctoral students who have passed their comprehensive exams and have received approval of their dissertation topics, or to M.F.A. students in their final year.
The recipients of the 2007 Alumni Association Dissertation Awards are: Jennifer Biedendorf, Communication Arts and Sciences; Elana M. Chapman, Fuel Science; Amit V. Desai, Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering; Larissa G. Duncan, Human Development and Family Studies; Kevin D. Egan, Political Science; Ben H. Feldmeyer, Sociology; Marieke R. Gilmartin; Integrative Biosciences-Neuroscience; Valer Gotea, Biology; Lacy A. Holowatz, Kinesiology; H. Fritz Kramer, Physiology; Julia A. Maresca, Biochemistry, Microbiology and Molecular Biology; Elena R. Margine, Physics; and Patrick G. Traynor, Computer Science and Engineering.
Each student received a $5,000 award and was recognized at the Graduate School Alumni Society's Spring Social and Recognition Program held on March 24. Funds for these awards were made possible by a generous gift from the Penn State Alumni Association. For more information about the awards and the students who were selected to receive them, visit the Graduate School's Web site at http://www.gradsch.psu.edu/current/funding/programs/aada.html.
******
Ridout receives the 2007 Intercollege Graduate Student Outreach Achievement Award
Samuel J. Ridout, Ph.D. candidate in the Physiology program, is this year's recipient of the Intercollege Graduate Student Outreach Achievement Award. The purpose of the award is to recognize outstanding achievements of degree candidates in any of the Intercollege Graduate Degree Programs that relate to bringing their scholarship to the community in order to benefit society in some manner.
Ridout was recognized for his volunteer efforts to foster interest in biology-related careers among high school students. Working in conjunction with an advanced placement biology teacher, he identified opportunities for students to volunteer their time in local research laboratories. He also assisted high school students in preparing their applications to the National Institutes of Health Summer Internship Program. These mentorship activities allow young scientists to be exposed to the biomedical research experience and to begin a significant academic curriculum vitae at an early age.
The Intercollege Graduate Student Outreach Achievement Award endeavors to encourage future scholars and researchers to embrace outreach and promotes a commitment to advancing the welfare and quality of life for the public through scholarly pursuits. The award was made possible by a gift from two Penn State alumni, Dr. Steven Linberg and Alice Linberg, and from a matching gift from the Office of the Vice President of Outreach.
******
Ten Graduate Assistants Receive Outstanding Teaching Awards
Ten graduate students were recognized for their outstanding teaching performance and received the Harold F. Martin Graduate Assistant Outstanding Teaching Awards. To be eligible for nomination for an award, a graduate student must have served as a graduate teaching assistant for at least two semesters within the last two years. The recipients of the Harold F. Martin Graduate Assistant Outstanding Teaching Awards are: Michael Brownstein, Philosophy; Antonio Ceraso, English; Molly Countermine, Human Development and Family Studies; Kelly Davis, Human Development and Family Studies; Parastou Feiz Zaringhalam, Applied Linguistics; Chris George, Math; Leigh Johnson, Philosophy; CindyAnn Rampersad, Education Theory and Policy; Alexa Schriempf, Women Studies; and Rachel Wannarka, Special Education.
***mbe***
PR Contact:
Marilyn B. Engle
mbengle@psu.edu
814-863-8117
Release Date: April 17, 2007