ABINGTON, Pa. — Daniel Enrique Garcia Calao, a sophomore majoring in finance at Penn State Abington, has been awarded the 2024 Ardeth and Norman Frisbey International Student Award for undergraduates.
The award recognizes undergraduate students who have contributed significantly to furthering international understanding. The student’s contributions could consist of academic, athletic or extracurricular campus activity and/or community involvement in school or civic group programs or service projects.
Nominators said Garcia Calao has demonstrated a passion for global learning and contributed significant time and effort into promoting international and intercultural understanding through his involvement and advocacy efforts.
Garcia Calao is a leader in the Peer Action Global Learning Network (PAGLN) in the Abington Office of Global Programs, which nominators said is a key component to providing successful acclimation, global learning, and support for Abington students and community by building meaningful connections and promoting access, diversity, equity, inclusion and justice on campus.
“As a PAGLN leader, Daniel has participated in planning and executing International Student Welcome 2023, is currently a Global Ambassador for the Office of Global Programs at Abington, and peer mentor for the First-Year Experience course for new international students at Abington,” a nominator said. "He received one of the highest ratings last semester as a peer mentor by his mentees. His role in the successful acclimation of the first-year students is out of the question.”
He also is president for the Abington Latine Student Organization (LSO), director of student affairs for the Abington Student Government Association, a Lion Ambassador, and a member of the Brandeis Fellowship.
A few key events Garcia Calao oversaw for LSO include partnering with Penn State Global Southeast during Hispanic Heritage Month to bring in Saul Flores to speak and LSO’s participation in the Puerto Rico Parade in Philadelphia.
Nominators praised his ability to foster a welcoming environment for all, especially international students. He’s responsible for organizing events that led to positive interactions with hundreds of students.
“His many contributions to the Penn State mission of promoting global learning, diversity, equity, inclusion and access are very empowering considering that he is only a second-year student,” a nominator said. “I see so much potential and opportunities ahead of him. His passion and commitment are his power.”