UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Thirteen Penn State students have been selected as College of Agricultural Sciences Alumni Society 2020 Internship Award winners. The award, which includes a $1,000 stipend, was established to encourage students to participate in a credit or noncredit educational internship program that relates to their field of study.

Internship opportunities enable students to develop new skills and discover potential career possibilities, noted Alan Schaffranek, the college’s director of alumni relations. “Real-world experiences are critical for success in a competitive job market,” he said. “The Alumni Society recognizes the value of internships and is proud to support the most recent award winners.”

Recipients are chosen based on an internship plan, a final report, an employer evaluation and a letter of recommendation from their academic adviser. Following are the 2020 award recipients:

— Siena Baker, a community, environment, and development major from Wilmette, Illinois. A graduate of New Trier High School, Baker was a research analyst at Fourth Economy Consulting in Pittsburgh, where she utilized data analytics to assist staff with various projects.

— William Covert, a turfgrass science major from West Chester. A graduate of Bayard Rutsin High School, Covert was an intern at the Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio, where he assisted staff with crucial decisions regarding weather conditions, number of golfers on the course and plant protectant applications.

— Jenna Kibbe, an agricultural and extension education major from Findley Lake, New York. A graduate of Clymer Central School, Kibbe was an orientation leader with the new student orientation department at Penn State. She connected with thousands of students through a virtual orientation program.

— Brooke Kline, an animal science major from Newport. A graduate of Newport High School, Kline was the summer 2020 intern at Hillandale Farms Conn LCC in Bozrah, Connecticut, where she played a key role in the pullet operation.

— Justin Kurtz, an agricultural and extension education major from Bellefonte. A graduate of State College Area High School, Kurtz was a grounds and facilities maintenance intern at Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center in Petersburg.

— Nathan Moyer, an agricultural and extension education major from Selinsgrove. A graduate of Selinsgrove Area High School, Moyer was the community education and outreach intern/manager of reptile care at Ashburn’s Animals in Selinsgrove. Moyer led Zoom classroom tours and maintained the reptile enclosures.

— Eamonn Powers, a wildlife and fisheries science major from Holliston, Massachusetts. A graduate of Holliston High School, Powers was the fisheries field biology technician at Downeast Salmon Federation in Holliston, Massachusetts. Powers ensured that field sites were monitored and equipment was maintained.

— Hailey Reiss, an immunology and infectious disease major from Quakertown. A graduate of Quakertown Community High School, Reiss was the summer scholar at Lehigh Valley Health Network in Allentown, where she performed statistical analysis and reviewed and presented data.

— Lauren Russell, a community, environment, and development major from Hagerstown, Maryland. A graduate of Saint James High School, Russell was the sustainability intern with New Sun Rising in Pittsburgh.

— Justin Schaefer, an environmental resource management major from Lancaster. A graduate of Penn Manor High School, Schaefer was the independent study intern with Rhoads Energy Corp. in Lancaster.

— Jamie Weikel, a biological engineering major from Reading. A graduate of Antietam High School, Weikel was the Pathways program engineering student trainee at the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service office in Lafayette, Indiana. Weikel helped to design and implement conservation practices.

— Ryan Welker, a turfgrass science major from Cambridge Springs. A graduate of Cambridge Springs High School, Welker was a student intern with the Pittsburgh Steelers in Pittsburgh, where he assisted the staff using his knowledge of the industry, including sports fields and residential landscaping.

— Mary Wurzbach, an agricultural and extension education major from Brogue. A graduate of York Catholic High School, Wurzbach was a student teacher at Oley Valley High School in Oley, where she designed and implemented instruction for students.