Four student leaders named 2025 Oswald Award winners

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Four Penn State students in their respective areas of leadership have been honored with the 2025 John W. Oswald Award. Awards were given in the following fields: Sukainah Aldarweesh, speech and mass media; Julienne van Bekkum, athletics; Nathaniel Carey, scholarship; and Parth Gosar, social services, religious activity and student government.

The John W. Oswald Award, established in 1983, annually recognizes graduating seniors who have provided outstanding leadership in at least one of several areas of activity at the University. The award consists of a medallion honoring John W. Oswald, president of the University from 1970 to 1983.

Sukainah Aldarweesh

Aldarweesh, a Schreyer Honors Scholar, is consecutively earning a bachelor's and master's degree in media studies in the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications. Nominators called her an “extraordinary individual whose academic excellence, leadership and commitment to public service make her an outstanding candidate for this prestigious recognition.”

Nominators said Aldarweesh is an inspiration to others in both her academic and leadership accomplishments. She earned the Outstanding Adult Student Award in 2023.

As an undergraduate research ambassador, Aldarweesh promotes research opportunities for undergraduate students. She’s also a teaching assistant and peer mentor. In short, nominators said, she’s committed to student excellence in and out of the classroom.

“Aldarweesh’s work is leaving a lasting impression on students,” a nominator said.

Aldarweesh is a research assistant at the Rock Ethics Institute. There, she plays a critical role in contributing to projects that address societal challenges related to communications. She’s also a news literacy ambassador with PEN America, which promotes media ethics and literacy.

“Her achievements reflect not only exceptional scholarship but also a profound dedication to the values of responsible leadership and public-spirited achievement,” a nominator said. “Sukainah’s ability to balance rigorous academic pursuits with impactful community engagement serves as an inspiration to those around her.”

Julienne van Bekkum

Van Bekkum is majoring in biobehavioral health in the College of Health and Human Development. Nominators said she’s mature and professional and is “a leader both in and out of the classroom and has been a positive contributor to the Penn State community.”

As a member of the Penn State women’s field hockey team, van Bekkum was named a National Field Hockey Coaches Association scholar of distinction, the all-academic team and named a Big Ten distinguished scholar.

“As an international student, she has navigated new academic and athletic environments,” a nominator said. “She has taken on these challenges and has excelled.”

Nominators said van Bekkum made an impact on the campus community outside of athletics, as well. She volunteers with RePlay, bringing field hockey to K-12 students. She also volunteers with THON, the largest student-run charity in the world.

“Julienne has taken advantage of opportunities that allow her to combine her talents as a BBH major and a Penn State athlete to help the community,” a nominator said.

Before attending Penn State, van Bekkum earned a bachelor’s degree of medicine from Erasmus University, Rotterdam, in 2023.

“I am someone who likes to compete, to learn, and I am someone who strives to leave a place better than I found it,” van Bekkum said.

Nathaniel Carey

Carey is earning both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biotechnology in the Eberly College of Science. The Schreyer Honors College Scholar has a perfect 4.0 cumulative GPA. Nominators called Carey a compassionate leader, amazing ambassador and “an incredibly accomplished student who represents the best of Penn State.”

Carey conducts cell biology research at the Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences under Melissa Rolls, Paul Berg Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and Chair of the Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Biosciences Graduate Program. There, Carey secured more than $9,000 in research funding.

Additionally, he leads a biotechnology bioprocess data management company that he co-founded in 2023.

“Nate is even richer as a person than the individual described by his resume,” a nominator said. “Nate has a life goal to manufacture artificial organs for very personal reasons. His father and role model passed away from pancreatic cancer last year after suffering through complications from the disease and attempts to treat the disease. Nate’s plans for creating and distributing artificial organs stem from his desire to ensure others do not have to go through the pain and suffering that his father and his family experienced.”

Nominators said Carey is a global ambassador for Penn State. He secured two European internships and traveled to Morocco and Japan. He recently became one of 36 students selected by the British government for the Marshall Scholarship, the tenth Penn Stater to earn the distinction since it began 70 years ago.

“Nate embodies all that is great about Penn State: he is a humble individual with big dreams, he works incredibly hard to use his talents to help others and he does so with honor,” a nominator said. “He is a once in-a-decade student who I am confident will continue to bring credit to Penn State in the years to come.”

Parth Gosar

Gosar is majoring in computer science in the College of Engineering. Nominators said has demonstrated exceptional leadership and a commitment to enhancing the University community through his involvement with the International Student Council and University Libraries’ Student Advisory Board as a Library Ambassador.

Gosar leads the 60th year of the International Student Council (ISC) as its president, having previously served as finance director and representative in the University Park Undergraduate Association. Under his leadership, ISC actively serves on multiple advisory boards, including Student Legal Services, Housing and Food Services, HUB, Student Insurance, Student Community Leaders and the University Libraries Board, where nominators said he has made a significant impact.

Gosar also has been awarded the Student Leaders Scholarship in recognition of his leadership and contributions.

Gosar also was appointed to serve on the State College Borough Council’s Oversight Board, which nominators said exemplifies his commitment to the overall State College and University Park communities.

As a Library Ambassador, nominators said, he was an invaluable resource for promoting library resources and services. He also served in various leadership roles in the position.

“Parth’s dedication to public service is evident in his work to extend the reach of University Library awareness and assessment efforts,” a nominator said. “As president of the International Student Council, Parth engages with students in this organization and promotes library services and gathers valuable feedback to inform improvements, demonstrating his potential for future public-spirited achievement. Parth carries out the mission, amplifying student voices and strengthening library services.”