UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Teagan Mayr, a senior double majoring in political science and broadcast journalism at Penn State, has been named the 2025 recipient of the Eric A. Walker Award.
The award is presented annually to the student who has contributed most to enhancing the reputation of the University through extracurricular activities. Walker was president of Penn State from 1956 to 1970.
Mayr is being honored for numerous commitments at the R-VOICE Center, Students United Against Poverty, social change activism and her work as a journalist.
At the R-VOICE Center, nominators said, Mayr created a safer, more respectful and supportive environment for survivors of sexual assault and dating violence.
“Mayr’s commitment to being part of this movement has taken her to a level where her leadership and engagement has shined,” a nominator said. “She has worked in our prevention education team through marketing and digital communication to engage students across Penn State. Further, she assists the team in creating materials on relationship violence, bystander intervention and supporting survivors. As a result of her work, her leadership, drive, and abilities, she has educated her peers, brought more awareness to these concerns and demonstrated support for all survivors.”
Through her work in Students United Against Poverty, Mayr facilitated the development of the Basic Needs Hub by managing inventory, recruiting donors and leading more than 50 people. Nominators said this work helped those in need gain access to food and household items.
Mayr also works with the Penn State Reproductive Justice Affairs Project, Next Generation Leadership Academy, Centre Documenters, The Volcker Alliance and PSU Votes.
She is minoring in civic and community engagement. After graduation, she plans to begin a career in one of these areas.
Mayr is also a Perreault Fellow and student advisory board member for The McCourtney Institute for Democracy. She also earned the Jane Wood Reno Memorial Scholarship, Provost Award, Winifred Cook Journalism Award, Friedman Award, Rein Trustee Scholarship, Paul Levine Journalism Scholarship, Bunton Waller Scholarship and 2025 Rock Ethics Award.
“Through all of this, I highly recommend Teagan Mayr for these awards due to incredible work, ethics, passion, achievement, and leadership on establishing a more equitable environment at Penn State for all students. She truly exemplifies what it means to be someone who not only makes a difference, but she goes beyond just standing up and actually does the hard work,” a nominator said.