UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — During the 2023 Volunteer Awards ceremony, held July 21 at the Hintz Family Alumni Center, the Alumni Association recognized affiliate groups in nine categories and five individuals in categories made possible by the generosity of Penn State alumni.
The full awards ceremony is available on YouTube, and a photo gallery from the ceremony is on Flickr. The photos have captions with more info on the honorees listed below and the projects for which they were recognized.
This year's volunteer award recipients are:
Group Awards
ENGAGEMENT WITH YOUNG ALUMNI: Philadelphia Chapter
Presented to an affiliate group that develops programs and events that encourages the recruitment and participation of young alumni — under the age of 30.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AWARD: Landscape Architecture Affiliate Program Group
Presented to a group that offers exceptional professional development programs to help alumni grow and advance in their professional careers.
SCHOLARSHIP DEVELOPMENT AWARD: Hampton Roads Chapter
Recognizing efforts specifically targeted to raising money in support of student scholarships.
OUTSTANDING SERVICE PROJECT AWARD: Centre County Chapter
Recognizing affiliate groups for giving back to their communities through local or national service projects.
JOINT ACTIVITY AWARD: Nese College of Nursing Alumni Society, the Behrend Alumni Society, and SNAP — the Student Nurses’ Association of Pennsylvania at Behrend
Recognizing collaborative efforts of two or more alumni groups.
FUNDRAISING AWARD: Florida Gulf Coast Chapter
Recognizes those who have raised money to support a variety of initiatives across the Penn State community.
THE NED BROKLOFF AWARD FOR ALUMNI ASSOCIATION AFFILIATE GROUP INNOVATION: Upper Chesapeake Chapter
Recognizes groups who take the chance to offer their members a new or innovative program.
FELLOWSHIP AND NETWORKING AWARD: Graduate School Alumni Society
Recognizes groups whose programs and events are typically of a social nature and provide alumni an outlet to gather together to interact with each other in a relaxed and fun environment.
TRACY AND RICK RIEGEL PINNACLE EVENT EXCELLENCE AWARD: Alumni Blue Band Association Affiliate Program Group
Recognizes an affiliate group that built an event from the ground-up, and worked to grow the event, year after year, ultimately reaching the pinnacle of success.
Individual Awards
MARK AND CAROL POBLETE AWARD FOR ALUMNI LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT: Karen Palotta
Recognizes an individual volunteer for their role in mentoring, supporting, encouraging, and providing guidance and motivation in the development of emerging alumni volunteer leaders' interests, passions, and personal circumstances.
JOAN M. MCLANE RECENT ALUMNA AWARD: Caitlin Brennan
Recognizes a recent alumna/alumnus who has provided exemplary volunteer service to the Penn State Alumni Association.
PHILIP PHILIP MITCHELL ALUMNI SERVICE AWARD: Joel Reed
Recognizes an individual who has significantly contributed to the area of public service by sharing or volunteering his or her talent, time, and resources on behalf of the University.
KAY AND ERNIE SALVINO VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR AWARD: Judy Wolfe
Given to a volunteer who has also provided exemplary service to Penn State and the Penn State Alumni Association.
K. DAVID WEIDNER DIVERSITY AWARD: Leila Farzam
Recognizes somone who has significantly contributed to fostering diversity at Penn State and the Alumni Association.
Visit the Alumni Association's Volunteer Awards page to learn more and to nominate a group or individual for the 2024 Volunteer Awards.