UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Association of Recovery in Higher Education (ARHE) awarded its annual ARHE Cornerstone Award for Student Support to Penn State’s Jason Whitney on June 30. Whitney is the program coordinator of the Penn State Collegiate Recovery Community (CRC), which seeks to support students in recovery from addiction.

The Cornerstone award is a high honor within the student-recovery community. ARHE represents student recovery programs at over 100 academic institutions nationwide. The Cornerstone Award for Student Support honors an individual or organization who has gone above and beyond to support students in recovery.

The Association of Recovery in Higher Education presented the award during its 10th annual conference for collegiate recovery in Boston, Massachusetts.

"This is the most important award in collegiate recovery and there is no more appropriate recipient than Jason Whitney of Penn State University,” said Matt Statman, program manager of the Collegiate Recovery Program at the University of Michigan, who presented the award. “Jason's commitment to recovery and higher education is so genuine and so sincere. The work he has done to advocate for collegiate recovery on his campus and for individual students is a model for us all.”

Given the program’s focus on students, Statman also read sentiments from Penn State students who worked with Whitney.

“It is no understatement to say that Jason and all of his work with the CRC transformed my life and my recovery, said one student. “Spending four years as a member of the CRC and having the privilege to work alongside Jason was an experience that came with tremendous personal growth, deep and lasting friendships, and pure fun, and I will treasure it."

Another student stated, "Jason has not only shown me where sobriety can get you but how awesome it can be along the way. I couldn’t think of anyone better to receive this award. Honored to know Jason and even more honored to have him as a mentor.”

Penn State Collegiate Recovery Community, a unit of Student Affairs, is available for all Penn State students seeking assistance or support for addiction recovery. Learn more on the CRC website.