UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Graduate School recognized four alumni with 2023 Graduate School Alumni Society Awards at the annual Graduate School Alumni Recognition Dinner on April 1.
2023 Graduate School Early Career Award
Jennifer Nyland, assistant professor of neuroscience in Penn State’s College of Medicine, received the 2023 Graduate School Early Career Award, which recognizes alumni who have demonstrated exceptional success in their chosen field within ten years of earning their graduate degree.
Nyland earned a doctorate in neuroscience from the College of Medicine. Her research focuses on the intersection of pain, stress and addiction. As an emerging leader in her field, Nyland has demonstrated a commitment to mentoring others. At Penn State, she serves as a group leader for Women in Bio Mentorship, Advisors, Peers and Sponsorship, and a member of the Penn State Hershey Commission for Women and Penn State’s Military Appreciation Committee.
2023 Humanitarian Service Award
James Bennett, founder and president of Loss Prevention Systems (LPS) was honored with the 2023 Humanitarian Service Award. The award recognizes individuals who have made a positive societal impact on the welfare of humankind beyond the responsibilities of one's profession.
Bennett got his start in loss prevention and occupational safety as a vocational industrial education graduate student at Penn State. After graduation, Bennett served as a faculty member in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences until 1986 when he became executive safety manager with Exxon in South America at the world’s largest mine. There, he founded LPS, a comprehensive performance system that helps organizations prevent all types of losses, including fatalities, personal injuries, process safety events, environmental incidents, inefficiencies and waste.
For the past 25 years, Bennett has served the central Kentucky immigrant population through philanthropy and volunteerism. He and his wife, Dot, established a family foundation to support and serve the physical and mental health, educational, and social service needs of the underserved in Kentucky. In 2019, they built the Centro de San Juan Diego –– a community center that serves the diverse immigrant community in Lexington, Kentucky.
2023 Lifetime Achievement Award
Two Penn State alumni were honored with the 2023 Lifetime Achievement Award. Ken Graham, senior leadership advisor, Rowhill Consulting Group, and Paul Solomon, retired head of the Environmental Planning Section with the Baltimore, Maryland County Office of Planning and Zoning.
The Graduate School Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes Graduate School alumni who have achieved exceptional success in their profession and have demonstrated loyalty to the University and the Penn State Alumni Association.
Ken Graham holds three degrees from the Smeal College of Business, a bachelor’s degree in management, a master’s degree in business logistics, and a doctorate in business administration. During his career he has worked for three large corporations — Shell, Allstate and Beatrice, and three large universities — Penn State, University of Texas at Austin and the University of Wisconsin–Madison. At Penn State, Ken is a dedicated volunteer and mentor. He serves as a member of the Presidential Leadership Academy Board of Advisors in the Schreyer Honors College and is a member of the Global Advisory Council. Graham visits campus frequently to serve as a guest speaker in and outside of the classroom, and as a volunteer facilitator for professional development programs for undergraduate and graduate students.
Paul Solomon earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural and biological sciences from the College of Agricultural Sciences in 1962 and a master’s degree in regional planning from the Graduate School in 1968. Following graduation, he spent his career in government service as a senior planner with the York County Planning Commission and later as head of the Environmental Planning Section with the Baltimore, Maryland County Office of Planning and Zoning. Following his retirement, he served 18 years in an elected position as Shrewsbury Township Supervisor in York County. Solomon was instrumental in helping the county receive the prestigious Government Leadership in Land Conservation Award from WeConservePA for its leadership and vision in the conservation of special places and landscapes. Solomon remains active as a Pennsylvania forest steward volunteer with the James C. Finley Center for Private Forests at Penn State and a master watershed steward volunteer with Penn State Extension.
More information about the Graduate School Alumni Society Awards program, and full bios of the 2023 recipients can be found on the Graduate School website.