President’s Awards
Convocation
April 28, 2020
President’s Awards
Virtual Convocation
Program
April 28, 2020 – 7:00 p.m.
Invocation and (Very Rev.) Malachi Van Tassell, T.O.R. Opening Remarks President Address Dr. Thomas Woods, Professor Physician Assistant Sciences Award Presentations Fr. Malachi and Dr. Karan H. Powell, Vice President, Academic Affairs Closing Prayer and Benediction Fr. Malachi
Biography of Dr. Thomas Woods
Dr. Thomas Woods began his career at Saint Francis University as the Director of the Dorothy Day Center, coordinating community service projects and student driven outreach programming for area families. He also served as a residence hall director and counselor for the Upward Bound Program prior to training as a Physician Assistant. In 1998, he was hired as a faculty member in the Department of Physician Assistant Science Sciences, a job that he affectionately refers to as “the best job on campus.” As a person who spends his days collaborating with gifted colleagues and intelligent, kind and dedicated students, Dr. Woods feels that Shangri-La exists in Sullivan Hall. Dr. Woods is the extremely proud father of three wonderful children and the spouse of Elizabeth, a fellow Saint Francis alumnus and Physician Assistant.
Campus Ministry Stewardship Award
Presented to a person who serves as a role model for the
University’s Catholic Franciscan Heritage.
Mary Kate Elenchin
Dorothy Day Outreach Humanitarian Award
For outstanding dedication in serving
the needs of others with a joyful heart.
Tessa Clouse and Michael Yahner
Act 101 Program Academic Achievement Award Presented by an anonymous donor to the junior or senior
member of the ACT 101 Program with the highest Q.P.A.
Clara-anne McGinty
Margaret M. Tobin Research Award Outstanding library research is recognized through the Tobin
Award. The research must have been completed by an
undergraduate within the current academic year. Candidates
are nominated for the award by a professor. The award is
funded by an anonymous donor. Margaret Tobin was a former
director of the Pasquerilla Library. She died in 1986.
Olivia Fearer and Preslee Litzinger
Service Awards
Funded Awards
Anne Sloan Borland Award
The Borland Award is a cash prize given for the best example of library research submitted as an academic course
requirement by a graduate student at Saint Francis University during the current school year. In addition to receiving a cash award, the winner also will collaborate with the department
chairperson to select materials for the library collection within their discipline.
Valerie Boles, Amanda Chumrik, Katharine Hann, Julia Kuehn, Amy O’Hearn, and Brianna Scott
Mark N. Shank Award A cash award is presented to a junior accounting student who has demonstrated excellence and financial need. This award
is named for the donor, a successful accountant and chief financial officer, and a 1975 graduate of the University.
Ashlee Mazurak
Class of 1982 Award Established in 2015 by members of the Class of 1982, this
award recognizes an outstanding student-athlete who is a second-semester freshman business major. The student should be active in service, with a minimum QPA of 3.0.
Ethan Knoebel
Endowed Awards
Kaylee Harford Award Kaylee Harford Award
Kaylee Harford was in her first year at Saint Francis when she lost her life in a car accident. The Harford family, along with
Dr. Rose Clark and Dr. Edward Zovinka, established this award in her memory. It is presented to a chemistry major pursuing
undergraduate research on campus during the summer. Logan Luchs
Mary and Paul Zovinka Undergraduate Research Award The purpose of the Zovinka endowment is to fund
undergraduate research in chemistry. It was established by Dr. Edward Zovinka and Dr. Rose Clark to honor Dr. Zovinka’s
grandparents. The recipient of this award is chosen by the chemistry faculty on the basis of his or her research potential, service to the department, QPA and demonstrated interest in
the field. Anthony Vassalotti
Angela (Bionaz) Damin, R.N., Nursing Award This award was established in 2015 by Dean Damin in memory
of his wife, Angela. It is presented to a full-time freshman, with demonstrated financial need, selected by the nursing
faculty as the top first-year nursing student from the local area.
Olivia Conrad
Endowed Awards (continued)
Endowed Awards
Theresa Wild Memorial Award Ms. Wild, who died in 2000, took great pride in the education of
her grandniece, a 1999 graduate of the physician assistant program at Saint Francis. The award will be presented to the
PA student who has made a positive contribution to the excellence and vitality of the institution and department.
Mia Capuzzi
James W. and Helen Marie Lieb Award
This award is a memorial to James Lieb, a mathematics professor at Saint Francis for 22 years. It also honors his widow, Helen, who established the endowment. The Lieb
Award is presented on the basis of scholarship, financial need, service and attitude toward the discipline of math.
Teresa Reid
Rev. Gabriel J. Zeis, T.O.R., Education Award This award is presented to a full-time junior history/secondary
education major with a minimum 2.5 QPA and demonstrated financial need.
Ryan Maucieri
Rev. Gabriel J. Zeis, T.O.R., Franciscan Values Award Presented by the Alumni Association. Awarded to a deserving
student who exemplifies service to others and strong Franciscan values. Patrick Sprigler
Christopher A. Collier Award
Joan H. Collier and family and friends have established the Christopher A. Collier Memorial Endowment to aid a full-time
student in good academic standing, who has attended an accredited Catholic secondary school, and who has
demonstrated financial need. The award is to be used for the costs of attending Saint Francis University.
Andrew Berman
Richard Dorsey Muller Memorial Scholarship Award This scholarship recognizes outstanding students who wish to
pursue a career in law. It was established by the Muller and
DeLessio families in memory of Richard Dorsey Muller, an SFU
alumnus and prominent attorney.
Seniors – Elliot Biddle, Kaitlyn Edmiston, Cory Kumpf
Junior – Daniel Henry
M. Jayne Kimlin Award in Physical Science
This award was established according to the wishes of Dr. M.
Jayne Kimlin, a longtime professor of chemistry at Saint
Francis, who died in 1999. It is awarded to an undergraduate
chemistry or engineering major to participate in summer
research on campus.
Ivory Krise
Endowed Awards (continued)
Armond A. Manfredi, Jr., Awards in Accounting,
Economics, Finance, Management, Marketing and
Management Information Systems Presented to seniors in the School of Business with strong
academic records, involvement in extracurricular activities
and outstanding leadership
Accounting – Gregory Heider
Economics – Maxwell Benzel
Finance – Jacob Wilson
Management – Elliot Biddle
Marketing – Haley Thomas
Management Information Systems – Jillian Scott
Anthony and Mary Pekala Award The award is intended for a current Saint Francis University
student from Pennsylvania with a minimum 2.5 QPA,
demonstrated financial need, and humanities major in the
School of Science, Technology, Education, Arts and
Mathematics.
Anthony Labriola
Paul Deskevich Outstanding Mathematics Student Award This award will be conferred on a promising mathematics
major. The recipient will have demonstrated a high proficiency
in the study of mathematics and display a particular ability and
joy for learning math. This award is to be used for University
expenses. Dan Abramowicz, ’79, Ph.D., has established this
endowment to honor Associate Professor Emeritus Paul
Deskevich for his passion for the mathematics field.
Michael Gallagher
Endowed Awards
Gunard B. Carlson Memorial Foundation/
Saint Francis University Creative Writing Contest The contest is open to all Saint Francis University
undergraduates. Students may submit written work in any of
four categories: fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry and essay
writing.
Cash prizes and tuition credit will be awarded to the top four
writing entries. In addition, a cash prize will be awarded to
honorable mentions.
Students may also submit visual artwork in four categories:
painting, sculpture, photography and sketch. The top visual
entry will receive a cash prize, as will honorable mention
entries.
All winning writing and visual artwork will be published in
Tapestries, the campus literary magazine.
1st Place Writing – John Weidner
2nd Place Writing – Shelby Allen
3rd Place Writing – Kathryn Dunleavy
4th Place Writing – Alyssa Baxter
Honoral Mentions Writing – Ryan Alu, Wendy Bintrim
Elizabeth Catalano, Scott Riner, and Kristen Toth
1st place Visual Arts – Samuel Bumbarger
Honoral Mentions Visual Arts – Jacob Bowen,
Katelyn Diehl, Monica Gregg, Vittoria LaRosa,
and Michael Yahner
Endowed Awards (continued)
William B. Furlong Upperclassman Scholarship Award
The Furlong Endowment was created by the William B. Furlong
Family, and by friends and former students of Dr. Furlong. He
was an English professor at the University for over 30 years.
The scholarship is awarded to an English or communications
major with an excellent academic record, who serves the
community and who has demonstrated financial need.
Rebecca Norris
Ann Eppard Memorial Scholarship
and Congressional Internship
This scholarship and internship is awarded to an upper-level
student. He or she should have a strong academic
background, possess good communication and research skills
and have a genuine interest in legislative processes,
government and law. Personal integrity and discretion in
dealing with confidential and sensitive legislative matters are
required.
Drew Crusciel and Shea Moran
Endowed Awards
Honors Program Graduates
Ryan Alu (Dr. Daniel Wetklow)
Mollie Byrne (Dr. Lane Loya)
Dayna DeSalve (Dr. Balazs Hargittai)
Kathryn Dunleavy (Dr. Brennan Thomas)
Kristin Endres (Dr. Lane Loya)
Madaline Johnston (Ms. MaryAnn Shaw)
Michelle Karpinsky (Dr. Edward Zovinka)
Cory Kumpf (Dr. Mary Gentry)
Zachery Marker (Dr. Jill Cavalet)
Laura Roth (Dr. Thomas Woods)
Megan Shingler (Ms. Cassie Grassmyer)
Renee Surma (Dr. James Logue)
Sarah Ward (Dr. Carrie Beebout)
Other Awards
Academic Achievement Award The Saint Francis University Alumni Association presents this
award to the graduating senior with the highest QPA over his or
her entire college career.
Ryan Alu
Gregory Heider
Megan Shingler
Margaret Stern
Saint Francis Honor Society
Distinguished Faculty Award Finalists
Dr. Rosemary Bertocci
Dr. Denise Holladay Damico
Ms. Gale DeArmin
Dr. Patrick Farabaugh
Ms. Kelly Garanich
Dr. Lane Loya
Dr. Tricia McFadden
Dr. John Miko
Dr. Angela Seidel
Mr. Kent Tonkin
Winner: Ms. Gale DeArmin
Special Awards
Other Awards (continued)
Gerald and Helen Swatsworth Faculty Award Finalists
Dr. Stephen Baker
Dr. Timothy Bintrim
Dr. Denise Holladay Damico
Ms. Gale DeArmin
Dr. John Miko
Dr. Marnie Moist
Winner: Dr. John Miko
Mr. and Ms. Frankie Awards
Ms. Frankie Finalists
Amanda Ferguson
Emily Graziano
Teresa Narduzzi
Abigail Tarosky
Lauren Vasas
Mr. Frankie Finalists
Elliot Biddle
Joshua Mills
Tommy Nguyen
Andrew Potopa
Aidan Sweeney
Mr. and Ms. Frankie: Teresa Narduzzi and Tommy Nguyen
Special Awards (continued)