Penn State Mont Alto students recognized during annual awards ceremony

Penn State Mont Alto Chancellor stands at the podium while a crowd sits in the audience watching

Penn State Mont Alto Chancellor Francis K. Achampong delivers welcome remarks to kick off the 2023 Academic and Leadership Awards ceremony on Sunday, April 30.

Credit: Penn State

MONT ALTO, Pa. — Penn State Mont Alto honored students and faculty members achieving academic, leadership and teaching excellence during the annual Academic and Leadership Awards Ceremony April 30 in the Multipurpose Activities Center (MAC).

Nearly 100 students were recognized for their academic achievements and campus leadership during the 2022-23 academic year. Three faculty members were also recognized for their contributions to the learning environment at Penn State Mont Alto.

“I cherish this opportunity to recognize our students and faculty for their outstanding academic and leadership achievement. The Academic and Leadership Awards ceremony is one of my favorite campus events,” said Jay Arcuri, director of student affairs.

During the awards ceremony, the 2023 My Penn State Makeover recipients were revealed. Each year, students can apply for a makeover, which includes time in the salon and time with shopping coaches who help students create a wardrobe for them as they prepare for their professional endeavors following graduation. This year’s makeover featured Danielle Barnhart and Skye Herring. This makeover was sponsored by an anonymous donor with help from other volunteers and sponsors: Crown Beauty and Barber Lounge, Jennifer Selph with Mary Kay, LulaRoe Stacey Rawlings, and Angela Lynch, personal shopping coach and stylist.

Congratulations to all this year’s winners. See the full list below.

Academic Achievement in Engineering

  • Ben Geoffroy
  • Andrew Masker
  • Bodie Rouzer
  • Andrew Sallie

Academic Achievement in Associate of Science in Business

  • Michael Vander Horst

Academic Achievement in Bachelor of Science in Business

  • Nick Kostyak
  • Mariah Bingaman

Academic Achievement in Liberal Arts

  • Ben Barkdoll

Academic Achievement in Music

  • Natalie Hill
  • Adison Gladfelter
  • Bodie Rouzer

Excellence in Leadership in Music

  • AnneMarie Hoyt
  • Zachery Albright

Excellence in Leadership in Penn State Mont Alto Jazz Ensemble

  • Kelsey Sanders

DUS Academic Excellence

  • Kyla Hoffner
  • Kelsey Sanders

Academic Achievement in Multidisciplinary Studies

  • Grace Banfe
  • Danielle Barnhart
  • Lacey Daum
  • Avery Diehl
  • Shaylin Myers

Excellence in Science

  • Aleesha Cramer
  • Zachary Green
  • Alexis Hendrickson
  • Alva Pepper

Agricultural Sciences Academic Achievement

  • Heather Goldman
  • Jacey Parkes
  • Konnor Trimmer
  • Camryn Yeager

Academic Achievement in Forest Technology

  • Gabriel Brandt
  • Karol Jones

Forest Technology Service Award

  • Seth Laudermilch
  • Rachel Merrill
  • Kaleb Slimm

Woodsmen Team

  • Gabriel Brandt
  • Justin Nichol

College of Agricultural Sciences Alumni Society Award

  • Gabriel Brandt

Lion Ambassadors – Excellence in Leadership

  • Raylee Gibbons

Lion Ambassadors – Most Dependable

  • Bella Smith

Lion Ambassadors – Rising Star in Leadership

  • Caleb Cawthern
  • Avery Diehl
  • Leland F. Galloway
  • Paige Himes

Academic Achievement in BS Nursing Program

  • Maegan Aleshire
  • Serena Feese
  • Kylee Gooding
  • Kathryn Herr
  • Erica Johnson
  • MaKenzie Llwellyn
  • Katelyn Smith

SNAP Service Award

  • Kylee Gooding

PTA Academic Excellence Award

  • Casey Hammond
  • Stephanie Lewis
  • Audrey Miller
  • Samantha Williams

Academic Achievement in OTA

  • Learah Foreman
  • Delaney Glazer
  • Brooke Latterner
  • Cheyenne Proctor
  • Madison Proctor

Peer Mentor Service Award

  • Avery Diehl
  • Vanesa Flores Garcia
  • Hayley Mellott
  • Gavin Miller
  • Trestin Mosima-Hill
  • Bella Smith
  • Kayla Webber

Black Student Union

  • Enoch Ayanwale

Commuter Student Association                             

  • Maegan Aleshire

Orientation Leaders

  • Maegan Aleshire
  • Raylee Gibbons
  • Taylor Mentzer
  • Bella Smith
  • Kayla Webber

Peer Engagement Guides

  • Zachery Albright
  • Maegan Aleshire
  • Danielle Barnhart
  • Amanda Bingham
  • Alex Chambers
  • Avery Diehl
  • Raylee Gibbons
  • Hayley Mellott
  • Gavin Miller
  • Tyler Paul
  • Bella Smith
  • Kayla Webber

Penn State Mont Alto Benefiting THON

  • Raylee Gibbons

Marvel Club

  • Luis Bones

C.A.P. Leadership Award

  • Hayley Mellott

Student Veterans Association

  • Brandon A. Miller

Outstanding Student Veteran

  • S. LeMar Best
  • Justin Nichol

HPA Academic Excellence Award

  • Violeta Montoya

HPA Difference Maker Award

  • Nathan Osei

The HPA Wow! Award

  • Chloe Schur

HDFS Baccalaureate Degree Award

  • Kayla Reifsteck

Integrative Scholarship Award in HDFS

  • Kara Cook

HDFS/Psychology Club

  • Jessica Hoover
  • Madison Snyder

Psychology Achievement

  • Melissa Metcalfe

 Game Changers Sports Ministry Club

  • Brittany Morrow

The Marty Ogle Student Athlete of the Year - Women’s Volleyball

  • Kylee Gooding

The Marty Ogle Student Athlete of the Year - Baseball and Men’s Golf

  • Jared Pine

2023 PSUAC John S. Egli Outstanding Female Student Athlete

  • Kylee Gooding

Cheerleading 2023/Spirit of Leadership Award

  • Taylor Ramsey

Intervarsity Christian Fellowship

  • Adrienne George
  • Namho Koo

Resident Assistants

  • Caroline Blickley
  • Julia Coulston
  • Bri Fisher
  • Khaliese McReynolds
  • Namira Morell
  • RaeAnn Parsons
  • Jacob Schaub
  • Joseph Williams

Resident Assistant of the Year – Fall

  • Khaliese McReynolds

Resident Assistant of the Year - Spring

  • RaeAnn Parsons
  • Joseph Williams

Student Initiated Fee Committee Member

  • Zachery Albright
  • Maegan Aleshire
  • Enoch Ayanwale
  • Danielle Barnhart
  • Raylee Gibbons
  • Gavin Miller

Student Government Association – Freshman Representative

  • Namho Koo

Student Government Association – PR Director

  • Hallie Darnall

Student Government Association – C.A.P. Chair

  • Hayley Mellott

Student Government Association - Secretary

  • Enoch Ayanwale

Student Government Association – Treasurer

  • Gavin Miller

Student Government Association – Chief of Staff

  • Maegan Aleshire

Student Government Association – Vice President

  • Namira Morell

Student Government Association – President

  • Zachery Albright

Student Government Association – Excellence in Advising

  • Peter Dendle

Campus Connector

  • Joseph Williams

Outstanding Student in Honors Program

  • Danielle Barnhart
  • Kara Cook

Mont Alto Associate Award

  • Dashiell Fitzgerald

Mont Alto Baccalaureate Award

  • Nicole Jones

Outstanding Adult Learner

  • Holly Hemler

President Sparks Award

  • Gabriel Brandt
  • Aleesha Cramer
  • Ben Geoffroy
  • Nicolas Molchan
  • Andrew Sallie

President Walker Award

  • Dalton Blubaugh
  • Jon Paolo Dimaculangan  
  • Nathaniel Edey
  • Adison Gladfelter
  • Zachary Green
  • Abigail Harris
  • Kyla Hoffner
  • Charli Nowak
  • Bodie Rouzer
  • John Rubeck
  • Kelsey Sanders
  • Samantha Shaw
  • Justin Xiao

Martha A. Fisher Award for Excellence in Teaching – Part Time

  • Jeff Rock

Martha A. Fisher Award for Excellence in Teaching – Full Time

  • Deborah S. Wilson

Student Organization of the Year

  • Black Student Union

Student Organization Advisor of the Year

  • Caitlin Demski

Outstanding Student for Excellence in Leadership and Service

  • Danielle Barnhart

Organization Program/Event of the Year

  • Black Student Union - Black History Month Speaker Series

Chancellor’s Award

  • Maegan Aleshire

Eric A. and Josephine S. Walker Award

  • Raylee Gibbons