Alumni Association recognizes alumni and affiliate groups with annual Volunteer Awards
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| Volunteer of the Year John Rice (center) with Executive Director Roger L. Williams (left) and Association President Marianne Alexander (right) | The Penn State Alumni Association is an organization that is not only committed to its volunteers, but also dependent upon the dedicated services of its members. The Association’s recognition program honors groups and individuals each year who have distinguished themselves through volunteer service to the University or through success in their personal and professional lives.
The awards committee of Alumni Council recently announced the 2003 Volunteer Award winners at the annual awards dinner held at the Nittany Lion Inn. This year’s recipients include: Annapolis (Md.) Chapter, Georgia Chapter, Michigan Chapter, Wayne-Pike (Pa.) Chapter, Wilmington (N.C.) Chapter, Orange County (Calif.) Chapter, Dance Marathon AIG, Smeal College of Business Alumni Society, College of Communications Alumni Society, Penn State Harrisburg Alumni Society, Meteorology Alumni of Penn State APG, Allegheny County (Pa.) Chapter, Beaver Valley (Pa.) Chapter, HDFS APG, Penn State Fayette Alumni Society, Penn State McKeesport Alumni Society, Emerald Coast (Fla./Ala.) Chapter, Thomas Range, Carrie Snyder, and John Rice.
Chapter Achievement Award for Membership
The Annapolis Chapter holds several membership activities throughout the year. However, the chapter was recognized for its annual Holiday Party held in mid-December. The event serves as an opportunity to announce the winner of the chapter’s membership drive and to showcase items that have been collected for donation to Love & Action, a highly regarded community service organization based in the Annapolis area. Last year’s party also featured the appearance of a special guest—newly elected Annapolis Mayor Ellen Moyer—who just happens to be a Penn State alumna. Coincidentally, the Mayor also became a member of the chapter that evening.
During the 2002-2003 year, the Georgia Chapter signed up 147 new members. While providing a number of benefits to its members, the chapter also sponsors social activities and provides support for community service activities. The chapter dedicates a significant portion of its membership fees to six annual scholarships of $500 each. The scholarships are awarded to Georgia students who attend Penn State.
The Michigan Chapter was acknowledged for its recognition program, which includes the Ronald J. Waxmonsky Award. The award recognizes members that donate their valuable time to maintaining or increasing activity and volunteerism. While celebrating extraordinary work in the short-term, the award encourages long-term support of the chapter.
The Wayne-Pike Chapter was acknowledged for its Mystery Night and Silent Auction. Through this event, more than $5,000 was made available for scholarships for Wayne and Pike high school seniors attending Penn State. Photos and articles ran in four local newspapers—portraying the chapter as a viable organization within the community.
Chapter Achievement Award for Community Service
The Wilmington N.C. Chapter’s 2002 community service program was designed around four volunteer activity focus groups: environment, education, health and human services, and life enrichment. The program provided 12 hands-on volunteer opportunities and $550 of direct financial assistance to three respected service providers. Projects have included work with a sea turtle rescue center, the Ronald McDonald House, and various Wilmington-area schools.
Each year the Orange County Chapter tries to reach a diverse section of philanthropic arenas. In 2002 the chapter organized three community-focused events, including a book drive benefiting the Orange County Big Brothers/Little Brothers program. The chapter collected canned goods for donation to the Orange County Homeless Shelter. And in December, the chapter organized a beach cleanup at a coastal reserve in Huntingdon Beach.
Alumni Interest Group Achievement Award
The Dance Marathon AIG offers a comprehensive series of events and initiatives throughout the year to keep Dance Marathon alumni connected to each other and the University. Last year, more than 1,000 THON alums attended “Always for the Kids” regional events in Philadelphia; Pittsburgh; Washington, D.C.; and New York—with proceeds benefiting Dance Marathon. In addition, the AIG provides its members with an annual newsletter and regular e-mail updates. Each February, the group, in collaboration with the Alumni Association, sponsors THON alumni events at University Park during Dance Marathon.
Outstanding Alumni Society Program
The Smeal Alumni Society Mentoring Program has grown significantly since its inception a few years ago—with more than 30 alumni and 150 students participating in the event last March. Smeal College’s technology group developed a proprietary software program that allows students to review a list of alumni, along with brief biographies, and sign up online for mentoring sessions. The students also complete a “student expectations form” on the site, providing the mentor with background information to assist them in the mentoring process. This past spring, to encourage participation by freshmen and sophomores, a matching service was offered so that young students would not feel overwhelmed by having to choose a mentor on their own.
The College of Communications Alumni Society was recognized for its annual Neal J. Friedman Dollars for Scholars Golf Classic. In its 10th year, the Classic raises money for the Neal J. Friedman Internship Fund. This fund enables students to accept internships that, due to housing and living expenses, they might otherwise have had to turn down. Over the first nine years of the event, more than $183,000 was raised for the internship fund. And in 1996, the fund was fully endowed at the $15,000 level. The fund and golf classic are both named in honor of Neal J. Friedman, founder of the golf classic, who passed away suddenly while serving as immediate past president of the society. Neal was a 1961 graduate of the College of Communications.
Innovative Alumni Society Program Award
This year’s recipient—the Penn State Harrisburg Alumni Society—was recognized for its reunion program. Following the theme “Meade Heights Remembered,” Penn State Harrisburg welcomed more than 300 alumni back to campus in just the second year of its reunion program. The attendance was a nearly-200-percent increase over the previous year. Meade Heights, more affectionately known as “The Heights,” previously served as military officer housing. Some thirty-five years ago, the buildings were taken over by the campus and converted into student housing. Facing demolition, the buildings were the focal point of Harrisburg’s reunion program. Alumni were invited to take a piece of The Heights with them—and in fact, they did. From dry wall, to plungers, to house numbers—reunion-goers took their own personal souvenirs from their former campus home.
Affiliate Program Group Achievement Award
In June 2002, the Meteorology Alumni of Penn State APG held a reunion in conjunction with the 30th anniversary of the Campus Weather Service. More than 100 people registered for the reunion, including 96 alumni. The event—which combined Friday and Saturday night dinners with campus tours and panel discussions—inspired in attendees a renewed connection to Penn State and the Department of Meteorology. In addition, five new members joined the MAPS steering committee as a direct result of the reunion.
PRIDE Award
The PRIDE Award was created to recognize the collaborative efforts of two or more alumni affiliate groups that most effectively support the mission of the Penn State Alumni Association. PRIDE is an acronym that stands for Penn State Regional Interests Developing Enthusiasm.
This year’s PRIDE award was presented to the Allegheny Chapter, the Beaver Valley Chapter, the Fayette Society, the McKeesport Society, and the H.D.F.S. Affiliate Program Group. Together, these organizations formed the Southwest Pennsylvania Regional Outreach Program. The program was a yearlong effort involving the chapters, AIGs, APGs, and societies that exist in the six county area surrounding Pittsburgh—a metropolitan area that is home to nearly 40,000 Penn State alumni. Through this collaborative effort, the groups were able to strengthen ties with one another, improve communication, and coordinate the planning of events. Together, the groups were also able to mutually advertise community service projects, social events, regional campus events, and fund raising functions. In addition to Penn State days at PNC Park, Kennywood Park, and the Pittsburgh Zoo, the group also offered regional community service projects and supported scholarship fundraising activities.
Outstanding National Service Week Project Award
This year’s recipient was the Emerald Coast Chapter—a chapter that covers a five county area of the Florida panhandle and southern Alabama. The chapter sponsored a bowling party and luncheon for special education students from a local elementary school. Because of its years of mentoring work at the local school, the school district asked the chapter to enter into a “partnership agreement” with the Weis Elementary School. To date, the Emerald Coast Chapter is the only alumni organization, of any university, that has been selected to participate in the “Partnership Program.”
The Philip Philip Mitchell Volunteer Service Award
This award recognizes an individual who has significantly contributed in the area of public service by sharing or volunteering his or her time, talents, and resources on behalf of the University. Elizabeth Mitchell and Philip P. Mitchell, a 1943 Communications graduate, established the award. To date, there have been 26 Philip Philip Mitchell Award recipients.
This year’s winner, Thomas Range, is a 1989 graduate of the Eberly College of Science and a former member of the Blue Band. Since graduating, Tom has served on the Alumni Blue Band Association APG as a general volunteer, board member, and board president. As president, Tom helped to established significant yearly financial contributions to the Blue Band program. While performing leadership duties, Tom also took on the responsibility of two communication items: the A.B.B.A. Quarterly Newsletter and the group’s Web site. Both of these help to keep alumni informed and connected. Tom is also co-author of a Penn State Press book entitled “The Penn State Blue Band: A Century of Pride and Precision.” To quote the nomination that was submitted on Tom’s behalf: “Regardless of the position or task, Tom tells the story and spreads the word about Penn State and the Blue Band. His enthusiasm was and is inspiring to all that know him.”
The Recent Alumna/Alumnus Award
This award recognizes an alum who has graduated within the last 10 years and who has given exemplary service to the Alumni Association. This year’s recipient was Carrie Snyder, a 1995 graduate of the College of Communications. While enjoying a successful professional career, Carrie maintains a very active role in the alumni activities of her college. In addition to her seat on the Alumni Society Board, Carrie is working with the Advertising and Public Relations Alumni Network A.P.G and is a volunteer participant in the college’s Alumni and Student Career Development Resource project. Carrie has planned and served on panels for several student seminars focused on career related topics; and she is always eager to speak in the classroom about her experiences as a former career counselor. To quote her nomination: “Carrie Snyder is simply an amazing person for her age. Her accomplishments are outstanding and she serves as a wonderful role model for College of Communications students. Carrie is a wonderful example for future alumni on how to balance a successful and busy career while giving back to your alma mater.”
The Volunteer of the Year Award
The Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding volunteer who has given superior service to the Alumni Association. One award is presented each year. The winner of this year’s Volunteer of the Year Award was John Rice. John, a 1977 graduate of the College of Communications, currently serves on the college’s Alumni Society Board of Directors. In addition to his role on the Society Board, John has organized many events for students and alumni. In October 2002, John put together a cinematography seminar for film, video, and advertising students. Prior to the seminar, students created a concept for a Penn State-themed public service announcement. John then traveled to campus for two days to provide instruction and hands-on experience with a 35-mm camera, and professional lighting and grid equipment. The students then used the equipment to film their P.S.A. John also secured Kodak equipment and donated film.
He also attended and spoke at a joint alumni event in Los Angeles—co-sponsored by the College of Communications and the Los Angeles Chapter. John paid his own way to fly from Pittsburgh to California to be at the event. He took the opportunity to host a Lion Film and Video Guild event while in L.A. As the person who nominated him said: “John is truly worthy of being named the Volunteer of the Year for 2003. The Alumni Association and the college are so fortunate to have John as one of their ambassadors, and to have a person willing to give so much back to the University. Honoring him with the Volunteer of the Year Award would be a fitting tribute to this outstanding person.”
Alumni Volunteer Scholarship
In conjunction with the Volunteer of the Year Award, the Alumni Association presented the Alumni Volunteer Scholarship in the name of the Volunteer of the Year. The scholarship is awarded annually to an undergraduate student(s) “who are enrolled full time at the University, who have achieved positive academic records, and who are active members of the Penn State Lion Ambassadors.”
This year’s recipients of the John Rice Alumni Volunteer Scholarship were Matthew Call and Janine MiKulca. Matthew is a fifth semester student from DuBois, Pa. He currently attends Penn State DuBois and is majoring in Human Development and Family Studies. Janine is a fifth semester student from Hazelton, Pa., and is majoring in Chemistry and secondary education at University Park.
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