2008 Award Recipients

Vice President’s Award for Diversity

The Vice President’s Award for Diversity honors those who support and appreciate diversity within the workplace and among those we serve by:

• modeling openness, dignity, and respect for all
• promoting welcoming and inclusive environments
• advocating for diversity in our programs and services

The Southeast Region Horticulture Educators*, led by Mary Concklin, horticulture extension educator of Montgomery County Cooperative Extension, are this year’s winner of the Diversity Award.

*Team members include: Mary Concklin, Nancy Bosold, multi-county horticulture extension educator, Berks County Cooperative Extension; Cheryl Bjornson, horticulture extension educator, Chester County Cooperative Extension; Warren Goll, multi-county horticultural extension educator, Greenhouse Delaware County Cooperative Extension; Scott Guiser, horticultural extension educator, Bucks County Cooperative Extension; Emelie Swackhamer, horticulture extension educator, Lehigh & Northampton Counties Cooperative Extension

Entrepreneurship

The Vice President’s Award for Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Creativity honors those who break new ground through innovative programs and creative solutions to problems, products, services, or process improvements uniquely designed to meet the needs of the work unit or clientele.

The Liquid Assets team*, led by Dr. Melanie K. Doebler of Penn State Public Broadcasting, is this year’s winner of the Entrepreneurship Award.
*Team Members include: Melanie K. Doebler, project director & development executive; Elaine Brzycki, project manager & development executive; Tom Keiter, executive producer; Stephanie Ayanian, producer/director; Mark Cooper, writer/director; Greg Feinberg, editor; Chris Younken, audio manager; Tom Wilson, multimedia manager; Steve Nelson, multimedia developer

Excellent Service

The Vice President’s Award for Excellent Service honors those who consistently provide excellent service to internal and external clientele, including, but not limited to, customers, students, constituents, faculty, campuses, communities, and co-workers.

PASCETI Faculty Team*, led by Mr. Roy H. McCullagh of Justice and Safety Institute, is this year’s winner of the Excellent Service Award
*Team Members include: Roy McCullagh, director of Outreach Programs; Douglas Cooper, instructor, Justice and Safety Institute; Elizabeth Yenerall, instructor, Justice and Safety Institute; Rachel McHugh, instructor, Justice and Safety Institute; Diane Sinkus, instructor, Justice and Safety Institute; Elaine Tuttle, instructor, Justice and Safety Institute; Susan Boyer, instructor, Justice and Safety Institute; Tina Reedy, instructor, Justice and Safety Institute; Tracy Brown, instructor, Justice and Safety Institute; Keith Pritts, instructor, Justice and Safety Institute; Kevin Longhnane, instructor, Justice and Safety Institute

Leadership

The Vice President’s Award for Leadership honors those who exhibit a commitment to excellence; inspire and motivate others; and demonstrate tenacity and integrity in advancing the promise and vision of Outreach by:

• leading by example, modeling integrity, and demonstrating a strong work ethic
• promoting an enjoyable work environment
• taking the initiative and inspiring others to be their best

Mr. Mark McLaughlin, director for Shaver's Creek Environmental Center, is this year’s winner of the Leadership Award.

Learning and Community

The Vice President’s Award for Learning and Community honors those who demonstrate exceptional commitment to advancing lifelong learning and who create a supportive environment for education as a part of our professional work environment.

PBS Kids Raising Readers Team*, led by Dr. Babs L. Bengston of Penn State Public Broadcasting, is this year’s winner of the Learning and Community Award.

*Team members include: Babs Bengston, Jessica Peters, Sue Bryant, Jill Filby

The Shirley Hendrick Award

The Shirley Hendrick Award honors those whose visionary accomplishments have contributed significantly to the success of Penn State’s outreach mission efforts to transform the quality of life for individuals and communities.

Mr. Kenneth A. McGeary, regional director of Continuing Education for Penn State Lehigh Valley, is this year’s Shirley Hendrick Award winner.

Special Award for Extraordinary Service to Outreach

The Special Award for Extraordinary Service to Outreach honors those who consistently provide excellent service to internal and external clientele, including, but not limited to, customers, students, constituents, faculty, campuses, communities, and co-workers.
Ms. Annette Woytowich, HR, Planning and Diversity, is posthumously awarded this year’s Special Award for Extraordinary Service to Outreach.