Students Receive O’Hara Awards for Academic Achievement

Feb 17, 2015
$caption

Students at The University of Scranton were recently recognized for outstanding academic achievement at an awards ceremony held on campus. 

Frank O’Hara medals were given to the first-, second- and third-year students with the highest grade point averages in the Kania School of Management, the Panuska College of Professional Studies, the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Graduate and Continuing Education for the 2013-2014 academic year. Graduate students also received Frank O’Hara Awards, which recognize students with the highest grade point average at approximately the mid-point of their master’s degree programs in each of the University’s graduate programs for the 2013-2014 academic year.

The award is named in honor of the late Frank O’Hara who served the University for 53 years in various administrative positions. 

Recipients of the Frank O’Hara medals from the Kania School of Management:

Shannon McKenna, Islip, New York, received a medal for academic achievement for her freshman year. An accounting major with a minor in mathematics, McKenna plays for the University’s women’s soccer team and serves as the vice president of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee, as well as participating in the Business Club and the Society of Accounting Students. McKenna is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta (the freshman honor society), and Omega Beta Sigma (the women’s business honor society).  

Marco M. Richione IV, Clarks Summit, received a medal for academic achievement for his sophomore year. Richione, a finance major, holds the top position in his class in the Kania School of Management. He is also a member of Beta Gamma Sigma (the international business honor society).

Danny Clark, Scranton, received a medal for academic achievement for his junior year. A full-tuition Presidential Scholar at the University, Clark is a double major in mathematics and accounting. He is a member of Alpha Sigma Nu (the Jesuit honor society) and Omicron Delta Epsilon (the economics honor society). Clark is also involved in the Society of Accounting Students, PRISM and the Math Club, and has participated in the University’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.

Recipients of the Frank O’Hara medals from the College of Arts and Sciences:

David Yatsonsky II, Jefferson Township, received a medal for academic achievement for his freshman year. A biochemistry, cell and molecular biology major on the pre-medicine track, Yatsonsky works with faculty member Timothy Foley, Ph.D., professor of chemistry, on research projects at the University and has been published twice in past research positions. A full-tuition Presidential Scholar at the University, Yatsonsky is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta (the freshman honor society). He is also an executive member of the Commuter Student Association and is involved in the University’s Health Professions Organization, Biology Club and Chess Club. 

Kishan Patel, Wilkes-Barre, received a medal for academic achievement for his sophomore year. Patel is a biochemistry, cell and molecular biology major and psychology minor on the pre-medicine track. He is involved with biology research with Erica Lasek-Nesselquist, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology, and is an active member of several University clubs, including Cura Personalis, United Colors Organization, Colleges Against Cancer, Biology Club, and the Relay for Life Committee. Patel is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta (the freshman honor society).

Samantha Saylock, Moscow, received a medal for academic achievement for her junior year. A biology major with a minor in Spanish, Saylock participates in many University clubs, such as the Biology Club, the Health Professions Organization, the Commuter Student Association, the Concert Band and the Flute Ensemble. She has also volunteered her time translating Spanish at the University’s Leahy Clinic.  Saylock is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta (the freshman honor society), Alpha Epsilon Delta (the health professions honor society) and Beta Beta Beta (the biology honor society).

Recipients of the Frank O’Hara medals from the Panuska College of Professional Studies:

Alexandra Brennan, Downingtown, received a medal for academic achievement for her freshman year. An exercise science major with a psychology minor, Brennan has a guaranteed seat in the University’s Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. She is a member of the Honors Program and Alpha Lambda Delta (the freshman honor society). She has participated in the Scranton Emerging Leaders Program and several University clubs, such as the Exercise Science Club, the Physical Therapy Club, Colleges Against Cancer and ALS Awareness.

Christine Molitoris, Harrisburg, received a medal for academic achievement for her sophomore year. Molitoris is an exercise science major. She is an active member of the Habitat for Humanity club and has volunteered her time with the University’s International Service Program.

Cassidy Kemp, Newark, Delaware, received a medal for academic achievement for her junior year. Kemp, an occupational therapy major, has volunteered in El Salvador with the International Service Program and North Carolina with the Center for Service and Social Justice, as well as with an occupational therapist at a school for children with learning disabilities. Kemp served as an Orientation Assistant and is a member of the Christian Life Community and the Student Occupational Therapy Association.

Recipients of the Frank O’Hara medals from the College of Graduate and Continuing Education (undergraduate)

Kara Dale, Scranton, received a medal for academic achievement for her sophomore year. Dale is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies with concentrations in human resources, business and social science. She is employed full time at the University in the College of Graduate and Continuing Education Office. She has participated in the Jesuit women’s retreat and a weekend seminar in Ignatian Spirituality. 

Karl Kretsch, Scranton, received a medal for academic achievement for his junior year. Kretsch is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in liberal studies with concentrations in history, psychology, management and Hispanic studies. He is employed full time at the University as a locksmith. He participated in a mission trip to El Salvador with CRISPAZ and volunteered his time as a mentor at the first University of Scranton Manresa retreat.  Kretsch is a member of the Alpha Sigma Lambda (the honor society for adult students).

Recipients of the Frank O’Hara medals from the College of Graduate and Continuing Education (graduate)

David Bright, Bayonne, New Jersey, is pursuing a master’s degree in school counseling. Bright graduated from The University of Scranton with bachelor’s degrees in history and philosophy and with a minor in political science. He is a member of the American School Counselors Association. He works as a graduate assistant with the Counseling and Human Services Department and as a substitute teacher for the Wallenpaupack Area School District. 

Katherine Vega, Enfield, Connecticut, is pursuing a master’s degree in education in curriculum and instruction. Vega obtained her bachelor’s degree in secondary education in English from American International College. She currently teaches contemporary literature and basic English at Hartford Public High School.

James Dalkiewicz, Shavertown, is pursuing a master’s degree in health administration. Dalkiewicz received his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry with a minor in finance from The University of Scranton. He currently serves as the vice president for he University’s American College of Health Care Executives (ACHE) Student Chapter and as lead graduate teaching assistant in the Department of Health Administration and Human Resources.

Kevin McCann, Harrisburg, is pursuing a master’s degree in human resources.  McCann obtained his undergraduate degree from Millersville University with a concentration in sociology and focus in criminology. Currently, he works in the Human Resources Department at Pinnacle Health System in Harrisburg and was appointed as the program administrator of Pinnacle Health’s “Home in Harrisburg Program.” 

Leah Arcuri, Pittston, is pursuing a master’s degree program as a family nurse practitioner. She graduated from The University of Scranton with a bachelor’s degree in nursing. Arcuri is currently employed as a nurse in the Progressive Care Unit at Geisinger Community Medical Center. 

Kelsey Hunsicker, Lehighton, is pursuing a doctor of physical therapy degree.  Hunsicker earned her bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from The Pennsylvania State University.  She will be participating in her second eight-week clinical experience at West End Physical Therapy in Kresgeville during the summer of 2015.

John Bahnsen, Melbourne, Florida, is pursing a master’s degree in biochemistry.  Bahnsen graduated from The University of Scranton with bachelor’s degrees in neuroscience and philosophy and a minor in biochemistry. He was awarded a graduate teaching assistantship in the Chemistry Department. He is currently working on a research project involving the oligodynamic properties of silver as they pertain to wound care.

Hal Drugac, Denville, New Jersey, is pursuing a master’s degree in business administration.  He graduated from The University of Scranton with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a minor in finance. He is a senior analyst in the Financial Services Department at Tiffany and Company, where he has been working for eight years.

Recipients of the Frank O’Hara medals from the College of Arts and Sciences:

From left are the recipients of The University of Scranton’s Frank O’Hara medals from the College of Arts and Sciences: Kishan Patel, Samantha Saylock and David Yatsonsky, II, pictured with Brian Conniff, Ph.D., dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Recipients of the Frank O’Hara medals from the Kania School of Management:

From left are the recipients of The University of Scranton’s Frank O’Hara medals from the Kania School of Management: Shannon McKenna and Daniel Clark, pictured with Murli Rajan, Ph.D., interim associate dean of the Kania School of Management. O’Hara Award recipient Marco Richione was absent from the photo.

Recipients of the Frank O’Hara medals from the Panuska College of Professional Studies:

From left are the recipients of The University of Scranton’s Frank O’Hara medals from the Panuska College of Professional Studies: Cassidy Kemp, Alexandra Brennan and Christine Molitoris, pictured with Debra Pellegrino, Ed.D., dean of the Panuska College of Professional Studies.

Undergraduate student recipients of the Frank O’Hara medals from the College of Graduate and Continuing Education

Undergraduate student recipients of The University of Scranton’s Frank O’Hara medals from the College of Graduate and Continuing Education are pictured with W. Jeffrey Welsh, Ph.D., dean of the College of Graduate and Continuing Education. From left are Dean Welsh, Kara Dale and Karl Kretsch.

Graduate student recipients of the Frank O’Hara medals from the College of Graduate and Continuing Education

Graduate student recipients of The University of Scranton’s Frank O’Hara medals from the College of Graduate and Continuing Education are pictured with W. Jeffrey Welsh, Ph.D., dean of the College of Graduate and Continuing Education. From left are Dean Welsh, Kelsey Hunsicker, David Bright, Kevin McCann, Leah Arcuri, John Bahnsen and James Dalkiewicz. Absent from the photo are O’Hara Award recipients Hal Drugac and Katherine Vega.

Back to Top