Students Receive O’Hara Awards for Academic Achievement
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-, third-year, and graduate students with the highest grade point averages in the Kania School of Management, the Panuska College of Professional Studies, and the College of Arts and Sciences for the 2014-2015 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:
Patrick Tuzzo, Bayville, New Jersey, received a medal for academic achievement for his freshman year. A double major in accounting and finance, Tuzzo is a member of the Business Club, International Business Club and the Society of Accounting Students. He is a member of the Portfolio of Responsible Investments under Student Management (PRISM) group. A Dean’s List student, Tuzzo is also a resident assistant and an economics and mathematics tutor for the Center of Teaching and Learning Excellence at the University.
Jessica Signore, Bronx, New York, received a medal for academic achievement for her sophomore year. An operations management major with a business leadership minor, Signore is part of the Omega Beta Sigma, the women’s business honor society; and Alpha Lambda Delta, the national freshman honor society. A Dean’s List student, she participates in the Business Club, Operations and Information Management Club, PRISM, and intramural sports. She is also a tutor for the University’s Center of Teaching and Learning Excellence.
Marco Richione IV, Clarks Summit, received a medal for academic achievement for his junior year. He is majoring in finance. A Dean’s List student, Richione is a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma, the business honor society, as well as The University of Scranton’s chapter of Omicron Delta Epsilon, an international honor society for academic excellence in the field of economics.
Deborah Laudenslager, Palmyra, received a medal for academic achievement in the Kania School of Management graduate program. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering from Pennsylvania State University and is pursuing an MBA at the University. She has worked in manufacturing, industrial engineering and finance with The Hershey Company for 28 years.
Kittiya Chaiyadecha, Kantharalak, Thailand, received a medal for academic achievement in the Kania School of Management graduate program. She has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Bangkok University, where she was a board member on the Entrepreneurship Planning Team. She also studied Chinese at Beijing Language and Culture University in China. She is currently pursuing an MBA at the University. She is the chief marketing officer of her family’s business, Sae Yiang Group (SYG).
Recipients of the Frank O’Hara medals from the College of Arts and Sciences:
Corinne Negvesky, Olyphant, received a medal for academic achievement for her freshman year. A biochemistry cell and molecular biology major and psychology minor, Negvesky is a secretary in the Geisinger CMC Emergency Department and a supervisor for the Telehealth Intervention Program for Seniors (TIPS) led by Herbert Hauser, Ph.D., at the University. A Dean’s List student, Negvesky is a member of the University’s Health Professions Organization.
David Yatsonsky II, Jefferson Township, received a medal for academic achievement for his sophomore year. A biochemistry cell and molecular biology major and member of the University’s Honors Program, Yatsonsky participates with the Health Professions Organization, Biology Club and Chess Club, and is vice president of the Commuter Student Association. He volunteers at the Leahy Food Pantry and acts as a teaching assistant for the biochemistry lab. A Dean’s List student and Presidential Scholarship recipient, Yatsonsky has done research with Timothy Foley, Ph.D., at the University, and at The Commonwealth Medical College, the University of Toledo Medical Center and The Ohio State University Medical Center through summer internship programs.
Christopher Kilner, Rockville, Maryland, received a medal for academic achievement for his junior year. A triple major in biochemistry cell and molecular biology, environmental science and philosophy and a member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Program, Kilner is a 2015 Goldwater Scholar and a 2017 Mitchell Scholar. A Dean’s List student and Presidential Scholarship recipient, Kilner is President of Student Government, a retreat director in campus ministries and a member of the Sustainability Club. He conducts research on campus with University professor Kathleen Dwyer, Ph.D., as well as off-campus at the National Institute of Child and Human Development. He is a member of Phi Sigma Tau, the international philosophy honor society; and president of Alpha Lambda Delta, the national freshman honor society.
Kevin Drucker, Randolph, New Jersey, received a medal for academic achievement in the University’s College of Arts and Sciences graduate school. He graduated from the University with a bachelor’s degree in biology and a minor in biochemistry. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in biochemistry. He is a teaching assistant in the Chemistry Department, and teaches General and Analytical Chemistry Lab I and II. He is a member of Beta Beta Beta, the national biological honor society; Phi Lambda Upsilon, the national chemical honor society; and Alpha Epsilon Delta, the health pre-professional honor society.
Recipients of the Frank O’Hara Awards from the Panuska College of Professional Studies:
Kerryann Randall, Farmington, Connecticut, received a medal for academic achievement for her freshman year. A member of the University’s five-year Occupational Therapy program and Dean’s List student, Randall participates in the University’s Music Ministry as a singer and piano accompanist. She has been a “Big Sister” for the Big Brothers Big Sisters Foundation. Randall is a member of the 5k Club, Sign Language Club and Student Occupational Therapy Association. She is an undergraduate teaching assistant for Biology 110 Lab.
Marie Acker, Stroudsburg, received a medal for academic achievement for her freshman year. An occupational therapy major and psychology minor, Acker is a member of the University’s Orchestra, Circle K International Club and the Student Occupational Therapy Association. A Dean’s List student, Acker is an active volunteer at Griffin Pond Animal Shelter, Family Promise and Animal Welfare Society of Monroe.
Melissa Busch, Yardley, received a medal for academic achievement for her freshman year. An occupational therapy major pursuing minors in psychology and counseling and human services and member of the University’s Honors Program, Busch is a mentor with Big Friends Little Friends through the University’s Center for Service and Social Justice. She is a teaching assistant for the Human Anatomy/Physiology 110 Lab class. She is involved in Wishmakers, the Student Occupational Therapy Association and Circle K International Club on campus.
Alexandra Brennan, Downingtown, received a medal for academic achievement for her sophomore year. An exercise science major with a psychology minor and a guaranteed seat in the Doctor of Physical Therapy graduate program at Scranton, Brennan is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, the national freshman honor society; and Alpha Epsilon Delta, the health pre-professional honor society. A Dean’s List student, she is also a member of the University Honors Program. She is a research assistant in the University’s Human Motion Ergonomics Laboratory and a a teaching assistant for the Biomechanics of Human Motion Lab. She is a tutor for exercise science and biology at the University’s Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence, and a member of the Exercise Science Club, The Physical Therapy Club and Move for Those Who Can’t.
Margarete Reilly, Wayne, received a medal for academic achievement for her sophomore year. An exercise science major with a philosophy minor and member of the University’s Special Jesuit Liberal Arts Program, Reilly is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, the national freshman honor society. A Dean’s List student, Reilly is the treasurer of the Philosophy Society. She tutors students in anatomy and pre-calculus at the University’s Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence, and volunteers at the Leahy Food Pantry.
Julie Dragonetti, Monroe, Connecticut, received a medal for academic achievement for her junior year. A double major in counseling and human services and Hispanic studies, she is a student worker at the Center for Service and Social Justice. A Dean’s List student, she has volunteer for numerous activities in the Scranton area and participated in various service trips throughout the country.
Sarah Kosik, Pittston, received a medal for academic achievement for her junior year. An exercise science major with a psychology minor, nutrition concentration, and a guaranteed seat in the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Scranton, Kosik is a member of Alpha Lambda Delta, the national freshman honor society; the Alpha Epsilon Delta, health pre-professional honor society; and the president of Phi Epsilon Kappa, the national honor society in physical education. A Dean’s List student, she has been participated in the Student Faculty Mentorship Program, the Exercise Science Club, the Physical Therapy Club and The University of Scranton Programming Board. She is a Royal Ambassador for the Admissions Office and an academic tutor for the Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence.
Dana Marmo, Olyphant, received a medal for academic achievement in the Panuska College of Professional Studies graduate school. She earned her undergraduate degree in history from the University. She is pursuing a master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling at Scranton.
Christopher Maglione, Manalapan, New Jersey, received a medal for academic achievement in the Panuska College of Professional Studies graduate school. A University of Scranton graduate with a bachelor’s degree in health administration and a minor in business administration, Maglione is the vice president of professional relations for the University’s ACHE Student Chapter and a graduate teaching assistant for the University’s Department of Health Administration and Human Resources. He volunteers with the Leahy Clinic as part of the Quality Assurance Team and with the University’s Baseball program.
Christina Conner, Jacksonville, Florida, received a medal for academic achievement in the Panuska College of Professional Studies graduate school. She currently holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting, and is pursuing a master’s in human resources. Conner is an accounting director at Interline Brands and The Home Depot in her hometown of Jacksonville.
Tyler Anderson, Wilkes-Barre, received a medal for academic achievement in the Panuska College of Professional Studies graduate school. Anderson graduated from Misericordia University with a bachelor’s degree in nursing and is pursuing a degree in nurse anesthetist degree at Scranton. He worked at Geisinger Medical Center and has Critical Care Registered Nurse and Cardiac Medicine certification. He coauthored a manuscript titled “Reduction of Central Line Associated Blood Stream Infections through Implementation of a Champion Team Program,” which was published in the American Journal of Nursing in September 2014.
Kelsey Hunsicker, Lehighton, received a medal for academic achievement in the Panuska College of Professional Studies graduate school. A graduate student pursuing a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree, Hunsicker earned her bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from Pennsylvania State University. She is involved in Physical Therapy Club, Leahy Physical Therapy Clinic, Challenger Soccer, Physical Therapy Club’s Volleyball Marathon benefiting cystic fibrosis, and “Water Buddies” research held at St. Joseph’s Center. She is also a graduate assistant with the Physical Therapy Department, assisting faculty member Renee Hakim, Ph.D., in research.
Virginia Brensel received a medal for academic achievement in the Panuska College of Professional Studies graduate school.
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: Kittiya Chaiyadecha, Patrick Tuzzo and Deborah Laudenslager, pictured with Murli Rajan, Ph.D., associate dean of the Kania School of Management. O’Hara Award recipients Jessica Signore and Marco Richione were absent from the photo.
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: Kevin A. Drucker, Christopher Kilner, David Yatsonsky and Corinne Negvesky, pictured with Brian Conniff, Ph.D., dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Undergraduate Recipients of the Frank O’Hara medals from the Panuska College of Professional Studies:
Seated from left are the undergraduate recipients of The University of Scranton’s Frank O’Hara medals from the Panuska College of Professional Studies: Kerry Ann Randall, Sarah Kosik and Margarete Reilly. Standing are undergraduate recipients of Frank O’Hara medals from the Panuska College of Professional Studies: Alexandra Brennan, Julie Dragonetti, Marie Acker and Melissa Busch, pictured with Dianne Posegate, assistant dean, Academic Advising Center of the Panuska College of Professional Studies, and Victoria Castellanos, Ph.D., associate dean of the Panuska College of Professional Studies.
Graduate Recipients of the Frank O’Hara medals from the Panuska College of Professional Studies:
From left are the graduate recipients of The University of Scranton’s Frank O’Hara medals from the Panuska College of Professional Studies: Christopher Maglione, Kelsey Hunsicker, Tyler Anderson and Dana Marmo, pictured with Victoria Castellanos, Ph.D., associate dean of the Panuska College of Professional Studies. O’Hara Award recipients Christina Conner and Virginia Brensel were absent from the photo.
