Elizabethtown College honored the outstanding efforts of its students by offering awards across various areas of campus at the 46th annual Student Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, April 17. The awards categories included distinctions from Housing & Residence Life, the Center for Civic and Community Engagement (CCCE), the Chaplain’s Office, the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Belonging (DEB), Student Assembly, the Office of Student Activities (OSA), as well as overall Distinguished Student Awards and the Points of Distinction Award – the highest Student Life honor a student can receive at Etown.

Distinguished Student Awards are given to two students from each class year who have shown the effective integration of the four signature learning attributes at Etown; relationship-centered learning, international and cross-cultural perspectives, real-world learning, and purposeful life work. Out of these winners, the Points of Distinction Award is given to the student believed to have shown this integration to the highest degree. Students are nominated for these awards through faculty, staff, and/or students and then must submit an application that includes an essay focusing on a key learning experience from their time at Etown. View photos from this year’s awards ceremony.

2023-24 Points of Distinction Award
The College has announced the winner of the 2023-24 Points of Distinction Award is Samhar Almomani ’24, a Public Health major with a minor in Sociology. In addition to his excellent academic standing, Almomani is heavily involved within the campus community, serving within the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Belonging (DEB) and the Gender-Sexuality Alliance (GSA), by working diligently to plan and organize various events that help build a strong sense of belonging for all on campus. He is also actively involved in his major, serving as a student researcher and assistant for the Public Health program, while currently working for the PA Department of Health as Scientific and Technical Engineering Intern for the Division of Environmental Epidemiology.

“I am honored to have been chosen as the recipient of this award,” Almomani said. “Building a strong social network sets you up for success, and there was no shortage of great staff, faculty, and fellow students at Etown who have supported me during my time on campus. I am forever grateful to have been a part of an institution that goes above and beyond to support its students.”

Among many other on-campus roles, Almomani serves as a Features Editor for the College newspaper, The Etownian, a member of It’s On Us, and an Ubuntu Mentor. He also serves as an on-campus tutor for Statistics, Global Health, and Public Health, as well as a Student Researcher and Learning Zone Coordinator.

“Samhar has greatly impressed me during his time at the college,” Elizabethtown College Instruction and Outreach Librarian, Joshua Cohen said. “His work in collaboration with the library has been excellent. He’s worked with us over the years on leading panel discussions, creating exhibits, and other programs. His leadership and hard work is top notch and worthy of acknowledgment.”

2023-24 Distinguished Student Awards

  • Kalen Tendo ’27, Legal Studies major
  • Zachary Kleinfelter ’27, Poltical Science major, Communications minor
  • Hanna Tran ’26, Biology – Health Professions major, Medical Humanities minor
  • Juriel Diaz ’26, Environmental Science major
  • Frida Sanchez-Rosalino ’25, Spanish Education major
  • Delaney Peckham ’25, Psychology – PreMCP 3+2 major, Creative Writing & Women & Gender Studies minor
  • Sheyla Sosa ’24, Biology – Health Professions major
  • Misaki Yamaguchi ’24, International Business – Marketing major, International Studies minor

The Blueprint Program Awards

Elizabethtown College is committed to providing students with a quality education that will help them develop leadership skills, better their well-being and connectedness, and enhance relationship building. The Etown Blue Print program provides students with a roadmap for this journey, acts as a bridge between campus and local communities, fosters life skills, and creates professional connections that extend outside the classroom.

For the second annual Blueprint Program Awards, Etown students were honored in recognition of the the personal and professional growth they have achieved. The following students were recognized as Blue Print Certificate winners: Anfal Al-Hussaini ’24; Natalie Barlow ’24; Kathryn Black ’24; Julia Bowersox ’24; Curstin Carpenter ’25; Alyssa Crane ’25; Caroline Czerpak ’25; Jordyn Diehl ’25; Grace Dougherty ’25; Olivia Fabiano ’25; Megan Gangl ’24, MS ’25; Bailey Groff ’24; Brendan Guy ’25; Kathryn Hart ’25; Gabe Karl ’25; Isaac Kraenbring ’25; Emily Kramer ’24; Samantha Machmer ’25; Abbie Machmer ’25; Griffen MacLaren ’25; Isabella Mendez ’24, MS’25; Garrett Morrison ’25; Delaney Peckham ’25; Ryan Ramler ’25; Hannah Rosborough ’25; Ahsa Sadhukhan ’25; Emma Sager ’25; Hanna Tran ’26; Joanna Shultz ’24; Parker Blevins ’26.

The following seniors were honored with Blue Jay Blue Print Awards: Brooke Seislove ’24, Early Childhood Education major; Jessica Piergallini ’24, Digital Media Production & Graphic Design major; Sarah Moscoso ’24, Digital Media Production & Graphic Design major; Abigail Lindsay ’24, Journalism major, Political Science & Graphic Design minor; Madison Holmberg ’23, Public Relations major, Business Administration and Marketing minors; Keely Grim ’24, Business Administration- Finance major, Arts Administration & Family Business /Entrepreneurship minor; Samhar Almomani ’24, Public Health major, Sociology minor.

Student Assembly Scholarships

Walter B. Shaw Scholarship – Emily Skelly ’26, Business Administration – HR & Talent Management major, Marketing minor
The Walter B. Shaw Symbol of Service Scholarship, in the amount of $500, is awarded to a student who shows exemplary commitment to community service through taking what he or she has learned on the Elizabethtown College campus and applying this knowledge to people and entities outside of the academic setting. The Walter B. Shaw award recipient rewards student service through volunteerism and leadership displayed in the non-academic community.

Tom Bowersox Honorary Scholarship – Olivia Addo ’26, Criminal Justice & Legal Studies major, Political Science & Sociology minor
This scholarship is intended to reward a member of the student body who has significantly impacted the lives of other Etown students through their actions. The reward is intended for students with financial needs who are considered Pell Grant eligible. The scholarship is awarded in the amount of $500.

Student Employee Award – Elizabeth Beward ’26, Early Childhood Education – Special Education major
This scholarship is intended to reward a member of the student body who displays a strong commitment to work-study balance. The scholarship is awarded in the amount of $500.

Ginger Groff Memorial Scholarship – Abbie Machmer ’26, Psychology – PreMCP 3+2 major, English Literature minor
Ginger Groff was the Director of Health Services for over 10 years. She was one of the pioneer nurses to be nationally certified as a College Health Nurse. Ginger was dedicated to her job, Elizabethtown College, and foremost, the students. She was a strong student advocate and was highly respected on campus. Many students, staff, and faculty regarded her as a friend. Ginger passed away in 1994 having succumbed to a second occurrence of breast cancer, and this scholarship was endowed in her honor.

Carole L. Issak Academic Service to Students Award – Abbie Machmer ’26, Psychology – PreMCP 3+2 major, English Literature minor
Carole L. Isaak was a professor in the English department for over two decades, from 1988-2010. During her tenure, she recognized the importance of using one’s education to help others. Carole was a key advocator for the Center for Student Success and made a strong commitment to working with ALANA students. Whether it be helping students on campus, or promoting a better community for individuals outside of the College community, Carole succeeded in conveying the “Educate for Service” mantra.

Lisa L. Koogle Scholarship – Samhar Almomani ’24, Public Health major, Sociology minor
The Lisa L. Koogle Outstanding Service to Students Award, in the amount of $500, is awarded to a student who shows exemplary leadership in affecting the lives of students, faculty, and staff within the Elizabethtown community. This award recipient shows the great influence and leadership abilities that are displayed in and out of the classroom setting. The award recipient should be a well-rounded individual who can be seen excelling in co-curricular activities.

2023-24 Office of Student Activities Awards
Etown’s Office of Student Activities (OSA) annually awards several students for their work in providing a robust student experience.

  • OSA Program of the Year: One Elle of a Night
  • OSA Outstanding  Student Club/Organization: Elizabethtown College Dance Team; Computer Science Club; Sock & Buskin
  • OSA Advisors of the Year: Dr. Peilong Li, Associate Professor of Computer Science and Data Science Program Director and Dr. Jingwen Wang, Assistant Professor of Computer Science

2023-24 Student Life Council Awards
The Student Life Council honors Etown students for their leadership and contributions around campus with awards in the following categories: Leadership, Leadership on the Horizon, Resilience in Growth, Student in Service Employment, and Student Employee. Student Life Council awards include the Omnia Award which identifies the most well-rounded student who is “good in all things.”

This year’s Omnia Award winner is Ahsa Sadhukhan ’25, a Biology-Health Professions major, and Spanish minor.

  • Leadership Award: Ariea O’Krepka ’25, Social Studies Education major, Sociology minor
  • Leader on the Horizon Award: Elsa Woodarek ’26, Public Health & Political Science major, Philosophy minor; Alysse Smith ’26, Biology  major, Medical Humanities & Spanish minor
  • Resilience in Growth Award: Yusuke Satani ’24, Data Science major, Computer Science & Mathematics minor
  • Students in Service Employment Award: Jadon Green ’25 (RA/Ubuntu Mentor); Tristan Mabee ’24 (Kinesis Mentor); Haley Bateman ’26 (Peer Mentor)
  • Student Employee Award: Esther Nolt ’25 (Office Support Staff); Brelynn McCarty ’24 (Student Outreach Ambassador); Olivia Morrison ’25 (Tutoring/TA); Julia Thistle ’23, MS ’24 (Dining/Catering); Haleigh Palutis ’23, MS ’24 (Dining/Catering); Devin Johnstone ’24 (Dining/Catering); Gabrielle Stawinski ’23, MS ’25 (Dining/Catering); Alyson Houska ’23, MS ’24 (Dining/Catering)

2023-24 Housing and Residence Life Awards
Housing and Residence Life Awards are given to honor the students who make an impact in their residential community and with their peers. These awards are reviewed by the Community Living staff and include the Community Living Legacy Award for the student who best demonstrates the service, vision, and dedication that has made a lasting impact in their residential community as well as a Returner of Year and the Rookie of the Year.

  • Housing and Residence Life Legacy Award: Sarah Moscoso ’24, Digital Media Production & Graphic Design major; Samhar Almomani ’24, Public Health major, Sociology minor

2023-24 Center for Community and Civic Engagement Awards
Etown’s Center for Community and Civic Engagement (CCCE) gives awards to a student and a student organization that demonstrates a commitment to benefiting the lives of others and a commitment to the College’s Motto of ‘Educate for Service.’ These awards are selected by the College’s CCCE staff.

  • CCCE Student Service Learning Award: Madelyn Rotter ’24, Social Work major, Fine Art minor
  • CCCE Club Community Service Award: Men’s & Women’s Swim Team

2023-24 Distinguished Mentor Awards (Student Life)
The Division of Student Life recognizes the excellent work of mentors at Etown and the impact they have on students’ lives through the Distinguished Mentor Awards. Students are asked to nominate their mentor and this award is given to one faculty member, one staff member, and one student each year.

  • Distinguished Mentor – Student Award: Jake Moser ’24, Journalism major
  • Distinguished Mentor – Faculty Award: Patrick Allen, Assistant Professor of English Literature
  • Distinguished Mentor – Staff Award: Jennifer Deitz, Assistant Director for Student Counseling & Health Needs

2023-24 Religious Leadership and Service Awards
The Religious Leadership and Service Awards are given to students, faculty, and staff who show an outstanding commitment to their faith and to the service of others through it. These awards are reviewed and selected by Etown’s Chaplains Office staff.

  • Rufus P. Bucher II Memorial Award – Marissa Tuman ’24, Early Childhood Education major, Coaching minor; Christian Gingrich ’24, Engineering – Mechanical major, Music minor
  • Amos B. Curry Memorial Award – Chris Talluto ’24, Engineering – Civil major

2023-24 Office of Diversity, Equity, and Belonging Awards
The Excellence in Equity Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to fostering an equitable and inclusive environment. Individuals who have made significant strides in increasing diversity, fostering a sense of belonging, and cultivating a welcoming environment that celebrates the worth of all community members are recognized with this award.

The Legacy of Leadership Award honors individuals who actively foster diversity, inclusivity, and social justice on campus through service projects, presentations, and community engagement. They promote multicultural awareness and support historically underrepresented students while emphasizing leadership development. Nominees must demonstrate sustained commitment to these goals, resulting in a more inclusive campus environment and positive relationships among students, faculty, and staff.

The commitment to inclusivity at Elizabethtown College is fostering a campus community that supports and respects the human dignity of all students, regardless of race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, religion, ability, gender, gender identity and expression, age, or national origin. The Excellence in Equity Award and Legacy of Leadership Award recognizes and promotes initiatives aimed at making the College and society more just and equitable.

  • Excellence in Equity Award: Najae Roseway ’25, Early Childhood Education major
  • Legacy of Leadership Award: Samhar Almomani ’24, Public Health major, Sociology minor

2023-24 M. Darlene Myer Writing Award
Elizabethtown College’s M. Darlene Myer ’66 Writers Award Scholarship provides a rising junior (s) with up to a $750 award and the opportunity to be matched with a mentor from an industry or profession associated with their intended career pathway, offering a real-world experience to learn the importance of writing for career and professional development. The student-mentor writing experience will span one semester during the awardees’ senior year, after which they will write about the impact of this experience.

  • Gwyneth Young ’26, Criminal Justice major, Communications minor
  • Danielle Hathaway ’25, Environmental Science major