Each spring, Elizabethtown College honors the outstanding efforts of its students by offering awards across various areas of campus at the Student Awards Ceremony. Awards categories include Campus Recreation and Well-Being, Housing & Residence Life, the Center for Civic and Community Engagement (CCCE), the Chaplain’s Office, the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Belonging (DEB), Student Senate, and 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.

2021-22 Points of Distinction Award
The College has announced the winner of the 2021-22 Points of Distinction Award is Kevin Ferguson ’22, a Biology major with a Pre-Medicine concentration. In addition to his excellent academic standing, Ferguson has co-authored several papers which have been published in the Journal of Virology and Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry. He is a member of the Tri-Beta Honor Society – a national honor society for college and university students in the biological sciences and serves as a tutor for many of his classes. 

“I am grateful to have been chosen as the 2022 Points of Distinction Award recipient,” Ferguson said. “My time at Etown has been an interdisciplinary journey, one which has transformed the foundation of my character. Each day, I am thankful for the students and professors who through their words and actions help me fathom the true depth of educating for service. Their support, advice, friendship, and mentorship have been invaluable and made this honor possible.”

2021-22 Distinguished Student Awards

  • Kaleigh Christ ’25, Political Science and Legal Studies major, Professional Writing minor
  • Nicholas Zonarich ’25, Actuarial Science major, Data Analytics minor
  • Mackenzie Pollachek ’24, Mathematics major, Data Analytics minor
  • Samhar Almomani ’24, Public Health major
  • Steven Swain ’23, Electrical Engineering major
  • Trinity Soto ’23, Pre-Medicine major, Human Servies minor
  • Erin Lewis ’22, Mathematical Business major, Data Analytics and Business Administration minor
  • Colin Elliott ’22, Physics major

Student Senate Scholarships

Richard Crocker Award – Wendy Bellow, Lecturer in Education
This award is intended to reward an outstanding faculty member for his or her dedication to engaging students in and out of the classroom and his or her ability to foster close, meaningful relationships with his or her students.

Engaging Educator Award – Anya Goldina, Associate Professor of Biology
This award is intended to reward an outstanding faculty or staff member that has made a lasting impact on the Etown campus community and the students.

Baugher Avenue Scholarship – Emma Mesko ‘23, Health Science major, History and Psychology minor
This scholarship is intended to reward a member of the student body who has played an integral role both on and off-campus, but whose actions often go unrecognized. These students are regarded as the “quiet leaders” of the student body. This scholarship is intended to reward dedication to both the campus and the surrounding community.

Tom Bowersox Honorary Scholarship – Celia Familia ‘25, Legal Studies major
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 – Darci Ott ‘25, Biotechnology major, Fine Arts Studio and Psychology minor
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 – Trinity Soto ‘23
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 – Ingrid Peura ‘23, Middle-Level ELA 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.

Walter B. Shaw Scholarship & Lisa L. Koogle Scholarship – Nicholas Zonarich ‘25
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.

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.

Marianne Calenda Award – Kathryn Hart ‘25, International Business major
The Marianne Calenda Health and Wellness Award, in the amount of $500, is awarded to a student who embodies and promotes physical and mental wellbeing. The recipient of this award must show a strong commitment to comprehensive wellness, while also demonstrating the benefits of healthy life choices both internally and externally to the Elizabethtown College community.

2021-22 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 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 Joanna Shultz ’24, a Japanese Language and Digital Media Productions major.

  • OSA Programmers of the Year: Emma Gaughan ’23, Public Relations major; Erin Lewis ’22, Mathematical Business major, Data Analytics and Business Administration minor; Victoria Vaughn ’22, Psychology major
  • OSA Leader on the Horizon: Sadie Forbes ’25, Health Sciences major
  • OSA Leadership Award: Cassidy Dunn ’21M’23, Masters Business Administration Concentration Leadership
  • OSA Outstanding Club/Organization: Best Buddies
  • OSA Advisor of the Year: Terri Dennehy, Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy

2021-22 Community Living Awards
Community Living 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.

The 2021-22 Housing and Residence Life Awards Legacy Award winner is Livia Marga ’22, a Mathematics Education major.

  • Community Living Returner of the Year: Alexa Habermehl ’22, Early Childhood Education major
  • Community Living Rookie of the Year: Samhar Almomani ’24, Public Health major

2021-22 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 Engagement Award: Maddi Holmberg ’24, Public Relations major, Arts Administration and Business Administration minors
  • CCCE Group Engagement Award: Women’s Soccer Team

2021-22 Distinguished Mentor Awards
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: Cassy DeBacco ’23, Applied Mathematics major, Computer Science minor
  • Distinguished Mentor – Faculty Award: James MacKay, Professor of Chemistry
  • Distinguished Mentor – Staff Award: Amy Shorner-Johnson, Chaplain and Director of Religious Life

2021-22 Office of the Chaplain Awards
The Office of the Chaplain 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: Jillian Nichols ’22, Health Sciences major, Psychology minor
  • Amos B. Curry Memorial Award: Des’ree McCloud ’22, Health Sciences & Spanish major, Psychology minor
  • Amos B. Curry Memorial Award: Madison Deluca ’23, Political Science and Religious Studies major

2021-22 Office of Diversity, Equity, and Belonging Awards
The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Belonging presents the Ubuntu Awards to a student (s) who display outstanding leadership and exemplify the importance of working with others, advocating for solutions, and being a valuable asset to our campus. The term Ubuntu translates to mean “I am because we are.”

  • Ubuntu Mentor Award: Jalen Belgrave ’23, Legal Studies major, Data Analytics, Communications, and Economics minors and Joanna Shultz ’24, Japanese Language and Digital Media Productions major

2021-22 Campus Recreation and Well-Being (RecWell) Awards
The Campus Recreation and Wellbeing awards honor students who go above and beyond in their work at Etown’s Bowers Center for Sports, Fitness, and Well-Being. The awards are broken out by the department.

This year’s Overall RecWell Team Member of the Year is Jocelyn Kosik ’22, a Neuroscience and Psychology major who serves as the Student Intramural Coordinator, and Brinley Schmidt ’21M’22, an Occupational Therapy major who serves as Fitness Coordinator at the Bowers Center.

Jocelyn has worked in many areas of the Intramural Department and has gradually made her way to Intramural Coordinator. Her leadership shines in the behind-the-scenes work she puts in as well as her ability to step up and lead in times of trouble. 

Brinley also rose through the ranks, starting in the RecWell Department in Fall 2019 as a Fitness Center Attendant, and gradually made her way to Fitness Coordinator, a position she has held for the past two years.  Brinley has led by example in her two years as Fitness Coordinator, picking up shifts when needed, communicating frequently with her staff, and making sure that the Bowers Center runs as smoothly as possible. 

  • Group Fitness Instructor of the Year: Cassidy Dunn ’21M’23, Masters Business Administration Concentration Leadership
  • Intramural Staff Member of the Year: Alex Lynch ’24, International Business – Marketing major
  • SWAG of the Year: Gabriella Stawinski ’23, Health Sciences major
  • Fitness Center Attendant of the Year: Kevin Whalen ’23, Health Sciences major, Psychology minor

2021-22 Club Awards
The Clubs Committee of Student Senate honors Etown clubs and organizations for awards in the following three categories: Impactful Service, Exceptional Event, and Outstanding Engagement.

  • Impactful Service Award: Elizabethtown Circle K
  • Exceptional Event Award: Elizabethtown College Democrats, Asian Cultural Student Association (ACSA), and Young Democratic Socialist Association (YDSA).
  • Outstanding Engagement Award: Mad Cow Improv