Recipients of Penn State Wilkes-Barre's Hayfield Awards were, top row, from left: Rebecca Sarver, Natalya Vodopyanova, Leslie Livingstone and Deyu Pan. Bottom row: Mark Whitebread, Karen Gallia, Dimitrios Bolkas and Jeremy Olson.
DALLAS, Pa. — Penn State Wilkes-Barre recognized employees celebrating milestone anniversaries and presented special awards to faculty and staff during its annual spring meeting on campus on May 9.
“Each year, it is honor to celebrate the dedication and excellence of our faculty and staff,” said Lynda Goldstein, chancellor and chief academic officer. “These work anniversaries and special awards reflect their contributions to Penn State Wilkes-Barre and their effect on our students’ lives.”
Employees honored for years of service were: five years, Luciana Caporaletti, Dave Horowitz, Jeremy Olson and Stephanie Gresh; 10 years, Melisa Littleton, Brian Reese and Heather Paris; 15 years, Ann Brennan; 20 years, Gail Stevens; 30 years, Anatoli Ivanov; and 40 years, Sal Marsico. Those present to receive their awards are pictured in a photo gallery following this story.
Penn State Wilkes-Barre also presented Hayfield Awards to dedicated individuals who have been outstanding citizens of the campus community during the past academic year.
The Excellence in Service to Campus Award is given to a Penn State Wilkes-Barre faculty or staff member, a Penn State Wilkes-Barre Advisory Board member, a Penn State alumnus or alumna or a friend of Penn State Wilkes-Barre who has made a significant voluntary and unpaid contribution to the campus or the community. This year’s recipient was Rebecca Sarver, assistant teaching professor of criminal justice and program coordinator.
The Innovation Award, presented to Natalya Vodopyanova, assistant teaching professor of corporate communication and program coordinator, recognizes and rewards an outstanding member of the campus community who has made a significant contribution to the campus through innovation by initiating a new program, activity or service.
The Fran Brown Humanitarian Award, presented to Leslie Livingstone, assistant director of admissions, recognizes and rewards an outstanding member of the campus community for fostering an environment that values civility and celebrates diversity.
The Research Excellence/Creative Accomplishment Award, presented to Deyu Pan, assistant professor of rehabilitation and human services, is given to a Penn State Wilkes-Barre faculty member who has made a significant contribution to their professional field. Such contribution might include publishing or presenting a research paper or literary or other creative work or significantly participating in professional activities.
The Staff Excellence Award recognizes the outstanding ongoing performance of a staff member who has demonstrated and practiced the philosophy of continuous quality improvement, team spirit, managerial excellence in the performance of assigned duties and leadership in establishing a quality service orientation to benefit the campus unit and the University. This year’s recipients were Mark Whitebread, maintenance worker, and Karen Gallia, administrative support assistant.
The Undergraduate Research Excellence Award recognizes the commitment of Penn State Wilkes-Barre to developing and sustaining an enriched learning environment for undergraduate students. This award is given to a campus faculty member who has made a significant contribution to enriching the academic and intellectual worth of students by engaging them in undergraduate research activities. This year’s recipients were Dimitrios Bolkas, associate professor of surveying engineering and program coordinator; Jeremy Olson, assistant professor of criminal justice; and Sarver.
Gail Stevens, left, receives an award in honor of her 20 years at Penn State Wilkes-Barre from Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer Lynda Goldstein.
Melisa Littleton, right, receives an award in honor of her 10 years at Penn State Wilkes-Barre from Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer Lynda Goldstein.
Brian Reese, left, receives an award in honor of his 10 years at Penn State Wilkes-Barre from Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer Lynda Goldstein.
Luciana Caporaletti, right, receives an award in honor of her five years at Penn State Wilkes-Barre from Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer Lynda Goldstein.
