22 Students Honored at Inaugural Student Leader Recognition Ceremony

Senior Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs Mary-Alice Ozechoski (top, center) celebrates with student leader award winners (from left, top): Hailey Keperling and Brian Pascal (from left, bottom) Danye Bundick, Sherrin Smith and Mylina Castillo. 

New ceremony format highlights embodiment of Alvernia's core values and culture of care

22 Alvernia University students were honored at the inaugural Student Leadership Recognition award ceremony on Sunday, May 4 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Reading. The ceremony honors student leaders who have left their mark on the campus in addition to excelling in their studies at the university. 

"We often speak of our 'culture of care'—and it is not just a slogan. It is a calling for all of us. And today’s honorees have answered that call," said Alvernia University President Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D. "They have done so by leading with love and humility, by fostering inclusive communities, and by putting others first. They have led in ways that mirror the core values of our Bernardine Franciscan tradition: service, contemplation, humility, peacemaking, and collegiality. I am so proud of each of them, and I am grateful to have walked this part of their journey." 

As a part of this new tradition, Annual Leadership Awards were created to recognize and honor student leaders who truly embody the spirit and mission of Alvernia. These awards reflect the Franciscan tradition and core values: humility, peacemaking, collegiality, contemplation, and service. Each honoree was nominated by Alvernia faculty and staff who have witnessed their impact and believe deeply in their leadership. The nominations reflect the high regard and appreciation our university community has for these students and their meaningful contributions. In addition, the Golden Wolf Student Leader of the Year Award—an honor reserved for a student who has demonstrated outstanding leadership across all areas of campus life and has consistently served as a role model to their peers was also added. These six honorees will be the first on official plaques hung on campus.  

Alumni Council Member Deven Samson '15 presenting the new awards that were funded courtesy of the Alumni Council.

Honorees include students who mentor and guide peers as Golden Guides and Resident Assistants, serve with compassion through Holleran Corps and the Reading Youth Initiative, learn through experience as APEX participants and Alternative Break Leaders, model collaboration, advocacy, and voice through your work with the Student Government Association and those who teach and learn as peer tutors and peer mentors in ways that lift up the whole community. 

"We honored students who have gone above and beyond—not only excelling in their academics and co-curricular activities, but also living out the Franciscan values that are the heartbeat of Alvernia University," said Executive Director of Student Engagement and Leadership, Abby Swatchick, M.S.Ed. "To our student leaders: your passion, your resilience, and your unwavering commitment to leading with integrity and purpose inspire us all. You are shaping a brighter future for this university and for the communities you will one day serve. To the families, faculty, staff, and supporters—thank you. Your guidance and encouragement are what help these students grow into the leaders we need. As we move forward, may we all continue to lead with humility, serve with joy, and reflect often on how we can lift others. Congratulations once again—and thank you for being the leaders our world so deeply needs."

Additional awards were given to Registered Student Organizations. The Community Service Project of the Year Award recognizes a student organization that has made a meaningful impact through service, demonstrating compassion, leadership, and a commitment to Alvernia’s mission of serving others. Circle K received this award for its work with Hannah's Hope Ministries. The Registered Student Organization’s Event of the Year Award recognizes an event that brought students together in a meaningful way and made a lasting impact on the Alvernia community and beyond. The Pre-Physical Therapy Organization earned this award for their Team FTK Dance-a-Thon which raised $11,379 for pediatric cancer—the highest amount raised by any FTK team in the country. The Pre-Physical Therapy Organization also earned the Registered Student Organization of the Year for their efforts. 

Additional awards were given to Registered Student Organizations. The Community Service Project of the Year Award recognizes a student organization that has made a meaningful impact through service, demonstrating compassion, leadership, and a commitment to Alvernia’s mission of serving others. Circle K received this award for its work with Hannah's Hope Ministries. The Registered Student Organization’s Event of the Year Award recognizes an event that brought students together in a meaningful way and made a lasting impact on the Alvernia community and beyond. The Pre-Physical Therapy Organization earned this award for their Team FTK Dance-a-Thon which raised $11,379 for pediatric cancer—the highest amount raised by any FTK team in the country. The Pre-Physical Therapy Organization also earned the Registered Student Organization of the Year for their efforts. 

Student Honorees Include: