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3/26/2004
Contact:
K.E. Schwab -- 724-738-2199; e-mail:
karl.schwab@sru.edu
Note: See
related story on convocation speaker Tim Wilson
For photos of award winners CLICK on
name:
Stephen Hawk
Shelia I. Drohan
Thomas McPherson
Leigh Puntureri
Timothy P. Wilson
SRU TO HONOR STUDENTS, FACULTY, STAFF FOR
CONTRIBUTIONS
TO
EXCELLENCE AS PART OF ANNUAL ACADEMIC HONORS
CONVOCATION
SLIPPERY
ROCK, Pa. – Slippery Rock University’s annual Academic
Honors Convocation, set for 2 p.m. April 4 in Morrow Field House,
will salute the outstanding academic work of more than 1,800
students and include the annual presentation of the
President’s Awards for Excellence.
Timothy
P. Wilson, a 1962 SRU graduate now vice president and camp director
for Seeds of Peace, an organization working to bring peace in the
Middle East, is the speaker.[Editor’s note:
Details in separate release.]
This
year’s President’s Awards recipients are as
follows:
•
Excellence in
Teaching, Stephen Hawk, associate professor of
music;
•
Outstanding Alumni,
Sheila I. Drohan, a 1974 SRU graduate and current chief executive
officer at Corporate Fitness Works;
•
Outstanding Service,
Thomas McPherson, manager, SGA Bookstore;
Leigh
Puntureri, a graduating senior in dance and theater from Grove
City, will be the senior student speaker, selected for holding the
highest grade-point average, a perfect 4.0, on the largest number
of credits – 155 – in her graduating class.
The
public event is expected to draw more than 4,000 students, faculty,
staff, parents and family members.
Faculty Mentors to Be Honored
The
program will be led by Interim President Smith and include tributes
to SRU’s Presidential Scholars from the senior, junior and
sophomore class. Each Presidential Scholar will name a faculty or
staff member who has served as the student’s mentor – a
new feature in this year’s ceremony. The named mentors will
stand as the student is recognized on stage.
Excellence in Teaching
Hawk is being cited as a respected musician throughout the western
Pennsylvania region, for his inspirational teaching and directorial
experiences that epitomize the standards for the award. A graduate
of the University of Texas, Hawk was a member of jazz trumpet
faculty at the Birch Creek Jazz Academy and has served as trumpet
instructor at Westminster College. At SRU, he has taught a myriad
of music courses and developed the University’s first
computer music course and laboratory.
A
doctoral of music arts degree candidate at the University of Texas,
he received the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association’s
District 5 Citation of Excellence in Teaching Award in 2003, and
has worked to develop an appreciation of jazz through teaching and
performance. His activities as teacher, performer and director
confirm he is one of the most productive, energetic and committed
faculty members at SRU working to make the University synonymous
with excellence in jazz. Under his leadership, the SRU Jazz Band
represented the University in a highly acclaimed European Tour in
2002 and produced a CD upon its return to campus.
Outstanding Alumni
Award
Drohan
has been active in the business of fitness and health since
graduation. While on campus, she distinguished herself as an
Outstanding Physical Education Major and served as president of the
Women’s Recreation Association, and was included in Who's Who
Among American Colleges and Universities. She was a member of Delta
Psi Kappa, the national physical education honorary. She began her
fitness and health career as the director of the Summit, New
Jersey, YWCA, she followed with work at numerous facilities before
using her management experience to found Corporate Fitness Works,
Inc.
She
developed a comprehensive management system and works on client
relations, marketing, business development and contract
negotiations. A member of SRU’s Presidents Advisory Council,
Drohan is a member of the TEC, an international organization of
chief executive officers, and as a member and president of Goshen
Oaks Home Owners Association board of directors. In 2001 she
created the Sheila I. Drohan Scholarship, which continues to help
exercise science students earn a rock solid education at
SRU.
Outstanding Service
With
an SRU career covering more than 35 years, McPherson has been
dedicated in his service to students and the entire University
community as manager of the SGA Bookstore all combine to earned him
recognition as this year’s President’s Award for
Outstanding Service recipient.
He
has served tirelessly in setting new standards for the
bookstore’s operation, service – and expansion,
including work to open the Gallery 164 Bookstore in downtown
Slippery Rock, which is leading downtown redevelopment efforts. He
is equally tireless in his promotion and support of the University.
Using his abilities as store manager, he has expanded the Slippery
Rock University name around the world through sale of campus
memorabilia items and his continuous promotion of what is the heart
of SRU to every student, parent and campus visitor he meets --
people.
The
award was established by the late Mr. and Mrs. Robert McMullen,
both long-time University supporters. Mr. McMullen was a 1951 SRU
graduate and was deeply involved in creating the Slippery Rock
University Foundation, Inc. The award continues through the
generosity of their son and daughter-in-law, Doug and Linda
McMullen.
Senior
Speaker
Puntureri,
an academic leader at SRU, is dedicated to her studies. She will
graduate in May with 169 credit hours. Nominated for the All-USA
College Academic Team sponsored by USA Today for her outstanding
character, friendly nature, strong work ethic, enthusiasm for
assigned tasks and work and leadership in the campus and community,
Puntureri was also cited for her academic initiatives and research
efforts.
Involved
in multiple campus theater and dance department programs since her
arrival as a freshman, the graduating senior has excelled in her
undergraduate studies including research work in dance kinesiology.
She has taught in SRU’s Saturday Children’s Dance
Program and been involved in numerous dance department and theater
department productions, including the successful “The
Play’s the Thing” summer camp. She has danced with
Pittsburgh-based Dance Alloy and performed at Hartwood Acres. She
has served as technical director for SRU productions and has served
as president and treasurer of Sigma Rho Delta, the national dance
honorary, as historian for Alpha Psi Omega, the national theater
honorary, and is a member of the Student Dance Advisory
Board.
A
reception for convocation participants will immediately follow the
ceremony in Morrow Field House.
PN, PgN, WPN, PR
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