Alumni of the College of the Liberal Arts are often recognized by their departments, the college, or the University for their contributions and achievements.
Know someone who would be a good candidate for an alumni award? Learn more about the award criteria and previous winners below, and then email Ellen Konkle, associate director of alumni relations, at eck110@psu.edu.
Unit Honorees
Each year, many departments, centers, and institutes in the College of the Liberal Arts honor outstanding alumni and others who have made significant contributions to the college, the University, business, and society. Here are the 2025 honorees.
Outstanding Alumni Award: Chenjerai Kumanyika ’95 and ’13
Outstanding Alumni Award: H.W. Andrew Gillen ’90
Outstanding Early Career Achievement: Tim Dooley ’11
Outstanding Alumni Award: Barbara Cohen ’74
Outstanding Academic Alumni Award: Kendall R. Phillips ’95
Outstanding Young Alumni Award: Julie Devaney Hogan ’07
Outstanding Alumni Award: Katherine Hazelrigg ’07
Outstanding Young Alumni Award: Dulce-Marie Flecha ’13
Outstanding Young Alumni Award: Esther Park ’16
Outstanding Alumni Award: Richard D. Brecht ’65
Outstanding Young Alumni Award: Erin Lemons ’11
Outstanding Alumni Award: Jonathan W. White ’01
Outstanding Young Alumni Award: Kelsey Bell ’20
Outstanding Alumni Award: Rónké A. Òké ’15
Outstanding Young Alumni Award: Shawnta Albro ’13
Outstanding Alumni Award: Gregory Wawro ’90
Outstanding Young Alumni Award: Ilsa Doremus ’11
Outstanding Public Service Award: Amber Concepcion ’01
Outstanding Alumni Award: John Warrington ’88, ’17
Outstanding Early Career Achievement Award: John Medaglia ’14
Outstanding Early Career Achievement Award: Nadine Maruszczak ’11
Outstanding Criminology Alumni Award: Tyrone A. Parham ’93
Outstanding Sociology Alumni Award: Lisette Garcia ’96
Outstanding Alumni Award: Christiana Cacciapuoti ’12
Outstanding Young Alumni Award: Gabrielle Chappel ’16
Outstanding Alumni Award: Binney H.C. Wietlisbach ’85
Department of Communication Arts and Sciences
Outstanding Early Career Alumni Award: Leah Triola ’09
Outstanding Alumni Award: Joe Pullizzi ’97
Department of English
Outstanding Young Alumni Award: Jessica DeVore ’15
Outstanding Alumni Award: Cathey McClain Finlon ’71
Department of French and Francophone Studies
Outstanding Young Alumni Award: Akam Lawson ’17
Department of Germanic and Slavic Languages and Literatures
Outstanding Alumni Award: Carolyn Mudrinich Weiss ’81
Department of History
Outstanding Young Alumni Award: Colleen Smith ’12
Outstanding Alumni Award: Elizabeth Covart ’03
Department of Philosophy
Outstanding Alumni Award: Ryan Suto ’08
Outstanding Alumni Award: Adam Yenser ’05
Department of Political Science
Outstanding Young Alumni Award: Joshua Brady Branch ’13
Public Service Award: Seth Miller ’01
Outstanding Alumni Award: Mary Ann Danowitz ’69
Department of Psychology
Outstanding Alumni Award: Melissa Rowe ’89
Outstanding Alumni Award: Deborah Beidel ’76
Outstanding Early Career Award: Becky Brooker M.S. ’08, Ph.D. ’11
Outstanding Early Career Award: James Boswell M.S. ’06, Ph.D. ’11
Department of Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese
Outstanding Alumni Award: Amy Happ ’94
Outstanding Alumni Award: Gary McMillen ’12
College Honorees
Each spring, the College of the Liberal Arts hosts a ceremony honoring outstanding alumni and friends who have made significant contributions to the college, the University, business, and society. Several awards are sponsored by the Liberal Arts Alumni Society Board of Directors, and others are sponsored by the college. Here are the 2025 honorees.
Alumni Society Board Awardees
Originally established in 1987, this award was retitled in 2021 to reflect the service of former manager of alumni relations for the College of the Liberal Arts, Chris Gamble, and his contributions to the College. The award recognizes Liberal Arts alumni who have made significant contributions of time and talent to the College and/or University. Nominees’ contributions are judged on the basis of demonstrated commitment and dedication to enhancing the objectives of the College and/or the University.
Linda Belfus
English | Class of 1970
Linda Belfus is a publishing and content strategy consultant and a 1970 Penn State graduate with a degree in English. She previously served as senior vice president at Elsevier, a global information provider for science and health professionals. While at Elsevier, she led the global content team and co-chaired the Elsevier Women’s Network, which promotes women’s professional development and leadership.
Linda co-founded and served as president and CEO of Hanley & Belfus, a Philadelphia-based medical publishing company acquired by Elsevier in 2002. In addition to her Penn State degree, she holds a master’s degree from Villanova University and is a member of its Graduate Education Advisory Council.
She has served on the board of directors for the Make-A-Wish Foundation’s Philadelphia chapter and remains active with Penn State as a member of the Liberal Arts Alumni Society Board, a mentor, and the creator of two undergraduate scholarships in the College of the Liberal Arts.
Linda lives in Media, Pennsylvania.
Past Award Winners
2024: Mike Wagner ’95
2023: Kelly Gibson Caplan ’91
2022: Randy Houston ’91
2020: Ernest Janssen ’65
The Christopher B. Gamble Service to Penn State Award was established in 2021 to recognize a Liberal Arts undergraduate who has made significant contributions of time and talent to the College and/or University.
Cameryn Allen
Psychology | Class of 2025
Cameryn Allen is a dedicated scholar and leader graduating with a bachelor’s degree in psychology. Passionate about research, mentorship, and advocacy, she has held numerous leadership roles across the College of the Liberal Arts.
Cameryn has served on the college’s First-Generation Committee, worked in several research labs, and completed internships with the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office and the Public Health Management Corporation, gaining experience at the intersection of law and public health.
She is currently an intern at the college’s institutional research and planning office, where she analyzes data and develops dashboards on post-graduation outcomes. She also serves as a peer mentor in the Chaiken Center for Student Success and as an Undergraduate Research Ambassador.
Most recently, Cameryn organized the college’s inaugural Undergraduate Research Expo, helping students share their work and connect with research opportunities.
Past Award Winners
2024: Ima Bazan ’24
2023: Janiyah Davis ’23
2022: Casey Sennett ’23
The Outstanding Young Liberal Arts Alumni Award was established in 2009 to recognize young Liberal Arts alumni for extraordinary professional accomplishments and their success and influence as leaders.
Dionne Whitby
International Politics | Class of 2011
Dionne Whitby is an international program specialist at NASA and the agency’s lead expert on human exploration and operations cooperation with Canada. She advises senior leadership on international policy and negotiates cooperative agreements related to the International Space Station, and Moon and Mars missions.
Before joining NASA, Dionne held positions at the Center for the Study of Weapons of Mass Destruction, the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, and the National Defense University. In those roles, she worked with and educated more than 700 senior international military and civilian leaders representing over seventy countries.
A 2009 graduate of Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts, Dionne earned a bachelor’s degree in international politics and later received a master’s degree in strategic security studies from the National Defense University.
She is a Boren Scholar, a College of the Liberal Arts Emerging Alumni Leader, a NASA Excellence in Innovation Award recipient, and a two-time recipient of the Joint Civilian Service Commendation Medal.
Past Award Winners
2024: Stephanie Yoon ’08
2023: Josh Korn ’12
2022: Julius Halstead ’16
2021: Whitney Stringer ’11
2020: Brenna Hassinger-Das ’05
The Service to Society Award recognizes Liberal Arts alumni whose contributions have served to enhance the quality of life at the local, state, national, or international level. The contribution to society should be humanistic, have social goals consistent with the liberal arts tradition, and be outside the academic community or beyond the person’s professional or vocational achievement. The award was established in 1975.
Delore Zimmerman
Sociology | Class of 1986
Delore Delmar Zimmerman earned a doctorate in sociology from Penn State in 1986 and is a founding member of the university’s Sociology and Criminology Board of Visitors. He is president and CEO of Praxis Strategy Group, which he co-founded in 1994 to promote economic transformation and regional growth.
In 2009, Delore launched Praxis Africa Ltd., advancing sustainable development through partnerships in eleven African nations. He serves as development chief for the Awutu-Mankessim Traditional Area of Ghana, a customary leadership region. There he is known as Nai Awuah Kotoko, or “the Porcupine Warrior.” In 2022, he received the U.S. Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions in Africa.
Delore also serves as ambassador-at-large and a member of the Global Development Team for the United Nations Alliance for Sustainable Development Goals. He holds degrees from the University of North Dakota, including an honorary Doctor of Letters.
He and his wife, Sonia, have been married for fifty years.
Past Award Winners
2024: Sara Woods ’96
2023: Evita Salles ’03
2022: Gary Gregory ’86
2020: Larry Seamans ’85
The Welch Alumni Relations Award, established in 2002, recognizes faculty and staff of the College of the Liberal Arts who make significant contributions to enhance connections with alumni at the department, college, or interdisciplinary level. The award was named for and first awarded to Dean Susan Welch, who set the standard for faculty involvement with alumni, by which all will be measured in the future.
Jeff Lieb
Accounting | Class of 1988
Jeff Lieb earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Penn State in 1988. He remained in State College after graduation, working in various private-sector accounting roles spanning retail, convenience stores, dairy operations, and telecommunications before joining Penn State in 2003.
Jeff became financial officer for the College of the Liberal Arts in 2006, a role he continues to hold. He manages a general budget exceeding $175 million—the largest of any academic unit at University Park—as well as more than $25 million in non-general funds. His oversight includes ensuring compliance with university policies, procedures, and endowment guidelines.
Through careful stewardship of these complex resources, Jeff supports the long-term financial health and academic mission of the college.
He lives in Centre Hall with his wife, Sheila. They are proud parents of three Penn Staters: Rachel, a 2022 nursing graduate; Mason, a business management major graduating in May 2025; and Josh, a business major graduating in May 2028.
Past Award Winners
2024: Marc Kepler
2023: Lee Ann Banaszak
2022: Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network Staff
2020: Denise Haunani Solomon and Kevin Conaway
College of the Liberal Arts Awardees
Established in 2013, the Chaiken Leadership Award honors alumni and friends whose volunteer service has helped the College of the Liberal Arts achieve its philanthropic goals.
Dick Hayes
Political Science | Class of 1968
Richard “Dick” Hayes is the retired senior vice president and tax director for Allianz of America, an insurance and asset management company serving more than 86 million customers in 70 countries. He previously held senior leadership roles at Arthur Young & Co., First Interstate Bancorp, and Wells Fargo.
A 1968 Penn State graduate, Dick earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from the College of the Liberal Arts. He later received a juris doctorate and a Master of Laws from the New York University School of Law.
After living in California for forty years, Dick and his wife, Bebe, relocated to the State College area in 2020. They are longtime supporters of Penn State and the College of the Liberal Arts, having established a Dean’s Fund and supported initiatives in the Department of Political Science and the Child Study Center.
Dick also represents the college on the Penn State Alumni Association’s Alumni Council and serves on its Audit and Risk Committee.
Past Award Winners
2024: Jim Newell
2023: Donna and Bill Oliver
2022: Susan Welch
2020: Hal and Sandy Rosenberg
Established in 1999, the Outstanding Liberal Arts Alumni Award recognizes Liberal Arts alumni for success and influence as leaders. In addition to their significant career success, honorees must serve as outstanding role models for current Liberal Arts students.
Ernie Janssen ’65
Ernie Janssen graduated from Penn State in 1965 with a bachelor’s degree in history, focusing on Chinese history and Southeast Asia studies. After graduation, he served six years in the U.S. Navy as a supply officer.
He went on to work in the maritime fuel industry for more than thirty-five years, first as part owner of one firm and later as owner and partner of a second company. Ernie was director of KPI International, a global ship fuel brokerage with six international offices. Under his leadership, KPI became one of the industry’s recognized leaders.
Ernie has remained actively engaged with Penn State. He served eleven years on the College of the Liberal Arts Alumni Society Board, including a term as president, and has been involved in student recruiting and mentoring. He also served seven years on the university’s Global Advisory Council under the Office of the Provost.
He has been retired for sixteen years.
Past Award Winners
2024: Melissa Rowe ’89
2023: Debbie Montick ’80
2022: Matt Rhule ’97
2021: John Taylor ’87
2020: James Antoniono ’71 and Elizabeth King ’79
The Outstanding Liberal Arts Alumni in Business Award was established in 2009 to recognize Penn State Liberal Arts alumni for demonstrated success in the business community and influence as leaders.
Liz Bower
History ’97
Elizabeth J. “Liz” Bower is a litigation partner at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP and co-chair of the firm’s Accounting Litigation and Enforcement Group. She has served on numerous management committees, helping to shape firm culture through recruiting, training, and mentoring. Her clients include accounting firms, auditors, and companies in the insurance and financial sectors.
Through her pro bono work, Liz supports women, children, and LGBTQ+ individuals fleeing violence and persecution.
A 1997 Penn State graduate with a degree in history and minors in business/liberal arts and political science, Liz credits the university with laying the foundation for her legal career. She was active in student government and the Pre-Law Society. After graduation, she worked in a domestic violence shelter before earning a law degree from the University of North Carolina.
Liz lives in Bethesda, Maryland, with her husband, Chris Washington, and their daughters, Avery and Jolene. She also serves on the UNC Law Foundation Board and the Leadership Advisory Committee of the National Women’s Law Center.
Past Award Winners
2024: Doug Barbin ’97
2023: Vincent McDonald ’85
2022: Mark Matteson ’85
2021: Tom Merchant ’90
2020: Eric Zinczenko ’91
Established in 2025, the World Campus Alumni Award honors a Penn State World Campus graduate who has achieved notable professional success while exemplifying the value of lifelong learning. As a leader in their field and community, the recipient serves as an inspiring role model for current World Campus students.
Carmen Paredes
Economics; Public Affairs and Governability ’18
Carmen Paredes earned a bachelor’s degree in economics with a minor in political science, a specialization in governability and public innovation, and a master’s degree in public affairs and governability from Penn State World Campus in 2018.
She is the founder and CEO of Ruruka, a triple-impact business focused on the revalorization of residual mud, and of Marajapy, an award-winning artisanal chocolate venture.
Through Ruruka, Carmen has received international recognition, including the 2023 IDB-FEMSA Award, presented by the Inter-American Development Bank and FEMSA Foundation for innovative solutions in water, sanitation, and solid waste in Latin America and the Caribbean. She was also named a Top 100 entrepreneur in the 2024 Entrepreneurship World Cup and is a fellow of Young Water Solutions, a nonprofit in Peru that supports youth-led projects to improve access to water and sanitation.
Carmen serves on the board of the Association of Young Entrepreneurs Paraguay.
Past Award Winners
2025: Carmen Paredes ’18
University Honorees
Every year, the Penn State Alumni Association honors Penn State alumni as well as Penn State faculty and staff for making a significant impact on their disciplines, their communities, and more. Individual awards include the Distinguished Alumni Award, the Alumni Fellows Award, and the Honorary Alumni Award. The Alumni Association also recognizes volunteer organizations such as alumni chapters and interest groups. View the full list of the University’s alumni awards.
The Right Honorable Baroness Joanna Shields, OBE, ’84 Public Services
Baroness Joanna Shields
Baroness Joanna Shields, OBE, life peer of the United Kingdom House of Lords, is chief executive officer and director of BenevolentAI, which uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to understand the underlying causes of disease, accelerate drug discovery, and develop new medicines for hard-to-treat diseases. Additionally, she is the founder of WeProtect, a global alliance to protect children from online abuse and exploitation.
Before joining BenevolentAI, Joanna served as the UK’s first minister for internet safety and security, special adviser to the UK government on the digital economy, and chair and CEO of TechCityUK. Impressed by Joanna’s work with TechCityUK and WeProtect, among other accomplishments, then-British Prime Minister David Cameron appointed her as an officer of the Order of the British Empire for “services to the digital industry and voluntary service to young people” in October 2014. Prior to her British government service, Joanna held executive roles at Google, Facebook, and other high-tech companies. Her career spans more than thirty years and has focused on harnessing the power of technology to drive change that improves connectivity, humanity, and society.
A member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the Transatlantic Commission on Election Integrity, and the Child Dignity Alliance, Joanna was named one of the Top 50 Women in Tech Influencers to Follow in 2021 by The Awards Magazine. She received the British Interactive Media Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award in 2013, among other accolades, and in 2016 was named a Penn State Alumni Fellow.
Joanna lives in London and is married to Andy Stevenson, a British Formula One team manager. She has one son, Ben Shields.
Past Award Winners
Randy Houston ’91
Joshua Brady Branch ’13
Joshua Brady Branch is a policy specialist with the Crime and Justice Institute, a non-profit organization providing analysis to improve the adult and youth justice systems. Since 2021 Josh has contributed to justice reinvestment initiatives in Michigan, North Carolina, and New Mexico.
After graduating, Josh began his career as an award-winning teacher for Teach for America. Seeing students arrested at school inspired him to pursue a legal education at Georgetown Law where he received the Juvenile Justice Public Service and the Pro Bono Exceptional Service Awards. After law school Josh became a juvenile defense and foster care attorney where he contributed to a historic class action lawsuit against Glen Mills Schools (PA) for abusive practices and violations of civil rights leading to the facility’s closure and a state investigation.
In 2020, Josh moved to New Orleans serving as a program and campaign manager for the Justice and Accountability Center of Louisiana. There he helped lead an advocacy group in passing four of six expungement reform bills in his first year. He also created and oversaw a first of its kind virtual traffic program resulting in over $7,000 traffic related fines and fees being removed from citizens’ accounts. The program was replicated in several parishes because of its success. His writings on criminal justice have been published in Slate, the Root, and Medium among others.
While a student, Josh was a Penn State Lion Ambassador, university nominee for the Rhodes Scholarship, and Political Science Student of the year. He was recently a visiting teaching fellow at the College of the Liberal Arts teaching a course entitled “Juvenile Law and Policy.”
Melissa Pardi ’13
Melissa Pardi is an innovative philanthropic leader in the sports industry. As senior director of social responsibility at the NFL, she leverages the League’s platform to raise awareness, inspire engagement and make an impact throughout communities across the country. In this role, she oversees the League’s core community relations strategy, business integration and national partnerships. Melissa also leads her team in developing and executing community impact plans and events around the Super Bowl, Pro Bowl and NFL Draft each year. She plays an integral role in cross departmental projects focused on the continued growth of the NFL.
Outside of her position with the NFL, Melissa serves on the Associate Board of Covenant House New York, Advisory Panel for Beyond Sport, Pat Tillman Foundation Selection Committee and Athletes Fighting Cancer’s Board of Directors.
Melissa was born and raised in the Philadelphia area and earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and Public Relations from Penn State. In 2016, she earned an executive certificate in Sports Philanthropy from the George Washington University School of Business. She resides in New York City and is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration from the NYU Stern School of Business. Melissa was named to the 2020 Forbes 30 Under 30 List, was named to her High School’s Hall of Fame in 2021 and received the Outstanding Young Alumni Award from the College of the Liberal Arts in 2019.
Past Award Winners
Randy Houston ’91