As part of our regular “We Are!” feature, we recognize 20 Penn Staters who have gone above and beyond what’s asked of them in their work at the University.
This week, on behalf of the entire Penn State community, we’d like to say thank you to:
- Amy Bucha, executive assistant in the College of Arts and Architecture, whose nominator wrote: “Amy is the go-to person in our college for problem solving and meets every challenge with a "can-do" attitude. Amy often has the difficult task of doing multiple assignments simultaneously and makes it look easy. Amy, you are appreciated!”
- Jeff Barkdoll, athletic director at Penn State York, whose nominator wrote: “Under Jeff’s leadership and with the support of great coaches at Penn State York, the campus hoisted four conference championships in golf, women’s volleyball, and both men’s and women’s basketball, as well as a national championship in men’s basketball.”
- Dan Barlup, campus facilities manager at Penn State Harrisburg, whose nominator wrote: “Dan delivered an engaging presentation and led informative tours of the central plant and mechanical room during the PSFEI Central Plant Short Course. His willingness to share his expertise created a valuable learning experience for our participants.”
- Curtis Bechtel, category lead in Central Procurement, whose nominator wrote: “Curtis went above and beyond to help complete a time-sensitive purchase. He was responsive, thorough in answering my questions and ensured I had all the needed information. His support made the process smooth and efficient.”
- Dave Brown, director of undergraduate studies in the Department of Economics in the College of the Liberal Arts, whose nominator wrote: “Dave is a fantastic colleague who is always supportive of everybody. He is the person we can always rely on, as he is always looking for ways to make our daily work better! He is a very valuable member of our department! Thank you, Dave!”
- Jean Campbell, academic records coordinator in Fox Graduate School, whose nominator wrote: “Jeannie is a valued colleague and someone we can count on every single day. Her reliability, helpfulness and steady support have made a real difference to our work over the years. She brings a positive presence and genuine kindness to the workplace. We're grateful for all she does.”
- Patrick Dudas, associate teaching professor in the College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST), whose nominator wrote: “Patrick leads by example as an accessibility champion. During a recent meeting he pointed out to colleagues how to check PowerPoint accessibility, modeling how naturally and seamlessly accessibility can be part of our regular workflow. Thank you for your inclusive leadership, Patrick!”
- Diane Espy, director of marketing and communications in Auxiliary and Business Services, whose nominator wrote: “Diane consistently demonstrates strong leadership, providing clarity, direction and thoughtful support. She fosters a high-performing, collaborative environment, and her impact on the team is deeply valued.”
- Matt Eyer, web designer in the College of Medicine, who received multiple nominations. One nominator wrote: “No words could encapsule the 'We Are!' spirit of Matt. His guidance, patience and knowledge is invaluable. He never hesitates to go the extra mile, even when his day is overflowing with tasks and deadlines. Thank you, Matt!” Another nominator wrote: “Matt is a true behind-the-scenes hero. His work ensures successful online communication within our organization and beyond. Everyone benefits from his efforts, but few recognize the hours he dedicates to organizing and polishing our websites. Thanks for being a steady presence, Matt!”
- Jessica Henry, teaching professor in the College of Education, whose nominator wrote: “Dr. Henry just planned and launched the first Rehabilitation and Human Services Discovery Fair to help students learn more about this major and job opportunities, and to help them find their community. It is just one example of her many programs and ideas. She is thoughtful, caring, vibrant, creative and passionate, and always goes above and beyond.”
- Amanda Hepfer, administrative assistant to the head of the Department of Agricultural Economics, Sociology, and Education in the College of Agricultural Sciences, whose nominator wrote: “Amanda gathers information and prepares the promotion and tenure materials for the faculty in the department. She works closely with multiple faculty members to ensure dossiers are complete, and the faculty greatly appreciate her ability to keep them on track while maintaining her sense of humor.”
- Beth Johnson, non-purchase order, travel and expense payments manager in Central Procurement, whose nominator wrote: “Beth has gone above and beyond to help with any problem we have had with the roll out of the Finance OST. On several occasions she has reached out to resolve the problem instead of rejecting as a way of guiding and training initiators. Thank you, Beth!”
- Naomi Minarchick, inventory control and distribution specialist at Berkey Creamery, whose nominator wrote: “Among Naomi's many responsibilities, Naomi plays a key role in keeping the Creamery running efficiently by overseeing supply and by ordering and ensuring all necessary ingredients and materials are always available to produce a full lineup of great-tasting products. Thank you, Naomi, from all of us in the back!”
- Alex Nichols, academic program coordinator for the Department of Communication Arts and Sciences in the College of the Liberal Arts, whose nominator wrote: “Alex has gone above and beyond to make sure new recruits have an exceptional first experience at Penn State. She also brings her yoga and mindfulness expertise into the workplace, creating a positive, balanced environment that her colleagues genuinely appreciate.”
- Brittany Perri, IT trainer and data analysis in Central Procurement, whose nominator wrote: “Brittany is highly committed to helping others and is always available to answer questions and resolve issues. Her deep knowledge ensures accurate, thoughtful support, and her positive attitude creates a welcoming environment. She is a reliable and valuable resource.”
- Sarah Phillips, global safety analyst in Penn State Global, whose nominator wrote: “Sarah, who was operating the Penn State Global Safety duty phone, was the initial point of contact for many students, faculty and staff members traveling in or through the Middle East when war erupted. She acted immediately to put in motion the help those travelers needed at a critical time.”
- Marissa Rojas, multimedia specialist in the College of Arts and Architecture, whose nominator wrote: “Marissa is one of the hardest working and most dependable people I have encountered in my long Penn State career. She is an excellent designer who successfully juggles a very heavy workload, never being fazed by last-minute requests or changes in project parameters. She is indispensable to our team.”
- Natasha Stover, accounts payable supervisor in Central Procurement, whose nominator wrote: “Natasha is a true wealth of knowledge and always takes time to help her team, no matter how busy she is. Her guidance and dedication create a positive and supportive work environment, and everyone appreciates it!”
- Matthew Winslow, office manager for Health Promotion and Wellness in Student Affairs, whose nominator wrote: “Matt is the glue that holds our department together. In this time of transition, he makes sure that everything that needs to be done is done. His attention to detail and institutional knowledge is instrumental in making sure our department runs smoothly. Thank you, Matt!”
- Jennifer Workman, buyer in Central Procurement, whose nominator wrote: “Jennifer is always willing to help with any problem or direct me in who can help even if it is it not her area. Thank you, Jennifer!
Thank you to these individuals and everyone across the University who contributes to making Penn State such an incredible community!
Do you know someone who deserves a shout out? If you do, consider nominating that person by filling out a short online form.