LEMONT FURNACE, Pa. — The Advisory Board of Penn State Fayette has named Rachel D. Duda and W. Charles Patrick, respectively, as the 2025 recipients of the Outstanding Alumna and Outstanding Fellow awards, presented at the board’s annual meeting in honor of their professional achievements.
Representing a diverse range of backgrounds and expertise, the advisory board provides guidance and support to the campus administration. Each year, its members come together to honor and celebrate the professional achievements of former students of the University whose subsequent professional achievements warrant special recognition by their alma mater.
“Tonight, we pause to recognize and celebrate the many successes and the people whose dedication made that possible,” said Nagel. “Over the past year, Penn State Fayette has continued to shine as a place of excellence and opportunity. Our students have earned scholarships, completed impactful internships, and excelled in both academics and athletics. Faculty have been recognized for their teaching, research and service, while forging new connections between the classroom and the regional workforce. We have welcomed the community to the campus for events, performances and athletic competitions, reinforcing our role as a hub of activity.”
Nagel went on to acknowledge the campus’ upcoming 60th anniversary. "That’s six decades of learning, growing, and making a difference right here in this community," Nagel said. "I know this anniversary comes at a complicated time, but milestones like this are worth pausing for. There is a saying that goes, ‘a society grows great when people plant trees whose shade they will never sit in.’ Over the years, you all have been the planters of those trees here at Penn State Fayette. Through your generosity, scholarships, endowments, and countless hours of support, you have changed the lives of thousands of students. Here is the beautiful part of education: those students are now out in the world. They’re building careers, families, and futures while tracing their roots back to what was planted here. Yes, the campus will be deeply missed, but the legacy of what has been created will live on.”
Rachel D. Duda: Outstanding Alumna
Duda, a valedictorian of Tri-Valley High School, began her studies at Penn State Fayette before completing a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering with honors and a master’s degree in engineering at University Park. She joined PennDOT in 1998 and advanced through multiple leadership roles before being named District 12 executive in 2023. In that role, she oversees a $300 million budget, nearly 800 employees and thousands of transportation assets across four counties.
The fourth woman ever to serve as a PennDOT district executive, and the only one currently in that position, Duda has also taught engineering at Penn State Fayette and volunteered widely to promote STEAM education and mentorship. She lives in Luzerne Township with her husband, Mark, and their children, Tyler and Jessie.
Former professor Dave Meredith praised Duda’s leadership and commitment to education.
“Rachel … I am proud to have had you as a student and as a colleague when you taught here,” he said. “Women need to be recruited into engineering. For thirty years after your class, I tried to recruit them. I hosted a summer space camp … About four o’clock the day of the event, I got a call that our speaker could not come. I made one phone call and explained to Rachel what my problem was. She saved that evening because she said yes.”
In accepting the award, Duda credited Penn State Fayette with making her career possible.
“Being able to attend an esteemed university in our area made it much more financially able to pursue my engineering degree,” she said. “I graduated debt free, and that put me in a much better place than many of the people that I graduated with. The Fayette Campus invested in and believed in me. It gave me the education and personal knowledge that I needed to excel. I don’t know what I would have done if it wasn’t in my backyard. It was the beginning of a changed life for me, and I know that I’m not the only one that feels this way.”
W. Charles Patrick: Outstanding Fellow
Patrick retired in June 2024 as chancellor and chief academic officer at Penn State Fayette, where he oversaw campus operations, more than 100 faculty and staff, and a 100-acre complex. He previously served as chief academic officer at Penn State Scranton and was a longtime faculty member and administrator at Morehead State University. He has been recognized as professor emeritus at both institutions and as chancellor emeritus by Penn State.
A licensed professional engineer, Patrick authored a project management textbook, published more than 30 refereed articles, delivered more than 60 conference presentations, and directed multiple NSF grants. He and his wife, Martha, live in Uniontown and have three grown children and two grandchildren.
Advisory Board member Lori Omatick commended Patrick’s dedication. “I was fortunate enough to see firsthand the true passion that Charles has for student success,” she said. “I truly believe that Charles was the right person at the right time for Penn State Fayette, and we were fortunate that he chose to serve. He could have retired sooner, but he stayed for 10 years, the second-longest tenure [as chancellor; at the time campus executive] after Hugh Barclay.”
Patrick also helped to establish traditions still celebrated today, including the Concert on the Lawn and the Fayette Student Aid benefit fundraiser.
“I’m so grateful to Charles because I could not have asked for a better partner to lead the philanthropic effort to support our students,” Omatick said. “The Outstanding Fellow Award was established to honor a community leader whose support of the campus has been so exemplary as to warrant special recognition. And I can think of no one more deserving of this honor than Dr. Charles Patrick. Congratulations, my friend.”
Patrick responded with humor and humility. “When I first heard about receiving the Outstanding Fellow Award, I thought finally someone would recognize my ability to attend meetings and nod thoughtfully,” he joked. “In all seriousness, this award is special. It’s a great honor to join this group of individuals recognized for providing outstanding service to Penn State Fayette, and it’s very humbling knowing these people personally and knowing what they’ve done for the campus.”
Patrick said his focus as chancellor was always student-centered.
“In my first meeting with faculty and staff, when asked about my priorities, I had little hesitation: everything had to revolve around creating a welcoming environment where faculty and staff cared deeply about students and their success,” he said. “I will cherish the recognition and I promise to continue being an outstanding, even if that just means showing up with coffee and good conversation. Thank you.”