LEMONT FURNACE, Pa. — Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus, and the United Bank of Uniontown honored more than 200 local high school students at their 15th annual 4.0 Club ceremony. Students represented 15 Southwestern Pennsylvania high schools, including Albert Gallatin, Belle Vernon, Bethlehem Center, Brownsville Area, California Area, Charleroi Area, Connellsville Area, Frazier, Geibel Catholic Junior-Senior, Jefferson-Morgan Junior-Senior, Laurel Highlands, Southmoreland, Monessen, Uniontown Area and Waynesburg Central.
Established in 2011, the ceremony honors high school students who have completed their freshman through senior years with a cumulative 4.0 GPA. Speakers included Megan Nagel, regional chancellor; Daniel Pinchot, senior director of enrollment management; student speaker Marissa White, nursing Class of 2029; faculty speaker Melissa Miner, director of undergraduate nursing education; and award presenters Mike Romeo, interim associate director of enrollment management, and Sherry Scully, admissions and student aid administrative support assistant.
“Being honored as part of the 4.0 Club means you have shown exceptional dedication, focus and hard work,” White said. As a third-year nursing major and former 4.0 Club member, she said, she knows exactly what it takes to reach that level of success: dedication, resilience and focus. During her time at Penn State Fayette, she has taken on leadership roles as Co-President of the Student Nurses’ Association of Pennsylvania, THON Special Events Captain, Student Government Senator and Anatomy and Physiology tutor, all while working as a nursing assistant at Uniontown Hospital.
“If you remember one word from this evening, let it be ‘can.’ Because you can," White said. "You already are. And your story is just getting started.”
Minor added encouragement to White's remarks.
“Congratulations on achieving something truly remarkable — a perfect 4.0 Grade Point Average (GPA). That number represents more than just academic excellence. It’s a symbol of discipline, focus, and above all, perseverance,” Miner said. “You’ve already proven you can commit to excellence. Now, imagine applying that same level of effort to your goals beyond high school. Whether you're pursuing healthcare, business, the arts, technology, or service to others, your ability to stay the course will be your greatest asset. Intelligence can open the door, but perseverance will keep it open — and help you climb even higher."
This year's event marked the final 4.0 Club ceremony to be held at Penn State Fayette, following the Penn State Board of Trustees’ decision to close the campus along with several others across the state. Over its 15 years, the program has recognized thousands of students across Southwestern Pennsylvania for their academic excellence.