UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State's College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (EMS) recognized exceptional students and faculty for their academic excellence, service and leadership during its annual Wilson Awards Celebration, held on March 30. The Wilson Awards are named in honor of Matthew and Anne Wilson, major benefactors of the college.
“We are extremely proud of the accomplishments of our faculty and students,” said Lee Kump, the John Leone Dean in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. “We have a tremendously talented faculty and students who do remarkable things, and this is a chance to honor them.”
This year’s recipients are listed below.
Paul F. Robertson Award for EMS Breakthrough of the Year
This award was created in 2012 with support from a generous gift by EMS alumnus Paul F. Robertson. This award is given to recognize achievements for a singular breakthrough in research or in the scholarship of teaching. This year’s recipient is:
- Jon-Paul Maria, professor of materials science and engineering
Wilson Award for Excellence in Research
The Wilson Award for Excellence in Research is the college’s highest research honor. This award is given in recognition of scholarly or creative excellence represented by a single contribution or a series of contributions around a coherent theme. The contribution may be original basic research or may represent the application of knowledge in the creation of a process or device useful to society. Recipient is:
- Allison Beese, professor of materials science and engineering and mechanical engineering
Wilson Award for Excellence in Teaching
This award is given in recognition of outstanding teaching, represented by performance in a single course of instruction or a series of contributions around a coherent theme. The contribution may represent the application of knowledge in a traditional classroom setting, field course or online education. Recipient is:
- Mark Patzkowsky, professor of geosciences
Wilson Award for Outstanding Service
Created in 1999, the Wilson Service Award recognizes exceptional service contributions to the college, the University and the community. Recipient is:
- Sarma Pisupati, professor of energy and mineral engineering
Faculty Advising Award
Created in 2013, the Faculty Advising Award is given in recognition of outstanding advising undertaken by faculty members to enhance the student’s experience at Penn State. Recipient is:
- Charles Ammon, professor of geosciences
Faculty Mentoring Award
The Faculty Mentoring Award honors a faculty member who invests in the success of others, whether it is a new faculty member, a student or a staff member. This award recognizes the generous contribution of time and energy it takes to mentor in teaching, research and service. Recipient is:
- Barbara Arnold, professor of practice in mining engineering
G. Montgomery and Marion Hall Mitchell Award for Innovative Teaching
This award was created in 1998 to recognize faculty members in the college who use innovative teaching techniques in their courses. Recipients are:
- Nelson Dzade, assistant professor of energy and mineral engineering
- Darren Pagan, assistant professor of materials science and engineering
E. Willard and Ruby S. Miller Faculty Fellowship
The E. Willard and Ruby S. Miller Faculty Fellowship was created to support faculty of exceptional creativity who propose highly innovative approaches to major contemporary challenges in the earth, energy and material sciences. Recipient is:
- Stephanie Law, assistant professor of materials science and engineering, for her proposal “Hyper-lenses for Infrared Super-resolution Imaging”
George H. Deike, Jr. Research Grant
The George H. Deike, Jr. Research Grant is awarded in support of an innovative research project. Recipients are:
- Thandazile Moyo, assistant professor of energy and mineral engineering, was selected for her project: “Overcoming Challenges in Processing Refractory Lean Ores: Integrating Cyclic Stress with Cavitation Effects in Process Design”
- Yunji Zhang, assistant professor of meteorology and atmospheric science, was selected for his project: “Understanding Forecast Errors in Rapidly Weakening Tropical Cyclones using Satellite Observations and Data Assimilation”
Wilson Research Initiation Grant
The Wilson Research Initiation Grant was established to provide an extra spark to the research career of a junior faculty member. Recipients are:
- Carlos Lopez, assistant professor of materials science and engineering, was selected for his project: “Binding of Superchaotropic and Hydrophobic Ions to Cellulose Ethers”
- Olumide Ogunmodimu, assistant professor of energy and mineral engineering, was selected for his project: “Repurposing Coal Refuse Underlay: Mechanical Activation for Lithium Extraction and Silica Amorphization as a Sustainable Cement Additive”
Gladys Snyder Junior Faculty Grants
The Gladys Snyder Junior Faculty Grants are awarded for proposals for the development of new courses or the improvement of current offerings; for travel to professional meetings; to broaden the studies of junior faculty members; or to recognize significant contributions in research efforts. Recipients are:
- Jingchun Chen, assistant teaching professor in the Ryan Family Student Center, for her proposal, “Math Learning Saturday Program”
- Mark Ortiz, assistant professor of geography, was selected for his proposal, “Who Are We Sustaining For: Leveraging Student-Centered Research to Enhance Sustainability Education and Outreach in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences”
Postdoctoral Excellence in Research Award
Postdoctoral Excellence in Research is given in recognition of excellence in research represented by a single contribution or a series of contributions around a coherent theme. This award is designed to celebrate postdoctoral scholar’s outstanding achievements in research that has or will impact their field of study. Recipients are:
- Jena Jenkins, postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science
- Pengliang Yu, postdoctoral scholar in the Department of Energy and Mineral Engineering
George H.K. Schenck Teaching Assistant Award
This award was created to honor and recognize an exemplary graduate student teaching assistant in the college. Recipient is:
- Luke LeBel, graduate teaching assistant in the Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science
- Aiden Ross, graduate teaching assistant in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Awards
The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Awards were created to honor undergraduate students, graduate students, staff, and faculty who have demonstrated exemplary leadership that manifests the ideals of diversity, equity and inclusion into practical action. Recipients are:
- Catherine Lyons Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Undergraduate Student Award: Bernardo Elizondo, undergraduate student in energy
- Catherine Lyons Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Graduate Student Award: Cierra Chandler, graduate student in materials science and engineering
- Charles Hosler Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Faculty Award: Bronwen Powell, associate professor of geography and African studies
Jay M. and Katherine DeFinis Award for Outstanding Student Leadership
Established in 2005 to honor outstanding student leadership abilities within the student organizations of the college. Recipients are:
- Danielle Dedeaux, undergraduate student in geography
- Jessica Sly, graduate student in materials science and engineering
Ellen Steidle Achievement Award
Established in 1953 by Dean Edward Steidle to honor the memory of his wife, this award recognizes junior and senior EMS students for their service to the college. Recipients are:
- Senior Award: Danielle Dedeaux, undergraduate student in geography
- Junior Awards: Julia Angerman, undergraduate student in meteorology and atmospheric science, and Irena Potochny, undergraduate student in materials science and engineering
Dean Edward Steidle Memorial Scholar Award
Established in 1981 to honor Edward Steidle, dean of the college from 1929 to 1953, this award is given to a graduating senior who is a truly outstanding scholar in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences and who plans to go to graduate school. Recipient is:
- Parker Przybylski, undergraduate student in geobiology, with minors in astrobiology and entomology
GEMS Diamond Award
Established in 2006, the Graduates of Earth and Mineral Sciences (GEMS) Diamond Award grants a lifetime membership in the Penn State Alumni Association to a graduating student who is found to have the most well-rounded involvement and achievement in both the University and community environment during their student experience while in the college. Recipient is:
- Danielle Dedeaux, undergraduate student in geography
College Marshal
The college marshal designation is given to the most accomplished graduate overall. College marshal is:
- Parker Przybylski, undergraduate student in geosciences engineering, with minors in astrobiology and entomology
Engineering Honor Marshal
The award is for the top-ranking graduate in an engineering discipline. The engineering honor marshal is:
- Shahad A. Alsadoon, undergraduate student in petroleum and natural gas engineering
Earth and Mineral Sciences Academy for Global Experience
Established in 2009, the Earth and Mineral Sciences Academy for Global Experience (EMSAGE) program helps students develop as communicators and collaborators and prepares them to be effective leaders in their disciplines and responsible global citizens. Students may aspire to EMSAGE Laureate status by achieving notable success in scholarship, service, global literacy and experiential learning.
Fall 2024 EMSAGE Laureates
- Al-Nabil Al Raisi, Energy Engineering
- Camilla Baumer, Geography
- Maya Berry, Energy and Sustainability Policy
- Ayden Caulder, Materials Science and Engineering
- Justin Hassel, Meteorology and Atmospheric Science
- Jacqueline Kiszka, Meteorology and Atmospheric Science
- Bridie Lawall, Geography
- Tanner Marchant, Energy Engineering
- Arlo Nemerson, Geography
- Brenda Paull, Meteorology and Atmospheric Science
- Parker Przybylski, Geobiology
- Bridget Reheard, Geosciences
- Nicholas Richardson, Materials Science and Engineering
- Hannah Ruisi, Meteorology and Atmospheric Science
- Kaitlyn Toth, Earth Science and Policy
- Nate Vincent, Geography
Spring 2025 EMSAGE Laureates
- Carlin Blash, Earth Sciences
- Julianne Chen, Materials Science and Engineering
- Katherine Seidel, Energy Systems Engineering
- Amelia Wyckoff, Geography
Matthew Wilson graduated from Penn State in 1918 with a bachelor’s degree in mining engineering, and the Wilson endowment provides the college with support for its well-known student loan program and a number of faculty and student awards and scholarships.
To view photos from the event, visit the college’s Flickr webpage.