UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Mary Fitzpatrick, manager of Human Resources compliance and records management at Penn State, and Erin Morton, Penn State Human Resources strategic partner supporting five Commonwealth Campuses, are the recipients of the 2026 Ray T. Fortunato Award for Excellence in Human Resources for their outstanding contributions to Penn State HR.
Established by the late Ray T. Fortunato, the flagship award acknowledges HR employees’ exceptional contributions and dedication to improving human resources at Penn State. This is the tenth year that Penn State HR has given the Fortunato Award. To mark the anniversary, two recipients were chosen.
Morton and Fitzpatrick were named recipients of the award by Jennifer Wilkes, vice president for Human Resources and chief human resources officer at Penn State, during a recent HR town hall event.
Nomination letters for Morton highlighted her work to build trust among staff and craft a welcoming workplace environment, including working to support Spanish-speaking colleagues and cross-culture understanding.
“Erin has a remarkable ability to bring calm, clarity, and optimism to difficult situations. Colleagues describe her as the steady presence people turn to when challenges feel overwhelming,” Wilkes said of Morton. “Whether helping a campus navigate workplace culture issues, supporting leaders through complex personnel decisions, or guiding employees through uncertainty during campus transitions, Erin approaches every interaction with empathy, emotional intelligence, and professionalism. Her work reflects the very essence of the ‘human’ in Human Resources.”
Morton serves as an HR strategic partner for five Commonwealth Campuses: New Kensington, Fayette, Greater Allegheny, Berks and Great Valley. Through that work, she manages a large and complex portfolio in the Commonwealth Campus system, Wilkes said.
“I'm honored to be recognized for work that I genuinely love. The most rewarding part of HR is supporting others' success, which makes this recognition especially meaningful to me,” Morton said.
Fitzpatrick’s nomination letters highlighted her approachable and knowledgeable insight on ongoing initiatives, as well as her thoughtful foresight and leadership skills.
“She is known for her positive attitude, her "can-do" spirit, and her unwavering commitment to helping others succeed. Whether leading a major University initiative, supporting a colleague through a difficult challenge, or taking the time to explain the "why" behind a process, Mary exemplifies the professionalism, compassion, and service that define excellence in human resources,” Wilkes said.
Fitzpatrick has provided leadership in expanding compliance initiatives, including large-scale auditing efforts and complex employment authorization reviews. She also provided valuable insight and guidance in initiatives such as implementing a new background check vendor.
“Being recognized by colleagues I respect and value makes this honor especially meaningful,” Fitzpatrick said. “I am grateful for this recognition and remain committed to supporting and contributing to the important work we do together in HR.”