WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. – Pennsylvania College of Technology has presented student achievement awards to its Summer 2025 graduates.
Commencement ceremonies were held Aug. 9 at the Journey Bank Community Arts Center, Williamsport. Penn College is a special mission affiliate of Penn State.
The award winners, their hometowns and academic majors are:
President’s Award, presented for leadership and service to the college: Kianna Antonia Rizzo, Elysburg, radiography.
Academic Vice President and Provost’s Award, presented for scholastic achievement and service: Emily Nichole Dalawy, McClure, physical therapist assistant.
Lewis H. Bardo Memorial Award, presented to a graduate who exemplifies the ideals of Lewis H. Bardo (devotion to duty, helpfulness to others, friendliness and high ideals): Aldwin Eligan Gacote, Union City, California, physician assistant.
UPMC Program Award for Radiography, presented to a graduate of radiography who has exhibited strong leadership and teamwork skills; has demonstrated excellence, professionalism and commitment to the health care profession; and has demonstrated academic excellence: Matthew Harbach, Jersey Shore, radiography.
Radiography Major Faculty and Staff Award, presented to a graduate who exemplifies outstanding academic and clinical peformance: Matthew Harbach, Jersey Shore, radiography.
Susquehanna Imaging Associates Award, presented to the graduate of radiography who most exemplifies the ideals of selflessness; unusual devotion to duty; sensitivity to the patient's comfort and needs; and service to colleagues, patients and the hospital beyond the ordinary: Sarah Beth Misquitta, Jersey Shore, radiography.
Mount Nittany Medical Center Excellence In Customer Service Award, presented to a graduate of radiography who has consistently demonstrated exceptional customer service and commitment to excellence during their clinical rotation at Mount Nittany Medical Center: Rowan L. Hopwood, Montoursville, radiography.
WellSpan Evangelical Community Hospital in Memoriam of Bethany Hughes, Clinical Excellence Award for Radiologic Technology Student Achievement, presented to a graduate of radiography who demonstrates a demeanor of compassion, caring, thoughtfulness and clinical expertise. The recipient also demonstrates unquestionable ethics, customer courtesy, dependability and loyalty to the profession: Kianna Antonia Rizzo, Elysburg, radiography.
Radiography Director's Award for Leadership and Professionalism, presented to a graduate who has exhibited strong leadership and professional growth; has demonstrated high ethical qualities and emotional intelligence; and is empowering, respectful and prideful in their work and education: Payta Minard Bentley, Sayre, radiography.
JRCERT Certificate of Excellence Award, presented to a graduate who has maintained a GPA of 3.7 or higher and has demonstrated academic and clinical excellence, reliability, dependability and professionalism: Heather L. Smith, Jersey Shore, radiography.
UPMC Program Award for Paramedic, presented to a graduate of the emergency medical services or paramedic technician program who has exhibited strong leadership and teamwork skills; has demonstrated excellence, professionalism and commitment to the health care profession; and has demonstrated academic excellence: Steven Mattchrissam Carpenter, Sunbury, paramedic.
Paramedic Humanitarian Award, presented to the graduate who has best demonstrated the traits and behaviors of a “humanitarian,” as determined by a vote of staff, faculty and preceptors: Colten Hajicek, Williamsport, paramedic.
Paramedic Director’s Award, presented to the graduate who has the highest GPA and demonstrates superior performance in all phases of the paramedic curriculum: classroom, clinical and field: Steven Mattchrissam Carpenter, Sunbury, paramedic.
Dennis R. Dougherty Memorial Paramedic Award, presented to the graduate of the paramedic program who has achieved the highest cumulative field performance grade average during the course of their education: Steven Mattchrissam Carpenter, Sunbury, paramedic.
UPMC Program Award for Physician Assistant, presented to a graduate of the physician assistant program who has exhibited strong leadership and teamwork skills; has demonstrated excellence, professionalism and commitment to the health care profession; and has demonstrated academic excellence: Margaret Nicole Barrett, Danville, physician assistant studies.
Physician Assistant Achievement Award, presented to a graduate who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement: Abigail Grace Martin, Howard, physician assistant studies.
Russell M. Trapp Professionalism Award, presented to a graduate who exemplifies ideals consistent with the physician assistant profession as exhibited by exceptional commitment, comportment and attitude: Whendy Marshall-Magallon, York, physician assistant studies.
Surgical Technology Outstanding Academic Achievement Award, presented to a graduate who demonstrates outstanding academic achievement: Mackenzie Lyter, Mifflintown, surgical technology.
Surgical Technology Outstanding Program Achievement Award, presented to a graduate who demonstrates exemplary characteristics of a surgical technologist, outstanding clinical performance, professional behaviors and academic achievements: Tessa Pavlova, Milroy, surgical technology.
Surgical Clinical Performance Award, presented to a graduate who has demonstrated outstanding clinical performance and professionalism in surgical technology: Elaina M. Shaffer, Jersey Shore, surgical technology.
Physical Therapist Assistant Founding Program Director’s Award, presented to a graduate who has exhibited strong leadership and teamwork skills; has demonstrated excellence, professionalism and commitment to the physical therapy profession; and has demonstrated academic excellence as evidenced by their overall GPA: Ashley Nicole Rich, Jersey Shore, physical therapist assistant.
UPMC Program Award for Physical Therapist Assistant, presented to a graduate who has exhibited strong leadership and teamwork skills; has demonstrated excellence, professionalism and commitment to the health care profession; and has demonstrated academic excellence: Breanna Winters, Elizabethtown, physical therapist assistant.
Restoration Faculty Award, presented to an outstanding graduate who has attained the highest cumulative average in automotive restoration technology: Luke M. Stitt, New Cumberland, automotive restoration.
For information about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, visit www.pct.edu, email admissions@pct.edu or call toll-free 800-367-9222.