UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State's Rock Ethics Institute has announced the winners of the 2026 Stand Up Awards for Undergraduate Ethical Leadership:
- Kaelonnah Darlich, who is majoring in biology in the Eberly College of Science, intending to graduate in 2027;
- Christina Ellis, who is majoring in Spanish in the College of the Liberal Arts and integrative science in the Eberly College of Science. She will be graduating in May.
- Maximilian Settembre, who intends to graduate in May 2028 majoring in broadcast journalism in the Bellisario College of Communications and classics and Mediterranean studies, and philosophy, in the College of the Liberal Arts.
“Each of this year’s recipients has identified a need, whether in access, representation or community, and taken meaningful steps to address it,” said Désirée Lim, associate director of the Rock Ethics Institute. “Their efforts show how ethical leadership can emerge in different forms, grounded in a clear sense of responsibility to others.”
Established in 2008, the Stand Up Awards recognize undergraduate students at Penn State who have demonstrated ethical leadership by standing up for a cause, idea or belief. Through honoring the students' courageous examples, the awards aim to inspire others to become ethical leaders. The awards are supported through a gift from Charles, Joan and Emily Rolling.
The three winners will each receive a $1,000 scholarship and be honored during the Stand Up Awards ceremony at the Nittany Lion Inn beginning at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15. The ceremony will be streamed live on Zoom, as well. Anyone interested in watching the celebration is invited to pre-register for the broadcast.
Kaelonnah Darlich
Darlich has emerged as one of the leading champions for first-generation students on campus. A Millennium Scholar and major in biology who is the first in her family to attend college, Darlich serves as president of the University Park chapter of Tri-Alpha, the national honor society that recognizes the achievements of first-generation college students. In this role, she has worked to increase resources for first-generation students and bring attention to the barriers that can undermine their success. She also has demonstrated a passion for breaking down barriers faced by women in science. Darlich recently won the "I AM STEM" student speaking competition in the Eberly College of Science and gave a keynote presentation at ENVISION: STEM Career Day Supporting Young Women.
Chelsey Walls, assistant director of the Penn State Chaiken Center for Student Success who nominated Darlich for the Stand Up Award, praised her as “an exemplar of ethical leadership.”
“Her actions,” Walls continued, “are guided by clearly articulated values: inclusion, environmental stewardship, and generational impact. Kaelonnah consistently uses her platform for the greater good.”
Christina Ellis
As she prepares to graduate, Ellis has had a rich college experience that has included publishing a book, studying abroad, learning Spanish, acting, lab work and much more. The common thread running throughout has been a commitment to equity and justice. Before starting at Penn State, she organized peaceful protests to stop a proposed book ban at her high school. Drawing on this experience, she collaborated with several co-authors to publish in 2025 “Ban This: How One School Fought Two Book Bans and Won (and How You Can Too),” in which she outlines strategies for how students can push back against threats to free speech. She served as the diversity and outreach chair for No Refund Theatre at Penn State, working to increase representation and access to the theater for underrepresented groups. After graduation, she will pursue a career in medicine, where she said she plans to use her language skills to better serve Spanish-speaking patients.
Samia Cooperider, the director of Undergraduate Equity Programs in the Eberly College of Science, nominated Ellis for the Stand Up Award.
“Christina,” said Cooperider, “consistently chooses courage over comfort and integrity over silence. She understands that ethical leadership is not about titles, but about responsibility using one’s voice to elevate others and to defend principles rooted in equity and justice.”
Maximilian Settembre
Settembre helped to revitalize the Philosophy Club at Penn State soon after arriving on campus. During his first semester, Settembre got to work organizing meetings for the club and a philosophy symposium for undergraduate students, creating vibrant and welcoming spaces for discussing ethics and how to live. In his second semester, he organized a group trip for the club to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and talks by professors to the club. Settembre said he recognized the value of human connection — and doing the work to build networks that foster it. His passion for reviving the Philosophy Club reflected an important insight: More than just a solo project, moral growth comes through community with others.
Christopher Moore, a professor of philosophy and classics, witnessed Settembre’s efforts first-hand and nominated him for the Stand Up Award.
“Max shows a keen sensitivity to the details of ethical life and leadership,” noted Moore, “and the remarkable value that he places in building community among his fellow students and making the discipline of philosophy more inclusive.”
About the Rock Ethics Institute
The Rock Ethics Institute, which sponsors the Stand Up Awards for Undergraduate Ethical Leadership, was established in 2001 through a $5 million gift from Doug and Julie Rock. The institute promotes engaged ethics research and ethical leadership from its home in Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts.