Penn State Smeal Alumni Relations director receives Gold Staff Recognition Award

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State Smeal College of Business Director of Alumni Relations Jennifer Crispell was recently named the 2025 recipient of the Karen and Lewis Gold Staff Recognition Award.

The award, named for longtime volunteer and philanthropist Lewis Gold and his wife Karen, honors alumni relations staff within the University whose actions demonstrate devotion to the mission and objectives of the organization; whose performance is marked by professionalism and responsiveness; and who exhibits initiative, leadership and organizational skills. 

Crispell, a 2006 graduate of Penn State’s Bellisario College of Communications, has been with Smeal for 15 years, including 12 years in her current role.

Corey Phelps, John and Karen Arnold Dean of Smeal, said it came as no surprise that Crispell was recognized for her dedication to the Smeal community.

“Jen plays a pivotal role in strengthening alumni engagement through innovative and well-executed initiatives such as Smeal in Your City, Impact Smeal Day and the annual Alumni Homecoming Tailgate. She’s been instrumental in expanding Smeal’s mentoring opportunities to include professional graduate programs and Commonwealth Campuses. Her initiative, leadership and ability to cultivate enthusiasm among alumni and volunteers make her truly deserving of this recognition,” he said.

Marissa Presser, current president of the Smeal Alumni Society Board, has worked with Crispell for the better part of the last decade. She said that Crispell’s longevity in the position is an asset to the college.

“Jen has built personal relationships with hundreds of Smeal alumni over the years. By taking the time to learn about their strengths and interests, she easily identifies the right alumni to speak in classes, partner with student organizations, serve on advisory boards and participate in other campus programs.”

Presser said that Crispell played an integral role in doubling the number of Smeal Alumni Society Board members with racial diversity, achieving gender balance and expanding their geographic footprint, leading the group to receive the 2024 Ned Brokloff Award for Alumni Association Affiliate Group Innovation — an award that celebrates new and creative approaches to alumni engagement, fundraising, problem-solving and community-building at Penn State.

Her strong leadership and commitment to innovation were instrumental in her team’s recognition by the Association of Business School Alumni Professionals, which awarded their Most Innovative New Initiative award in 2024 to “Smeal In Your City.” This networking and social event has expanded to 15 cities in just its second year, drawing more than 675 registrants.

Ryan Jones, editor of the Penn Stater magazine and interim leader of the Penn State Alumni Association called Crispell “a very deserving recipient” of the award.

“As feedback both from alumni and from her colleagues across the University makes clear, Jen epitomizes the highest standard in alumni relations work, and exemplifies the commitment, dedication and desire to serve that inspired Karen and Lew to create this award.”

She was recognized at the PSAA council recognition and awards event at Old Main in late April and was acknowledged during the Division of Development and Alumni Relations’ annual awards in May.

Crispell said she was honored and humbled to receive the award.

“This award reflects the collective spirit we all share in alumni relations: a deep commitment to building relationships, fostering pride and connecting Penn Staters across the globe. To be recognized among so many dedicated and talented colleagues across the Penn State community is truly meaningful,” she said.

Lewis Gold graduated with a bachelor’s degree in arts and letters from the Penn State College of the Liberal Arts in 1959 and went on to earn his juris doctorate from Villanova University. He joined the Penn State Alumni Council in 1995 as the representative from the College of the Liberal Arts Alumni Society and went on to serve as president of PSAA from 2005 to 2007.

The Karen and Lewis Gold Staff Recognition Award is part of an endowment the couple created to ensure long-term recognition and appreciation for PSAA staff excellence.