DALLAS, Pa. — Courtney Dierolf, a third-year student majoring in criminal justice at Penn State Wilkes-Barre, has been named the 2025 recipient of Arts at Hayfield’s Irene Thomas Memorial Award, the nonprofit campus and community arts organization has announced.
Arts at Hayfield presents awards to a qualifying student or group of students annually. Students must be academically and artistically accomplished and submit a detailed application outlining their interest in the arts and their experiences and opinions about being a scholar. They also are asked to share how they see themselves positively impacting their community in the future through the arts and other personal contributions.
On campus, Dierolf has been named to the Dean’s List, competed on the women’s volleyball team, and has been a member of the Music Society and Students for Justice clubs. Dierolf also received an award for her dramatic performance during a murder mystery dinner event that the Students for Justice club held in the campus’ Hayfield House this spring.
Dierolf is an accomplished violinist who was a member of her school orchestra from fifth grade through high school, where she became concertmaster in her junior and senior years. She performs on campus and partners with her sister under their business name of String Theory. Several times a year, the pair performs duets at events such as weddings and company parties.
Dierolf received the $1,000 award during Arts at Hayfield’s annual brunch at Appletree Terrace in Dallas.
Since its founding in 1984, Arts at Hayfield members have pursued a mission of promoting the arts for community members to experience and enjoy. They provide opportunities for local performers, musicians, crafters, artists and artisans, and continue to form networks of individuals interested in promoting the arts.
Arts at Hayfield regularly donates to public media resources and arts organizations such as WVIA, F.M. Kirby Center, NEPA Chamber Music Society, Back Mountain Memorial Library and the Penn State Wilkes-Barre Friedman Art Gallery, in addition to awarding annual scholarships to local Penn State Wilkes-Barre students who express interest in the arts.