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Commonwealth University-Clearfield holds 34th Founders' Day convocation awards celebration

CLEARFIELD, Pa. (10/12/2023) — On Thursday, Sept. 28, Commonwealth University-Clearfield held its 34th annual Founders' Day convocation awards celebration in the Clearfield Academic Building multipurpose room.

The event, hosted by the Clearfield Educational Foundation and CU-Clearfield, honored 22 students with awards and scholarships.

Student award recipients and their presenters were:

Jarrett Bezilla, of Morrisdale, Clearfield Campus Founders' Award - presented by David Bailey, Clearfield location founder
Keenan Conner-Park, of Rockton, Kurtz Bros. - presented by Dr. Amy Way, professor, Department of Health and Exercise Science
Olivia Cutler, of Clearfield, Penn Highlands Clearfield - presented by Brad Chapman, president of PH Clearfield and PH Elk and Woodward Pharmacy and City Drugs Educational Scholarship, presented by Dr. Darlene Ardary, associate professor and assistant chair, School of Nursing
Lauren Eckberg, of Houtzdale, Penn Highlands Clearfield - presented by Brad Chapman, president of PH Clearfield and PH Elk
Morgan Glace, of Lanse, The Belin Scholarship - presented by Carl Belin, founder and member, Clearfield Educational Foundation
Katelyn Hullihen, of New Millport, Penn Highlands Clearfield - presented by Brad Chapman, president of PH Clearfield and PH Elk
Kellie Ann Jackson, of Mineral Springs, Judith Peale-Strattan Memorial Scholarship - presented by Dr. Michael McSkimming, anthropology, criminal justice and social work
Lauren Keen, of DuBois, Penn Highlands Clearfield - presented by Brad Chapman, president of PH Clearfield and PH Elk
Emma Kitko, of Houtzdale, Lacy Magagnotti Memorial Scholarship - presented by Jane Frelin
Ashlyn Maris, of Muncy, Dora Lawhead Award - presented by Eleanor Bodle, president, Clearfield Hospital Nurses' Alumnae
Chelsea McGarvey, of Troutville, Clearfield Hospital Nurses' Alumnae Award - presented by Eleanor Bodle, president, and Marla Jury, Mr. and Mrs. Fredericks and Barbara Rougeux, contributors
Emma Morlock, of Morrisdale, Judith Peale-Strattan Memorial Scholarship - presented by Dr. Michael McSkimming, anthropology, criminal justice and social work
Agnes Ng, of DuBois, Penn Highlands Clearfield - presented by Brad Chapman, president of PH Clearfield and PH Elk
Candace Redis of Westport, Clearfield Hospital Nurses' Alumnae Award - presented by Eleanor Bodle, president, and Marla Jury, Mr. and Mrs. Fredericks and Barbara Rougeux, contributors
Jessie Rogers, of Bellefonte, Clearfield Hospital Nurses' Alumnae Award - presented by Eleanor Bodle, president, and Marla Jury, Mr. and Mrs. Fredericks and Barbara Rougeux, contributors
Philip Rowles, of Frenchville, Mid Penn Bank - presented by Dr. Amy Way, professor, Department of Health and Exercise Science
Kassidy Schmidt, of Morrisdale, Kurtz Bros. - presented by Dr. Amy Way, professor, Department of Health and Exercise Science
Hannah Stemler, of Jersey Shore, Clearfield Hospital Nurses' Alumnae Award - presented by Eleanor Bodle, president, and Marla Jury, Mr. and Mrs. Fredericks and Barbara Rougeux, contributors
Derek Strouse, of Sykesville, CNB Bank - presented by Michael Peduzzi, president and CEO, and Julie Riley Hale Memorial Scholarship - presented by Dr. Darlene Ardary, associate professor and assistant chair, School of Nursing
Jemimo Therasme, of Osceola Mills, CNB Bank - presented by Michael Peduzzi, president and CEO, and The Belin Scholarship - presented by Carl Belin, founder and member, Clearfield Educational Foundation
Jacey Williams, of Madera, Outstanding Criminal Justice Student and Judith Peale-Strattan Memorial Scholarship - both presented by Dr. Michael McSkimming, anthropology, criminal justice and social work
Elijah Williams, of Kylertown, Judith Peale-Strattan Memorial Scholarship -presented by Dr. Michael McSkimming, anthropology, criminal justice and social work

A welcome and opening remarks were given by Valerie Dixon, Clearfield director. "It is truly an honor to take one night to hold a celebration for these amazing students who give 100% of themselves every day," Dixon said about the ceremony. "Clearfield students are juggling many responsibilities, and it is not lost on me how hard they work to earn these scholarships."

Dr. Bashar Hanna, CU president, offered his congratulations to the award recipients during the event. "Your dedication and hard work have led you here and I commend you for your commitment to excellence," he said. "I encourage you to make the most of the award you are receiving by embracing opportunities for learning and growth during your time as a student at Clearfield."

State rep. Dallas Kephart served as Founders' Day speaker. "I had the pleasure of returning to Lock Haven University's Clearfield campus, now CU-Clearfield, where I started my undergraduate studies to serve as their speaker for convocation (Founder's Day) where students were presented scholarships," Kephart wrote in a social media post about the event. "I am proud to have the campus in my district, and I look forward to returning to campus again in the future."

Media Attachments

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Shown are Founders’ Day award recipients, presenters, administration and speakers.

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From left, are Valerie Dixon, Clearfield director; State Rep. Dallas Kephart, Founders’ Day speaker; Dr. Bashar Hanna, Commonwealth University president; Heather Feldhaus, associate provost and dean of Graduate Education for Commonwealth University; and Dan Knorr, executive director of economic development and external affairs for Commonwealth University.