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

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."