Alison Mary Franklin, Toxicology

Alison Mary Franklin - a daughter, wife, mother of two girls age 5 and 3 , role model, activist and student majoring in Toxicology is a success and an asset to our community. Alison has battled with bulimia and anorexia for nearly 12 years and has become a stronger, more resilient and a more confident person. She rebuilt her life, returned to Penn State, engages in a church and community activities and is resolved to keep moving forward. Alison volunteers at PAWS animal shelter, a local Free cycle Group, and serves as a member of the local American Heart Association. Alison also participates in a program designed to enhance the leadership of high school students in addition to volunteering at AAUW supporting a science program for middle school girls as well as the Annual AAUW Book Sale held at the Ag Arena. On campus, Alison has also served as a note taker for the Office of Disability Services. Alison is frequently on the Dean's list and now in the top 1% of all students in the College of Ag Science and a member of Gamma Sigma Delta Ag Honor Society and Alpha Sigma Lambda, our Adult Learner Honor Society. Alison crafted an innovative approach to her own education and her hybrid curriculum now serves as the template for future students who seek this sort of cross-training. Alison hopes to continue on to grad school to study the fate and transport of contaminants in soil and water systems and exhibits a calling to make a lasting difference in the world through a career in environmental toxicology.

Kristen Ramsey, Kinesiology

Kristen Ramsey is a person with drive, passion and superior time management skills. She is a wife, mother of five children all under the age of 12, who works evenings and weekends as a gymnastics coach, an elementary school volunteer and caregiver to a terminally ill parent. Kristen began her studies over 15 years ago commutes four hours daily from Mechanicsburg to University Park to attend classes. In addition to her educational pursuits, Kristen has accomplished a great deal, coaches cheerleading, completed a co-op for teambuilding, and holds certification for First Aid and CPR as well as massage therapy. Homework is sandwiched between loads of laundry, doing dishes and putting kids to bed. Not only does she maintain a full load of classes, she excels with distinction as evidenced by her appearance on the Dean's list for the past three semesters. Kristen is keenly aware that no one does it alone and appreciates the amazing sacrifices of those around her enabling her success. Her personal mantra is "it will be worth it in the end."

Eric Gayle, Chemical Engineering

Eric Gayle is a Chemical Engineering major, husband and father of 3 who has demonstrated superior courage serving in the United States Navy and perseverance through personal struggles in order to live out his educational dream. He labored for an excavating business until he was laid off, completed coursework at York and Harrisburg campuses before moving his family to University Park in order to complete his degree program. Eric has been a valuable asset to his peers by assisting them with the rigors faced by aspiring Chemical Engineers and volunteers monthly as a mentor for a "Kid Writing Program" at his daughter's school. His nominators say "Eric embodies the character, excellence, ownership, tenacity and entrepreneurship framed in the stories of Theodore Roosevelt, Florence Nightingale and Martin Luther King Jr." Eric serves as a motivator, inspirer and technical helper to several of his classmates and is well respected by his peers and his professors.

Centrice Martin, AgriBusiness

Centrice Martin is a full-time Agri Business Management student. She is a single-mother of a 6 year old and a resource to her peers. She has served as a student presenter for the First Year, Testing, Counseling and Advising Program (FTCAP) at University Park, takes great pride in assisting with Penn State's "Spend a Summer Day" program and works part-time on campus. In the local community, she makes time to coach cheerleading for Bellefonte Elementary School and T-ball at the YMCA. She also serves as publicity chair for the National Agri-Marketing Association Club. Her nominators have said, "she has developed innovative ways to stay focused on her priorities- family, work and school...her time management skills are exceptional and her resilience to persevere has made her a stronger, smarter woman."

Yumi Lee, Human Development and Family Studies

Yumi Lee is a Human Development and Family Studies major and has been on the Dean's list for several semesters. She is a two-time recipient of the Academic Achievement Scholarship Award and a member of the Kappa Omicron Nu Honor Society. In addition to maintaining academic excellence, Yumi is a single-mother of 5 energetic children, works part-time at the Bennett Center. She is an advocate for supportive services for women and children, she speaks three languages and is a volunteer translator for Global Connections. Her supporters say that in every area of her multi-faceted life she has excelled and overcome...she is an inspiration and role model to all of us young and old.

Karen Querns, Communication Arts and Sciences

Karen Querns is a senior majoring in Communication Arts and Sciences. She has been recognized for exemplary achievement and spirited mentorship serving as a language model for other students. Karen is a full-time student, wife and mother of three. In her spare time, she volunteers through the Delta Program to teach sign language to deaf and hearing impaired students in the State College Area School District. Karen has been recognized by the Eli Lily Foundation's Focus on Your Possibilities Scholarship program. She is also a member of Golden Key International Honor Society, Phi Kappa Phi and Lambda Pi Eta.

Dana Springer, Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management

Dana Springer is a senior majoring in Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management, and has been on the Dean's list for the past three consecutive semesters. In addition to maintaining academic excellence, Dana is a single-mother of an energetic six-year old, works full-time and commutes from Philipsburg. Dana is also a member of Kappa Omicron Nu honor society, serves as a teaching assistant, volunteers at the YMCA and is a diligent worker at the learning lab at Cafe' Laura.