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Point Park community honors student accomplishments at awards evening Monday, May 7, 2012

Recipients of the 2012 Outstanding Senior awards, from left: School of Business: Rachel Kernic, sport, arts and entertainment management major; School of Arts and Science: Rachel Roddy, elementary education major; Conservatory of Performing Arts: Cory Stoken, cinema production major; School of Communication: Ryan Strength, public relations and advertising major; and Alumni Association President's Award recipient: Anthony Costulas, political science major. | Photo by Jim Judkis
Point Park's 2012 outstanding seniors, from left: Rachel Kernic, School of Business; Cory Stoken, COPA; Rachel Roddy, School of Arts and Sciences; Ryan Strength, School of Communication. Far right, Alumni Association President's Award recipient Anthony Costulas.

As the 2011-12 academic year drew to a close, the Point Park community gathered to recognize the accomplishments of University students -- both inside and outside the classroom -- at the annual Outstanding Student Awards. The elegant event was held April 27 at the Fairmont Pittsburgh, just blocks from the Point Park campus in Downtown Pittsburgh.

Students and their families, along with President Paul Hennigan, Sr. Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs Karen McIntyre, Dean of Students Keith Paylo, faculty and staff, gathered for a formal dinner and evening of student recognition in advance of undergraduate commencement ceremonies on May 5.

A highlight of the program was the naming of the final five honorees - the Outstanding Graduating Senior Awards for each of Point Park's schools, and the Alumni Association's President's Award. During the ceremony, many students were recognized with additional awards. Those honored and the awards they received are listed below. Congratulations to all the award recipients, and to all of Point Park's graduating students!

Outstanding Graduating Seniors

  • School of Arts and Sciences: Rachel Roddy, elementary education major
  • School of Business: Rachel Kernic, sport, arts and entertainment management major
  • School of Communication: Ryan Strength, public relations and advertising major
  • Conservatory of Performing Arts: Cory Stoken, cinema production major

Alumni Association President's Award

  • Anthony Costulas, political science major

Academic Excellence Awards

Arts & Science

  • Department of Education: Nicole Thomas
  • Department of Humanities: Jessica Burtt
  • Department of Natural Sciences and Engineering Technology: Melissa Englert
  • Department of Criminal Justice: Amanda Lee Heinbough
  • Department of Intelligence and National Security: Jeffery Ryan Gurski
  • Outstanding Overall Graduate for Criminal Justice: Patrick Thomas Tutka

School of Business

  • Josh Forrester

School of Communication

  • Adelyn Biedenbach

COPA

  • Dance: Kimberly Marcotte
  • Theatre: Jaclyn McSpadden
  • Cinema: Joe DeWitt

Outstanding Honors Student Awards

  • Adelyn L. Biedenbach
  • Faith S. Cotter
  • Carleigh R. Dettorre
  • Mary E. Eklund
  • Amanda L. King
  • Flora Strange

Student Leader Awards

  • Emerging Leader: Trenton Derryberry
  • Outstanding Orientation Leader: Blair Jones
  • Outstanding Advisor Award: Pamela Walck
  • Outstanding Organization Award: Action Sports Club
  • Campus Life Staff Member of the Year: Avery McGee
  • Sophomore Experience Leadership Award: Cody Williams
  • Outstanding Student Leader: Shea-Colleen Smith