Bloomsburg, a Commonwealth University

Three Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania students, Alexis Aucker (Middleburg) '21, Nicolas Bell (Conshohocken) '23, and Tyahva Wilhour (Sunbury) '21, were awarded scholarships by the Pennsylvania CPA Foundation. Alexis Auker received a $3,000 Academic Merit scholarship, Tyahva Wilhour received a $2,000 Academic Merit scholarship, and Nicolas Bell received a $2,000 Minority scholarship.

In the Department of Communication Studies at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania, client projects represent important hands-on learning experiences for students, and are integrated into various classes. During the Spring 2021 semester student teams in Dr. Elizabeth Petre's class, "Communication for Business Professionals" worked virtually with several local organizations to develop external communication materials that met the client's needs.

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania has announced seven new performance-based scholarships that are funded from the Joan and Fred Miller Distinguished Professor Award. The Millers created the Distinguished Professor Award to support students' pursuit of academic work that is outstanding in quality, socially responsible, and personally meaningful. The faculty recipient of the Distinguished Professor Award, Mary Katherine Waibel-Duncan, professor of psychology, worked with BU's Office of Access and Success to establish the Hike! and Line Out! performance-based scholarships.

Two Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania students were awarded research grants from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Biologists (CPUB) for the 2019-20 academic year. Earning the awards were undergraduate student Kayla Sompel and graduate student Ian Whiteside '18. CPUB is an organization composed of faculty in the fourteen institutions of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education that foster excellence in biology education and research.

Bloomsburg University has announced the names of 153 Professional Experience Grant (PEG) recipients for the 2019-20 academic year. Professional Experience Grants (PEGs) help students defray the cost of professional development activities and applied learning outside the realm of the academic classroom. Without PEGs, students may be forced to decline opportunities such as national conference presentations, study abroad experiences, internships, or independent research because of the substantial expenses that can accompany these experiences.

The Bloomsburg University Alumni Association awards Alumni Legacy Scholarships each year to current Bloomsburg University students who are a child or grandchild of a Bloomsburg University graduate. The scholarship has been a longstanding tradition of the Alumni Board of Directors, and has provided $216,059 in scholarships since 1998. BU alumni can register their child or grandchild every fall that their student is registered for Spring classes at the university.

Nineteen Bloomsburg University students from seven different fields of study participated in a Husky Career Road Trip on November 5, 2019. The students visited Eurofins and Eurofins National Service Center, a national laboratory in Leola, Pa., that provides environmental testing, monitoring, and consulting services.

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania sent 10 students and six faculty members to the sixth annual Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) S.T.E.M Conference in early November. The conference showcases research done by students across the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and included both oral presentations and poster sessions.

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania held its sixth annual Nursing White Coat ceremony on Sept. 14, at the Haas Center for the Arts on campus. The White Coat Ceremony celebrates sophomore nursing students who are entering the next phase of their education. In all, 108 students pledged their commitment to quality patient care. The most important element of the ceremony is the oath that students take in front of family members, faculty, school leaders, and peers.

The Bloomsburg University athletic department was recognized by the Division II Athletic Directors Association (D2 ADA) for its work in the classroom as a recipient of the 2018-19 Academic Achievement Awards. In addition to the athletic department being recognized, 61 student-athletes were honored for having at least a 3.5 grade point average, attending a minimum of two years (four semesters) of college level work, and being an active member of their intercollegiate team during his/her last academic year. The number represents an increase of 17 student-athletes achieving the honor from the previous year. "The 61 Husky student-athletes being recognized and honored by the D2 ADA for their academic achievements is telling of the commitment by our coaches and students to the academic rigor at Bloomsburg University," Michael McFarland, Director of Athletics said. "With a focus on competing in the classroom, and in their respective sport, these student-athletes have set a new standard as we continue to recruit the finest students and athletes." A record number of institutions (185) and student-athletes (11,660) were recognized for the 2018-19 Academic Achievement Awards. The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) led all of Division II with 975 total student-athletes achieving the honor.

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania held its annual Audiology White Coat Ceremony on Saturday, Aug. 3, at the Caldwell Consistory in Bloomsburg for its Doctor of Audiology Class of 2021. The white coat ceremony marks the completion of the students' pre-clinical coursework and symbolizes their sentry into clinical practice. Receiving white coats were: Taylor Budwash, Briann Halpin, Cece Campanile, Georgie Wagman, Gabrielle Poplarchick, Taylor Parker, Taylor Chestnut, Kaitlin Mausteller, Abigail Schell, Kylie Connell, Danielle Avenoso, Alina Garrido, Jessica Depol, Kayla Murphy.

A total of 164 Bloomsburg University student-athletes have been recognized as Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Scholar-Athletes for the 2018-19 academic year the league announced on Tuesday afternoon. The 164 Huskies join a PSAC-record 3,117 student-athletes from the league's 17 institutions being named to the list. In order to earn PSAC Scholar-Athlete recognition, each student-athlete must have maintained a minimum GPA of 3.25 throughout the year. The field hockey team led all of Bloomsburg's squads with 20 selections. Women's soccer added 19 with women's lacrosse following right behind with 17. Women's cross country and track & field (15), softball (10), and women's volleyball (10) also finished in double figures among female sports. On the men's side, football led the way with 13 scholar-athletes while cross country / track & field and men's soccer added nine apiece. A complete list of Bloomsburg's scholar-athletes can be found below.

Bloomsburg University's Board of Governors Scholars Program celebrated the graduation of 32 of its members with guest speaker Kristin Austin, a Frederick Douglass Fellow, Teaching and Learning. Michaela Maw, a sophomore sociology and criminal justice major, served as master of ceremony. The Board of Governors Scholar Program targets students who excel academically including students of various races, and students majoring in liberal arts science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Recipients are required to participate in a structured program dedicated to the enhancement of retention and graduation rates.

Three Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania students participated in the 72nd annual Intercollegiate Band Festival at Wilkes University on March 10. Featured in the band were Randy Baxendale, Krysta Moyer, Sarah Anderson. Baxendale was part of the trumpet section, while Moyer and Anderson were part of the clarinet section. Stephen Clickard, DMA, is director of the BU Intercollegiate Band and also chair of the BU Department of Music, Theatre and Dance. The Intercollegiate Band was comprised of 120 college students from 28 colleges and universities throughout Pennsylvania. The band was featured in a concert at the Dorthy Dickson Darte Center at Wilkes University.

Six Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania students will present research at the National Conference for the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) from July 10 to 13 in Washington D.C. The presenting students include Meghan Magee, Marquez Norford, Jonathan Kollars, Shawn Reese, Tatum Mack, and Jordynn Kurcoba. The NSCA is a nonprofit professional organization dedicated to advancing the strength and conditioning profession by disseminating research-based knowledge and its practical application through industry-leading certifications, research journals, career development services, and continuing education opportunities. BU's exercise science program is recognized by the NSCA's Education Recognition Program (ERP), which distinguishes schools with standardized, approved strength and conditioning or personal training curricula for undergraduate and graduate studies designed to prepare students for the NSCA certifications. Being ERP-recognized provides Bloomsburg University students with discounts on certifications and conferences and access to scholarships and grants.

Kimberly Hollister and Alison Martin capped their spring semester by passing the ASBMB National Accreditation exam, enabling BU to exceed the national average by eight percent. Nearly 1,000 college students took the exam, some 417 (42 percent) achieved certification with 122 students (12.3 percent) achieving certification with distinction.

Twenty-seven graduates from four area high schools have been awarded the Fred G. Smith Scholarship to attend Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania during the 2018-19 academic year. A total of nearly $45,000 was awarded.