The Shippensburg University Department of Geography-Earth Science and held its annual awards reception Friday, April 25, to honor the achievements of 20 outstanding students.

Gamma Theta Upsilon (GTU), an international geography honor society, sponsored the event. More than 40 students, faculty and staff attended the ceremony, which was held in the Old Main Chapel.
“It was a good turnout,” said Tom Feeney, faculty adviser for the honor society.

“It’s good when students are being recognized for grades but also accomplishments outside of the classroom.”

Feeney was instrumental in organizing the event along with professor Tim Hawkins, who oversaw the setting up of appetizer tables and student research posters around the outside of the room.
Doug Hamberger, GTU president and graduating senior, made the welcoming remarks and introduced each award presenter.

Many of the awards are named in memory of former students and faculty, and most required significant academic achievement or involvement in the department.

Julia Saintz, a dedicated environmentalist and junior at SU, exemplifies that point. Saintz has been involved at the SU farm and the farm club for several years.

“We work hard in the department but also outside of class and at the farm,” said Saintz, who received the Lawrence Tyson Wolfram Memorial Scholarship.

“It’s nice to be recognized, and I am thankful to the Wolfram family and the department for that.”
Many former faculty members attended the event as well as former students and GTU members.
“It’s just awesome that I’ve gone through the whole program now, and it hits home how these kids are starting out where I did,” said Hamberger, reflecting on his time at SU in light of the upcoming graduation.

“Now I’m here being recognized for all this hard work, along with these guys who I worked with.”

Share