Women of Excellence Reception revived to honor more than 100 inspiring women

The Women's Resource Center at Commonwealth University-Bloomsburg revived its annual Women of Excellence Reception and Award Ceremony this spring after a several-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event honored over 100 nominated women, including faculty, staff, and students, who contribute to the campus community.

"I'm glad we were able to reestablish this ceremony to highlight the important work of the women on our campus for a very long time," said Megan Wein, director of Bloomsburg's LGBTQA and Women’s Resource centers. "I thought, and sometimes maybe you guys think this as well, that the work we do often goes unnoticed or unheard."

The Women's Resource Center supports women students, faculty, and staff through educational programs, community outreach, victim advocacy, and referral services for the entire campus community. 

Recognition Categories

• Faculty nominees were celebrated in mentorship and teaching, leadership, and research.
• Staff categories included student support, collaboration, and inclusivity.
• Student categories featured emerging leaders, advocacy, and community impact.

The large attendance and nomination volume showed community recognition, according to Wein.

“As you can see by the amount of people in this room and the number of colleagues who submitted a nomination, the students who submitted nominations for their professors, has truly opened my eyes that we see each other,” Wein said. “We see the work each of us is doing.”

She added, “I hope this space serves as a place of rejuvenation and reimagining our work moving forward, because it’s making a difference and those around us are noticing it.”

Teaching and Mentorship Nominees: Amanda Stutzman; Amarilis Hidalgo de Jesus; Angela Hess; Carolyn Reid-Brown; Carrie Winship; Caryn Terwilliger; Cheryl Latorre; Christina Force; Claire Lawrence; Cara Tolan; Denise Chaytor-Zugarek; Elaine Farkas; Erin Brummett; Hillary Debardeleben; Jennifer Oast; Jessica Briskin; Jessica Hosley; Julie Kontos; Kerrie DeVries; Lauri Green; Lori Metzger; Meghan Pontz; Meredith Grimsley; Molly Marnella; Patricia Lawton; Paula Hopeck; Mary Katherine W. Duncan; Rebecca Willoughby; Regina Bobak; Shelley Scarpino; Shiloh Erdley; Shuzhen Huang; Tina Entzminger.

Leadership Nominees: Angela La Valley; Ashley Carnuccio; Abby Hare; Cori Myers; Heather Feldhaus; Jennifer Whisner; Julie Cerrito; Karen Hamman; Kathy Heitzman; Kelly Foran; Kristin Funk Maguire; Madelyn Rodriguez; Maegen Borzok; Marilou Hinchcliff; Meghan Pontz; Meredith Grimsley; Paula Hopeck; Rebecca Willoughby; Sherry Romanoskie; Toni Bell; Elaine Lau.

Collaboration Nominees: Ariane Rouffignac; Chaya Merrell; Danielle Empson-Shultz; Debbie Chamberlain; Elizabeth Stauder; Jen Turnbough; Jess Heid; Jessica Thomas; Kara Workman-Hawrelak; Lisa Domenico; Madelyn Rodriguez; Maria Bauman; Marla Kane; Rachel Baylor.

Community Service Nominees: Amanda Ott; Anna Farrell; Joclynn Ramsey; Karolyn Brito; Kayla Parks; Kyla Korpics; Kyla Parks; Maria La Marca; Sarah Oberholtzer.

Emerging Leader Nominees: Daniela Molina; Gabriella Montini; Gil Rathman; Hilhary Baez; Julianne Emberger; Kait Atkinson; Kelli Graham; Mackenzie Coffman; Sophia Raczynski.

Research Nominees: Anne Dyer Stuart; Carolyn Reid-Brown; Cassandra Sachar; Shiloh Erdley; Shuzhen Huang.

Student Support Nominees: Abby Manns; Alyson Sharkey; Bridget Flick; Brooke Faus; Carla Hayes; Chelsea DeWire; Denise Chaytor-Zugarek; Elizabeth Stauder; Heather Comstock; Jen Hunsinger; Jenna Radkins; Joan Walker; Judy Rostucher; Kara Workman-Hawrelak; Karen Hull; Kayleigh Stouffer; Kendra Rockwell; Marnie Yeick; Mary Sanders; Megan Wein; Monica Johnson; Naomi D’Angelo; Samantha Shoup; Theresa Bloskey; Wendi Route; Wendy Jo.

Inclusivity Nominees: Brooke Hansen; Courtney Tarselli; Megan Wein; Monica Johnson; Rachel Shaffer. Advocacy Nominees: Cora Cotson; India Cerdan; Lillie Corino; Madeline Foster; Matthea Mitchell; Ray Palmer; Sarah Shuffler.

Women of Excellence Gallery