Suzanne Bisceglia, Michelle Cook, Jennifer Donley, and Breanne Williams Named Student Marshals for Eberly College of Science

15 April 2002 -- Four Pennsylvania women will be honored as the Penn State Eberly College of Science student marshals during spring 2002 commencement ceremonies. Suzanne Bisceglia, of Beaver Falls; Michelle Cook, of Lancaster; Jennifer Donley, of Richlandtown, and Breanne Williams, of Camp Hill, will be honored on 11 May 2002 at the Penn State University Park campus.

Bisceglia, Cook, and Williams each completed a biology major in the vertebrate physiology option. Donley completed an astronomy and astrophysics major. All were chosen to represent their class because of their outstanding academic records. They earned a 4.0 grade-point average and were on the Dean’s List ever semester at Penn State.

“I felt very honored and excited to be selected. I called my parents right away to let them know, and I e-mailed Dr. Ernie Harrison, too,” Williams said, referring to a professor of chemistry who taught her at Penn State York.

Donley was equally enthusiastic, saying, “I was excited to hear that I was selected as a student marshal. I am very proud to be representing a college of such hard-working, intelligent students.”

In addition to their achievements in the classroom, Bisceglia, Cook, Donley, and Williams earned numerous scholarships and awards. Each of the four marshals received the President’s Freshman Award in 1999, the President Sparks Award in 2000, and the Evan Pugh Scholar Award in 2001 and 2002.

In addition, Bisceglia was awarded the Hammond Science Scholarship, the Heather Rayle Summer Research Scholarship, and a John White Senate Fellowship.

Cook also won the Herbert E. Longenecker Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research, the FIAT Award for Academic Achievement (presented by the Italian auto make), and was named a Howard Hughes Undergraduate Scholar.

In addition, Donley was awarded the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship, the Sylvia Stein Memorial Space Grant Scholarship, a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship, a Fulbright Postgraduate Student Award, and the John W. Oswald Award.

Williams also earned the Freshman Press Chemistry Award and the Keystone Honors Award.

A graduate of Blackhawk High School, Bisceglia will be accompanied at graduation by her parents, Stacey and Kay bisceglia. She has selected Paul S. Weiss, professor of chemistry, to be her faculty escort for the commencement exercises.

“Paul Weiss always was an inspiration because he always had so much faith in his students,” Bisceglia said. “He gave us a lot of say in determining the course structure and he took an interest in his students outside the classroom.”

A Lancaster Country Day School graduate, Cook will be accompanied by her parents, William and Celia Cook, and her sister, Carolyn. She has selected Bhushan Jayarao, assistant professor of veterinary science, to be her faculty escort for the commencement exercises.

“Dr. Bhushan Jayarao, my research advisory, was instrumental in shaping my success at Penn State. He gave me a great deal of independence with my research project and encouraged me to become involved by mentoring students in the laboratory and by participating in poster sessions to present my work,” Cook said. “With his guidance, I won first place at a poster session on campus. After working in his laboratory, I now have a great deal of confidence in my research skills and have decided to pursue a Ph.D. in conjunction with my veterinary degree at the University of Pennsylvania.”

A graduate of Quakertown Community Senior High School, Donley will be accompanied by her parents, Shawn and Ann; her aunt, Bobbie Smith; and her stepmother, Marge Draper-Donley. She has selected Niel Brandt, associate professor of astronomy and astrophysics, to be her faculty escort for the commencement exercises.

“I was inspired by many of the professors in the astronomy and astrophysics department, but particularly by Niel Brandt and Jane Charlton, who served as my research and academic advisors, respectively,” Donley said.

Williams, a Cedar Cliff High School graduate, will be accompanied by her parents, Keith and Linda. She has selected Ernie A. Harrison, professor of chemistry at Penn State York, to be her faculty escort for the commencement exercises.

My first semester was very stressful, but two professors—Dr. James Burness and Dr. Ernie Harrison— made me realize that college was about more than grades and classrooms. I saw it was a learning experience in all aspects of life. They were the beginning steps towards achieving my goal of becoming a dentist and providing excellent dental care to the community,” Williams said. “They encouraged me to get involved in all that Penn State has to offer. I took their advice. I had the opportunity to work in Dr. Harrison’s chemistry lab, to serve as secretary for the Pre-Dental Society, and to give tours with the Lion Ambassadors. I believe that in addition to the encouragement I received from my parents, both Dr. Harrison and Dr. Burness were instrumental in helping me successfully pursue my undergraduate degree.”

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