Accolades

Sam Shoenfeld Sportsmanship Award

PSU Men’s Basketball Team

Coach: John Scheinman, Captain: Michael Sullivan

The Plymouth State University men’s basketball team was named the Eastern New England  regional recipient of the prestigious Sam Shoenfeld Sportsmanship Award, the first New Hampshire basketball team to be so chosen. The award, presented by the Collegiate Basketball Officials Association, honored the Panthers for their hard work, commitment to teammates and respect for other players, fans and coaches.

Named for a founding member of the association, the Shoenfeld award has been presented annually since 1956 to “the basketball program [that] exemplifies the highest degree of sportsmanship, character and ethics among their players, coaches and spectators.” The Shoenfeld award is the highest honor that CBOA annually bestows on any collegiate institution.

 “We are proud to recognize Plymouth State University and the members of the men’s basketball program for their sportsmanship,” said Ronald L. Martel, dean of students at Johnson & Wales University and New England East representative of the CBOA.

PSU head coach John Scheinman, along with the rest of the coaching staff and the Panther student-athletes were formally recognized at the CBOA’s annual meeting in Fall 2006.

Scheinman praised his team’s admirable work ethic, dedication and positive attitude: “The kids are pretty grounded. They play for the right reasons. What an honor for both this year’s team as well as all of the student athletes, coaches, support personnel and fans who have been with us for the past seven years. It’s a credit to everybody.”

AAHPERD Honor Award

Dr. Irene M. Cucina

Dr. Irene M. Cucina received the Honor Award from the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance at the national convention in Salt Lake City, Utah. Cucina is associate professor of health and physical education at PSU and serves as assistant chair of the Health and Human Performance Department and coordinator of the Graduate Health Program. The Honor Award recognizes meritorious contributions on the part of AAHPERD members who are persons of personal integrity and exemplify the spirit of devoted service to the professions, and who have, by their leadership and industry, made an outstanding and noteworthy contribution to the advancement of health, physical education, recreation and dance.

Community Counts Award

Diane Tillotson

Diane Tillotson, senior business services assistant in Office of Institutional Advancement, received the Community Counts Award from the Pemigewasset National Bank (now Northway Bank). Community Counts encourages and rewards the efforts of individuals and organizations within central New Hampshire who work to improve their communities. Tillotson was honored for her volunteer efforts as a leader of “Keeping You, Me, and Memories Alive,” a walk held each October with the goal of easing the burden of those affected by cancer. Tillotson is also actively involved in the planning of WalkAmerica each spring to benefit the March of Dimes, the Hunger and Homelessness food chain, the Russell House holiday food drive on campus, and has volunteered for hospice and Speare Memorial Hospital.

Composer of the Year

Professor Jonathan C. Santore

The New Hampshire Music Teachers Association has named Dr. Jonathan C. Santore the 2006 Composer of the Year. Santore is professor of music theory and composition and chair of the Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance at PSU. He won the award previously, in 1999. As Composer of the Year, Santore was commissioned to write a work for mezzo-soprano, viola and piano that was premiered at the NHMTA conference at Concord Community Music School on October 21. The work was performed by Eva Nagorka, mezzo-soprano, PSU faculty member Rodger Ellsworth, viola, and PSU Professor Dan Perkins, piano.

EDie

Dennise Maslakowski

Dr. Dennise Maslakowski received New Hampshire’s most prestigious award for educators, the EDie, from the New Hampshire Profile Chapter of Phi Delta Kappa, a professional organization that honors those dedicated to improving education. Maslakowski is associate vice president of the College of Graduate Studies at PSU. She was chosen for her leadership in expanding educational opportunities for the citizens of New Hampshire, and for helping Phi Delta Kappa to develop a significant presence on the PSU campus and around the state of New Hampshire. Under Maslakowski’s leadership, the College of Graduate Studies has established itself as a rich learning environment, where the highest quality graduate programs meet the diverse needs and interests of working professionals. Coursework promotes research, best practices and personal growth. The College of Graduate Studies offers nationally and internationally recognized professional and graduate programs, including the M.Ed., MBA, M.A.T., M.S., CAGS and doctoral partnerships to students throughout New Hampshire.  

Mid-Level Student Affairs Professional Award

Paul Wheeler

Paul Wheeler, residence director of Smith Hall, was given the Mid-Level Student Affairs Professional Award from the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators Region 1. Wheeler has served on numerous department and campus committees, helped develop residential life initiatives to improve processes and continuity, served as a Leadership Effectiveness and Development seminar facilitator, an advisor to the student Alternative Spring Break program and the International Service Trip to the Dominican Republic, and co-chair for the 2004 Residential Life Association of the Granite State conference.

Pinky Newell Award

Marjorie A. King

Dr. Marjorie A. King, assistant professor of athletic training in the Health and Human Performance Department, received the 2006 Pinky Newell Award from the Eastern Athletic Trainers’ Association. As such, she presented the keynote address at the association’s meeting in Philadelphia in January, speaking on scholarship as a responsibility and opportunity for clinicians as well as academic faculty. The Pinky Newell Award honors a certified athletic trainer who is a role model, has demonstrated lifelong commitment to the athletic training profession and has demonstrated continued learning and professional growth. The individual must also have demonstrated an impact on the profession at the state, regional or national level, and must have been willing to share their knowledge and experience with others in the field through speaking, writing and research.

President's Community Partner Award

Campus Ministries

The 2006 President's Community Partner Award from the Campus Compact for New Hampshire went to PSU’s Campus Ministries.  The award is given to “a non-profit organization that has enhanced the quality of life in the community in meaningful and measurable ways and engaged in the development of sustained, reciprocal partnerships with a college or university.” Campus Ministries, which is funded by local churches, has supported service programs in the area from its location on the PSU campus for many years. Among other activities, Campus Ministries coordinates the Thanksgiving basket program, works with Community Closet regularly, arranges programs to educate students and others about the homeless, and provides spiritual programs for students.

President's Good Steward Award

Angela Ricciardi

Angela Ricciardi of PSU’s Writing and Reading Center received the 2006 President's Good Steward Award from Campus Compact for New Hampshire for contributing “her professional expertise in service to the wider community and [for having] significantly advanced public service on [her] campus.” Ricciardi is also co-advisor of Sigma Tau Delta, the English honor society, serves on the Women’s Studies Council, and participates in the International Service Trip to the Dominican Republic. CCNH notes, “Angela’s deep commitment to service and student life is an example to all who know her.”

President's Leadership Award

Nicaragua Club

The Campus Compact for New Hampshire awarded the 2006 President's Leadership Award to PSU’s Nicaragua Club, under the leadership of students Heather Dowd, president; Allyson Speake, Brandi Philbrick, Michelle Pillion, and Andrea Krupsky. CCNH reported, “By their example and commitment to not only making a two-week trip to Nicaragua each year, but also their support and commitment to global human rights issues, they have established themselves as a group who set an example by their actions.”

Scott Goodnight Award

Richard Hage

PSU Vice President for Student Affairs Richard Hage received the Scott Goodnight Award for Outstanding Performance at the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators Region 1 conference in Sturbridge, Mass. The Goodnight Award is widely considered to be the most prestigious award in the student affairs profession. It recognizes a dean or vice president for sustained impact over a career, innovative response in meeting students’ varied and emerging needs, effectiveness in developing junior staff members and leadership in community and university affairs.