Brothers of Sigma Tau Gamma Honors Scholars - Clarion University

Clarion University of Pennsylvania
Brothers of Sigma Tau Gamma
Honors Scholars
2011-2012
A Legacy of Academic Leadership
at Clarion University
Sequelle 1970
SIGMA TAU GAMMA
Honors Scholars
GO

A Legacy of Academic Leadership
at Clarion University
The Honors Program at Clarion University was initiated in Fall 1986. Former
President Thomas Bond approved the program design developed by a Faculty Senate
committee in November 1985. The Honors Charter defined program administration,
curricular design, co-curricular recommendations, and student membership.
Twenty-eight students were recruited for the first classes in Fall 1986.
In Fall 2001, former President Diane Reinhard approved program expansion.
The rationale was based on programmatic achievements:
• Quality of faculty, including instructional, scholarly, and artistic
accomplishments and commitment to the students
• Quality of admitted students, including academic ability, commitment,
and demonstrated motivation for learning
• Creation of learning environments, including academic rigor
The class of 2002 included 50 academically talented students, and established
a new annual enrollment goal.
Although there have been changes in various aspects of the program, student
success is a central value. Honors scholarships support enhanced under-
graduate programs of study in all colleges within the university. More than
500 alumni have completed the Honors Program since its inception a quarter
of a century ago. Honors scholarship serves as a legacy of academic leadership
at Clarion University.

SIGMA TAU GAMMA
Honors Scholars
Sigma Tau Gamma
Scholars Mission
The Sigma Tau Gamma Scholarship
was created to provide scholarships for
academically talented students.
The award is based on academic credentials,
community service, and financial need.
You’ll find Sig Tau Scholars come to Clarion
to study a range of disciplines. They are
inquisitive scholars, athletes, and widely
recognized for their achievements.

Sigma Tau Gamma
Principles
Sigma Tau Gamma was founded with the understanding that all men are
social creatures and that friendships made in college days are lasting ones.
Believing that a social Fraternity must be dedicated to the highest ideals
of manhood and brotherhood; to congeniality, the development of good
personal characteristics and social poise; to good scholarship, mature
thinking and action; to good citizenship, democratic principles and
acceptance of responsibility; and, to loyalty and service to college,
community, country and Fraternity; Founder Edward H. McCune authored
a set of principles. Embraced by our founders and early members, these
Principles have become our guide.
Value
To enhance the worth or belonging.
Learning
To afford the environment for learning.
Leadership
To develop good leaders for America.
Excellence
To strive for superior performance.
Benefit
To serve fraternity, college, country.
Integrity
To perfect a structure of honor.

Sigma Tau Gamma
History
They were not ordinary men. In an era when fewer than half of our nation’s young people
advanced beyond the eighth grade, and fewer still graduated from high school, these
children of farmers, craftsmen, and shop keepers in sparsely populated rural Missouri
counties were pursuing a normal school diploma, a two-year post high school education
that qualified them to teach and administer public schools. Almost uniformly, they were
as well qualified academically as students at the private and land grant colleges. They
simply lacked the financial resources necessary for enrollment at those schools.
Their grandfathers were veterans of the Civil War. As volunteers, they were about
to embark on a journey that would take them back to the “old country ” in World War I,
the “War to end all Wars.” General John J. (Black Jack) Pershing, another of Missouri’s
native sons, was selected by President Woodrow Wilson to command the American
Expeditionary Force.
Together they joined what was then called an Ambulance Company. Today we would
call them corpsmen and emergency medical technicians. Near the end of 1918, after 18
months of battle, the armistice came, war ended, and after serving in the occupational
force, they headed home by steamship.
While they were gone to war their school had become a four-year college. It was the
summer of 1920. They were what we would today call non-traditional students. Emmett
Ellis, their leader, was 29. These were not starry-eyed children. They were veterans who
had met death face to face. They fully realized the essence of a life worth living, a life that
manifests itself in caring, one for the other.
They were determined to make the bonds of brotherhood expressed in the trenches
of WWI manifest in the bonds of brotherhood expressed in the enlightenment of a liberal
arts education. They were, these founders of Sigma Tau Gamma, hopeful people.
Nothing has changed. Sigma Tau Gamma still values brotherhood, a liberal arts education,
the pursuit of knowledge and the pursuit of the American dream for every member. And,
we believe that those values apply to everyone. Sigma Tau Gamma does not discriminate.
It was the first multi-racial fraternity.

The Challenge of
Honors Education
Personal achievement is at the heart of Clarion
University’s mission. Rigorous professional
preparation, the dedication of our Honors
faculty, and the generosity of our donors frame
student success at Clarion University.
Brothers of Sigma Tau Gamma
Honors Scholarship
The Sigma Tau Gamma/Sigma Tau Scholarship
Endowment was established in 2002. The
fraternity promotes academic values and
established this award as a way to give back to
the university. The Sig Taus have established a
rich tradition of giving to Clarion University.
Scholarship eligibility requires an accumulation
of 48 credit hours, active and good standing in
the Honors Program, cumulative quality-point
average of 3.4 or above, demonstrated
community service and financial need
per FAFSA documentation.

“ The Honors Program has opened
up countless opportunities for me
during my undergraduate career.
I have made connections with
professors and been given internship
opportunities that only the Honors
Program could provide. I feel the
Honors Program has challenged me
to go above and beyond the average
college student.”
SIGMA TAU GAMMA
Honors Scholar
Lindsey Agnello
Oil City, Pa.
Major: Middle Level Science Education
Undergraduate Highlights:
Lindsay is a senior Honors student with a passionate commitment to
teaching. Her career goal is to become an occupational therapist.
Based on her academic performance, she was the recipient of the
Foundation Honors Scholarship, HOLeY Jeans Scholarship and Frank
and Clara Williams Scholarship.
She is very active in campus and community service, serving as
Ways and Means Chair and elected president of Delta Zeta Sorority,
American Heart Association Ambassador, Honors Ambassador,
Dr. Bill Neches Heart Camp for Kids Volunteer, Relay for Life Team
Captain, and a volunteer at many children’s camps for gymnastics and
day care. Her service was recognized by the American Legion Courage
Award (2008) and Heart Hero (2009).
Her enthusiasm and dedication to education is evident in all she does.
Honors
Ambassador
Serving from the Heart 2011

“The honors program curriculum has
consistently challenged me and has
forced me to become a better writer,
speaker, thinker and student.
Because of the program, I have
learned invaluable information that
has put me on the right path for a
successful future.”
Φρυιζ Εδτι δωα ζ
SIGMA TAU GAMMA
Honors Scholar
Joanna Catalano
Joppatowne, Md.
Major: Molecular biology/biotechnology with a premedicine concentration
Clarion
Students’ Association
Undergraduate Highlights:
Joanna is outstanding as a scholar athlete. She was inducted into Phi Eta Sigma
(Freshman Honorary), The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and Beta Beta Beta
(Biological Honorary). She was a member of Clarion’s varsity women’s basketball
team and was elected to serve as Student Senate president, served on the
Clarion Student Association Board of Directors and the President’s Student
Advisory Board. She was selected as Clarion’s representative for the 2012 Syed
Ali-Zaidi Award for Academic Excellence and finalist for the Pennsylvania
State System of Higher Education’s award. She completed summer undergraduate
research sponsored by the National Science Foundation at Colorado
State University and plans to attend the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic
Medicine for orthopedic surgery.
Honors Scholarship Topic
Establishing Gram-Negative Superficial Skin Infections in Diabetic Models:
Diabetics tend to suffer from Gram-negative skin infections. Annexin 1 is a
calcium-dependent phospholipids binding protein proven to aggregate Gramnegative
bacteria, preventing their spread and shortening the time that white
blood cells take to eliminate the bacteria in-vitro. Experiments reproduced
these results in-vivo and established annexin-1 as a medical treatment for
Gram-negative skin infections in a rat diabetic model.
President’s Student
Advisory Board
Student Senate
Syed Ali-Zaidi Award
For Academic Excellence
Outstanding
Scholar Athlete
Scholar, Athlete, Researcher, Leader 2011

“The Honors Program was a huge
pull in my decision to come to Clarion
which is more than four hours from
my hometown. Faculty and staff have
always made me feel very comfortable
when I need assistance. The
opportunities and the knowledge I
have obtained have gone way above
my expectations. I never thought that
my leadership abilities would have
been so strongly enhanced thanks to
the experiences I have had with the
Honors Program.”
Φρυιζ Εδτι δωα ζ
SIGMA TAU GAMMA
Honors Scholar
Regina Finelli
Milford, Pa.
Major: Speech pathology with a minor in Spanish
Undergraduate Highlights:
Regina was distinguished by her dedication to Honors and high academic
performance. She was inducted into Phi Eta Sigma (Freshman Honorary), and
received multiple scholarships inclusive of the Alumni Association Scholarship
and the Foundation Honors Scholarship and was the first recipient of the France
Allison Honors Scholarship. She also completed a study abroad program in
Viña del Mar, Chile. She was elected president of the National Student Speech
Language and Hearing Association and served as an Honors recruitment coordinator
and Honors Ambassador. She plans to attend the graduate school of The
College of Saint Rose in Speech Language Pathology in bilingual speech pathology.
Honors Scholarship Topic:
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and the iPad: This project
investigates the use of an iPad as an AAC device, focusing on children who have
a communication disorder. AAC devices can be used to either enhance or replace
verbal communication. The available applications, prices, accessibility and
effectiveness of an iPad as an AAC device were researched and compared to
other AAC devices that are available. Observations of a child with Autism using
an iPad as an AAC device and information from an interview with his mother will
supplement a literature review.
Honors
Ambassador
Study Abroad
Club
Dance Marathon
Spanish Club Extreme Community
Makeover
Scuba Club Eagle
Ambassador
Community Service
Day
Striving to Learn & Serve 2011, 2010

“The Honors Program opened
unparallelled opportunities for me
as an undergraduate. Without this
program, I would not have met some
of my wonderful friends or had the
chance for such a great educational
experience through the scholarships
and classes offered. Honors is a
community knitted together by a
passion for learning and many
helping hands.”
Learning Here and Abroad
SIGMA TAU GAMMA
Honors Scholar
Melissa McCleary
York, Pa.
Major: Library science with a minor in technical theatre
Undergraduate Highlights:
Melissa will receive a Bachelor of Library Science degree. During her
undergraduate career, she served as president of the Student Chapter of the
Pennsylvania School Librarians Association and participated in a variety of
field experiences related to her major and minor. In the Clarion community,
she was the Young Adult librarian at the Clarion Free Library. This year, she
was selected to participate in the Summer Honors Program study abroad in
Oxford, United Kingdom. Her career plans are to seek employment in school
and public libraries and pursue graduate studies.
Honors Scholarship Topic:
The Princess and the Poor Self Esteem: An Analysis of 21 st Century Newbery
Award Winners for Gender Bias and Underrepresentation of Females
This study was conducted to determine if and how often gender bias occurs
in 21 st century Newbery award winning titles. Literature is a primary source
of learning in our society and the selection of “distinguished” award
winners depicts values within our culture. A qualitative approach was
utilized in terms of assessing the literature in an analysis of the following:
progressive and traditional roles and activities represented by the
genders, representation of males and females in each category of characters
(protagonist, antagonist, major and minor),the rejection or acceptance
of strong female role models by peers, stereotypical beliefs held by the
characters regarding the same and opposite gender, and balancing
perspectives of feminist views in works of historical fiction. “The Princess
and the Poor Self-Esteem” will help determine the progression of American
culture in the context of gender equality.
Summer Honors
Study Abroad Program
Clarion
Free Library
Young Adult
Librarian
2011

“The Honors Program has greatly
helped improve my personal and
educational experiences here at
Clarion University. Without the
Honors Program, my paper writing
skills and my ability to communicate
in front of groups would be vastly
inferior to what they are now.”
SIGMA TAU GAMMA
Honors Scholar
Jessica Nardulli
Bellport, NY
Major: Communication with a concentration in broadcastng
Undergraduate Highlights:
Jessica was very active as a leader in broadcasting and the marching
band. Based on her academic performance, she was selected for Phi Eta
Sigma (Freshman Honorary) and was the recipient of the John W.
Mochnick Honors Scholarship, Foundation Honors Scholarship and the
Marjorie Tippin Leadership Award. She was a member of the marching
band and sectionals committee Chair for Alpha Phi Omega. In addition,
she served as an Honors Ambassador and in a leadership role in
innovations in social media for the Honors Program. Her career plans
are to obtain a position in the operations department of a broadcasting
company and work in the film industry.
Honors Scholarship Topic:
The Growing Influence of Social Media on Media Broadcasting:
This senior project discussed the growing influence that social media
had on media broadcasting. Today’s generation lives on their computers;
in order to gain the attention of the masses, media companies need to
compete with the accessibility of information on the internet. To do
this, media companies have turned to Social Media Specialists. These
Specialists are tasked with creating ways to make typical information
exciting and different. In order to convince today’s generation, one of
the main methods has been allowing the various stages of media
production to be viewed on the internet.
Φρυιζ Εδτι δωα ζ
Honors
Ambassador
Marjorie Tippin
Leadership Award
Foundation Honors
Scholarship
2011 Pushing to Succeed

“The support of the faculty and
students in the Honors Program
has helped me to accomplish great
things during my undergraduate
education, and I know that I have
developed relationships that will
extend well beyond graduation.”
SIGMA TAU GAMMA
Honors Scholar
Jen Poleti
Cranberry Township, Pa.
Major: Elementary and Special Education
Undergraduate Highlights:
During her undergraduate career, she was elected treasurer (2009),
president (2010), and vice president (2011) of Circle K. She was
inducted as a member of Phi Eta Sigma and was the recipient of
the prestigious Board of Governors Scholarship. Her career plans are
to obtain an elementary or special education teaching position
in western Pennsylvania and eventually pursue graduate study.
Honors Scholarship Topic:
Using Research-Based Strategies to Increase Language and Reading
Acquisition with a Five-Year-Old Child Diagnosed with Autism.
According to the definition of autism from the DSM-IV-TR, children
with autism have difficulties with communication. As the number of
children diagnosed with autism increases, it is necessary to explore
ways to teach these children communication skills. The subject in
this research project was a five-year-old child diagnosed with autism,
and throughout 16 sessions, he received instruction to improve his
receptive and expressive language, specifically using prepositions.
Direct instruction was used to teach the prepositions using a model,
lead, test procedure. Data was collected to determine if the child
improved over the sessions.
Φρυιζ Εδτι δωα ζ
Board of Governors
Scholarship
2011, 2010 Accomplishing Great Things

SIGMA TAU GAMMA
Honors Scholars
Past Award Recpients
Regina Finelli 2010
Jen Poleti 2010
Gina Shero 2010
Robert Smith 2010
Ben Sturtz 2010
Douglas Gisewhite 2009
Heather Good Hyde 2009
Laurie Grieshober 2009
Robert Smith 2009
Jessica Rae Carbaugh 2008
Tara Houpt 2008
Clay Nolan 2008
Andrew Thompson 2008
Ashley Urik 2008
Mariah Siobhan Mills 2007
Caitlin Palko 2007
Lucas Schaeffer 2007
Kelly Devlin 2006
Ashley Grimm 2006
Phillip Adams 2005
Stephanie Elizabeth Smith 2005
Crystal Page 2004

Clarion Expects and Supports
Personal Achievement
Clarion University is the high-achieving, nationally recognized, comprehensive university
that delivers a personal and challenging academic experience. We seek diverse, motivated
undergraduate and graduate students who want to learn and grow in a supportive
environment that promotes exploration and discovery.
Our strong faculty and staff are deeply committed to serving students as individuals
from whom they expect excellence and personal integrity. We provide extensive, hands-on
learning and professional preparation through nationally competitive academic programs
and effective community, regional, and national partnerships that contribute to the
economic vitality of our region. As a result, our graduates have a competitive edge in their
careers and are socially, civically, and academically prepared to be active citizens of the
global society.

Our Mission
Clarion University is committed to seeking academic excellence
in all areas of higher education. The institution is committed to
providing an environment which challenges students to develop
their talents, to extend their intellectual capacities and interests,
to expand their creative abilities, and to develop a life-long respect
and enthusiasm for learning. The Honors Program is dedicated to
this mission and designed to meet the unique need of students
with outstanding academic qualifications. The mission will be
accomplished through Honors sections or regular catalog courses,
interdisciplinary Honors courses, special Honors seminars, and
opportunities for research. The Honors Program is enhanced by
the collaborative efforts of Clarion University faculty, the members
of the Honors Council, and the director of the Honors Program.
Promoting a Commitment
to Academic Excellence
and Civic Responsibility
The Honors Program is a leader in the university
community of producing scholars and leaders.
Regardless of their career paths, our Honors
students share a value on hard work, dedication
to their community, and high standards for
professional careers.
The Honors Scholarships are invaluable to
support these unique students and is an
investment in the Honors tradition.

Sigma Tau Gamma Honors Scholars Community Service Partners
Adopt a Highway
Alpha Mu Gamma
Alpha Phi Omega
American Cancer Society
American Chemical Society
American Heart Association
American Red Cross
Beta Beta Beta
Board of Governor’s Scholarship
Boy Scouts of America
Circle K
City Year Greater Philadelphia
Clarion Student’s Association
Community Service Day
Dance Marathon
Dance Team
DCNR
Delta Zeta
Extreme Community Makeover
Eagle Ambassador
English Club
Excellence in Service Award
Food for Friends
Foundation Honors Scholarship
Golden Living
Habitat for Humanity
Honors Ambassador
Honors Program Student Director
Jefferson-Clarion Head Start
Kappa Delta Pi
Marching Band
March of Dimes
Marjorie Tippin Leadership Award
Move In Day
National Collegiate Honors Council
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
NCAA Basketball
NCAA Cross Country
NCAA Soccer
NCAA Swimming & Diving
NCAA Track & Field
NSSLHA
PASSHE Summer Honors Program
Pennsylvania Clean Highways
Pennsylvania School Librarians
nu Association
Phi Eta Sigma
Phi Kappa Phi
Pi Mu Epsilon
President’s Student Advisory Board
PSAC Athletics
Relay for Life
Resident Assistant
Saturday Service Volunteer
Scholar Athlete
Scuba Club
Sigma Tau Delta
Spanish Club
Special Olympics
Student Honors Association
Student Senate
Study Abroad Club
United Way
University Theatre
UPMC Internship
USA Track & Field
Syed Ali-Zaidi Award for Academic
Excellence
Symphony Orchestra
The Harrisburg Internship
Semester (THIS)
Valentines for Veterans
Words of Honor Newsletter

2011-2012
Clarion University Administration
Dr. Karen M. Whitney, President
Dr. Ron Nowaczyk, Provost
Dr. Rachelle Prioleau, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. John T. Groves, Dean of the College of Education & Human Services
Dr. James G. Pesek, Dean of the College of Business Administration
Dr. Christopher M. Reber, Executive Dean Venango College
Honors Faculty
Dr. Andrew C. Keth, Biology Department
Dr. Todd R. Lavin, Political Science & Philosophy Department
Dr. Ralph N. Leary, English Department
Professor James R. Lyle, Communication Department
Dr. Rod D. Raehsler, Economics Department
Dr. Hallie E. Savage, Honors Program
Honors Council
Darla Ausel, Learning and Technology
Dean William D. Bailey, Enrollment Management
Dr. Jon A. Beal, Mathematics Department
Dr. Ellen A. Foster, Honors Director, Venango Campus
Dr. Andrew M. Turner, Biology Department
Dr. Robert M. Frakes, History Department
Lynn W. Hepfl, Honors Program Coordinator
Debra Huffman, Clarion University Foundation
Michelle L. Kealey, Student and University Affairs
Dean Terry S. Latour, University Libraries
Dr. Ralph N. Leary, English Department
Professor James R. Lyle, Communication Department
Dr. Patricia L. Kolencik, College of Education & Human Services
Dr. Rod D. Raehsler, College of Business Administration
Dr. P. Brent Register, Assistant Honors Program Director
Dr. Hallie E. Savage, Honors Program Director
Wendy J. Snodgrass, Athletics

Sigma Tau Gamma Scholar Regina Finelli
at President Whitney’s Inauguration.
Sigma Tau Gamma Scholar Ben Sturtz
at Senior Presentations.
Sigma Tau Gamma Scholar
Joanna Catalano.

Honors Program scholarships provided in this booklet are from generous donors
who are committed to helping students receive a quality education.
Continued generosity from alumni, family and friends
will help transform Clarion University into a school of opportunity for all.
We thank those who support the Sigma Tau Gamma Honors Endowment
as we strive to challenge students academically.
If there is an Honors Program or event you are able to support with your time, talents or treasure,
contact Debbie Huffman, Development Officer, at dhuffman@cuf-inc.org, or
Hallie Savage, Honors Program Director, at hsavage@clarion.edu .

It is the policy of Clarion University of Pennsylvania that there shall be equal opportunity in all of its educational programs, services, and
benefits, and there shall be no discrimination with regard to a student’s or prospective student’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin,
disability, age, sexual orientation/affection, veteran status or other classifications that are protected under local, state, and federal laws. Direct
equal opportunity inquiries to Assistant to the President for Social Equity, Clarion University of Pennsylvania, 207 Carrier Administration
Building, Clarion, PA 16214-1232, 814-393-2109.