Alumni Awards

College of Earth and Mineral Sciences Awards

Graduates of Earth and Mineral Sciences (GEMS) Diamond Award

Established in 2006, a lifetime membership in the Penn State Alumni Association will be awarded to a graduating student who is found to have the most well-rounded involvement and achievement in both the university and community environment during their student experience with the College.

Meteorology GEMS Diamond Award Recipients

  • 2016 Ryan Breton
  • 2009 Thomas Sabbatelli
  • 2008 Jennifer Zeigenfus
  • 2007 Alexis Phillips

Graduates of Earth and Mineral Sciences (GEMS) Alumni Achievement Award

The GEMS Alumni Achievement Award is given by the EMS Alumni Society to recognize outstanding achievement by EMS alumni. All bachelor and graduate degree alumni of the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences are eligible to receive this award. Special consideration is given to members of GEMS and to young alumni. Nominations are solicited each fall. Each submission should include a supporting letter/statement from the nominator plus a current vitae for the candidate. The GEMS Board will review all nominations prior to their winter meeting.

Meteorology GEMS Alumni Achievement Award Recipients

  • 2009 Stephen Corfidi
  • 2007 John G. W. Kelley
  • 2004 Jon M. Nese
  • 2001 Gregory Forbes
  • 1999 Robert Sax
  • 1995 Joel Myers
  • 1993 Douglas Kruhoeffer

Charles L. Hosler Scholar Award

The Charles L. Hosler Alumni Scholar Medal was established in 1992 to recognize the achievements of alumni who have made outstanding contributions to the development of science through research, teaching, or administrative leadership with emphasis given to those who have earned doctoral degrees. The Hosler Alumni Scholar Award honors Dr. Charles L. Hosler, who retired from the University in 1992 as Senior Vice President for Research and Dean of the Graduate School. To honor his work in meteorology and education and his many years as a faculty member, head of the department of meteorology, and dean of the college, this award was established to recognize the very highest levels of intellectual achievement or academic service attained by those educated in the college.

Meteorology Charles L. Hosler Scholar Award Recipients

  • 2012 James Hoke 
  • 2010 Warren M. Washington ('64 Ph.D.)
  • 2009 Richard C. J. Somerville
  • 2004 John J. Cahir
  • 2002 Richard E. Hallgren
  • 1999 Roger A. Pielke
  • 1999 William R. Cotton
  • 1992 Charles L. Hosler

The Pennsylvania State University Alumni Awards 

Alumni Achievement Award - Penn State Alumni Association

The Alumni Achievement Award recognizes alumni 35 years of age and younger for their extraordinary professional accomplishments. These prominent young alumni are nominated by an academic college and invited by the President of the University to return to campus to share their expertise with students, faculty, and administrators. they demonstrate to students that Penn State alumni succeed in exceptional fashion at an early age. The award is a cast bronze medallion and framed certificate.

Alumni Fellow Award

The Alumni Fellow Award is the most prestigious award given by the Penn State Alumni Association. Since 1973, the Alumni Fellow Award has been given to select alumni who, as leaders in their professional fields, are nominated by an academic college and accept an invitation from the President of the University to return to campus to share their expertise with students, faculty, and administrators. The award is a cast bronze medallion and framed certificate. Nominations are solicited from deans and department heads each fall.

Distinguished Alumni Award

The Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest honor that The Pennsylvania State University bestows upon an outstanding alumnus/a. The award salutes the achievements of outstanding alumni whose “personal lives, professional achievements, and community service exemplify the objectives of their Alma Mater.” The award is an engraved bronze medallion, matching pendant, and framed inscribed certificate.