Alumni Notes

2006 Film-Video

has been invited to join the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) under the documentary branch.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences extended invitations to 398 distinguished artists and executives to join the organization in 2023. Membership selection is based on professional qualifications, with an ongoing commitment to representation, inclusion and equity.

"The Academy is proud to welcome these artists and professionals into our membership. They represent extraordinary global talent across cinematic disciplines, and have made a vital impact on the arts and sciences of motion pictures and on movie fans worldwide," said Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang."

Note Posted: July 1, 2023

2006 Journalism

earned the 2022 Associated Press Sports Editors contest Excellence in Video honor for the "Mic'd Up: Elmwood Park coach Tommy Mulligan" episode in his Mic'd Up series at NorthJersey.com and The Bergen Record.

• https://www.northjersey.com/vi...
• https://apsportseditors.com/20...

Note Posted: May 9, 2023

2006 Journalism

is now associate editor of the Texas Bar Journal for the State Bar of Texas in Austin.

Note Posted: December 2, 2017

2006 Advertising/Public Relations

is the graduate program director and instructor for Department of Communication at University of Delaware.

She is currently a full-time instructor for the University of Delaware’s Department of Communication and Director of the M.A. in Strategic Communication program. Prior to her transition into higher education, she lived and worked in New York City at the headquarters of NBCUniversal News Group, Time Warner Inc., and Ketchum.

Outside the office, she is an active member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), where she also earned the Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) credential. She currently serves as the President PRSA Delaware and is a member of PRSA’s National APR Marketing Committee.

Throughout her career, she has gained recognition from notable industry awards, including the CLIOs, SABREs, and the coveted PRSA Silver Anvil Award. She was also selected as PR Week Magazine’s 2006 Student of the Year during her senior year at Penn State.

She earned her M.S. in public relations and corporate communication from New York University with distinction.

She lives in Delaware with her husband and two young children, also known as “Team Smith” among family and friends. When not at home, the family can be found in one of their two happy places: Rehoboth Beach and Disney World.

Note Posted: October 10, 2022

2006 Advertising/Public Relations

is executive director of the Posner Foundation of Pittsburgh, whose philanthropy focuses on human rights, education, environment and Jewish life.

Note Posted: September 3, 2020

2006 Telecommunications

iis a project manager and certified PMP for Crystal Technologies Group Inc., a technology consulting firm based in West Chester, Pennsylvania, specializing in connectivity, cloud and managed services. He has been with Crystal Technologies for over 10 years ever since he graduated in Summer 2006. He currently resides in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania.

Note Posted: February 10, 2017

2006 Journalism

was lead digital project editor on "In Heroin's Grip," an investigative report by NorthJersey.com on the heroin epidemic in northern New Jersey. The project won The Deadline Club (NYC Chapter, Society of Professional Journalists) award for local news reporting, The Society of the Silurians medallion for online investigative / public service reporting, and two first-place honors from the NJ chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists.

Note Posted: June 17, 2016

2006 Advertising/Public Relations

was promoted to marketing director at Pittsburgh Magazine in January. In her new role, she oversees and executes all marketing activities for the Magazine which include strategic planning, events, sponsorships, e-newsletters, social media, branding, PR and advertising support.

Note Posted: April 16, 2013

2006 Journalism

returned to State College to work as the publications coordinator in the Penn State athletic department, overseeing the production and distribution of all official athletic publications. Fiorenzo previously worked as a publishing project manager at IMG College in Lexington, Ky., where he helped create print and digital publications for numerous Division I athletic programs, athletic conferences and the NCAA.

Note Posted: February 21, 2016

2006 Advertising/Public Relations

married Jeremy Koven on March 29, 2014, at Le Meridien Hotel in Philadelphia. She also celebrated one year at Penn Medicine as the marketing coordinator for the cancer and surgery lines.

Note Posted: July 29, 2014

2006 Advertising/Public Relations

was promoted to executive producer of Framestore's Virtual Reality Studio in New York. She previously served as producer and will continue to work with the department's founder and executive creator as a primary cliant liaison. Farmestone's VR Studio was established in 2014 and has enjoyed strong growth as well as collaboration on high-profile projects, indling an activation for HBO's "Game of Thrones" and a tour of a spaceship in "Interstellar."

Note Posted: July 6, 2015

2006 Journalism

graduated in May from the University of Delaware with a master's degree in finance. He earned the Academic Excellence Award, which is presented to one M.S. finance graduate based on GPA and faculty recommendations. He graduated in the top 10 percent of his class. Malcolm pursued the advanced degree while also working full-time. He is an associate business analyst at a Chester, Pennsylvania-based consulting firm. Malcolm worked as a reporter until January 2014.While at Penn State, he was sports editor and reporter at The Daily Collegian. He is married to Nichole Dobo ('04 Journ). She is a fellow at The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit news organization based at Teachers College, Columbia University in New York City. They live in Wilmington, Delaware.

Note Posted: June 17, 2015

2006 Journalism

earned the 2023 Associated Press Sports Editors contest Excellence in Video honor for "The Athlete of the Week Story" at NorthJersey.com and The Bergen Record. This is his second consecutive APSE Excellence in Video honor.

-https://www.northjersey.com/st...

-https://apsportseditors.com/20...

Note Posted: February 28, 2024

2005 Telecommunications

is the owner of Polaris Digital, a marketing agency in Boise, Idaho.

Note Posted: September 3, 2020

2005 Journalism

\=joined The Washington Post as a multiplatform editor in August 2017. Previously, she had worked at The Virginian-Pilot in Norfolk, Virginia. She started there as a Dow Jones News Fund intern in 2005 and became a copy editor, assistant copy desk chief and, most recently, night editor. She now lives in Alexandria, Virginia.

Note Posted: August 18, 2017

2005 Broadcast Journalism

, an investigative producer at the NBC affiliate in Houston, has been invited to attend a peer-to-peer educational conference between American and Russian journalists in Moscow in September. The event is being organized by the Sunlight Foundation and Transparency International in Russia, a division of the United State's Embassy in Russia.

Note Posted: June 23, 2016

2005 Journalism

has developed and is writing for The Nerdy Girlie blog. Here you can get tips for San Diego Comic Con and discover the latest in what is nerdy and girlie. You can find The Nerdy Girlie at www.thenerdygirlie.com online.

Note Posted: February 27, 2013

2005 Advertising/Public Relations

published his debut novel, Stage, in January 2014. The story follows four friends on a hellish journey to landing a record deal. If you're in the mood for music and mayhem, this book is for you. Download it now at Amazon, Barnes & Noble or justinschorah.com online.

Note Posted: January 13, 2014

2004 Journalism

accepted a fellowship with The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit news outlet that produces in-depth journalism on inequality and innovation in education. It is based at Teachers College, Columbia University in New York City. A story Dobo wrote this summer as a freelancer for The Hechinger Report appeared in The Atlantic. Dobo, who worked at The Daily Collegian while at Penn State, is married to Wade Malcolm ('06 Journ, Daily Collegian). Malcolm is a business analyst at Synygy in Chester, Pennsylvania, and a student pursuing a M.S. in finance at the University of Delaware. They live in Wilmington, Delaware. Dobo's sister is Elizabeth Dobo ('13 HHD). Malcolm's sister is Brittany Malcolm ('10 Lib).

Note Posted: October 2, 2014

2004 Journalism

was hired as director of public relations & team development at Heritage Homes and Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Premier Properties, located in Fargo, N.D. She is responsible for public relations, communications, advocacy, agent recruitment and retention, training, event coordinating, promotions and strategic planning. She lives in in West Fargo with her husband, Ryan, and her daughter and son.

Note Posted: September 28, 2015

2004 Journalism

was one of 17 winners -- from a record 7,100 nominations -- of the seventh annual Big Apple Awards, honoring exemplary New York City public school teachers. Roush, David Roush, a media communications teacher at Harry S. Truman High School in the Bronx, makes the classroom feel like a real television production studio, holding five-minute ‘staff meetings,’ and then releasing students to complete their work. He goes above and beyond to create opportunities for his students, like coordinating a Saturday morning internship program with CBS News. Classmates hold each other accountable for their successes through a positive and safe environment that supports and accelerates learning. One student said: “He helps all his students equally and shows us no matter where you come from we are all like a family.”

Note Posted: May 30, 2019

2004 Journalism

had her story “Amelia Pepperpot Can’t Ah-Choo” published in the December 2013 issue of Highlights magazine. Melnick, a native of Hazleton, Pa., who also earned her master's degree at Penn State ('06 Telecom) has been writing stories since first grade and recently decided to pursue her dream of becomming a children's author. Melnick’s story is about a young girl named Amelia Pepperpot, who has an odd infirmity -- she can’t sneeze. Melnick, who has a large portfolio of stories for children, is also a self-taught illustrator. “I enjoy doing both as I can have my characters look exactly as I envision them,” she said. “My mother is a talented artist and has a degree in commercial art, so it seems I’ve inherited her creativity.” She also complemented her journalism degree from Penn State with a minor in art history. For her master’s thesis, Melnick extensively studied the history of children’s books, as well as the children’s book and e-book markets, in order to find how publishers can promote a healthy e-book market for children. Founded in 1946, Highlights for Children Inc., is publisher of the most-read children’s magazines in North America.

Note Posted: November 23, 2013

2004 Journalism

and her husband Stephen Pryts, Sharpsville, Pa., welcomed a son, Gavin, on Nov. 27, 2015. Gavin is their first child.

Note Posted: March 4, 2016

2004 Broadcast Journalism

earned an MBA from the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business in December 2012. She is a management consultant/communications strategist for the Center for Organizational Excellence, which is located in the Washington, D.C., area.

Note Posted: April 3, 2013

2004 Journalism

works for the St. Petersburg (Fla.) Times as a designer/editor of the paper's business and sports sections.

Note Posted: January 28, 2013

2004 Telecommunications

and Matthew McCarty ('95 Edu) are both Air Force veterans who were given their first post assignments as Department of State Foreign Service Officers. Joswiak's website covers his background (www.robjoswiak.com) while McCarty is a retired pilot now embarking on a second career as a diplomat. Both were sworn in Feb. 17 by Secretary Tillerson at the Harry S. Truman Building in Washington, D.C.

Note Posted: February 12, 2017

2004 Advertising/Public Relations

was named as one of Houston Business Journal's 40 Under 40 for 2017. She is the practice growth senior manager for Pannell Kerr Forster of Texas, P.C. (PKF Texas), a middle market accounting and advisory firm in Houston. She is also a national board member of the Association for Accounting Marketing. Lemanski recently completed three terms as president of the Greater Houston Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association, where she remains as an at-large board member.

Note Posted: April 7, 2017

2004 Broadcast Journalism

has been hired as digital marketing manager at Western Products, located at 474 45th Street South in Fargo, N.D. In her new position, Larson will work to connect Western Products and its brands with consumers through the digital media landscape, including social media, online media and more. Originally from Pittsburgh, Larson lives in West Fargo. She and her husband, Ryan, have a daughter and son.

Note Posted: February 24, 2015

2004 Journalism

was elevated to equity partner at the law offices of Philadelphia-based Margolis Edelstein.

Note Posted: April 10, 2022

2004 Broadcast Journalism, Mass Communication

was hired as a communications manager for RDO in Fargo, N.D. Founded in 1968, RDO Equipment Co. sells and supports agriculture, construction, environmental, positioning, surveying and irrigation equipment from manufacturers including John Deere, Vermeer, and Topcon. With more than 75 locations across the United States, including partnerships in Russia, Ukraine, and Australia, RDO Equipment Co. is a total solutions provider.

Note Posted: October 25, 2022

2004 Journalism

was appointed to the Pennsylvania Board of Law Examiners for a term of three years, commencing on April 1, 2023.

Note Posted: March 26, 2023

2004 Journalism

has been elevated to partner at the law offices of Margolis Edelstein. She graduated from the Temple University Beasley School of Law class of 2010 and has been with Margolis Edelstein since 2011

Note Posted: April 9, 2018

2004 Journalism

was sworn into the bar of the Supreme Court of the United States by Chief Justice, John G. Roberts, Jr. on May 25, 2023.

Note Posted: May 30, 2023

2004 Film-Video

was promoted to director, live action visual effects at Lucasfilm with a focus on television content.

Note Posted: July 11, 2018

2004 Advertising/Public Relations

has been named editor of Delta Waterfowl’s award-winning membership publication.

\Wintersteen, who has nearly 20 years of experience writing and editing outdoors content, has served as Delta Waterfowl’s managing editor since March 2015. With the promotion, Wintersteen will be responsible for producing and guiding the editorial content of Delta’s flagship magazine. Delta Waterfowl Magazine is published five times annually as an exclusive membership benefit of The Duck Hunters Organization.

A native of central Pennsylvania, Wintersteen grew up hunting ducks along the north branch of the Susquehanna River. When he isn’t hunting ducks, Wintersteen competes in English springer spaniel field trials. He has owned two field champions, including a National Open High Point Champion.

“Kyle has proven himself as a valuable writer and editor for Delta for the past seven years, and he’s ready for the challenge of running Delta’s magazine,” Brice said. “These changes put both Kyle and Paul in positions to use their skills to provide the most impact for Delta Waterfowl.”

Delta Waterfowl is The Duck Hunters Organization, a leading conservation group working to produce ducks and secure the future of waterfowl hunting in North America.

Note Posted: September 29, 2023

2004 Journalism

was recognized as one of America's Best Lawyers in the Employment Law - Management category for 2024.

https://www.bestlawyers.com/la...

Note Posted: February 15, 2024

2004 Film-Video

is a director at ESPN and celebrating 15 years with the company this summer. She recently was awarded a Sports Emmy for Outstanding News/Feature Anthology for "E:60" and a Peabody Award for the network’s collaborative coverage of the Larry Nassar/Michigan State gymnastics story.

Note Posted: May 23, 2019

2004 Journalism

was one of 11 journalists selected as a Knight-Wallace Reporting Fellow for the 2021-22 academic year at the University of Michigan.

Dobo, the senior editor for audience engagement for The Hechinger Report, based in Wilmington, Delaware, fill focus on a project titled "A Reckoning: Higher Education in Rural America."

Created in 2020 to support ambitious journalism and respond to the remote needs of Covid-19, the Knight-Wallace Reporting Fellowships provide an academic year of support and collaborative learning. Fellows undertake projects examining pressing public challenges including social shifts precipitated by the pandemic, the nation’s deep economic and political divisions, and persistent social justice issues surrounding race, ethnicity and inequality.

Knight-Wallace Reporting Fellows will remain where they live while participating in weekly remote workshops, professional development sessions and seminars with University of Michigan faculty and experts. Two one-week Fellowship Cohort sessions at Wallace House on the University of Michigan campus are planned for the 2021-2022 academic year, subject to public health guidance.

The Reporting Fellowship is designed to benefit both working journalists and U.S. newsrooms. Each Reporting Fellow will pair with a local or national news organization to develop and publish their reporting project. The support of the fellowship allows news organizations to pursue ambitious journalism that they may not have the staff or funding to support independently.

Knight-Wallace Reporting Fellows will receive a stipend of $70,000 for the academic year plus an additional $10,000 in supplemental support to cover extra costs including health insurance, reporting equipment and supplemental travel-related expenses.

This adapted fellowship takes the place of the traditional, residential Knight-Wallace Journalism Fellowship for the 2021-2022 academic year.

Note Posted: July 15, 2021