Mansfield University's student team took first place in the annual State System Startup Challenge for its Greenery Walls business idea. PASSHE's Startup Challenge is an opportunity for students attending one of the 14 state-owned universities to compete for prize money of up to $10,000 for their innovative ideas. Winners receive prize money to assist in making their dreams of becoming an entrepreneur come true. The project was led by members of the Mansfield business student organization, Enactus, that included Sarah Hart (Wellsboro, Pa.), Evan Miller (Bellefonte, Pa.), Trent Smith (Northhampton, Pa.), Cross Kantz (Selinsgrove, Pa.), Brianna Roys (Port Allegany, Pa.), and Holden Meyers (Girardville, Pa.). The team was advised by MU faculty members Xiaoxuan Ji, Atika Benaddi, and Xia Zhou.

Mansfield University of Pennsylvania announced its Fall 2020 graduates.

Congratulations to Amy King!

A total of 376 students have been named to the Mansfield University Dean's List for the Fall 2020 semester. To be named to the Dean's list, a student must attend the university full-time and earn at least a 3.5 GPA.

One hundred thirty-two students have been named to the Mansfield University President's List for the fall 2020 semester. To be named to the President's List, a student must attend the university full-time and attain at least a 4.0 GPA for the semester. Mansfield University is a member of Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). For more information visit mansfield.edu.

Brittney Atkins, a Cell and Molecular Biology senior from Hamburg, Pa., was the recipient of a $4,000 research scholarship from the NASA Pennsylvania State Grant Consortium.

Caitlin Beauduy, a senior cell and molecular biology student at Mansfield University, received a $4,000 research scholarship from the NASA Pennsylvania State Grant Consortium for her proposal on pancreatic cancer.

Each spring semester, academic departments are invited to recognize the achievements of their outstanding students at our Academic Honors Reception. This year, departments were invited to recognize their outstanding first-year student, their outstanding sophomore, their outstanding junior, and their nominee for the outstanding senior award. We usually hold this event in mid-April; unfortunately, we were unable to have such a gathering this year for public health reasons, and the students received their certificates of recognition through the mail rather than in person. Although we were unable to hold our Academic Honors Reception this year, we certainly extend our congratulations to all of our outstanding students for a job well done, especially given the difficult circumstances this past semester. We are proud of their accomplishments, and we honor their outstanding achievements as Mansfield University students.

Olga Bilardi of Roaring Brook Twp, PA has been selected as Mansfield University's Outstanding Senior for the 2018-19 academic year. Olga was presented with her award by Interim President Peter Fackler at the university's 154th Spring Commencement on Saturday, May 4th. Olga graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology: Lifespan Development and Counseling. Olga was born in Bryansk, Russia, and was adopted by her parents when she was an infant. Olga said that Mansfield has offered her many opportunities to flourish as a professional, scholar, and individual. She had the opportunity to conduct research under the psychology department and present the results at two research conferences. She has also been involved in many student organizations on campus and held officer positions within each of the following groups: Psychology Club, Psi Chi, and the Community Service. She recently completed an internship during at the Wallenpaupack Area School District, where she worked under the supervision of two school psychologists and the director of special education. Olga plans to attend graduate school and earn her doctorate in School Psychology. Her ultimate goal is to become a nationally certified and licensed school psychologist.

Mansfield University psychology major Davin MacGeorge was honored with the Order of the Diamond Circle: The Grand Chapter of Phi Sigma Kappa's Outstanding Undergraduate Award. The award recognizes undergraduate members who excel in their abilities and achievements and demonstrate leadership in Phi Sigma Kappa through loyalty, hard work and dedication. The Order of the Diamond Circle is the highest honor that an undergraduate can receive from Phi Sigma Kappa. Every year, each Phi Sigma Kappa chapter can nominate one undergraduate member to be considered for the award. MacGregor was one of three members selected across the country out of a pool 74 candidates. Recipients of the award hold a chair in the Order of the Diamond Circle that is named after an outstanding member from Phi Sigma Kappa's history. MacGregor serves as the treasurer of Phi Sigma Kappa Phi Nu Chapter and spent two terms as the Vice President of the Interfraternity Council at Mansfield. He is also the Vice President of Psi Chi and was initiated into the Order of the Omega. MacGregor is a volunteer for Tioga County Special Olympics, assisting with bocce ball, bowling, and swimming and is a certified basketball coach. He's also active with the Hometown Holiday, Hometown Eggstravaganza, and Trunk or Treat.

Mansfield University senior Sarah Bogdan was recently accepted into Shanghai University for the Spring 2020 semester. Sarah is an English: Professional Writing major with a minor in Studio Art. She will enroll in the Language & Culture program at Shanghai University, where she will finish her last semester and complete her bachelor's degree from Mansfield. Among other classes, she looks forward to studying Mandarin Chinese, foreign relations, and global communication. In January of 2019, Sarah participated in the Rising Star Study Tour, which was a two-week cultural exchange program in China. This experience sparked her interest in returning to China. With the help of her advisors, she explored her options through ISEP (International Student Exchange Programs) and decided on their direct exchange program in Shanghai. Shanghai is the biggest city in the country and is known for its modernity and diversity. As 2020 approaches, Sarah is excited to reunite with old friends as well as make new friends during her semester in China.

Daniel Mayer of Monstrose is working with the Office of Lt. Governor John Fetterman as part of a 15-week internship sponsored by Pennsylvania's State System of Higher Education. Mayer is a junior political science major at Mansfield University of Pennsylvania. He is one of 15 students participating in The Harrisburg Internship Semester (THIS) program, which provides students the opportunity to work in all areas of state government while earning a full semester's worth of credits. THIS invites students from each of the State System universities to participate. Daniel is the son of Barbara Pugh-Mayer, and a 2016 graduate of Elk Lake High School. He and the other students participating in the program also will attend several academic seminars during the internship. Each of the students will complete an individualized research project as part of the program's requirements. Students enrolled in the program earn 15 credits toward any major as they work at the state Capitol, an experience that can be a springboard into employment or public service. Students also receive a $3,500 stipend to assist with living expenses while they reside in the Harrisburg region.

Mansfield University Student Teachers joined Superintendents, Principals, and Teachers from across the region to share in a one-day instructional Skills In-Service from APL Associateson on Friday, March 8th. Participants learned instructional strategies, keys for teacher student success, and guidelines for behavior management.

A group of students from Mansfield University attended the 2019 PittCon annual convention in Philadelphia on March 21, 2019. PittCon (which stands for Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy), is the world's leading conference and exposition on laboratory science. Attendees are from over 90 countries and include scientists of every type from industry, academia, and government, which rotates its location yearly. Dr. John Williams, Chemistry, accompanied the 13 students to the conference, held in Philadelphia this year. The students were able to see a wide variety of instrumentation and laboratory equipment as well as make contacts with potential employers.

Mansfield University's Caitlin Beauduy earned Zag Sports Tours/NFHCA Division II Scholar of Distinction honors for her elite performance in the classroom. Beauduy is one of just 86 field hockey student-athletes at the NCAA Division II level to earn the honor. The Division II Scholars of Distinction program recognizes student-athletes who have achieved a cumulative grade point average of 3.9 or higher through the first semester of the 2018-19 academic year. Beauduy, a sophomore Nutrition & Dietetics major, was also named to the NFHCA National Academic Squad last week along with nine teammates.

Mansfield University students have started their student teaching assignments in schools across Pennsylvania and the Southern Tier of New York.