2023 AAUW State College Awards & Recipients

Member Making a Difference

Mary Ann Blair

After working just one year at the workshop Mary Ann accepted the position of Used Book Sale Co-Chair. She is a dynamic and reliable leader who takes initiative and makes things happen. Mary Ann has a wonderful and welcoming attitude and is a delight to work with. She has really made a difference at the Used Book Workshop and will be terrific at the sale. 

Outstanding Woman

Sally Kalin

During a challenging officer transition last summer, Sally, Immediate Past Co-President, stepped in to coordinate the board to keep the branch running smoothly.  She is the prime motivator behind improvements to our website, strongly supports our Marketing & Communications effort, persevered in forming a Nominating Committee, continues pricing for the book sale, and promotes the development of mission-driven programming that the branch is well known for, while also taking on a role at the state level. 

Outstanding Woman

Connie Schroeder

As VP for Marketing and Communications, Connie’s attention to promoting the branch and keeping the membership informed has been exceptional. Her role has become more critical over the years because of the need to enhance our visibility and spread our mission. Much of our migration to social media and the enhancement of the quality of our postings is due to Connie.  Connie can be a force who does not shy away from identifying problems while also suggesting solutions. 

Gateway to Equity Award

Leslie Laing

Leslie is an exceptionally strong advocate for equity, offering her time selflessly to AAUW State College initiatives, as well as several other community organizations and events, to advance the cause of equity. She can always be counted on to speak her mind, offer constructive ideas, and stand up for diversity, equity, and inclusion. She has been a very active member of the Community Diversity Group, Juneteenth National Freedom Day, Penn State Martin Luther King Jr. Day events, and the local NAACP. 

CCCHS Volunteer of the Year

Vasundara Varadan

Vasu has served as branch treasurer for two years and has done a wonderful job tending to her duties as treasurer, and most especially, keeping things running at the Used Book Sale. She has helped volunteers adjust to the credit card system used there, cut through a lot of red tape to open a branch Zoom account, and has set up an ACH account that adds flexibility for members to request and receive payments. Vasu is a terrific team player!

Member Making a Difference

This award honors a member who made a big difference in something important to AAUW State College within the past year. The recipient exemplifies the spirit of AAUW and need not be a branch officer or committee chair.

Gateway to Equity Award

The Gateway to Equity Award honors an individual, group, or organization that by action and philosophy has promoted AAUW’s mission of advancing equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, or research. The nominator should know the individual, group, or organization and be able to identify several ways in which the award criteria have been met.

Outstanding Woman

The Outstanding Woman Award recipient is an AAUW State College member who has given meritorious service to the branch and to the community over multiple years.

Special Honoree

A Special Honoree is a long-standing member whom AAUW State College nominates for special recognition by AAUW-PA.

Gateway to Equity Award

The Gateway to Equity Award honors an individual, group, or organization that by action and philosophy has promoted AAUW’s mission of advancing equity for women and girls through advocacy, education, philanthropy, or research. The nominator should know the individual, group, or organization and be able to identify several ways in which the award criteria have been met.

Emerging Star

The Emerging Star Award (discontinued in 2012) recognized a new member who made significant contributions to AAUW State College.

2011 – Stacie Chandler
2010 – Candace Davison
2009 – Joanne Bennett
2008 – Sherry Crassweller
2007 – Alex Broyles and Harriet Feinstein

2006 – (no nominee)
2005 – Donna Holoviak
2004 – Nancy Weinreb
2003 – Jayne Cawthern
2002 – Barbara Haring

2001 – Beth Christopoulos
2000 – Dianne Taylor Gregg
1999 – Michelle Dzyak
1998 – Louise Malarkey

Branch Awards

Pennsylvania Awards

AAUW State College has received the following awards from AAUW-PA in 2019-2020:

  • AAUW Pennsylvania Public Policy Award for Notable Advocacy Efforts
  • AAUW Pennsylvania Achievement Award in Recognition of Total Giving
  • AAUW Pennsylvania Achievement Award in Recognition of Per Capita Giving
  • AAUW Pennsylvania Achievement Award for Top Branch in Economic Security Initiatives
  • AAUW Pennsylvania Achievement Award for Top Branch in Governance and Sustainability Initiatives
  • AAUW-Pennsylvania Award for Top Branch in Giving to the Legal Advocacy Fund

Centre Region Awards

In appreciation of our continued leadership supporting literacy for women, the Mid-State Literacy Council Board of Directors voted in February 2020 to award AAUW State College with The Ruth C. Kistler Service Award, the highest award honoring the contributions to literacy in our community. Ruth Kistler founded the Mid-State Literacy Council in 1971 to bring literacy in all forms to adults in Centre and Clearfield Counties. 

National Awards

AAUW State College has received Five-Star Recognition from AAUW national for outstanding work in Public Policy and Research; Communications and External Relations; Programs; Advancement; and Governance and Sustainability. AAUW State College is one of a select few nationwide to have received this designation.