Penn State DuBois Alumni Honored at Awards Ceremony DuBois
The Penn State DuBois Alumni Society held its annual Alumni Awards Dinner
on October 16. Three Penn State DuBois Alumni received awards and a special fourth
award was presented to an Ambassador for the campus.
Jessica Jones, presently of Ashville, North Carolina, received the Dave Shaffer
Outstanding Young Alumni Award. Jones graduated with a Letters Arts and Sciences
Degree in 2005 and is a Copy Editor for Sophia Magazine. English Instructor, Jackie Atkins presented the award to Jones. “I knew she was special from the beginning,”
Atkins said of Jones. “She exhibited a passion for college, a passion for life and a
passion for literature.”
Jones said Atkins inspired her during her time at Penn State DuBois. She thanked Atkins and other faculty members who she says molded her for success. “Thank you for this honor and thank you for helping me to be the person I am today,” Jones said.
Steve Monaco was presented the Outstanding Alumni Award. Monaco, a 1988 Business
graduate, lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is the Financial Accounting Operations
Executive for Bank of America. Monaco’s brother, Greg, presented the award and spoke of his sibling’s success. “It’s an honor to introduce my brother,” Greg Monaco said. “He grew up in Sykesville where he learned the small town values of hard work and dedication. He understands what he has to do to be successful and that’s what he does.”
“I’m truly honored and humbled by this award,” said Steve Monaco. He aid his management style was inspired by that of his grandfather’s. “I’ll never forget my grandfather’s retirement party when so many employees got up and said how much they loved the man.”
Bob Grieve, of DuBois, was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award. He graduated from the Architectural Engineering Program in 1977, and is the Vice President of Hallstrom Construction. Bob Hallstrom served as presenter. He said he first met Grieve when the two attended Penn State DuBois in the 1970’s. “What a treat it is to introduce my long time business partner and one of my best friends,” Hallstrom said. “Everything he does, he does the best job he can. Grieve thanked the Hallstrom family for believing in him back when he was fresh out of school. “I don’t know if my achievements merit an award, but I do know that everything. I have I owe to these people,” he said of the Hallstrom’s.
The Distinguished Ambassador Award went to Nancy Micks, of DuBois. Micks is the
President and CEO of the Greater DuBois Chamber of Commerce. Penn State DuBois
Chancellor, Anita McDonald presented the award.
“This is a hard award to give because the person getting it is hard to give anything to.
Nancy is always so busy giving to others,” McDonald said, noting the support that Micks has given to Penn State DuBois over the years. McDonald continued, “She’s helped with everything from academics to athletics at this campus. I just can’t say enough wonderful things about this woman.” Micks accepted the award saying, “I’m so humbled and so honored, and I’m so glad I’ve found a family here at Penn State DuBois