Penn State Altoona recognizes class of Sheetz Fellows

The 11th class of Sheetz Fellows was inducted during a formal ceremony Feb. 26, 2022. A competitive academic program, Sheetz Fellows offers unique opportunities that ignite and inspire the entrepreneurial mindset of students at Penn State Altoona by fostering critical thinking, ingenuity, leadership and problem-solving skills.

Fourteen students, all from Pennsylvania, were inducted into the program. They are Julia Aumiller of New Cumberland, Kaelynn Behrens of Bellwood, Justin Best of Hollidaysburg, Alauna Feathers of Altoona, Salvatore Fiore of Altoona, Garrett Giedroc of Howard, Robert W. Lape IV of Roaring Spring, Tyler Masterson of Ephrata, Shyanne Middendorf of Towanda, Bradley Shaffer of Hollidaysburg, Alexa Smith of Duncansville, Dominic Tornatore of Bellwood, Vanessa Wilt of Martinsburg and Tomasz Zukowski of Slatington.

The Sheetz Fellows Program was established in 2009 as part of a historic gift to Penn State Altoona by Steve and Nancy Sheetz and has proven to be a visionary initiative that prepares students for professional, educational, personal, and social success.

During his program remarks, Steve Sheetz said, "My wife and I are very proud of the Sheetz Fellows Program and are especially proud of the Fellows. We want to support you, we want to help you grow, and ultimately, we want to help you lead fulfilling lives."

Other remarks during the ceremony were given by Dr. Lori J. Bechtel-Wherry, chancellor and dean at Penn State Altoona, Donna Bon, director of the Sheetz Fellows program and Sara Herron, president of the Sheetz Fellows.

All Fellows are required to maintain at least a 3.25 in major GPA, in addition to completing a concentration in entrepreneurship or an entrepreneurship minor, a minimum of 80 hours of servant leadership, a mentor program, a study abroad experience, an internship or research initiative, and an ethics course.

Sheetz Fellows receive a $5,000 scholarship during their junior year and a $10,000 scholarship during their senior year, fully paid travel, lodging and events for a 10-day Sheetz Fellows education abroad experience, participation in a national conference, in addition to other numerous leadership and travel opportunities.

All students graduating Penn State Altoona as a Sheetz Fellow receive a medallion and special recognition at commencement.