Youngstown State University honored students, faculty, staff and alumni for their service at the annual Community Engagement Symposium on April 15.

The event highlighted community-engaged scholarship and awarded individuals for their contributions to the campus and the greater Youngstown community.

Tanya Pai Dhungat received the Charles J. Ping Service Award and Legacy Award from the Community Campus Coalition for organizing on-campus vision screenings and exams with Sight for All United. This marks the third time in four years a YSU student has earned the Ping Award.

The Alumni Service Award was presented to Pete’s Pride volunteers Mark Dolak and Trudy Seymour-Evans for their dedication to events such as Penguin Preview Day and commencement.

Saresh Sharma, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering, was named Outstanding Faculty Member for supporting student engagement and working with community partners. Sharma has also published research on water resources and community involvement.

Jake Louis earned the Student Servant Heart Award for his quiet but consistent service with United Way’s SaturDay of Caring and Volunteer Income Tax Assistance programs.

Isabella Williams, a Hubbard High School student and future YSU student, received the Rising Star Student Service Award. She created and presented “Shoot for a Change,” a charity basketball game benefiting Potential Development.

Carrie Anderson, associate director of student involvement, was named PenguinPulse Champion for promoting the community engagement platform among student organizations, including Greek life.

Poster presentations showcasing student and faculty scholarship were also recognized:

• Outstanding Student and Faculty Poster: Maggie Byers and Laura Dewberry for “Pay It Forward: Student Philanthropy Initiative”
• Outstanding Student Poster: Pai Dhungat and Sridhar Narain for “Clear Eyes on Campus”
• Outstanding Environmental Studies Posters:
  • Abishkar Paneru for hydrodynamic modeling at Tappan Lake
  • Anthony Mazella, Simon Kovass, Noah Pfeifer and Prabhas Kolluri for a water quality study in San Pedro, Belize

Top honors from the Campus Community Partnerships Honors Seminar went to five student groups who worked with the following partners:

• ACLD School and Learning Center — Mia Abi Ghanem, Samantha Heinz, Scotland Satola
• Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Church — Derek Byers, Kyle Hughes, Blake Poole, LeBraun Hall, Dylan Carter, Gerald Chirombo, Ashleigh Hodge
• Harmony Hospice — Allison Geisler, Logan Robbins, John Shaw, Ella Vlosich
• Diva Donations — Danica Juillerat, Alexandra Browne, Madison Saylor, Madisen Kline, Brooke Maslyk
• Dorothy Day House — NyJayah Jones, Parker Bush, Justin Boston, Moawya Adhami, Liam Hetzel

Throughout the semester, honors students collaborated with 30 community partners to meet local needs.

“The symposium continues to grow every year, representing students and faculty from more disciplines,” said Amy Cossentino, associate provost and dean. “Through experiential learning, students gain valuable skills and make meaningful contributions to community partners.”