Five distinguished alumni honored

The Bloomsburg University Alumni Association honored five of its own on Friday, June 3, 2022. It was the first in-person celebration since May of 2019.

Nominees for the four awards are submitted for consideration and then evaluated by a committee of the alumni board of directors.

Named the Distinguished Service Award winners were Chester Snavely '70 and Lt. Col. Michael Kwasnoski '95. This award recognizes alumni who have excelled in at least one of the following areas: significant accomplishments in their profession, outstanding service to Bloomsburg University and/or the alumni association, and contributions to humanity.

Salim Weldon '08 was the 2022 recipient of the Maroon and Gold Excellence Award. This award recognizes alumni who have graduated within the past 15 years and have met one or more criteria for the Distinguished Service Award and have demonstrated outstanding potential for further contributions.

The Honorable Mary Jane Bowes '22H is the 2022 recipient of the Honorary Alumni Award, which recognizes individuals who did not attend or graduate from Bloomsburg University but have played a significant role in the life of the university and have set an example for all BU alumni to follow.

The association also recognized Thomas Mason '84 as the William T. Derricott '66 Volunteer of the Year, which recognizes alumni who, through their volunteer contribution of time and talent on behalf of the BU Alumni Association, supports the mission of Bloomsburg University and exemplifies the esprit de corps of Bloomsburg University to those around them.

"The Annual Alumni Awards Celebration provides the Bloomsburg University Alumni Association with an opportunity to recognize some of our most accomplished and engaged alumni" explained Director of Alumni Engagement, Nathan Conroy '06 "We are excited to recognize five outstanding alumni who have each made an impact through their service to Bloomsburg University while excelling in their respective careers and contributing to their communities."

In addition, nearly 350 alumni received the Grimes Loyalty Recognition which acknowledges alumni for their engagement with the University over the past year.

Shown from left: Chet Snavely '70, Distinguished Service Award recipient; Bashar Hanna, Bloomsburg University President; Salim Weldon '08, Maroon and Gold Excellence Award recipient; The Honorable Mary Jane Bowes '22H, 2022 Honorary Alumnus; Felicia Ellzy '10/'11M, BUAA President(in front); Tom Mason '84, William T. Derricott '66 Volunteer of the Year; Marie and Daniel '62 Kwasnoski, parents of Distinguished Service Award recipient, Michael Kwasnoski '95.

The integration of Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, and Mansfield universities under the banner of Commonwealth University is a bold investment in the communities and people of Pennsylvania. Our mission is to expand high-quality, affordable academic opportunities to support the needs of all learners. We're building a powerful tomorrow by boldly changing the trajectory of public higher education to position ourselves for growth, increased access, and to meet economic and workforce development needs. Together we're honoring our history, investing in today, and building a powerful tomorrow. That's the power of three.