Greensburg, PA - Gathering students and teachers from greater Pittsburgh region high schools, Seton Hill College (SHC) held its 14th annual Women in Science Day March 27th on campus. High school women from 38 schools were recognized for their achievements in the disciplines of biology, chemistry and mathematics. SHC Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College Mary Ann Gawelek, Ed. D., presented certificates to all award winners.

“It’s so important to recognize the talents of our aspiring students in the field of science,” said Gawelek to the roomful of students, teachers, administrators and parents. “Young women need to be encouraged to pursue studies that interest them, and to seek careers of their choice.”

The day-long event was highlighted by an awards luncheon featuring keynote speaker Sandra Burin Bobick. Bobick is a class of 1969 Seton Hill alumna, who holds a BA in biology from Seton Hill College, an MS in biology from the University of Dayton, an M.Ed. from John Carroll University and a Doctor of Education from the University of Pittsburgh. She has taught students ranging from elementary to undergraduate levels and since 1990 has been a professor of biology at the Community College of Allegheny County. In addition to teaching, Bobick served ten years as an editor/ indexer for BioScience Information Service. She currently serves on the Steering Council of the Regional Math/ Science Collaborative of Western Pennsylvania.

Sister Margaret Burns, former chair of the Mathematics and Computer Science Department, initiated Seton Hill’s first Women in Science Day in 1989. Sister Burns designed this event as a way to honor and encourage young women in their study of mathematics and science.

Winners of the 2002 Women in Science Awards

Biology Awards

Amanda Cicero, Butler Senior High School- nominated by William McElroy Kristen Denk, Quigley Catholic High School- nominated by Janet Bonislawsky Jaclyn Goldberg, Fox Chapel High School- nominated by Adele Selinger Michelle Bopp, Apollo Ridge High School- nominate by Nancy Blyshak Courtney Clark, Penn Hills High School- nominated by Matthew Austin Roseanne Fry, Greensburg Central Catholic- nominated by Judy Link Carrie Goodlin, Gateway High School- nominated by William Waryck Dana Huether, Jeannette High School- nominated by Don Vosnick Natalia Kaniasty, Indiana Area Senior High School- nominated by Terry Lewis April Kiral, Geibel High School- nominated by Toni Henderson Sarah Kondisko, Bishop Guilfoyle High School- nominated by Suzanne Thoma Lindsay Kunkle, Burrell High School- nominated by Peter Bosin Melissa Leuch, Saint Joseph High School- nominated by Judith Kiriluk Shelby Marshall, Derry Area High School- nominated by John Gregorich Ann Mazur, Seton LaSalle High School- nominated by Sr. Kathryn Palas Sara Mochak, Hempfield Area Senior High School- nominated by Andrew Jugan Hannah Raughley, Yough Senior High School- nominated by George Zober Charise Shively, Southmoreland High School- nominated by Michael Polechko Megan Sias, Greater Latrobe High School- nominated by Catherine Herrod Lindsay Snak, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart- nominated by Karen Runtich Lisa Stack, Greensburg Salem High School- nominated by Gerry Police Theresa Stamplis, Westmont Hilltop High School- nominated by Heidi Diehl Kristen Stash, Serra High School- nominated by Donna Belski Paige Stokes, South Allegheny High School- nominated by Janice Skraly Katherine Thompson, Somerset Area High School- nominated by Pam Diesel Jessica Woods, Kiski Area High School- nominated by Ralph Lemmon

Chemistry

Emily Alex, Bishop Carroll High School- nominated by Judy Rickard Brittany Belin, Indiana Area Senior High School- nominated by Ann Parow Jenna Colbaugh, Greensburg Central Catholic High School- nominated by Sr. Mary Helen Alison Crotti, South Allegheny High School- nominated by Janice Skraly Kathleen Donaldson, Greater Latrobe High School- nominated by Jim DiMuzio Maurie Donnelly, Bishop Guilfoyle High School- nominated by Suzanne Thoma Susan Feightner, Hempfield Area Senior High School- nominated by Robert Kalp Jillian Fischer, Saint Joseph High School- nominated by Cathy Greco Rachel Hayes, Fox Chapel High School- nominated by Annette Oros Brenda Keitzer, Kiski Area High School- nominated by Ruth Filer Kira Kontor, Derry Area High School- nominated by Jim Paul Molly Long, Seton LaSalle High School- nominated by Browyn Korchnak Audrey Mamros, Burrell High School- nominated by Cathy Evans Megan Maser, Bishop McCort High School- nominated by Anne Majcher Samantha McCormick, Laurel High School- nominated by Kathryn Fray Bridgett McCune, Jeannette High School- nominated by Terry Lewis Rebekah McLaughlin, Penn Trafford High School- nominated by Helen Loughner Katie McNerny, Greensburg Salem High School- nominated by Tammy Elliot Johanna Mongell, Geibel High School- nominated by Jack Bluhm Cara Petonic, Southmoreland High School- nominated by Michael Busato Angela Sherbondy, Yough Senior High School- nominated by George Zober Laura Timens, North Star High School- nominated by Sallie Coughenour Colleen Tremont, Serra High School- nominated by Donna Belski Nicki Zerola, Baldwin High School- nominated by David Vandermer

Mathematics

Jennifer Babcock, Gateway High School- nominated by Nancy Toman Carleen Bennett, Bishop Guilfoyle High School- nominated by Suzanne Thoma Julia Cole, Greensburg Salem High School- nominated by Diana Fitzgerald Lauren Duvall, Elizabeth Forward High School- nominated by T.J. Menzies Gillian Friday, Kiski Area High School- nominated by Thomas Toland Jennifer Fuchs, Hempfield Area Senior High School- nominated by Nancy Sterrett Laurel Highberger, Blairsville High School- nominated by Ann Marie Dechman Elizabeth Hill, North Catholic High School- nominated by Beth Young Amy Hoffman, Jeannette High School- nominated by Mike Nichols Justina Hohmann, Vincentian Academy- nominated by Sr. Camille Panich Christine Killimayer, Greater Latrobe High School- nominated by Stephanie Patterson Stacey Kozak, Mt. Pleasant Area High School- nominated by Matthew Gross Danielle Kruse, Penn Hills High School- nominated by Carl Williams Elizabeth Kuniak, Saint Joseph High School- nominated by Anthony T. Sorrentino III Eve Miedel, Yough Senior High School- nominated by Erna Carpenter Kathleen Pitterle, Greensburg Central Catholic High School- nominated by Lorraine Bryner Jennifer Pruchnik, Bishop McCort High School- nominated by Cindy Penatzer Lynsi Renwick, Butler Senior High School- nominated by Judy Jolley Laura Timens, North Star High School- nominated by Gayle Thomas Ashley Yelinek, Southmoreland High School- nominated by Kimberly Pfeifer Jeanette Yuhas, Bishop Carroll High School- nominated by Janice Burley