The Mockingbird Award in honor of William Hadley Denton
The Mockingbird Award in honor of William Hadley Denton
The HPA Mockingbird Award is given in memory of William H. Denton, a health policy and administration student who passed away in January 2018. William loved being a student and saw education as a way to optimize a student’s potential to bring good into the world. He had a favorite quote from Harper Lee’s book, To Kill a Mockingbird, that said, “It’s a sin to kill a mockingbird” because they bring no harm to the world.
This award recognizes William’s “Mockingbird” qualities for protecting the vulnerable by fighting against injustice, and recognizes HPA students who have demonstrated a commitment to and passion for advocating for the welfare of others.
- Eligibility
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This award will be given to baccalaureate degree or integrated undergraduate/graduate student or students in the Department of Health Policy and Administration in the College of Health and Human Development. To nominate a student for the award, please fill out the online form. Candidates must meet the following criteria:
- have at least a minimum of 89.1 credits by the spring semester of 2023, and
- have maintained at least a 3.00 grade point average.
Candidates must also demonstrate the following characteristics:
- He or she serves as a role model for the Penn State Community by engaging in activities that improve the welfare of others; or
- Has promoted the welfare of others by increasing awareness or enhancing the understanding of a social injustice.
- Nominating Procedure
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Deadline for Nominations:
Nominations for the award are due by February 23, 2024. To nominate a student for the Mockingbird Award, please fill out the submission form. Dr. Diane Spokus, associate director, HPA Undergraduate Professional Development, will receive the nominations and forward them to the HPA Awards Committee for review and selection. Nominations may be made by faculty, staff, and alumni. The nomination shall consist of:
- Completed nomination form;
- One letter of reference from the nominating faculty member; and
- The student’s résumé.
Selection Committee
The recipients of this award shall be selected by the HPA Awards Committee.
- The Award
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The recipients may receive a monetary award, which will be presented during the HPA Student Showcase at the Stanley P. Mayers Endowed Lecture in the spring semester.
- Past Recipients
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2023
- Aarathi Kallur
- Maha Vijayakrishnan
- Jashe Vieluf
2022
- Taylor Plavchak
- Kaylie Shojaie
- Julie Waller
2021
- Jaspreet Ghuman
- Joanna Suarez
2020
- Nick Corona
- Edward Parliman (WC)
2019
- Hannah Ross
2018
- Alexandra Tiano
- Vanna Lee
