Penn State Altoona inducts 15th Sheetz Fellows class

ALTOONA, Pa. - The 15th class of Sheetz Fellows was inducted during a formal ceremony on Saturday, Feb. 28. A competitive academic program, the Sheetz Fellows Program 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.

Twenty-six students were inducted into the program: Jack Ankeny of Davidsville; Daniel Batrus of Altoona; Kadyn Carey of Altoona; Evan Coffey of Woodbury; Lexiann Colaianni of Pittsburgh; McCailey Flaugh of East Freedom; Jordan Franks of Moshannon; Jimiere Hardison of Altoona; Zachary Hutton of LaJose; Adam Kanish of Hollidaysburg; Mason Kargo of Portage; Matthew Mastropasqua of Newry; Jared McCulloch of Altoona; Brianna Merdian of Herminie; Ava Monborne of Ebensburg; Abigail Morgan of North Lawrence, OH; Mason Phillips of Brisbin; Stephen Phillips of Gambrills, MD; Mikaella Posada of Wellsboro; Nicholas Riscica of Newtown; Maxwell Samangy of Pittsburgh; Ryan Shuff of Lebanon; Joshua Sieger of Hollidaysburg; Lia Simanski of Altoona; Janie Stonerook of Martinsburg; and Katherine White of Murrysville.

Nikki Sheetz Frith and Megan Sheetz welcomed the newest class of fellows and reflected on the legacy of their father, Steve Sheetz, a founding benefactor of the program who passed away earlier this year.

"As we look out at all of you today, we are filled not only with emotion, but with hope - because the future he believed in is sitting right here in this room," Frith shared at the event. "There will never be another Steve Sheetz, but as long as there are Sheetz Fellows, his passion will keep walking the halls, changing lives, and lighting the way forward."

Megan Sheetz encouraged students to pursue meaningful lives rooted in purpose and generosity.

"Go find your passion, take calculated risks, give your time, treasure and talent to help others. Be kind, be brave and above all, remember you get one shot at this life. Make it meaningful and make it fun," she said. "My dad was so proud of all of you, and we are proud of all of you."

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.

All Sheetz Fellows are required to maintain at least a 3.25 in major GPA, in addition to completing an option in entrepreneurship or an entrepreneurship minor, a minimum of 80 hours of servant leadership, a mentor program, a study away 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 study away experience, participation in a national conference, in addition to numerous other leadership and travel opportunities.

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