Ten Penn State alumni to receive Distinguished Alumni Awards in 2026

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. - Ten Penn State alumni will receive the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2026, which is the University's highest honor presented to its alumni. The following individuals, selected by the Penn State Board of Trustees, have been officially notified of their selection and are invited to accept the award from the University in 2026.

• Jennifer A. Chambers, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Health Care Originals and Founder and Chief Medical Officer of JAChambers Healthcare Consulting. She earned a MBA from the Capital College in 1990 at Penn State Harrisburg and a M.D. from the College of Medicine in 1995.
• Daniel J. Eichenlaub, retired President of Eichenlaub, Inc. He earned a B.A.E. from the College of Engineering in 1978.
• Steven L. Fisher, J.D., President and CEO of PEI-Genesis. He earned a B.A. from the College of the Liberal Arts in 1970.
• Reggie Hedgebeth, Executive Vice President - External Affairs and Chief Legal Officer of Enbridge, Inc. He earned a B.S. from the College of the Liberal Arts with honors from the Schreyer Honors College in 1989.
• Stephen H. Mahle, retired Executive Vice President of Medtronic. He earned an M.S. from the Eberly College of Science in 1969.
• KC McClure, retired Chief Financial Officer of Accenture. She earned a B.S. from the Smeal College of Business in 1987.
• Gerald J. Parsons, Founder and Chairman of CTDI. He earned a A.ENGT. from the College of Engineering in 1972 at Penn State Brandywine and a B.S. from the Capital College in 1974 at Penn State Harrisburg.
• Hasu P. Shah, retired Chairman and CEO of Hersha Hospitality Trust. He earned a M. Eng. from the Capital College in 1975 at Penn State Harrisburg.
• Janet S. Vergis, retired CEO OraPharma. She earned a B.S. in 1986 and a M.S. in 1988 from the Eberly College of Science.
• Kenneth J. Young, hospitality and recreation entrepreneur. He earned a B.S. in 1972 from the College of Health and Human Development.

Established by the Board of Trustees in 1951, the Distinguished Alumni Award salutes the achievements of outstanding alumni whose "personal lives, professional achievements, and community service exemplify the objectives of their alma mater."

The award is commemorated by the presentation of both an inscribed certificate and an engraved bronze medallion displayed in a box handcrafted from the wood of the historic Penn State American Elm trees that once flourished on the University Park campus.