Student Honors and Awards

The Margie L. Ranck Award is awarded to a student who has earned 89.5 credits or more and will be in senior status during following academic year, and who exhibits outstanding intellectual attainment, good character, and an interest in Bible study.

Selection by the University is based on the student’s academic achievement, public service, commitment to environmental preservation, enhancement of community life and understanding of Clarence Schock’s respect for education and philanthropy. Students who were previously awarded a Schock Scholarship are invited to apply for a fellowship for their senior year.

The Schock Foundation, formerly The SICO Foundation, has been awarding scholarships since 1951 to deserving students attending certain Pennsylvania institutions.  The scholarship program was made possible by the foresight, generosity, business acumen, and personal values of Mr. Schock.  He believed strongly in only modest profits for stockholders and in corporate giving to the community from which the company derived those profits.  The Foundation was a non-profit organization, committed to Clarence Schock’s intent to promote any and all activities that are educational, literary and scientific in purpose.  It sought to instill in its scholarship winners the values held dear by Mr. Schock: community service, customer loyalty, fairness, hard work and public education.  In 2015 the Foundation closed, and instead created trusts at several institutions of higher learning so they could continue to award scholarships and fellowships in Mr. Schock’s name.

Friends of Dr. A. G. Breidenstine, in recognition of his service as academic dean of the college from 1955 to 1965, established a fund to provide annually an award to the student whose work was judged most outstanding by the Honors and Awards Committee.

Only work submitted by current undergraduate students or recent graduates of Millersville University is accepted for consideration for this award.

The thesis paper must report on research which is original and novel in an attempt to create new knowledge or a new way of thinking. Original research may include, for example, lab or field work, formation and distribution of surveys, interviews, theoretical studies, or review of original documentation or literature. Whatever kind of research the student used to solve the thesis question, it should have been logical and performed in standard methods according to the respective discipline.

In the paper, the student must analyze the information uncovered in the course of the research with emphasis on how it answers or solves the thesis question. The student should also critically evaluate the information and the method(s) with which the information is ascertained.

Created in 2000, the Syed R. Ali-Zaidi Award for Academic Excellence is conferred upon a graduating senior from one of the PA State System universities. This award was founded by Dr. Syed R. Ali-Zaidi, a charter member of the Board of Governors. Funding for this academic excellence award was made possible through gifts from Dr. Ali-Zaidi, Highmark Inc., and the State System Foundation, Inc. Dr. Ali-Zaidi wishes to inspire and honor State System students who exhibit excellence in their pursuit of knowledge.

Candidates for the award are recommended by their university president at the conclusion of a campus application and selection process that is open to all graduating seniors. Multiple selection criteria include: outstanding academic scholarship, including prizes, honors, and honorary societies; participation in extra/co-curricular activities; and a two-page essay by the nominee addressing how the university has prepared him or her for the next career step.

Past Award Nominees for Millersville University

• 2026 - Timothy Lerch
• 2025 - Kylie Calogero
• 2024 - Aaron Maynard
• 2023 - Joshua Rushlow
• 2022 - Kassandra Castaldi
• 2021 - Jessica Whittemore
• 2020 - Lindsay Matter
• 2019 - Erin Jones (PASSHE Winner)
• 2018 - Jennifer Houtz
• 2017 - Sylvia Hitz
• 2016 - Mervin Fansler (PASSHE Winner)
• 2015 - Renee Duff 
• 2014 - Heather Gochnauer
• 2013 - Jonathan Shue
• 2012 - David Walton (PASSHE Winner)
• 2011 - Rachelle Holnaider
• 2010 - Elizabeth Fry
• 2009 - Lauren Wegrzniak
• 2008 - Thomas Rutledge
• 2007 - Daniel E. Eipper (PASSHE Winner)
• 2006 - Kari John
• 2005 - Jill Honea
• 2004 - Desi R. Carrozza (PASSHE Winner)
• 2003 - Megan Kaufman
• 2002 - Ellen Panofsky
• 2001 - Rob Decker