Penn State Behrend's Highest Honor
The Behrend Medallion is the highest award given by Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. The award was first presented in 1973 to astronaut and Harborcreek native Paul J. Weitz. It has been awarded just twenty-two times since its inception.
Award Nomination Process
The college community is invited annually to recommend nominees for consideration by a seven-member selection committee comprising Behrend faculty, staff, and members of our Council of Fellows.
To be considered for the award, candidates must be:
- An alumnus, a donor, or, in some way, associated with Penn State Behrend.
- Distinguished by professional accomplishment and service to society.
- Present to receive the award at a recognition ceremony unless unable to travel due to disability.
Current employees of the University and members of the Board of Directors of the Council of Fellows are not eligible to receive the award (although general members of the Council are eligible).
Past Recipients of the Behrend Medallion
The Medallion is awarded to recognize individuals who, by serving society and by attaining eminence in their field or area of interest, bring honor to themselves, to their community, and to mankind.
- Donald M. Alstadt (1981)
- Nancy Anderson (2022)
- Samuel P. Black Jr. (2001)
- Edward C. Doll (1988)
- Albert F. Duval (2001)
- T. Reed Ferguson (1988)
- G. Richard Fryling (1988)
- Thomas B. Hagen (2018)
- Barbara F. Junker (2003)
- Irvin H. Kochel (1980)
- John M. Lilley (2002)
- Raymond L. and Virginia L. McGarvey (2004)
- Edward M. Mead (2002)
- Monsignor Wilfred J. Nash (1977)
- Harriet Behrend Ninow (1981)
- Joseph J. and Isabel J. Prischak (2020/2021*)
- Robert C. Reed (1981)
- Thomas J. Ridge (2023)
- Russell Roth, M.D. (1975)
- Louis J. Tullio (1988)
- Paul J. Weitz (1973)
- Allyn S. Wright (1981)
- Everett F. Zurn (1983)
* The Prischaks were the 2020 Behrend Medallion recipients but did not receive their award until 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic.