The Zachary T. Irwin Humanitarian Award recognizes annually one Political Science major who has contributed toward making the Penn State Behrend campus and the Erie community better places. The award was named in honor of Dr. Zachary T. Irwin, associate professor emeritus of political science.
Each award recipient receives a plaque and a check for $100 to help with student expenses.
Award Recipients
- 2025: Carlina Edinger
- 2024: Justin Lopez-Beltran
- 2023: Mallory Flesik
- 2022: Matthew Strupczewski
- 2021: Raul Garcia
- 2020: John Jarecki
- 2019: Jack Walker
- 2018: Jaclyn Mitchell
- 2017: Gretchen Berry Haislip
Photo Gallery: Zachary T. Irwin Humanitarian Award Recipients
Carlina Edinger accepted the Zachary T. Irwin Humanitarian Award in 2025 from Dr. Irwin.
Justin Lopez-Beltran accepted the Zachary T. Irwin Humanitarian Award in 2024 from Dr. Irwin.
Mallory Flesik received the Zachary T. Irwin Humanitarian Award in 2023. She is pictured here shaking hands with Dr. Irwin.
Matthew Strupczewski received the Zachary T. Irwin Humanitarian Award in 2022. He is pictured here with Dr. Irwin.
Gretchen Berry Haislip received the Zachary T. Irwin Humanitarian Award in 2017.
About Dr. Zachary T. Irwin
Dr. Zachary T. Irwin, associate professor emeritus of political science, taught at Penn State Behrend for forty years, retiring from the full-time faculty in 2014. During his career, where his research expertise focused on Eastern Europe, Dr. Irwin served for a long time on the University Faculty Senate; assisted in the creation of the Arboretum at Penn State Behrend; served as an Episcopal Deacon; created a tutoring program for local elementary school students; volunteered for many years to assist and counsel mentally ill residents, halfway house residents, and prison inmates in the Erie area; and coordinated a local inter-faith organization that helps local low-income residents with food and housing.