Chemistry Students Awarded Excellence in Service Award

Congratulations to Emma Gogarnoiu, Cassidy Camplese, and Laura Velazquez Bello, recipients of the Department of Chemistry Excellence in Service Awards.

The Excellence in Service Award was created to acknowledge the contributions of students in building the pillars of the department: academics, research, and service. The awardees are students who have dedicated themselves to their department, their profession, and their fellow students.  The award recognizes service as Learning Assistants, Teaching Assistants, and service in general.

Graduating senior Emma Gogarnoiu was selected in recognition of her service as a CHEM 212 Teaching Assistant. “I've always loved teaching—it's very rewarding to apply your knowledge to the education of others,” Gogarnoiu explains, “organic chemistry has always held a special place in my heart, and I hope my passion while teaching these courses helped changed the common perception that the subject should be feared or hated.” Gogarnoiu also served as an officer in the Nittany Chemical Society. “I feel honored to receive this award and to know that my hard work did not go unnoticed,” Gogarnoiu adds. After graduation, she will serve as a postbaccalaureate fellow at the NIH for the NIDA (National Institute of Drug Abuse) doing organic synthesis.

Emma Gogarnoiu

Cassidy Camplese, who is a graduating senior, was selected for her years of service to the department. Over the past four years, she has been heavily involved in the Eberly College of Science-Science Outreach Office, volunteering at community outreach events held on campus and serving as a Science-U Curriculum Mentor. She also served as a Learning Assistant in Dr. Jackie Bortiatynski and Dr. Kate Masters’ classes. After graduation, she plans to pursue a masters degree in education here at Penn State.

Cassidy Camplese

Graduating senior Laura Velazquez Bello was selected for her service as a Learning Assistant (LA) for CHEM 227 and as an officer in the Nittany Chemical Society. Speaking of her experience as an LA, Velazquez explains “I always liked teaching and felt like it would be a good learning experience for myself,” she adds, “for me, the best part about being an LA was getting to meet the younger chemistry students. I enjoy being able to help another student achieve their goals.” As an officer of the Nittany Chemical Society, she worked to increase membership and to bring chemistry students together. “I was truly honored to be selected to receive this award,” Velazquez notes. After graduation, she plans to pursue a PharmD at the Nova Southeastern University School of Pharmacy in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Laura Velazquez Bello

Please join the Department of Chemistry in thanking these students for their commitment to service.