UNIVERSITY PARK – The Penn State Board of Trustees in January selected seven Penn State alumni to receive the Distinguished Alumni Award, the University’s highest award for an individual recognizing “personal life, professional achievements and community service that exemplify the objectives of The Pennsylvania State University.” The awards were presented at a ceremony Friday.
Following are the 2007 Distinguished Alumni, year of graduation and current title:
— Charles L. Blockson of Gwynedd, attended Penn State from 1952 to 1956 majoring in physical education in the College of Health and Human Development. He is curator emeritus of the Charles L. Blockson African-American Collection at Temple University. Blockson was recognized for devoting his life to research, scholarship and collecting and preserving significant materials related to African-American history.
— Arnold S. Hoffman of Villanova, earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from the College of the Liberal Arts in 1957. He is retired senior managing director of Legg Mason Wood Walker Inc. Hoffman was recognized for his distinguished career in business and investment banking.
— Perry Jansen of Vista, Calif., resides in Lilongwe, Malawi, Africa. He earned his medical degree in 1991 from the College of Medicine at the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. He is medical director of the Partners in Hope HIV/AIDS Project. Jansen was recognized for his work in fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Malawi and improving the quality of life and restoring hope for that country’s citizens.
— Ellen O. Moyer of Annapolis, Md., is mayor of the city of Annapolis. She earned her bachelor’s degree in 1958 from the College of the Liberal Arts in arts and letters. Moyer was recognized for her lifelong commitment to public service and improving the lives of her fellow citizens in Annapolis and Maryland.
— Rodney L. Nordland, a Philadelphia native, now resides in London, England. Nordland earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from the College of Communications in 1972. He is chief foreign correspondent based in London for Newsweek Inc. Nordland was recognized for representing the highest degree of responsibility, duty and integrity in his distinguished career reporting events from around the world.
— Eric N. Prystowsky of Carmel, Ind., earned his bachelor’s degree in 1969 in microbiology in the Eberly College of Science. He is a cardiologist at The Care Group LL.C. Prystowsky was recognized for achieving international prominence in teaching, research and patient care in cardiac electrophysiology.
— Wallace Triplett III of Detroit, Mich., is a 1949 graduate in physical education from the College of Health and Human Development. A former NFL football player and a teacher, he has retired from insurance sales. Triplett was recognized for his trailblazing career as an African-American athlete in college and professional sports.