Penn State alumni chapter to honor two student-athletes at annual dinner
Dunmore, PA- The Greater Scranton Penn State Chapter will honor two local student-athletes from the Worthington Scranton campus at its 39th annual dinner at Fiorelli Banquet and Conference Center in Peckville, PA on May 23, 2017 at 6:30 p.m. Penn State Football's Passing Game Coordinator/Tight Ends Coach, Ricky Rahne, will be the keynote speaker at this year's event. The chapter will also honor its Alumnus of the Year, Attorney, James R. Elliott, a 1990 Penn State graduate in Political Science.
The local student-athletes receiving the honor, Kelly Richter and Jeff Panetti, are both members of the Penn State graduating class of 2020. Richter, a 2015 graduate of Valley View High School was a member of the 2013 State Championship Valley View girls' softball team and is a current dual sport athlete on the Worthington Scranton campus, serving as captain of the softball team and a member of the women's soccer team. Kelly was an integral part of the Lady Lions starting lineup that earned their second consecutive playoff berth in the last three years, just the third in the programs history. Kelly is a three-time PSUAC Academic All-Conference Team member, a two-time USCAA National Academic All-American, a member of the Dean's List and this past fall she was part of the first women's soccer team at Penn State Scranton.
Kelly attributes her motivation in and out of the classroom to her parents. "They are the reason I set goals to reach", she stated when asked what inspires her. Kelly will be transferring to University Park in the fall where she will major in Recreation Parks and Tourism Management, with an emphasis on adventure based learning.
Jeff Panetti, a member of the Penn State Scranton men's basketball team, graduated from Mid Valley High School in 2015. As a Spartan, Jeff was the recipient of the Academic Athlete award for his excellence on the court and in the classroom and received the Senior Spartan Spirit Award. At Penn State Scranton, Jeff is a two-time PSUAC Academic All-Conference Team member, a USCAA Academic All-American, is on the Dean's List and was the runner up in last year's Academic Research Fair.
Jeff, an Information Science and Technology major, says that his father is the major influence in his life. "My dad was an awesome athlete in football, basketball and baseball. He told me stories and I really just want him to be proud," he said. Jeff, who will graduate from the Worthington Scranton campus, will be working with the athletic department using his IT skills to develop web tools for recruiting.
Tickets for the dinner are $50.00 with cash bar starting at 6:30 p.m. and program starting at 7:30 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the chapter's website at www.PSUScranton.org, email psugreaterscranton@gmail.com or call the Worthington Scranton campus at 570-963-2537.