Lisamarie Feliciano Presented Copper Chambliss Student Academic Achievement Award

2016 Apr 22

Lisamarie Feliciano of Allentown, PA, is the recipient of the Copper Chambliss Student Academic Achievement Award. The award is one of the most prestigious honors given at Kutztown University.

Feliciano received her bachelor's degree in biology with a focus on pre-medicine and health careers in December 2015. Feliciano received the Copper Chambliss Student Academic Achievement Award 2016 in the categories of successfully completed research projects and outstanding service to the Kutztown community. She conducted a research project in which she evaluated different methods of cleaning bird feeders with and without organic debris to remove pathogenic Salmonella; the study addresses the concern over the spread of several diseases believed to be transmitted through bird feeders, and the relatively little knowledge of proper hygiene methods for feeders. She presented her research at several conferences, including a regional biology conference and an international ornithology conference. She was the founder and organizer of KU's Global Brigades club and trip to Panama; Global Brigades is an organization that facilitates university students volunteering to help small communities around the world meet their health needs. During the Panama trip, which provided aid and medical care to approximately 350 impoverished people, she developed an educational activity station to teach good hygiene tips. The club organized a second trip to Honduras in 2016. Feliciano has also volunteered extensively in the Biology Department and for the university in general. She was chosen as a scholar in the Summer Medical and Dental Education Program of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and received the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Scholarship in 2014 and 2015 and the Association of Pennsylvania State College & University Faculties Scholarship in 2014. Feliciano hopes to become a physician in an underserved area.

Faculty members nominate students after they have met one or more of the six areas of achievement. Areas in which achievement can occur include: successfully completed research projects, original artwork of high quality, artistic performances (music, chorus, drama, etc.) of high quality, original writing in literature or meritorious writing in other fields, noteworthy athletics, and outstanding service to the KU community.

The Academic Achievement Award was established through a donation provided by Dr. Carlson R. Chambliss, KU faculty member from 1970-2003. The purpose of the awards is to recognize the exceptional individual achievements of a select group of KU graduating seniors. Specially designed coin medallions of gold, silver, and copper were presented to the students.