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Dr. Carlson Chambliss Presented Kutztown University President's Medal

Kutztown, PA (04/21/2017) — Dr. Carlson Chambliss, Kutztown, Pa., has been awarded the President's Medal by Kutztown University. The award was presented to Chambliss by Dr. Kenneth S. Hawkinson, university president, at today's Chambliss Academic Achievement Awards Ceremony.

This is the fifth President's Medal presented since its inception in 2014.

Chambliss has been a major supporter of the university for nearly half a century, creating both the Chambliss Student Academic Achievement Award and the Chambliss Faculty Award.

Chambliss came to Kutztown State College in 1970, and served as an astronomy professor until his retirement in 2003. In 2004, he initiated the Chambliss Awards in an effort to recognize the very highest achievement in research and scholarship. The annual awards include the faculty research award, which is presented in the fall semester, and the student awards, which are presented in April.

The Chambliss Medals were designed by Chambliss, who purchased the gold and silver at Stern-Leach, the world's largest precious medal manufacturers in the country. He had a 50-year supply of the medals struck at that time.

The first Academic Achievement Awards were recognized at the 2004 Spring Commencement ceremony, with one medal each being awarded in the copper, gold and silver categories. Since then, the ceremony has expanded, with well over 150 outstanding students being recognized through the years, and dozens of faculty through the faculty research awards and Chambliss Lecture.

In 2014, The President's Medal was created by the president's office to be awarded to individuals who bring honor and distinction to the university, and who serve as examples to KU students and alumni.

Past recipients of the Kutztown University President's Medal include: William Ribble, class of '73, long time member of the KU Foundation Board; KU Pro Football Hall of Famer, Andre Reed, class of 2005; Major League Baseball All-Star and two-time World Series Champion, Ryan Vogelsong; and most recently, last spring, Gregory "Doc" Jones, long-time head coach of the KU men's rugby team.

Media Attachments

L to R: Dr. Anne Zayaitz, provost and vice president of Academic Affairs, Dr. Carlson Chambliss, Dr. Kenneth S. Hawkinson, university president. Photo by Andrew Ferguson, university photographer, Kutztown University

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