World Campus alumni are recognized for their service and dedication to the University with awards from World Campus, individual colleges and campuses, the Penn State Alumni Association, and the University itself.
Penn State World Campus Outstanding Alumni Awards
Sponsored by the Office of the Vice Provost for Online Education, the Outstanding Alumni Awards celebrate some of our most talented alumni for impactful leadership in their fields and communities. Penn State World Campus graduates with an associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral degree are eligible, with the exception of current University faculty and staff.
Nominations are due by May 31 each year.
Penn State Fischer Family Award of Distinction
The Fischer Family Award of Distinction recognizes extraordinary impact and generosity in advancing the mission of Penn State Online Education and Penn State World Campus. This University-wide distinction celebrates the visionaries, educators, alumni, donors, faculty, staff, students, volunteers, and advocates who have made exceptional contributions to expanding educational opportunity, fostering collaboration across Penn State, and supporting student success.
Award Process and Scholarship Connection
Each year, the recipient of the Fischer Family Award of Distinction is paired with the recipient of the Penn State World Campus Fischer Family Impact Scholarship, an endowed scholarship established by Richard and Claudia Fischer to support World Campus students with demonstrated financial need. The Award of Distinction recipient will exemplify exceptional service related to the student’s area of study with the goal of fostering opportunities for mentorship, networking, and inspiration.
Alumni Fellow
A leader in continuing education, Dr. Rich Fischer was an early advocate for nontraditional students. He pursued a 30-year career at the University of Delaware, retiring as associate provost and director at the Division of Continuing Education, and is known for coauthoring the first text on older adult learners, Students of the Third Age. Rich provided many years of service on the Outreach and Online Education Advisory Board at Penn State, where his career experience proved influential in shaping the direction of Penn State World Campus.
Rich and his wife, Claudia, provided the lead gift to support students with financial need in Smart Track to Success — a highly impactful World Campus program that provides a scholarship together with coaching and help developing life skills.
Honorary Alumnus
Recycling visionary and dedicated fundraiser Albert E. Matyasovsky was a true Penn State leader and tireless volunteer. As a program manager at University Park’s Office of Physical Plant (1984–2015), he created recycling programs that continue to have a profound impact today. It has been said that, “Every time we throw a can into the recycle bin instead of the trash, we have Al to thank for his leadership.”
As creator of the Veterans Education and Advancement Fund (VEAF) at World Campus, along with his wife, Sharon, and as a fundraiser who inspired others to give, Al created opportunities for “those who have given the most to our country.”