Longtime Student Affairs Administrator Receives Staff Award of Merit at USciences

University of the Sciences proudly presented longtime Student Affairs Administrator Patty O’Hagan, with the 2016 Staff Award of Merit during its 195th Founders’ Day Ceremony on Thursday, Feb. 18.

“I am happy to have the opportunity to present the first annual award to an outstanding staff member who “exemplifies the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit of USciences’ founders,” said Interim President Dr. Kathleen R. Mayes.

O’Hagan is retiring this year after more than 30 years of service to USciences. During her tenure in Student Affairs, she has guided and been an invaluable mentor to generations of students. O’Hagan assists Student Government, who last year along with the University, hosted 650 events specifically for students. In the fall 2015 semester, 360 events were hosted. Currently, there are 89 active SGA recognized organizations. Student Government sets aside over $100,000 each year which they give to these organizations to host events and programs.

“It’s been a pleasure to see the Office of Student Activities develop over the past 38 years,” O’Hagan said. “When I started I was secretary to the dean of students and over the years with the mentorship of Dr. Frank Roia and Dr. Walt Perry, Student Government and the Student Activities Office has enhanced Student Appreciation Day into a week of events, hosted the USciences Olympics for eight years, transformed Multicultural Week into Multicultural Month, and Welcome Week into three weeks of programing for new students.” 

O’Hagan, who resides in Broomall, Pennsylvania, said her family, “including my son David Carter, daughter Christine Carter Bhatia MPT’00, and three grandchildren have been supportive of my career throughout the years.”

Each year, Founders’ Day at USciences recognizes its establishment on Feb. 23, 1821, as Philadelphia College of Pharmacy — the first college of pharmacy in North America, which is now a part of USciences. As part of the ceremony, an honorary degree of science was presented to alumnus Dinesh C. Patel MS'75, PhD, an entrepreneur and philanthropist who holds 15 patents worldwide, as well as founded and invested in more than 20 biotechnology and information technology companies. For more information, visit the University’s Founders’ Day webpage.

From left to right: Dr. BJ Cunningham, dean of students; Marvin Samson HonAlm’96, board of trustees chairman; Patty O’Hagan, Student Affairs Administrator, who received the 2016 Staff Award of Merit; and Kathleen R. Mayes P’76, PharmD’78, interim president. Credit: Ellis Photography/University of the Sciences 

Categories: News, Feature Story, President, Staff, Event