The Alumni Achievement Award Program, developed in 1997, recognizes graduates of the School for unique, specific, or significant accomplishments in business or professional careers, such as the arts, athletics, or sciences, for community service, and for academic excellence. Annually, Milton Hershey School® honors several alumni and senior students who share similar achievements in the areas of business or professional careers, community service, and academic achievement or excellence.

Three Milton Hershey School® alumni were honored as Alumni Achievement Award winners at the Alumni Association’s Alumni-Senior Dinner during the School's Alumni Fellowship Weekend.

Each honored senior received a certificate and will be awarded a $500 check at the School's awards program in June. Honored alumni received engraved awards and will be featured in a Founders Hall display for the next year.

Doug Oliver '93 in the area of Career Accomplishments

Doug Oliver '93, Philadelphia, was honored for his career achievements. He is Senior Vice President of marketing and corporate communications for the Philadelphia Gas Works. Oliver currently is an adjunct professor at La Salle University where he teaches a graduate course in public relations writing and media management techniques. He earned a bachelor's degree in journalism and mass communication from Lock Haven University and a master's degree in professional communication from La Salle University. He also holds an M.B.A. from St. Joseph's University and was honored in 2005 by being named to Philadelphia Business Journal's "40 under 40."
 
The MHS student honored along with Oliver for career achievement was Brittany Aument, a native of Pottsville, whose career goal is to attend Johnson and Wales University to study baking and pastry arts. During her senior year, Brittany is interning at "Sweet Infinity Cafe and Bakery" in Lancaster and is enrolled in multiple Advanced Placement courses. Her service in the area of culinary arts began on the MHS campus where she worked in the student-run Spartan Sub Shop and interned in the School's Supply Center, working in the food prep and service areas.

Richard Shadel '54 in the area of Community Service

Richard Shadel '54, Palmyra, received the Alumni Achievement Award for community service. Shadel has been a tireless volunteer for the Milton Hershey School and MHS Alumni Association and has served in several capacities including president of the Homestead Alumni Chapter, chapter representative, and holds membership on the Alumni Board. He also volunteers as the Class Agent for his class. In the early 1970s, he initiated the Elementary Division Christmas Party which has grown into an annual pizza party and holiday celebration for students. Shadel and his wife Polly frequently attend student functions and show their support at student athletic events.
 
Arman Asemani, of Baltimore, MD, was also recognized for community service. He is a member of the National Honor Society and was involved in completing a book drive for schools in need of educational resources. Most recently, Arman was invited by CORE (Coalition for Residential Education) to testify before a congressional sub-committee on residential issues. In addition, he is an Agricultural and Environmental intern, a Junior Camp Counselor as part of the School’s Year-Round Experiences Program, a mentor to younger students, and is president of the Student Government Association—all while consistently being listed on the Distinguished Honor Roll.

Christopher Kulish '06 in the area of Academic Excellence

Christopher Kulish '06, Northern Cambria, was honored in the area of academic excellence. He graduated from Bucknell University with a civil and environmental engineering degree last May, and is now working towards a master's degree at Bucknell with a focus on geotechnical engineering. As an undergraduate, Kulish received a Student Research Award from the Pennsylvania Water Environment Association for research related to characterization and treatment of brine wastewater generated by hydraulic fracturing of Marcellus Shale for natural gas extraction. He was one of six students from across Pennsylvania honored for his research paper and was selected for both podium and poster presentations at an annual conference in State College last June.

The MHS student honored along with Kulish for academic excellence was Jordan Lutz of Berwick. She looks forward to majoring in psychology in order to prepare for a career as a clinical psychologist. A Distinguished Honor Roll student, Jordan is among the top academic students in her class, is enrolled in five Advanced Placement courses, and has taken part in collegiate courses at Lebanon Valley College including psychology and neuro-psychology. Jordan is a member of the National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America, Marching Band, Indoor Drum Line, Model United Nations, Amnesty International, and serves as Editor-in-Chief of the Acropolis school yearbook staff. In her spare time, Jordan is employed as a part-time teller in the School's on-campus Members 1st Federal Credit Union.

Milton Hershey School® values the successes of our alumni and welcomes the opportunity to recognize them in an effort to provide role models for our students.

Congratulations to our Alumni Achievement Award recipients for 2011! 

This year's honorees, pictured here with MHS President Dr. Tony Colistra '59, far left, and MHSAA President Ray Daly '72, back row, 2nd from right, are: (back row, L-R) Chris Kulish '06, honored for Academic Excellence; Doug Oliver '93, Career Achievement; Daly; and Senior Arman Asemani, Community Service; (front row, L-R) Colistra; Senior Jordan Lutz, Academic Excellence; Senior Brittany Aument, Career Achievement; and Dick Shadel '54, Community Service.