Pitt-Bradford faculty and staff earn President’s Awards

Two people were honored with a President’s Award for Excellence at Pitt-Bradford’s Honors Convocation.

Matt Kropf, associate professor of engineering technology, received the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, Scholarship and Service.

In addition to his teaching duties, Kropf is director of the American Refining Group/Harry R. Halloran Jr. Energy Institute and president of the faculty senate. He is the architect of two new four-year engineering technology programs that began enrolling students last fall.

The professor consulted with architects designing the programs’ new home — the George B. Duke Engineering and Information Technologies Building — served on hiring committees for the required faculty and staff, wrote the specifications for the needed equipment and agreed to serve as director for both new engineering programs.

“Dr. Kropf is not only committed to helping his students succeed but also to ensuring the viability of Pitt-Bradford and this region,” Pitt-Bradford President Richard Esch said when presenting the award.

Kropf regularly works with students on their research and was able to incorporate lessons from the real-life engineering going on at the Duke building into his teaching. He served as a faculty mentor for the 2021 Appalachian Teaching Project at Pitt-Bradford, helping students map out trails on the University’s new Quintuple Mountain property.

During the 2019-20 academic year, Kropf saw one of his patents become a manufacturing reality with the creation of AE Resources Inc., a Mount Jewett company that creates biodiesel fuel in a small refinery on the property of the Bradford Regional Airport. Their process — Kropf’s patent — uses microwaves instead of hazardous catalysts.

In addition to his development of new programs and scholarship, Kropf’s services to Pitt include chairing the campus sustainability committee, writing a successful grant that funded the installation of solar panels atop the Duke building, and serving on the committee that developed the University of Pittsburgh Sustainability Plan.

Joelle Warner, director of donor relations and stewardship, earned the President’s Award for Excellence in Overall Performance.

“I am very happy to present this award to Joelle, who approaches her work with an exceptionally high level of professionalism,” President Esch said. “She also cares deeply about our students, our faculty and staff, and our generous supporters.”

Christine Tyler, director of development and major gifts, nominated Warner for the award.

Tyler noted that Warner’s consistent professionalism, organization and diligence were of immense benefit to the university as she planned an annual luncheon for scholarship donors to meet their recipients and the dedication of the George B. Duke Engineering and Information Technologies Building.

“Joelle has made a tremendous impact on Pitt-Bradford’s ability to raise philanthropic funds and to acquire, cultivate and steward donors,” Tyler wrote. “She has assisted countless donors to establish scholarships at Pitt-Bradford [and] worked with corporate donors on in-kind donations. … The standard of excellence that our donors have come to expect from Pitt-Bradford’s advancement program can, in large part, be traced directly back to Joelle’s efforts.”