PennWest Edinboro will recognize five exceptional graduates during its annual Distinguished Alumni Awards on Friday, May 1, celebrating alumni whose accomplishments, leadership and service reflect the very best of the Edinboro community.
The event will be held at the Frank G. Pogue Student Center and will begin with a reception at 6 p.m., followed by the award ceremony at 7 p.m.
Distinguished Alumni Awards are presented annually to Edinboro graduates who have made outstanding contributions to their professions, their communities and the university. This year’s honorees represent a wide range of fields — from entertainment and media to finance, healthcare and education.
“This special event is an opportunity to celebrate the remarkable achievements of our alumni and the meaningful ways they continue to make a difference,” said Amanda Brown Sissem, associate vice president of Alumni Engagement and Edinboro campus administrator. “Their success stories inspire our current students and strengthen the pride of the Edinboro community.”
Current and retired faculty and staff, alumni and members of the community are encouraged to attend and join in celebrating the achievements and lasting impact of these distinguished honorees.
Tickets are $35 per person or $175 for a table of six. Guests are asked to RSVP online by April 28. For more information, contact the Office of Alumni Engagement at EdinboroAlumni@pennwest.edu or 814-732-2715.
2026 Distinguished Alumni honorees
Vanessa Herring ’09 is a nationally recognized broadcast journalist and media professional. After building a strong foundation at Edinboro’s WFSE, she advanced through roles in Erie, Rochester and the Washington, D.C.–Baltimore market. Her work has earned prestigious honors, including an Edward R. Murrow Award. She currently serves as a host at QVC and remains active in community initiatives and mentorship.
Deborah Allwes Largoza 1999, RN, MBA, MPH, is a distinguished healthcare executive and president of Amalgamated Medical Care Management. With advanced degrees from Johns Hopkins University, she has led large-scale healthcare operations and improved care for hundreds of thousands of patients. A veteran of both the U.S. Army and the U.S. Public Health Service, she is a strong advocate for patient safety and healthcare innovation.
Patrick T. “Pat” Logue 1976 is a successful financial advisor, entrepreneur and community leader. Founder of Logue Financial Group, he has grown the firm into a multi-advisor practice managing more than $450 million in assets. A former educator and student-athlete, Logue continues to support youth development and the Edinboro cross-country program. He is also a member of the Lincoln Investment Hall of Fame.
Dr. Mary Jo Melvin 1975, 1990 is a longtime faculty leader and professor of early childhood and reading education at PennWest. Over more than three decades, she has shaped generations of educators through her teaching, mentorship and leadership. Her impact is recognized through the naming of the Mary Jo Melvin Literacy Center, honoring her contributions to literacy education and student success.
Jalil Sadool ’04 is an accomplished animator, director and producer with more than 20 years in the film and gaming industries. His career includes work with leading studios such as Rhythm and Hues, Weta Digital and DreamWorks Animation, contributing to major productions including Avatar, Rise of the Planet of the Apes and How to Train Your Dragon 2. He is co-founder and chief creative officer of Steamroller Animation, where he leads original content development, including the award-nominated Spice Frontier.