Alumni Association

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State Alumni Association celebrated 15 exceptional Penn Staters during the 2026 Alumni Fellow Awards ceremony on Sept. 23, welcoming alumni from across the University back to Penn State to receive the Alumni Association’s highest honor. Since the award was established in 1973, more than 900 Penn State alumni have received the distinction.

From advancing innovation in AI and technology to shaping the future of medicine, entertainment and other industries, the 2026 Alumni Fellows represent the Penn State community’s incredible breadth of talent, experience and impact. Their careers span a wide range of fields, but their connection to Penn State and their commitment to making a difference is a common thread.

Joseph Atkinson, class of 1992, Smeal College of Business (nominated by the College of Information Sciences and Technology), is the global chief AI officer for the PwC Network of Firms and a member of its Global Commercial Leadership Team, leading the firm’s artificial intelligence strategy across more than 370,000 employees worldwide. He previously served as PwC’s U.S. vice chair and chief products and technology officer, overseeing a $1 billion investment in AI capabilities. He has worked with Penn State leadership on AI and digital curriculum initiatives and helped recruit more than 100 Penn Staters to PwC.

Jason A. Borrelli, class of 1994, College of Engineering, graduate class of 2006 (MBA), Great Valley (nominated by Smeal College of Business), is managing director at EQT Real Estate, with more than three decades of experience in real estate investment, acquisitions and operations. As a founding partner of Exeter Property Group, he helped grow the firm into a global real estate platform before its acquisition by EQT in 2021. Borrelli is a Penn State Alumni Association life member.

Jonathan U. Dougherty, class of 1999, College of Engineering; class of 2006 (doctorate), College of Engineering, is the vice president of strategic initiatives at Providence Engineering, where he leads recruiting, talent development, marketing and organizational development. He previously spent nearly 17 years with James G. Davis Construction, where he created the company’s corporate university management programs and expanded workforce development programs. Known as “The Button Man” for his extensive Penn State football button collection, he has also held multiple Penn State alumni leadership roles.

Lori Feathers, class of 1990, College of Liberal Arts, Honors, is the co-founder and book buyer of Interabang Books in Dallas, Texas, and host of the podcast Across the Pond. She is founding chair of the Republic of Consciousness Prize US and Canada, and co-founder of the Inside Literary Prize for incarcerated readers. Previously, she spent 24 years as an international oil and gas attorney. She remains deeply engaged with Penn State through alumni volunteer leadership and student mentorship.

Linda R. Frank, class of 1982, Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, is a professor at the University of Pittsburgh’s schools of Public Health, Nursing and Medicine and a nationally recognized leader in HIV/AIDS education and public health. She directs the MidAtlantic AIDS Education and Training Center and an infectious disease-focused MPH program. She is a leading voice in HIV care, workforce development and health equity. Frank is a Penn State Alumni Association life member.

Jennifer L. Homendy, class of 1994, Harrisburg, is chairwoman of the National Transportation Safety Board, an independent federal agency charged by Congress with investigating civil aviation accidents and significant transportation incidents across the United States. She has served on the board since 2018 and became chairwoman in 2021, leading major investigations of incidents including the East Palestine train derailment and the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse. She is a Penn State Harrisburg graduate and recipient of Penn State Harrisburg’s 2024 Alumni Achievement Award.

Ehsan Hoque, class of 2004, Behrend, is a professor of computer science at the University of Rochester and co-leader of the Rochester Human-Computer Interaction Lab. His research in artificial intelligence has advanced healthcare, education and communication, including technology licensed by Microsoft for its Presenter Coach feature in PowerPoint. In 2025, he received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, the U.S.’s highest honor for early-career scientists and engineers.

Anju Jain, class of 1996 (doctorate), College of Health and Human Development, is a global human resources executive, executive coach, entrepreneur and author with more than 30 years of experience helping organizations navigate transformation and build high-performing cultures. She has held leadership roles with Fermilab and Caterpillar. She also is the founder of Embelliv, a luxury women’s footwear brand that blends exceptional comfort, artisanal craftsmanship, and purposeful design. Jain is a Penn State Alumni Association life member.

Basel S. Kayyali, class of 1996, College of Engineering, Honors, is senior partner and global co-lead for AI and technology at McKinsey & Co., where he helps organizations around the world navigate AI and technology transformations, in addition to developing their AI and technology strategy. He has advised global companies on innovation, artificial intelligence and large-scale business transformation throughout his career. Kayyali is a Penn State Alumni Association life member.

Michael Marcus, class of 1967, Smeal College of Business (Nominated by Bellisario College of Communications), is chairman of Echo Lake Entertainment, a Beverly Hills-based management and production company. With more than five decades of experience in the entertainment industry, he has built a distinguished career as a talent agent, studio executive and producer, representing leading creative talent and shaping film and television projects. Marcus remains engaged with Penn State through the Bellisario College of Communications.

John M. Mason, class of 1970 (associate), College of Engineering; class of 1972, Harrisburg, is a civil engineer, educator and higher education leader with a career spanning transportation research, engineering practice and academic administration. He served as chancellor of Penn State Harrisburg and previously held leadership roles at Penn State and Auburn University. Mason is a Penn State Alumni Association life member.

Anthony F. Misitano, class of 1977, College of Health and Human Development; class of 1981 (master of public administration), College of Liberal Arts, is founder, chairman and CEO of PAM Health, a national network of long-term acute care, rehabilitation and behavioral health hospitals. With more than four decades of health care leadership experience, he has advanced access to specialized care and innovation in post-acute health care. The Misitano family and PAM Health made a $25 million Founders Gift supporting the Beaver Stadium Revitalization project. Misitano is a Penn State Alumni Association life member.

Casey A. Moore, class of 1989, College of Engineering, is executive vice president and national market sector leader for transportation services at Bowman Consulting Group Ltd. With more than 35 years of experience in transportation engineering and infrastructure, he has held leadership roles with industry organizations and provided longstanding service to Penn State through the College of Engineering, Penn State Engineering Alumni Society, and Penn State Alumni Council. Moore is a Penn State Alumni Association life member.

Khalid N. Mumin, class of 2001 (master of education), Harrisburg, is superintendent of the Reading School District and a longtime education leader with more than 28 years of experience advancing student success and strengthening public education. He previously served as Pennsylvania secretary of education and has held leadership roles as a teacher, administrator and superintendent. Mumin is the author of "Problem Child: Leading Students Living in Poverty Towards Infinite Possibilities of Success."

William J. Weiss, class of 1985, College of Engineering, class of 1988 (master's), interdisciplinary fields; class of 1995 (doctorate), interdisciplinary fields (nominated by College of Medicine), is the C. McCollister Evarts Professor in Artificial Organs and chief of the Division of Applied Biomedical Engineering at Penn State College of Medicine. An internationally recognized researcher, he has contributed to the development of artificial organs and medical devices, including the Penn State/Arrow LionHeart LVAD, the first wireless left ventricular assist device.

Together, the 15 Fellows brought decades of experience, expertise and perspective back to Penn State. During their time on campus, many connected with students and shared their experiences, including through classroom visits that offered students a glimpse of what is possible after graduation.

The Fellows’ return to campus culminated with the Alumni Fellow Awards ceremony, where more than 200 members of the Penn State community gathered to celebrate their accomplishments and continued connection to the University.

In remarks honoring the 2026 class, Penn State Executive Vice President and Provost Fotis Sotiropoulos connected the Fellows’ accomplishments to the University’s recent milestone of awarding its one millionth degree. He described that milestone as a reminder of the “million stories of achievement and a million points of impact” made possible by a Penn State education, pointing to the 15 Fellows as examples of the ripple effects that can come from those degrees.

Sotiropoulos highlighted the Fellows’ contributions across education, business, innovation and healthcare, noting that their leadership, service and accomplishments demonstrate what is possible when a Penn State education is paired with a commitment to making a difference.

Penn State Alumni Association CEO Reggie Bustinza then presented the 2026 Alumni Fellow Awards, introducing each honoree and recognizing their individual accomplishments and contributions. The Fellows took the stage to accept the award and share a few words of their own, reflecting on their time as students, the opportunities Penn State opened for them and the experiences that helped shape their lives and careers. Several also recognized the family members, mentors and others who supported them along the way.

The evening underscored that the Alumni Fellow Award recognizes more than professional accomplishment. It celebrates the ways Penn State alumni carry their experiences forward and continue to make an impact in their fields, communities and University.

Susan Robinson, president of the Penn State Alumni Association, offered closing remarks before inviting the Fellows to the stage for the singing of the Alma Mater.

This year’s singing carried special significance as Penn State celebrates the 125th anniversary of the Alma Mater. The 15 Fellows joined more than 200 members of the Penn State community in singing “For the Glory of Old State,” bringing the evening to a close and connecting generations of Penn Staters through one of the University’s enduring traditions.

The Alumni Fellow program is administered by the Penn State Alumni Association in cooperation with the University’s academic colleges, campuses and the Office of the President. Alumni are nominated by a college or campus as leaders in their professional fields and accept an invitation from the president of the University to return to campus to share their expertise and experiences with students, faculty and administrators.

Learn more about the Alumni Fellow Award on the Penn State Alumni Association’s website. Watch the full 2026 Alumni Fellow Awards ceremony and individual remarks from this year’s Fellows here. Browse photos from the ceremony and the Fellows’ time on campus here.

For more than 150 years, the Penn State Alumni Association has provided alumni with a strong and welcoming community representative of the Penn Staters it proudly serves. The association keeps alumni connected to the University and to each other, while upholding Penn State traditions and supporting the University’s mission of teaching, research, and service. The association also produces the award-winning Penn Stater magazine and other publications, and offers alumni and friends volunteer opportunities, educational programming, and many other services. For more information about membership in the Alumni Association, visit alumni.psu.edu/youbelong.