News Release

Chancellor to receive Distinguished Alumnus Award

April 22, 2008

Penn State Harrisburg Chancellor Madlyn L. Hanes has been selected to receive one of her alma mater’s highest honors.

The University of Florida announced it will present Dr. Hanes with its Distinguished Alumnus Award during commencement ceremonies May 3 in Gainesville.

One of the most prestigious awards presented by the university, the honor is presented to select alumni who have brought honor and prestige to the University of Florida through their accomplishments and service.

The university’s president, J. Bernard Machen, said Dr. Hanes is “an excellent example of what our students should strive to become as they step off campus and into the world as graduates of the University of Florida. “

Dr. Hanes holds three degrees from Florida – a B.A. in education with a major in language arts, an M.A. in speech-language pathology, and a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction with a specialization in reading and language disabilities. The chancellor at Penn State Harrisburg since 2000, she first joined Penn State in 1988 as chief academic officer at Penn State Brandywine (Delaware County). In 1995-96 she served as the chief academic officer of both Penn State Brandywine and Penn State Great Valley. In 1997, she was named chief executive officer at Great Valley and in 1998, head of its newly formed School of Graduate Professional Studies.

She has authored two books, numerous chapters, more than 40 articles and monographs, and 60 technical reports to sponsors of funded or commissioned projects on clinical practice, curriculum and program evaluation, professional preparation, and education policy. She has also presented more than 300 papers and invited addresses at state, national, and international professional and academic meetings, most recently at the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges, American Council on Education Office of Women in Higher Education, and the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Kellogg Leadership Institute.

In 1997, Penn State faculty colleagues created the Madlyn L. Hanes Faculty Award to recognize outstanding and continuous contributions of faculty members to the campus community.  In 1998, Dr. Hanes was the recipient of the Penn State University Award for Administrative Excellence.  In 1999, she was named Visionary of the Year by the Great Valley Chamber of Commerce and in 2002, she received the Bette Landman Award from the ACE-NETWORK for her contributions and dedication to the advancement of women in higher education. In 2004, she was the recipient of the Athena Award, presented by Harrisburg Regional Chamber and Capital Region Economic Development Corporation.

Her commitment to education on an international level has included service as chief consultant to ministries of education, American overseas schools, and national institutions of higher education in Puerto Rico, Ecuador, Israel, Korea, and Russia, including a special appointment to the University Council of Jamaica by the prime minister.

Dr. Hanes currently chairs the national executive board of the American Council on Education (ACE) Network, Office of Women in Higher Education. She also serves on ACE’s Commission on Women in Higher Education, and on the board of the Council of Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Regionally, she serves on the boards of the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra, Harrisburg Regional Chamber, Modern Transit Partnership, and the Technology Council of Central Pennsylvania.