Ms. Cathi Bertrand, a life skills teacher at the Milton Hershey School in Hershey, Pennsylvania, a coeducational home and school for children, was nominated by Mason Langguth, a sociology major, in the College of Arts & Sciences for teaching him the importance of discipline, integrity, and responsibility. According to Mason, “Ms. Bertrand embodies the spirit of the Harold W. Pote Award. I lived at the Milton Hersey School since age seven. Ms. Bertrand guided me in all aspects of my life. She and her family are considered my family today because of her kindness and genuine interest in my life. Throughout my high school years, Ms. Bertrand emphasized the importance of community service for its sole purpose in serving others and not for personal accolades or recognition.”

Ms. Lori Remmel, a photography and graphic arts teacher at Tamaqua High School in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania was nominated by Eric Hillegass, a film and video major in the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design. Eric praised Ms. Remmel for inspiring her students to find artistic and inventive ways to 'think outside the box.' He noted, “As I approached my high school graduation, I found myself keeping Ms. Remmel at the end of class to talk about my future. Her insights led me to follow my passion for art, more specifically film and video. My small high school did not offer film electives so Ms. Remmel assisted me in organizing a film club and establishing an annual student film festival. In essence, Ms. Remmel helped me to pursue my dream, which is now on the verge of realization. Due to her relentless encouragement, I have a job in the television industry post-graduation.”

Mr. Jeffrey Hagy, a biology teacher at Corning-Painted Post East High School in Corning, New York was nominated by Alexis Bielski, a nursing major in the College of Nursing & Health Professions. Alexis said, “Mr. Hagy had become more than a teacher - he became a mentor." She wrote, "As a teacher, he recognized my genuine interest in biology and was consistently available for after class study sessions. Knowing my personal qualities quite well, he asked me if I had ever considered nursing as a career. Moreover, Mr. Hagy expanded my knowledge of the nursing profession and assisted me in my search for colleges to pursue nursing as a major. If it had not been for Mr. Hagy, I would not have found my place at Drexel in the nursing program. For this reason, I am very grateful to Mr. Hagy.”

Mr. Louis DiCesare, a business education teacher at Irondequoit High School in Rochester, New York was nominated by Abby Dineen, a business administration major, who is graduating from the LeBow College of Business. Abby wrote how Mr. DiCesare's entrepreneurial spirit was an inspiration to her. She noted, “Mr. DiCesare is a leader, role model, and mentor who worked with me and other students in extracurricular activities such as DECA - A Student Association for Marketing & Business, LifeSmart, and Future Business Leaders. Mr. DiCesare also developed the Business Education Program at Irondequoit High School with now over 100 students. I would like to thank Mr. DiCesare for igniting my passion for business, teaching me to love learning, and for motivating me to reach, new and as yet undefined levels of success.”