Make an Impact Fund Announces 2026 Honors for Exceptional Penn State Alumni Athletes

The Make an Impact Fund is proud to announce the 2026 Impact Award recipients, celebrating Penn State alumni student-athletes who demonstrate an unwavering commitment to community service. This year’s honorees, including Deryck Toles, Dr. Michael McShane, Dylan Lugris, Samantha Tortorello Ream Haas, and Kelsey Ream Napolitan, exemplify the university's land grant mission of selfless service. By leveraging their platforms to drive social change, these leaders continue to set a high standard for athletic excellence combined with profound humanitarian impact.

The awards ceremony will take place on October 21 at The State Theatre in State College, highlighting initiatives ranging from youth development and adaptive sports to critical healthcare access. Dr. Michael McShane, in particular, will receive the Land Grant Mission Award for his leadership of the LION Mobile Health Clinic, which provides essential medical services to underserved rural populations across Pennsylvania. This event not only honors individual achievements but also provides vital financial grants to support the honorees' charitable foundations.

Co-founded by Jay Paterno, the Make an Impact Fund underscores the long-standing tradition of philanthropy among Nittany Lion alumni. By expanding the awards to include alumni from all sports, the organization ensures that the spirit of giving remains central to the Penn State identity. The public is invited to attend this inspiring evening, which will feature current student-athletes, further bridging the gap between past and present generations of service-minded leaders.