P resident ’ s S cholar A ward
The Presidential medal is awarded to a full-time undergraduate whose academic
record is superior, and who participates in and contributes to the university
community. The choice of the recipient for the President’s Scholar Award is
reserved for the President of the University.
Recipient: Joseph Giordano
Bachelor of Science in Biology
In keeping with GMercyU’s mission and
core values, Joseph Giordano exemplifies a
commitment to academic excellence, social
responsibility, and service to others.
Joe has been an E-STEM Scholar for three
years and an E-STEM Peer Mentor during
his senior year. He held a research position
at the Hershey Medical Center and, while
there, also developed a service project
related to the patient experience. A high-
achieving student, Joe earned acceptance
into the Sigma Zeta National Science & Mathematics Honor Society, as well as
a faculty recommendation to graduate with program honors.
Joe’s service activities include conducting research and running a fundraiser to
benefit improvements in livestock feed in Haiti as part of the Mercy Focus on
Haiti Volunteer Initiative. Joe has also volunteered at the Brethern Home nursing
care facility in his hometown of Palmyra, NJ, and has been actively involved with
Philly Cure HD, an organization benefitting people with Huntington’s Disease.
Joe is also a highly successful student-athlete as a member of the lacrosse team
for the past four years. He was recognized as a CSAC All-American in 2017-
2018, he was ranked 13th nationally in 2018 as an NCAA D-III lacrosse faceoff
player, and he received a CSAC honorable mention for as a faceoff midfielder.
Joe also holds the GMercyU record for the highest faceoff win percentage in a
season (2018).
Joe will continue his research in diabetic retinopathy as a laboratory technician
at the Penn State Hershey Medical Center. He also plans to take the MCATs,
job shadow, and apply to medical school, with the long-term goal of becoming a
practicing physician.