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News Abstract
By: PointLine Media Research & Editorial Team
Topic:Education,Industry,Lifestyle,Sports
September 16, 2026
The Make an Impact Fund will host its 2026 Impact Honors celebration on October 21 at The State Theatre in State College. The event recognizes former Penn State student-athletes who have transitioned from collegiate sports to significant community service and philanthropic leadership.
Dr. Michael McShane will receive the Land Grant Mission Award for his work with the LION Mobile Health Clinic, which delivers medical services to underserved rural areas. Other honorees include Deryck Toles for his youth education initiatives, Dylan Lugris for his support of adaptive hockey, and Samantha Tortorello Ream Haas and Kelsey Ream Napolitan for their work with the Team Ream Foundation.
The ceremony, which is open to the public, will also highlight current student-athletes who are actively participating in community outreach. The Make an Impact Fund provides financial grants to the charities supported by these award winners.
This recognition reflects a growing trend in collegiate athletics where universities are increasingly formalizing programs to support the lifelong civic engagement of their alumni. By bridging the gap between varsity sports and social responsibility, institutions like Penn State aim to leverage their athletic networks to solve localized community challenges.
The shift highlights the land-grant university model, which emphasizes public service as a core component of the student experience. As NIL and professionalization dominate sports headlines, programs like the Impact Awards focus on the long-term societal contributions of former athletes after their competitive careers conclude.