Katherine Hope, currently of Jeannette, has been awarded the 2019-2020 Aaron Slafka Memorial Service Award at the University of Pittsburgh at Greenburg. Hope, a senior political science major with minors in sociology and legal psychology, is a 2016 graduate of Franklin Regional High School. Her parents, Jeff and Lisa Tranquil Hope reside in Murrysville. The award, which includes a plaque and a $500.00 prize was to be presented at the Pitt-Greensburg Honors Convocation on April 17, 2020.
Katherine, known as “Rowyn” to her friends, has served the university and community in a number of ways including as a member of the Pitt-Greensburg Judicial Board since 2019 and president of the College Democrats since 2017.
The award is named for Aaron Slafka, a 2007 political science graduate of the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, who was a respected student leader and athlete. He passed away unexpectedly in April 2014 at the age of 29. This award is presented to a junior or senior majoring in political science and who is able to demonstrate service to the University, as well as demonstrating perseverance and the ability to overcome adversity.