Each semester, PNC recognizes two outstanding Kent State University students as PNC Achievers. These students exemplify excellence in the classroom, in the community, and in student leadership and development. Congratulations to the Fall 2018 PNC Achievers!
Hunter Brancifort, Senior, Finance Major
Pass Hunter Brancifort on campus and on most days she will have a bag of softball gear on her back, in addition to a messenger bag carrying her class materials. But when she is not studying or leading her team to victory, she is likely carrying a different set of tools.
Ms. Brancifort, a Kent State senior from Pickerington, Ohio, volunteers for Habitat for Humanity, helping build houses and complete home revitalization projects for families in need.
But it is not just adults who receive her help. Ms. Brancifort also volunteers with Moving With Flashes, a program in which she helps young children learn how to live healthy lives by eating right and being active.
“When I was growing up, my family stressed the importance of giving back to the community and helping others, so we were always volunteering in one way or another,” Ms. Brancifort said. “I didn’t want that to stop once I went to college, so I found ways to get involved around campus.”
However, Ms. Brancifort has proved that her own studies come first by maintaining a 3.9 grade point average (GPA) as a finance major. She has been named an All-American scholar athlete by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association and is a two-time academic All-MAC selection by the Mid-American Conference (MAC).
She can now add another accomplishment to her resume. Ms. Brancifort was recently named a PNC Achiever and was recognized by PNC Bank at Kent State’s Homecoming game in October 2018.
“Being active in my community is as important as my grades and school activities, but it can be difficult to balance everything sometimes, so it’s nice to be recognized for my hard work,” she said.
Nick Ferritto, Senior, Accounting Major
For Nick Ferritto, Kent State was the only choice for college.
Nestled in the small town of Kent, Ohio, Kent State had the look and feel of a traditional college campus in a town that is centered around the university. Pair that with the students and the programs and it all made him feel at home. Mr. Ferritto felt Kent was where he was meant to be.
Mr. Ferritto’s instinct was right. As a senior majoring in accounting, he was recently named a PNC Student Achiever, in which PNC Bank awards two students each semester for outstanding work in the classroom and the community.
With a 4.0 GPA and extensive community service, Mr. Ferritto stands out among his classmates. As a member of the Beta Alpha Psi, an honor society for accounting, finance and information systems students, he is able to continue the public service efforts he began in high school. For example, he is active in the local food bank, Relay for Life to raise money for cancer research, and cleaning up the city.
Mr. Ferritto will earn his bachelor’s degree in accounting in August 2019, but he will immediately begin working on a master’s degree that will prepare him to take the exam to become a certified public accountant. Professionally, he said he wants to go into public accounting or perhaps work for a bank; he is still figuring that out.
“I’m honored to be named a PNC Student Achiever,” he said. “Many of my classmates are high achievers, so to be selected among them felt pretty good. I wouldn’t have been able to achieve everything that I have achieved without the opportunities that Kent State has given me.”