STATE COLLEGE, PA, September 16, 2026 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Former Penn State student-athletes who are contributing to their communities as alumni will be honored at the Impact Honors 2026 celebration on Wednesday, October 21, at The State Theatre in State College.

Former Nittany Lion football player Deryck Toles, two former members of the Penn State women's volleyball team who lead the Team Ream Foundation, and a founder of the Penn State Sled Hockey Classic will be honored. Dr. Michael McShane of the LION Mobile Health Clinic will receive the Land Grant Mission Award for his work bringing free health care to rural communities throughout the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The Impact Awards honor the legacy of service by Penn State alumni student-athletes, highlighting those who continue that mandate into their adult lives. The Make an Impact Fund at the Centre Foundation is a non-profit organization charged with recognizing the community service of former student-athletes. Through the generosity of alumni and friends, the Impact Awards will acknowledge the honorees' efforts with financial grants for their respective charities.

"The Impact Awards represent Penn State student-athletes and their role in our university's long-standing tradition of selfless service to others. From the world's largest student-run philanthropy in THON to countless smaller acts, Penn State sets a standard in making the world a better place. It all started with the land grant mission that is our founding principle." – Make an Impact Fund Co-Founder Jay Paterno.

The 2026 Impact Award recipients are:

Deryck Toles '03, founder/CEO of Inspiring Minds, a youth after-school and summer program that believes in the power of opportunity. Its motto is: "We encourage kids to dream big and then we help make their dream come true." It supports more than 700 youth annually across four states: Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, and North Carolina.

Dr. Michael McShane '09, '14 MD, is an internal medicine physician and associate professor of medicine at the Penn State College of Medicine. He has led the development of the LION Mobile Clinic, which is student-run and provides free health care resources to underserved communities in central Pennsylvania.

Dylan Lugris '25, a former Penn State ice hockey player and Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, is the founder of the Penn State Sled Hockey Classic. It is a philanthropy event that has raised over $60,000 for the State College Coyotes, an adaptive athlete ice hockey team in State College.

Samantha Tortorello Ream Haas '06 and Kelsey Ream Napolitan '14, both members of women's volleyball championship teams at Penn State, have been on the leadership board of the Team Ream Foundation since its inception. Team Ream is a nonprofit organization established to preserve the memory, grow the legacy, and carry on the fight, will, and determination of former Penn State football player Brandon Ream for future generations. The mission of the foundation is to support the everyday lives of financially disadvantaged individuals and families in State College and the surrounding communities who have been affected by cancer and other serious medical conditions. Samantha, Team Ream's executive director, was married to Brandon. Kelsey, a board member, is Brandon's sister.

Established in 2023, the Impact Award initially recognized former Penn State football players who impacted their communities after graduation. It has expanded to include Penn State student-athlete alumni from all sports. The inaugural class of recipients were: Aaron Maybin '92, founder of Project Mayhem; Michael Robinson '05, founder of Excel Excellence; and Bill Spoor '92, founder of Happy Valley Uganda.

The October 21 event at The State Theatre begins at 7:00 p.m. and is free and open to the public. It will feature a pair of current Penn State student-athletes as emcees. In addition, two current Penn State student-athletes who are already making an impact off the playing field will also be honored. For more information about the award, go to: PennStatersMakeAnImpact.com.

About Jay: Jay Paterno is an author, coach, and commentator with deep roots in college football. As the son of legendary coach Joe Paterno, Jay spent over two decades coaching, including 17 years at Penn State. His latest book, "BLITZED! The All-Out Pressure of College Football's New Era," offers a gripping exploration of the challenges facing today's college football coaches, from NIL deals to mental health. A sought-after speaker, Paterno regularly shares insights on leadership, resilience, and the changing landscape of athletics. His writing and commentary have made him a respected voice in sports and leadership circles. Learn more at JayVPaterno.com.

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