Lansdale Resident Micah Beckstead Recognized at National Conference

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DeSales University student Micah Beckstead

CENTER VALLEY, PA (11/24/2010)(readMedia)-- Micah Beckstead, of Lansdale, PA, was recently honored with an Outstanding Student Award by the BACCHUS Network at the organization's 2010 General Assembly, held in Indianapolis, IN.

Beckstead attended the conference as a member of the DeSales University PACE (Peers Advising Counseling Educating) Team, which was also recognized at the General Assembly. Beckstead is a senior physician assistant major at DeSales University.

To be eligible for an award, a group or individual must be nominated.

"There are different categories of awards. The PACErs themselves each year decide who to submit for the student, and we let them vote and they voted on Micah," said Wendy Krisak, advisor to PACE and director of the DeSales University Counseling Center.

"Being nominated by a group of friends and advisors was an honor and then to actually win the award was a surreal experience! Honestly, all of the PACErs are worthy of this award and I feel so fortunate to work with such amazing friends and advisors," said Beckstead.

The PACE Team was named Outstanding Affiliate in the category of colleges and universities with 5,000 students or less.

The PACE Team also presented two programs at the conference. "Social Networking: Road to Success or Freeway to Failure," detailed the advantages and disadvantages to using social networking websites and explained how to use those sites for professional purposes. "College Life: License to Become You," offered tips on how to successfully navigate the various pressures college students face.

PACE (Peers Advising Counseling Educating) was founded at DeSales University in 2004. The group is composed of eight students who are trained in the area of peer counseling. PACE also presents educational programs that focus on wellness and personal growth issues, and presents alcohol programs for both the DeSales University Office of Student Conduct and at Freshmen Orientation.

PACE members are certified through the BACCHUS Network, a national educational network that seeks to promote healthy and safe lifestyle practices among young adults. The PACE team is advised by Krisak, Chad Serfass, assistant director of the DeSales experience, and Dr. Gregg Amore, Associate Dean of Students for Student Development.