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The award is sponsored by the PSU Foundation and Advancement Ambassadors. Its recipients are selected by a committee based on a student-submitted nomination. Emma Eckstein, a junior accounting major, nominated her family, which includes her sister Hannah (BS ‘25), mom Heather BA '94, MS ‘01), and dad Dan (BSEd ‘94, MS ‘99, MS ‘16).
Heather is the assistant vice president for Student Success.
From birth, the university has been part of Emma’s story.
“Every staff member who was here in 2005 remembers when my mom was pregnant with me and they joked that I was destined to be a future Gorilla,” Eckstein said. “I grew up on campus, and some of my best childhood memories are tied to Pitt State.”
Game Day was an important part of that, where Emma celebrated birthdays at tailgates with her extended family and was captivated by the Crimson and Gold Dance team entertaining the crowd.
On Saturday at Carnie Smith Stadium, Emma will performed as a member of that dance team, and at halftime, she and her family were presented the 2025 Honorary Family award.
She said her parents instilled in her and her sister a love for learning, service, and community engagement.
“Growing up, I was able to watch both of my parents and my sister be community change-makers,” Emma said.
Heather and Dan were active as student leaders, then went on to lead and serve as adults. They have volunteered in their school district, the YMCA, the Girl Scout Council, and the SEK Student Chess Association. They’ve also been annual donors to the Foundation, supporting such programs as KRPS, Admission, the Alumni Association, Nature Reach, and the Biology Department.
Emma and Hannah followed closely in their footsteps. Hannah volunteered more than 600 hours and served as president of Student Government Association and Sigma Sigma Sigma. She earned numerous honors, including the Campus Impact Award and Golden Gorilla.
Emma is active in Sigma Sigma Sigma, the Honors College, Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society, and Student Government Association.
The Eckstein family’s story is one of tradition and resilience. Together, they have celebrated milestones at Pitt State, from sorority Bid Days to academic achievements, and whenever they’ve needed it, the family has found strength in being part of the Pitt State community.
“Pitt State has always been more than a university: it has been our home,” Emma wrote in the family’s nomination. “The traditions, the friendships, and the pride that come with being a Gorilla have shaped each of us in unique and lasting ways. Pitt State has given us more than an education — it has given us a second family, one that lifts us up and helps us keep moving forward.”
