DALLAS TWP. — Misericordia University presented the Father John Bendik Scholarship Award to Michael Diakunczak, of Edison, New Jersey at the 36th annual Leadership Awards Dinner in Sandy and Marlene Insalaco Hall.
Diakunczak is a student in the Mass Communications and Design Program with a specialization in sports communications.
The Bendik Award is named after Monsignor John Bendik who was the university’s chaplain from 1981-87. The scholarship is awarded to a rising senior in good academic standing, who has demonstrated a record of broad and effective service to the campus community. The first scholarship was awarded in 1988.
A member of the Misericordia University Cougars football team, Diakunczak serves as commuter coordinator for the Student Government Association, columnist for The Highlander student newspaper, and member of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.
In addition, the son of Jeff and Dana Diakunczak is a spokesperson for the Kittim N. Sherrod Foundation, an organization inspired by the death of a New Jersey athlete due to the rare disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. He has assisted with media and video production service projects with Volunteers in Medicine, Volunteers in America and Grandparents Raise Grandchildren organizations, as well as Eckley Miners Village. He also has served as sideline cameraman and broadcaster for various Misericordia sporting events and is student manager for the Misericordia Phone-A-Thon.
