Clothed in colorful academic dress, University administrators, deans and faculty marched onto the Eisenhower Auditorium stage yesterday to the sounds of the School of Music Brass Choir to begin the 1991 Awards Convocation.

"Achievement is in strong supply at Penn State said University President Joab Thomas in his convocation address. "Today we honor those whose achievements stand out even among the achievements already here."

Thomas, addressing the crowd of University faculty, students and their parents and friends, explained how people who strive for excellence can help the United States successfully weather a transition it is undergoing as a result of economic and social changes.

"The keys to finding our way lay in the hands of our people -- those being honored today," Thomas said.

Thomas said four elements are essential in making this transition.

First, research universities can greatly aid the country by facilitating growth, he said. Also, he said, as well-educated citizens become increasingly necessary, higher education's role in society will increase as well.

But Thomas stressed that hard work and discipline, as demonstrated by those honored yesterday, will be more essential in the transition than educational credentials.

Lastly, people must learn to work together. "The future is bigger than any person or nation," he said. "All of us are smarter than any of us."

Charles L. Hosler, who presided over the ceremony, said that within the transition a change has already occurred. The determination of people moved the world of the past, said Hosler, acting executive vice president and provost. "Today, the world is moved by scholarship and achievement, he added.

The recipients of the awards -- honoring the scholarship and achievements of students, faculty and staff -- were glad to have their extra effort recognized.

Rick Kazmierczak (freshman-science) was one of 76 students who received the President's Freshman Award for maintaining a 4.0 grade point average his first semester at Fayette Campus.

"I just think it's great that they acknowledge the freshmen," Kazmierezak said. "It was great to see everyone appreciate the hard work you put into (academics)."

Senior Scott W. Golla received the Ralph Dorn Hetzel Award for student achievement. "I was involved in a lot of leadership positions," he said. Golla (environmental resource management) is president of the Undergraduate Student Government Academic Assembly, a member of the University Faculty Senate and a Lion Ambassador.

"It means a lot to me as a recognition of what I've done at Penn State and as an incentive to do more," Golla said.

Also given out during the ceremony were the Oswald awards and the Sparks awards.

Adrie DeVries-Cookson received the Oswald Award in Athletics. DeVries-Cookson, who was a co-captain on the 1989-90 Lady Lions basketball team, is majoring in arts and art education and sports a 3.36 grade-point average.

Emil Rhayek received the Oswald Award in Scholarship. Rhayek has a 3.97 grade-point average and is an engineering science major.

Helen Jean MacMillan received the Oswald Award in Arts. MacMillan is a chemistry major with a 3.94 grade-point average.

Quinn A. Solem received the Oswald Award in Mass Communications. Solem is a ROTC cadet at the Behrend College and has a 3.67 grade-point average.

The Sparks Awards are given to full-time sophomores who have maintained a 4.00 grade-point average through their first three semesters at Penn State. The seven students honored this year were:

-- David S. Barton, an engineering major.

-- Steven K. Diehl, a business administration major at the Altoona campus.

-- Jennifer L. Kretchmar, a liberal arts major.

-- Brooke S. Lebofsky, a French major.

-- Shawn A. Mitchell, an engineering major at the Kensington campus.

-- Robert C. Noss, an engineering major.

-- Clay B. Ritchey, an engineering major at the Altoona campus.