Ben Crusan of Gettysburg, Pa., graduated from Penn State University, receiving a bachelor of science degree in plant science.

The son of Don and Maria Crusan of Butler is a 2015 graduate of Butler Area High School. He went on to graduate magna cum laude with a GPA of 3.9 in December 2015 from Penn State.

He holds a dual major in horticulture and agronomy with a minor in agribusiness.

While at Penn State, Crusan received numerous awards in scholarships that include Dean’s List scholar every term and was a member of the Phi Eta Sigma National Honor Society and the Gamma Sigma Delta Honor Society of Agriculture.

He held leadership positions with the Earth House as social chairperson; president for two terms of the Horticulture Club; and was the social and service chairperson for the Agronomy Club.

Crusan was a member of the Forage Bowl Team, which won first place in the annual Grassland and Forage Council competition in Louisville, Ky. He also participated for two years in the National Collegiate Landscaping competitions at Alamance Community College in North Carolina and at The Colorado State University.

He completed two Penn State internships; one in Poinsettia production and a marketing in greenhouse management and biocontrols. Crusan was a teaching assistant in both hydroponics and soil management classes.

He completed two summer internships in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania with Helena Agri-Enterprises.

He is employed as an agri-intelligence specialist with Helena Agri-Enterprises in Gettysburg.

The Butler Eagle publishes announcements of awards or honors received by area residents or organizations. Information can be submitted to the Community Department by e-mail to community@butlereagle.com or by mail to P.O. Box 271, Butler, PA 16003.