Misericordia University presented the Father John Bendik Scholarship Award to Michael Diakunczak of Edison at its 36th annual Leadership Awards Dinner.
Diakunczak is a student in the Mass Communications and Design Program with a specialization in sport 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, according to information provided by the university.
A member of the Misericordia University 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 at the college that is located in Dallas, Pennsylvania.
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, according to the statement.