Standout Seniors 2026: Meet Brian Blake (Interdisciplinary Business with Engineering Studies and Project and Supply Chain Management

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Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2026 is ready to make its mark on the world. We’re proud of our students and all that they have learned and accomplished here at Behrend. Over the next several weeks, we will introduce you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have conducted valuable research, pioneered innovation, overcome challenges, and engaged in college life in a big way.

Today, we’d like you to meet Brian Blake.

Majors: Interdisciplinary Business with Engineering Studies and Project and Supply Chain Management

Minor: Technical Sales

Certification: SAP

Hometown: Weedville, Pennsylvania

Scholarships: CMI EPTI Trustee Scholarship, Lawrence and Elizabeth Held Scholarship, C.W. Borgerding Senate Leadership Scholarship, Larson Family Scholarship.

Why he chose Behrend: I always wanted to go to Penn State, but I wasn’t sure which campus. My family and I were often in Erie, and we really liked the area. After visiting Behrend and learning more about the small class sizes and individualized focus on student success, I knew it was the right place for me.

Why he chose his major: I planned to major in Mechanical Engineering, but after just a few weeks, I knew I didn’t want a purely engineering-focused degree. A professor told me about the IBE major, which merges business management with engineering principles. As someone who wants to be a business leader in technical company, IBE is a perfect major.

Campus involvement: Business Ambassador, vice president of IBE Club, Lion Scout, and member of Chi Alpha. I also worked in food service on campus, assisting with campus catering and in the dining halls in a supervisory role.

What makes him unique: My personality and work ethic. I pride myself on being a trustworthy and caring individual who will do anything I can for those around me. I enjoy being a person that people feel comfortable coming to and sharing problems and concerns, then being able to help them work those out.

What you’d be surprised to know about him: I have a goal to visit at least a hundred different countries. I’m very enthusiastic about learning about cultures other than my own. I hope to have the opportunity to travel the world.

What he’s passionate about: Being an active member of the communities that I am a part of. Giving back to people and supporting others is something I’m committed to no matter where I may be.

Advice for first-year students: Fill up your free time with clubs, activities, or any other way to get involved on campus. College is a much better experience when you’re a student who is well known to many, and getting involved early around campus is the best way to make a lot of friends and contacts.

After his graduation in May, Brian will join Safelite as a Global Early Career Professional in the Store Leadership Track, a two-year rotational program preparing high-potential individuals for store management positions.

Standout Seniors 2026: Meet Bella Eibl (Political Science)

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Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2026 is ready to make its mark on the world. We’re proud of our students and all that they have learned and accomplished here at Behrend. Over the next several weeks, we will introduce you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have conducted valuable research, pioneered innovation, overcome challenges, and engaged in college life in a big way.

Today, we’d like you to meet Bella A. Eibl.

Major: Political Science, crime and law option

Minors: English, Legal Studies

Certificate: Crime, Psychology, and Public Policy

Hometown: Erie, Pennsylvania

Scholarships: Chancellor’s Scholarship, Penn State Provost Award, Rose Lada Memorial Scholarship

Why she chose Behrend: I’m an Erie native and I come from a Penn State family. I chose Behrend because I felt it offered more opportunities for students to really have an impact on their community and form connections with faculty members.

Why she chose her major: I started as a General Arts and Sciences major, but after my first political science class I was immediately interested in the major. I was scared to commit, so I met with the professor to talk about what I could do with a degree in political science and what I should major in considering my interests and goals. Talking with him made me feel much more confident in my academic plan and career goals.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: During my sophomore year, I made the decision to resurrect all three political clubs at Behrend to have them fully functional and active in time for the 2024 primary and general elections. This included our two partisan clubs and a nonpartisan general political society. Working with everyone who was interested in the executive board positions, communicating with campus faculty, and succeeding in having three active political clubs whilst being on the executive board of two of them and simultaneously working in state politics off campus—while also taking eighteen credits—was difficult, but I’m proud of the work I did.

Campus involvement: School of Humanities and Social Sciences Student Advisory Club (co-founder, vice president), Studio Theatre at Behrend (Into the Woods crew, Little Shop of Horrors cast/crew), Student Leadership and Involvement (RUB desk worker), Residence Life, School of Humanities and Social Sciences Ambassadors, Pi Sigma Alpha (secretary), Political Science Society (former president).

What you’d be surprised to know about her: I listen to every genre of music from metal to classical to musical theatre. I believe I’ve been to eight different theatre productions and over fifteen concerts. Fun fact: I’ve been to the same number of Twenty One Pilots concerts and Weird Al Yankovic concerts—three each!

Her highest priority: I’m starting law school in the fall, so my priority for the next three years is to make the most of my time living in Washington, D.C., and have productive and meaningful experiences while continuing my education.

Advice for first-year students: The best advice I can give is:

1.) Make it a priority to figure out the basics. Get a planner and write everything down, learn the tech you’re unfamiliar with (Canvas, Outlook, LionPATH, etc.), learn what resources are available to students, and talk with an academic adviser.

2) Put yourself out there! Join clubs, meet people, and try new things. Growth can be scary, but it’s so worth it, and you probably won’t have as many opportunities once you graduate.

3) Feeling stressed or overwhelmed is normal, but don’t forget to give yourself time to take a deep breath, rest, and have fun.

After her graduation in May, Bella will move to Washington, D.C., to attend American University’s Washington College of Law.

Standout Seniors: Meet Alix Lytle (Biology)

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Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2026 is ready to make its mark on the world. We’re proud of our students and all that they have learned and accomplished here at Behrend. Over the next several weeks, we will introduce you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have conducted valuable research, pioneered innovation, overcome challenges, and engaged in college life in a big way.

Today, we’d like you to meet Alix Lytle.

Major: Biology; Health Professions option

Hometown: Warren, Pennsylvania

Why she chose Behrend: I chose Behrend because of its campus size and how connected to nature you can be. After being here for four years, I’ve realized there are so many more great reasons—number one being the faculty and staff. They’re here to help you succeed and reach your full potential. Looking back, they’re a huge reason for my success, both personally and academically.

Why she chose her major: Genuine care for others has always been central to who I am. It started when I was young and saw my mom dealing with constant back pain. At the time, I couldn’t do anything to ease what she was going through, but I knew someday I wanted to help—not just her, but others in similar situations. That moment first inspired my desire to care for people.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Stepping out of my shell. That might sound surprising to anyone who knows me now because I’m an outgoing person. But if first-year me had been told I would join multiple clubs and be preparing to move to South Carolina in just a few months, she would have thought that sounded impossible. It took time, encouragement, and a lot of pushing myself outside my comfort zone, but I’m incredibly proud of the person I’ve become. Behrend helped me grow into someone more confident, involved, and willing to take risks, and that personal growth is something I’ll carry with me into every new chapter ahead.

Campus involvement: Science Ambassadors, Lion Ambassadors, Student Government Association (public relations and senator), Random Acts of Kindness (public relations), Welcome Week guide, Biology Club, and tour guide.

Her highest priority: Continuing to be curious and learning how to be the best chiropractor I can be. Just as important to me is staying close to the people who mean the most in my life. Being ten hours away from them will be challenging, but I know I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.

Advice for first-year students: Allow yourself grace. You won’t be the same person four years from now, when you’re graduating, and that’s a good thing. Growth requires mistakes, setbacks, and moments where things don’t go the way you planned. Those messy, uncomfortable experiences are often the ones that shape you the most. So give yourself permission to struggle, to change your mind, and to evolve. Every challenge you face—or C you may get—is not the end of the world. It’s part of becoming the person you’re meant to be.

Parting words: I want to send a huge thank you to my mom and dad. Without their constant love and support, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. Every accomplishment I’ve achieved is rooted in the foundation they gave me: my work ethic, my compassion for others, and the belief that I can do hard things.

After her graduation in May, Alix will attend Sherman College of Chiropractic in South Carolina to become a Doctor of Chiropractic.

Standout Seniors 2026: Meet Emily Jackovic (Accounting and Finance)

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Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2026 is ready to make its mark on the world. We’re proud of our students and all that they have learned and accomplished here at Behrend. Over the next several weeks, we will introduce you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have conducted valuable research, pioneered innovation, overcome challenges, and engaged in college life in a big way.

Today, we’d like you to meet Emily Jackovic.

Majors: Accounting and Finance

Minor: Management Information Systems

Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Scholarship: Penn State Provost Award

Why she chose Behrend: I chose Behrend because of the opportunity to be on the swim team while also being part of a strong dual-degree academic program.

Why she chose her majors: I excelled in accounting in high school and have always been interested in owning my own business. Studying accounting and finance gave me a strong foundation in understanding how money works and how financial decisions impact a business.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Finishing as a top performer in the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Society Pittsburgh Collegiate Stock Picker Challenge competition. I was also honored to travel to California to attend a professional conference, which helped expand my network and career perspective.

Challenges overcome: Balancing a demanding course load, leadership roles, and extracurricular involvement was challenging at times. Learning how to manage my time effectively and stay disciplined helped me grow both academically and personally.

Campus involvement: President of the Accounting Club, School of Business Ambassador, member of Behrend Swim team (two years), and founder of the Women in Business club.

What makes her unique: I enjoy taking initiative and building opportunities where they don’t already exist, which is what led me to found Women in Business. I’m motivated, outgoing, and enjoy bringing people together.

What you’d be surprised to know about her: I love being outdoors and around water. I enjoy paddleboarding, pickleball, and hiking. I’ve visited twelve national parks so far.

Her highest priority: Gaining experience in public accounting and learning as much as possible. Within the next ten years, I hope to use that knowledge to start my own wedding venue business.

What she’s passionate about: Leadership, professional development, and creating opportunities for others—especially helping students build confidence and connections early in their careers.

Advice for first-year students: Get involved on campus early. It’s the best way to make friends and build connections. Also, take the time to connect with your professors. They offer valuable mentorship and networking opportunities that can open doors later on.

After her graduation in May, Emily will work full time at H2R CPA in Pittsburgh, beginning her career in public accounting.

Standout Seniors 2026: Meet Daniel Easly (Mechanical Engineering)

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Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2026 is ready to make its mark on the world. We’re proud of our students and all that they have learned and accomplished here at Behrend. Over the next several weeks, we will introduce you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have conducted valuable research, pioneered innovation, overcome challenges, and engaged in college life in a big way.

Today, we’d like you to meet Daniel Easly.

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Hometown: Erie, Pennsylvania

Scholarship: Prischak Scholarship

Why he chose Behrend: The outstanding engineering department and proximity to my home.

Why he chose his major: I chose Mechanical Engineering for the curriculum of various engineering disciplines. This broad spectrum of classes allows for knowledge that spans various industries.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Maintaining a good GPA while being involved in multiple programs on campus.

Challenges overcome: Finals in the fall of my junior year. Overcoming this workload while studying with my peers and getting good results was quite fulfilling.

Campus involvement: Penn State Behrend Men’s Volleyball and Behrend Engineering Ambassadors.

Awards: Most Improved Player (2024 and 2025 seasons), Second Team All-Conference AMCC (2025), Academic All-Conference (2025)

What you’d be surprised to know about him: I enjoy skiing and baking!

His highest priority: Excelling in my career, buying a house, and starting a family.

What he’s passionate about: The sport of volleyball, engineering, LEGOs, family, and sports.

After his graduation in May, Daniel plans to work as a mechanical engineer in Meadville, Pennsylvania.

Standout Seniors 2026: Meet Samanth Hulings (Environmental Science)

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Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2026 is ready to make its mark on the world. We’re proud of our students and all that they have learned and accomplished here at Behrend. Over the next several weeks, we will introduce you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have conducted valuable research, pioneered innovation, overcome challenges, and engaged in college life in a big way.

Today, we’d like you to meet Samantha Hulings.

Major: Environmental Science

Hometown: Kane, Pennsylvania

Award: Excellence in Environmental Science, Research

Why she chose Behrend: I chose Behrend because of the professor-to-student ratio. It’s very nice to have the ability to build professional relationships with professors and attend their office hours to get help if needed. I also love the small campus. Behrend also has the Wintergreen Gorge in its backyard, so there are many opportunities to get out in nature.

Challenges overcome: Being away from home and my family was a big challenge for me. I’m very much a homebody and I live about two hours from Behrend, so not being able to see my family and pets was pretty challenging in my first year. I called home frequently to stay in touch, and I went home a lot on the weekends.

What she’s passionate about: Being outdoors. Whether it’s spending my evening on a trail ride on one of my horses or just taking a break to touch grass, being outside resets my busy brain.

Advice for first-year students: Don’t be afraid to go to your professor’s office hours. They really do want to help you.

After her graduation in May, Samantha will work in seasonal fieldwork for Ecological Field Services.

Standout Seniors 2026: Meet Owen Kagle (Business Economics and Finance)

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Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2026 is ready to make its mark on the world. We’re proud of our students and all that they have learned and accomplished here at Behrend. Over the next several weeks, we will introduce you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have conducted valuable research, pioneered innovation, overcome challenges, and engaged in college life in a big way.

Today, we’d like you to meet Owen Kagle.

Majors: Business Economics and Finance

Hometown: Bridgeville, Pennsylvania

Scholarships: Provost Award and Leadership Scholarship

Why he chose Behrend: I loved the campus, the community, and the abundance of opportunities that are available here. The professors and staff all want to see you succeed, and that gives you a support network like no other to draw from.

Why he chose his majors: I’ve been interested in the financial world since I was young, and my love for economics started with a very passionate teacher in high school, Mr. Lucas, who challenged me to learn as much as I could about how theory can be applied to the real world. I wanted both the theoretical side in business economics and the statistical side in finance, and I could attain both in four years at Behrend, so it was the perfect fit for me.

Campus involvement: Resident Assistant in the on-campus apartments, senator for Student Government Association, night building assistant for Student Leadership and Involvement, fundraising chair and chancellor for the professional business fraternity Delta Sigma Pi, Business Ambassador, tour guide, lead analyst for the Intrieri Family Student-Managed Fund, member of Beta Gamma Sigma honor society, and vice president of the South East Asian Association.

Advice for first-year students: Don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone and get involved. That’s where you’ll get the most out of your college experience and find some of your best friends.

After his graduation in May, Owen will join the FP&A team at Westinghouse for the summer and then return to Behrend to earn a Master of Business Administration degree.

Standout Seniors 2026: Meet Himani Karia (Biology)

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Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2026 is ready to make its mark on the world. We’re proud of our students and all that they have learned and accomplished here at Behrend. Over the next several weeks, we will introduce you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have conducted valuable research, pioneered innovation, overcome challenges, and engaged in college life in a big way.

Today, we’d like you to meet Himani Karia.

Major: Biology, Healthcare Professions option

Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Scholarship: Penn State Erie Alumni Scholarship

Why she chose Behrend: When I toured the campus during my senior year of high school, I felt a sense of belonging. I was drawn to the small class sizes, opportunities to get involved, and the beautiful campus scenery. I wanted to choose a college that felt like home, and Behrend was the epitome of that.

Why she chose her major: My interest in biology started in middle school when I learned about science topics related to DNA, disease, and healthcare. I wanted to choose a major where I could learn about key systems and processes in biology that would provide me with a good foundation to prepare me as a future healthcare professional.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Developing my leadership skills. By joining Lion Ambassadors, becoming a Resident Assistant, and joining Student Government Association, I learned how to manage my time and responsibilities, how to communicate effectively, and how to serve the community at Behrend and in Erie.

Campus involvement: Student Government Association (secretary, senator, Constitutional Review Committee chair), Resident Assistant, Lion Ambassadors (Constitution Committee chair, Internal Affairs Committee chair), Multicultural Council (promotions coordinator), and Scrubs Club.

Awards: President Walker Award, Dean’s List.

What you’d be surprised to know about her: I studied an Indian classical dance called Bharatanatyam for eight years and did many stage performances. Also, I can play the ukulele and sing three octaves.

What she’s passionate about: Serving the community. I want to become a physician who can combine scientific and clinical knowledge to find a cure for health issues or illnesses that don’t have a cure. That way I can serve the community in the most meaningful way.

After her graduation in May, Himani plans to pursue a career as a physician.

Standout Seniors 2026: Meet Morgan McQueeney (Psychology)

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Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2026 is ready to make its mark on the world. We’re proud of our students and all that they have learned and accomplished here at Behrend. Over the next several weeks, we will introduce you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have conducted valuable research, pioneered innovation, overcome challenges, and engaged in college life in a big way.

Today, we’d like you to meet Morgan McQueeney.

Major: Psychology (B.S.)

Hometown: Erie, Pennsylvania

Scholarships: Petersen Family Trustee Scholarship and Ernest E. and Bernice C. Fryer and Family Psychology Scholarship

Why she chose Behrend: I have a long line of family members who attended Penn State Behrend, so I had a lot of love for the campus.

Why she chose her major: I learned about psychology in high school and fell in love with it. I also learned a lot about the field from my mom. She has a Ph.D. in behavioral health.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: My work with the Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) club. Specifically, when I worked with my fellow executive board members and schools in the community to create more than 600 holiday cards for veterans and deliver them to the Pennsylvania Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home here in Erie.

Challenges overcome: I’ve had to overcome my shyness and social anxiety. I’m thankful I’ve had such a great community that helped me come out of my shell.

Campus involvement: Lion Entertainment Board, Random Acts of Kindness, Alpha Phi Omega

What you’d be surprised to know about her: I love comic books and botanical Legos.

Advice for first-year students: There are so many clubs and opportunities available at Behrend. Don’t be afraid to get out there and try something new.

After her graduation in May, Morgan plans to work full time in the field of psychology in the Erie area before pursuing a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology.

Standout Seniors 2026: Meet Chloe Heeter (Mechanical Engineering)

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Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2026 is ready to make its mark on the world. We’re proud of our students and all that they have learned and accomplished here at Behrend. Over the next several weeks, we will introduce you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have conducted valuable research, pioneered innovation, overcome challenges, and engaged in college life in a big way.

Today, we’d like you to meet Chloe Heeter.

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Hometown: Erie

Scholarships: Joseph A. and Berit I.Benacci Family Scholarship and a Pennsylvania Ready to Succeed Scholarship

Why she chose Behrend: It is a smaller school where I could build relationships with my professors and meet with them when I needed help. It’s also a strong engineering school and was close to home for me.

Why she chose her major: I’ve always loved math and science and enjoy solving problems. I also love fixing things, altering them to better meet my needs, or building things from scratch.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Graduating. When I started college, I hated it and wanted to drop out. I’ve come a long way since then and have grown to genuinely enjoy college.

Awards: Dean’s List, several semesters

Advice for first-year students: Talk to as many people as you can when you first start and find a good group of friends in your major. Also, try out multiple clubs and see what fits you best because it might even help you decide what you want to do once you graduate.