Tips for Great Cap-and-Gown Photos at Behrend

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By Heather Cass, Publications Manager, Office of Strategic Communications

Class of 2026, you’ve earned that tassle. Now let’s make sure you have the photos to prove it. Iron your gown (use a low temp!), grab some festive props (we suggest the “grad” and “2” and “6” balloons from Dollar Tree) and take a walk around campus.

Not sure where to stop? I’ve taken photos all over campus for more than sixteen years. I’ve got you.

Here are a dozen great photo stop spots:

  • The Penn State Behrend entrance sign (be careful getting there!)
  • On the path with Lilley Library in the background
  • Near any of the flowering trees that are now in bloom all over campus
  • In front of Glenhill Farmhouse
  • On the footbridge near Turnbull Building
  • At the Lion Shrine
  • At the Lion Bench
  • In Lilley Library
  • Leaning on a brick pillar in front of Metzgar Building
  • At the Mary Behrend Monument – trees are BLOOMING now!
  • Glenhill Gardens – Adirondack chairs/fountain
  • In front of/in the building/lab you spent most of your time
  • EXTRA CREDIT: Top of the Burke Parking garage at sunset!

Tips for Great Cap-and-Gown Photos

  1. Shoot in portrait mode but step back a little. Portrait mode blurs the background beautifully, but standing too close can make the blur look unnatural and chop off your cap or gown. Have your photographer take a step or two back and zoom in slightly instead of getting right up in your face.
  2. Turn your back to the sun. It sounds counterintuitive but having the sun behind you (making it your backlight) and using a shaded or open-sky light on your face prevents squinting and harsh shadows. Overcast days are actually ideal for photos — the clouds act as a giant softbox.
  3. Tap to expose on the face. On any smartphone, tap directly on the subject’s face on the screen before shooting. This tells the camera to expose for skin, not the bright sky or dark background — which is the #1 fix for photos where the person looks too dark or washed out.
  4. Take bursts, not singles. Hold down the shutter button to shoot a burst of photos, especially for candid or walking shots. Caps shift, eyes close, smiles go awkward — bursts give you 20 frames to find the one perfect moment instead of hoping a single shot lands.
  5. Mind the gown hem and posture. This one’s simple but often missed: before every shot, do a quick check — gown hem even? Cap straight? Shoulders back?

One request: Skip the glitter and confetti, please. #KeepBehrendBeautiful

Standout Seniors 2026: Meet Kaitlyn Ezzone (Plastics Engineering Technology)

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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 Kaitlyn Ezzone.

Major: Plastics Engineering Technology

Hometown: Conneaut, Ohio

Scholarships: STEM Leadership Scholarship, Penn State Behrend Chancellor’s Scholarship

Why she chose Behrend: I chose Behrend because of the small class sizes, which allowed me to build relationships with my professors and peers. Additionally, I was drawn to the nature-filled campus that made being outside feel peaceful and safe.

Why she chose her major: When I first came to college, all I knew was that I wanted to pursue something in the science and engineering fields. By my sophomore year, I realized that I enjoyed the hands-on aspect of engineering more than studying the theoretical side. After talking with students and faculty in each program, I decided to switched majors from Polymer Engineering and Science to Plastics Engineering Technology. I’m so happy that I landed on this major, as I enjoy working on manufacturing machinery, robots, simulation software, and more.

Campus involvement: Plastics Club, Chi Alpha (a Christian ministry on campus), and STEM Leaders (a National Science Foundation-funded program to encourage the development of self-efficacy and the attributes necessary to succeed in STEM majors and careers).

Awards: Jake Boyle Memorial Award, first place in the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) Blow Molding Student Design Contest, third place in SPE Rotational Molding Student Design Contest.

What you’d be surprised to know about her: I’ve been skydiving. I’ve completed a 21K Spartan Race and a HYROX Fitness Competition. Basically, if it involves adrenaline and/or fitness, I’m in.

Advice for first-year students: 1.) Study with your classmates. Use each other’s strengths and weaknesses to learn and grow together. 2.) Ask as many questions as you need to. The faculty are there to help you, and they want to see you succeed. 3.) When you get assigned a group project, start working on it ASAP. Deadlines come up a lot quicker than you think, especially when you’re trying to juggle several peoples’ schedules.

After her graduation in May, Kaitlyn will work as a tooling engineer at Plastikos in Erie, supporting their precision injection molding manufacturing for the medical, consumer, and industrial sectors.

Standout Seniors 2026: Meet Ben Greissinger (Chemistry and Polymer Engineering and 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 Ben Greissinger.

Majors: Chemistry and Polymer Engineering and Science (PES)

Hometown: Erie, Pennsylvania

Scholarship: Donald and Judith Alstadt Scholarship for Chemistry 

Why he chose Behrend: I grew up in Erie and attended many events at Behrend, including Science Olympiad, College for Kids, FIRST LEGO League, and sporting events. I knew I wanted to be a Penn State student, and the small class size at Behrend made it a perfect fit for me.

Why he chose his majors: As a kid, I always wanted to do some type of engineering. PES fits well because it incorporates chemistry, which is one of my areas of interest. Due to PES requiring several chemistry classes, I decided to add chemistry as a second major.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: I have been on the Dean’s List every semester. I’ve also done research with Dr. Michael Justik, associate professor of chemistry,  and have been part of two different poster presentations.

Campus involvement: Soccer intramural club, THON, Chemistry Club, Plastics Club, and Triangle Fraternity.

What makes him unique: I participated in Science Olympiad and FIRST LEGO League competitions at Behrend when I was in middle school. As a Behrend student, I’ve served as a judge for both competitions. It has been a cool full-circle experience.

What you’d be surprised to know about him: I’m an Eagle Scout—I started scouting in kindergarten and earned the Eagle rank during the COVID pandemic, with a project focused on community safety.

His highest priority: Getting my Ph.D. in chemistry with a focus on polymers and/or organic synthesis.

What he’s passionate about: I’m a big soccer fan. I’m part of an indoor rec league that plays weekly. I also love playing board games, like Catan, Wingspan, and Terraforming Mars,  with my friends and family. When I’m on campus and not in class, you can most likely find me in the lab. I love doing reactions and being in the lab doing research.

Advice for first-year students: Join clubs, try new things, and get out of your comfort zone. If someone told me in my first year that I would be in a fraternity, I would’ve told them they were crazy. But by joining, I’ve gained some of my best friends from college, as well as alumni connections that could lead to future job opportunities. In clubs you’ll find like-minded individuals that enjoy the same things you do.

After his graduation in May, Ben plans to attend graduate school.

Standout Seniors 2026: Meet Dania Aziz (Computer 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 Dania Aziz.

Major: Computer Engineering

Hometown: Seremban, Malaysia

Why she chose Behrend: I chose Behrend because of its small campus and class sizes. It also offers many on-campus activities and club opportunities for people to get connected and make new friends.

Why she chose her major: I’ve been passionate about the behind-the-scenes construction of computers. When working on a small robotics project during high school, I was curious about how small components worked together with simple programming instructions. It truly inspires me to learn more about the science behind it.

Challenges overcome: My biggest challenge is definitely being 10,000 miles away from my family and friends and having to adjust to living in an unfamiliar country.

With a little help from my friends: Meeting new friends at Berend helped me get through the rough times in college and motivated me to do well in classes.

Campus involvement: Muslim Club Association (club representative), where I organized events for the Muslim population on campus.

What you’d be surprised to know about her: I have a twin sister. Our lives have always been on the same path. We went to the same school, were in the same dorm, and had the same friends. But when it came time to go to college, our paths separated.

What she’s passionate about: Aside from engineering, I’ve always been passionate about baking and editing. If I’m not traveling, I enjoy baking desserts such as Chocoflan, brownies, cookies, and Japanese creampuffs. If I’m traveling, I bring my camera with me, record videos, and enjoy doing the editing afterward.

Advice for first-year students: If I could turn back time to my first year, I would have talked to more people and joined more activities on campus. Being an introvert kept me from reaching out until my junior year, when I started joining clubs. Better late than never! After her graduation in May, Dania plans to work in the semiconductor industry for five years and then pursue a master’s degree in computer engineering.

Standout Seniors 2026: Meet Emily Warrene (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 Emily Warrene.

Major: Psychology

Certificate: Child Development

Hometown: West Deer, Pennsylvania

Why she chose Behrend: I wanted to continue bowling at the collegiate level but at a Division III school where academics come first. Behrend was perfect—and just two hours from my home in Pittsburgh, close enough to visit but far enough for independence.

Why she chose her major: In my sophomore year of high school, I took an Introduction to Psychology class. I thought it was so interesting that I took AP Psychology in my senior year. After that, I realized that I loved learning about how the brain works, and I decided to make it my career path.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: My research project, “Development of Empathy Among College Athletes, Club Participants, and Non-Participants.” It was a year-long endeavor with numerous trials, errors, and hours spent trying to figure out how to conduct a successful project.

Campus involvement: Penn State Behrend Women’s Bowling, Lion Ambassadors (fundraising chair, 2025–2026), Susan Hirt Hagen Center for Community Outreach, Research, and Evaluation (CORE).

Awards: Penn State Behrend Athletics Rookie Award (2022–2023), AMCC All-Conference Sportsmanship Team (2023–2024, 2024–2025), Academic All-AMCC (2024–2025).

What you’d be surprised to know about her: I’d love to be a bowling coach in the future. I was injured in my junior year and couldn’t play for two months, and I found a love for coaching. Small adjustments constantly need to be made, and the reward is so high whenever you see the player succeed.

Child advocate in training: I have a passion for children who don’t have the voices to speak up about mental health. Working with CORE, I get to work with at-risk fifth- and sixth-graders and be a safe place for them to just be themselves. Watching a child open up and finally feel safe being who they are, even for just one hour a week, is extraordinary.

Advice for first-year students: Just say yes! I was extremely introverted and hated going out and meeting new people, but for a few months I said “yes” to everything and made some of my best friends doing so.

After her graduation in May, Emily plans to work in her field for a few years before attending graduate school. 

Standout Seniors 2026: Meet Kylee Beers (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 Kylee Beers.

Major: Biology, Health Professions option

Minor: Psychological Science

Hometown: Clarion, Pennsylvania

Scholarships: Phillips Scholarship for Schreyer Scholars, Dr. Ralph M. and Melanie R. Ford Trustee Scholarship

Why she chose her major: I’ve always been interested in how the human body works and how science can improve patient care. Growing up, I faced significant health challenges that required multiple surgeries. Experiencing healthcare from a patient’s perspective shaped my resilience and inspired my commitment to providing compassionate, patient-centered care.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Gaining hands-on experience through research, volunteering in healthcare, and serving as a teaching assistant for two semesters. I also helped lead the Campus Care Kits initiative through the Lion’s Pantry, providing personal hygiene items to students in need. Balancing all of this with my coursework taught me perseverance, time management, and reinforced my passion for healthcare.

Campus involvement: Scrubs Club, Biology Club, Campus Care Kits initiative (two years), research, volunteering in healthcare settings, teaching assistant, and Lambda Sigma National Honor Society.

What makes her unique: I think what makes me unique is the combination of my personal experiences, leadership, and academic work. Going through multiple surgeries taught me empathy and resilience, and mentoring as a teaching assistant strengthened my leadership and communication skills. Spending time with my family, our dogs, and volunteering at a rescue center for horses while helping kids with disabilities has taught me patience, empathy, and the importance of giving back—qualities I hope to bring into my future career in healthcare.

Advice for first-year students: Explore opportunities that match your interests and get involved early.  Take initiative in clubs or volunteer work. Build relationships with your professors and don’t be afraid to ask for guidance.  

After her graduation in May, Kylee plans to enter the Physician Assistant program at Carlow University in Pittsburgh.  

Standout Seniors 2026: Meet Remington Orange (Digital Media, Arts, and Technology)

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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 Remington Orange.

Major: Digital Media, Arts, and Technology (DIGIT)

Minor: Game Development

Hometown: New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Why he chose Behrend: My older brother went to Behrend for Plastics Engineering and recommended a major called “DIGIT.” I was like, “Numbers? No thank you!” Then I found out it’s not that kind of digit. I stayed at Behrend because in nearly every class, I was allowed to explore and learn for myself with the guidance of professors. That freedom to be creative is incredibly rewarding.

Why he chose his major: DIGIT aligned with everything I wanted from a degree but didn’t know existed. Little-to-no math? Yeah! Optional science? Sign me up! Every class was something I wanted to learn but didn’t know where to start on my own.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: I’m very proud of the work I have done at the VAR lab with Dr. Christopher Shelton, associate professor of clinical psychology. From 3D scanning equipment and building video game consoles to creating 360-degree virtual tours for industry partners, I’ve done more projects than I can count. In the process, I’ve learned a lot about working with industry partners, professional etiquette, and communication. I was given a lot of room to innovate and be creative and I’m grateful for all the opportunities I had through the VAR lab.

Campus involvement: CRU (Campus Crusade), where I served on the Servant Team. It’s been a great experience to have fellowship with fellow Christians whom I see myself being friends with long after I’ve graduated.

Awards: “Best in Show” in the Digital Art category for a short film at the Yahn Art Show and “Best in Class” for a game in GAME 250.

What you’d be surprised to know about him: I hate driving in the snow.

On finding peace after graduation: I’ve spent the last four years rushing everywhere to try and accomplish many things, but my next stage is to find peace in whatever I do and make time for God, myself, and my family.

What he’s passionate about: Creating for interaction. I love to create things that others or I can interact with. I appreciate art in all its forms, but it brings the inner kid in everyone out when you get to touch the art. I want to continue to create.

Advice for first-year students: Explore campus and Erie and the surrounding area. In the past year, I’ve learned about so many amazing places that I wish I had known about earlier. Do you know how much fun it is to ski or tube at Peek’n Peak? Did you know the Tom Ridge Environmental Center is like a mini-museum and it’s free? Did you know the Bicentennial Tower in Erie is free on the first Tuesday of every month?

After his graduation in May, Remington hopes to pursue a master’s degree in either a design field or a medical-related field. His dream is to create designs and digital environments for education, preservation, or medical assistance—and to work remotely while traveling.

Standout Seniors 2026: Meet Ethan Callaghan (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 Ethan Callaghan.

Major: Project and Supply Chain Management

Minor: Finance

Hometown: Elizabeth, Pennsylvania

Scholarship: Lawrence and Elizabeth Held Scholarship

Award: Thomas H. Turnbull Award

Why he chose Behrend: I chose Behrend because of its tight community, opportunities in extracurriculars, and the phenomenal education.

Why he chose his major: I love to work with people and feel that I have a natural gift for leading groups of people and managing projects. I have a love for other cultures and the current trend of globalization made supply chain a perfect complement to my passion for project management.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: I have two: starting the new Peer-2-Peer support group run through Behrend’s Personal Counseling office and building up the esports program by establishing a sponsorship program and, with the help of a peer, connecting with a professional esports team.

Campus involvement: esports (president), Peer-2-Peer (co-founder), Chi Alpha (discipleship team leader), athletics photographer, Student Wellness Ambassador (founding member).

His highest priority: Continue growing in my faith and serving others, paying off debts, and working hard in my new position while learning as much as possible.

What he’s passionate about: Learning new things and growing in my faith and with others.

Advice for first-year students: Enjoy every moment and make the most of it. I’m about to graduate and would love to go back and do everything over again.

After his graduation in May, Ethan will join Wesco, a Fortune 500 supply chain solutions company, as a member of the Supply Chain Leadership Development Program.

Standout Seniors 2026: Meet Samantha Creamer (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 Leigh Creamer.

Major: Environmental Science

Hometown: Shanksville, Pennsylvania

Scholarship: Chancellor’s Scholarship

Why she chose Behrend: The beautiful Lake Erie is a prime resource to study for my degree, as is Wintergreen Gorge, which is right on campus. Also, Behrend is just the right size—small enough to know my professors and classmates, but large enough to be able to experience a variety of people and cultures.

Why she chose her major: I always wanted to major in something environment-related. My major in Environmental Science is versatile and opens a lot of doors career-wise.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Passing all of my classes, making many friends, and working at Dobbins Dining Hall.

Challenges overcome: During my sophomore year, before I started work and before I had many friends on campus, I was lonely. I went to Personal Counseling and they helped me realize that I was isolating myself and that being alone all the time wasn’t the best for me. This realization helped me get out of my shell. I joined Science Ambassadors, Greener Behrend, got a job at Dobbins, and started hanging out with the people I met at those places.

Campus involvement: Science Ambassadors and Greener Behrend.

What makes her unique: My attitude. I’ve always been independent and unafraid to go out and do things by myself. I’m a problem solver, and I can always find a way to get things done. Another thing that I think makes me unique is that if I’m stuck, I will ask for help.

What you’d be surprised to know about her: I have heterochromia in my eyes. My left eye is blue and my right eye is green.

What she’s passionate about: I love to read and crochet. Over the past year I’ve made two blankets and I’m working on another one. I also love manga and anime.

Advice for first-year students: Get out and make friends. Not every friendship will last, but having a friend group that you can plan things with and have fun with will make your college experience ten times better.

Parting words: Be passionate, and don’t be afraid to be yourself. You don’t have to stop watching your favorite TV show or YouTuber so you can seem more grown up. You don’t have to stop being creative (coloring, drawing, writing) to make yourself seem older.

After her graduation in May, Samantha plans to work in resource conservation in Pennsylvania.

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.