Stronger Together

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Behrend students and Special Olympics athletes lift each other up — one rep at a time

By Heather Cass, Publications Manager, Penn State Behrend

Behrend student Ella Garrity works with Special Olympics powerlifter Jerome Johnson in Erie Hall.

On a quiet Thursday morning in Erie Hall, a tall, muscular student prepares to push himself to failure on the leg press. He asks nearby Behrend student Shelby Hemmerlin and her workout partner, Jerome Johnson, to spot him.

When the student is tapped out and recovering on a nearby bench, he looks up to see Johnson sliding more plates onto the machine—a lot more. The student can only stare, wide‑eyed, as he realizes Johnson, a Special Olympics powerlifter, might be the strongest person in the gym.

That moment—the double-take, the recalibration—is exactly what Kelly Wilson, Behrend’s campus recreation manager, loves about the Unified Fitness program she helped bring to Erie Hall last fall.  

“Our students often come in and work out with their headphones on, head down,” Wilson says. “But when the Special Olympics athletes are here, everything changes. You see students start paying attention, getting engaged, smiling, offering a few words of encouragement. The energy in the room just shifts.”

Unified Fitness pairs Behrend students with Special Olympics athletes for twice-weekly workouts at Erie Hall.  Athletes and students commit for a full semester, choosing their own workout times and building their own routines together. Special Olympics provides workout frameworks; the athlete typically picks which one they’d like to do that day.

Behrend student Ella Garrity, far right, works with Special Olympics athletes Jerome Johnson, background, and Lawanda Mitchell, seated, in Erie Hall.

The program launched as a pilot last fall with twelve students and six athletes. It grew out of a connection made the previous year, when Behrend hosted the Northwest Regional Special Olympics Polar Plunge. Wilson saw potential for something deeper and more lasting.

“We met to talk about the Polar Plunge University Challenge, and we just kept talking and planning,” said Katherine Reim, regional executive director of the northwest region programming for Special Olympics. “When I told Kelly about Unified Fitness, she was excited and thought it would go over well with Behrend students.”

When the program started, one of the first to sign up was Ella Garrity, a sophomore in the Early Childhood and Elementary Education major, a member of Behrend’s women’s basketball team, and vice president of the Special Olympics club.

“I have been involved with Unified sports since high school,” Garrity said. “I am studying special education and plan to be a high school Life Skills teacher, so this program was perfect for me.”

Garrity has been lifting with Johnson and Lawanda Mitchell twice a week since last fall. She said Johnson continually impresses her with his strength.

Special Olympics power lifter Jerome Johnson in Erie Hall.

“He lifts more than I am able to help him with, so we always have to ask one of the guys in the gym to spot him,” she said. “His work ethic is so admirable, and the support that Lawanda gives him is the best.”

It’s no different than any of the other friends who meet up at Erie Hall for a workout, and that’s the whole point.

“Too often, people with disabilities are discounted and not part of the larger community in meaningful ways,” Reim said. “This programming erases the stigma that people with disabilities are not equal to their nondisabled peers. I think Behrend students are pleasantly surprised by our athletes’ skills, determination, and engagement.”

Count Hemmerlin among them.

“Most of the athletes I have worked with can out-lift me,” Hemmerlin said. “They have great attitudes and they uplift everyone around them. Meeting up with them always puts me in a good mood.”

Sometimes shared workouts become something more.

“I have become such great friends with Jerome and Lawanda,” Garrity said. “They are some of the funniest and most genuine people I’ve ever met. We call and text daily, and they both come to my basketball games.”

Garrity signed up for Unified Fitness thinking she had something to give. She does. But on game nights, when she looks up and sees Johnson and Mitchell in the stands, she’s reminded that support in this program runs both ways. She’s not just their champion anymore. They’re hers.

Behrend student Ella Garrity, left, talks with Special Olympics athletes Lawanda Mitchell and Jerome Johnson between sets while working out in Erie Hall.

Bike from Behrend to the Bayfront (and Beyond)

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By Heather Cass Publications Manager, Penn State Behrend

Happy World Bicycle Day!

The United Nations officially designated June 3 as World Bicycle Day back in 2018, recognizing the bicycle as “a simple, affordable, reliable, clean and environmentally fit sustainable means of transport.”

With direct access to the Bayfront Connector Trail, Penn State Behrend is a great place to hop on two wheels and celebrate World Bicycle Day.

I’ve been running and biking the Bayfront Connector Trail for years. I wrote about in 2014, and it’s still one of Erie’s best-kept secrets.

How to Get on the Trail from Behrend

The Bayfront Connector Trail entrance is in the back left corner of the Erie Lot, by the sign that says “Behrend Fields.”

You can also pick up the trail from the college’s Logan House on Station Road, where there are designated visitor parking spots. The trailhead is to the left of the parking lot.

Where You Can Go (Mileage)

Distance via the Bayfront Connector Trail from Behrend (Erie Lot entrance) to…

  • Shannon Road — 1 mile
  • 38th Street — 1.5 miles
  • McClelland Ave. — 2 miles
  • Broad Street — 3.5 miles
  • 12th Street — 4.5 miles
  • 6th Street — 5 miles
  • Bayfront Parkway — 5.5 miles
  • Dobbin’s Landing (foot of State St.) — 6.5 miles
  • Frontier Park — 8 miles

The paved Bayfront Connector Trail ends at Frontier Park in west Erie, but cyclists can continue west on Sixth Street’s designated bike lane to Presque Isle State Park, making it an 11-mile one-way trip from Behrend.

Want more? A loop around Presque Isle State Park will add 13 more scenic miles to your ride.

If you go all the way to Presque Isle, you’ve definitely earned a stop at Sara’s — an Erie institution at the entrance to Presque Isle. There you’ll find foot-long Smith’s hot dogs, chicken sandwiches, curly fries, ice cream, etc.  Try one of Sara’s signature orange sherbert and vanilla ice cream twist cones or a thick chocolate milkshake.   

Heads Up: Construction Zone Ahead

There is active construction on the bayfront right now, and it will continue all summer.

PennDOT is in the middle of a major overhaul of the Central Bayfront Parkway — adding roundabouts at Sassafras Street and Holland Street, an overhead pedestrian bridge, upgrades to the multi-use trail, and more. It’s a significant project that will ultimately make the bayfront more accessible for pedestrians and cyclists.

For now, though, it’s a hassle. Expect some congestion, particularly in the stretch from Blasco Library to the Bayfront Convention Center. Follow the detour signs — the trail is still navigable, just pay attention and be patient. Once you’re past that section, it’s smooth sailing to the bayfront and beyond.

(For the latest project updates and detour maps, visit the PennDOT Central Bayfront Parkway Project page.)

What You’ll See

The scenery changes dramatically over 11 miles — from the manicured green lawns of Penn State Behrend, to an urban stretch with factories to a stunning bayfront with wide-open views of Lake Erie. The Bayfront Connector is a designated National Scenic Byway and part of the Great Lakes Seaway Trail, and once you ride along the bay, you’ll understand why.

A Note About Elevation

Good news: The trail is all downhill from Behrend. Bad news: It’s all uphill on the way back — when you’re good and tired.

Pro tip: Arrange for a ride back with a friend who has a truck or a large trunk, or hop aboard the “e,” the city of Erie’s public bus system. City buses are equipped with bike racks on the front and they are FREE for Behrend students to ride. Just show the driver your ID and make sure you’re on a bus that returns to Behrend’s Reed Union Building.

What You Need to Know

  • The trail may appear to end at various intersections. It doesn’t. Look ahead and you’ll see where it picks back up.
  • Safety: I’ve biked this trail more times than I can count — solo, with friends, and with my kids, who are now both Penn State Behrend graduates (wow, 12 years flies). I’ve always felt safe, but the trail does pass through some wooded stretches and urban areas. Take a friend and a fully charged phone. Don’t ride after dark — the only section of this trail that is lit is the stretch on Behrend’s campus between the college and Logan House.
  • Trail surface: Mostly blacktop — great for biking, easier on the joints than concrete.
  • Winter: The trail is not maintained in winter. Bad for bikers. Great for cross-country skiers.

Questions? I’ve covered every inch of this trail by foot, bike, and car — feel free to reach out at hjc13@psu.edu.

From Collapse to Comeback

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Student athlete defies the odds, the surgeons, and expectations to run again

By Heather Cass, Publications Manager, Penn State Behrend

Aiden Seeman ’26

Aiden Seeman, a new graduate of the Mechanical Engineering program at Penn State Behrend and a member of the college’s track and cross-country teams, has been running since fifth grade. He is used to the ups and downs of the sport. You have good runs and bad runs.

But an unusually poor performance at a cross-country meet in Rochester, N.Y., in the fall of his junior year began to raise flags. His coach and athletic trainer thought maybe he was ill.

Seeman had been struggling with breathing, but otherwise felt fine, so he continued running.

“I was setting personal records in all of my events, so I wasn’t too worried,” he said.

But the breathing issue continued to plague him.  

“At the end of a race, my legs felt fine, but I just couldn’t catch my breath,” he said.

He was diagnosed with pneumonia. He treated it and kept running. When he was diagnosed with it again in the spring, he thought that things weren’t adding up. A follow-up X-ray suggested a collapsed lung.  

What followed was a series of tests, including CT scans and bronchoscopies — first in Erie, then in Pittsburgh. When the pulmonologist called Seeman personally to discuss the results, he knew it was probably not good news.

“She told me that they found something ‘concerning,’” he said.  

It was not a collapsed lung. He was diagnosed with an inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor, or IMT, an extremely rare mass in the lungs, most often found in children and young adults. Most of the doctors involved in his care had never seen one.

The news was shocking, but also strangely optimistic.

“I remember thinking: I’m young and fit. This is not something that should’ve happened to me,” he said. “But the good news is that this type of cancer is unlikely to metastasize. This is one of the best draws if you’re going to get cancer.” 

He was able to fit in one cross-country race with his team before he had surgery to remove the mass. Late last October, Pittsburgh surgeons worked to remove the mass. They expected to take 10 to 15 percent of his right lung. They took 40 to 45 percent.

“When they put me under for the surgery, I went under thinking I was going to be fine,” Seeman said. “When I woke up and I heard how much they had to take, I wasn’t so sure.”

Doctors were cautious about his recovery. Hopefully, he could work his way up to daily walks, they said. Running was unlikely.

He sat with that for two dark days. Then he decided that was enough.  

“No,” he said to himself. “I’m going to fight, and I’m going to run again. My goal was to put my track uniform on and compete with the team before I graduated.”

Eight days after surgery, he showed up and stood in the cold to support his teammates at the AMCC Cross Country Championships — not racing, just there.

A couple weeks later, he went on his first post-surgery run with his older sister. They ran a mile, walked for a bit, then ran a mile back. A 10-minute-mile pace, far off his usual 7:30.

“I’m not going to lie,” he said, “it sucked a lot, at first.”  

Through all of this, he maintained his academics, carrying 18 credits, making up all the work from two weeks of missed classes, a feat in itself.

By April, he was back on the track, competing in the 800 meters—the event he has always called his own. He is less than ten seconds off the personal record he set before he got sick. Sub-two minutes is the goal. He knows exactly how to get there.

“I benefit from knowing where I want to be and how to get there,” Seeman said. “And this whole experience has shown me what a goal and hard work can do.”

Greg Cooper, the head track and cross-country coach at Behrend, has watched all of it — the collapse, the diagnosis, the slow miles with his sister, and his comeback this spring.

“I am absolutely blown away,” Cooper said. “It’s hard for me to call it anything but miraculous. He would be quick to remind me he’s running seven seconds off his personal best. I would be quick to remind him he’s defied the odds and overcome more than any doctor told him he could.”

Seeman, graduated May 8, has a six-month follow up CT scan this month. He is looking forward to telling his surgeon that he’s racing again.

“Being able to run is so much more of a blessing than it ever was before,” he said. “I definitely appreciate running with the team more than I ever have. I don’t complain much anymore. Now, running is like an act of defiance.”

Standout Seniors 2026: Meet Abby Tingley (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 Abby Tingley.

Major: Mechanical Engineering

Minor: Biomedical Engineering

Hometown: Union City, Pennsylvania

Scholarships: A. James Clark Scholars Program and Schreyer Scholar Program

Why she chose Behrend: I chose Behrend because of the many opportunities it offers both academically and athletically. There are not many programs where you can pursue a degree in engineering while also playing a collegiate sport, and that balance is something Behrend supports well. I was also drawn to the small class sizes and the chance to build one-on-one relationships with professors, which creates a welcoming environment to ask questions and access support. In addition, the opportunity to participate in undergraduate research was great. I was able to work on a project that combined my major in mechanical engineering with softball, one of my biggest passions, which made the experience even more meaningful and exciting.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: My research. I chose to study and compare the stress placed on the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) in the elbow during pitching and throwing in baseball versus softball, using motion sensors and a whole lot of engineering. It let me dive deeper into pitching—something I’ve loved since I was eight years old—and turn that passion into an engineering project with real potential for injury prevention in both sports. I’ve spent countless hours working with Dr. Elisa Wu, professor of Mechanical Engineering, planning, testing, and analyzing every detail, and I’m incredibly grateful to the Behrend baseball and softball teams for being so willing to help throughout the process. After nearly two years of effort, it’s exciting to finally publish a thesis on a project that has meant a lot to me.

Campus involvement: Pitcher for the Behrend softball team, Schreyer Honors College, Society of Women Engineers (secretary and president), Behrend Engineering Ambassador (secretary and vice president).

What you’d be surprised to know about her: I worked in the Engineering Office in Burke Center for a semester. It was fun getting to see some of the “behind the scenes” work for Engineering Week, the planning that goes into senior design projects, and how everything stays on schedule. I also got to know some of the staff and learn more about what they do day by day.

At the Little League World Series: My experience in Behrend athletics allowed me to have the opportunity to represent Game Changer and Dick’s Sporting Goods at the 2025 Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, this summer. I got to take my best friend (and catcher) Alexia with me, and we spent the week experiencing the excitement of the LLWS while serving as ambassadors for those brands. One of the best parts was connecting with so many young athletes who reminded me of myself at their age, full of big dreams and love for the game. It was a surreal, full-circle moment and an experience I’ll never forget.

Her highest priority: Getting out into the world, traveling, exploring, meeting new people, and soaking up as many experiences as I can. I want to gain new perspectives and experiences not just for adventure but to grow in my career and as a person. There’s something about stepping into someone else’s world that makes you appreciate your own even more. I also want to enjoy being young and curious, trying new things while I still have the energy to say “yes” to just about anything. Mostly, I want to collect stories—things that I can one day look back on and smile.

Advice for first-year students: Meet people. Ask the name of the person sitting next to you in class, say “hi” to the person you pass every morning on your way across campus, strike up those tiny conversations that feel small but end up having big impact. Meeting people opens doors you didn’t even know existed—like study buddies, new friends, random adventures, maybe even an internship down the line. At the very least, being the friendly face in someone’s day is a good thing. College is full of opportunities, but the best ones usually start with a conversation you were brave enough to begin.

After her graduation in May, Abby will work as a systems engineer at RoviSys Building Technologies in Aurora, Ohio.

Standout Senior 2026: Meet Vida Sevilla (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 Vida Sevilla.

Major: Political Science

Minor: Crime, Law, and Psychology

Hometown: Montclair, California

Why she chose her major: I came here as a Criminal Justice major but switched to Political Science around my sophomore year. Growing up, I saw how harshly the world treats more unfortunate and marginalized communities. I wanted to be a part of fixing the way we see and treat these communities.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: I’ve stepped out of my comfort zone a lot in my time here, so it’s hard to give just one example. However, my short time in the Behrend theatre community taught me so much about myself, and I’m beyond proud of myself for participating.

Challenges overcome: Being so far away from home and from my culture, every day can be a challenge, especially being a first-generation student. It’s hard to know if what I’m doing is the right thing. Despite my lack of guidance through life, I’ve come out the other side with the support of the friends I’ve made along the way.

Campus involvement: Alpha Sigma Alpha, executive board member of Panhellenic Council (vice president of Peer Accountability), and member of Studio Theatre/Theatre Club. Over the years I’ve been involved in a few other clubs and organizations, such as Behrend Political Science Society, Groundhog Club, Tone-Acious, Chamber/Concert Choir, and Alternative Spring Break.

What makes her unique: I’ve always viewed myself to be a lover of life. I love experiencing what the world has to offer, even when those things aren’t the most amazing or positive experiences.

What she’s passionate about: Doing what’s right, especially when it’s hard to do so. A lot of the time we find it’s easier to go along with the majority, but it’s important to give yourself a life where you don’t regret the things you should’ve done for the betterment of those you love rather than just for yourself.

Advice for first-year students: Above all else, don’t ever limit yourself to one path in life. Sometimes the world around you will want to push you toward its own standard of excellence—you need to find the strength within yourself to make your own standard. Dream big and loud! If you ever feel that your dreams are too big for this world, then shoot for the stars instead. Do not ever be sorry for what you do to make your dreams happen, just learn from it all.

After her graduation in May, Vida plans to move to New York City to become a criminal investigator.

Standout Seniors 2026: Meet Alex Irwin (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 Alex Irwin.

Major: Biology

Hometown: Erie, Pennsylvania

Scholarships: Council of Fellows Leadership Scholarship, Academic Excellence Scholarship, DeFrees Family Foundation Endowed Scholarship, Phillips Scholarship for Schreyer Scholars

Why he chose Behrend: I felt at home here. I could see myself going to college here and having success. The wonderful faculty and staff who were dedicated to my success even before I stepped on campus really helped me want to attend Behrend.

Why he chose his major: I’ve always been interested in the natural world, especially in how the human body works and functions.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Being elected president of Lion Ambassadors. To have the honor of leading an organization that has given so much to me was an immense privilege.

Challenges overcome: Learning how to say no and not over-commit myself. I’m very passionate about everything I do and want to be as involved as I can be, but I cannot do everything. I had to learn how to prioritize my time and only say yes to things I know I can put one hundred percent of my efforts into.

Campus involvement: Treasurer and president of Lion Ambassadors, treasurer and president of Science Ambassadors, treasurer and president of the Behrend Schreyer Council, member of the Student Facilities Fee Committee, and Resident Assistant for two years.

Award: Aaron Meehl Biology Award (Outstanding Rising Junior)

What you’d be surprised to know about him: People would be surprised to find out that I have a full-size skeleton sitting in the front seat of my car.

His highest priority: Having success and graduating from medical school. I want to become a successful physician.

What he’s passionate about: Helping others, which is what initially drove me to pursue a career in medicine. I want to make sure that everyone receives the quality care they need.

Advice for first-year students: Talk with your professors and form relationships with them. They are truly wonderful people who want to help you succeed. They have connections in your field and can help you apply for jobs or graduate schools.

After his graduation in May, Alex will attend medical school at the Penn State College of Medicine.

Standout Seniors 2026: Meet Mya McElhinney (Nursing)

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Today, we’d like you to meet Mya McElhinney.

Major: Nursing

Minors: Psychological Science and Sociology

Certificates: Child Development, Global Awareness, and Trauma Studies

Hometown: State College, Pennsylvania

Scholarships: Irvin Kochel Leadership Scholarship, Barbara F. Junker Trustee Scholarship, Kochel International Scholarship for studying abroad.

Why she chose Behrend: I came to the campus and fell in love. I also wanted to play basketball, so that was a contributing factor. Though I didn’t play long, I loved Behrend, and the staff made me feel so welcome and supported.

Why she chose her major: Growing up, I was exposed to THON and the message of raising money for kids and families suffering from pediatric cancer. I was inspired and wanted to be that pillar of hope and support for people and make a difference in their lives.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Becoming a dancer at THON. This has been an aspiration and something I’ve wanted to do since I was a child. Behrend gave me that opportunity! I worked toward this goal for a few years and have served as Executive Director of Behrend’s THON Club.

Campus involvement: Behrend Benefitting THON, Student Nurses’ Association of Pennsylvania, Active Minds, Theta Phi Alpha, Behrend Panhellenic Council.

Study abroad in Italy: I studied abroad, which is unique for a nursing major. I moved to Florence, Italy, for two and a half months and I was immersed in the culture and traveled around Europe. I got to meet so many different people and fell in love with the environment. What made this experience even more unique is that I went on scholarship, thanks to Behrend. I really wanted to study abroad but did not know how I was going to afford it. Staff members helped me find a scholarship that helped me tremendously. This left me with a little money to spend and do educational activities. I became great friends with the owners of a local restaurant, who made me feel like an extension of their family. I wouldn’t trade that  experience for the world.

Her highest priority: To build a life that I’m happy and proud of. I want to become the person I’ve always wanted to be. I want to grow in friendships, relationships, and myself to become the best version of myself. Coming to Behrend, I was very unsure in my skin, and in the past two years I’ve grown and developed confidence in myself, and I have Behrend and the people I met along the way to thank for that.

Focus on the good: Your attitude dictates what you get out of life. There’s so much more to college than learning and complaining.

Advice for first-year students: Find yourself throughout your time here. I am not friends with the same people I was in my first year, and if I told my first-year self where I am today, I believe that she would be baffled. When you leave college, you are not meant to be the same person you are when you started.

After her graduation in May, Mya will work as a nurse at UPMC Shadyside Oncology.

Standout Seniors 2026: Meet Jillian Mazzarese (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 Jillian Mazzarese.

Major: Psychology

Hometown: Erie, Pennsylvania

Scholarship: Samuel P. Black, III and Susan L. Black Trustee Scholarship 

Why she chose Behrend: I chose Behrend because I had already earned credits through dual enrollment and I attended the LEADS (Learn, Explore, Advance, Discover, and Succeed) program in my junior year of high school. Behrend also has a great psychology program.

Why she chose her major: I chose to pursue a degree in psychology because of the COVID-19 pandemic. I saw how people were impacted, especially their mental health. Though I no longer intend to pursue the mental health side of psychology, I’m still interested in researching people’s cognitive processes and understanding how they think and perceive the world.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend:  Being able to pursue my own research in the language cognition research lab run by Dr. Erica Edwards, assistant teaching professor of psychology. My project looked at how humor may shape learning.

Campus involvement: Behrend Honors Program, member of Psi Chi (psychology honor society), and secretary of the Psychology Club.

What you’d be surprised to know about her: I graduated high school with 21 college credits already completed.

Her highest priority: Pursuing research and contributing to the field of cognitive psychology. I intend to get a master’s and Ph.D. in cognitive psychology.

Advice for first-year students: Talk to as many students as you can. People are just as nervous to talk to you as you are to talk to them. Also, don’t be afraid to reach out to your professors and get involved in their research, as you never know what sort of opportunities it might open for you.

Parting words: I’d like to thank Dr. Daniell DiFrancesca, assistant professor of psychology. She was my first professor as a dual-enrollment student and, she gave me a sense of confidence I’ve carried with me throughout my college career. I would also like to thank Dr. Ewards. I wouldn’t be the person I am today without her, as she saw my potential and let me thrive in psychology.

After her graduation in May, Jillian plans to pursue a master’s degree and then a doctorate in cognitive psychology and become a psychology professor.

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.