Month: March 2017

Class of 2017: Meet Emily Brown (Biology)

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By Heather Cass
Publications Manager, Office of Strategic Communications,  Penn State Behrend

Penn State Behrend’s class of 2017 is ready to make its mark on the world!  We’re proud of our students and the things they’ve accomplished and learned while here at Behrend. Over the next couple months, we’ll be introducing you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have overcome challenges, pioneered new technology, participated in important research projects, and left an impression at Penn State Behrend.

Today, we’d like you to meet Emily M. Brown:

Emily Brown - first choice

Major: Biology

Hometown: Bellefonte, Pa.

On choosing to attend Penn State Behrend: The campus is extraordinarily beautiful and there is a friendly, down-to-earth atmosphere at Behrend that you don’t get at most larger colleges.

On choosing to major in Biology: I wanted a major that would challenge me. I decided on Biology after taking BIO 110 Biology: Basic Concepts and Biodiversity. That class opened my eyes to the variety of avenues to be taken in the field of biology. Plus, I loved learning about how organisms function and interact with one other and their environment.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: My proudest accomplishment is making Relay for Life an official club on campus and working to get other clubs and organizations involved with the event. It’s really rewarding to see it all come together each spring.

Campus involvement: I helped make Relay for Life an official club in 2015 and have served as the president and event chair for it since. I’m also a member of TriBeta, the Biology Honor Society, and Greener Behrend.

Scientists are creative by nature: I love to draw, paint, and embroider. In high school, I was really involved with the drama club and I plan to get involved in community theatre wherever I settle: acting, singing, and set design.

What you’d be surprised to know about her: I started out as a film major. After two semesters, I dropped out of school to work and figure out what I wanted to do with my life. It only took eight months working in retail to know I wanted to go back to school and earn a degree.

What she’s passionate about: I’m passionate about nature and appreciating the beauty and serenity that can be felt just by breathing in fresh air and feeling the sun on your face. I want to work to protect that. I’m also passionate about learning, creativity, and equality. We all have our differences and that’s what makes this world so interesting.

Advice for first-year students: Make to-do lists to keep track of assignments, and remember to look at the big picture. Don’t stress too much, get a proper night’s sleep, and never underestimate the power of a good cup of hot tea.

After her graduation in December, Emily hopes to work as a researcher in wildlife rehabilitation and conservation.

Class of 2017: Meet Krystal Elliott (Software Engineering)

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By Heather Cass
Publications Manager, Office of Strategic Communications,  Penn State Behrend

Penn State Behrend’s class of 2017 is ready to make its mark on the world!  We’re proud of our students and the things they’ve accomplished and learned while here at Behrend. Over the next couple months, we’ll be introducing you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have overcome challenges, pioneered new technology, participated in important research projects, and left an impression at Penn State Behrend.

Today, we’d like you to meet Krystal Elliott.

Krystal Elliott - first chocie

Major: Software Engineering

Minor: Computer Science

Hometown: Staten Island, N.Y.

On choosing to major in Software Engineering: It allows me to engage with a few of my passions—language learning and creativity—in a lucrative way.

On second chances and the power of positivity: This is my second degree. I came to Behrend after deciding the first career I had chosen (English) was not for me. I have endured a lot of struggle along the way in both my personal and academic life, but I don’t let failures or setbacks keep me down. I’m a positive person and I turn every challenge into an opportunity to do or be better.

On cheerleading: I enjoy spreading my optimism around. My talent is challenging people to grow and helping them believe that they can.

Her definition of the good life: Doing something that allows me to positively impact the world around me. I think this is why I love front-end development so much. People are directly interacting with whatever I develop. If I can make it a stress-free interface, I’m making their lives better in some small way.

On global perspectives: I was fortunate to have experienced studying abroad in Limerick, Ireland, in my junior year and it really widened my view of the world. I want to continue traveling, engaging, and learning from the places and people around me.

On a little (or a lot) of help from friends of the college: I’m fortunate to have had support from several donors. I received the Lindsay Anne Graygo Trustee Scholarship, the John K. Henne Endowment for International Study, the Charles and Lillian Binder Foreign Studies Grant-in-Aid, and the Black Family and Charlotte W. Newcombe Foundation Trustee Scholarship. I can’t even express how grateful I am. It has really helped to ease my financial stresses and allow me to focus on my studies.

What you’d be surprised to know about her: I’m intensely shy! I’m very good at socializing, though, so people can’t usually tell that it’s difficult for me.

Advice for current students: Seek mentors, both personal and professional. Also, try new things, don’t fear failure, study abroad, express sincere gratitude for those who help you, and don’t limit yourself to the things you can do well; nothing is beyond your reach if you’re willing to work hard at it!

After her graduation in May, Krystal plans to move to Austin, Texas, to be near her family. She plans to look for an engineering position in front-end software or web development.

 

Class of 2017: Meet Josh Sitter (Marketing and PSCM)

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By Heather Cass
Publications Manager, Office of Strategic Communications,  Penn State Behrend

Penn State Behrend’s class of 2017 is ready to make its mark on the world!  We’re proud of our students and the things they’ve accomplished and learned while here at Behrend. Over the next couple months, we’ll be introducing you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have overcome challenges, pioneered new technology, participated in important research projects, and left an impression at Penn State Behrend.

Today, we’d like you to meet Josh Sitter:

josh sitter - first choice

Josh Sitter

Majors: Marketing and Project and Supply Chain Management

Hometown: Erie

On choosing Behrend: When I was in high school, I took dual enrollment classes at Behrend and fell in love with the campus. Also, the faculty and staff members I came in contact with were always very kind and helpful.

Campus involvement: I’ve been involved with multiple organizations, including the Student Government Association, Lion Ambassadors, the National Society of Leadership and Success, Commuter Council, Beta Gamma Sigma, and Phi Alpha Theta.

Scholarships/support: When I was a sophomore, I received the Erie Insurance Group Leadership Scholarship and a the Kurt and Janet Cavano Award. This year, I received a Council of Fellows Leadership Scholarship. I never realized that donors saw my campus involvement as having a positive impact on others; I was just doing things I enjoyed. Their support, however, inspired me to get even more involved and try things I otherwise might not have.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Being involved in the creation of the SGA Leadership Scholarship. In the SGA, I worked with a great group of students, many of whom had received scholarship funds, and we realized that we had an opportunity to give back to others through the SGA. It’s nice to be able to leave a legacy like that.

Advice for current students: Don’t be afraid to fail. The things I learned most from during my time at Behrend were things that I failed at. Go out and do the things that are new to you or hard for you. Challenge yourself. Go outside your comfort zone and meet new people, and you’ll get a lot more out of your college experience.

Josh has accepted a position as an associate I.T. analyst at Erie Insurance following his graduation in May.

 

Class of 2017: Meet Christa Schonthaler (Communication)

Published on by Behrend BlogLeave a comment

By Heather Cass
Publications Manager, Office of Strategic Communications,  Penn State Behrend

Penn State Behrend’s class of 2017 is ready to make its mark on the world!  We’re proud of our students and the things they’ve accomplished and learned while here at Behrend. Over the next couple months, we’ll be introducing you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have overcome challenges, pioneered new technology, participated in important research projects, and left an impression at Penn State Behrend.

Today, we’d like you to meet Christa Schonthaler:

christa schonthaler (2)

Major: Communication

Hometown: Erie

On choosing to major in Communication: I originally came in as a Nursing major, but quickly realized it wasn’t for me. At that point, I had to seriously consider my interests as well as my strengths and weaknesses. I’m very passionate about music and want to work in the music industry. I’m also very comfortable talking with people and realized that Communication fit my personality, my desires, and my future career plans. I love my major.

Happy at Happi 92.7: I’m currently an intern at Happi 92.7, an Erie “Top 40” radio station, where I do a little bit of everything, but am mainly focused on promotions and social media. I’ve learned a lot and had a great time at Happi.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: I’m proud of being on the Dean’s List for the past six semesters. It’s not easy to do that while balancing classes, work, and extracurricular activities.

(The only) girl in a band: I’m a singer in an eight-member band called The Romantic Era. I’m the only woman in the group, so it’s like I have seven big brothers. We sing all-original pop-EDM music and have performed all over Erie and beyond. We did shows at Stadium Red in Manhattan, and Fenway Park in Boston, and we have a show coming up in Beverly Hills, California! I’ve been in the band for four years and it’s my life right now.

christa schonthaler - the romantic era1

Beyond the band: Outside of the band, in my free time, I love to play my guitar and ukulele, read mystery novels, and do yoga. I also have three sisters and a family that means the world to me.

Inspirational sister in song: There are a few female artists who inspire me. Ariana Grande is number one because she’s an incredible vocalist and she is also a huge advocate for female empowerment and equal rights for all. I also look up to Hayley Williams from Paramore, Jessie J. and Demi Lovato because they are all strong women in the music industry.

Scholarships: I received the Anonymous Friend Trustee Scholarship in my first year and the Michael Jude Woods and Tracy Kimes Woods Family Trustee Scholarship last year.

Advice for current students: Don’t stress! College is a huge adjustment and you’ll figure it out eventually. Once you master time management and study skills, everything gets much easier.

After her graduation in May, Christa hopes to find a position at a radio station in promotions/social media.