Month: May 2024

Standout Seniors: Meet Samhita Chitturi (Creative Writing)

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Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2024 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 engaged in college life in a big way, conducted valuable research, pioneered innovations, and overcome challenges during their time at Penn State Behrend.

Today, we’d like you to meet Samhita Chitturi.

Samita Chitturi

Major: Creative Writing

Minor: Crime, Law, and Psychology

On choosing Behrend: It chose me. In all of Penn State, the B.F.A. in Creative Writing is only offered here. And, thank God, it is! I love Behrend. It was the best decision I (n)ever made.

On choosing her major: I decided in eighth grade that I wanted to be a professional writer. Writing and storytelling are what I am most passionate about.

Her proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Being a Learning Resource Center tutor and earning the Outstanding Tutor in Humanities Award in Spring 2023. I love tutoring in both writing and math. I also tutor in French, ethics, chemistry, and other subjects. It’s a great way to meet people, to inspire them, and to be inspired by them. Not only do I get to help my peers, but I often learn new approaches to solving problems or out-of-the-box thinking. Anything that opens you up to new perspectives is always a worthwhile activity.

Campus involvement: I’m currently Features Editor at the Behrend Beacon. I started the “Created by Behrend Students” column to showcase students’ creative works, such as poetry, paintings, and more. I have also written the Local Eats pieces, interview articles, and Arts and Entertainment reviews. I’m also a School of Humanities and Social Sciences ambassador.

Awards and recognition: I have won four awards for my writing in the last two years: third place for the Fall 2022 Smith Fiction Award for my short story, “One Night in New York,” which is the second piece in my thesis collection; the SalisMania 2023 Best Romance Book Award for my debut novel, “When You Saved Me”; the Fall 2023 Farrell Nonfiction Award for my essay, “Two Angles on Arts and Ethics: An Exploration into What Determines Artistic Success”; and a 2024 LiFT Award in Contemporary Romance for “When You Saved Me.”

Her talents: I like to do a lot of different things, but I think the one thing I’m best at is daydreaming. It fuels my creativity, it helps me remain open to new perspectives, and it’s a coping mechanism when I need it.

Believe in yourself: Some think I’m pretentious, but what I am is confident. The only way people are going to recognize your value is if you recognize it. That said, just because I recognize my value, doesn’t mean I disvalue others. Everyone has talent, has an interesting personality, and is beautiful on the inside. You just have to look for those qualities sometimes.

Her definition of living a good life: Living it with autonomy and respecting others’ autonomy. I subscribe to Kantianism. I believe autonomy is the key to goodness.

Advice for first-year students: College (and life) is only as difficult as you make it. Rule No. 1 to reduce that difficulty? Communicate! It makes everything more efficient and effective. If you feel like you’re going to fail a class, talk to the professor and make a plan. If your roommate and you are having conflicts, discuss them respectfully and work out a solution. Whatever the problem is, I guarantee you there is a solution or a change in perspective waiting for you that will make everything OK.

Parting thoughts for new students: Take an ethics class with Dr. Joshua Shaw, professor of philosophy and bioethics; an algebra class with Dr. Dan Galiffa, associate professor of mathematics; and at least one English class with Dr. Sara Luttfring, associate professor of English. Taking a class with each of these three professors will help prepare you for the rest of your academic life.

After graduation in May, Samhita will attend the University of New Hampshire to earn an M.F.A. in writing. She plans to work toward a Ph D. and hopes to eventually become a professor at Behrend.

Standout Seniors: Meet Cameron Schmidt (Software Engineering)

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Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2024 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 engaged in college life in a big way, conducted valuable research, pioneered innovations, and overcome challenges during their time at Penn State Behrend.

Today, we’d like you to meet Cameron Schmidt.

Cameron Schmidt

Major: Software Engineering

Minors: Game Development, Computer Science

Hometown: North Ridgeville, Ohio

On choosing Behrend: I chose Behrend for two reasons. The first was because of the Software Engineering program. I wanted Software Engineering over Computer Science, so I needed to find a school that had a good Software Engineering program, and after touring Behrend, I found it here. The second reason: Penn State. I was born and raised in Ohio, but grew up a Penn Stater because of my dad, who is a Penn State alumnus. During my childhood, if I was out with my dad and he was wearing a Penn State shirt there was always a chance we’d hear a ” WE ARE” from across a room, or I’d hear my dad suddenly yell “WE ARE” at other strangers wearing Penn State stuff. Complete strangers who he had never met before, connected simply by the fact that they went to the same school. Having that sense of community growing up made me realize early on that Penn State was special.

On choosing his major: I initially chose Computer Science, before I even decided where I wanted to go to school, simply because I wanted to make software applications. As I learned about the differences between Software Engineering and Computer Science, I ended up choosing Software Engineering, because unlike Computer Science, it also focused on Software Development concepts like documentation, design and implementation, project management, computer hardware, and more.

Campus involvement: While I was at Behrend I was mainly involved with one organization, Alpha Phi Omega, which is a co-ed service fraternity. I joined APO my second semester, mainly to make friends but soon began taking leadership positions in the group. APO really helped me develop my leadership skills, which helped me later when I became a resident assistant, throughout the rest of college, and in life in general.

A seat at the council table: I was also involved with an organization at University Park called the Council of Commonwealth Student Governments, or CCSG. For about three semesters, I served as the Associate Director of Student Affairs. My favorite part about my time in CCSG were the committee meetings. They gave me experience facilitating discussion among people, which I really enjoy.

People might be surprised to learn: I spent two summers at University Park, taking classes and working. The first summer, I just worked as an RA and took a few classes. The second summer, I worked as an RA and a Research Assistant and took quite a few classes. I have a lot of great memories from my time there, and gained a lot of academic, RA, and life experience!

His definition of living a good life: A good life is a life that is filled with little stress, less problems, where you have financial stability, and are doing what makes you happy. I want to emphasize the last point: do what makes you happy, only you know what that is and only you know how to achieve it.

HIs passions: I am passionate about learning and not just in an academic sense. I like learning about people and where they come from, what they’re passionate about. I also like learning about subjects completely unrelated to my field.

Advice for first-year students: The most important thing I think first year students should know is that it’s ok to mess up. Learn from your mistakes instead of letting them consume you. In my first semester, I failed two classes, got a D in two, and late-dropped one. It was really hard, but I learned from what I did wrong and came back from it. Another big piece of advice is to surround yourself with good people who will support you when you’re down, people you can learn from, and people who will help you grow as a person. That person for me in my first year and now, is my friend Ben Coler. I hope everyone can find someone like that.

After his graduation in May, Cameron plans to find work as an engineer in the game development industry, with hopes of eventually transitioning to game design and/or game production.

Standout Seniors: Meet Nathan Murarik (Mathematics)

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Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2024 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 engaged in college life in a big way, conducted valuable research, pioneered innovations, and overcome challenges during their time at Penn State Behrend.

Today, we’d like you to meet Nathan Murarik.

NathanMurarik

Major: Mathematics, Pure Mathematics option

Minor: Computer Science

Associate Degree:  Information Sciences and Technology (Penn State DuBois):

Hometown: Karthaus, Pennsylvania

Scholarships: Penn State Provost Award; Evelyn W. Cronister Memorial Scholarship

On choosing Behrend: When I saw that Behrend was the only campus with a Software Engineering program, I had to join in on the fun! I later realized my passion was in Mathematics, but the uniqueness of the Software Engineering program is what brought me to Behrend.

On choosing his major: I’m always asking “why,” and mathematics unabashedly answers that question for me. It allows one to make educated conclusions, prove properties, and appreciate the complexity of the beauty around us. I find joy in learning how computers utilize mathematics to solve problems that a programmer or an engineer might face in their daily work.

Campus involvement: Gender and Sexual Equality Club – Multi-Cultural Council Representative; Math Club – Vice-President, President; Council of Commonwealth Student Governments – Information Technology Coordinator; 2023 Fall Concert Committee – Logistics Chair; Alternative Spring Break 2024

What makes him unique: I have a book filled with daily sayings authored by me. My favorite is,” Anyone could have chosen my path. The beauty is they didn’t.”

What you might be surprised to know about him: I was raised on a farm.

Words to live by: “Do not fear death, but rather the unlived life. You don’t have to live forever. You just have to live.” ― Natalie Babbitt

His highest priority for the coming years: Attaining a Ph.D. and paying down my student loans.

His passion: My biggest passion, outside of mathematics, is education. Every human being has the right to an unbiased education in pursuit of enlightenment or upward economic mobility. I despise those who fear knowledge but favor ad hominem arguments against the very literature that develops an open-mindset, critical thinking, and a healthy curiosity.

Advice for first-year students: Test the assumptions you’ve made about the world, its systems, and its people. I assure you that at some point, you will struggle with one of those assumptions and mature as a person.

After his graduation in December, Nathan plans to specialize in computational mathematics research at a university, industry stakeholder, or, in his words, “wherever the wind takes me.”

Standout Seniors: Meet Sara Novak (Project and Supply Chain Management)

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Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2024 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 engaged in college life in a big way, conducted valuable research, pioneered innovations, and overcome challenges during their time at Penn State Behrend.

Today, we’d like you to meet Sara Novak. 

SaraNovak

Major: Project and Supply Chain Management (PCSM)

Minor: Management Information Systems

Hometown: Lower Burrell, Pennsylvania

On choosing Behrend: I chose Behrend because I knew I would get a great education with a Penn State degree, and I enjoy Erie. Behrend also gave me the opportunity to play collegiate volleyball, which is something I’ve always wanted to do.

On choosing her major: I chose PSCM because I am interested in many factors of the supply chain process, including streamlining and optimizing processes. Additionally, I selected this major for its adaptability, particularly in relation to project management. I know there are numerous pathways my degree can take me.

Campus involvement: I was part of the women’s volleyball team for all four years at Behrend. I have also been a Black School of Business Ambassador for the last two years.

Her next priority: My highest priority for the coming year is to use the education I have earned to develop a career where I can make a difference.

Advice for first-year students: My advice is to take advantage of the many opportunities Behrend has to offer. The School of Business organizes business trips that I wish I had participated in sooner rather than later. They have been very beneficial and interesting to learn from.

After her graduation in May, Sara will be doing a summer internship at American Eagle within Real Estate Construction Project Management.

Standout Seniors: Meet Julia Sank (Industrial Engineering)

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Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2024 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 engaged in college life in a big way, conducted valuable research, pioneered innovations, and overcome challenges during their time at Penn State Behrend.

Today, we’d like you to meet Julia Sank. 

Julia Sank1

Major: Industrial Engineering

Hometown: North East, PA

On choosing Behrend:  Penn State Behrend allows for a great student-athlete experience, and it was the best option for me to get a Penn State degree in a quality engineering program while continuing to play two sports that I love at the collegiate level. This was possible because of the flexibility of the coaching staff.

Two-sport athlete: I was a member of Behrend’s swimming and diving team and the golf team.

The benefit of participating in athletics: It was a great opportunity to make friends starting college in an unprecedented time (COVID-19), and it’s taught me some important life skills, like time management, responsibility, and work ethic.

On choosing her major: Originally, I was going to do the 2+2 program, but I wanted to stay at Behrend. I sat down with (the late) Dr. Dipo Onipede, associate director of academics and associate professor of mechanical engineering, who helped me determine which engineering program would be the best fit for my interests. I decided on Industrial Engineering because it is very “big picture.”

Campus involvement: Member of the Materials & Manufacturing Group club, the swimming and diving team, and the golf team.

Awards and honors: 2023 AMCC Diver of the Year, two-time AMCC diving champion, first place for Technical Report in Steel Founders’ Society of America’s (SFSA) Cast-in-Steel Competition.

What makes her unique: Although I am an Industrial Engineering major, I had the opportunity to work alongside students outside my major on a Mechanical Engineering capstone project. We used our individual strengths from our different disciplines to create a Halligan bar (a multi-purpose tool used by firefighters) that competed in the global SFSA Cast-in-Steel competition.

Julia Sank2

What you’d be surprised to know about her: I used to be a horseback riding instructor.

Highest priority for the coming years: To learn as much as I can and meet as many new people as I can because industry is not only about what you know but also who you know.

Advice for first-year students: College is all about time management. You need to learn to balance and set priorities. Once you get a handle on it, get involved. Behrend has so much to offer!

Julia has accepted a position as a field engineer for Whiting-Turner in Washington, D.C., following her graduation in May.