Month: March 2025

Standout Seniors ’25: Meet Ali Ostowar (Management Information Systems)

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Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2025 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 Ali Ostowar:

Major: Management Information Systems

Minor: Computer Science

Hometown: Olomouc, Czech Republic

Why he chose Behrend: I wanted a quiet and focused academic environment. University Park sounded too crowded for me, so I opted for Behrend, where I could fully concentrate on my studies.

Why he chose his major: My passion for artificial intelligence (AI) led me to explore various academic paths. I chose Management Information Systems because it allowed me to dive deeper into AI while leveraging my previously earned business credits.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend:  Writing my Schreyer Honors Thesis has been the highlight of my academic journey. Having the opportunity to collaborate with professors I admire on a topic I’m deeply passionate about—and successfully completing it—stands as my proudest achievement.

Thesis topic: My thesis explored the role of emotions in economic decision-making, particularly whether they promote or hinder rational economic choices. This question has long been debated and has recently gained renewed interest as artificial intelligence advances, raising the question of the necessity of emotions in decision-making. While some argue that emotions are fundamental to decision-making, others suggest that an emotionless approach might be more desirable in specific contexts.

Challenges overcome: Transferring from the United Kingdom, where I studied International Business for a year, was already a challenge. However, the biggest challenge was shifting my focus from business to AI and cognitive science. Fortunately, with the support of my adviser, I was able to tailor my curriculum to align with my evolving interests, ultimately leading to my acceptance into a top AI graduate program in the Netherlands. (Editor’s note: Ostowar was accepted into three of the top AI graduate programs in the world!)

Advice for first-year students: Don’t feel locked in your initial major. The flexibility of the curriculum and my willingness to explore courses outside my field led me to discover my true passion. Take the opportunity to experiment, and you might find a path you never expected.

Ali has been accepted into the master’s program in Artificial Intelligence at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. After completing his degree, he plans to pursue a career in academia, focusing on AI and Cognitive Science.

Standout Seniors ’25: Meet Anna Smith (IBE and PSCM)

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Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2025 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 Anna Smith.

Majors: Interdisciplinary Business with Engineering (IBE) Studies and Project and Supply Chain Management (PSCM)

Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio  

Scholarships: Lawrence and Elizabeth Held Scholarship and Penn State Discover Award  

Why she chose Behrend: Because of the unique opportunity it provided for me to excel both academically and athletically. I really liked the idea of being able to thrive both in the classroom and on the field all while working toward a Penn State degree. I’ve always been a part of a team, so I knew going into college that I wanted to continue playing soccer, and Behrend seemed to be the best fit for me.

Why she chose her majors: This decision was driven by my interest in global logistics and operations. Some of my strengths include strategic and logical thinking, which is why supply chain management has always been of interest to me. Additionally, IBE is a unique way of combining both business and engineering practices that only further develops my supply chain knowledge.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Being selected for the AMCC All-Sportsmanship team in our conference, despite losing my entire season to injury (fractured femur) and never once stepping on the field. This recognition meant so much to me because it highlighted the impact that I had off the field. Throughout my recovery, I remained dedicated to supporting my teammates, embodying the spirit of sportsmanship by encouraging and motivating them from the sidelines. This experience taught me that true leadership and sportsmanship extend beyond physical performance. It’s all about showing up for your team, maintaining a positive attitude, and contributing to the collective success in any way possible. Winning this award reaffirmed my belief in the importance of character and resilience, and it remains a testament to my commitment and value that I was able to bring to the team.  

Challenges: Overcoming the challenge of losing my entire senior season of college soccer due to injury has been a transformative experience for me. It has taught me all about resilience and determination as I navigated the physical and emotional hurdles of recovery. This period of adversity pushed me to develop a positive mindset and focus on personal growth. I learned the importance of patience and perseverance, which not only helped me regain my physical strength but also made me mentally stronger.

A team player: Throughout my recovery, I always wanted to be there for my teammates, supporting them from the sidelines and showing up for them no matter what. This experience deepened my understanding of the value of loyalty and commitment, reinforcing the significance of being present for others in their times of need. Through this journey, I was able to gain a deeper understanding of my own capabilities and understand the value of supporting others facing similar challenges.  

Awards and accolades: Dean’s list most semesters,  Academic All-Conference all four years, Chi Alpha Sigma National Student-Athlete Honor Society, and AMCC All-Sportsmanship team.   

After her graduation in May, Anna will join the Supply Chain Rotational Program at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company’s global headquarters in Akron, Ohio.

Standout Seniors ’25: Meet : S. N. “Nic” Darrell (English)

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Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2025 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: S.N. “Nic” Darrell:

Darrell during a semester abroad in France at Pont du Gard, the largest ancient Roman aqueduct in Europe.

Major: English — Literature, Film, and Culture option

Minor: French and Francophone Studies

Hometown: Perkasie, Pennsylvania

Scholarships: Chancellor’s Scholarship

Why they chose Behrend:  It was far enough from home that it made me I feel I was branching out. It is also the only Penn State Commonwealth Campus with NCAA Water Polo.

Why they chose their major: I have always been involved and interested in languages and the arts. The English Literature, Film, and Culture option offered a diverse learning path that continues to interest me.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: I am most proud of the independence I gained while studying abroad for a semester in Montpellier, France. Living with a host family helped me to truly immerse myself in the French language and culture. I gained a global perspective on politics, sustainability, and life, and I can finally call myself multilingual.

Challenge accepted: Balancing work and play is always a challenge. I have had a job throughout my years at Behrend and each semester, I get burned out toward the end. I try to remember to take time for myself and to spend time in nature, with my dog, or with the people I love.

Clubs/activities: I’m a member of Greener Behrend and the French and Francophone clubs.

Awards: Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) Water Polo All-Academic Team, President’s Freshman Award (4.0 in first semester at Behrend).

Captain ‘O Captain: I am the senior captain of the water polo team. I have been playing for nine years. I love the sport. It keeps me healthy and disciplined.

What you’d be surprised to know about them: Although people look at me and assume that I am a woman, I am non-binary and pansexual. Queer/gender studies have been a focus for me in my English classes. I am doing my senior thesis on Orlando by Virginia Woolf, which is a 1928 biographical fiction about a genderfluid aristocrat. LBGTQIA+ studies are underrepresented, and I want to bring light to these unique, queer ideas.

Highest priority for the coming years: I want to travel and understand cultures different from my own as much as possible. I know the best way to do that is to get paid while traveling, so I plan to find a career that accommodates this lifelong dream.

Love for art and nature: I am passionate about consuming and creating art, whether that is through dancing, painting, crocheting, writing, or making music. I also love nature and constantly seek out ways to preserve the Earth through vegetarianism, reducing waste, and giving back to the place we all call home.

Advice for first-year students: Someone told me that in the first month of school, I should say “yes” to any new opportunity that came my way. It was great advice as it allowed me to branch out and take advantage of the diverse student life at Behrend.

After graduation in May, Nic plans to pursue a job that allows them to see the world, perhaps teaching English abroad or being a flight attendant.