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.