Behrend Blog

Behrend Reacts: How do you stay motivated for final exams?

Published on May 8, 2014May 8, 2014 by Behrend BlogLeave a comment

By Steve Orbanek
Marketing Communications Specialist, Penn State Behrend

Final exams are often one of the most trying times of the entire semester, and it can be difficult to push through.

With just two days of final exams left, we asked students how they stay motivated through the home stretch.

Zachary McCauley, junior, Mechanical Engineering, from Clarion, Pa.: “You just have to push through it. I’ve also set a nice reward for myself. I’ll be making a trip to Texas after finals.”

Kati Piger, first-year student, undecided, from Williamsport, Pa.: “Track helps keep me motivated because I have to maintain my GPA, and I’m also motivated by thinking about my future.”

Hayley McMillen, junior, Creative Writing, from Erie: “I just know that the hard work will pay off. My mother is also a big motivator for me.”

Veronica Lorya, senior, International Business and Marketing, from Erie: “I listen to a lot of music; I’m a huge Beyoncé fan. I also do a lot of meditation and remind myself that I’ll be graduating on Friday.”

Zack Neudorfer, first-year student, Electrical Engineering, from Butler, Pa.: “It’s the light at the end of the tunnel, and I know it’s important to achieve good grades.”

Jeremy Smida, first-year student, Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering, from Monongahela, Pa.: “I remind myself that it will all pay off once I graduate and get a good job.”

Jacob DeWeese, first-year student, Energy Engineering, from Freedom, Pa.: “I have a 4.0 GPA right now, and I want to keep that, so that’s how I’m motivating myself to stay at it.”

Haley Iacullo, sophomore, Marketing, from Pittsburgh: “Lots and lots of coffee. Also, I know that I have good grades already, so I don’t want to screw that up.”

Tracy Abraham, sophomore, Biology, from Washington, D.C.: “I know I need to work hard because I don’t want to regret it. I also remind myself that finals are just temporary.”

Josh Podpora, first-year student, Mechanical Engineering, from Erie: “My internship at GE depends on me doing well in school, so I use that for motivation.”

Behrend Reacts is a regular Thursday feature at the Behrend Blog that tries to get the campus pulse on a current topic, whether it’s serious or trivial. If you have a question to suggest for Behrend Reacts, please email Steve Orbanek at sco10@psu.edu.

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Accounting and Finance major competes in Oh-Penn For Business College Business Plan Competition

Published on May 7, 2014 by Behrend BlogLeave a comment

By Steve Orbanek
Marketing Communications Specialist, Penn State Behrend

Tara Sitter does not plan on becoming an entrepreneur after graduation, but she has a great first product if she ever changes her mind.

Sitter, a junior Accounting and Finance major, was recently a finalist in the Oh-Penn For Business College Business Plan Competition. The competition was held April 12 at Grove City College. Participants were required to present a ten-minute PowerPoint presentation on their business idea.

The Erie native’s business idea was the Bumper Box, a built-in toolbox that fits into the front bumper of a truck. She developed the concept with classmates in her FIN 451: Intermediate Financial Management class.

The idea for the Bumper Box was inspired by the fact that many trucks are equipped with toolboxes in their truck beds, which takes up hauling space. There would be more room in the bed if a toolbox were instead installed toward the front of the truck.

Sitter was confident in the idea, so she entered the Oh-Penn For Business College Business Plan Competition. After submitting her brief proposal, she was chosen as a semifinalist.

Her next task was more labor intensive.

“I literally had a week to put together a ten-page paper,” Sitter said.

Fortunately, Sitter was able to simply revise and update a paper she had written for class. She was notified in the beginning of April that she was one of nine finalists.

During the final competition, Sitter presented her Bumper Box idea to four judges and several Grove City College students.

While Sitter did not end up placing in the competition, she said there were many other benefits that came from it.

“I really wanted to go out there and practice my public speaking,” Sitter said. “There’s only so many opportunities in which we get to do that.”

Many of the judges also offered helpful suggestions for improving the Bumper Box.

Perhaps the door to a future career as an entrepreneur might not yet be shut.

“I think if the opportunity presented itself, I would love to pursue manufacturing the Bumper Box,” Sitter said.

Margaret Eimers caps off time at Penn State Behrend by winning Hetzel Award

Published on May 5, 2014May 2, 2014 by Behrend Blog1 Comment

By Steve Orbanek
Marketing Communications Specialist, Penn State Behrend

Margaret Eimers regularly reminds her children that a person is not defined by his or her past mistakes.

She would know. She’s proved it.

More than twenty years ago, Eimers dropped out of high school during her sophomore year after she failed a class and became fed up with school.

Now, in a few days, the Erie native is about to walk in her first commencement ceremony. She will graduate with a 3.94 grade point average and bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. How’s that for juxtaposition?

When it comes to Eimers, graduation is the icing on the cake.

Throughout her time at the college, Eimers has been president of the Penn State Behrend Circle of Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society, vice president of the Society of Undergraduate Economists, and a member of Psi Chi International Psychology Honor Society, Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society, and the National Society of Leadership and Success. She has also served as an ambassador for adult student open houses and a career counseling intern at the Academic and Career Planning Center.

Eimers was recognized for all of her collegiate accomplishments on April 27 when she was awarded a Ralph Dorn Hetzel Memorial Award at the Sixty-fifth Annual Honors and Awards Convocation at Penn State Behrend. The award is named after Penn State’s tenth president and recognizes a combination of high scholastic achievement with good citizenship, and participation and leadership in student activities.

While Eimers may not have had a high school diploma, she always had a thirst for knowledge and cognition. Prior to enrolling at Penn State Behrend, she worked for eleven years as a crossing guard and estimated that she read at least fifty books annually during her downtime while directing traffic. Eventually, Eimers was asked to stop reading during her shifts, which led her to consider college.

“I said, ‘Why am I doing this when I really could be learning?’” said Eimers, who earned her GED after dropping out of school.

Eimers decided to apply to college, and Penn State Behrend was at the top of her list as she was aware of the value that a Penn State degree carries. Unfortunately, her application was initially denied.

“I went through the appeals process to become a student here,” Eimers said. “After I wrote an essay and was accepted, I then began as a provisional student.”

Eimers started as an Accounting major, a subject she had previously studied at a business school in Pittsburgh.

Accounting worked initially for Eimers, but something was missing.

“I can do accounting, and I do like it, but what I do is build relationships; what I do is help people,” Eimers said.

That drive led Eimers to change her major to Psychology with the goal of one day becoming an academic counselor.

Upon graduation, Eimers will work for the summer in the Academic and Career Planning Center. She’s looking forward to spending more time with her husband, Greg, as well as her children, David and Rebekah, who she said have been extremely supportive during her time as a Penn State Behrend student.

Eimers’ story as an adult student is far from over though.

In the fall, she begins work on a master of arts in counseling from Edinboro University. It’s just the latest stop in her academic journey.

“I like to call this my very happy mid-life crisis,” Eimers said. “I feel as if I have exceeded my expectations. Life is a moving target though, so now I’ll create new expectations. “

We’re sure she’ll hit the bullseye.

Behrend Reacts: What are your plans this summer?

Published on May 1, 2014May 1, 2014 by Behrend BlogLeave a comment

By Steve Orbanek
Marketing Communications Specialist, Penn State Behrend

Ah… summer.

After months of hard work, shoveling snow, and studying, what could be more welcome than warm summer air?

Next week is finals week at Penn State Behrend, and many students will then be done with classes until fall.

We asked students how they plan to spend their summer vacation.

Tara Sitter, junior, Finance and Accounting: “I plan to travel and go to a lot of concerts. I want to have fun before I have to go into the real world next year.”

Tim Vincent, sophomore, Mechanical Engineering: “I’m just going to wing it.”

Rachael Hazen, sophomore, Kinesiology: “I’m going to Austin, Texas, where I’ll be a camp coordinator.”

Daniel Valverde, sophomore, Economics: “I’m going back home to Miami.”

David Graham, junior, Finance: “I have a summer internship at Northwest Savings Bank in Franklin.”

Mitchel Meszaros, first-year student, Mechanical Engineering: “I have a summer internship with PennDOT in Meadville.”

Abbie Schuster, sophomore, Accounting: “I’m not sure yet. I might have an internship, or I’ll be a camp counselor.”

Collin Mangan, sophomore, Plastics Engineering Technologies: “I’ll be working, either at an internship or somewhere else.”

Casey Kern, junior, Interdisciplinary Business with Engineering Studies: “I’ll be working all summer at my dad’s company, which builds sewage treatment plants. I hope to work as a project manager.”

Theresa Guarriello, first-year student, Architectural Engineering: “I plan on working, sleeping, and getting ready for school to start back up in the fall.”

Ryan Rendon, sophomore, Mechanical Engineering Technology: “Honestly, I’ll be going to concerts, enjoying backyard fires, and doing anything the military (reserves) throws at me.”

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Behrend student wins essay contest; participates in Jewish history panel discussion

Published on April 30, 2014 by Behrend BlogLeave a comment

By Steve Orbanek
Marketing Communications Specialist, Penn State Behrend

Danielle Ropp sat quietly toward the center of the table as her legs shook under the tablecloth, hidden from the audience seated in front. Her quiet demeanor, indicative of her anxiousness, would soon subside.

After all, every living thing thrives in its natural habitat, and that’s exactly where Ropp was once the panel discussion got underway.

“I’ve just always loved history. Whenever I hear an interesting fact, I commit it to memory,” said Ropp, a junior History major at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College.

Ropp displayed the depth of her historical knowledge by participating in a panel discussion of the WQLN documentary Perspective: Jewish History, Parts I and II at Mercyhurst University in Erie on April 22.

The Folsom, California, native earned a spot on the panel as well as $500 after winning first place in WQLN and Mercyhurst University’s “Story of the Jews” college essay contest. The prompt for the contest was: “How has history shaped the modern perception of Jews?”

Other panel participants included: Dr. Joshua Ezra Burns, assistant professor of theology at Marquette University; Rabbi John Bush, Temple Anshe Hesed; Dr. Randall Howarth, professor of ancient history at Mercyhurst University; Dr. Olena Surzhko-Harned, assistant professor of political science at Mercyhurst University; and Dr. Robert von Thaden, Jr., associate professor of religious studies at Mercyhurst University. The panel was moderated by Kim Young, instructor in journalism at Penn State Behrend.

Ropp’s essay was titled “The Crucifixion Shaping Modern Jewish Perceptions,” and it discussed how Jewish individuals are still viewed negatively because of their perceived participation in the crucifixion. Ropp said her own perception was vividly changed through her research.

Ropp found edicts from past Popes that absolve blame for the crucifixion away from Jewish people, but she said that message has not permeated within the general public.

“The fundamental core of Christianity is that Jesus had to die. These people were blamed for this, but it wasn’t their fault,” Ropp said. “Today’s Jews are also different from the Jews back then. You cannot blame people for actions that happened 2,000 years ago.”

While Ropp thoroughly enjoyed writing the essay, she said she was surprised she won.

“This is definitely one of the biggest things I’ve ever accomplished,” Ropp said. “The fact that I won just makes me want to do it again.”

Given Ropp’s career aspirations, it’s likely the essay was just the beginning. Ropp plans to pursue a master’s degree in secondary education upon graduation in 2015 and then plans to attain a doctorate in history. Her ultimate goal is to spread her knowledge as a college professor.

“I can’t imagine myself doing anything but history,” Ropp said.

Training + concentration = Impressive Boston Time for Math Prof

Published on April 28, 2014April 28, 2014 by Behrend BlogLeave a comment

By Heather Cass
Publications & Design Coordinator, Penn State Behrend

Divide three hours, four minutes and thirty seconds by 26.2 and you’ll get the pace of the fastest mathematics professor at Penn State Behrend.

Dr. Antonio Mastroberardino, assistant professor of mathematics, completed the 2014 Boston Marathon last Monday with an impressive average 7.02 minute per mile pace.

But, that wasn’t even his best! Mastroberardino, 39, qualified for the 2014 Boston marathon at the Rochester marathon in September of 2012 with a finish time of 2:58:34, a full 12 minutes under the 3:10 qualifying time he needed.

We caught up with Mastroberardino (which wasn’t easy…he’s quite fast, you know) and talked him into answering a few question about his race through bean town.

What was your finish time at Boston?

3:04:30. The Erie Times-News had an incorrect time of 3:06:24.

Were you happy with that?

I was pleased with the result.

Have you run Boston before?

No, this was my 3rd marathon. Rochester 2012 was my first. Erie 2013 was my second. I hit the proverbial wall in Erie and ran a disappointing 3:14:07.

What was it like to be/run Boston in this emotional year?

It was an amazing day for the city of Boston. From the start in Hopkinton to the finish in Back Bay and through all of the towns in between, the atmosphere was electric. The most amazing part was turning onto Boylston St. with the finish line in sight and having a roaring crowd carry you to the end.

Was your family there?

No, but my mom mentioned that my aunt in Italy was very happy for me.

Were you worried about anything happening?

No, not at all.

What is going through your mind as you run a marathon? What do you think about?

The first thing to do is to establish the right pace in the first 5-6 miles. People often go out too fast, and this could cost you several minutes in the end if you have to slow down to a walking pace in the last part of the race. This happened to me in Erie in 2013. For the miles in between, a friend of mine with a lot of experience told me: You need to be bored at mile 15; otherwise, you are working too hard and are in danger of hitting the wall later in the race.

What is your strategy for dealing with the tough miles (a mantra, doing math problems to distract yourself, etc.)?

The last 5-6 miles require total concentration. At that point, your legs are crying for you to stop, but you have to simply fight the strong desire to give in to your body’s demand of slowing down. In a race like Boston, the crowd support definitely makes a difference.

Where do you train?

This winter, I trained everywhere. I used the treadmill at my apartment complex, the treadmill and the indoor track at LECOM, the treadmill and the indoor track at Junker, the Behrend outdoor track, Veteran’s Stadium, Mercyhurst soccer field, the streets around the Gannon campus, Presque Isle trail, and various other places whenever I traveled out of town.

How many days/miles a week do you run?

I started from 30/week back in December and got up to the low 50’s during the last week of March.

Where is your favorite place to run locally?

I like running at Presque Isle, although I don’t go there that often to run. I actually prefer to ride the bike if I go to the peninsula.

Do you train alone or with friends?

I train alone.

Do you listen to music?

No music. Just the sound of nature.

Favorite running shoes?

I choose shoes that fit the best. I wore Adidas for this marathon and had a pair of Saucony before that. I purchased both pairs from Achille’s Running Shop in Erie.

Why do you enjoy running marathons?

It is a great challenge not only to complete one but also to train for one. And I guess I enjoy the challenge.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I played football in high school and in college. In college I played Sprint Football—a varsity sport with a weight limit that has ranged from 150 lbs. in the early years of the league to the current limit of 175 lbs. There are currently eight teams in the Collegiate Sprint Football League, including the Army and Navy teams.

What do you like to do (besides run) in your free time?

I play the violin, although I am not very good. I play in a community orchestra called YADO (Young Artist Debut Orchestra) conducted by Frank Collura. We have a performance in December and one in May every year.

Next race? What are you training for now?

I will run a half marathon in Buffalo at the end of May.

Any other memories from Boston you want to share?

As we walked from the Athletes’ village to the start (just over a kilometer) in Hopkinton, a man standing outside his home was offering everyone donuts, beer, and cigarettes. I passed on the offer.

Behrend Love Stories: The Gollick’s

Published on April 25, 2014 by Behrend BlogLeave a comment

By Heather Cass
Publications & Design Coordinator, Penn State Behrend

Bob and Kimberly (Cunningham) Gollick ’73

Degrees: Bob ’73, Kim ’73, both in Health and Human Development. Kim did a nutritional internship at Miami Valley Hospital; Bob went to graduate school at the University of Colorado where he earned a master’s degree in Urban Planning.

First met: Fall of 1969.

Married: 1974

Home: Denver, Colorado

Professions: Kim is president of Kimberly Gollick Associates, Inc., a nutritional consulting firm; Bob is president of Robert J. Gollick, Inc., a real estate development consulting firm. Both firms are located in Denver.

How they met, as told by Bob: I started at Behrend in the fall of 1968. The following year I helped the mom of a freshman girl carry some boxes into her daughter’s dorm room. I met her daughter on the way out of the room, her first day on campus. We started dating about four weeks later. Long story short, we’ll be married forty years this October.

Parting thoughts: “While we both finished our undergraduate degrees at University Park, if it weren’t for Behrend and a little luck on move-in day in 1969, I’d never have met the love of my life,” Bob said.

Fit for life: Kim is a runner who also enjoys yoga and ballet and she swims every day. Bob said he had to stop running, but he hikes all over Colorado and Costa Rica.

Penn State Behrend freshman finds niche with Concert Choir and Chamber Singers

Published on April 24, 2014 by Behrend BlogLeave a comment

By Steve Orbanek
Marketing Communications Specialist, Penn State Behrend

There seems to be one in every family: one person who differs from the rest of the clan.

Jessa holds that distinction in the Boarts family, but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“On multiple occasions, my mom has asked me where I came from,” Boarts says.

A first-year Psychology major at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, Boarts is somewhat of a fanatic when it comes to choir. On a typical day, the Erie native can be found humming choir songs, listening to choir CDs in her car, or practicing the tunes she performs as part of the Chamber Singers and Concert Choir at Penn State Behrend.

Music and singing have come naturally to Boarts even though no one in her family has ever had any experience with it.

“It’s just easier for me to express my emotions through music,” says Boarts.

Boarts is one of twenty-five students who will be performing Sunday, April 27, during “Wayfaring Stranger,” the spring concert from Penn State Behrend’s Chamber Singers and Concert Choir. The concert is the latest stop in what has been long musical career for Boarts at Penn State Behrend.

In eighth grade, she joined the Young People’s Chorus of Erie, which was in its first year of existence. YPC Erie is a youth outreach organization of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Penn State Behrend and northwestern Pennsylvania’s only comprehensive youth choral program.

Boarts had longed to join a choir ever since her first exposure as an elementary school student, and YPC Erie was the perfect fit.

“It was kind of like a second family. I liked the togetherness that we all shared,” she says.

Over the next five years, Boarts performed in a slew of concerts as a member of YPC. She formed many relationships along the way, and her passion for choir music continued to grow.

Of all the relationships Boarts forged, perhaps none was more significant than the bond she developed with Dr. Gabrielle Dietrich. Dietrich joined Penn State Behrend in 2012 as the college’s director of choral ensembles and serves as YPC’s artistic director as part of her position.

The two immediately hit it off.

“Jessa is really special,” Dietrich says. “She’s not only a wonderful singer, but she’s one of those people who shows up every week and has a great attitude, a great spirit, and is willing to try everything.”

As Boarts began to look at colleges during her senior year of high school, she says it became apparent that Penn State Behrend would be an ideal choice. Not only did the college have the Psychology major that she sought, but it would also allow her an opportunity to continue to grow musically with Dietrich as part of the college’s Chamber Singers and Concert Choir.

“I was really interested in how she brought the music out in YPC, and I wanted to be able to continue that in the Behrend Choir,” Boarts says.

Dietrich was more than a little enthused when she heard the news.

“I was thrilled to hear she was staying because she’s the kind of kid you want in your choir. She’s not only the type of girl who brings good with her, she’s the type of girl who spreads good,” Dietrich says.

Boarts does more than spread good. She’s constantly trying to encourage her friends and other students on campus to enroll in either the Chamber Singers or Concert Choir class.

She subscribes to the idea that everyone has the ability to sing, which comes from Hungarian composer Zoltán Kodály and is a big part of Dietrich’s teachings. It’s the reason she believes everyone should consider joining the choir.

“Anyone can sing, it’s just a matter of will someone join a choir and portray different types of music,” Boarts says.

Many different types of music will be portrayed by Boarts and the rest of the Penn State Behrend Chamber Singers and Choir Orchestra during Sunday’s “Wayfaring Stranger” concert. The concert will include works from American composers Aaron Copland, Cecil Effinger, and Kirke Mechem; African-American spirituals; a folk song from Northern Thailand; and music of the French Renaissance.

For Boarts, the concert is the culmination of months of practice and hard work. It’s a long road to get to the point of being ready to perform, but Boarts says it’s always worth it.

“My life would be pretty boring without choir,” Boarts says. “Something would definitely be missing.”

Behrend Reacts: What will you remember most about this past school year?

Published on April 24, 2014 by Behrend BlogLeave a comment

By Steve Orbanek
Marketing Communications Specialist, Penn State Behrend

The end is near.

There are just a couple weeks left in the spring semester. It’s been a memorable year at Penn State Behrend with several highlights, some of which include the college welcoming its second-largest freshman class in history and winning the AMCC Championship in every fall sport.

Penn State Behrend students have made their share of memories as well.

We asked students to share what they’ll remember most from this past year.

Brett Larson, sophomore, Aerospace Engineering: “Getting a 100-percent score on an exam when all of my friends didn’t.”

Chelsey Cratty, first-year student, Psychology: “All of the shenanigans that went down on the first floor of Senat Hall.”

Jacob Binda, first-year student, undecided: “Staying up until 5:00 a.m. talking with new friends.”

Brandon Ford, first-year student, History and Education: “The night I stayed up until 3:00 a.m. at the Delta Chi house getting to know my brothers.”

Alexa Seeton, first-year student, Marketing: “I don’t have a specific favorite memory. I just loved it all.”

Meredith Snyder, first-year student, Accounting: “Winning the AMCC Championship in volleyball.”

Paige Scurpa, first-year student, undecided: “Definitely winning the AMCC Championship in volleyball.”

Matt McWilliams, sophomore, Aerospace Engineering: “Going to the ECAC Indoor Championships for track and field.”

Omkar Paturu, first-year student, Biology: “Just being around Behrend and getting to know the college.”

Janai Keita, first-year student, Psychology: “The annual drag show from this past November.”

Bethany Still, first-year student, Biology: “Trying to scare my boyfriend’s roommate while pretending to be a dinosaur.”

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Behrend Reacts: What’s your favorite cellphone app?

Published on April 17, 2014April 16, 2014 by Behrend BlogLeave a comment

By Steve Orbanek
Marketing Communications Specialist, Penn State Behrend

It seems like there’s an app for almost anything these days.

Need a dog whistle to train your canine? Interested in watching real-time radar for predicting storms? The App Store or Google Play has you covered.

Of course, some apps have bigger followings than others, and that’s true at Penn State Behrend.

We asked students what their favorite cellphone app is.

Ryan Kapner, first-year student, Mechanical Engineering: “Twitter and YouTube are my gotos.”

Connor Combs, first-year student, Project and Supply Chain Management: “Reddit because you get to see everything before everyone else does.”

Aubrey Marcoline, first-year student, English: “I use Instagram because it’s convenient.”

Libby Marcoline, junior, General Arts and Science: “Snapchat because it’s fun.”

Maurice Moffatt, sophomore, Marketing: “I like the PNC app because it’s useful when I need to do my banking.”

Damond Carr, junior, Psychology: “The TV remote control app is great because whenever I lose the remote, it lets me use my phone instead.”

Julie Pace, first-year student, Nursing: “Instagram because it’s fun to see other people’s photos and what they like to take pictures of.”

Marissa Duvall, first-year student, Nursing: “Instagram because it keeps me updated on my friends’ lives who don’t live close by.”

Claire Petrun, first-year student, Psychology: “I’d say Tinder because it’s fun to see who’s on it.”

Ian Duchene, first-year student, Plastics Engineering Technology: “Twitter because it’s nice to stay in touch with all my buddies at home.”

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