Category: Class of 2023

Standout Seniors ’23: Meet McKenzie Hovis (Secondary Education in Mathematics)

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Penn State Behrend’s class of 2023 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’ll introduce you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have overcome challenges, pioneered new technologies, participated in important research projects, and made their mark at Penn State Behrend.

Today, we’d like you to meet McKenzie Hovis:

McKenzie Hovis (2)

Major: Secondary Education in Mathematics

Hometown: Emlenton, Pennsylvania

Scholarships: Class of 1922 Memorial, Fryer Trustee Scholarship, Balmer Trustee Scholarship

On choosing her major: I chose my major because I have always loved math and helping others understand it.

Making the list: My proudest accomplishment at Behrend is being named to the Dean’s List all eight semesters.

Campus involvement: I am a member of the Behrend women’s basketball team, the Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), and the Student Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA).

Honors and awards: I was inducted into the Chi Alpha Sigma Athletic Honor Society and earned AMCC Academic All-Conference every year.

What she would tell first-year students: My advice to first-year students is to take advantage of the opportunities and resources offered at Behrend. See your professors during office hours. Attend sporting or other organized events. Join a club. All these opportunities are available to you as a student at Behrend, and by taking advantage of them, you will grow in so many ways.

After her graduation in May, McKenzie plans to work as a high school mathematics teacher.

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Processed with VSCO with dog3 preset

Standout Seniors ’23: Meet Seth Myers (IBE and PSCM)

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Penn State Behrend’s class of 2023 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’ll introduce you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have overcome challenges, pioneered new technologies, participated in important research projects, and made their mark at Penn State Behrend.

Today, we’d like you to meet Seth Myers:

SethMyers

Major: Dual majoring in Interdisciplinary Business with Engineering Studies and Project and Supply Chain Management

Hometown: Erie

Scholarships: Bunton-Waller Scholarship and CMI EPTI Trustee Scholarship

On choosing Behrend: I chose Behrend because it has great engineering and business programs. Also, I had the opportunity to continue my athletic career and play basketball for the Behrend Lions.

On choosing his major: IBE is a unique major offered by only a few colleges in the country. I felt I would be well-rounded with a foundation in engineering and business, and it would give me a lot of career options.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Maintaining a solid grade point average (3.8) while double majoring and playing on the men’s basketball team for four years.

Awards and honors: Inducted into the Chi Alpha Sigma National College Athletic Honor Society and Academic All-AMCC

His definition of living a good life: Enjoying what you do while having a positive impact on others in some way or another.

What he is passionate about: My faith, family, and friends.

Advice he would give to a first-year student: Enjoy your time and experiences here–and get your work done early.

After his graduation in May, Seth will work at Wabtec Corporation in the LEAD Operations rotational program.

Standout Seniors ’23: Meet Skylar Lint (Elementary and Early Childhood Education)

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Penn State Behrend’s class of 2023 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’ll introduce you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have overcome challenges, pioneered new technologies, participated in important research projects, and made their mark at Penn State Behrend.

Today, we’d like you to meet Skylar Lint:

SkylarLint

Major: Elementary and Early Childhood Education

Minor: Special Education

Hometown: Waterford, Pennsylvania

Scholarships: Chancellor’s Scholarship, Council of Fellows Leadership Scholarship.

On choosing Behrend: Behrend always felt like home to me. The first time I visited, I felt so safe. The Behrend community is like no other; everyone is so caring.

On choosing her major: I’ve always wanted to change the world, and I knew that teaching was one way I could do that. Teachers can have great impact.

A leader in the classroom and out: My proudest accomplishment has been maintaining a 3.5 cumulative GPA, as well as serving as the president of my sororityAlpha Sigma Alpha—for the past two years and holding an executive board position on Panhellenic Council for three years.

What makes her unique: Making people feel comfortable and heard. I am a compassionate and outgoing person.

What makes an A+ life: Being surrounded by people who you love. What better way to be happy than being with with those you adore the most?

Her next assignment: To get a teaching job so I can shape the minds of young children and open doors for them like my teachers did for me. I want to show children that learning is fun.

Advice for first-year students: Be adventurous and try new things. Join clubs where you can make new friends. Enjoy every moment. Four years goes faster than you think!

Lessons from the 100 Acre Wood: I love this quote from Winnie the Pooh: “How lucky am I to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard?”  I feel very lucky to have gone to a college like Behrend that I am going to have a hard time leaving.

After her graduation in May, Skylar plans to work as an elementary school teacher.

Standout Seniors ’23: Meet Emily Clopp (Psychology)

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Penn State Behrend’s class of 2023 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’ll introduce you to a few of our remarkable seniors who have overcome challenges, pioneered new technologies, participated in important research projects, and made their mark at Penn State Behrend.

Today, we’d like you to meet Emily Clopp: 

Emily Clopp

Major: Psychology with a certificate in Child Development

Hometown: Canonsburg, Pennsylvania

Scholarships: John H. Devitt Scholarship

Finding a home at Behrend: I chose Behrend for many reasons. First, because I could earn a Penn State degree and the alumni base is massive. Behrend is also a beautiful campus and has a homey feel to it. Additionally, I wanted to play soccer, and I knew Behrend had a successful program with great coaches.

Why she chose her major: The brain has always fascinated me. I love its complexity. I knew majoring in psychology would give me the opportunity to learn more about the brain and the numerous disorders associated with it, as well as gain an understanding of why humans behave the way they do. It also provided a good foundation for graduate school, as a lot of the prerequisites are psychology courses like developmental psychology and abnormal psycholohy, both of which I loved.

Excelling on the field and in the classroom: From an academic standpoint, my proudest accomplishment has been maintaining a 4.0 grade point average while balancing work, school, social life, and soccer. From an athletic standpoint, my proudest moment would be winning the AMCC championship with my team in the 2021 season and competing in the NCAA tournament.

Campus involvement: Two-year captain of the women’s soccer team; group leader of Fellowship of Christian Athletes; volunteer in the TOPS soccer program; member of Psi Chi honor society and the Psychology club.

Awards and recognitions: President’s Freshman award, Chi Alpha Sigma Athletic Honors Society, Academic All-Conference every soccer season, Dean’s List every semester, Scholarship/Leadership Award from the team (voted on by teammates).

What you’d be surprised to know about her: I transferred to Behrend after my first year of college at the University of Akron where I played Division I soccer. In high school, I was a member of Team USA for dance/baton twirling. We competed in Lignano Sabbiadoro, Italy, where we won the World Championships. Finally, people would be surprised to know that I am very emotional and still tear up at most Disney movies, especially Monsters, Inc.

Passions at play: I am passionate about helping people. I especially love working with older adults and those with special needs, so I’m very excited about my future career. I also love soccer and hope to find an adult recreational league to play in.

Advice for first-year students: Be proactive and find a routine. Also, know that even when school get stressful and overwhelming, you will get through it. Finally, get involved as much as you can because having a support system makes college a lot easier.

Following her graduation in May, Emily plans to attend graduate school at the University of Pittsburgh to get a doctorate in occupational therapy. She hopes to specialize in neurology or work with those who have special needs.