Standout Seniors 2026: Meet Emily Warrene (Psychology)

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 Emily Warrene.

Major: Psychology

Certificate: Child Development

Hometown: West Deer, Pennsylvania

Why she chose Behrend: I wanted to continue bowling at the collegiate level but at a Division III school where academics come first. Behrend was perfect—and just two hours from my home in Pittsburgh, close enough to visit but far enough for independence.

Why she chose her major: In my sophomore year of high school, I took an Introduction to Psychology class. I thought it was so interesting that I took AP Psychology in my senior year. After that, I realized that I loved learning about how the brain works, and I decided to make it my career path.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: My research project, “Development of Empathy Among College Athletes, Club Participants, and Non-Participants.” It was a year-long endeavor with numerous trials, errors, and hours spent trying to figure out how to conduct a successful project.

Campus involvement: Penn State Behrend Women’s Bowling, Lion Ambassadors (fundraising chair, 2025–2026), Susan Hirt Hagen Center for Community Outreach, Research, and Evaluation (CORE).

Awards: Penn State Behrend Athletics Rookie Award (2022–2023), AMCC All-Conference Sportsmanship Team (2023–2024, 2024–2025), Academic All-AMCC (2024–2025).

What you’d be surprised to know about her: I’d love to be a bowling coach in the future. I was injured in my junior year and couldn’t play for two months, and I found a love for coaching. Small adjustments constantly need to be made, and the reward is so high whenever you see the player succeed.

Child advocate in training: I have a passion for children who don’t have the voices to speak up about mental health. Working with CORE, I get to work with at-risk fifth- and sixth-graders and be a safe place for them to just be themselves. Watching a child open up and finally feel safe being who they are, even for just one hour a week, is extraordinary.

Advice for first-year students: Just say yes! I was extremely introverted and hated going out and meeting new people, but for a few months I said “yes” to everything and made some of my best friends doing so.

After her graduation in May, Emily plans to work in her field for a few years before attending graduate school. 

Standout Seniors 2026: Meet Remington Orange (Digital Media, Arts, and Technology)

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 Remington Orange.

Major: Digital Media, Arts, and Technology (DIGIT)

Minor: Game Development

Hometown: New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Why he chose Behrend: My older brother went to Behrend for Plastics Engineering and recommended a major called “DIGIT.” I was like, “Numbers? No thank you!” Then I found out it’s not that kind of digit. I stayed at Behrend because in nearly every class, I was allowed to explore and learn for myself with the guidance of professors. That freedom to be creative is incredibly rewarding.

Why he chose his major: DIGIT aligned with everything I wanted from a degree but didn’t know existed. Little-to-no math? Yeah! Optional science? Sign me up! Every class was something I wanted to learn but didn’t know where to start on my own.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: I’m very proud of the work I have done at the VAR lab with Dr. Christopher Shelton, associate professor of clinical psychology. From 3D scanning equipment and building video game consoles to creating 360-degree virtual tours for industry partners, I’ve done more projects than I can count. In the process, I’ve learned a lot about working with industry partners, professional etiquette, and communication. I was given a lot of room to innovate and be creative and I’m grateful for all the opportunities I had through the VAR lab.

Campus involvement: CRU (Campus Crusade), where I served on the Servant Team. It’s been a great experience to have fellowship with fellow Christians whom I see myself being friends with long after I’ve graduated.

Awards: “Best in Show” in the Digital Art category for a short film at the Yahn Art Show and “Best in Class” for a game in GAME 250.

What you’d be surprised to know about him: I hate driving in the snow.

On finding peace after graduation: I’ve spent the last four years rushing everywhere to try and accomplish many things, but my next stage is to find peace in whatever I do and make time for God, myself, and my family.

What he’s passionate about: Creating for interaction. I love to create things that others or I can interact with. I appreciate art in all its forms, but it brings the inner kid in everyone out when you get to touch the art. I want to continue to create.

Advice for first-year students: Explore campus and Erie and the surrounding area. In the past year, I’ve learned about so many amazing places that I wish I had known about earlier. Do you know how much fun it is to ski or tube at Peek’n Peak? Did you know the Tom Ridge Environmental Center is like a mini-museum and it’s free? Did you know the Bicentennial Tower in Erie is free on the first Tuesday of every month?

After his graduation in May, Remington hopes to pursue a master’s degree in either a design field or a medical-related field. His dream is to create designs and digital environments for education, preservation, or medical assistance—and to work remotely while traveling.

Standout Seniors 2026: Meet Bella Eibl (Political Science)

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 Bella A. Eibl.

Major: Political Science, crime and law option

Minors: English, Legal Studies

Certificate: Crime, Psychology, and Public Policy

Hometown: Erie, Pennsylvania

Scholarships: Chancellor’s Scholarship, Penn State Provost Award, Rose Lada Memorial Scholarship

Why she chose Behrend: I’m an Erie native and I come from a Penn State family. I chose Behrend because I felt it offered more opportunities for students to really have an impact on their community and form connections with faculty members.

Why she chose her major: I started as a General Arts and Sciences major, but after my first political science class I was immediately interested in the major. I was scared to commit, so I met with the professor to talk about what I could do with a degree in political science and what I should major in considering my interests and goals. Talking with him made me feel much more confident in my academic plan and career goals.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: During my sophomore year, I made the decision to resurrect all three political clubs at Behrend to have them fully functional and active in time for the 2024 primary and general elections. This included our two partisan clubs and a nonpartisan general political society. Working with everyone who was interested in the executive board positions, communicating with campus faculty, and succeeding in having three active political clubs whilst being on the executive board of two of them and simultaneously working in state politics off campus—while also taking eighteen credits—was difficult, but I’m proud of the work I did.

Campus involvement: School of Humanities and Social Sciences Student Advisory Club (co-founder, vice president), Studio Theatre at Behrend (Into the Woods crew, Little Shop of Horrors cast/crew), Student Leadership and Involvement (RUB desk worker), Residence Life, School of Humanities and Social Sciences Ambassadors, Pi Sigma Alpha (secretary), Political Science Society (former president).

What you’d be surprised to know about her: I listen to every genre of music from metal to classical to musical theatre. I believe I’ve been to eight different theatre productions and over fifteen concerts. Fun fact: I’ve been to the same number of Twenty One Pilots concerts and Weird Al Yankovic concerts—three each!

Her highest priority: I’m starting law school in the fall, so my priority for the next three years is to make the most of my time living in Washington, D.C., and have productive and meaningful experiences while continuing my education.

Advice for first-year students: The best advice I can give is:

1.) Make it a priority to figure out the basics. Get a planner and write everything down, learn the tech you’re unfamiliar with (Canvas, Outlook, LionPATH, etc.), learn what resources are available to students, and talk with an academic adviser.

2) Put yourself out there! Join clubs, meet people, and try new things. Growth can be scary, but it’s so worth it, and you probably won’t have as many opportunities once you graduate.

3) Feeling stressed or overwhelmed is normal, but don’t forget to give yourself time to take a deep breath, rest, and have fun.

After her graduation in May, Bella will move to Washington, D.C., to attend American University’s Washington College of Law.

Standout Seniors 2026: Meet Morgan McQueeney (Psychology)

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 Morgan McQueeney.

Major: Psychology (B.S.)

Hometown: Erie, Pennsylvania

Scholarships: Petersen Family Trustee Scholarship and Ernest E. and Bernice C. Fryer and Family Psychology Scholarship

Why she chose Behrend: I have a long line of family members who attended Penn State Behrend, so I had a lot of love for the campus.

Why she chose her major: I learned about psychology in high school and fell in love with it. I also learned a lot about the field from my mom. She has a Ph.D. in behavioral health.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: My work with the Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) club. Specifically, when I worked with my fellow executive board members and schools in the community to create more than 600 holiday cards for veterans and deliver them to the Pennsylvania Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home here in Erie.

Challenges overcome: I’ve had to overcome my shyness and social anxiety. I’m thankful I’ve had such a great community that helped me come out of my shell.

Campus involvement: Lion Entertainment Board, Random Acts of Kindness, Alpha Phi Omega

What you’d be surprised to know about her: I love comic books and botanical Legos.

Advice for first-year students: There are so many clubs and opportunities available at Behrend. Don’t be afraid to get out there and try something new.

After her graduation in May, Morgan plans to work full time in the field of psychology in the Erie area before pursuing a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology.

Lights, Camera, Community

By Heather Cass, Publications Manager, Penn State Behrend

What if your classroom wasn’t just a classroom, but a creative agency with real clients, real deadlines, and real impact?

That’s the idea behind COMM 481: Advanced Multimedia Production, a new course taught by Tom Deau, lecturer in media and communication. Students in the course don’t just learn production skills — they use those skills to help community partners.

After connecting with Harborcreek Township Supervisor Dean Pepicello, students recently launched a live-streaming initiative for the township’s bi-monthly public meetings, giving community members easier access to local government. The first stream went live on March 4. The next is scheduled for March 18, at 5 p.m. The live streams can be viewed on the Wintergreen Media YouTube channel.

The township streaming project is just one of several new initiatives this semester. Deau’s students also are producing a promotional video for HARVEST 912, a nonprofit that supports individuals who are experiencing homelessness. Other projects include employee profile videos for the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, “Day in the Life” features for social media, and a promotional video for the “Empower Her Summit,” a Junior Achievement of Western PA event that will be held on campus later this month.

These experiences embody the college’s Open Lab model of learning, in which students and faculty members partner with business, industry, and community organizations to design new products, develop new services, or solve specific business challenges. The projects benefit the community, but they help students, too: By applying the fundamentals they learn in class, students gain résumé-building, real-world experience.

 

 

 

Behrend’s Own “Ready Player One”

By Heather Cass, Publications Manager, Penn State Behrend

This spring, several staff and faculty members recommended Remington Orange, above, a Digital Media, Arts, and Technology (DIGIT) major, for an annual feature on the Behrend Blog that highlights graduating students.

There was just one problem: Orange was a junior.

Their mistake is understandable. In just three years, Orange, an immersive administrator in the college’s Virtual/Augmented Reality (VAR) Lab, has left his mark on campus—literally. From 3D scanning equipment and building video game consoles in the VAR Lab to creating 360-degree virtual tours for industry partners, Orange’s work can be seen all over Behrend.

“He oversees several of the undergraduate employees in the lab, working with them across a half dozen or more projects, helping them to achieve their own goals,” said Dr. Chris Shelton, associate professor of psychology and director of the VAR Lab. “He goes out of his way to learn and help others who are trying new techniques in the lab, while also improving the atmosphere with his positive attitude and calm demeanor.”

Orange is also collaborating with Jane Ingold, reference and instruction librarian and Behrend’s archivist, to digitally preserve college artifacts as part of his Schreyer Honors College thesis project.

“He is so engaged and is a real champion of Behrend history through the preservation work that he’s doing,” Ingold said. “This spring, he did 3D scans of Ernst Behrend’s old steamer trunk, the bust of Moritz Behrend’s head, and Bruno’s headstone.”

Behrend Blog caught up with Orange before he returned home to New Bethlehem for the summer.

How did you get involved in the VAR Lab?
I met another student, Marcus Jacobs (a ’22 Business Economics and International Business grad), who worked there, and he roped me in. I was interested in what they were doing in the lab. Now I do a lot of the project managing. I joke that I’m Marcus 2.0.

What are some projects you’ve worked on?
Most recently, I helped create a 360-degree virtual tour for Snap-tite, an Erie company, and I’m working on the Echoes of HistERIE project—scanning historical sites and artifacts like the Presque Isle Lighthouse. If something ever happens to these places, at least we’d still have them digitally.

We heard you built a turntable to help scan people in 3D?
Yes! It’s hard to do 360-degree scans of people while lugging around the camera and cables, so it’s easier if the person rotates on a platform while the camera stays put. You can buy turntables like this, but my true gumption is being frugal—so I wanted to build one. My dad and I used the motor from a pig roaster, since it offers a slow, strong spin. It turned out great.

You also created an augmented reality sandbox. Tell us about that.
It’s an interactive display that lets users shape and manipulate 3D topographic maps in real time. A 3D camera senses the shape of the sand, and a projector overlays a topographic map onto it. You can build mountains and valleys right in front of you. Again, you can buy these, but we made ours out of plywood and an old projector.

And the VARcade?
That’s an arcade machine I built from an old kitchen cabinet. It runs classic games and also gives students a platform to test new games they create in computer science or game design classes.

You sound like an engineer. Why did you choose DIGIT?
DIGIT is the best of both worlds. I get to work with emerging technology but in a more creative or artsy way. I like 3D modeling, photography, making movies, and videogames. I’m also minoring in game development.

What are some practical uses for VR and 3D images?
A lot of people think VR is just for video games, but it has serious real-world uses—training simulations, for instance, where it’s safer to make mistakes. It’s also great for exposure therapy for phobias and PTSD. And 3D tours can give people a sense of what a place looks and feels like without needing to physically go there.

What motivates you?
My faith—especially Jeremiah 29:11: “I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

What are you looking forward to when you return in August?
My Schreyer thesis project, which is a continuation of the work I do in the lab. I’ll be using different scanners on various artifacts to find the most efficient methods for digital preservation. And I’m excited to see what else comes my way in the VAR Lab. I’m up for anything. 

Masterpieces, Meet the iPhone: Art History Gets a Makeover

By Heather Cass, Publications Manager, Penn State Behrend

This spring, students in Dr. Matthew Levy’s AMST 307N: American Art and Society course at Penn State Behrend engaged in a unique interdisciplinary project that blended historical analysis with creative expression. As part of the course, students worked in groups to create tableaux vivants—or “living pictures”—that reenact and recontextualize iconic works of American art that were discussed in class.

Not only did students have to study the formal and thematic elements of a chosen painting, but they also had to consider its relevance to contemporary social and cultural issues.

“Working in groups, they researched their chosen work, gaining a deeper understanding of the social issues it represented,” said Levy, associate professor of art history, music, theatre, and visual arts.

Each group then reimagined their selected artwork for a 21st-century context, using modern props, settings, and interpretations to bridge the past and the present.

“They had to think carefully about props, poses, setting, framing, and more to bring the work of art into modern times,” Levy explained.

Here are several standout projects from the class, along with insights from Levy on what made each piece compelling.

Distant View of Niagara Falls by Thomas Cole: “Where Cole’s view of Niagara Falls depicts the untouched majesty of the falls (represented both by the landscape and the presence of the Native Americans living at one with nature), the students depicted a domesticated and technologized landscape. Using the Wintergreen Gorge as their setting, they drew attention to the power lines, nature trail, and the use of phones to mediate our experience with nature.”

Domestic Happiness by Lilly Martin Spencer: “In the original painting, Spencer offers what was a progressive view of family life for the time, with both mother and father doting on their children. Our students instead depicted a “girl boss” showering praise on the domestic accomplishments of her stay-at-home husband. Notably, no children are present.”

War News from Mexico by Richard Caton Woodville. “Woodville’s painting depicts the latest in information technology—the penny press—which made journalism far more accessible than ever before. Our students depicted a scene in which everyone is responding to the news, not in the shared experience represented by Woodville, but each on their own through their phones and tablets.”

McSorley’s Bar by John Sloan: “Sloan’s painting depicts a scene of working-class sociability in a male-only bar. Our students represented a scene of co-ed sociability in Bruno’s Café on the campus of Penn State Behrend. Again, the presence of devices mediates human-to-human connection. Note how the student group considered the framing of the shot, mirroring the lights and memorabilia on the walls of the original.

Fun fact: McSorely’s Old Ale House is New York City’s oldest continuously operated saloon. The bar did not admit women until it was forced to do so in 1970.”

ABOUT THE COURSE

AMST 307N: American Art and Society covers the history of art in the English colonies and the United States from the seventeenth century to the present, examined through paintings, sculpture, buildings, prints and photographs, as well as exhibitions and national/world fairs.

The course is designed to meet two principal goals. The first is to increase students’ powers of visual analysis and help them build a critical vocabulary for discussing an art object’s medium, composition, style, and iconography. The second is to foster an understanding of the deep implication of the visual arts in their social and cultural contexts.

Standout Seniors 2025: Meet Kaijia McNair (Media and Communication)

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 Kaijia McNair.

Major: Media and Communication

Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland

Why she chose Behrend: It was the best choice for my major and for me. Choosing Behrend, which is six hours from my hometown, has helped me develop independence and influenced me to think about moving somewhere other than home after graduation.

Why she chose her major: Originally, I wanted to be a sports analyst or broadcaster. But after taking some communication classes, I learned that I hated being in front of the camera. However, I rediscovered my passion for writing and found myself comfortable presenting and speaking in public.

Campus involvement: Humanities and Social Sciences Ambassador.

What makes her unique: I think my work ethic makes me unique. I don’t believe in doing half the job and doing the bare minimum. A lot of my professors have praised me for turning in work that is above and beyond what is required.

What you’d be surprised to know about her: I absolutely love to crochet and play Team Fortress 2!

What she’s passionate about: Being a good person and leaving a good impression on people.

After her graduation in May, Kaijia plans to move to the northern Virginia/Washington, D.C., area and work in the field of public relations.   

Standout Seniors 2025: Hanna Long (Psychology)

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 Hanna Long.

Major: Psychology

Certificates: Child Development

Hometown: Chesterfield, Virginia

Scholarships: Discover Award

Why she chose Behrend: I chose Behrend because of the small class sizes and the potential to do undergraduate research. I planned to do the 2+2 program but ended up staying at Behrend because of the research and internship opportunities I had here.

Why she chose her major: I felt a calling to work with children who have experienced mental illness. Also, while growing up, I had friends and family who struggled with mental health challenges. This is one of the reasons I chose Psychology. I want to be there to support others and be the person who listens when no one else does.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Presenting my research project “Changes in Anxiety Levels of College Students Due to Interactions with Virtual and Animatronic Animals” to the Psychonomics International Research Conference in New York City.

Challenges overcome: I am an out-of-state, first-generation college student and I have delt with anxiety. Becoming a Psychology major and having an Emotional Support Animal helped me to cope.

Campus involvement: Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority (Fundraising Chair, VP of Finance, Membership Experience Director), Psychology Coalition (President), research assistant for The Susan Hirt Hagen Center for Community Outreach, Research, and Evaluation (CORE), mentor for the Mentor Project, and a resident assistant.

What makes her unique: I am completing my bachelor’s degree in three years! Also, I was known on campus as the Resident Assistant with the French Bulldog named Zoe. RA Zoe used to love going on rounds with me and loved all our residents!

What you’d be surprised to know about her: I love to sing. I also love hiking and exploring, which is why, after graduation, I will be attempting to visit every National Park in the United States. I am going to two National Parks this summer: Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Indiana Dunes National Park.

Advice for first-year students: Be yourself and don’t be afraid to branch out and meet new people. Don’t be intimidated by your professors. They want to help you succeed, so reach out to them and attend office hours.

After her graduation, Hanna plans to take a gap year before going to graduate school.

Standout Seniors 2025: Meet Lauren Cass (Media and Communication)

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 Lauren Cass.

Major: Media and Communication

Minor: History

Hometown: Erie

Scholarship: Erie Insurance Open Doors Scholarship

Awards: Pride of the Lion Award

Why she chose Behrend: I attended a lot of youth programs at Behrend, from College for Kids to Women in Business Day to Math Options. It feels like home. I knew there were a lot of caring and involved faculty and staff members at Behrend.

Why she chose her major: I’m a talker, so it suits my personality. It also suits my personal goal to work in an active and fun environment. It’s a versatile degree that can apply to nearly any industry.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Finishing my degree. I had a rough start adjusting to college, and I started skipping classes and fell way behind. I ended up withdrawing on the last day of my first semester to save my GPA. When I re-enrolled for the next semester, I had an entire support network from Behrend helping me get and stay on track, including an academic counselor who I checked in with weekly. She helped me find a major that suited me, and I learned how to “do” college. I have been on the Dean’s List for the last three semesters.

Campus involvement: Lion Ambassador tour guide, four years.

Virtual life: I’ve been an employee and student researcher at the Virtual/Augmented Reality Lab for four years. I’m currently working on creating 360-degree point-of-view videos for people with disabilities.

Setting records: On April 5, the VAR Lab director, Dr. Chris Shelton, and I attempted to break the Guinness World Record for the most time in VR while watching VR content. We needed to beat 50 hours. Unfortunately, we had technical problems with Dr. Shelton’s equipment, and he wasn’t able to continue, but I made it to 55 hours, finishing on April 7 at 7:00 a.m. 

What makes her unique: I am co-owner of an Erie tourism business. In my junior year, my mother and I started a walking tour company in Erie, called Tour Erie. We offer historical tours in downtown Erie, which is why I added a minor in history. We have plans to add more tours when I graduate.

What you’d be surprised to know about her: I have an extensive plant collection, somewhere around fifty plants, and I can name them all. I also have two geckos, hissing cockroaches, and a tarantula.

What she’s passionate about: The National Parks. I’ve been to nearly a dozen of them with my family and can’t wait to visit more of them. This spring break, I visited Mammoth Cave in Kentucky.

She loves Erie: While I love to travel, I really love living in Erie, which is why I love sharing how awesome it is with visitors and residents on our tours.

Advice for first-year students: Don’t skip class! Set yourself up for success in your first year by going to class, paying attention, and doing the assigned readings before class. Also, join some clubs. I did not, and I regret it as it’s where most people seem to make friends.

Parting words: I’m so thankful to so many people at Behrend who helped me get to the finish line, including Emily Artello in Academic Advising, Jim Dowds in the Counseling Center, Mary Kay Williams in Admissions, Dr. Chris Shelton in the VAR Lab, and my advisor, Dr. Carrie Payne.

After her graduation in December, Lauren plans to focus on growing and diversifying her seasonal tour company and finding part-time work in brand management or another other aspect of business communication.