Math isn’t always numbers on a chalkboard. Sometimes it’s a work of art—a swirl of repeating lizards, 3-D printed in Penn State blue and white, then installed in a building where math, art, and science intersect. The lizards blend together in a hypnotic pattern, each appearing to shrink as it spirals toward infinity.
The piece, Lizards thatTessellate the Hyperbolic Disk, was imagined by Dr. Joseph Previte, professor of mathematics, who wanted to capture the beauty of mathematics in a form anyone could see.
He took the design to the James R. Meehl Innovation Commons, the college’s open ideation lab, where engineering students Anthony Farrar and Quinlan Barnes transformed Previte’s concept into reality with 3-D-printed tiles and a sharp eye for symmetry.
The result is art born from math—or perhaps math revealed as art.
Dutch artist M.C. Escher showed the world that geometry could be beautiful with his mesmerizing tessellations and optical illusions, where patterns unfolded in ways both precise and poetic.
“For centuries, mathematicians questioned the value of studying this type of geometry, dismissed it as impractical and useless, with no relation to reality,” Previte said. “But it later proved essential to modern science, including helping Einstein describe how time and space work in his theory of relativity.”
While some mathematicians ridiculed the study of abstract math, others reveled in it. English mathematician G.H. Hardy argued that mathematics was a pure art form, divorced from practicality—something he took great pride in. Hardy’s theories later laid the groundwork for encryption, proving that beauty and utility often travel together.
That same tension—between abstraction and application, imagination and reality—now hangs on the wall at Behrend.
Lizards that Tessellate the Hyperbolic Disk joins an existing sculpture, Math in Flight, a stage-5 Sierpinski tetrahedron, a fractal shape featuring a pattern of infinite triangles, that hangs high above the entrance to Roche Hall in the Science Complex.
Math Club students built the sculpture using Zometool construction parts. It consists of 2,050 white balls and 6,144 red-and-blue struts.
Previte has plans to continue adding to the mathematics art gallery.
“I’d like to do the Platonic solids next,” he said. “I am currently looking for a student in Innovation Commons to make that project a reality.”
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 Nyla Zorbas.
Major: Biology; Genetic and Developmental Biology option
Minors: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Hometown: Aliquippa, Pennsylvania
Scholarships: Wolves Club of Erie
On choosing Behrend: I chose Behrend because it has a smaller campus with wonderful faculty and many research opportunities.
Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Presenting my research work on downy mildew, a fungus that effects grapes, at an international conference, the Plant and Animal Genome Conference, in San Diego, California.
Campus involvement: I was in Science Ambassadors, Biology club, and TriBeta.
Her top priority in the coming years: To continue to learn and grow in my research with plant pathology.
Advice for first-year students: You aren’t alone. Everyone around you is new to this as well. Go out and make friends, join clubs, talk with your professors. Who knows what opportunities may arise?
Parting thoughts: I’m thankful for all the support I’ve received over the last four years. I would not have been able to do this without my family and the faculty here at Behrend.
Nyla has accepted a position in a plant pathology laboratory after her graduation in May.
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 Megan Bienkowski.
Major: Nursing
Hometown: Johnsonburg, Pennsylvania
Scholarships: Penn State Provost Award, PNC Leadership Scholarship, TODD Scholarship
On choosing Behrend: I decided on Behrend because it felt like the right fit for me. It’s not too far from home. It’s not too big and not too small. Behrend has great people, and after I toured Behrend, I knew it was the place for me.
Why she chose her major: I knew I wanted to do something within the medical field. I was originally looking at physician assistant or a physical therapy program. My mom suggested nursing because it had a lot of opportunities and was a good foundation if I wanted to continue with my schooling. This led me to Penn State Behrend and Nursing.
Her proudest accomplishment at Behrend: My proudest accomplishment at Behrend was being selected to dance and represent Behrend Benefiting THON and Penn State THON in their 46-hour-no-sleep-or-sit dance marathon to raise awareness and funds for families experiencing pediatric cancer. This was such an amazing accomplishment, and I am glad to say I represented Behrend at THON.
On overcoming challenges: A lot of my challenges came from balancing work, school, clubs, and social life. Nursing school is tough as it is but trying to be active in my clubs (while on multiple executive boards), work, and have time to hang out with my friends was definitely a struggle. Trying to find that perfect balance wasn’t easy, and at times I would just shut down. In the end, everything I did was worth it. I do not regret my decisions because it was a learning experience I can take and use for the rest of my life.
Campus involvement: Lion Entertainment Board (entertainment specialist on the LEB board for four years), Student Nurses Association of Pennsylvania (secretary), Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority (treasurer, president), Behrend Benefiting THON (special events co-chair), on-campus job as a night building assistant for almost two years in the Student Leadership and Involvement Office, Welcome Week guide and leader.
Awards and honors: Excellence in Leadership and Service award from Student Leadership and Involvement for “Most Outstanding Student Organization Officer” for my work with LEB.
What makes her unique: I think what makes me unique is my personality. I would like to think I am a hard worker, but also someone who likes to have fun! I enjoy making people laugh and having a good time.
What people might be surprised to know about her: I enjoy listening to a lot of rock/punk/alternative music.
Her top priority for the coming years: My highest priority for the coming years is continuing my education and getting experience in the field of nursing. I would like to attend a graduate program at some point in the future, but I want to work for a bit first.
Her passions : I am very passionate about my relationships. I don’t think I would have been able to get through college without my friends and family. I value and love these relationships so much. This is something I am truly passionate about.
Advice for first-year students: Get out there and get involved. Go to that event and talk to someone new. I used to go home all the time or stay in my room, but once I started joining clubs and being active on campus, I never wanted to leave campus. Behrend offers so many opportunities for personal and social growth. I would not be the person I am today if I hadn’t gone out and made an opportunity for myself. Also, don’t be afraid to ask for help. I used to be very shy and try to do everything on my own. Everyone at Behrend wants you to succeed, so don’t be afraid to ask for help if you’re struggling in any way.
After graduation in May, Megan will work as an Emergency Room nurse at AHN Saint Vincent.
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 Abigayle Lipscomb.
Major: Biology
Minor: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Hometown: Waynesburg, Pennsylvania
Scholarships: Behrend Honors Scholarship
On choosing Behrend: I chose Behrend because I liked the campus atmosphere. It was a good fit for what I wanted for my undergrad experience; it was small without feeling cramped and large without feeling overwhelming. Despite being on the 2+2 track, I decided to stay due to the wonderful community I built during my time here.
On choosing her major: I wanted to pursue a career in the medical field, and I felt that biology would best prepare me for that.
Her proudest accomplishment at Behrend: I won first place in my division at the 2024 Sigma Xi Conference for my poster on “Effects of cortisol on the expression of placental iron transport proteins and extracellular vesicles.” It was a real confidence booster and made me feel more secure in my abilities to communicate effectively, something especially important for a doctor.
Student involvement: I am currently the vice president of the Biology Club, where our big spring event is the community Pre-Historic Egg Hunt. I am also a member of Science Ambassadors and Beta Beta Beta.
Awards and honors: In addition to my first-place award at the 2024 Sigma Xi Conference, I also received two research grants for the summer of 2024: the Erickson Discovery Grant and the Penn State Behrend Undergraduate Student Summer Research Fellowship, both of which allowed me to continue and expand upon my research on placental iron transport proteins.
What makes her unique: I believe that my compassion and ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds sets me apart from others. I am easily able to strike up a conversation with strangers, listen to whatever they say, and respond appropriately. This has been most beneficial when interacting with patients during my shadowing and clinical experiences.
What people might be surprised to know about her: I am pretty good at trivia and enjoy learning random new facts, but I’m especially good at identifying songs and their artists. My friends often call me to hum a melody in hopes that I’ll be able to identify the tune.
Her top priority for the coming years: My highest priority will be continuing my education as I study to become an optometrist.
Her passion: I am passionate about optometry. I believe that it is an overlooked (no pun intended) aspect of our overall health. Due to the overwhelming intricacies of healthcare, people tend to put it on the back burner in favor of what they deem to be more pressing issues, like knee pain or a tooth ache, and ignore their eyes until they can’t see. This is obviously harmful as deeper issues could be going on that could have irreversible effects on their vision. I hope to educate patients on the importance of their eye health, especially within rural, low-income areas, where people are most at risk of eye disease, which can greatly affect their overall wellbeing.
After graduation in May, Abigayle plans to attend Salus University to become an optometrist.
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 Emma Whiteman.
Major: Biology, Health Professions option
Minor: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Hometown: Harborcreek, Pennsylvania
Scholarships: Chancellor’s Scholarship.
Awards: I completed the Behrend Honors Program and was inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma Athletic Honor Society.
Why she chose Behrend: I liked the location. It feels semi-rural, but is not far from major shopping areas and downtown Erie. Also, the smaller class sizes gave me the ability to get to know my professors, which really helped with my studies.
Why she chose her major: I have wanted to go into the medical field for years and Biology gave me the best foundation be able to take the Medical College Admissions Test and achieve my goal of becoming a doctor.
Campus involvement: I was a dual-sport athlete competing in Swimming and Diving and the Track and Field Teams. I was also treasurer of the Biology club and a Science Ambassador.
Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Helping to host fun youth outreach events, including Boo-ology and the Prehistoric Easter Egg Hunt.
Highest priority in the coming years: To get a job within the medical field to gain as much information as possible before going to medical school.
Advice for first-year students: College will be challenging at times, and you will struggle. Just stay positive and remember that while grades are important, they are not the only important thing in college. Make time for yourself and to have some fun, too.
After her graduation in May, Emma plans to work in the medical field for a couple of years before attending medical school.
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: Keri Saulino
Major: Environmental Science
Minors: Biology, Sustainability Leadership
Hometown: Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
Scholarships: Gerald Bayles Memorial Scholarship, the Penn State Provost Award from the Schreyer Honors College, and the Chancellor’s Scholarship.
On choosing Behrend: The main reason I came to Behrend was because my major only exists here; however, the longer I have been at Behrend, the more I have appreciated it. The people at Behrend are so friendly, and having such easy access to Wintergreen Gorge, Lake Erie, and so many other natural areas for geoscience and ecology classes really enhanced my learning experience.
On choosing her major: I really care about the planet. The air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we grow are all supported by the environment. Knowing how climate change affects our natural systems and the people across the globe inspired me to learn what I can do to help.
Her proudest accomplishment at Behrend: I earned second place in undergraduate oral presentations at the Regional Science Consortium conference for my research on round gobies. I had presented at conferences before, but never an oral presentation, nor had I won anything before.
Awards: AMCC All-Sportsmanship Team Award twice for good sportsmanship; President Walker Award (4.0 GPA), Outstanding Freshman in Chemistry/American Chemical Society Award, First-Year Writing Award, President Sparks Award, Academic Excellence in Environmental Science – Research Award, Dean’s list throughout college years.
Campus involvement: I am a Schreyer Scholar and was on the Behrend Schreyer council as the secretary for one year and vice president for two years. I played on the women’s tennis team starting in my second year and was the team captain in my senior year. I am a Science Ambassador and am highly involved with Greener Behrend, where I served as treasurer for one year and as president for the last two years. This past year, I also took on the role of sustainable lab consultant, where I go into a lab on campus and work to find ways to make it more sustainable.
On overcoming challenges: Maintaining good mental health throughout school, and life in general, has been a bit of a challenge. I would describe myself as a perfectionist, but life is not perfect, making it sometimes hard to be proud of accomplishments or feel satisfied in my work. This has also made it difficult to start projects, as I worry about them not being “perfect.” The phrase “if something is worth doing, it is worth doing badly” has helped me a lot, showing that something done poorly is better than not trying at all. I have been trying to do more new things, no matter how bad, and it has helped me to let go of some of the pressure I put on myself.
What makes her unique: I was obsessed with cooking shows as a kid and would recreate dishes myself. This experience has been helpful in the present day because I love to do my own plant-based cooking and come up with new recipes. I love bringing a dish or sharing something I’ve made with others so they can taste how good vegan food can be.
What you may be surprised to know about her: I really enjoy seeing and making art, especially what may be seen as odd. I like pieces that confuse me and make me think. I did ceramics throughout high school, making a large jar with four faces on it, a Tim Burton inspired jack-in-the-box, a skull with vines coming out of it, and more. I am trying to get into painting right now, and I hope to have a ceramics studio someday.
Have passport, will travel: Aside from my career goals, my personal goals in the immediate future are do more traveling, go to more festivals, and attend more concerts. I went to the Bahamas and Iceland as a study abroad trip while at Behrend, and this opened my eyes to how much more there is to see and experience.
Her passions: A lot of my hobbies and interests have turned into my desire to be more sustainable. I love to watch videos on sustainable actions, read books on the causes of climate change, and talk to people about these topics. It brings me joy to know I am making a difference.
Advice for first-year students: Prioritize your schoolwork, but also include time for fun and for breaks. You will not forget the friends and memories you make along the way.
After her graduation in May, Keri plans to pursue a career in conservation or sustainable development. She also plans to attend graduate school after gaining some experience in her field.
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 Jason Chen.
Major: Biology
Minor: Psychology
Hometown: Hopewell, Virginia
Scholarships: Lincoln Trustee Scholarship, Provost Award, Penn State Academic Grant, Bunton Waller Scholarship, PNC leadership Scholarship.
Why he chose Behrend: I chose Penn State Behrend because of its beautiful and inviting campus, which immediately made me feel at home. The natural surroundings created an environment where I knew I could thrive both academically and personally. Additionally, the students I spoke with before enrolling highly recommended Behrend and emphasized the unique opportunities it offers. They shared their experiences with hands-on learning and small class sizes that allow for close relationships with professors. Hearing about these distinctive opportunities, such as undergraduate research, solidified my decision to become part of Behrend.
Why he chose his major: Since I was a young child, I have dreamed of becoming a doctor. As I progressed through school, I was drawn to biology and the sciences. The more I learned, the more eager I became to understand the complexities of the human body, genetics, and medicine. My curiosity and passion for science fueled my desire to pursue a major that would challenge me intellectually while preparing me for a career in healthcare.
His proudest accomplishment at Behrend: My proudest accomplishment at Behrend has been successfully balancing academics, leadership, and research while making a meaningful impact on campus. From the start of my undergraduate career, I sought out opportunities to get involved, and I have thrived. Serving as president of Science Ambassadors, director of Welcome Week, and Bingo chair of Lion Ambassadors allowed me to develop my leadership and organizational skills while fostering a sense of community among students. Additionally, completing two ecological research projects pushed me to think critically, manage long-term commitments, and contribute to scientific inquiry.
On overcoming challenges: Starting college at the age of sixteen was a challenging but transformative experience for me. Being younger than my peers, I had to quickly adapt to the academic rigor and social dynamics of college life while learning to balance coursework, extracurricular involvement, and personal responsibilities. Managing my time effectively and staying disciplined were crucial in navigating this transition.
Campus involvement: Lion Ambassadors (Bingo chair and social chair), Science Ambassadors (member and president), THON (fundraising captain), Behrend First Gens, Tri-Beta, Biology Club, Leadership Scholars, Welcome Week (guide, leader, director), and Alternative Spring Break
What you might be surprised to know about him: I’m a huge sneakerhead and love collecting streetwear!
His top priority for the coming years: My highest priority is getting into medical school and developing the skills and knowledge to become a compassionate and competent doctor. I am committed to excelling academically, gaining hands-on experience in clinical and research settings, and continuously improving my ability to connect with and care for patients. Beyond just earning a degree, I want to cultivate the qualities that define a great physician—empathy, resilience, adaptability, and a lifelong dedication to learning.
Advice for first-year students: College is a learning experience, and mistakes are part of growth. Don’t be too hard on yourself—learn from them and move forward.
After graduation in May, Jason plans to attend medical school.
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 Haley Allen.
Major: Biology, Health Profession option
Minor: Psychology
Hometown: Pittsburgh
Scholarships: Penn State Behrend Leadership Scholarship and Chancellor’s Scholarship.
Why she chose Behrend: I chose Behrend because of its close-knit academic environment. The smaller student-to-faculty ratio provides a more personalized learning experience. From my very first visit, I knew Behrend would be a place where faculty and staff would support my ambitions and help me achieve my goals.
Why she chose her major: From as early as I can remember, I was always following my mom, who is a nurse practitioner, around the hospital, dreaming about that being me one day. I chose to pursue my undergraduate degree in Biology at Behrend as a stepping stone toward becoming a physician. One quote that I live by is: “To be the mediator between someone’s fear of today and hope for tomorrow is the greatest responsibility one can have.” I would be incredibly proud to do that as my work one day.
Student involvement: I have had the honor of serving as President for Biology Club, Scrubs Club, and Lion Ambassadors; Vice President for Science Ambassadors, Director of Site Development for Alternative Spring Break, and a Welcome Week Leader during my final academic year. I was also involved in Behrend Benefiting THON.
Pride in Lion leadership: One of my proudest accomplishments at Behrend has been serving as President of Lion Ambassadors, an organization that holds a special place in my heart. Leading such a dedicated group of students has been an incredibly rewarding experience. I was honored to receive the Irvin H. Kochel Lion Ambassador Award for my work with the group.
Mind over matter: The biggest challenge I have had to overcome is believing in myself and trusting that I have the abilities needed to succeed, both over the past four years and in the future. I started with small affirmations every day to be confident and have trust in my abilities.
What you’d be surprised to know about her: I have a twin sister. She is a built-in best friend and my biggest supporter in life.
Advice for first-year students: This is probably something they have heard multiple times before, but the reason is because it is so important — get involved. If I could go back in time, this is the one thing I would start earlier on. You never know what you will discover about yourself through extracurricular activities while at Behrend.
After her graduation in May, Haley plans to earn a Master of Business Administration degree at Behrend while preparing for, and applying to, medical school to become a pediatric physician.
Four Score, a barbershop quartet that includes three Behrend students and one alumnus, perform the National Anthem at a home track meet at Penn State Behrend in spring 2024.
One of the most amazing aspects of college is that a single class can have a profound effect on your life. It might inspire you to change your career plans. It might be the place you meet your best friend or future spouse. It might ignite a lifelong passion or lead you to a place you never expected.
Max Rohl, a senior Interdisciplinary Science and Business major, never dreamed he would be on stage accepting first place in a barbershop quartet competition in Rochester, New York. He had never even sung in a group until he signed up for Concert Choir class in his first year at Behrend.
“Some of us in the class started a kind of club where we would meet up in Ohio Hall to work on our songs,” Rohl said.
One night, at the end of a choir meet-up, he asked if anyone in the group had any other styles of songs they wanted to work on. Rohl, who had been a fan of the barbershop quartet classic, 76 Trombones, was about to suggest barbershop songs when Wade Williams, now a junior History major, said, “I’ve always wanted to start a Barbershop Quartet.”
“Me, too,” Rohl said.
Wade is a bass singer, Rohl is a baritone, so they needed a tenor and a lead.
They found both in Joey George, a senior Computer Engineering major, who had grown up singing in choirs and at church and could sing both tenor and lead.
The trio looked all over Behrend for a fourth member before Wade did an internet search and found Lake Erie Sound, an established Erie barbershop chorus. He reached out to its leader, John Donohue, who directs the chorus of about two dozen men.
“He probably thought, ‘Why are these college kids bugging me?’ but we talked him into coming to listen and sing with us,” Rohl said.
After that one practice, Donohue, a 2015 Mechanical Engineering alumnus, was in.
“It just sounded so good when we sang together that I knew we had to put our efforts toward getting better and refining our performance,” Donohue said.
The group began practicing a couple of times a week, meeting when Donohue, who is about ten years older and has a job and family, could join them.
“It was great to meet young people who had been bitten by the ‘barbershop bug,’” Donohue said. “They were eager from the start and soaked up any knowledge I shared with them.”
They chose a name—Four Score Quartet—and performed the National Anthem at a Behrend home track meet in the spring. They hadn’t considered doing much more until Donohue mentioned a nearby competition—the Seneca Land District of Barbershop Harmony Society District Competition in Rochester, New York.
“He said, ‘Hey, there’s this competition in twenty days. Do you guys want to do it?’” Rohl said.
They not only did it; they won it and were named district champions.
“John was not surprised, but we were!” Rohl said.
The group sang four songs, two in preliminaries and two in the finals: “Wait ‘Til the Sun Shines, Nellie,” “A Son of the Sea,” “Sweet and Lovely,” and “That Old Black Magic,” which earned them their highest score of the day. Each song is scored separately, and then song scores are added together to get a final score.
If it sounds easy, Rohl will assure you that it is not.
“It’s actually really difficult to sing barbershop harmony, but I love challenging myself and doing hard things,” Rohl said. “When you have to work hard at something, mastering it is much more rewarding.”
Barbershop singing is different from any other type of choral group singing but it still requires plenty of talent and practice.
“Although the technique is different than in a classical choir, it’s still very demanding from a musical perspective and can really push an individual both vocally and emotionally,” Donohue said.
Donohue is happy to see younger people interested in barbershop quartet and said that while it is sometimes viewed as an old-fashioned type of singing, that perception is changing.
“In the past ten to fifteen years, quartets have began to adopt more musical theater pieces and songs from pop-culture,” he said.
Winning the competition solidified the students’ commitment to the quartet.
“We’re all very dedicated to it now, even more so than before,” said Rohl.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, every barbershop had its own quartet. The term “barbershop” in reference to harmonizing was first documented in 1910, alongside the release of the song Play That Barbershop Chord.
During this time, barbers were more than just hairdressers; they also pulled teeth and performed minor surgeries. Barbershops gradually became social hubs where locals could gather, play instruments, and sing while waiting for their turn in the chair.
DID YOU KNOW?
Barbershop harmony is believed to be rooted in the Bllack community. According to a post on The Barbershop Harmony Society blog: “Lynn Abbott, a jazz archivist at Tulane University, was an expert on early African-American popular music and gospel quartets. He discovered overwhelming evidence that barbershop quartetting was pervasive in African-American culture in the late 1800s and early 1900s, including among many men who went on to become the pioneers of jazz. Abbott published his findings in a 1992 academic paper that forever changed the way Barbershoppers understand their roots.”
The Four Score Barbershop Quartet includes, from left, John Donohue ’15, and Behrend students, Joey George, Wade Williams, and Max Rohl.
Penn State Behrend’s Class of 2024 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 engaged in college life in a big way, conducted valuable research, pioneered innovations, and overcome challenges during their time at Penn State Behrend.
Today, we’d like you to meet Nathan Murarik.
Major: Mathematics, Pure Mathematics option
Minor: Computer Science
Associate Degree: Information Sciences and Technology (Penn State DuBois):
Hometown: Karthaus, Pennsylvania
Scholarships: Penn State Provost Award; Evelyn W. Cronister Memorial Scholarship
On choosing Behrend: When I saw that Behrend was the only campus with a Software Engineering program, I had to join in on the fun! I later realized my passion was in Mathematics, but the uniqueness of the Software Engineering program is what brought me to Behrend.
On choosing his major: I’m always asking “why,” and mathematics unabashedly answers that question for me. It allows one to make educated conclusions, prove properties, and appreciate the complexity of the beauty around us. I find joy in learning how computers utilize mathematics to solve problems that a programmer or an engineer might face in their daily work.
Campus involvement: Gender and Sexual Equality Club – Multi-Cultural Council Representative; Math Club – Vice-President, President; Council of Commonwealth Student Governments – Information Technology Coordinator; 2023 Fall Concert Committee – Logistics Chair; Alternative Spring Break 2024
What makes him unique: I have a book filled with daily sayings authored by me. My favorite is,” Anyone could have chosen my path. The beauty is they didn’t.”
What you might be surprised to know about him: I was raised on a farm.
Words to live by: “Do not fear death, but rather the unlived life. You don’t have to live forever. You just have to live.” ― Natalie Babbitt
His highest priority for the coming years: Attaining a Ph.D. and paying down my student loans.
His passion: My biggest passion, outside of mathematics, is education. Every human being has the right to an unbiased education in pursuit of enlightenment or upward economic mobility. I despise those who fear knowledge but favor ad hominem arguments against the very literature that develops an open-mindset, critical thinking, and a healthy curiosity.
Advice for first-year students: Test the assumptions you’ve made about the world, its systems, and its people. I assure you that at some point, you will struggle with one of those assumptions and mature as a person.
After his graduation in December, Nathan plans to specialize in computational mathematics research at a university, industry stakeholder, or, in his words, “wherever the wind takes me.”
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