Category: School of Science

Standout Seniors ’25: Meet Haley Allen (Biology)

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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.

Behrend Barbershop Quartet Wins District Competition

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By Heather Cass, Publications Manager, Penn State Behrend

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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.

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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.

Hear the Four Score Quartet for yourself at the group’s YouTube page. 

WHY IS IT CALLED BARBERSHOP QUARTET?

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.”

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The Four Score Barbershop Quartet includes, from left, John Donohue ’15, and Behrend students, Joey George, Wade Williams, and Max Rohl.

Standout Seniors: Meet Nathan Murarik (Mathematics)

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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.

NathanMurarik

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.”

Standout Seniors: Meet Haley Altadonna (Biology)

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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 Haley Altadonna. 

HaleyAltadonna

Major: Biology with the Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior focus area

Hometown: Wattsburg, Pennsylvania

Scholarships: Graygo Trustee Scholarship, Education Abroad Scholarship, Greg and Heather Yahn Family Scholarship, Aaron Meehl Scholarship, Summer Success Scholarship, McAllister Scholarship

On choosing Behrend: Behrend has a beautiful campus located right next to Wintergreen Gorge, and it is only a short drive to Lake Erie and Presque Isle State Park. I knew that being surrounded by nature and wildlife would provide the best research opportunities and learning experiences for me.

On choosing her major: I chose to major in biology with a focus on ecology, evolution, and behavior because I was interested in working with wildlife. Behrend offers five options for the biology major, so I could easily tailor my degree to my interests and career goals.

Her proudest accomplishment at Behrend: I am proudest of the personal and professional growth I’ve achieved by participating in undergraduate research for three years. My research involved studying the anti-predator defenses of snails and the predator-prey interactions of aquatic invertebrates. I have also worked on population studies of spotted salamanders and mystery snails. Among many other things, my work has even given me the opportunity to present at the national Animal Behavior Society conference in Portland, Oregon.

Awards and recognitions: Council of Fellows Undergraduate Student Research Award

Advice for first-year students: Don’t feel like you have to overextend yourself to be successful. Involving yourself with things that you are passionate about and making a good reputation for yourself is more valuable than adding lines to your resume. Being great at a few things can be better than being average at a lot of things.

After graduation, Haley plans to attend graduate school at Case Western Reserve University and work toward a Ph.D. in biology with a focus on ecology and evolutionary biology.

Standout Seniors: Meet Jordyn Hetz (Mathematics and Secondary Education in Mathematics)

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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 Jordyn Hetz: 

Jordyn Hetz

Major: Dual major in Mathematics and Secondary Education in Mathematics

Hometown: Erie

Scholarships: Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship, STEM Leaders Scholarship, Chancellor’s Scholarship

On choosing her major: I have always been passionate about helping others and always loved math, so choosing the dual major seemed like a natural fit.

Her proudest accomplishment at Behrend: My proudest accomplishment has been my involvement in the Noyce scholarship program. It has given me the opportunity to be in front of a classroom more than the typical education student, and I have also had the opportunity to build a great network with local teachers.

Awards and recognitions: Most Promising Freshman in Mathematics award, the President’s Freshman Award

Her passions: All Penn State sports! Behrend provides the unique opportunity to still be involved with the athletics at University Park while also being able to attend a school that isn’t as big.

Advice for first-year students: Make use of faculty members’ office hours. There is going to be a time where you struggle, and it is important to learn that it is okay to ask for help. Establishing a rapport with professors early on will make attending office hours less daunting. Professors want you to succeed, but they cannot help if they don’t know you are struggling!

After her graduation in December, Jordyn plans to become a high school math teacher.

Standout Seniors: Hannah Phillips (Biology)

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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 Hannah Phillips.

Hannah Phillips (bio)

Major: Biology with the Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior option

Hometown: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

On choosing Behrend: I loved the small campus atmosphere while still getting a Penn State degree. I enjoyed the Erie area when I visited, as well as everyone who I met while looking at the school. I had an opportunity to play volleyball as well, which allowed me to create close bonds with some great people.

On choosing her major: In high school, I developed a love for conservation. I have always enjoyed the environment, and being able to protect it is something that I want to spend my life doing. I love being outside, and my major allows me to conduct field work in nature.

Her proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Playing volleyball has allowed me to have many proud moments. I received Co-Player of the Year honors in 2022, as well as First Team All-Conference in 2022 and 2023. Our team won the AMCC championship during our 2021 season, after not having an official playing year in 2020.

Campus involvement: I served as captain of the women’s volleyball team during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. I am also the Student Athlete Advisor Committee representative for the team. I did on-campus research with five science faculty members: Dr. Matthew Gruwell and Dr. Ivor Knight during my junior year and Dr. Lynne Beaty, Dr. Sam Nutile, and Dr. Adam Simpson in my senior year.

Awards and recognitions: I was on the Dean’s List all four years of college. I received All-Academic AMCC honors from 2020 through 2024 and Chi Alpha Sigma National Student-Athlete Honor Society in 2023 and 2024.

Advice for first-year students: The college experience is what you make of it. Don’t be afraid to have fun, take some chances, and even fail; it’s how you learn.

After her graduation in May, Hannah plans to find work in the field of conservation or ecology.

Standout Seniors: Meet Mason Willman (Computer Science and Mathematics)

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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.

S-STEM 2023

Today, we’d like you to meet Mason Willman.

Majors: Dual majoring in Computer Science and Mathematics

Hometown: Attica, Ohio

Scholarships: Behrend Leadership Scholarship, STEM Leader Scholarship, Larson Texts Excellence Scholarship.

On choosing Behrend: Behrend was not originally on my radar, but someone from my high school chose to attend Behrend. After talking with them, I realized Behrend was right for me. I like that the college is focused on the undergraduate experience, but also offers the opportunities, funding, and resources that much larger schools do.

On choosing his major: I was stuck between something in technology and the sciences. I felt that I would be unable to decide, but then I discovered computer science. It is an interdisciplinary field that involves both technology and science. It was the perfect major that allowed me to pursue both my passions.

His proudest accomplishment at Behrend: My proudest accomplishment would be my Honors Thesis work with Dr. Thomas Cameron, assistant professor of mathematics. There have been many ups and downs throughout the research process, but I think that the final product has been worth it.

Campus involvement: I am currently an Engineering Ambassador, a lead tutor at the Learning Resource Center, and a STEM Leadership Scholar Mentor. Earlier, I participated in organizations like robotics club and anime club, but over the years, I have refined what truly interests me and prioritized my time and attention.

Awards and recognitions: I have earned Dean’s List every semester.

What makes him unique: I could talk about playing my saxophone or knowing how to 3D print, but I think it’s really my ability to think retrospectively. Through the years, I have evolved and changed as a person. I think being able to constantly grow is what helps me stay unique.

What you might be surprised to know about him: I regularly attend counseling on campus. As someone who seems to have it all together, people might be surprised by how important and helpful personal counseling has been to me.

His passion: Teaching and mentoring the younger generation. I want to pursue a doctorate degree because I want to be a professor someday. I think that mentoring and helping people make good choices is a great way to have a long-lasting impact on society.

Advice for first-year students: My advice would be to reach out and communicate with professors. I have professors who treat me more like a colleague or friend than a student. This enables them to help me find opportunities, provide advice, and overall, be a great resource when I need them. Many students lack these resources because they never take the first step in talking to their professors.

Parting thoughts: While it can be tiring, never stop growing as a person. Every time I look at a photo from the past, I remember how much personal growth I have had since then. I cannot imagine my personality, maturity, and opinions stagnating throughout my time in college.

After his graduation in May, Mason plans to attend graduate school.

Standout Seniors: Meet Holden Cooper (Biology)

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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 Holden Cooper.

Major: Biology with the Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior focus area

Hometown: San Anselmo, California

On choosing his major: I am very passionate about herpetology (the study of amphibians and reptiles) and would love to study in this field post-graduation.

Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: My proudest accomplishment while at Behrend would be the research I have done involving biofluorescence in salamanders. For this project, I documented the trait of biofluorescence in spotted salamanders and red-spotted newts and how the patterns of biofluorescence change through early stages of development.

Awards and recognition: I won an award for first place at the Sigma Xi (Undergraduate Research and Creative Accomplishment) Conference in 2023 for a presentation on my research with biofluorescence in larval stage salamanders.

His passion: I have a strong interest in both reptiles and amphibians, and I enjoy spending a lot of my free time flipping logs in search of them.

After graduation, Holden plans to get a master’s degree in biology at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota.

Standout Seniors: Meet Rachael Buhl (Secondary Education in Mathematics and Mathematics)

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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.

Rachael Buhl

Today, we’d like you to meet Rachael Buhl.

Major: Dual major in Secondary Education in Mathematics and Mathematics

Hometown: Kane, Pennsylvania

Scholarships: Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship

On choosing Behrend: I love that Behrend is relatively small and it’s just far enough away from home (but not too far). Also, Behrend has a great secondary math education program.

On choosing her major: I’ve known since I was little that I wanted to become a teacher
because I loved school and helping others learn new things. Growing up, math easily became my favorite subject. Math is like a constant puzzle for your mind, and I love that aspect of it.

Campus involvement: Science Ambassador, Math Club President, Member of the Behrend Track and Field team.

What you’d be surprised to know about her: I have pet deer and my younger siblings are triplets.

Her definition of a good life: Being happy with your accomplishments and being surrounded by people that you care about.

First year students take note: My advice for first-year students is to make a friend in every one of your classes. This will not only help you get involved around campus, but also will be beneficial if you need help with the material or if you miss a class and need someone’s notes.

After her graduation in December, Rachael plans to work in a high-needs school district teaching mathematics.

Standout Seniors ’23: Meet Olivia Hodgson (Environmental Science)  

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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 Olivia Hodgson.  

SS23OliviaHodgson

Major: Environmental Science

Minors: Biology and Chemistry

Hometown: Centre Hall, Pennsylvania

On choosing Behrend: When I first visited Behrend, I knew this was the place for me. Behrend is a small school that offers so many opportunities. It has allowed me to grow socially, academically, and professionally.

On choosing her major: I chose to major in Environmental Science because, when I was in high school, I read Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring. I wanted to combine my interests in biology and chemistry to study chemical pollution in the environment.

Her proudest accomplishment at Behrend: My undergraduate research and presenting my findings at the annual Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry North America conference.

Campus involvement: Behrend Alternative Break, Behrend Honors Student Association, Greener Behrend, and the Schreyer Scholars Program.

Awards and recognitions: Undergraduate 2021 Jerry Covert Student Research Award, Cavano Leadership Award, Most Outstanding Student Organization Officer Award, Penn State Behrend Academic Excellence Award.

What you’d be surprised to know about her: In another life, I would be a K-12 science teacher.

Her passions: Science and science education. I want to foster curiosity and be a mentor to other aspiring scientists.

Advice for first-year students: It is important to balance hard work with fun. It’s obviously important to prioritize your studies, but make sure you spend time with your friends, get outside, take up a hobby, and just step away from your work for a few hours.

After her graduation in May, Olivia will begin a research assistantship at Penn State University Park and begin working toward a master’s degree in Ecology.