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 Ellen Shade.
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Edinboro, Pennsylvania
Scholarships: Ernst R. Behrend Scholarship
Awards: President Walker Award, Dean’s List
Why she chose Behrend: It is close to home and has a great engineering program, a beautiful campus, small class sizes, and is really welcoming.
Why she chose her major: I chose Mechanical Engineering because I have always had a love for math and science. I also love it when problems have answers, even it takes some time to figure it out. Engineering also allows me to be creative.
Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Being elected president of the Behrend Engineering Ambassadors and president of the Society of Women Engineers.
Campus involvement: I was the president of the Society of Women Engineers, president of the Behrend Engineering Ambassadors, a member of Tau Beta Pi (Engineering Honor Society), and a member of the Schreyer Honors College. I also did undergraduate research work.
What you’d be surprised to know about her: I was on the women’s basketball team for my first two years at Behrend. In total, I played basketball on school teams for thirteen years.
Welcoming the next gen of women engineers: I am very passionate about inspiring young women to pursue engineering! I loved to volunteer at youth outreach events and connect with them.
Advice for first-year students: Get involved. I have met some of my best friends and found what I am passionate about through joining clubs and organizations.
After her graduation in May, Ellen will work as a Project Engineer at Whiting-Turner in Lexington, Kentucky.
Behrend chess team members: Dennis Chu, Kelvin Li, Advaith Kodipparambil, Jordan DeLauer, Christian Wang, and Seth Mellring.
Chess is a complex game, with sixteen pieces of six types, each moving in a different way. Players must not only master the rules but also develop strategies and tactics to defeat their opponents while adapting to every move.
Kelvin Li, treasurer of Penn State Behrend’s chess club, said the game is worth the effort, especially when he finds the tactic—whether it’s a beautiful move or the only move—that will win the game.
A tactic in chess is a series of moves that gives a player an immediate advantage. Tactics are usually short-term and involve forcing moves that limit the opponent’s options.
“It is incredibly satisfying to find the tactic because they are very difficult to spot, especially for new players,” Li said. “After so many games, you usually develop an intuition and can more quickly spot good moves. But even that is rarely simple because you must think about all your opponent’s possible responses to your move.”
No two chess matches are the same, but there are patterns. A player who can spot the pattern gains the upper hand.
“Advanced players usually study these positional patterns and how to play them, so if they recognize them in a real game, they gain a solid advantage over their opponent,” Li said. “While real games are usually quite messy, knowing what you can work with and how to exploit it is important.”
Spotting patterns is something Li, a dual major in mathematics and physics, is well-versed in. Math can be considered the study of patterns, as it focuses on identifying, analyzing, and describing repeating structures and relationships with numbers, shapes, and other mathematical concepts.
Li began playing chess in high school and was pleased to learn that Behrend had an active chess club. The club, which meets on Thursday nights in the Reed Gaming Lounge, includes a mix of intermediate to advanced players, but they enjoy teaching newbies as well.
“We welcome all players,” Li said. “In our weekly meetings, we play casual games to foster a positive learning environment where newer players can play and learn from some of the more advanced players.”
Each month, the club holds a chess tournament with prizes. To level the playing field, they adopt the Swiss system, a non-elimination tournament format that pairs players with similar scores. The winner is the player with the most points at the end of the tournament.
“Chess is an adversarial game by nature, so we always encourage healthy competition,” Li said.
The practice has paid off. Last semester, the Behrend team won the Carnegie Mellon Chess Open, held at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, besting CMU by a half-point to win the top spot. Competition was stiff, with teams from the University of Pittsburgh, Penn State University Park, Shippensburg University, and others participating.
In November, at the Pennsylvania State Chess Federation’s Pennsylvania Team Championship in Shippensburg, the Behrend club won the top college team prize and tied for first place out of thirteen college teams.
The club will compete in the Ira Lee Riddle Memorial Championship in Harrisburg in March and the Pennsylvania State Game/29 Championships in April at the University of Pittsburgh.
Follow the chess club at instagram.com/psbchessclub.
Behrend Chess team members: Jack Ni, Advaith Kodipparambil, Jordan DeLauer, Kelvin Li and Christian Wang.
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 Justin Lopez-Beltran.
Major: Political Science
Minors: Legal Studies; Applied Economics; Crime, Law and Psychology
Hometown: Fairfield, Connecticut
On choosing Behrend: I chose Behrend for the smaller class sizes and for all the great opportunities the School of Humanities and Social Sciences offers for Political Science majors. Behrend has a small, but very close, community in which I have met lifelong friends and colleagues.
Scholarships: Allyn and Alice Wright Leadership Scholarship (2024), Heintz Family Scholarship for Economics (2023-2025), Lindsay Anne Graygo Trustee Scholarship (2022), Ethel and Irvin Kochel Scholarship International Studies (2022).
Awards: Zachary T. Irwin Humanitarian Award (2024), Penn State Provost Award (2021-2025)
On choosing his major: I have always been fascinated by the operations and efficiency of our state and national government as well as the various policies that affect all Americans. I have dreamed of working in the federal government, and working toward a Political Science degree has fostered an interest in working in the legislative branch. My academic career has helped me get five different internships, most notably one in the United States House of Representatives in Washington, D.C.
His proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Becoming chapter president of my fraternity, Sigma Tau Gamma. It was an honor to serve an organization dedicated to brotherhood, philanthropy, and innovation. In the two years I served on the executive board, three-fourths of that time as president, we achieved historic recruitment numbers, community outreach, and fundraising goals. In the summer of 2024, I was proud to receive four awards on behalf of our chapter at a national conference in Houston, Texas. The fraternity has had a lifelong impact on my personal and professional career, for which I will always be proud and grateful.
On overcoming challenges: The biggest challenge I had to overcome was stress from time management. During multiple semesters, I was managing an internship, serving on the executive boards of various clubs, and being a full-time student all at once. Occasionally, it was overwhelming.
Campus involvement: Sigma Tau Gamma (former president, current member), Pi Sigma Alpha (current vice-president), The National Society of Leadership and Success (member), The Behrend Political Society (former executive board member)
What people might be surprised to know: I fenced for about five years growing up. It’s a great sport.
Advice for first-year students: Get involved on campus. It can be nerve-wracking coming to a new school with new people, but the faster you get involved, the easier everything gets. Joining organizations, going to events, and networking are essential for an exciting professional and social life at Behrend.
After his graduation in May, Justin hopes to work in the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C.
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 Farran Parker.
Major: Early Childhood and Elementary Education
Minor: Special Education
Hometown: Erie
On choosing Behrend: I love the size of the campus, the close distance to home, and the friendliness of the faculty and staff. The professors really care about their students and want them to succeed. I also love that everything is within a fifteen-minute walk and that the campus is absolutely beautiful in any season.
On choosing her major: I started as an undecided major with plans to major in Psychology. I knew I wanted to work with children and help them become their best selves, but I eventually I realized that psychology wasn’t for me. I switched to ECEE and never looked back. I love what I’m doing now!
Her proudest accomplishment at Behrend: I am proud to have worked as a Resident Assistant for two years in Trippe Hall. I was also presented with the Pride of Residence Life award in my second year. The most rewarding parts of being an RA are the leadership skills I gained and the lasting connections with former residents, who are now good friends.
On overcoming challenges: In the fall of 2021, I had major surgery on my left eye after losing 60 percent of the vision due to a retinal detachment. I missed four weeks of school for recovery and had to adjust to life with impaired, distorted vision. I couldn’t have done it without the support from faculty members who were patient and understanding. Almost five years later, I am now able to do activities I never thought I’d be able to do, like drive.
Campus involvement: I have been a member of Tone-Acious, Behrend’s a cappella group, for four years and served briefly on the e-board. I am also a member of the Gender and Sexuality Equality Club (GASE).
Awards: Division of Undergraduate Studies award in 2021 and 2022; second place in the Personal Counseling Art Show in fall 2024.
What makes her unique: I love to play my ’80s synthesizer, the Omnichord, and sing. I own three different models of the Omnichord. My vintage interests extend to photography, shooting mainly on vintage Polaroid cameras, and collecting retro Nintendo video games. Painting and drawing in my free time help me relax after a long day. If I am not doing that, I enjoy making and designing stickers to give to my friends.
Her passion: I am passionate about breaking down barriers for people, especially children, to ensure equitable education for all. I believe all students deserve a good education that lifts them up to be their very best. I want to be that change that gives everybody the opportunity to succeed in their own meaningful way.
Her advice for first-year students: No matter what, never be afraid to be yourself. Fear of not fitting in or rejection can pressure you to be somebody you’re not. It’s OK to want to fit in, feel like you must put on a mask, and be different, but try to find a space where you can lower that mask and stop pretending. Let your light shine, because you might meet others who will love and appreciate that light.
After her graduation in May, Farran plans to find work as an elementary school teacher. She also hopes to attend graduate school in the future to obtain a master’s degree in education or in child 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 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.
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 Ali Ostowar:
Major: Management Information Systems
Minor: Computer Science
Hometown: Olomouc, Czech Republic
Why he chose Behrend: I wanted a quiet and focused academic environment. University Park sounded too crowded for me, so I opted for Behrend, where I could fully concentrate on my studies.
Why he chose his major: My passion for artificial intelligence (AI) led me to explore various academic paths. I chose Management Information Systems because it allowed me to dive deeper into AI while leveraging my previously earned business credits.
Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Writing my Schreyer Honors Thesis has been the highlight of my academic journey. Having the opportunity to collaborate with professors I admire on a topic I’m deeply passionate about—and successfully completing it—stands as my proudest achievement.
Thesis topic: My thesis explored the role of emotions in economic decision-making, particularly whether they promote or hinder rational economic choices. This question has long been debated and has recently gained renewed interest as artificial intelligence advances, raising the question of the necessity of emotions in decision-making. While some argue that emotions are fundamental to decision-making, others suggest that an emotionless approach might be more desirable in specific contexts.
Challenges overcome: Transferring from the United Kingdom, where I studied International Business for a year, was already a challenge. However, the biggest challenge was shifting my focus from business to AI and cognitive science. Fortunately, with the support of my adviser, I was able to tailor my curriculum to align with my evolving interests, ultimately leading to my acceptance into a top AI graduate program in the Netherlands. (Editor’s note: Ostowar was accepted into three of the top AI graduate programs in the world!)
Advice for first-year students: Don’t feel locked in your initial major. The flexibility of the curriculum and my willingness to explore courses outside my field led me to discover my true passion. Take the opportunity to experiment, and you might find a path you never expected.
Ali has been accepted into the master’s program in Artificial Intelligence at Utrecht University in the Netherlands. After completing his degree, he plans to pursue a career in academia, focusing on AI and Cognitive Science.
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 Anna Smith.
Majors: Interdisciplinary Business with Engineering (IBE) Studies and Project and Supply Chain Management (PSCM)
Hometown: Cleveland, Ohio
Scholarships: Lawrence and Elizabeth Held Scholarship and Penn State Discover Award
Why she chose Behrend: Because of the unique opportunity it provided for me to excel both academically and athletically. I really liked the idea of being able to thrive both in the classroom and on the field all while working toward a Penn State degree. I’ve always been a part of a team, so I knew going into college that I wanted to continue playing soccer, and Behrend seemed to be the best fit for me.
Why she chose her majors: This decision was driven by my interest in global logistics and operations. Some of my strengths include strategic and logical thinking, which is why supply chain management has always been of interest to me. Additionally, IBE is a unique way of combining both business and engineering practices that only further develops my supply chain knowledge.
Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: Being selected for the AMCC All-Sportsmanship team in our conference, despite losing my entire season to injury (fractured femur) and never once stepping on the field. This recognition meant so much to me because it highlighted the impact that I had off the field. Throughout my recovery, I remained dedicated to supporting my teammates, embodying the spirit of sportsmanship by encouraging and motivating them from the sidelines. This experience taught me that true leadership and sportsmanship extend beyond physical performance. It’s all about showing up for your team, maintaining a positive attitude, and contributing to the collective success in any way possible. Winning this award reaffirmed my belief in the importance of character and resilience, and it remains a testament to my commitment and value that I was able to bring to the team.
Challenges: Overcoming the challenge of losing my entire senior season of college soccer due to injury has been a transformative experience for me. It has taught me all about resilience and determination as I navigated the physical and emotional hurdles of recovery. This period of adversity pushed me to develop a positive mindset and focus on personal growth. I learned the importance of patience and perseverance, which not only helped me regain my physical strength but also made me mentally stronger.
A team player: Throughout my recovery, I always wanted to be there for my teammates, supporting them from the sidelines and showing up for them no matter what. This experience deepened my understanding of the value of loyalty and commitment, reinforcing the significance of being present for others in their times of need. Through this journey, I was able to gain a deeper understanding of my own capabilities and understand the value of supporting others facing similar challenges.
Awards and accolades: Dean’s list most semesters, Academic All-Conference all four years, Chi Alpha Sigma National Student-Athlete Honor Society, and AMCC All-Sportsmanship team.
After her graduation in May, Anna will join the Supply Chain Rotational Program at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company’s global headquarters in Akron, Ohio.
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: S.N. “Nic” Darrell:
Darrell during a semester abroad in France at Pont du Gard, the largest ancient Roman aqueduct in Europe.
Major: English — Literature, Film, and Culture option
Minor: French and Francophone Studies
Hometown: Perkasie, Pennsylvania
Scholarships: Chancellor’s Scholarship
Why they chose Behrend: It was far enough from home that it made me I feel I was branching out. It is also the only Penn State Commonwealth Campus with NCAA Water Polo.
Why they chose their major: I have always been involved and interested in languages and the arts. The English Literature, Film, and Culture option offered a diverse learning path that continues to interest me.
Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: I am most proud of the independence I gained while studying abroad for a semester in Montpellier, France. Living with a host family helped me to truly immerse myself in the French language and culture. I gained a global perspective on politics, sustainability, and life, and I can finally call myself multilingual.
Challenge accepted: Balancing work and play is always a challenge. I have had a job throughout my years at Behrend and each semester, I get burned out toward the end. I try to remember to take time for myself and to spend time in nature, with my dog, or with the people I love.
Clubs/activities: I’m a member of Greener Behrend and the French and Francophone clubs.
Awards: Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) Water Polo All-Academic Team, President’s Freshman Award (4.0 in first semester at Behrend).
Captain ‘O Captain: I am the senior captain of the water polo team. I have been playing for nine years. I love the sport. It keeps me healthy and disciplined.
What you’d be surprised to know about them: Although people look at me and assume that I am a woman, I am non-binary and pansexual. Queer/gender studies have been a focus for me in my English classes. I am doing my senior thesis on Orlando by Virginia Woolf, which is a 1928 biographical fiction about a genderfluid aristocrat. LBGTQIA+ studies are underrepresented, and I want to bring light to these unique, queer ideas.
Highest priority for the coming years: I want to travel and understand cultures different from my own as much as possible. I know the best way to do that is to get paid while traveling, so I plan to find a career that accommodates this lifelong dream.
Love for art and nature: I am passionate about consuming and creating art, whether that is through dancing, painting, crocheting, writing, or making music. I also love nature and constantly seek out ways to preserve the Earth through vegetarianism, reducing waste, and giving back to the place we all call home.
Advice for first-year students: Someone told me that in the first month of school, I should say “yes” to any new opportunity that came my way. It was great advice as it allowed me to branch out and take advantage of the diverse student life at Behrend.
After graduation in May, Nic plans to pursue a job that allows them to see the world, perhaps teaching English abroad or being a flight attendant.
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 Amy Newcomer:
Major: (B.S.) Psychology, Psychology in the Workplace option
Certificates: Behavioral Health and Counseling Psychology; Child Development
Scholarships: United States Army ROTC 3-year Advanced Designee Scholarship
Why she chose Behrend: Behrend offers many opportunities for Psychology majors to gain experience, from mentoring programs at the Susan Hirt Hagen Center for Community Outreach, Research, and Evaluation (CORE) to the ability to do research work with professors, in addition to the built-in research required in some courses. This is work that undergraduates at most universities don’t get to do, so it looks great on my graduate school application.
Why she chose her major: I’m in awe of mentoring and helping professions. Growing up, I dreamed of inspiring and helping people. But, more than that, as I’ve gotten older, I realized how sacred and important the mental health profession is. To truly sit with someone on their darkest and brightest days is an honor I cannot wait to have in my therapeutic relationships.
Awards: President Walker Award (4.0 in first semester); Dean’s List every semester.
Campus involvement: Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) took most of my time, but I was also involved in the Women’s Engagement Council and attended the Penn State Summer Leadership Conference each year.
What makes her unique: Today, it seems most people keep to themselves, but I like to have conversations with new people because we can share insight and learn from each other. My friends joke that I know everyone, or could talk to anyone, and I feel like that is a unique trait today.
A determined leader: I thrive on helping others reach their best selves. I love to mentor, and every day I do the best I can for the people I serve and myself. That’s just how I operate.
What you’d be surprised to know about her: Though I appear to have a lot of confidence, I struggle with feeling inadequate sometimes. I can get rattled and discouraged like every one else.
Go ahead, doubt her: Growing up, I was teased a lot by my classmates and seemed to be the butt of a lot of jokes. They doubted my intelligence and that fired me up to work my hardest to prove myself. After four years, I know it’s time to let those ghosts go. I became successful not in spite of them but because I’m me. I’ll thrive wherever I go.
Post-college plans: I want to take some time to travel and enjoy nature. I have high hopes of going to Acadia National Park in Maine with my partner, Katie. We plan to visit a lot of the National Parks in the future.
Advice for first-year students: Make yourself known, especially to your professors. They love their jobs and are more than happy to talk with you before or after class. Establish a relationship with them because you never know when you might need their help.
Words to live by: My favorite adage is “Don’t get bitter, get better.” There are going to be times when you feel knocked down and defeated. Feel those feelings, then plan to get back on the right track. If you get bitter, it halts your progress, and you get stuck.
After her graduation in May, Amy will serve in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard as an Adjutant General Officer, which is a human resource professional. She plans to attend graduate school in the fall to obtain a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling.
By Heather Cass, Publications Manager, Penn State Behrend
Each year, twenty-four Penn State Behrend students and four advisers participate in an Alternative Spring Break (ASB) service trip coordinated by the Office of Civic and Community Engagement. The experience, in which participants spend their break volunteering for a community in need, is designed to engage students on multiple levels, including personal development, group and team dynamics, and public service.
Many who participate in ASB find it life changing. Some discover a passion for service. Some make lifelong friends. Some choose a new career path. Some meet their soulmate.
Though it would be years before they officially dated, their friend Ashlyn Kelly ’18, who was also on the trip, spotted the chemistry right away. (She would have. Ashlyn was a Chemistry major.)
Gretchen (Shaffer) and Max Magera, fourth and fifth from the left, at Penn State Behrend’s 2018 Alternative Spring Break service trip to Beaumont, Texas, where participants helped with Hurricane Harvey cleanup.
“I remember early on in the trip, a group of us were standing around talking while waiting for everyone to go to the worksite, and I noticed how much Gretchen lit up when Max would join the conversation,” Ashlyn said. “I could tell something was going on.”
Ashlyn spent the next several years gently encouraging her friends to be more than friends.
“I always knew they’d end up together one day,” she said.
Sweet as (American) Pie
Gretchen, a Plastics Engineering Technology major, liked Max, a Mechanical Engineering major, right away. He was smart, funny, capable, and among the first in the group to jump in and do the hard labor needed in the flood-ravaged homes they were working on.
It’s a tradition on ASB trips for each person to anonymously submit a favorite song to a playlist members listen to when traveling during the trip. The challenge is to match the song to the person who selected it.
Gretchen chose “The Saga Begins,” a “Weird Al” Yankovic parody of Don McLean’s “American Pie,” with lyrics that humorously summarize the plot of Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace through the point of view of Obi-Wan Kenobi, one of the film’s protagonists.
“Everyone hated that song,” Gretchen said. “It must’ve played five times before they figured out it was me.”
Halfway through the trip, when the group decided to make another playlist with fresh songs, Max chose the original “American Pie.” Gretchen knew right away who submitted that song.
It went on like this for the two: friendly conversations, shared jokes, and subtle flirting. They did another ASB trip together, traveling to Puerto Rico in 2019.
When Max graduated in May 2019, he moved away and began a series of six-month rotations in Wabtec’s LEAD Program. He and Gretchen stayed in touch with occasional texts.
Rotation Leads to Reunion
“In 2020, Max texted and said that he was going to be back in Erie for six months,” Gretchen said.
They reconnected, and their near-weekly happy hour hangouts at a local brewpub soon turned into something more.
“Every time she made a comment about seeing Max, I asked if they were hanging out or dating,” Ashlyn said. “When she finally said they were dating, I said, ‘Well, it’s about time!’”
Their first official date had a Behrend connection: They went to see The Groove, a band that features Jim Dowds, a case manager in Behrend’s Personal Counseling center, on drums.
By spring 2023, Max decided to pop the question at Behrend’s Lion Shrine.
He enlisted help from Ashlyn and Behrend’s Mary Kay Williams, whose official title is admissions support assistant but who also serves as a surrogate “campus mom” to the many students she befriends.
“Mary Kay and I scheduled a lunch with Gretchen,” Ashlyn said. “The plan was for Mary Kay to cancel at the last minute, which she did, so that I could suggest that Max and Gretchen still meet up with me and my boyfriend for a walk on campus with our dogs.”
First stop was the Lion Shrine to “take some photos.” Ashlyn was prepared, whipping out her camera and handing her phone to her boyfriend, Paul Lutz ’19, to capture the proposal in both photos and video.
“Happy to say that after all that hard work, she said ‘yes,’” Ashlyn said.
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Blending Blue and White Forever
On September 28, 2024, Max and Gretchen married at Behrend’s Smith Chapel—the building where it all started, with the first ASB planning meetings held in the downstairs lounge. Ashlyn was a bridesmaid.
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Photo credit: Alan Freed Photography
During the ceremony, the couple performed a unity sand ceremony—a wedding tradition in which a couple pours sand from separate vessels into one vase, symbolizing two people uniting in marriage. The sand in their ceremony was Penn State blue and white, a nod to the college that brought them together.
Max is a supplier quality engineer at Wabtec in Grove City. Gretchen is a project engineer at Molded Fiber Glass in Union City. The couple resides in Cambridge Springs with their dogs, Zeus and Athena.
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