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 Olanrewaju:
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Hometown: Erie
Scholarships: D. Schreyer Renaissance Scholarship, Gerald Bayles Memorial Scholarship, Bunton Waller Scholarship, Mead Family Scholarship, Presidential Scholarship, Chancellor Award Scholarship, and Society of Distinguished Alumni Trustee Scholarship.
On choosing Behrend: Penn State has always been a large part of my family: All my immediate family as well as two uncles have chosen Penn State. I always wanted to follow in their footsteps and felt that Behrend was the campus that best fit my needs because of the size, location, and great engineering programs.
On choosing her major: I chose to pursue mechanical engineering because it allows me to combine my academic strengths with my creativity through a broad study of topics and applications. The variety of skills I have learned allow for career flexibility, which gives me the opportunity to better explore my interests.
Her proudest accomplishment at Behrend: During the fall semester of my junior year, my term GPA fell to a 3.02, which is below the Schreyer Honors College requirement of a 3.40. The following semester, I worked diligently and earned a 3.54 for the spring of 2023. During this time, I had to prove to myself that I could overcome my academic obstacles and doing so has been my proudest accomplishment during my time here.
Campus involvement: I was a Lion Scout campus tour guide and a peer mentor for a group of five students in the STEM Leaders Program. I was also a member of the Schreyer Honors College and the Behrend Honors Program.
Awards and recognitions: In my first year, I received the Division of Undergraduate Studies Award.
What makes her unique: I love exploring different styles of music and playing instruments. From elementary to high school, I played the upright bass in the school orchestra. Currently, I enjoy playing the piano and the ukulele.
What you might be surprised to know about her: I can conversationally speak and understand Mandarin. My mom is Taiwanese, and she taught my sister and me the language when we were young.
Advice for first-year students: Get involved! The more you engage with campus life, the more likely you are to make friends, define and then refine your career goals, experience leadership opportunities, and have fun. Also, it really helps to do your homework early enough that you have time to ask the professor questions if you need to. Lastly, it is important to find a balance of school, work, and fun.
Parting thoughts: I would like to thank my mom, sister, stepdad, and friends for supporting me during college. I truly could not have done it without them!
After her graduation in May, Hannah plans to work in her field, and possibly pursue a Master of Business Administration degree.
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