At 25, August Dombrow is a bit older than the average Penn State freshman. He does not see his age as prohibitive, however: “The diversity of backgrounds here, including my own, represents a great opportunity for the students to learn – not only from professors, but from each other as well,” August notes. An aspirant in the Paterno Fellows Program, August has chosen to focus his own learning in the College of the Liberal Arts.
August chose Penn State for its many opportunities, knowing that a large school would provide him with access to prospects and resources not available at smaller schools. Entering the university with philosophy as his declared major interest, August added political science as a second major after taking a seminar in politics and film. “I’m interested in what motivates people and how that translates into real world consequences,” August explained. “The Politics in Film class was an excellent example of how social and political ideas can manifest themselves in the most subtle (and in some cases, not-so-subtle) ways.”
Initially hesitant about taking the Paterno Fellows Challenge, August only registered for one honors course his first semester. However, after having a rewarding experience in this course–Honors Rhetoric and Composition–the prospect of the program became more attractive to him. If he continues to meet the program’s requirements, he will receive funding that will allow him to participate in an unpaid internship or study abroad in Cairo, Egypt. As August is supporting himself through college, funding provided by the Fellows Program will go a long way in helping him afford these meaningful co-curricular experiences.
One of August’s impressive first-year accomplishments was becoming a member of the inaugural class of the Presidential Leadership Academy, a selective program led by Penn State President Graham Spanier and aimed at developing students’ leadership skills. The program involves taking a seminar taught by President Spanier and participating in various field experiences planned by the Academy. August sees the program as “a great compromise between academia and application,” and appreciates its emphasis on critical thinking. In addition to participating in the Academy, next year August will also serve on the executive board of the Liberal Arts Undergraduate Council and work as a peer tutor at the Center for Writing Excellence.
August hopes to incorporate his academic interests in government and international affairs, and his undergraduate experiences more broadly, into his future career. Law school is a possibility, as is working for the government. “I think work with the State Department or something similar might prove both personally and professionally satisfying,” he notes. Whatever path August chooses, the skills he develops and the knowledge he gains through the Paterno Fellows Program are bound to help him reach his goals.