I come from a long line of Penn Staters, dating back to 1929 when my grandfather graduated with a degree in Chemistry. As a current University employee in the College of the Liberal Arts and resident of State College, I see a lot of friends and family when they come back to Happy Valley. The minute they set foot on the Mall or College Avenue, they feel at home. For them, Penn State lives here–on campus and in town. When they leave, however, I am always struck by the ways in which they take Penn State with them.
My sister is a physician–who graduated with two minors from the College of the Liberal Arts: Japanese and Spanish. Because the University network is so vast, she inevitably treats Penn State alumni and current students. They see my sister’s diploma on the wall of her office, and that inexplicable Penn State connection blossoms. Because of the excellent care she provides and because of that instant connectedness, Penn State lives in my sister’s medical practice.
As an academic adviser, I work with Liberal Arts students every day, and I’m am always in awe of the ways that Penn State lives–and radiates and shines–in these students both here on campus and beyond the geographical boundaries of the University.
Heather Hodge, a member of the Blue Band and a senior in Crime, Law, and Justice with minors in French and Wildlife and Fisheries Science, describes herself as a world traveler. And, having traveled to Ghana, Honduras, Fiji, and Australia, Heather’s earned that distinction and is quick to say, “The College of Liberal Arts has encouraged and enabled me to embark on all of these adventures.” But more important than the list of interesting countries she’s visited is the reason for her travels. As a member of Penn State’s Global Brigades organization, Heather doesn’t exactly rest over semester breaks. Instead, she carries out the mission of the Global Brigades and works to implement sustainable water systems in rural communities. Next on her list is a trip to Costa Rica. In these far-flung places–thousands of miles away–Penn State lives in Heather’s dedicated service.
A petite and erudite student majoring in Linguistics, Spanish, and English, Mary Beth Spang might not look like someone who regularly wears a hard hat and skillfully wields a hammer. But she’s beginning her 3rd year as a member of Habitat for Humanity and currently serves as the Executive Director of the organization. Outside of the long hours she spends studying, she’s discovered that she “likes working with my hands and doing things that physically challenge me.” She’s also realized she loves working as a part of a team as well as being a leader. Without question, meeting the families at each build location is Mary Beth’s favorite part of the Habitat for Humanity experience–“they are always gracious and excited to have the opportunity to work on their own homes and others’ homes, and to meet the volunteers who are helping to build their homes.” Most recently, Habitat for Humanity took Mary Beth to Florida and Texas. The sense of community that existed between the future homeowners as they worked on each other’s homes was, in her words, “such a beautiful thing to see.” Another beautiful thing? Knowing that Penn State lives in the very door frames and roofs Mary Beth’s helped build, the floor tiles she’s installed, and the walls she’s painted.
Heather and Mary Beth are both extraordinary–and ordinary–Penn State students. They’ve charted their own Penn State experiences, their own incredible journeys. One of the great privileges of my job as a Liberal Arts adviser is witnessing this process. First year students are charged with finding their “niche” here. Much like Mary Beth’s Habitat for Humanity community members, Penn State students build their own homes here; they create their individual Penn State experiences. This process is amazing to see–and before I know it, four years have passed, and suddenly, it’s time for my students to leave home. And, as bittersweet as those moments are, I know my students will share that Penn State connection with untold numbers of people and in a myriad of places. Penn State will always live here in Happy Valley for them–that won’t change, and, like so many alumni, they’ll come back to visit. But because Penn State lives in them, they take it with them no matter where they go.
– Katelyn Perry
