Liberal Arts Voices

Read the perspectives of our current students

Cortney Stevens Named Liberal Arts Student Marshal

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Cortney Stevens of Inver Grove Heights, Minn., has been selected as the student marshal for Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts for the fall undergraduate commencement ceremony on December 22, 2012.  She will graduate with B.A. degrees in Psychology, Spanish, and Global and International Studies, and has selected Melanie Archangeli, Lecturer in Spanish, as her faculty marshal at the ceremony.

The daughter of Lynne and Scott Stevens, Cortney has been on the dean’s list every semester. She participated in a study abroad language program in Seville, Spain, and served as a research assistant at the Language and Cognition Laboratory on campus.

Her honors include the Evan Pugh Scholar Award for superior academic excellence, the Bayard Kunkle Scholarship, and the Psi Chi International Honor Society for Psychology. She also has been active in the Penn State Spanish Club, the FOTO organization and the OPP (operations) committee for THON, the Campus Band, and the Sinfonietta Orchestra at Penn State.

In the fall, Cortney will be pursuing her life’s dream of teaching English in Spain through the Spanish Government for a period of one to two years.  Upon her return, Cortney plans to enter graduate school to pursue an advanced degree in Psychology. 

Evelyn Mugge Named Summer 2012 Liberal Arts Student Marshal

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The College of the Liberal Arts has selected Evelyn Mugge as the Student Marshal for the summer 2012 commencement ceremony.  She has chosen Donna Bahry, Professor of Political Science, as her faculty marshal escort. 

Originally from Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, she is the daughter of Nanette Mugge-Alden and John Mugge.  Evelyn graduates with a Bachelor of Arts in International Politics and a minor in History.  She received the President’s Freshman Award, Sparks Award, and Evan Pugh Scholar Award, and she was a member of Phi Kappa Phi honor society. She interned with Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz, edited The Dialectics: Journal of Leadership, Politics, and Society, and volunteered with the Centre County SPCA.   Her future plans include law school where she hopes to study international or employment law.

The summer undergraduate commencement ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, August 11, 2012, at 10:00 a.m., in the Bryce Jordan Center.

Meet Kristin Kerns, Marshal for Sociology

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Kristin Kerns is the daughter of Lisa and William Kerns of State College, Pa.  A Schreyer scholar, she is graduating with a degree in Sociology and a minor in Psychology.  A published author of short book reviews, Kristin was a research assistant for several faculty members and a teaching assistant for a senior level course.  She was a member of the Blue & White Society, Phi Beta Kappa, and the Liberal Arts Academic Integrity Committee, and she was a violinist with the Campus Orchestra. Kristin volunteered with the Food Bank of State College, the American Cancer Society, and the Annual Traditional American Pow-Wow.  In the fall, she plans to begin a sociology graduate program at the University of Maryland, College Park.

Escorting Faculty Marshal:  Eric Silver, Professor of Sociology and Crime, Law, and Justice

By Robin Robinson

Meet Gina Mattei, Marshal for Psychology

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Gina Mattei is the daughter of Kimberly and Dr. Peter Mattei of Glen Mills, Pa.  A Paterno Fellow and Schreyer scholar, she is graduating with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Sexuality and Gender Studies.  Gina was a research assistant for Penn State’s Child Attention and Learning Laboratory, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, and the University of Pennsylvania.  She participated in Dance Marathon and was a member of the Penn State Indoor Drumline.  Prior to beginning a Ph.D. program in child and adolescent clinical psychology, Gina will work as project coordinator for Penn State’s Psychology Department.

Escorting Faculty Marshal:  Cynthia Huang-Pollock, Associate Professor of Psychology

By Robin Robinson

Meet Allison Shutt, Marshal for Economics

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Allison Shutt is the daughter of Amy Shutt of Gilbertsville, Pa. and Jesse Shutt of Pottstown, Pa.  A Paterno Fellow and Schreyer Scholar, she is graduating with a degree in Economics and a minor in Psychology.  A member of the Economics Department Honors Program, Allison was a project specialist for the PEER Network and an intern with both Penn State’s Office of University Development and with Foxdale Village.  She was the chairperson of the Senior Class Gift Committee and a vice-president and fundraising officer for the Penn State Crew Team.  After graduation, Allison plans to work in the area of development, focusing on coordinating philanthropic giving in the community at large.

Escorting Faculty Marshal:  James Tybout, Professor of Economics

By Robin Robinson

Meet Julie Knaub, Marshal for Crime, Law & Justice

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Julie Knaub is the daughter of Dennis and Karen Knaub of Dillsburg, Pa.  She is graduating with degrees in Crime, Law, and Justice; French; and Global Studies.  A Schreyer Scholar, Julie studied abroad at the Universit� Paul Val�ry Montpellier III in France.  She participated in Dance Marathon, Circle K, and Campus Crusade for Christ.   Her post-graduate plans are to first complete an internship with the FBI, then do post-graduate study in law or criminal justice before beginning a career as an FBI agent. 

Escorting Faculty Marshal:  Jeffery Ulmer, Associate Professor of Crime, Law, and Justice and Sociology

By Robin Robinson

Meet Dana Blair, Marshal for Anthropology

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Dana Blair is the daughter of Donald and Roberta Blair of Belle Vernon, Pa.  A Schreyer scholar, she is graduating with degrees in History and Anthropology and a minor in Latin American Studies.  Dana participated in several study abroad experiences in Brazil. A recipient of the Matson Museum’s Ceramic Studies Award, she studied the origins of the museum’s ceramics and prepared an exhibit for the museum based on her Brazilian research. Dana participated in the Penn State Women’s Rugby team, served as president of Penn State’s Global Ambassadors, and interned in an anthropology lab.  After graduation, she will travel to Peru to take part in an archaeological field project.

Escorting Faculty Marshal: Claire Milner, Director and Curator of Exhibits, Matson Museum

By Robin Robinson

Meet Stefan Orzech, Marshal for Comparative Literature

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Stefan Orzech is the son of Chris and Lucie Orzech of Lancaster, Pa.  A Paterno Fellow and Schreyer Scholar, he is graduating with degrees in Comparative Literature and English.  Stefan participated in an education abroad experience at the University of Oxford, England.  A published author, he is fluent in Medieval English and French, Modern French, Latin, and Italian.  Stefan participated in two internships in which he completed research for several faculty members.  He was a staff writer for The Daily Collegian, member of the Presidential Leadership Academy, co-founder of the Adult Literacy Tutoring Corps, and a volunteer for Centre County PAWS.  Stefan plans to attend graduate school to study medieval studies. 

Escorting Faculty Marshal:  Djelal Kadir, Edwin Earle Sparks Professor of Comparative Literature

By Robin Robinson

Meet Kylee DiGregorio, Marshal for the College of the Liberal Arts

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Kylee DiGregorio is the daughter of Kurt and Sandra DiGregorio of Butler, Pa.   A Paterno Fellow and Schreyer Scholar, she is graduating with degrees in Sociology and African and African American Studies and a minor in English.  Kylee studied abroad at the University of Ghana, West Africa.  While there, she provided services to the community through the Self-Help Initiative Support Services Organization and the Urban Life Project.  She was a member of the Project Haiti Student Association and Amnesty International and participated in Dance Marathon, Penn State’s Chapter of Adopt a School, and a visitation program at Foxdale Village.  In the fall, Kylee will begin a master’s program in International Human Rights at the Joseph Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver. 

Escorting Faculty Marshal:  Kevin J. A. Thomas, Assistant Professor of Sociology, Demography, and African Studies

By Robin Robinson

Meet Eli Glazier, Marshal for Political Science

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Eli Glazier is the son of Carrie and Jeffrey Glazier of Allentown, Pa.  A Schreyer Scholar, he is graduating with a degree in International Politics.   He studied abroad in Prague, Czech Republic, completed internships with The Center for Strategic and International Studies and with the Raben Group, a public policy-oriented law firm, participated in the Presidential Leadership Academy and completed research for a faculty member.  A published author, Eli was a co-founder and editor-in-chief of Onward State.com, an independent student-run Penn State news blog, co-founder and executive editor of the Penn State Journal of International Affairs.  After graduation, Eli plans to pursue a graduate degree in urban and transportation studies.

Escorting Faculty Marshal:  Glenn Palmer, Professor of Political Science

By Robin Robinson

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