Tye Morales - Mechanical Engineering

Hi, my name is Tye Morales and I’m a freshman at Penn State Berks. I’m a Mechanical Engineering and Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology major planning to stay here all four years. I am a commuter student from Reading, and I love being able to be part of Penn State and still be at home. I am getting more involved on campus, and as of right now, I am part of the Berks Honors Club and part of the Penn State Shreyer Honors College.

Speaking at the 2012 Chancellor's Circle Dinner

I choose to study in engineering fields because when I was in middle school, I was introduced to circuitry and what engineers do. Then later, when I got to high school, I took two of the engineering programs offered and loved what I was learning. Mechanical engineering is one of the more popular forms of engineering, but I became interested in it because mechanical engineering can be used anywhere and mechanical engineers can work with anyone. I’ve seen them work with architects, medical professionals, chemists, and the list really just keeps going. To me, mechanical engineers are at the forefront of the research and inventions that help everything progress. 

I’m hoping to use the Penn State Berks Mechanical Engineering program to better develop my design process and virtual design skills. The new resources we have in the Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building are some of the best I’ve seen. I’m a bit of a “techy,” so I got really wrapped up in how much could be done. Part of being in the Penn State Schreyer Honors College is conducting research to be able to compose an honors thesis by the time I graduate. Mechanical engineering gives me great opportunities to not only do research, but to also decide what subject to research. In my future career, my particular interest is working in nanotechnology, and both of my majors allow me to harness the skills and understanding I need, and also do research for the Schreyer Honors College. I’m hoping to take what I learn in the Mechanical Engineering program and use it in designing nanotechnology that can be used in eco-friendly and hybrid mechanisms. Sounds a little tough, but I’m positive I can handle it with what I learn.

Penn State is one of the leading schools in engineering, and when I interned for an architecture firm, I was told that Penn State students graduate with some of the best training and experience. I already loved Penn State Berks before I heard about the M.E. program, but now that I can take advantage of it, I love being at Berks even more. I can’t wait to start working in the mechanical engineering field, and I’m confident that while I’m at Berks for Mechanical Engineering, I will be able to do what I want in the future.

Katie Eggert - Opportunity House

On Monday, Jan. 21, Penn State along with other universities and schools had the day off for the recognition of Martin Luther King. Although we did not have classes, many of us volunteered at Opportunity House for the morning/afternoon. For those of you who do not know, Opportunity House is a shelter for those who cannot be on their own. Individuals come here to seek help and receive meals. The Opportunity House also has a Learning Center, which serves as a 24-hour daycare service. This organization is a great program for getting people back on their own two feet! 

           

I absolutely love this organization and volunteer there often through Penn State!  On Monday, we made lunch for everyone. When you help out in the kitchen, you bring the food you plan on making. Because of this ridiculous cold weather, we thought it would be a great day for soup. We made grilled cheese with tomato soup, green beans, and cookies. This lunch brought back great childhood memories of eating grilled cheese and tomato soup in the elementary daysJ. The best feeling in the world is knowing you helped someone. Just taking time out of your day from studying or just hanging out with friends to help those less fortunate is the greatest feeling in the world!

          

Before starting my freshmen year here at Penn State Berks, I decided to do the optional summer community service program through the college. We helped deliver meals to the elderly, cleaned a local park, helped build a house with Habitat for Humanity, and my favorite–working with Opportunity House. We were sent into the Learning Center with the children. This is why it was my absolute favorite; I absolutely love kids!

The night before going to Opportunity House, we all went to Barnes and Noble to choose a book to read to the kids. We chose to read Where The Wild Things Are, a book we all remember from our childhood. After figuring out what to read, we then came up with the craft to go along with the book. Our craft was making monster puppets with brown paper bags! :) We acted out the book for kids not just once … not twice … but three times. They could not stop smiling and laughing. Knowing that we were responsible for their happiness was an amazing feeling. One little boy actually started crying when I left, which made me cry, but spending time with him and the others was absolutely incredible and I will never forget this experience.

Volunteering for organizations is a passion of mine and these memories are ones I will never forget thanks to Penn State Berks! WE ARE …

James McCarty - The Last Semester

To conclude the fall semester, I decided to attend graduation. There were many of my friends within the Applied Psychology major that walked across the stage, and it was really a life changing moment for me. It made me realize that I only had one semester left at Penn State Berks–one last semester of classes, one last semester of near and dear friends, one last semester of memories. I have taken a different approach to my last semester: I have been living life in overdrive for my past seven semesters, and I am really planning to take in as much as possible throughout my last semester. I have really alleviated my cluttered schedule to enjoy the limited time I have remaining.

This year has truly been a blessing to me. I applied to study abroad in Germany, and was selected to be a part of the trip. I went on the same trip last year, and had one of the best experiences of my life. We will be spending twenty-two days in southern Germany in different schools. We will be in different types of schools in different cities, which will include visiting Freiburg University in Freiburg, an elementary school in Melsungen (Christian-Bitter Schule), and a middle school in Hanau (Die HoheLandesSchule). We will also be visiting some of Germany’s most cultural antiquities, which include King Ludwig of Bavaria’s fairytale castles of Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau, as well as the Buchenwald Concentration Camp.

This will be a phenomenal experience, which will benefit me in numerous ways for my future. I hope to become a psychologist in a private practice, as well as a college professor. This experience will help to give me a more globalized outlook within the two fields I hope to work in. Even up through my last days as a Penn State Berks student, I will still be making memories that will last a lifetime! 

Darrell Marrow Bids a Fond Farewell to Berks

As I reflect on my time as a student at Penn State Berks, I am most grateful for the opportunities I received. I am now attending Penn State University Park, but Berks will always be home. It seems like just yesterday that the highly spirited Orientation Leaders were helping me move into the residence halls. Within the first few minutes of arriving to campus, I knew that the staff and faculty at Berks cared much about the success of their students. For five semesters Penn State Berks was a second home to me.

Darrell and his roommate Josh

Because Berks has fewer students than University Park, I was able to build strong relationships with other students and faculty members. Coming from a small high school–with a graduating class of fewer than 200 students–I was worried about the adjustment to college. I was surprised to discover than the classroom size was not overwhelming and that the learning atmosphere allowed students to participate in class without feeling pressured.

Darrell and fellow LA's Dayna and Josh

The great thing about Berks is that over time, I got to know many of my professors well from having had them in class previous semesters. My favorite professor, Dr. Kesha Morant Williams, Assistant Professor of Communication Arts & Sciences, played a large role in why I decided to major in Communication Arts & Sciences. Dr. Williams’ class allowed students to gain an understanding of various communication concepts through use of real life experiences; this was very helpful.

Darrell and Teri Sabatelli, Director of Admissions and Financial Aid

Although I am happy here at U.P., I will always appreciate the values I gained as a student at Berks. Being told by faculty and staff that I will be missed at Berks validates the strong sense of community at the campus. I will miss most all of the amazing Lion Ambassadors (LAs). Being a part of an organization that dedicates its time to representing Penn State Berks was unlike anything I have ever experienced. The people I met as an LA quickly became family. We laughed and cried together, sharing memories and life experiences that strengthened our bond as a group. For this, and so much more, I thank the Lion Ambassadors and Teri Sabatelli, their adviser and Director of Admissions & Financial Aid. =)

Kate Harley - Trip to London with the International Finance Class

This past week has been pretty hectic so far!  In all, I have written an eight-page paper, done a lot of work for my risk management class, and am starting to prepare for finals week.  Tonight I am starting my final paper for my international finance class.  I am not too worried about that paper because it’s all about the trip to London I went on with my class over Thanksgiving Break. 

We visited Lloyd’s of London, the London Metal Exchange, Barclay’s, Sotheby’s, and so many more destinations! It was such an eye-opening experience and it really showed me all the different things I could do with my major after I graduate.  So you might be wondering how I got to go on this trip, or how a college student could afford a trip to London. 

This was the first year that the International Finance Class was lucky enough to have a trip like this.  Dr. Abdou set up so many wonderful visits for us to go on.  I cannot thank him enough for the amazing experience that this trip has given me, along with some new friends as well!  And how did I pay for this trip?  I was lucky enough to receive $1,200 in scholarships for a trip that only cost $1,500! 

Dr. Esqueda, Sr. Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, and his wife also joined us on the trip.  Dr. Esqueda studied in London, so it was great to have someone around that knew the area.  

Our flight was a little rough getting there, after it had been delayed and cancelled a couple times, but we finally got there, even though we were a day late.  During our free time in London we got to see Big Ben, the London Eye, the London Bridge, and so many other places.  I am a huge Harry Potter fan myself, so I made sure that I saved time to see a couple Harry Potter sites.  I got to see the theatre where all the movies premiered, a few areas from scenes in the movie, and my favorite platform 9 ¾! 

Overall it was an amazing trip and I thank Penn State for giving me this opportunity! 

Meet Kate Harley

My name is Kate Harley.  I am a junior at Penn State Berks majoring in Business with a focus in Finance. I am highly involved on campus, holding the position of Merchandise Chair for Berks THON, part of the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, the world's largest student-run philanthropy dedicated to supporting children with pediatric cancer and their families. I am also the Social Director for the Lion Ambassadors, a peer mentor, and an orientation leader. I played softball for Berks for two years, and I was also the Ice Hockey Manager.

James McCarty - Internships

Being an Applied Psychology major I feel will give me a huge benefit in finding a job for the future because of all of the internship experience I have/will gain throughout my college education. This past week really opened my eyes as to how beneficial it is to have good work experience, leadership characteristics, and most importantly the Penn State name backing me.

I have been in the process of looking for my last internship, and was interested in a local organization that specializes in working with geriatrics. I kept trying to get in contact with the head of the organization, and was not having any luck. Finally, after a few days I spoke with someone but it was not the director whom I was intending to speak to. This person told me that this site was not the best fit for what I was looking for, and that I should try somewhere else. Confused and peeved with what had happened I call the organization one more time. Luckily, I spoke with a lady and she told me to e-mail the director of operations, but she warned me that the likelihood of me obtaining a position was slim to none.

I sent out the e-mail, and to my surprise heard back very quickly and we set up an interview for the following day. I went into the interview and all seemed to go very well. At the conclusion, to my surprise, the Director of Operations said that he has never in his career taken any intern because he felt that they were all unqualified and weren’t there for the right reasons. However, he said that the only reason he considered me for an interview was because in the signature of my email he saw that I was a Penn State student. Then once we met, he was sold because of the leadership and experience I obtained throughout my education thus far. It was amazing to know that the sole reason for getting this internship for next semester was because of my experience I gained from Penn State, but also having that name to back me.