Podcasts about penn state alumni association

In this episode of The People of Penn State, Katie sits down with Arianna Davis ('09 Com), the Digital Editorial Director at TODAY.Arianna leads the TODAY Show's digital strategy and frequently appears on air to highlight the top stories making waves online. She's also the author of What Would Frida Do? A Guide to Living Boldly, a vibrant tribute to the life and legacy of artist Frida Kahlo.In this conversation, Arianna reflects on her time at Penn State and how it helped shape her path, shares insights into her impressive career in media, discusses her journey as an author, and much more. (Bravo fans—don't miss her take on the best Real Housewives franchise!)Now based in New York City, Arianna is busy working on her next novel, planning her 2026 wedding with her fiancé, and watching The Real Housewives with her dog, Leo.Follow Arianna on Instagram @ariannagab.

In this episode of The People of Penn State, we speak with Dr. Victoria Heasley ('14 Eng - Schreyer, '18g Medicine), assistant professor at the University of Cincinnati in the departments of Sports Medicine and Orthopaedics, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, and Biomedical Engineering. Victoria shares how her multidisciplinary background drives her work in adaptive sports medicine—providing comprehensive clinical care, designing specialized equipment for athletes with disabilities, and advancing research that improves quality of life through increased physical activity. As co-founder and President of The Bridge Adaptive Sports & Recreation, she is also a leader in expanding access to inclusive recreational opportunities.Earlier this year, Victoria was honored by the Penn State Alumni Association with an Alumni Achievement Award. The Alumni Achievement Award recognizes alumni 35 years of age and younger for their extraordinary professional accomplishments. Follow Victoria on Instagram: @adaptivesportsdoc. ----------------------------Kick Off Summer With We Are Weekend (June 20–21)Registration is now open for this year's We Are Weekend!"We Are Weekend" is an annual celebration, organized by the Penn State Alumni Association, that brings together Penn State alumni, students, and friends for a series of activities and events on the University Park campus. Set for June 20-21, this is the perfect opportunity to bring your family and friends and kick off summer with a Blue & White celebration. This year's We Are Weekend will feature an in-person agenda including a special event at The Arboretum at Penn State to commemorate the summer solstice, the Pioneer Induction Dinner for the Class of 1975, a silent disco, an ice cream social, campus tours, and much more.Learn more and register today!

Ever think it's too late to start something new? Think again!This week on The People of Penn State, we're joined by Dave Blazek ('79), an award-winning cartoonist behind the syndicated comic "Loose Parts." Dave has drawn a cartoon a day for more than 25 years — but here's the twist: he didn't even learn to draw until he was 42!"Loose Parts" is syndicated everywhere and appears daily in nearly 200 newspapers and websites in the United States and Canada. Dave also has produced nine books and his greeting cards appear in the USA, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.We chat with Dave about his unexpected journey to becoming a nationally syndicated cartoonist, how his time at Penn State helped prepare him in ways he never anticipated, and why creativity and humor can play a powerful role in any career.Connect with Dave on Facebook, Instagram, X and BlueSky. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Kick Off Summer With We Are Weekend (June 20–21)Registration is now open for this year's We Are Weekend!"We Are Weekend" is an annual celebration, organized by the Penn State Alumni Association, that brings together Penn State alumni, students, and friends for a series of activities and events on the University Park campus. Set for June 20-21, this is the perfect opportunity to bring your family and friends and kick off summer with a Blue & White celebration. This year's We Are Weekend will feature an in-person agenda including a special event at The Arboretum at Penn State to commemorate the summer solstice, the Pioneer Induction Dinner for the Class of 1975, a silent disco, an ice cream social, campus tours, and much more.Learn more and register today!

In this episode, we're diving into the world of pastries, perseverance, and passion with Chef Danielle Sepsy ('12), founder and creative genius behind The Hungry Gnome, the popular and innovative wholesale bakery and catering company based in New York City. Danielle's love for baking began at just 13 when she launched a small business selling her now-famous scones to friends, neighbors, and local cafes. Fast forward to today, and her delicious creations are found in top coffee shops, restaurants, and high-end events across NYC. Dubbed the “Scone Queen” by her fans, Danielle's talent goes far beyond just pastries. She's a classically trained chef with experience managing elite hotel restaurants, finalist on HBO Max's The Big Brunch, and a viral sensation on social media, where her cooking videos have captivated millions.Whether you're a foodie, an aspiring chef, or just love a good success story, this is an episode you won't want to miss!

In this episode of The People of Penn State, we're joined by Mikel Jones ('15), Senior Vice President of Marketing and Content at Citi.Mikel explores the intersection of brand strategy, sponsorships, and social impact. From managing media coverage for Citi's partnerships in sports, entertainment, and culture to leading PR campaigns that drive meaningful change, Mikel shares insights from his career shaping one of the world's most recognizable financial brands. His work with Citi has taken him to major global events like the Paralympic Games in Tokyo and Beijing, The President's Cup in Charlotte, The Ryder Cup in Rome, and the Miami Grand Prix. Mikel has also led social media campaigns to show Citi's efforts to help to close the racial wealth gap and has met with HBCU students to provide early career advice. He has also been featured on Citi's TikTok account, providing consumer fraud prevention tips with over 6 million views.At Penn State, Mikel was the director of communications for Lion Ambassadors, where he also met his fiancé, Tara Bendler ('15.) He was also a diversity ambassador for the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications, a communications captain for the Penn State Dance Marathon, and a head lifeguard at the McCoy Natatorium. He graduated in 2015 with a degree in journalism. Mikel is a 2024 recipient of the Penn State Alumni Achievement Award and lives in Brooklyn, New York.

In a world where true connection can feel harder than ever, how can we foster meaningful conversations that build trust and engagement? In this episode, we sit down with Chad Littlefield ('13, '15g) , co-founder and Chief Experience Officer of We and Me, TEDx speaker, and bestselling author, to explore the power of asking better questions and creating conversations that matter.Dubbed a “global expert on asking questions that build team trust and connection” by Forbes, Chad shares insights from his "Connection Toolkit," now used in over 80 countries, and reveals how leaders, educators, and teams can move beyond small talk to build genuine relationships.Chad earned multiple degrees from Penn State, including a bachelor's degree with honors in rehabilitation and human services from the College of Education and Schreyer Honors College, and a bachelor's degree in psychology from the College of the Liberal Arts—both in 2013. He also received a master's degree in learning, design, and technology from the College of Education in 2015. In 2024, the Penn State Alumni Association honored Chad with an Alumni Achievement Award, which recognizes alumni 35 years of age and younger for their extraordinary professional accomplishments.  Connect with Chad on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and LinkedIn. ------Today's episode marks the debut of host Katie Farnan. A marketing specialist with the Alumni Association, Katie earned her degree in journalism from the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications in 2019. 

In this episode of Alumless, Ryan Catherwood and Chris Marshall explore how alumni associations can generate new revenue streams while continuing to build strong engagement. With traditional revenue sources like affinity partnerships and membership dues fading, alumni professionals are being challenged to innovate and adapt in ways that align with their mission. Joining the conversation is Paul Clifford, CMAC's newest Senior Consultant and former CEO of the Penn State Alumni Association. Paul shares his insights from decades of experience leading alumni engagement efforts at major institutions, reflecting on the balance between revenue generation and relationship-building. The discussion covers creative funding models, the shifting priorities of alumni leaders, and strategies for testing new ideas without compromising engagement goals. Tune in for an in-depth look at how institutions can navigate this new era of advancement, ensuring alumni engagement efforts remain impactful while also being financially sustainable. Subscribe to Alumless to catch the full conversation, including our exclusive podcast-only bonus segment with Paul. A special thanks to AlumniQ for supporting Alumless as our presenting sponsor. Check out the events and the technology everyone is talking about at alumniq.com.   Ryan's Friday Cheers - Alumni Sign Letter of Complaint After Vought Controversy (Wheaton College)

Two episodes in one day? That's crazy talk!

As a certified energy leadership coach, Lillian Liang Emlet '95 helps healthcare professionals find their unique path to finding fulfillment at work, achieving their goals, and finding clarity on their journey in life. Coaches at Lillian's company, Transforming Healthcare Coaching, help frontline healthcare professionals and executive leaders find their own unique path less traveled. In addition to her founding of Transforming Healthcare Coaching, Lillian is also an adult intensivist, emergency physician, simulation educator, and single mother.Connect with Lillian and Transforming Healthcare Coaching:InstagramLinkedInFacebookPlease note: This episode was previously recorded in October of 2024, before the departure of host Paul Clifford '20g from the Alumni Association. 

We have a Penn State football legend on today's episode of The People of Penn State, just in time for the Nittany Lions' College Football Playoff matchup with SMU this weekend!Tom "Scrap" Bradley '78 played for Penn State as a standout defensive back from 1975-1978 before transitioning to coaching. Over the next thirty seven years, Tom dedicated himself to the program as a coach, including serving as defensive coordinator and interim head coach. Known for his recruiting prowess and his defensive expertise, Tom's impact extended beyond Penn State with successful coaching stints at West Virginia, UCLA, and in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Join us as we dive into Tom's incredible career, his reflections on Penn State, the lessons that he's learned through decades of leadership in football and his thoughts on the current state of college football. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Don't miss out on the ultimate College Football Playoff kickoff party! The Penn State Alumni Association is hosting a special Roar Tour event on Friday, Dec. 20 before Penn State football's anticipated playoff White Out home game against SMU on Saturday, Dec. 21.

The College Football Playoff is here and so is another episode of The Football Letter Podcast!This week on the podcast, we're joined by Alumni Association CEO Paul Clifford '20g and Asheville (NC) Chapter President Mandi Duggan '99. Paul stopped by the show (0:51) to talk about his lifelong connection to Penn State, recap the Big Ten Championship experience, highlight how the Alumni Association and our chapters have united Penn Staters throughout the football season, and preview the Alumni Association's home Roar Tour event this Friday. Then, we talked with Mandi (28:41) about her memories of the 1995 Rose Bowl and its impact on her college decision, the importance of staying connected with Penn State through a chapter, the Asheville Chapter's watch parties, and how the chapter strives to create a welcoming atmosphere for new members or event attendees. Join the Asheville Chapter's Facebook Group.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Don't miss out on the ultimate College Football Playoff kickoff party! The Penn State Alumni Association is hosting a special Roar Tour event on Friday, Dec. 20 before Penn State football's anticipated playoff White Out home game against SMU on Saturday, Dec. 21.

Caroline Fitzgerald '12 is a leading expert on the business side of women's sports and a thought leader around gender equity in sports. In 2020, Caroline founded the women's sports business media outlet & consultancy, GOALS, and created The Business Case for Women's Sports Podcast, which is presented by Ally and was named the 2024 Best Women's Sports Podcast by Hashtag Sports. In addition to leading GOALS, Caroline is also a contributing writer for Forbes, covering the business of women's sports and gender equity in sports. Caroline graduated from The Schreyer Honors College at Penn State with a B.S. in marketing and a B.A. in women & gender studies, and holds a M.S. in Global Sport from New York University.Connect with Caroline: The Business Case For Women's Sports PodcastInstagramGOALS on XCaroline on XLinkedIn--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Don't miss out on the ultimate College Football Playoff kickoff party! The Penn State Alumni Association is hosting a special Roar Tour event on Friday, Dec. 20 before Penn State football's anticipated playoff White Out home game against SMU on Saturday, Dec. 21.

Gabrielle Chappel has risen to culinary fame as the Season 3 winner of FOX's hit TV show "Next Level Chef," earning a coveted mentorship with Chef Gordon Ramsay through 2025!Based in Los Angeles, Gabrielle graduated from Penn State in 2016 with degrees in Spanish and broadcast journalism. She is also graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education's Health Supportive Culinary Arts program.  In this episode, we explore how Gabrielle has turned her passion for seasonal cooking into a career as a chef, educator, and creator. Tune in to hear about her culinary journey, her experiences working with Gordon Ramsay, and her tips for elevating your home cooking by creating delicious meals using seasonal produce year-round.Connect with Gabrielle: WebsiteInstagramAlumni Association members can read more about Gabrielle in this May/June '24 feature from the Penn Stater magazine. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Learn more about the Penn State Alumni Association: alumni.psu.edu. Follow the Penn State Alumni Association on:FacebookX (Twitter)InstagramLinkedIn

We're heading out west for this week's Football Letter Podcast as we talk with Oregon Chapter President, Zach Schroeder '04!Oregon is now Big Ten country and Zach joined the show to discuss how he played a part in reigniting the Oregon chapter in 2015, the atmosphere of the chapter's game day watch parties, and the value of staying connected to Penn State through an alumni group. He also talked about the deep family roots to Penn State as a third generation alumni and the multitude of memories from his days playing in the Blue Band. Connect with our Oregon Chapter through its Facebook page. Today's episode also features a quick interview from Alumni Association CEO Paul Clifford '20g with Indiana Chapter President, Todd Troup '86. The interview took place before Penn State's road win over Purdue on Nov. 16. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Learn more about the Penn State Alumni Association: alumni.psu.edu. Follow the Penn State Alumni Association on:FacebookX (Twitter)InstagramLinkedIn

This week's episode of The Football Letter Podcast features Michigan Chapter President, Brodie Schultz '15, '17g! Brodie joined the show to discuss a variety of topics, including staying engaged with Penn State as a volunteer leader, making the Michigan Chapter watch parties feel like a Beaver Stadium game day, how the Michigan Chapter is supporting NIL and Penn State student-athletes, and the chapter's annual THON fundraiser golf outing.Learn more about the Michigan Chapter:WebsiteInstagramFacebook--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Learn more about the Penn State Alumni Association: alumni.psu.edu. Follow the Penn State Alumni Association on:FacebookX (Twitter)InstagramLinkedIn

Emily Turner '17 is the co-founder and current board member of the Patrick's Purpose Foundation, a southern California based nonprofit focused on improving mental health and wellness of teens and young adults.The organization is named in honor of Emily's youngest brother, Patrick, who died by suicide in 2018. Emily joined The People of Penn State to discuss the founding of Patrick's Purpose, its growing impact in the mental health field, the evolving conversation around mental health in young people, and the foundation's involvement with Penn State's Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS). --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Learn more about the Patrick's Purpose Foundation:WebsiteInstagramConnect with Emily on Instagram--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Learn more about the Penn State Alumni Association: alumni.psu.edu. Follow the Penn State Alumni Association on:FacebookX (Twitter)InstagramLinkedIn

This week's episode of The Football Letter Podcast features a great conversation with longtime volunteer leader, Chuck Wall.  Chuck is the President of our Suncoast Chapter in Florida and much of his life has been connected to Penn State, from meeting his wife Cindy while a student at University Park to graduating in 1978 to his many years as a chapter volunteer leader. We talked with Chuck about why he's always felt a strong connection to Penn State, how the Suncoast Chapter unites Penn Staters in the Clearwater/St. Petersburg area through football season and beyond, his advice to fellow Penn Staters about how they can get involved with a chapter and with the Alumni Association, and more. Learn more about the Suncoast Chapter on Facebook.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Learn more about the Penn State Alumni Association: alumni.psu.edu. Follow the Penn State Alumni Association on:FacebookX (Twitter)InstagramLinkedIn

This week on The Football Letter Podcast we're talking about the Penn State Blue Band with Associate Director of Athletic Bands, Micki Potlunas Ferguson '07, '21g! In addition to her duties with the Blue Band, Micki is also a Penn State faculty member for the School of Music in the College of Arts & Architecture. If you love the Blue Band (who doesn't?!), this is the episode for you! Also, Football Letter Editor Emeritus John Black '62 reads from The Letter he wrote following Penn State's 2017 Fiesta Bowl win over Washington, which capped off an 11-2 season for the Nittany Lions. Learn more about the Penn State Alumni Association: alumni.psu.edu. Follow the Penn State Alumni Association on:FacebookX (Twitter)InstagramLinkedIn

It's Ohio State week for Penn State Football, so who better to have on the podcast than Nittany Lion letterman Grant Haley, whose iconic scoop and score on a blocked field goal helped the Nittany Lions capture their memorable upset win over the Buckeyes in 2016.Grant joined our Football Letter Podcast to talk about his memories of that iconic 2016 Big Ten Championship team, how Penn State prepared him for the NFL, his career outside of football after recently retiring from the game, life as a parent, and much more. Follow Grant on Instagram and X. Learn more about the Penn State Alumni Association: alumni.psu.edu. Follow the Penn State Alumni Association on:FacebookX (Twitter)InstagramLinkedIn

We have liftoff on Season 4 of The People of Penn State

This week's episode of The Football Letter podcast features two standout volunteer leaders. Alumni Council member and President of the African American Alumni Organization (AAAO) of Washington, D.C., Jeremy O'Mard '13 Behrend, talks about the mission our AAAOs, previews this weekend's Black Alumni Reunion, and discusses the importance of representation at Penn State. We also chat with Madison Chapter President, Phillip Bower '99, 01 M.S., about how the chapter plans to welcome Penn Staters to Madison this weekend for Penn State football's matchup with the Badgers, how the Madison chapter unites area Nittany Lion alumni and fans on game day, and how it connects Penn Staters year round.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Learn more about our African American Alumni Organizations Connect with the Madison Chapter:WebsiteFacebook GroupInstagramLearn more about the Penn State Alumni Association: alumni.psu.edu. Follow the Penn State Alumni Association on:FacebookX (Twitter)InstagramLinkedIn

This week's episode of The Football Letter Podcast features our Los Angeles Chapter President, Heather Maggi '13!Heather joined the podcast to talk about a variety of topics, including:Penn State's trip to USC this weekend;What Penn Staters can expect for their visit to LA;How she got involved with the Los Angeles Chapter and became the chapter's president;How the chapter brings the Penn State spirit to its game day watch parties; Her professional work as Assistant Editor at Netflix;Advice for Penn Staters looking to get involved with an Alumni Association group;and more.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Connect with the Los Angeles Chapter:WebsiteInstagramEmail: president@psula.orgAlumni Association member's can learn more about Heather in a volunteer spotlight profile from the March/April 2023 edition of the Penn Stater magazine. Learn more about the Penn State Alumni Association: alumni.psu.edu. Follow the Penn State Alumni Association on:FacebookX (Twitter)InstagramLinkedIn

In this episode of The People of Penn State, we're joined by Dr. Lori Johnson-Vegas '83, '22 PhD. In 2023, Lauri was awarded "National Mother of the Year" honors from American Mothers, Inc. She has also previously been recognized as the AFI "Military Spouse of the Year." Having grown up, served, and married into the military, Lauri has dedicated her life to bettering the lives of those around her. A Human Resources Consultant and Personal and Professional Life Coach, she serves on the Board of Advisors for several local and national organizations, and is a certified Master Resiliency Trainer for the Air Force.Lori is a founding member of Lion Ambassadors and during her time as a student was also very involved in student government, Air Force ROTC, and other organizations.  Learn more about the Penn State Alumni Association: alumni.psu.edu. Follow the Penn State Alumni Association on:FacebookX (Twitter)InstagramLinkedIn

There's a young alumni theme to this week's episode of The Football Letter Podcast! We're joined by Immediate-Past President of the Central Texas Chapter, Derek Turner '17 and Communications Chair of the Greater Boston Chapter, Andrew Flatley '19. Both Derek and Andrew have made a tremendous impact as volunteers in such a short time since graduating from Penn State. We talked with Derek about his service in the Army ROTC and being stationed at Fort Cavazos after graduation, his involvement with Lion Ambassadors as a student, his role as the Immediate Past President with the Central Texas Chapter and how the chapter unites area Penn Staters on game days. Andrew discussed his deep family connections to Penn State, making lifelong friends through the Legion of Blue basketball student section, the special THON Night of Hope banquets the chapter hosts, the vibes of a Greater Boston Chapter football watch party and more. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Connect with the Central Texas Chapter:WebsiteFacebook GroupInstagramConnect with the Greater Boston Chapter:WebsiteFacebook GroupInstagramLearn more about the Penn State Alumni Association: alumni.psu.edu. Follow the Penn State Alumni Association on:FacebookX (Twitter)InstagramLinkedIn

Join us as we dive into the creative journey of emerging actor, composer and lyricist, Maria Wirries '18!Best known for roles in the Off-Broadway revival of Kinky Boots, Dear Evan Hansen on Broadway and its national tour, and Penelope or How The Odyssey Was Really Written, Maria takes us behind stage for an inside look at her career so far. Currently part of the prestigious BMI Writers Workshop, she's debuting original works across New York City. Maria's collaborations with fellow Penn State Alum Christian Thompson has been developed at the Goodspeed Opera House, the Paramount Theater, and Penn State University. Follow Maria's work on Spotify and Instagram!Learn more about the Penn State Alumni Association: alumni.psu.edu. Follow the Penn State Alumni Association on:FacebookX (Twitter)InstagramLinkedIn

This week's episode of The Football Letter Podcast features Penn Stater magazine editor, Ryan Jones '95, and volunteer leader Kelly Gibson Caplan '91. With Penn State honoring the 1994 team during Saturday's Homecoming game against Illinois, Jones discusses the comprehensive oral history he authored in 2014, “The Legends of '94,” the definitive story of the 1994 Penn State football team that finished 12-0, won the Big Ten Conference and Rose Bowl, and finished No. 2 in the national rankings. Caplan discusses the importance of the Alumni Association's role during Homecoming and shares her thoughts on the Homecoming Parade, which she'll judge once again this year. Also, Football Letter Editor Emeritus John Black '62 reads from The Letter he wrote following Penn State's iconic comeback against Illinois in 1994, when the Nittany Lions trailed 21-0 in the first quarter and came back to win 35-31.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Read The Legends of '94:Part 1Part 2Part 3Part 4Part 5 Also check out Ryan's profile from the Sept./Oct. 2014 edition of the Penn Stater  magazine, which details the 1994 team's dramatic win over Illinois in what was an unforgettable trip to Champaign for the Nittany Lions. Learn more about the Penn State Alumni Association: alumni.psu.edu. Follow the Penn State Alumni Association on:FacebookX (Twitter)InstagramLinkedIn

The Football Letter Podcast is back from the bye week with a new episode!First (0:51), we talk with Long Island Chapter Board Member Lucille Mankowich to get an overview of the chapter and how it unites Penn Staters on game days during the football season, other chapter initiatives and activities, and her role as a Penn State parent. Then, letterman Miles Dieffenbach joins the show (25:00). We chat with Miles about what it was like to play for Joe Paterno, Bill O'Brien and James Franklin, the memorable 2012 Penn State football season, the importance of alumni and fan support, becoming a father, and more.  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Connect with the Long Island Chapter:WebsiteFacebook GroupInstagramConnect with Miles:XLinkedInLearn more about the Penn State Alumni Association: alumni.psu.edu. Follow the Penn State Alumni Association on:FacebookX (Twitter)InstagramLinkedIn

This week on The Football Letter Podcast, we're joined by letterman and Arizona Cardinals linebacker Jesse Luketa '20 to preview his third season in the NFL. We also talked with Jesse about his nonprofit organization, the 40 Reasons Foundation, which cultivates a healthy and safe environment for children to be able to enhance their sense of creativity and promote their independence (0:50) .Following our conversation with Jesse, Metro Washington, D.C. Chapter President Emily Matyas '17 discussed her journey to becoming a volunteer leader, how the chapter unites Penn Staters on football game days and beyond, the value of getting involved with the Alumni Association, and more (14:51).View the video version of this podcast on our YouTube channel.--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------More on Jesse: Selected by Arizona with the team's second pick in the seventh round (256th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft, Jesse appeared in 21 games (one start) with 13 tackles, a QB hit and three tackles for loss in his first two seasons (2022-23). Jesse grew up in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and at an early age developed a love of American football. Connect with Jesse:X (Twitter)More on Emily:  Emily is from New Kensington, Pennsylvania and graduated from the Penn State Smeal College of Business in 2017 with a degree in Marketing and a minor in International Business. She currently works in Washington, D.C. as a program specialist. She serves as the President of the Metro Washington, D.C. Chapter. Connect with the Metro D.C. Chapter:WebsiteFacebookInstagramX (Twitter)Learn more about the Penn State Alumni Association: alumni.psu.edu. Follow the Penn State Alumni Association on:FacebookX (Twitter)InstagramLinkedIn

Gary Brandeis '88 is the Founder and CEO of Scholar Hotels LLC. Gary started his real estate career in 1990 and has been the principal partner in four real estate investment funds, investing over $350 million in all property types and investment strategies since 2010.  He acquired his first hotel in 2006 and since then, Scholar has developed, redeveloped, and currently operates six hotels in State College including the Nittany Lion Inn and The Penn Stater.  As a Penn State alumnus, these projects have special meaning, and their success is also Penn State's success.  Gary joined us on The People of Penn State to discuss how he got started in the hotel real estate industry, the Scholar's portfolio of hotels in State College, the extensive renovations to the Nittany Lion Inn, and his work giving back to Penn State as a volunteer.Learn more about the Penn State Alumni Association: alumni.psu.edu. Follow the Penn State Alumni Association on:FacebookX (Twitter)InstagramLinkedIn

A new Penn State Football season means it's also time for a new season of The Football Letter Podcast!

Join us on this inspiring episode of The People of Penn State as talk with Tom Morris ('03, Kinesiology), the Assistant Athletic Director For High Performance at Penn State. Renowned for his expertise in optimizing athletic performance across professional, Olympic, and collegiate levels, Tom shares his journey of fostering an athlete-centric model that integrates strength, conditioning, sports medicine, and nutrition.Beyond Penn State, Tom is a motivational speaker and coach, inspiring corporate executives with his story of resilience following a paralyzing biking accident. His powerful speeches for companies like Google and Edward Jones motivate audiences to cultivate resilience and achieve peak performance.Tune in to hear how Tom's experiences have shaped his approach to both athletic and personal excellence, and discover the lessons he's learned along the way.Connect with Tom:LinkedInInstagramFacebookX (Twitter)Learn more about the Penn State Alumni Association: alumni.psu.edu. Follow the Penn State Alumni Association on:FacebookX (Twitter)InstagramLinkedIn

The 2024 Paris Olympics well underway and on today's episode of The People of Penn State we talked with two-time Olympian and Olympic coach, Kerry McCoy '97! Kerry competed at the Olympic Games of Atalanta 1996 and Sydney 2000. A three-time All-American and two-time NCAA Champion, Kerry is one of the greatest wrestlers in Penn State's illustrious history, collecting the Hodge Trophy as the nation's best wrestler his senior season in Happy Valley. After stints as the head coach at Stanford and Maryland, Kerry is now the Executive Director and Head Coach of the Lehigh Valley Wrestling Club. A Penn State Distinguished Alumni recipient in 2018, he currently serves as the first Vice President of USA Wrestling's Board of Directors, Vice President of the Black Wrestling Association's Board of Directors and President of the HBCU Wrestling Initiative's Board of Directors. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Timestamps for our conversation with Kerry:0:00 — Intro2:05 — Becoming a Penn Stater3:25 — Learning curve to start the career8:33 — Being a leader on campus13:10 — Representing the United States at the Olympics24:33 — Styles of Wrestling28:00 — Coaching experiences41:15 — The importance of faith for Kerry43:35 — Lightning Round Q&A49:20 — OutroLearn more about the Penn State Alumni Association: alumni.psu.edu. Follow the Penn State Alumni Association on:FacebookX (Twitter)InstagramLinkedIn

Alumni Taylor and Danielle Sekelsky are among the more impressive Penn State duos around!Taylor (2015, Smeal College of Business) and Danielle (2023, Smeal College of Business) were both varsity cheerleaders during their time at Penn State and had the unique opportunity to dance together at THON 2024. Professionally, Taylor works in capital markets for a private commercial mortgage Real Estate Investment Trust, while Danielle is a former pro cheerleader for the NFL's Tennessee Titans and a Residential Development Specialist. Taylor and Danielle joined Alumni Association CEO Paul Clifford '20g to talk about the similarities and differences of their Penn State journeys, memorable experiences being a part of Penn State cheerleading, and what it was like to dance together at THON. Connect with Taylor and Danielle on Instagram:@__taylorlynnn__@daniellesekelskyLearn more about the Penn State Alumni Association: alumni.psu.edu. Follow the Penn State Alumni Association on:FacebookX (Twitter)InstagramLinkedIn

Today's episode of The People of Penn State is for all of you history buffs out there as we're joined by accomplished American Civil War author and professor, Jonathan W. White!Jonathan is professor of American Studies at Christopher Newport University and the author or editor of 17 books that cover a variety of topics about the Civil War, including "Emancipation, the Union Army, and the Reelection of Abraham Lincoln," the award-winning "A House Built By Slaves: African American visitors to the Lincoln White House," and an exciting new children's book, "My Day With Abe Lincoln." Among his many other awards is the 2019 State Council of Higher Education for Virginia's Outstanding Faculty Award, which is the highest award given to college faculty by the Commonwealth of Virginia.We talked with Jonathan about how his time at Penn State still impacts him today, choosing Civil War topics to write about, the inspiration of his new children's book, lessons from the Civil War with modern day relevance,  and much more. Connect with Jonathan on: TwitterLinkedIn----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Timestamps for our conversation with Jonathan:0:00 — Intro 1:45 — Jonathan's Penn State story 8:55 — The process for coming up with topics to write about 10:00 — Jonathan's book "Emancipation, the Union Army, and the Reelection of Abraham Lincoln" 14:00 — Studying and writing about African American visitors to the White House during Abraham Lincoln's presidency 19:05 — Writing "My Day With Abe Lincoln"24:35 — Lessons from the Civil War and Reconstruction with modern day relevance 26:09 — The influence of Penn State on Jonathan's teaching career 27:55 — Upcoming work with a fellow Penn Stater30:47 — Lightning Round Q&A33:37 — Outro Learn more about the Penn State Alumni Association: alumni.psu.edu. Follow the Penn State Alumni Association on:FacebookX (Twitter)InstagramLinkedIn

To infinity and beyond!

Fancy a swim? How about a swim across the entire English Channel?

Lieutenant Colonel Robert Michaels '02, '05 Dickinson Law, has served in the United States Army Judge Advocate General's Corps since January 2006. During his time as an Army lawyer, he has served in military units all over the world. In addition to service in Iraq, South Korea, and Europe, he most recently returned to the United States after serving for two years as the first-ever U.S. Army Exchange Officer to the Republic of Poland. During that assignment, he was the Operational Law Attorney to the General Commander of the Polish Armed Forces.----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Timestamps for our conversation with Lieutenant Colonel Michaels:0:00 — Intro1:46 — Becoming a Penn Stater7:20 — A strong family connection to the U.S. Military 16:00 — Lieutenant Colonel Michaels' attempt to become Penn State student body president 16:55 — Experiences in the Judge Advocate General (JAG) Corps22:10 — Time as a JAG Officer with the Polish Armed Forces 32:24 — Lightning Round Q&A41:34 — Outro 

Misconceptions of autism and the frequency in which people are excluded, threaten access to the vital information, resources and support autistic people and their families need.Sarah Kernion '06, a distinguished global speaker and neurodiversity advocate, is first and foremost a mother of three children, two of which have non-speaking autism. Through her work, she fosters a supportive community around the ‘inchstones' vs milestones mentality of parents and neurodiversity, advocating for greater acceptance and valuing of the contributions of neurodivergent individuals in society.In 2023, Sarah officially launched Saturday's Story, LLC, alongside a charity, Milly & Mack's Marchers, Corps, supporting children with autism and their schooling and related services.  Connect with Sarah on Instagram and LinkedIn. Subscribe to The People of Penn State on your podcast platform of choice. Watch the video version of this episode. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Timestamps for our conversation with Sarah0:00 — Intro1:48 — Sarah's Penn State story9:40 — What is neurodiversity?10:55 — Personal connections to autism and neurodiversity22:00 — Recognizing signs of autism31:16 — How Sarah became an advocate for  neurodiversity38:45 — Milly & Mack's Marchers40:19 — Lightning Round Q&A50:42 — Outro

From Fortune 500 giants to burgeoning startups, Rebecca Friese '93  navigates outdated practices in the workplace, fostering the capacity for impactful cultural changes. Rebecca is a seasoned change management leader dedicated to transforming organizations. On a mission to enhance workplaces, she champions innovative, engaging, and forward-thinking environments. As the author of "The Good Culture: A Leader's Guide to Creating a Workplace That Doesn't Suck," Rebecca is also the Co-Founder of FLYN, Co-lead at the Samudra Next Generation Leadership Trust, and the Founder of the 12@12 Women's Network.Connect with Rebecca on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X (also @flynconsulting).----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Timestamps for our conversation with Rebecca:0:00 — Intro 2:15 — Becoming a Penn Stater8:30 — Rebecca's initial career path14:20 — Independent film production and acting 17:40 — Consulting/coaching  20:57 — Igniting change in the workplace through inspiration 26:00 — Rebecca's book: "The Good Culture: A Leader's Guide to Creating a Workplace That Doesn't Suck"34:34 — Lightning Round Q&A39:25 — Outro 

Jasmine Forsberg '21 is an emerging star of Broadway...and she's a Penn Stater! Forsberg is currently performing in the hit Broadway musical "Six" after touring the country for over a year in the First National Tour. Last summer, Jasmine made her Broadway debut in the all-Filipino cast of "Here Lies Love." In addition to her successes on stage, Jasmine starred in the 2021 Hallmark movie "One December Night," which featured her singing her own original music. A talented songwriter, Jasmine's music is also featured in "Results Will Vary," a 45-minute musical sketch comedy show that prepares incoming students for life at Penn State and is performed during each New Student Orientation program at Penn State University Park.Connect with Jasmine on her website or Instagram. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Timestamps for our conversation with Jasmine: 0:00 — Intro2:00 — Becoming a Penn Stater7:00 — Developing a passion for stage acting 9:50 — Jasmine's career journey 14:15 — Being a part of the first all-Filipino cast on Broadway18:45 — Playing Jane Seymour in "Six"27:45 — Starring in a Hallmark movie 32:00 — How Jasmine has left a legacy at Penn State36:30 — Lessons learned in the Penn State Musical Theatre program39:15 — Lightning Round Q&A44:15 — Outro  

From early days with the Daily Collegian to time spent with the Centre Daily Times and the Associated Press, photographer Pat Little '77 has chronicled life at Penn State for fifty years. Some of Pat's most famous photos include a lion cub...sitting atop the famous Nittany Lion shrine, President Bill Clinton eating Berkey Creamery ice cream, and the return of the team busses to State College after Penn State football's 1983 Sugar Bowl victory over Georgia. He takes us through the stories behind these iconic photos and more on this episode of The People of Penn State Podcast.You can see Pat's tremendous work on his Facebook page.  Also be sure to check out the Penn Stater magazine's feature on Pat from the March/2024 issue. Timestamps for our conversation with Pat: 0:00 — Intro 1:07 — Growing up in State College and becoming a Penn Stater3:05 — Joining the Daily Collegian 7:55 — Pat's book "Penn State Then and Now," which chronicles Penn State's history in images18:27 — The story behind Pat's photo of a lion cub sitting on top of the Nittany Lion Shrine20:04 — Capturing a famous photo of Bill Clinton at Berkey Creamery25:10 — Meeting Neil Armstrong28:37 — Joe Paterno stories32:45 — Pat's journey as an artist 38:05 — Being featured in the Penn Stater magazine43:00 — Lightning Round Q&A45:03 — Outro----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Learn more about the Penn State Alumni Association: alumni.psu.edu. Follow the Penn State Alumni Association on:FacebookX (Twitter)InstagramLinkedIn

Alumni Association Paul Clifford '20g is joined by journalist Erin Strout '97 for an engaging conversation on her career — including covering health, fitness, and Olympic sports — mental health awareness for female athletes, the state of media coverage on higher education, and more. Erin's work has appeared in the Washington Post, ESPN-W, Self, Women's Health, Outside, Runner's World, and more. Her upcoming book, "The Price She Pays: The Hidden Mental Health Crisis in Women's Sports — From the Schoolyard to the Stadium,"  co-authored with Tiffany Brown, Ph.D., and Katie Steele, LMFT, will be published in June 2024. Connect with Erin on her website, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn. Timestamps for our conversation with Erin:  0:00 — Intro 2:20 — Becoming a Penn Stater4:17 — Ad Read (The Football Letter)5:27 — Erin's career path11:35 — Media coverage of higher education 18:05 — Experiences covering the Olympics and Olympic athletes21:20 — Mental health awareness for female athletes 35:41 — Contributing as a writer for the Penn Stater  magazine38:07 — Lightning Round Q&A42:07 — Outro----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Learn more about the Penn State Alumni Association: alumni.psu.edu. Follow the Penn State Alumni Association on:FacebookX (Twitter)InstagramLinkedIn

Anessa Fike, otherwise known as the "Queen of Fractional HR," is the CEO and Founder of Fike+Co, a multi-million-dollar consulting firm that specializes in interim or fractional people, human resources, and talent executive leadership with companies that are experiencing growth, scale, transition, or transformation. A 2007 Penn State graduate, Anessa has led more than a dozen startups and organizations as Chief People Officer and has worked with more than 110 organizations globally including NPR, Niche, and Uber. Her work has led her to become an industry leader on all things people and talent, and she has also won multiple human resources awards, including Most Inclusive HR Influencer.Connect with Anessa on LinkedIn and Instagram! Be on the lookout for her upcoming book, "The Revolution of Work." Timestamps for our conversation with Anessa:  0:00 — Intro 2:14 — Becoming a Penn Stater5:50 — Anessa's career journey in human resources 10:57 — What it means to be a human resources influencer 14:35 — Working with NASA16:14 — A people first mindset in the workplace21:15 — Her upcoming book "The Revolution of Work"28:35 — AD Read (LionPerks)30:05 — Lightning Round Q&A32:45 — Outro ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Learn more about the Penn State Alumni Association: alumni.psu.edu. Follow the Penn State Alumni Association on:FacebookX (Twitter)InstagramLinkedIn

We have a Lady Lions basketball legend on today's episode of The People of Penn State, as we're joined by Lisa Lambert '89! Lisa's successes as a student at Penn State — and as a team captain for the Lady Lions in the late 1980s — have helped propel her to become one of the most successful venture capitalists in the country. Professionally, Lisa is the Chief Investment Officer, Private Markets for the George Kaiser Family Foundation, and the Founder/CEO of UPWARD, a global network of executive women. In a career spent investing in innovative startups at Intel, founding and leading National Grid's innovation and investment operations, and founding a UPWARd to help advance women and minorities to top corporate leadership positions, Lisa has always been most in her element when disrupting the tech world's status quo.Watch the video version of this podcast on YouTube. Timestamps for our conversation with Lisa: 0:00 — Intro 1:50 — Choosing Penn State 2:50 — Memories of being a student-athlete4:30 — Initial career goals6:15 — The mission of UPWARD 11:55 — Experiences playing for the Lady Lions14:40 — Striving for equality and diversity in leadership positions 18:29 — Being teammates with fellow Lady Lions legend, Susan Robinson24:55 — Lightning Round Q&A33:19 — Outro----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Learn more about the Penn State Alumni Association: alumni.psu.edu. Follow the Penn State Alumni Association on:FacebookX (Twitter)InstagramLinkedIn

Today on The People of Penn State, we chat with professional soccer player Sam Coffey! Sam is a midfielder for the Portland Thorns of the National Women's Soccer League and the United States Women's National Team. Sam is a two-time NWSL Best XI honoree and recently scored her first goal for the United States in a friendly against China. She takes us through her time in Happy Valley, competing with and against some of her childhood heroes in the NWSL, a love for writing, and the day to day life of pro soccer player. Sam also dives into her debut USWNT goal, staying positive after not making the World Cup roster, focusing on the mental health aspects of being an athlete, and the drive to continuously improve. Follow Sam on Instagram: @sscofff. Alumni Association members can read Sam's column from the Sept/Oct edition of the Penn Stater magazine online. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Learn more about the Penn State Alumni Association: alumni.psu.edu. Follow the Penn State Alumni Association on:FacebookX (Twitter)InstagramLinkedIn

Every day's commute to work is a "pinch me moment" for alumna Antonella Crescimbeni '17. Her office is the "World's Most Famous Arena," Madison Square Garden, home of the NBA's New York Knicks and NHL's New York Rangers, the latter of which Antonella works for as a Video Shooter/Editor.  With the Rangers, she is responsible for all aspects of the creative process including videography, photography, editing, and producing social videos, long-form features, event presentation, and marketing platforms.On our 50th episode of The People of Penn State Podcast, Antonella joined the program to discuss her role with the Rangers, what it's like working at MSG (she's a lifelong Knicks fan), and how she honed her photography skills with The Daily Collegian, The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and VOX Media. During her time at Penn State, Antonella had the opportunity to cover events such as the Republican and Democratic National Conventions in 2016, Inauguration, the Big Ten Championship game, Rose Bowl Game, the 2016 Paralympics in Rio, and more.  She was also awarded the prestigious Bunton-Waller Fellowship full-tuition scholarship. Antonella graduated in 2017 with degrees in journalism from the Bellisario College of Communications and fine art photography from the College of Arts & Architecture. You can follow Antonella's work by visiting her website antonellacphotography.com, or by connecting with her on Instagram, X, and LinkedIn. Watch the video version of this podcast on our YouTube page. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Learn more about the Penn State Alumni Association: alumni.psu.edu. Follow the Penn State Alumni Association on:FacebookX (Twitter)InstagramLinkedIn

We're feeling peachy! With Penn State Football heading to Atlanta to take on Ole Miss in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, we're bringing you a special postseason episode of The Football Letter Podcast!On the program, we're joined by 83rd President of the Penn State Alumni Association Anand Ganjam, Penn State Athletics Chief of Staff and former men's basketball captain Nick Colella, and Penn State Football letterman Garrett Taylor. First (0:55), we spoke to Anand about: Connecting with alumni in Atlanta. The importance of our volunteer service projects at bowl games. The impact and value of the Penn State Alumni Association. His first six months as president. Looking ahead to 2024. Next (20:33), we were joined by Nick to discuss:His role as Chief of Staff.Working with James Franklin and other Penn State coaches. The buzz that alumni and fans bring on the road.His love for Penn State and wanting to stay connected to the University even after his playing days were over. Then (32:44), Garrett stopped by to talk about: Choosing Penn State as a recruit. Working is way into a starting role and being voted a team captain. Memories of the 2019 Cotton Bowl. Being honored with the team's Ridge Riley Award, which recognizes the student-athlete who best demonstrates sportsmanship, leadership and friendship.Spending time with our Florida Gulf Coast Chapter.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Learn more about the Penn State Alumni Association: alumni.psu.edu. Follow the Penn State Alumni Association on:FacebookX (Twitter)InstagramLinkedIn

Since his time growing up in the Finger Lakes in New York, alumnus Brian Kappel (1998 - Visual Arts) has long had a passion for Penn State. This second generation Nittany Lion took a very different path which provided a one of a kind experience in Happy Valley and paved the way for a successful career in art and design. The now Portland-based designer and visual artist has completed work for the College Football Playoff, Nike, Jordan Brand, and a mural for the Paterno Library Starbucks. He also now owns his own design company, "Space Monkey Designs." In our conversation with Brian we talked about his strong family ties to Penn State, many involvements as a student, a love sports, working with Nike and the Jordan Brand, creative inspiration, and his artistic creation for the Paterno Library Starbucks. Watch the video version of this podcast on our YouTube page. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Connect with Brian:InstagramLinkedInWebsite----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Learn more about the Penn State Alumni Association: alumni.psu.edu. Follow the Penn State Alumni Association on:FacebookX (Twitter)InstagramLinkedIn

Welcome to this week's episode of The Football Letter Podcast as we close out the regular season with another great episode.  First (0:56), we talk with Director of the Penn State All-Sports Museum, Lew Lazarow, about the museum's new photomosaic mural honoring Franco Harris, Franco's legacy at Penn State, the mission of the museum, its other featured exhibits, and more. Follow the All-Sports Museum on Facebook and X. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Then (20:50) , we're joined by Jeremy O'Mard, President of our African-American Alumni Organization of D.C. Alumni Interest Group. Jeremy provided an overview of the African-American Alumni Organizations (AAAOs), how the D.C. AAAO brings Penn Staters together for football watch parties, playing a role in strengthening the alumni network, his passion for giving back, and other marquee events/activities hosted by the AAAOs. Learn more about our African-American Alumni Organizations. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Learn more about the Penn State Alumni Association: alumni.psu.edu. Follow the Penn State Alumni Association on:FacebookX (Twitter)InstagramLinkedIn

The popular adventure reality television show, "The Amazing Race," is now in its 35th season...and one of the contestants is a Penn Stater! Alumnus Joe Moskowitz and his fiancé, Ian, started competing on the show in June of this year. Joe joined The People of Penn State Podcast to discuss his experiences on "The Amazing Race" so far, including being a long-time fan of the show, the application process, behind-the-scenes details, what it's like competing alongside his fiancé, and more. He also discussed his path to Penn State, majoring in Hospitality Management, and his professional role with Dealpath, a commercial real estate firm for data-driven investment decisions. Check out the video version of this conversation on our YouTube page. Connect with Joe on:InstagramLinkedIn----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Learn more about the Penn State Alumni Association: alumni.psu.edu. Follow the Penn State Alumni Association on:FacebookX (Twitter)InstagramLinkedInToday's episode is also our season two finale of The People of Penn State! We'll see you after the Thanksgiving holiday for season three, featuring plenty of more conversations with inspiring and impactful Penn Staters! We Are!