At Penn State University, our alumni are a big part of who we are. As part of our 85th Anniversary Commemoration, we have collected the stories of some of our Penn State Schuylkill alumni to illustrate what it means to be a Penn Stater for life. If you want to share your unique Penn State story and be featured in our monthly alumni newsletter, then we want to hear from you!
Winn Allen
Class of 2016
Corporate Communication, B.A.
Where is the coolest place your Penn State degree has taken you?
Out of college, my Penn State degree helped me get a job at a construction company where I was required to travel extensively. One of my favorite places to visit was Annapolis, Maryland, in the fall. The city is beautiful and there was always so much to do.
What was your dream job when you were in college?
My dream job was something in sales or something in the restaurant industry. I can proudly say I am currently following that dream.
What is your fondest Penn State Schuylkill memory?
Dancing in THON and making it the whole 46 hours for the kids!
What do you miss the most about college?
The relationships I had with people and all of us being in the same place at the same time.
What was your favorite thing to do during your time on campus?
Visiting Tina Rose. I could go to her with any sort of problem and she was such a big help. I never would have made it through college without her.
Anita M. LeClaire
Class of 1987
Individual and Family Studies, B.A.
Where is the coolest place your Penn State degree has taken you?
Italy and Anguilla
What was your dream job when you were in college?
As a student, I worked in football office so naturally, I thought I wanted to work there forever.
What is your fondest Penn State Schuylkill memory?
Living in the dorm where I met some of my closest friends.
What do you miss the most about college?
Everything!
What was your favorite thing to do during your time on campus?
Hang out with friends in the gym.
Kent Steinmetz
Class of 1987
Electrical Engineering Technology, A.A.
Where is the coolest place your Penn State degree has taken you?
While working for one of Bell Atlantic's distributors in the late 1990's, I helped design a system enabling 100+ colleges in the country of Columbia obtain internet access via a Mexican communications satellite and an uplink station based in the United States.
As the senior system's engineer, I helped to coordinate multiple companies, such as Ericsson (New Hampshire), ADC Kentrox (Oregon, now ADC Telecommunications) and the Empresa Publicas de Medellin (Columbia, SA).
What was your dream job when you were in college?
Working as a laboratory assistant during my second year alongside Dr. Arthur Marsicano was a privilege.
What is your fondest Penn State Schuylkill memory?
I have many fond memories of lectures and group projects that brought me satisfaction as I completed difficult assignments.
What do you miss the most about college?
The environment at the Schuylkill campus revolved around a safe, quality, and affordable education. My classmates were very serious students, yet at the same time could make you laugh and help you complete complicated lab projects.
What was your favorite thing to do during your time on campus?
I was able to live at home and commute to the campus, thus most of my time on campus was in class or assisting other students as a tutor and lab assistant.
Anne Mercuri
Class of 1993, 1999, 2001
Letters, Arts & Sciences, A.A.
Psychology, B.S.
Community Psychology & Social Change, M.A. (Penn State Harrisburg)
Where is the coolest place your Penn State degree has taken you?
Right back on campus!
[Anne is instructor and program coordinator of Penn State Schuylkill's Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) program].
What was your dream job when you were in college?
Being an agent of social change.
What is your fondest Penn State Schuylkill memory?
Walking on campus with my young daughters thinking that someday they would attend PSU Schuylkill…and one did.
What do you miss the most about college?
The process of learning and expanding my knowledge in such an all-encompassing way. I could feel my life changing every day.
What was your favorite thing to do during your time on campus?
Find a quiet corner somewhere in the library and read.
Carl K. Rosenberger
Class of 1981
Communication, B.S.
What was your dream job when you were in college?
A sports broadcaster
What is your fondest Penn State Schuylkill memory?
I have many great memories of my time at Schuylkill mainly because I was very involved and had a great group of friends. The top of my list would be the Saturday Night Live production that the drama club put on during my sophomore year. With everything from filmed commercials and original content to a live band that played between skits, it was very ahead of it's time in 1979!
What do you miss the most about college?
Great friends, great professors, and an environment with a free flow of ideas and viewpoints.
What was your favorite thing to do during your time on campus?
Choral with Mr. Beach and sitting outside on the lawn on a beautiful day with friends.
Bryan Keith Underkoffler
Class of 2015
Psychology, B.S.
Where is the coolest place your Penn State degree has taken you?
Graduate school at The Ohio State University. Even though my graduate school experience was not perfect, I was truly able to learn and grow. I was also able to study abroad in Quito and Cuenca, Ecuador as a part of my program. The ability to have an impact and teach something so small, but so life-changing, was 1,000,000 times worth it!
What was your dream job when you were in college?
I had two. First, I wanted to be an Industrial/Organizational Psychologist for a long time. This is where the internship experience is critical to educational experiences. I completed an internship with the U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute in Florida. What I learned about myself there that changed the course of my life, was how much I thrived on connectioning with others. Being a researcher, although fascinating and needed, wasn’t for me, because I couldn’t cultivate those relationships. My second dream job was when I realized I wanted to go to graduate school and work in higher education. All I wanted was to have a job that I loved and the ability to make a difference. Thanks to Penn Stat Schuylkill, I have that exact job!
What is your fondest Penn State Schuylkill memory?
I have three incredible Penn State Schuylkill memories. My first Penn State Schuylkill memory was the summer of 2014 when the University Board of Trustees had their annual meeting at Penn State Schuylkill. I not only helped guide the trustees around campus and was also asked to give a speech to the trustees on my experience at Penn State Schuylkill. I’ll forever be grateful for that experience. My second incredibly amazing memory was teaming up with Tina Rose and hosting a Regional Leadership day! It was such a fun and rewarding experience to organize something that awesome. We had a blast and I learned so much! My third amazing Penn State Schuylkill experience was presenting research to the Association of Psychological Sciences conference in San Francisco, California. What a wild, crazy, incredible experience that was. I was also able to meet Dr. Phillip Zambardo while I was there.
What do you miss the most about college?
I miss the truly incredible people I met during my time at Penn State Schuylkill. You will never meet more amazing collection of people in one place, than Penn State Schuylkill. I’ll forever bleed Blue & White! :-)
What was your favorite thing to do during your time on campus?
Honestly, explore the history of the Penn State Schuylkill campus and be involved in as many things as possible. I’m so proud of the things I was able to accomplish while at Penn State Schuylkill. I will forever be grateful for my time there.
Fall 1966 at the conclusion of Freshman Initiation Week. Pictured: Francis Bing (Philadelphia area) now deceased, Thomas M. Kupchinsky (New Philadelphia), James Sterner (Schuylkill Haven), James Brennan (Pottsville), Larry Keim (Frackville).
Thomas M. Kupchinsky
Class of 1969, 1978
Education, B.S.
Where is the coolest place your Penn State degree has taken you?
It has taken me through both rewarding and gratifying careers: as a teacher of Mathematics and then Computer Technology for 17 years, as a Computer Analyst/Programmer, and finally as a Software Development Supervisor.
What was your dream job when you were in college?
To teach Mathematics and coach Baseball.
What is your fondest Penn State Schuylkill memory?
There were many fond memories, some are not for public consumption. First, was an attempt by a group of us to start a fraternity at the Pottsville Campus. Second, was to be part of the migration (1967) to the campus's present home in Schuylkill Haven; the facilities were grand when compared to the Pottsville Campus. Upon my last visit 10 years ago, I hardly recognized the campus. I am sure that I would be more impressed today. Third, was being an adjunct professor; it may have been for only one semester, but very gratifying to me. I remember a staff member–Moe Reichart, a Custodian by employment, but more importantly to us students he was a Counselor, Mentor, and our used book salesman.
What do you miss the most about college?
The friends who have passed and the many with whom I have lost contact.
What was your favorite thing to do during your time on campus?
Play chess and pinochle. We carpooled to classes to save money. Therefore, on many days we arrived for 8:00 a.m. classes and stayed until late in the afternoon depending upon our different class schedules.
Bethann Shaffer
Class of 2005
Secondary Education, B.S.
Where is the coolest place your Penn State degree has taken you?
The coolest place my degree has taken me is to Peru and Greece. I am a social studies teacher; one of my dreams as an educator was to take my students abroad to experience the world. I have taken three student trips and have loved sharing the world with them. If not for my Penn State degree, I may not have landed my teaching position and not been able to take my students abroad.
What was your dream job when you were in college?
I wanted to teach for a very affluent school district where teachers were able to get everything they wanted and needed. I thought that would make me the best teacher. I currently work for a district that is not affluent, but the population I teach makes my job incredibly rewarding. My heart is happy each day I leave my building because I make a difference in the lives of students who may not have dinner on the table at night.
What is your fondest Penn State Schuylkill memory?
Dr. Aurand’s history classes. They were the best! He is a genuine guy, loves history, and loves connecting with his students. I still remember him drinking a can of Diet Coke (at least one) each class.
What do you miss the most about college?
I miss having my only responsibility being to study for exams and prepare for class. Responsibilities as an adult are far more stressful than preparing for class!
What was your favorite thing to do during your time on campus?
I actually really enjoyed going to class. I love to learn. I guess that’s another reason why I love being a teacher. I love learning and going to class never seemed like a chore.
Michael F Catino, P.E.
Class of 1970
Engineering, B.S.
Where is the coolest place your Penn State degree has taken you?
Red Square, Moscow, USSR.
What was your dream job when you were in college?
I wanted to be a Plant Manager.
What is your fondest Penn State Schuylkill memory?
Double dating to the Military Ball with my friend Len Reidinger and two lovely young ladies. We were dressed in officer's uniforms and the girls wore gowns. It was a signature end of year event at the Schuylkill Campus at that time.
What do you miss the most about college?
Being young with a world of possibilities ahead of me and graduation now a sure thing.
What was your favorite thing to do during your time on campus?
There weren't a lot of choices in the '60s. For the most part, I did homework and studied for upcoming tests. For a short time, I helped my physics professor set up the new lab in Schuylkill Haven after our move from Pottsville. We were building a night vision system prototype.
Nikole Magarelli
Class of 2015
Radiological Sciences, A.S.
What was your dream job when you were in college? My dream job in college was to work for Penn State Health St. Joseph Medical Center. I interned there during school and met the nicest people. I also learned so much about how important patient care is. I’m happy to say, I’ve landed my dream job and have been with them for two years now.
What is your fondest Penn State Schuylkill memory?
My fondest memory is graduating. I know it sounds cliché, but I was the first in my family to graduate from college. It was a big accomplishment in my life. Finishing the radiology program was the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but I wouldn’t change a thing.
What do you miss the most about college?
I miss the staff. They were always so helpful when you needed them. Whether it was for a class or just a shoulder to lean on, they were always there for each of their students.
Cynthia M. Mensch
Class of 1982, 2000
M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction
Where is the coolest place your Penn State degree has taken you?
From teaching kindergarten through eighth grade, to running Alvernia University Schuylkill Center.
What was your dream job when you were in college?
Teaching elementary students.
What is your fondest Penn State Schuylkill memory?
Drama club president, directing plays, going on a retreat with all of the club leaders to the Poconos.
What do you miss the most about college?
The good friends that I made.
What was your favorite thing to do during your time on campus?
Sing with Mr. Beach, help lead the orientations, hanging out in the SGA office.
Harunah Barry
Class of 2017
Administration of Justice, B.A.
Where is the coolest place your Penn State degree has taken you?
Since graduating from Penn State, my Administration of Justice degree has taken me many places within the federal government. During my last semester at Penn State Schuylkill, I was among 16 out of 3000 applicants offered an internship position with Interpol Washington. After leaving Interpol, I was offered a Pathways internship with the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the Inspector General because of my academic achievements at Penn State Schuylkill.
What was your dream job when you were in college?
When I was at Penn State Schuylkill, my dream was (and still is) to run for Congress. I want to make a difference in Washington. I believe that I can bring fresh new ideas to the table.
What is your fondest Penn State Schuylkill memory?
Graduating with more honors credits than any other student in the Honors Program – past or present. In addition, writing a publishable paper with the help of Dr. Can.
What do you miss the most about college?
The clubs, community service events, and honors trips.
Kim Lorimer
Class of 1998
Letters, Arts & Sciences, A.S.
Class of 2003
Business, B.S.
Where is the coolest place your Penn State degree has taken you?
Greece.
What was your dream job when you were in college?
Working with entrepreneurs.
What is your fondest Penn State Schuylkill memory?
Being at orientation with my son Jacob.
What do you miss the most about college?
Learning new things and meeting new people.
What was your favorite thing to do during your time on campus?
Learn.
Kimberly Blum
Class of 1990
Engineering, A.S.
Where is the coolest place your Penn State degree has taken you?
My current job. I currently enjoy the benefits of traveling to interesting places and working most days from home. My Penn State degree was the launching pad to my first job where I obtained experience in what I am still doing today.
What was your dream job when you were in college?
I always wanted to be an engineer but my dream job would have been to be a meteorologist on TV.
What do you miss the most about college?
Having the time to socialize. Real-life is busy with work, kids, and grandkids.
What was your favorite thing to do during your time on campus?
I loved taking skiing for gym class! I loved it so much I took the class 3 times!! A huge group of us took the class. We went to Big Bolder every week, lift tickets were very cheap because it was part of the gym class. We had to take a short ski lesson and then had the rest of the night to ourselves. Some of my favorite memories are from those ski classes.