Get Inspired by Student Stories

Janet Purdy

Janet Purdy ’20 (all day)

Ph.D. in Art History

It was a tremendous experience, both personally and educationally, and one that has led me down a path that I never could have planned for. Through cultural immersion and intensive language study, I was introduced in the best imaginable way to the fascinating history and people of the Swahili Coast. My dissertation research is now focused on Swahili art forms, their relationship to Islam in East Africa, and the trade networks of the Indian Ocean rim. I am so appreciative of the University’s investment in me as a student, and the belief in my potential as a scholar.

Madison Taylor

Madison Taylor ’18 (all day)

Major in Biology, minor in Global Health

After spending a whole summer working on my essays, I walked into that interview only to have the panel tell me the essays didn’t sound like me or capture who I was in person. I was discouraged to hear this, but with only a week until the application was due, I sold my football ticket for that weekend and sat in a coffee shop all day on Saturday, re-writing my essays, this time from the heart. It turned out to be worth my time, because I ended up getting the fellowship many months later!

Lucy Spicher, right, is pictured with a Kenyan occupational therapist.

Lucy Spicher ’21 (all day)

Biomedical and Mechanical Engineering

Without URFM and the Spark Program, I wouldn’t have understood the full range of opportunities available to me as a Penn State student. I feel that I’ve truly made the most of my time here, and I can’t wait to see where my education will take me.

Rosalie Sowers

Rosalie Sowers ’19 (all day)

Majors in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Computer Science

I am extremely honored to have been awarded the Goldwater scholarship. It is gratifying to receive recognition for the hard work that I have put into my research over the past several years. The Fellowships Office provided constructive and targeted feedback on my application materials throughout the process to help give me the best chance of succeeding. It forced me to think critically about my long-term career aspirations. As a result, I now feel more confident about the steps I want to take when I graduate from Penn State.

Scout Cheeks

Scout Cheeks ’18 (all day)

Majors in International Politics, Criminology

With the volume of opportunities available at Penn State, I now realize the importance of tailoring my academic career/experiences to accommodate my exact ambitions and career goals. Students have a wide range of freedom to take advantage of those opportunities whether that be through selection of majors, courses, campus involvement, extracurricular activities, professional networking, etc.

Taylor Baum

Taylor Baum ’19 (all day)

Majors in Biology, Electrical Engineering

Research can feel unrewarding for it is an incredibly slow and difficult process. Receiving honors like the Astronaut Scholarship provides justification for my research efforts; others see that I am willing to endure the process in order to discover and create. But this feeling of justification soon turns into inspiration. Because others believe in me, I now have a duty to maintain a caliber of research that is worth believing in.