| Student Profiles 2007 |
Whitni Rouse, Future Publisher
A sophomore English major at Abington, Whitni wants to start her own magazine for African-American youth. Her magazine would provide more information about skin care, community service and education to this underserved audience.
Here at Abington she has become convinced that the message to other young people is "You can go to college, get good grades, make something of yourself."
Abington's small size, convenient location (she's from Philly) and campus diversity made her first year a very positive one.
She likes the closeness and support of faculty and fellow students, leading her to become a Lion Ambassador in addition to joining the Student Government Association.
Joyce Tang, International Student
Most students who go away to college need only to travel within the state, or a few states over. Joyce Tang has come halfway around the world to attend Abington College.
Joyce's family in Hong Kong, China, felt that colleges in the U.S. are better than in their homeland. And Penn State University's strong international reputation led her to Abington. She was fine with all that until her mother was about to return home, leaving her daughter behind in August 2006.
"I was so scared," she admits, adding, "I had never even seen a squirrel before and there were no cabs here."
Now a sophomore Business major, Joyce has quickly adapted to life here in the states with Penn State Abington's back-to-nature campus scenery and the supportive campus staff. The transition was also made easier by the fact that Joyce's sister was already attending New York University, just two hours away.
Other students typically "freak out" when they learn she's from China, but then, are very accepting.
As SGA Secretary, Joyce also found joining campus clubs quickly added friends to her social circle. Academically, she now finds her college grades are actually better that her high school grades in Hong Kong.
John Madara, Cancer Researcher (and goalkeeper)
John's initial plan to was to get a Penn State B.S. in Science and a Thomas Jefferson University M.S. in Biotechnology. Things changed again after he spent a few semesters at Abington College.
John has found the small class sizes, supportive faculty and his ACURA project research made it more difficult to leave.He now plans to graduate in May '09 with a double major in Science/History.
His research, in collaboration with Fox Chase Cancer Center, is looking at a particular pregnancy hormone and its affects on breast cancer cells. That project and his role as captain of the men's soccer team have kept the fourth-year senior here.
"I really like this place. Being in the small classes helps me. I'm able to build a relationship with my professors."
MaeAnna Hassell, Out-of-State Student
MaeAnna's from Maryland, but as child of a U.S. Marine, she's lived everywhere from the backwoods to the beach.
"Penn State Abington is perfect for me - 2 and 1/2 hours from home - but I'm still on my own."
Entering her sophomore year, MaeAnna notes the campus closeness to Philly makes it easy for her to visit the Rocky statue, the Love Sign and Philly's best cheesesteak shops. The diversity of the student body and campus organizations (she's SGA vice president and in Abington Christian Fellowship) have made her transition to live in Abington an easy one.
"Everyone embraces you here," she noted when considering if she would transition to University Park. "I'm not sure if I want to leave that."
The Political Science major is considering a switch to English, despite the fact that lobbying in political circles is still a career goal for her, especially once she becomes part of the country's largest alumni association.
