Jessica Maginnis is more than just a student here at Penn State Brandywine, she’s a friend to many.
Maginnis has made her college experience a unique one by participating in events, joining clubs, as well as being an extraordinary student-athlete. Maginnis is a junior planning to graduate in spring of 2016, with a Bachelor of Arts in HDFS.
In 2013, Maginnis received the “Student Woman of the Year Award for Leadership and Involvement Enhancement on campus.” Student leaders at Penn State Brandywine are recognized for their positive influence on the study body, outstanding service to the campus community through volunteering, cross-cultural understanding, academic excellence and campus involvement during the campus’ annual Leadership Recognition Night.
A member of the women’s cross country team, Maginnis just recently experienced a National Championship. This past fall, the team went to the National Championship in Syracuse, New York. They finished in 11th place out of 18th overall, and first out of all Penn State satellite campuses, beating their big rival Scranton in the Women’s Conference.
“That experience was rewarding since all our girls trained like beasts and ran in the freezing, slippery weather in New York,” Maginnis said. “The experience also lead to getting a PSUAC Academic All-Conference award for the first time for earning a 3.0 and participating in a sport.”
Maginnis excels in the classroom too. She’s had several memorable professors along the way.
“My favorite professor here at Brandywine is difficult to choose, but I would pick Dr. Zosh,” Maginnis said. “I’ve only had her twice, but I hope to have her again. She challenges me and knows so much about child development. She seems so passionate about her work and research, which gives me strength to want to do more with children.”
Maginnis’ experience here at Brandywine has been a very interesting one to say the least. College life has changed from freshman year to senior year. Hanging out in the Lion’s Den with amazing lifelong friends and creating irreplaceable memories is something that she will hold on to forever. Her sophomore year is when she took over THON with some help from her cousin and started running cross country. She managed this all while keeping up with her busy social life on campus, working 25 hours a week and taking classes.
“It was stressful beyond words, but I wouldn’t have done it any other way,” Maginnis said.
Maginnis’ hard work and determination to succeed in several fields here at Brandywine lead her to the impressive role of being the head of Brandywine THON. Stumbling upon the role of being chair of THON in 2011, with little to no guidance, she took the bull by the horns and has never looked back.
“Being a chair for THON at Brandywine has been difficult yet rewarding in so many ways,” Maginnis said “It’s hard getting people involved on campus and finding out what others would like to do as ‘fun’ on campus. But we are trying different things, and hopefully we increase the involvement and awareness here at Brandywine.”
Her biggest accomplishment in her college career, she said, was attending last year’s THON. Unfortunately, she won’t get that opportunity again because she will be interning next spring.
This student-athlete has accomplished so much in her college career, and just wants current and prospective students to get involved.
“What’s interesting about Brandywine and the students here is that they have to opportunity to take advantage of the resources around them,” Maginnis said. “It’s so easy to get involved and build leadership skills which will help you achieve so much in life.”
That’s true Brandywine spirit right there.
Lion’s Eye Staff Editor, Victoria Marotta, vim5121@psu.edu