By: Ilario Longo, Lions’s Eye Staff Writer, ijl5090@psu.edu

The inaugural mock convention, a student-led simulated presidential nominating convention, was held here on campus Thursday, Feburary 6. This is a campus and community-wide convention that tries to predict who the party, not currently in office, will nominate to run for president.

Brandywine’s mock convention is co-coordinated by Marinda K. Harrell-Levy, assistant professor, human development and family studies and Vippy Yee, Rosenberg Director, Center for Ethics and Civic Engagement.

“There is a lot that goes into planning this event. It takes a large number of people doing their parts,” said Harrell-Levy.

This event provides students with valuable knowledge about the political process. “It is a great resume builder and it also provides students with leadership and social qualities,” said Harrell-Levy.

The convention launched with a parade in January to raise awareness and garner excitement for the convention. The entire campus community was invited to watch the participants of the parade as they marched their floats representing their states. The parade saw floats and more than 75 students, faculty and staff in attendance.

The students who participated had the chance to socialize and have a good time during common hour. The student floats ran the gamut of creativity. One float in particular that stood out represented the state of Pennsylvania as it honored NBA legend and Lower Merion High School grad, Kobe Bryant who passed away in January. The winner of the mock convention parade was a float from Louisiana.

Student, Md Rahman, represented North Carolina. “My job was to get as many people to vote for North Carolina as possible. The whole process was challenging but also fun at the same time, especially decorating the float,” said Rahman.

Food was provided and prizes were awarded. A competitive Kahoot game tested the history and general knowledge about the presidential nominees and facts about the U.S.

Between the mock convention parade and the Kahoot game, students had the chance to gain more knowledge about the presidential election.

The mock convention voting took place on February 6 with Democratic candidate and former Vice President, Joe Biden chosen as the winner by the campus. Let’s see who the nation picks as the Democratic candidate.

Sophia Keller, Lion’s Eye Staff Writer, sxk1036@psu.edu

Penn State Brandywine’s Career Services department is one of the first places students can visit in order to learn more about internship opportunities offered by small and corporate businesses or by the school itself.

Brandywine provides its students with one-on-one help from career service coordinators, like Christine Allen, and internship classes taught by Associate Professor of English Elizabeth Womack and Lecturer in Human Development and Family Studies Michael Sturm, in order to prepare students for their future career.

According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), 57.5% of graduating students who completed one or more internships received multiple job offers. Students with internships on their resumes are more likely to receive a job offer over students who have no internship experience.

Students shouldn’t waste time applying for internships, either. We asked Christine Allen, career services coordinator, if sophomore year was the best time to begin the application process and she said, “…it is possible to get hired younger, you may not get exactly the type of position that you want, but if you can get at least two experiences that would be ideal.”

Allen detailed that the career services department provides students with a database of former student’s internships, where they worked, who they worked for, and what the experience was like.

Students seeking help from career services personnel are provided with tools such as mock interviews, networking opportunities, and meetings with previous interns. As an example, Allen suggested coming prepared with questions to ask your future employer, no matter how trivial, shows dedication and interest in the internship.

Besides the career services department, Brandywine offers classes strictly dedicated to internships. Michael J. Sturm, an internship coordinator for Human Development and Family Studies, explained the classes primarily help students create resumes, and often students struggle to find relevant information to include. Sturm also stated that references should not be included on your resume, but in a separate file. Only provide references when the employer asks.

The classes also help create targeted portfolios and teach career readiness skills, like teamwork, collaboration, taking initiative and observing your surroundings. Students never want to end up in a situation where they’re forced to ask the employer what needs to be done.

As an English professor and teacher of one of these internship courses, Womack said you should know to have questions prepared, “One of the most important parts of preparing for an interview is knowing that they will ask you if you have any questions. Although it seems like a friendly offer, it’s really their opportunity to see how much work you have done to do research on the company.”

When asked whether or not students should apply for internships only focused on their major, Womack said, “I think students should pursue internships that they find interesting. You’re not an expert, yet, so I think it’s good to sample broadly but not indiscriminately.”

Womack believes portfolios should only include work that you feel proud of, something you are excited to show employers. That they should also be reader friendly, and highlight your skills set. Generally, apply for an internship if it sounds interesting or cool to you. You can work in many different environments before you decide what you’d like to do for a career.

By: Brad Dawson, Lion’s Eye Editor, bpd13@psu.edu

Brandywine competes to be on top when it comes with athletics. All sports are set at a high standard and high expectations. Over the years, conference titles have been won in multiple sports and even a national championship in men’s soccer.

Softball has also been very successful, winning records year after year and working hard to compete at the top of their game. Brandywine is a school where some players only come to play for two years before going to University Park, but other stay for four years.

Every year the team gets new recruits or even walk-ons. Every year the team changes and works to have the best team chemistry to compete with every other team. Every year new players come in and already have a lot of pressure and are set high expectations before the season even starts.

The season is long and the team works hard to stay at the top of the conference. Prior to the season start, the team has practices and conditioning tests. This allows the team to come together before games start and get a head start before games.

Upper class athletes have even more pressure because they are looked on as role models to the new players. They are there to give advice and show an example. Connecting with the incoming freshman is really important because it helps them feel included and easier to adjust to the college life.

Haley Grossi is a junior softball player and is always excited for the season to start.

“As a team, we hope to secure another PSUAC title. We have won for the past five years, so we have high expectations and very eager to play.”

“Playing with a young team does have its challenges but is very rewarding at the same time. Freshman have been adjusting quickly and work well with everyone on the team which is good team chemistry,” said Katelyn.

Softball is always at the top of their conference and the freshman have pressure to compete.

Katelyn Borello is a freshman who has a lot of pressure with all the high expectations the team and coaches have.

“Since I am a freshman when I get playing time, I need to give it 110% to show my ability to compete and get more playing time and most importantly help the team win.”

Softball officially starts practice this February and games start at the end of the month. The season goes through May, with travel to Florida in March for their Spring Break Tournament. The team is eager to compete, play, and exceed their own expectations.

By: Nick Spaventa, Lion’s Path editor, njs5681@psu.edu

The bookstore is the place to buy your books, supplies, gear or candy.
Students and staff may have met the two men who run the bookstore, Alan Pine and Dan Bruno in their time at Penn State Brandywine, but have they stopped to talk to them? Now we will get to know the two men behind the counter.

Students interact with Pine and Bruno all the time. Student Will Copeland said that they, “serve staff and students with helpful and excellent customer service.”

Pine is a Penn State Altoona graduate, class of 2010, and has been working in the Brandywine bookstore since 2014. He had an internship at Altoona’s bookstore and decided to stay with Barnes and Noble. A position opened at Brandywine in 2014 and he has been here ever since.

Bruno is not an alumnus of Penn State; however, he has a rich Penn State family
history. His sister, niece and
nephew all attended Penn State. His brother-in-law is a retired professor who worked at Penn State University as well.

When asked what he likes about working here, Pine stated, “as an alum, it is nice to stay in touch with Penn State.With a lot of the questions students ask me, it is nice to help them out because I have the experience and it is nice to help people out. It is also nice to get all the new Penn State gear.”

When asked the same question, Bruno said, “I really like the campus environment. I like the students and talking about their majors and future goals and helping them out. I also like providing sustained customer service to people.”

Both Pine and Bruno said they have made, “good friendships with many different students and staff
members over the years and even remembering students’ majors and future aspirations.”

Outside of work, Pine loves playing X-box when he has the time and watching and going to sports events. He and his wife are big animal lovers and they have two dogs and four cats.

Bruno also enjoys watching and attending sports events. He also is a, “music nerd, loving all kinds of music especially classic rock and Motown.” He is a family man
who,“loves spending time and playing with his grandchildren and attending their events.”

Both are huge sports fans. Pine is a huge soccer fan and he is a fan of a couple of European soccer teams.
Bruno is a huge Phillies fan. In 2008, he attended three playoff games, including a World Series game. He was also at the “divisional game when Shane Victorino hit a grand slam off C.C Sabathia.” He has been “following the Phillies since 1964,” and nearly “jumped through the roof when they signed Bryce Harper” last March.

Get to know the people that you run into every day. Get to know everyone’s favorite bookstore “guys,” better known as Alan and Dan.

The Brandywine campus of Pennsylvania State University recently appointed Marilyn Wells as chancellor following the retirement of former Chancellor Kristin Woolever last July.

Wells was chosen to be the new chancellor after a lengthy interviewing process, which included student-led forums with potential candidates.

Wells was born in the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area to first-generation American parents. Growing up Wells’ parents were very steadfast in wanting Wells and her brother to attend college.

Wells said, “My mom and dad were also very hardworking but they saw the key to a better life was an education. They believed that with every fiber of their being.”

When it was time to go off to college, Wells chose to attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania where she received a bachelor’s degree in home economics.

After completing her undergraduate degree, Wells went on to work in the food industry where she managed a restaurant. Eventually, Wells went back to school to get a master’s degree, and her love for education led to her pursuing a doctorate as well.

When asked what made her go back to school after leaving the restaurant industry, she said, “The answer to any question is education.”

Wells credits her parents’ belief in education being the key to a better life as a big reason as to why both her brother and her went on to receive advanced degrees. Her mother, in particular, was a staunch supporter of her and always encouraged her to pursue her dreams.

Wells said, “I was never told I couldn’t do anything because I was a girl.”

As a professional, Wells has worked in eight different states. Due to her time spent in different regions of the United States as a professional, she has a wide-ranging perspective on the ways geography can impact local culture.

In her free time, she enjoys cooking and baking. One of her favorite foods is pierogis, which is a type of food related to her Slovak ethnic background.

“I grew up in a family where food was love,” Wells said.

During her first visit to Brandywine in October 2019, she said one of her first impressions was how “stunningly beautiful” the campus is.

“I was very impressed by the warmth of the faculty, the staff and the students,” Wells said.

Wells was particularly impressed by the turnout at the forum where students were able to interview the chancellor candidates directly.

The new chancellor has many goals and visions for her time at Brandywine. She highlighted being able to grow enrollment and aiding students in completing their degrees at a good rate.

“One of our challenges for many of our students is that they’re doing well academically…but the financial barriers are challenging for them,” Wells said.

She is particularly concerned with students leaving the university without a degree or in significant debt. The financial aspect of college is something she is passionate about working on, with the goal of helping students graduate.

Among other things, she discussed the potential of adding more residence halls, moving to Division III athletics, adding academic programs and improving facilities on campus.

“One of the things that attracted me to Brandywine is there has been important growth and achievements,” she said.

Wells said that one thing that keeps her “real” is that she has a daughter who is currently in college so she is able to see some of the difficulties students face firsthand.

Dr. Wells’ leadership and experience look to pave a clear path to Brandywine’s future.

Lion’s Eye Staff Editor

William Copeland, wkc6@psu.edu

Madison D’Ambrosio, Lion’s Eye Staff Writer, mld5656@psu.edu

On Friday, Jan. 17 at Penn State Fayette, stand-out Penn State Brandywine senior guard Nikki Velez poured in 29 points to surpass Dana Johnson’s 12-year-tenure as Penn State Brandywine’s women’s basketball all-time leading scorer.

Dana Johnson graduated in 2007 and accumulated 1,519 points throughout her career. Velez only needed a total of 19 points to break that record going into the game, which was possible, considering Velez leads the Penn State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC) and her team in points-per-game (18.3).

Velez will be graduating this May with a bachelor of science in psychology. She is a two-sport athlete at Brandywine, playing basketball and softball.

In her freshman year, Velez accumulated 513 points in only 30 games of action. She finished third in the PSUAC in scoring at 17.1 points per game. She led the PSUAC in made three-pointers, making at least one three-pointer in all games except for one.

Not just an impressive scorer her freshman year, but a defensive threat as well, Velez averaged three steals per game that made Velez fifth in the PSUAC conference. To wrap up her freshman year of collegiate level basketball, she claimed United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) First Team All-American, First Team All-PSUAC, and PSUAC Newcomer of the Year awards.

During her sophomore year, Velez again earned those awards and added a third, Newcomer of The Year, which is only for freshmen.

She received USCAA First Team All-American, and First Team All-PSUAC awards for the second year in a row, but was added to the PSUAC All-Academic Team, as well as received the John Fritz Sportsmanship Award. She led her team in scoring 14.8 points per game and 2.7 steals per game. Her stealing average was good enough to earn her a place in the top 15 in the USCAA. She topped all scorers in the PSUAC in three-pointers made with 72, and made at least one three-pointer in 25-of-26 games.

In her junior year Velez reached another milestone. On November 30, 2018 against Penn State Mont Alto, Velez recorded her 1,000th career point.  She also ended the season as the USCAA Second Team All-American, and wound up being the second best in the PSUAC.

Velez described the feeling of becoming the all-time leading scorer, “It is an honor to have this title, but there is still a lot more of the season left to play and our only focus is winning the PSUAC and making it to the USCAA Nationals.”

Velez also said, “Dana Johnson is one of the best players to come through Brandywine basketball; having her at the next home game to give me the All-Time Leading Scorer Award was a special moment for me.”