WYOMISSING, Pa. — Emma Pehote, student marshal for the Penn State Berks fall commencement ceremony, will give a speech titled “Life Is Not Linear,” a reflection of her journey which has led her to earn a bachelor’s degree in integrative science with a minor in psychology. The ceremony will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20, at the Santander Arena in downtown Reading.
Pehote, of Reinholds, Pennsylvania, began her studies at Harrisburg Area Community College before transferring to Penn State Berks. When asked why she chose Penn State Berks, she stated, “I wanted to earn a Penn State degree at a smaller campus and I heard that Berks has a good science program.” She said she was also encouraged by her father, a Penn State alumnus.
She explained that she wants to work in the medical field. After graduation, Pehote plans to take some time away from her studies to work in a hospital setting before eventually returning to school, possibly to study to become an certified anesthesiology assistant. She stated, “I love science and learning. And I know I will always be learning in a hospital.”
During her time at Berks, Pehote commuted to campus, allowing her to save money and enjoy a quiet study environment. On campus, she worked as a learning assistant for general and organic chemistry courses. She received several prestigious awards including the Evan Pugh Scholar Award and President Walker Award and she made the Dean’s List every semester.
When asked how Penn State Berks has prepared her for the future, Pehote said, “I learned a lot about my major and the different specialties within science, and I learned to communicate more effectively. I also learned a lot about myself and how I like to learn.”
Her advice to incoming students? “Take advantage of all the opportunities on campus.”