UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Jingyi Hu has been selected to represent Penn State’s College of Earth and Mineral Sciences (EMS) as the student marshal for the college’s fall 2025 commencement on Sunday, Dec. 21, in the Bryce Jordan Center on the University Park campus.
Hu, a Schreyer Honors Scholar, will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in meteorology and atmospheric science. He also participated in the Integrated Undergraduate and Graduate program and will concurrently graduate with a master’s degree. Hu has a 4.0 grade-point average and has been named to the Dean’s List every semester at Penn State.
“It is my great honor to serve as the student marshal for the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences,” Hu said. “I really appreciate this opportunity that the college has provided me.”
Hu received numerous awards and scholarships while at Penn State, including the University’s President Walker Award, President Sparks Award and Evan Pugh Scholar Award. He also received many from the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences and the Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science including the Matthew J. Wilson Honors Scholarship, Charles L. and Anna R. Hosler Scholarship, John A. Dutton Dynamics Award, Physical Meteorology Award and Josh Fox and Danese Joiner Excellence in Meteorology Scholarship. He is a member of Chi Epsilon Pi, a national honor society for students in the field of meteorology and atmospheric science.
Hu was very involved in undergraduate research. He worked with Xingchao Chen, assistant professor of meteorology, on identifying key driving mechanisms for the long-distance diurnal rainfall offshore propagation in the tropical eastern Pacific. This research led to two peer-reviewed journal articles with Hu as the lead author.
Hu was involved in many extracurricular activities. He served as the vice president and secretary of the Penn State Weather Data Science Club and as a math and physics tutor in the college’s Ryan Family Student Center.
“Meteorology is a math and physics-heavy major,” said Hu. “Math and physics skills are crucial for success in other STEM majors as well. I wanted to help students build their math and physics skills to help them succeed in their future courses. I tutored first-year and sophomore students in calculus, vector analysis, mechanics and electromagnetism physics. I enjoyed seeing students working out problems and getting good grades on exams.”
Hu has advice for future students interested in EMS at Penn State.
“The great academic environment here makes it possible for student to pursue what they truly feel passionate about,” Hu said. “If you get overwhelmed, don’t worry! Professors and staff are here to provide friendly advice and help you succeed.”
Hu said he plans to pursue a doctoral degree in meteorology and hopes to become a faculty member at a university.