UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Alex Mullen has been named the summer 2025 student marshal for the Penn State College of Engineering. Mullen will receive dual bachelor’s degrees in computer science and engineering science with minors in mathematics and engineering mechanics at the University’s undergraduate commencement ceremony, which will be held at 9:30 a.m on Saturday, Aug. 16, at the Bryce Jordan Center at University Park.
Student marshals are selected for their exceptional academic achievements and significant contributions to student life.
“I felt that this honor gave me an opportunity and reason to celebrate the work I’ve put in to earn my degree,” Mullen said. “I wasn’t planning on taking the nontraditional route I did, with an extra year and major, and I’m proud to have stuck it through.”
A graduate of State College Area High School, Mullen is the son of Tracy Mullen, of State College. He earned a 4.0 GPA and was named to the dean’s list for seven full-time and four part-time semesters.
Mullen’s undergraduate journey included extensive research at Penn State, where he contributed to research on photonics and quantum technology from 2022 to 2024 and to clinical applications of optical tweezers under Corina Drapaca, associate professor of engineering science and mechanics, in 2025.
Mullen was recognized with numerous awards and scholarships, including the John R. and Bernice R. Mentzer Endowed Award, the Complete Penn State “Open Doors” scholarship, the Walter Jaunzemis Memorial Scholarship, the Edward M. Frymoyer Honors Scholarship, the Blakeslee Endowment Scholarship for Engineering Science and Mechanics, and the Ready to Succeed Scholarship.
Outside of the classroom, Mullen was a key member of Penn State’s men’s ultimate frisbee club from 2021 to 2025, serving as vice president in 2022, president in 2023 and team captain in 2024.
He also completed two internships: one with Loop Software as a software intern in summer 2021, where he worked as a software intern developing web-based tools for equipment manufacturers, and another with Penn State’s Applied Research Lab from September 2024 to June 2025, where he developed intelligent camera algorithms for unmanned vehicles.
Mullen noted that while his research and internship experiences were important to his academic and professional growth, it was his involvement with the ultimate frisbee team that shaped him personally.
“When I arrived on campus, the team was struggling through roster turnover and tournament cancellations from the lockdown,” he said. “Last year, as the lead captain, I was able to help guide the team to qualify for the national tournament for the first time in over 20 years. Although I had to take a step back leadership-wise this year to focus on my internship, I will never forget the lessons I learned in communication, camaraderie and work ethic.”
After graduation, Mullen plans to work in embedded software for General Dynamics in the Boston area. General Dynamics is a leading aerospace and defense company that develops advanced technologies, including secure communications, embedded systems, and mission-critical software for military and government use.