Chapel Intern puts sustainable development into practice

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Ben Lindgren, a fourth-year Schreyer Scholar from Pittsburgh, has made the most of his time at Penn State through academic excellence, student leadership and real-world experience.

Dual majoring in international politics and community, environment, and development (CED) with a Spanish minor, Lindgren spent this summer in Austin, Texas, working in corporate sustainability as an intern with Whole Foods Market and Amazon. In his role, he assessed the sustainability practices of Whole Foods’ private-brand suppliers, from farm operations to processing facilities, in support of Amazon’s company-wide decarbonization strategy.

“I got to work with Whole Foods’ legal team evaluating contracts that fund farmers to implement more sustainable practices on-site,” Lindgren said. “This showcases the direct relationships between the law and current environmental practices in business.”

Lindgren’s experience was made possible with support from the Virginia Todd Chapel Executive Internship Program in the College of the Liberal Arts, which provides $6,000 to students completing top-level career development opportunities in the private sector.

Lindgren said the funding helped cover housing and travel expenses so he could live in Austin for the summer and focus more on his internship work while exploring the city.

“I am most grateful for the Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network and donors for the funding they have provided for me to engage in many of the professional development experiences I have had over the summers during my Penn State career,” Lindgren said. “I highly encourage students to apply for Liberal Arts enrichment funding to support their professional journeys.”

Lindgren’s majors in the College of the Liberal Arts and the College of Agricultural Sciences have made it possible for him to study the relationship between policy and its effects on the environment and agriculture.

“My two majors complement each other perfectly,” Lindgren said. “My international politics major provides insight into global trade, which greatly affects agriculture. My CED major provides more practical skills in environmental economics and rural sociology. I minor in Spanish to hopefully engage with the many Spanish speakers involved in agriculture in the U.S. and beyond.”

Lindgren believes this combination will allow him to make a global impact in the world of sustainable development, which he engaged in during his May 2024 trip to Australia through Penn State’s UNESCO Youth as Researchers program.

“It was always a childhood dream of mine to visit Australia,” Lindgren said. “I learned about the relationship between sustainable development and Indigenous cultural values, and it was truly critical to my studies in international politics, particularly exploring the relationship between policy and the environment.”

Although Australia stands out as his favorite out-of-classroom experience, Lindgren said he has also made a meaningful impact on campus through leadership opportunities. As sustainability director for the University Park Undergraduate Association, he shared his passion for food systems and environmental responsibility, helping to implement changes that benefit both students and the planet.

“Working as the sustainability director for student government placed me in an advisory role with administrators regarding many of the University’s major sustainability decisions, which was incredibly valuable for my professional growth,” Lindgren said.

Through leadership roles like this, Lindgren said, he has discovered how to navigate Penn State’s many opportunities while forming close interpersonal bonds, particularly as a Schreyer Scholar.

“Penn State is an excellent place to professionally develop due to its sheer size; your leadership roles can affect the lives of thousands of individuals,” he said. “The honors college makes Penn State feel smaller due to its mentorship programs and smaller class sizes. I also participate in honors option projects, which allow me to have more direct relationships with my professors while getting honors credit.”

For all his accomplishments so far at Penn State, Lindgren said he’s most proud of his work with the Lion’s Pantry and the many hours he’s devoted to helping to reduce student hunger on campus.

To students looking to make the most of their time at the University, he said he encourages them to approach things with curiosity, openness and a sense of adventure.

“Get involved and diversify your experiences,” Lindgren said. “Find things out of the classroom that are fun while also supporting your passions and professional growth. Definitely go abroad, even for shorter Maymester or spring break trips!”

This is one in a series of stories about 33 Liberal Arts students who participated in Chapel Executive Internships this summer. Students interested in applying for a Chapel Executive Internship for spring should apply by the Dec. 1 deadline through the Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network.