UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — David Gross, a fourth-year student double-majoring in economics and classics and ancient Mediterranean studies with a Latin minor, will represent the College of the Liberal Arts as its college marshal for the fall 2025 commencement ceremony on Dec. 21 at the University’s Bryce Jordan Center.
The Lower Merion, Pennsylvania, native’s path to marshal status was not clear-cut. In fact, he came into Penn State as a political science major, a detail he barely remembers now, he said, aside from seeing it on his LionPATH transcripts. But through trial, reflection and an openness to new academic directions, Gross steadily carved out a path that blended both analytical rigor and humanistic insight.
“I found my path by walking forward until I realized I was on it,” he said. “I've always been more inclined towards the humanities, so I figured I would excel most in the liberal arts.”
Gross chose Penn State for the challenge of being in a large, dynamic environment after attending a small high school where everyone knew one another, he said. The opportunity to meet new people and explore different disciplines helped him discover the mix of interests that would later define his academic and professional strengths.
He said it was decisions like these, rooted in behavior, choice and reasoning, that sparked his interest in both economics and classics.
“I’ve always been drawn to understanding how people think and make decisions, both in modern markets and in the broader sweep of history,” Gross said. “Economics gave me the analytical and quantitative tools to interpret behavior and evaluate tradeoffs, while classics taught me to think critically, write clearly and draw insight from complex and ambiguous information.”
Gross said the course ECON306 Introduction to Econometrics, taught by Assistant Teaching Professor of Economics Austin Boyle, was the most memorable — and transformative — course he took at Penn State for him because of the hard work he put into it. After failing the class the first time, he used the setback to reevaluate how he approached difficult coursework and how he managed his time.
“When I stepped back into that classroom, I dedicated myself to making full use of every available resource,” Gross said. “My efforts ultimately allowed me to replace that initial ‘F’ with an ‘A.’”
That experience not only strengthened his academic confidence, he said, but also sharpened the habits he would later rely on during internships and professional roles.
Gross said this drive and dedication instilled a work ethic that has allowed him to thrive both academically and professionally.
Being selected college marshal means Gross has proven himself in the classroom while also making noteworthy contributions to student life. That work includes serving as a grader for the Department of Economics and a teaching assistant for the course GREEK101 Ancient Greek 1, and holding leadership positions such as treasurer and philanthropy chair for student organizations like the Alpha Delta Phi fraternity.
Gross said he was surprised and flattered when he opened the email informing him of his selection.
“I’ve worked hard throughout my time in college, and it feels good to have that recognized,” said Gross, who credits the Reverend Thomas Bermingham, S.J. Scholarship in the Classics from the Department of Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies with helping him pursue his academic goals.
Gross’s background in Latin and classics has also shaped the way he approaches problem-solving. He recalled an experience at an airport in Mexico when he attempted to communicate with a desk clerk in Latin, hoping she might understand some of the roots through Spanish.
“She ended up understanding enough to help me,” Gross said. “It reminded me that the way we learn to think and communicate in the classroom can actually apply in surprising real-world situations.”
Gross put his interdisciplinary strengths to work during his corporate underwriting internship at CVS Health, an experience, he said, that solidified his career interests.
Last summer, Gross interned with the underwriting team at CVS Health, where he analyzed risk, reviewed health plan data, and prepared materials that informed pricing recommendations. He said the quantitative training from economics and the communication skills he gained from classics gave him “a competitive edge” on day one.
“My internship showed me how valuable it is to connect data-driven reasoning with clear communication,” Gross said. “Economics gave me the tools to interpret complex datasets, and classics taught me how to explain my findings clearly and persuasively. That combination made it easier to collaborate with my team and contribute in a meaningful way.”
The experience confirmed his interest in pursuing a full-time career as an underwriter.
As he thinks about his future, Gross said he hopes incoming Liberal Arts students — and those considering double majors — won’t be intimidated by uncertainty.
“If you pursue a liberal arts education without a structured career path in mind, it may make it more difficult to find a job after college,” Gross said. “Learn what you're good at, speak to the career coaches in the Liberal Arts Career Enrichment Network, and research roles you think best align with your skills.”
Gross said that exploring different fields created both challenges and freedom, and that the support he found through Liberal Arts Student Services helped him navigate those decisions with confidence.
Ultimately, he added, the twists and turns of his academic journey gave him the blend of analytical and communication skills employers look for.
“The liberal arts taught me how to think, how to learn and how to keep going,” he said. “That’s what I’m taking with me into my career.”