Paying it forward: Penn Staters support student success
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Members of the Penn State community have volunteered time, made financial contributions or launched new programs to advance career development opportunities for future degree holders. Penn State's "We Are" spirit can be seen in all sorts of ways across the Penn State community — including how Penn State alumni give of their time, talent, and treasure to support current students.
One million Penn State degrees means there are one million unique Penn State stories. Below is a small sampling of some of the many ways Penn Staters are giving back to the University to help current students achieve the same level of success that their degrees made possible for them.
Regina Fetterolf returned two decades after graduating from Penn State Abington and now serves as an academic adviser, helping students navigate academics, overcome personal challenges and discover opportunities that can help shape their futures. “Penn State Abington has given me so much," Fetterolf said. "And now I’m returning the favor.” Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons
Diana Long, right, earned a bachelor’s degree in 2004 and a master’s degree in 2008 from the College of Information Sciences and Technology. She currently gives back through the college’s Alumni-Student Mentoring Program, helping current students gain insights into their post-graduation journey. “There’s great value in a Penn State education, but the people who come through our school – who want to stay involved and help students succeed – I think that’s our secret sauce," Long said.Credit: Provided. All Rights Reserved.
College of Health and Human Development 1981 alumnus Jonathan Wolf has spent a career making a difference in the field of behavioral health — and is helping current Penn State students do the same. He made a landmark gift to Penn State to scale resources for students studying to become addiction treatment professionals, earning him the distinction of being named Penn State’s 2026 Philanthropist of the Year. “My goal with this gift was to get to the root of the problem by capitalizing on Penn State’s existing strengths to build a powerful pipeline into this industry so that students have the financial and academic support to feel confident that they can succeed and thrive," Wolf said.Credit: Penn State. All Rights Reserved.
Craig Diehl, left, a 1988 graduate of Penn State Dickinson Law, has created a new pathway to law program to support first-generation students and students from disadvantaged backgrounds interested in attending law school. “I chose to join the Diehl Pathway to Law Program because of the amazing resources, mentorship and opportunities for growth provided to students,” said one member of the program’s inaugural cohort. Credit: Craig Diehl. All Rights Reserved.
Palmer Moore, a 2026 finance graduate from the Smeal College of Business, is already taking the success Penn State has made possible for him and paying it forward. Through a gift to two Smeal programs that made a difference for him, he’s helping other students achieve their dreams. “At the end of the day, I wanted to see [this gift] create opportunities like the ones I’ve had," he said.Credit: Photo provided. All Rights Reserved.
Longtime Penn State Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications professor Steve Manuel has led a career of distinguished service — from serving as a photojournalist and commissioned officer in the U.S. Marine Corps to nearly 30 years at Penn State, during which time he has taught more than 10,000 students. From first-year seminars to 400-level capstone courses, Manuel was a fixture in the Bellisario College of Communications until his retirement this year, well-known for challenging students to think through real situations pulled from his accomplished career. A decorated journalist, his photographs have appeared in more than 115 publications, from Sports Illustrated to the New York Times, and he has earned many of the field’s most prestigious awards. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons
Alumni couple Anne Eisert and Jim Piersol recently created an endowed fund at Penn State Behrend to support the Lion Pantry on campus, helping fight food insecurity and support vulnerable students on their pathways to their degrees. Both Eisert and Piersol credit Penn State for their successes and were motivated to help current students achieve their dreams. “We’re at a point in our lives where giving back to Penn State feels important,” said Piersol. “The University has greatly shaped our careers by providing us with incredible opportunities. When we decided to make a gift to Penn State Behrend, our goal was to help as many students as possible each year." Credit: Penn State Behrend / Penn State. Creative Commons
Alumni couple Diane and Mike Katzaman both overcame challenges on their road to a Penn State degree in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Diane navigated an agricultural field still largely dominated by men, while Mike had to forge a path for himself to find new opportunities not available in his hometown. Now together they have made a $3 million commitment to support access and affordability to help current students overcome their own challenges. “Part of our motivation for creating pathways to career mobility is so young people today don’t run into some of the obstacles we faced,” Diane said. Credit: Penn State. All Rights Reserved.
Doctorate of entomology 2009 alumna Maya Nehme’s Penn State legacy can be felt around the world. At Penn State, her leadership as a doctoral student helped inspire the College of Agricultural Sciences’ international agriculture and development dual-title degree program, which enrolls dozens of students each year to prepare future global leaders. At home in her native Lebanon, Nehme serves as the director of the Lebanon Reforestation Initiative, a leading nongovernmental organization shaping national policy. “Thanks to Maya, Penn State has alumni around the world who are equipped not only with technical expertise but also with the ability to work on complex global issues with multiple partners and cultures,” said Deanna Behring, College of Agricultural Sciences assistant dean and director of Ag Sciences Global. Credit: Contributed Photo. All Rights Reserved.
Two recent faculty and staff retirees — Robin Stevens, left, and J. Randall ‘Randy’ Woolridge — are credited with establishing the Penn State Smeal College of Business as a leading source of Wall Street talent. The pair launched Smeal’s Wall Street Boot Camp in 2007, building a program that connects students with alumni, industry mentors and career opportunities while preparing them to navigate Wall Street with confidence and professionalism. Read more about their impact on Penn State News. Credit: Samuel Stuart Hollenshead. All Rights Reserved.
Regina Fetterolf returned two decades after graduating from Penn State Abington and now serves as an academic adviser, helping students navigate academics, overcome personal challenges and discover opportunities that can help shape their futures. “Penn State Abington has given me so much," Fetterolf said. "And now I’m returning the favor.” Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons
Diana Long, right, earned a bachelor’s degree in 2004 and a master’s degree in 2008 from the College of Information Sciences and Technology. She currently gives back through the college’s Alumni-Student Mentoring Program, helping current students gain insights into their post-graduation journey. “There’s great value in a Penn State education, but the people who come through our school – who want to stay involved and help students succeed – I think that’s our secret sauce," Long said.Credit: Provided. All Rights Reserved.
College of Health and Human Development 1981 alumnus Jonathan Wolf has spent a career making a difference in the field of behavioral health — and is helping current Penn State students do the same. He made a landmark gift to Penn State to scale resources for students studying to become addiction treatment professionals, earning him the distinction of being named Penn State’s 2026 Philanthropist of the Year. “My goal with this gift was to get to the root of the problem by capitalizing on Penn State’s existing strengths to build a powerful pipeline into this industry so that students have the financial and academic support to feel confident that they can succeed and thrive," Wolf said.Credit: Penn State. All Rights Reserved.
Craig Diehl, left, a 1988 graduate of Penn State Dickinson Law, has created a new pathway to law program to support first-generation students and students from disadvantaged backgrounds interested in attending law school. “I chose to join the Diehl Pathway to Law Program because of the amazing resources, mentorship and opportunities for growth provided to students,” said one member of the program’s inaugural cohort. Credit: Craig Diehl. All Rights Reserved.
Palmer Moore, a 2026 finance graduate from the Smeal College of Business, is already taking the success Penn State has made possible for him and paying it forward. Through a gift to two Smeal programs that made a difference for him, he’s helping other students achieve their dreams. “At the end of the day, I wanted to see [this gift] create opportunities like the ones I’ve had," he said.Credit: Photo provided. All Rights Reserved.
Longtime Penn State Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications professor Steve Manuel has led a career of distinguished service — from serving as a photojournalist and commissioned officer in the U.S. Marine Corps to nearly 30 years at Penn State, during which time he has taught more than 10,000 students. From first-year seminars to 400-level capstone courses, Manuel was a fixture in the Bellisario College of Communications until his retirement this year, well-known for challenging students to think through real situations pulled from his accomplished career. A decorated journalist, his photographs have appeared in more than 115 publications, from Sports Illustrated to the New York Times, and he has earned many of the field’s most prestigious awards. Credit: Penn State. Creative Commons
Alumni couple Anne Eisert and Jim Piersol recently created an endowed fund at Penn State Behrend to support the Lion Pantry on campus, helping fight food insecurity and support vulnerable students on their pathways to their degrees. Both Eisert and Piersol credit Penn State for their successes and were motivated to help current students achieve their dreams. “We’re at a point in our lives where giving back to Penn State feels important,” said Piersol. “The University has greatly shaped our careers by providing us with incredible opportunities. When we decided to make a gift to Penn State Behrend, our goal was to help as many students as possible each year." Credit: Penn State Behrend / Penn State. Creative Commons
Alumni couple Diane and Mike Katzaman both overcame challenges on their road to a Penn State degree in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Diane navigated an agricultural field still largely dominated by men, while Mike had to forge a path for himself to find new opportunities not available in his hometown. Now together they have made a $3 million commitment to support access and affordability to help current students overcome their own challenges. “Part of our motivation for creating pathways to career mobility is so young people today don’t run into some of the obstacles we faced,” Diane said. Credit: Penn State. All Rights Reserved.
Doctorate of entomology 2009 alumna Maya Nehme’s Penn State legacy can be felt around the world. At Penn State, her leadership as a doctoral student helped inspire the College of Agricultural Sciences’ international agriculture and development dual-title degree program, which enrolls dozens of students each year to prepare future global leaders. At home in her native Lebanon, Nehme serves as the director of the Lebanon Reforestation Initiative, a leading nongovernmental organization shaping national policy. “Thanks to Maya, Penn State has alumni around the world who are equipped not only with technical expertise but also with the ability to work on complex global issues with multiple partners and cultures,” said Deanna Behring, College of Agricultural Sciences assistant dean and director of Ag Sciences Global. Credit: Contributed Photo. All Rights Reserved.
Two recent faculty and staff retirees — Robin Stevens, left, and J. Randall ‘Randy’ Woolridge — are credited with establishing the Penn State Smeal College of Business as a leading source of Wall Street talent. The pair launched Smeal’s Wall Street Boot Camp in 2007, building a program that connects students with alumni, industry mentors and career opportunities while preparing them to navigate Wall Street with confidence and professionalism. Read more about their impact on Penn State News. Credit: Samuel Stuart Hollenshead. All Rights Reserved.