When I was invited to attend this year's Annual Pennsylvania Conference for Women in Philadelphia by our chancellor, Dr. Sophia Wisniewska, I had no idea what to expect. I signed up right away when I learned that Gloria Steinem was a keynote speaker, but the rest of the itinerary looked a little too career-focused for my undergraduate, pre-career self. I was excited to see Gretchen Rubin, the author of the New York Times bestseller, The Happiness Project, speak, and was thrilled that Christy Turlington Burns joined the line-up late in the game, but other than that, I was a little apprehensive. What could I learn from seminars about climbing the corporate ladder and being an effective leader in the office? I'm still a college student! Skeptical as I was, the opening keynotes exceeded my expectations.

I listened to Gretchen Rubin talk about the important role happiness plays in our lives. "Happy people make people happy," she said. Martha Beck, lauded by Psychology Today, USA Today, and NPR as one of America's best-known life coaches, talked about the physiological differences in the way men and women react to stress. Women secrete different hormones, making them want to take care of others. "Men want to fight or flee. Women want to fight or flee but make sure everyone has a sandwich and a sweater."

I was happily surprised at the way the day was progressing. I felt like I was not only in for a day full of inspiring talks from motivating women, but I was about to gain insight into the way fear operates in my life on a daily basis. Fear is a powerful emotion that causes us to lose focus of the present moment, of what is real and tangible and beautiful in each single moment. I was able to lose myself in the beauty of the day, instead of worrying about my impending thesis due dates and long list of tasks to complete by the end of the week.

I gained insight into effective leadership from Betsy Myers, author (Take the Lead: Motivate, Inspire, and Bring Out the Best in Yourself and Everyone Around You), founder of the Center for Women and Business at Bentley University, and former senior adviser for the Clinton and Obama administrations.

I peeked inside the world of fashion journalism with Kate Betts, author (Everyday Icon: Michelle Obama and the Power of Style) and former TIME Magazine contributor, Vogue editor, and editor-in-chief of Harper's Bazaar.

Condemned Olympian-turned-motivational speaker, Marion Jones, talked about her struggle to deal with her fear when faced with the reality of a poor decision: taking performance-enhancing drugs. She said, "If only I had taken a break instead of trying to deal with the fear myself, I might have made a better decision."

Maternal health advocate, Christy Turlington Burns, talked about the struggle to transform her global image from a legendary supermodel to a public health advocate. Her current initiative, "Every Mother Counts," is aimed at increasing education and support for the women who die every 90 seconds from complications in pregnancy; of these deaths, 90 precent are preventable.

Author (Add More ~ing To Your Life) and self-proclaimed "Spirit Junkie," Gabrielle Bernstein led an intimate session that chronicled her trip to rock bottom and her arduous journey toward sobriety, spirituality, and self-love.

The final keynote speaker at lunch was social and political activist, journalist, and famously important feminist, Ms. Gloria Steinem. Gloria provided the conference attendees with her "Top 10 Fear-Busters," which I will share with you, too:

10. Reverse the Golden Rule. For women, they must learn to treat themselves as they treat others.

9. Fear is a sign of growth. If you're afraid, it means you are stretching; you are doing something you haven't done before.

8. Anger is an energy cell: It is precious. It informs you.

7. We need to make sure we are using our own unique talents.

6. Measure yourself by the real, not the ideal.

5. Look for allies everywhere. Don't be bound by conventional hierarchies.

4. What is viewed as a disability--being feminine--is actually an advantage. The stereotypical "feminine" qualities are actually qualities that all humans possess. They are available to men and women, and we should count them as positive, not negative.

3. Just about anyone can learn to change. Even us. Even them.

2. Ask for help. Surround yourself with people who make you feel smart, not dumb.

1. Remember that our humanity, our equality, our self-determination is the key to everything.

I was lucky enough to be one of the first people in line to have Gloria sign a copy of her book, Outrageous Acts and Everyday Rebellions. I was incredibly nervous, and stumbled over my words to thank her for her dedication to making the world a better place for women.

My experience at the conference was so profoundly personal, eye-opening, exhilarating, and proved to be a healthy way to take care of myself for the day. It was like the whole day was a giant hug from my peers, the women of the world who are advocates for change, for growth, for learning, love, and freeing ourselves from fear. 

Live fearlessly!

- Sara Neville, Senior, Philosophy

{Photo Credit: Karrie Bowen, Instructor in Communications}

On a brisk, sunny morning, Penn State Brandywine alumni, friends, staff, students and I braved the early hour to attend the first-ever Penn State Day 5K and 1 Mile walk to benefit student scholarships. We trekked through the campus woods and over the local creek -- known to students as the "Rio Delco" -- on the campus' true cross country course. The 5K was part of our annual Penn State Day fall festival and all proceeds benefitted the Delaware County Alumni Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association and the Penn State Brandywine Alumni Society scholarships for Brandywine students.

As adviser to the Brandywine Blue and White Society, which is a student organization focused on growing Penn State spirit on campus, promoting philanthropy and building relationships with Penn State alumni, I encouraged the group to sponsor the event.

For me, this race marked my first competitive 5K since the fall of 2004. I was a varsity cross-country runner in high school and after a brief attempt to take my skills to the next level I decided to walk away from the sport and shift focus. However, this was my first 5K in my role as an adviser to a student group and a staff member in Development at Brandywine. I was eager to see how the months of hard work devoted by my students and volunteers would pay off. I knew the Blue and White students had put everything into this event, which brought more than 50 runners to the course. The Blue and Whites had high hopes of raising several hundred dollars for our beneficiaries (in the end we raised nearly $700!) and of growing a positive culture of student involvement on campus.

As I walked the course and grounds of the campus and saw Lion Ambassadors, Blue and White Society members, athletes, business majors, English majors and everyone in between, I knew the true goal of the event had been reached. Our students had come together to support each other and Penn State Brandywine. I could not have been happier!

As for me, well, I enjoyed returning to my roots as a runner. There is nothing simpler and more eloquent than running through the woods on a cool Saturday morning, hearing the leaves crunch beneath your flats and the pitter-patter of those running beside you. As I crossed the finish line, I realized I had just connected with a long lost love of mine--running.

- Alexander Pratt '08 EMS (pictured above), Assistant Director of Development

The idea started with Dana Albright a former student of Dr. Arnold Markley, and a graduate of Penn State Brandywine. Dana wanted to form a team from the campus to participate in the Light the Night Walk for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (LLS). She dubbed it "Brandywine on the Prowl."

On Saturday evening, October 22, our team gathered in front of the Philadelphia Art Museum to participate in the walk. Over the past few months, the team raised more than $500 for LLS.  The team consisted of five Penn State alums--all former students at Brandywine from the English department or Honors Program--and myself, a staff member in Academic Affairs. We all have our own special connection to our dear friend Arnold,a  beloved professor of English at the campus who lost his battle with leukemia last June.

Dana wrote these words about Dr. Markley on the team's homepage: "Dr. Markley was passionate in both his research and his teaching. He challenged his students to go above and beyond their abilities, and encouraged them to imagine what they thought might not be possible - and then achieve the impossible. He has inspired his students to become the first members of the Schreyer Honors College on Brandywine's campus, earn scholarships to travel abroad and publish and present undergraduate research in numerous national conferences.  Always willing to go the extra step, he even mentored some of his students via phone when he was unable to be in the classroom. His humor, passion, and energy were contagious, and inspired many students to take action in civic engagement outside of the campus. Both inside the classroom and out, those who knew him will agree that he was not only a truly distinguished professor, but a truly remarkable human being."

I came with my brother, Guy Boughner, and cousin, Terri Evans. Dana, John Strickhouser, Adrienne Showalter and her sister Allison, and Paolo Pedraza-Rivera. We completed our registration and were given our balloons and t-shirts. We wandered among the large crowd who gathered to participate in a "Remembrance Ceremony" and head-shaving program, and for food and music before the walk. We signed the Wall of Remembrance for those whose lives were cut short by this horrible disease.

My brother, cousin, and I were also there to remember a dear friend of ours, Joe Grossi, who fought the same courageous battle with leukemia as Arnold Markley.

It was touching to read the memorials that were written, pictures that were posted, and team t-shirts that people displayed by the crowd that gathered. Everyone was there with one purpose in mind: to raise funds for research to find a cure. So many people, which thankfully included survivors, gathered with this one goal in mind.

{Paola Pedraza-Rivera (left) and Dana Gibson signing the Wall of remembrance}

{Gail Wray (far right) with her brother, Guy Boughner and cousin, Terri Evans}

- Gail Wray, Academic Affairs Staff

Mont Alto took the first game, which only made us hungrier. The tides turned in the second game as Brandywine started on top and stayed there. Captain Melanie Tyson, libero Alexandra Vitale, setter Kate Cowan, and middle blocker Amanda Rasley lead our Lady Lions to a win. Miscommunication was the team's downfall in the third and fourth games but the girls laid everything they had on their home court. 

I've never seen my girls play with so much intensity and focus. We had momentum early in the second and didn't let up. If we could have continued at this level the match would have easily been ours for the taking. The team is disappointed to see the season come to an end, but we'e already thinking about next year!

Our women's volleyball team held its first "Dig Pink" event on Saturday, Oct. 1, to honor The Side-Out Foundation and its goal to help breast cancer patients and their families through research. As the coach of the team, I approached my girls with this idea and they all jumped at the chance to support the cause and wear pink!

There are many people who have been touched by breast cancer, whether in their family or through friends. To be able to help, even in a small way, is a fantastic feeling! I have personally been saddled with the struggles of breast cancer, as well as other types of cancer in my family, and being able to reach out a hand to those who have felt the same means the world to me. Going through such a tough thing is hard enough, but having the support of thousands of unknown people makes you feel less alone and blessed.

Penn State Brandywine Athletics and the women's volleyball team were fortunate enough to have a great turn out of fans and supporters on Saturday for the quad match against Penn State Schuylkill, Penn State Hazleton, and Penn College. People bought t-shirts, snacks, and raffle tickets, and took part in volleyball serving competitions to support the cause. 

We raised a total of $1,125! All proceeds are headed to The Side-Out Foundation!

"It was so much fun to support such a great cause as a team. Knowing that our sport has helped those in need makes it all worth while!" two of my players, Alexandra Vitale and Kate Curley, said.

We want to thank everyone for donating and supporting Penn State Brandywine! It was incredible to see everyone come together in our gym and help us fight cancer.

We are ... supporting a great cause!
We are ... making a difference!
We are ... Penn State Brandywine!

- Melissa Algeo, Women's Volleyball Coach

Remember how much fun you had in recess growing up? The games, the races, the pretend worlds (mine included a school yard full of kids pretending to be Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), and the arguments? Well, ALL of those experiences were incredibly important, not just as a break from class, but because kids learn through playtime, too!

In today's world of standardized tests and pressure-filled classes, kids are losing free time at an alarming rate (approximately eight hours per week!). The American Academy of Pediatricians calls this decrease of playtime a national crisis (Elkind, 2008).

I am an advisory board member and social media consultant for The Ultimate Block Party. This organization highlights the "arts and sciences" of play. In other words, we are a team of scientists, researchers, and educators who focus on the scientific fact that play is pivotal for healthy development. Recess isn't just a "break," it allows children to practice important skills and learn new information that will prepare them for the future. It teaches them the 6 C's: collaboration and communication with others, critical thinking, creative innovation, confidence in themselves, and content information. 

Last year's Ultimate Block Party in Central Park, N.Y.C., brought in more than 50,000 people. Last weekend we celebrated our third event in Baltimore with more than 10,000 kids and parents and it was a complete success!

Throughout the day, I used social media, such as Twitter (@UBPlay) and the Ultimate Block Party Facebook page, to update our followers about the events of the day--we had more than 25 play centers from organizations such as Goddard School, Scrapkins, and many others. As a "Play Doctor," I proudly represented Penn State Brandywine by talking to families and children about the importance of play. I even got to thank U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan for his hard work in his position and he thanked me for mine in the classroom.

My message to you is that play should not stop. Ever. It is important for us to remember that play helps us keep our sanity and also helps us become educated, well-rounded individuals.  This is a message I am eager to share with the families that participate in the studies I do in the Brandywine Child Development Lab on campus.

It's a new day, go play!

- Jennifer Zosh (pictured above), Assistant Professor of Human Development and Family Studies; Ph.D. in Psychological and Brain Sciences, Johns Hopkins University