Editor's note: This is the seventh in a series featuring successful Penn State Beaver alumni. This information was provided by Yvonne Maher, Beaver's director of institutional advancement.

Steve Wellendorf graduated with a bachelor's degree in secondary education in 1997 and is assistant principal of Ambridge High School in Beaver County. The Wellendorf tradition at Penn State began with Steve's brother, Mike, who started his education at the Beaver campus and graduated from the University Park campus with a bachelor's degree in accounting in 1993. He currently is the information technology manager for Caremark in Scottsdale, Ariz. Steve Wellendorf was accepted at University Park where he planned to join his brother. However, with a great local part-time job and a goal to finish college debt-free, he decided to attend the Beaver campus as a commuter for his first two years instead of heading to University Park.

Wellendorf thought he wanted to major in chemical engineering, but soon realized he had a calling to work with children and teach. Electing to follow in the footsteps of his father, who was a school principal for 35 years, Wellendorf chose education as his career.

As a commuter at Beaver, Wellendorf still found time to engage in college life by serving as a peer tutor under the mentorship of Jack Hourlland, who now is retired but then taught mathematics and computer science at the campus. Wellendorf also joined the intervarsity Christian fellowship, a social organization devoted to bible study, social activities and fellowship designed to help less-fortunate members of the community. "Even as a commuter, I never felt isolated from what was happening on campus. When I made the move from Beaver campus to University Park, I definitely felt prepared for the change. I learned to be resourceful and independent at Beaver," he said.

At Ambridge High School, Wellendorf works with Alan Fritz, head principal, and Mike Marvin and Michelle Hapich, advanced math teachers, all of whom also began their education at Beaver and went on to University Park to obtain their degrees.

Anyone who knows successful Penn State Beaver alumni who could be featured in this series should contact Yvonne Maher at yjm2@psu.edu or (724) 773-3558; or Amy M. Krebs at amk6@psu.edu or (724) 773-3816.