UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Taylor Rosen has been selected as the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences' student marshal for the University’s fall 2022 commencement ceremony. The ceremony will be held at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 17, in the Bryce Jordan Center on the University Park campus.
Rosen, a native of Ambler, Pennsylvania, is graduating with a 3.97 GPA, earning bachelor of science degrees in materials science and engineering and in geosciences. His faculty marshal is Allison Beese, professor of materials science and engineering.
Rosen was completely surprised when he was notified that he was selected as the fall student marshal. “I had no idea this was coming,” he said. “I am all the more grateful since it was a total surprise.”
Rosen was named to the dean’s list for all eight semesters. He also was the recipient of many scholarships, including the Matthew J. Wilson Honors Scholarship, John and Elizabeth Holmes Teas Scholarship, George L. Ellis Scholarship, Bruce Miller Scholarship for Academic Excellence, Turney Scholarship in Ceramic Science and Engineering, and the Penn State Metallurgy Alumni Scholarship.
Rosen conducted undergraduate research in the Beese Group starting in January 2020 and wrote his senior thesis on the research.
“I researched the connection between mechanical properties, processing, pore structure, and microstructure of 3D printed, additively manufactured Ti-6Al-4V alloys in Dr. Allison Beese’s research group,” said Rosen. “I mainly completed hardness testing, statistical work in Python, and uniaxial tension testing.”
He was involved in additional research experiences as an undergraduate. During the summer of 2020, he participated in an online research experiences for undergraduates (O-REU) program at Texas A&M University, where he modeled a temperature-dependent coefficient of thermal expansion on small asteroid thermal stress weathering using MATLAB. During the summer of 2022, he interned at Cleveland-Cliffs Coatesville.
Rosen’s favorite class was MATSE 400: Crystal Chemistry, taught by Susan Trolier-McKinstry, Evan Pugh University Professor and Steward S. Flaschen Professor of Ceramic Science and Engineering, and professor of electrical engineering.
“This class brilliantly bridged the gap between my two majors, geosciences, and materials science and engineering,” said Rosen. “It outlined how material structure affects properties, which is the punchline of the major. Much of this connection was demonstrated with mineral structures, which are commonly prevalent in the geosciences. Dr. McKinstry also made it clear she truly cared about teaching. Not every person takes that much pride in their craft.”
He was involved with extracurricular activities, too. He was a member of Penn State’s chapter of Material Advantage, a society for students interested in materials science and engineering; a member of the college’s undergraduate student council; and vice president of the Geosciences Club.
Rosen said the best part about being an EMS student is that you have the resources of a large university, but in a small group where everyone is on board to help you. After graduating, Rosen plans to work as a materials engineer. He may pursue graduate school in the future.
Rosen’s mother, father and brother will be attending the graduation ceremony.