UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The College of Education has selected Nate Gillespie to serve as student marshal for Penn State’s spring 2022 Commencement ceremony, which will be held at 9 a.m. Sunday, May 8, at the Pegula Ice Arena. Stephanie Hopkins has served as his academic adviser.
From Spring Mills, Pennsylvania, Gillespie is graduating with a 4.0 GPA, with a bachelor of science in secondary education English, and a minor in creative writing. He also is a Schreyer Honors College scholar. His thesis paper covered the ways in which standardized testing and tracking perpetuate inequity in U.S. schools, and advocated for reform of the current system.
“Being selected as the College of Education student marshal is a great honor,” Gillespie said. “It’s very rewarding to have the hard work and dedication that I’ve put into my time at Penn State be recognized in this way. This is a testament to my family and the values that they’ve instilled in me and I’m grateful for everything that they’ve done to help me to get to this point. Overall, I’m just appreciative of this opportunity.”
During his college career, Gillespie earned the President’s Freshman Award in 2019, the President Sparks Award in 2020 and the Evan Pugh Scholar Award in 2021 and 2022. He also was named an Academic Excellence Scholar by the Schreyer Honors College, and was a recipient of the Paul D. & Rev. David P. Wentroble Scholarship, presented by the College of Education for demonstrating good character and academic achievement; the Hedgebeth Honors Scholarship in Education, given to provide academic recognition and financial assistance to Schreyer Scholars in the College of Education; the Ready to Succeed Scholarship, awarded by the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency to high-achieving students; and an Alumni Association Scholarship.
He was active in multiple organizations including the Penn State Speech and Debate Team, the Apollo THON organization and the Schreyer Honors College Student Council. He also was a Black Lives Matter At School Week of Action educator.
His experience includes student teaching 11th-grade English at State College Area High School, and working as a student staff coordinator for New Student Orientation at Penn State and as a Penn State Science outreach assistant
After graduation, Gillespie plans to pursue an English teaching position and later obtain a law or graduate degree. He stated he is committed to “help shape learners who are empowered to use their voice to promote justice and change they want to see in their world, are engaged in democracy, and believe in themselves.”
Gillespie’s parents, Bob and Carrie Gillespie, along with his siblings, grandmothers, and girlfriend, Gaby, plan to attend the ceremony.