College of IST names student marshal for fall 2023 commencement ceremony

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Penn State College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) has named Hardik Singh Jain as its fall 2023 student marshal. Jain will receive his bachelor of science degree in enterprise technology integration with a focus on application development at the University’s fall 2023 commencement ceremony, which will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, in the Bryce Jordan Center at University Park.

Student marshals are selected for their outstanding academic achievements and contributions to student life. During the commencement ceremony, they lead the procession of the graduates from their college.  

“It is an honor to be selected as student marshal,” Jain said. “I am proud to represent the pride, tradition and excellence that define Penn State and cherish the incredible experiences and lessons I’ve learned throughout my academic journey.”

Jain was a recipient of the President’s Freshman Award, President Sparks Award, Excellence in Facilitating Learning and PNC Technologies Scholarship Fund. He spent his first year as an international student, studying from home during COVID-19. Jain achieved dean’s lists for the following six semesters at University Park and will graduate with a 3.99 grade-point average. He also earned a certificate in business fundamentals from the Smeal College of Business in May.

Jain was a College of IST learning assistant and a member of Gamma Tau Phi, IST Benefitting THON, IST Consulting Group, and the Indian Cultures and Language Club. He also served as a leader of the IST Peer Tutoring Program, where he worked in collaboration with fellow coordinators to enhance tutor programming activities, prepare tutoring and workshop schedules, and facilitate programming workshops.  

“My time at Penn State has been an incredible journey filled with countless memorable experiences,” Jain said. “Serving as co-coordinator of the IST Peer Tutoring Program has been especially important to me. I developed close relationships with my colleagues and had the opportunity to help hundreds of students while improving my understanding of the process. It has been a transformative experience for me.”

As an undergraduate student, Jain interned as an applied technology intern at PGT Trucking Inc. That internship led to a full-time job offer: Jain has accepted a position as a software developer at the company’s main office in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania.

“My internship and now full-time position at PGT Trucking was with the reference of a previous tutor and now friend and fellow alum,” he said. “I learned the power of networking through Penn State and the College of IST.”