College of the Liberal Arts recognizes new Paterno Fellows and essay winners

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts recognized 92 students as Paterno Fellows and Schreyer Scholars and three Collegiate Laws of Life Essay Contest winners at its annual recognition ceremony on Feb. 13.

As part of an innovative landmark program offered jointly by the college and the Schreyer Honors College, the Paterno Fellows Program is designed to challenge students and reward ability, creativity and commitment. Paterno Fellows must fulfill additional expectations beyond meeting the requirements of the Schreyer Honors College.

"We are so proud of our Paterno Fellows who have satisfied the requirements to be admitted to the Schreyer Honors College!” said Jeremy Engels, Barry Director of the Paterno Fellows Program and professor of communication arts and sciences. “The Paterno Fellows Program is an embodiment of democracy. It is open to any student with a major in our college who wants to get the most out of what Penn State, and our fantastic college, has to offer. The students in the program work hard to pursue their dreams, and I am excited to see what great ideas they develop as they work towards their degrees.”

After their recognition, Paterno Fellows continue to pursue key milestones, including a second major or enhanced minor, education abroad or internship experiences, community service, global awareness and a senior thesis or creative project. In return, with the help of alumni support, the college provides funding for many of these opportunities and coordinates special events with distinguished guests and Liberal Arts alumni.

“The dedication and perseverance is truly inspiring,” Engels said. “These students embody the very best of the College of the Liberal Arts, and I have no doubt they will have a positive impact on our University, our community, and our world.”

Currently, there are 270 Paterno Fellows and 390 first-year and second-year students who aspire to become Paterno Fellows. Since 2008, when the program was launched, 1,066 students have graduated as Paterno Fellows.

The winners of the program’s eleventh annual Collegiate Laws of Life Essay Contest were also announced and recognized. Students were asked to reflect on the merits of the ideal of equality under the law, how the ideal of equality under the law is endangered, and/or whether there are successor concepts that might supplant the ideal of equality under the law.

Monetary prizes were awarded to the three winners who will also be featured on an upcoming episode of the Paterno Fellows Podcast. The Paterno Fellows Podcast addresses matters of interest to the Penn State community. Listeners can learn about the Paterno Fellows Program, hear about the research and creative work of Penn State students and faculty, get in-depth information about activities going on in and around campus and tap into discussions about contemporary issues that affect the campus community. Read the winning essays.

— First Place: “A Tale of Lions and Oxen” by Veronika Miskowiec, a second-year Paterno Fellow and Schreyer Scholar majoring in international politics

— Second Place: “Paradox of Then, Vigor of Now” by Creighton Mitchell, a fourth-year student majoring in economics

— Third Place: “The Garden” by Katherine Joyce, a fourth-year Schreyer Scholar majoring in English

Learn more about the Paterno Fellows Program and its requirements. Alumni interested in reading stories about current students and staying connected can like and follow the Paterno Fellows Program on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and X.