UNIVERISTY PARK, Pa. — Penn State Smeal College of Business spring 2024 student marshal Justin Morrison said he’s been mathematically inclined since kindergarten, ultimately leading him to major in actuarial science.
“One thing that set Penn State and Smeal apart like from other schools I was looking at was that actuarial science was in the business school,” Morrison said. “At other colleges, it was in the college of arts and sciences. I wanted to make sure that I obtained more than just math and technical skills. I wanted to be able to practice in a business setting, work on my communication and professionalism. Smeal has done great job with that.”
Morrison will graduate Saturday with a 4.0 GPA (grade point average), a bachelor’s degree in actuarial science, and minors in statistics, mathematics and information systems management.
From West Chester, Pennsylvania, Morrison was heavily involved in the Actuarial Science Club, where he held positions as assistant director and director of corporate outreach. In these positions, he collaborated with insurers and consulting companies to help organize events, including the only career fair solely run by a Smeal student organization.
He was also involved in Penn State Math Club, Penn State Board Game Club, Penn State Hillel and worked as a peer-assisted review learning assistant for MATH 140 and a teaching assistant for the Risk Management Department.
On top of his involvement, Morrison has completed the first five of seven exams required to be credited as an associate of the Society of Actuaries and completed an undergraduate thesis for Schreyer Honors College, titled "Gender Differences in U.S. Life Expectancy Forecasts: A State-Level Analysis,” about forecasting life expectancy.
“For the exams, I just treat it like my most important class and keep myself accountable,” Morrison said. “For Smeal actuarial science, there's at least one course that relates to each of the exams I took. So, taking those courses also helped in my preparation because they're taught really well. The professors are really good at their jobs.”
In addition to his professors, Morrison said he found support at Smeal through his academic adviser, Melissa Ann Paloskey, and Professor of Practice Mandy Hammell, director of the actuarial science program.
Morrison said his favorite class was Risk Management 411: Long Term Actuarial Mathematics. The course covers mathematics of life insurance and annuities.
The course is taught by Nan Zhu, who Morrison chose as his faculty marshal.
“Justin is simply a wonderful student and truly deserves the highest accolade for his outstanding academic performance, his many activities and services to the Penn State community, the actuarial professions, and beyond,” Zhu said.
“He is smart, hard-working and highly motivated for success. But perhaps more importantly, he is at the same time kind, always ready to help others and humble," added Zhu. "When he shared with me the great news of being selected as the college student marshal, the first thing he said to me was ‘I cannot believe I got chosen. There are so many great students at Smeal with all areas of achievements.’ I think that alone already tells a lot.”
Morrison’s hard work and qualifications are also shown through the various awards he has received: the President Walker Award, President Sparks Award and Evan Pugh Scholar Award.
After graduation, Morrison will enter the four-year Prudential Actuarial Leadership Development Program.
During his time at Smeal, Morrison said one of his favorite memories was celebrating exam success with another actuarial science major at the Penn State Berkey Creamery.
“At the end of the day, I work pretty hard,” Morrison said. “But it's important to take a step back and try to celebrate success.”
Major Marshals
Smeal will also recognize 10 major marshals and one ROTC representative.
- Owen Rappa is the accounting marshal, graduating with a master’s in accounting.
- The actuarial science marshal is Maggie Whalen, who will graduate with minors in economics and statistics.
- Kerry Quinn is the corporate innovation and entrepreneurship marshal with a minor in management information systems.
- The finance marshal is Derek Deihl, who will also graduate with a bachelor of arts in economics.
- Elizabeth Armstrong is the management marshal.
- Kaitlyn McHenry is the management information systems marshal.
- Julia Saganowich is the marketing marshal with a minor in digital media trends and analytics.
- The real estate marshal is Matteo Yepes.
- John Broz is the risk management marshal, graduating with a bachelor of science in enterprise risk management and minors in information system management and legal environment of business.
- Emma Scott is the supply chain and information systems marshal.
- George Castillo Schoonewolff is the ROTC representative. He will graduate with a bachelor of science in finance and a minor in military studies.