Lead & Engage Student Programs

The Schreyer Honors College is serious about offering a great academic experience to our Scholars, but you should also expect to learn a ton outside the classroom. From participating in Scholar-led organizations to volunteering at our signature events, we know you will find a way to make a difference in the Honors College and campus communities.

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Dr. Susan Russell interacts with the crowd at the Luchinsky Lecture

Yearly Traditions Signature Programs

Held Each January Mark Luchinsky Memorial Lecture

The Mark Luchinsky Memorial Lecture was endowed by family and friends to honor the memory of Mark Luchinsky, a University Scholar and biochemistry major who died on January 18, 1995, at age 20.

Through this lecture series, the community gathers to honor Mark's memory through support of a speaker who exemplifies intellectual honesty, personal integrity, and joy in learning.

2024 Luchinsky Lecture Igniting Curiosity: Empowering Future Leaders and Global Citizens Featuring Ainissa Ramirez
  • Monday, January 22, 2024
  • 7:00 - 8:00 PM
  • The State Theatre

Schreyer Honors College is delighted to host Ainissa Ramirez, Ph.D., an award-winning scientist and science communicator. Her presentation, “Igniting Curiosity: Empowering Future Leaders and Global Citizens,” will touch on how scientific inquiry transcends cultural and geographical boundaries. She will also highlight subject matter from her book The Alchemy of Us: How Humans and Matter Transformed One Another, which details eight inventions and how they shaped the human experience. The talk will include a question-and-answer session with the audience.

This event is free and open to the public. A free ticket is required for admission.

Ainissa calls herself a “science evangelist” and has built a reputation as one of the world's foremost science communicators. Her passion for getting the public excited about science drives her to speak widely on technology and science topics, including a TED talk on the importance of science education.

She speaks internationally on the importance of making science fun and has served as a science advisor to the American Film Institute, WGBH/NOVA, the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and several science museums. She also hosts a science podcast called Science Underground.

Ainissa's work has earned prizes from the National Science Foundation, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the American Institute of Physics.

In addition to The Alchemy of Us, Ainissa authored Save Our Science and co-authored Newton's Football. She has written for Forbes, Time, The Atlantic, Scientific American, American Scientist, and Science and has appeared as a technology expert on national and international media, including CBS, CNN, NPR, ESPN, and PBS.

Ainissa received her bachelor's degree from Brown University and her doctorate from Stanford, both in materials science and engineering. She began her career as a scientist at Bell Laboratories in Murray Hill, New Jersey, where she created award-winning inventions and received six patents. She then joined the faculty at Yale, became an associate professor of mechanical engineering and started her work as a STEM advocate with the mission to make science understandable to audiences of all ages.

This event is cosponsored by Presidential Leadership Academy, Schreyer Honors College Student Council, the Materials Research Institute, the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and the Multicultural Resource Center.

Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accomodations or who have questions about physical access may contact Donna Meyer in advance of the program. An American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter will be present at the event.

Elizabeth Nyamayaro headshot
2023 Elizabeth Nyamayaro Humanitarian, Author, Special Advisor to the United Nations
John Quiñones headshot
2022 John Quiñones Author, Broadcast Journalist, Motivational Speaker, and host of ABC's What Would You Do?
Leland Melvin headshot
2021 Leland Melvin Engineer, Educator, former NASA Astronaut, former NFL wide receiver
Jeanine Staples headshot
2020 Jeanine Staples Professor of Education and African American Studies
Peter Hudson headshot
2019 Peter Hudson Willaman Professor of Biology
John Kaag headshot
2018 John Kaag Author and Professor of Philosophy, UMass Lowell
Susan Russell headshot
2017 Susan Russell Associate Professor of Theatre & 2014-15 Laureate, Penn State
Marke Dickinson headshot
2016 Marke Dickinson Marketing Professional
Christian M. M. Brady headshot
2015 Christian M. M. Brady Former Dean, Schreyer Honors College, Penn State
Casimer DeCusatis headshot
2013 Casimer DeCusatis CTO, IBM System Networking & Strategic Alliances
Sean Misko headshot
2012 Sean Misko Special Adviser to the Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan
Farnoosh Torabi headshot
2012 Farnoosh Torabi Money Coach, Author, Financial News Correspondent
Jill Jayne headshot
2011 Jill Jayne Rock Star Nutritionist
Marybeth Long headshot
2010 Marybeth Long Former U.S. Assistant Secretary of Defense
David Han headshot
2009 David Han Associate Professor of Surgery & Radiology, Penn State College of Medicine / Program Director of the Vascular Surgery Fellowship, Penn State Hershey Medical Center
Meena Bose headshot
2008 Meena Bose Peter S. Kalikow Chair in Presidential Studies, Hofstra University
Peter Klein headshot
2007 Peter Klein Professor / Former CBS News Producer
Richard Jewell headshot
2006 Richard Jewell & L. Lin Wood Centennial Olympic Park Bombing
Jeffrey Ratner headshot
2005 Jeffrey Ratner Chief of Staff, Mount Nittany Medical Center
David Riley II headshot
2004 David Riley II Associate Professor of Architectural Engineering, Penn State
Douglas Evans headshot
2003 Douglas Evans CEO, Kensey Nash, Inc.
Wendy Kopp headshot
2002 Wendy Kopp Founder & President, Teach for America
No headshot available
2001 Alan Block Professor of Administration of Justice & Jewish Studies
Joe Paterno headshot
2000 Joe Paterno Legendary Head Football Coach, Penn State
James Pawelczyk headshot
1999 James Pawelczyk Assistant Professor of Physiology & Kinesiology / Payload Specialist, NASA's 1998 Neurolab Mission
John Lowe headshot
1998 John Lowe Professor of Chemistry
Kurt Angle headshot
1997 Kurt Angle 1996 Olympic Gold Medalist, Wrestling
Harris Wofford headshot
1996 Harris Wofford CEO, Corporation for National Service / Former U.S. Senator
About Mark Luchinsky

The Mark Luchinsky Memorial Lecture Series was created in 1996 to remember and honor his character and contributions to life as a son, as an undergraduate, and, most prominently, as a young man whose life held much promise.

Mark Allan Luchinsky passed away on January 18, 1995, at the age of 20.

Mark graduated first in his class in 1992 from Thomas Jefferson High School in Pittsburgh. He then became a University Scholar at Penn State, majoring in biochemistry. He was also a member of the Penn State Golden Key Society and the Alpha Epsilon Delta Premedical Honor Society.

Although he was a science student, Mark loved the study of all subjects. He loved the classics, sports, poetry, history, geography, and sports. Even at his young age, he was known for intellectual honesty and personal integrity.

We honor Mark Luchinsky, his family, and his friends with this lecture series. He was truly "A light that shone briefly, but ever so brightly."

Mark Luchinsky in his dorm room

Held Each September Dilemmas of Democracy

The Dilemmas of Democracy Lecture was funded through a generous gift from Art and Betty Glenn. Art and Betty Glenn are loyal Penn State alumni. Art graduated with a bachelor of science degree in mechanical engineering in 1956, and Betty graduated with bachelor of science degree in home economics in 1957. Art is retired after a career at GE where he served as a vice president of multiple units. Art is a devoted volunteer and supporter of Penn State and the Schreyer Honors College. He served for many years on the External Advisory Board for the Honors College. Penn State honored Art as an Outstanding Engineering Alumnus in 1990, an Alumni Fellow in 1996, and a Distinguished Alumni in 2005.

2024 Dilemmas of Democracy Lecture Race and Democracy: America is Always Changing, but America Never Changes Featuring Eddie Glaude, Jr.
  • Thursday, September 26, 2024
  • 7:00 - 8:15 PM
  • The State Theatre

Schreyer Honors College is honored to host Eddie Glaude, Jr., James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor, Princeton University. Glaude is an author, political commentator, public intellectual, and passionate educator who examines the complex dynamics of the American experience.

The lecture is free and open to the public. A free ticket can be claimed online through the State Theatre website. A book signing will follow the lecture and Glaude's most recent book, We Are the Leaders We Have Been Looking For, will be available for purchase. A livestream link is available for those who are unable to attend in person.

Glaude's writings, including Democracy in Black: How Race Still Enslaves the American Soul, In a Shade of Blue: Pragmatism and the Politics of Black America, and the New York Times bestseller Begin Again: James Baldwin's America and Its Urgent Lessons for our Own, take a wide look at Black communities, the difficulties of race in the United States and the challenges we face as a democracy.

Glaude was the Chair of the Department of African American Studies at Princeton University from 2009 to 2023. He is also on the Morehouse College Board of Trustees. He frequently appears in the media, as a columnist for TIME Magazine and as an MSNBC contributor on programs like Morning Joe and Deadline Whitehouse with Nicolle Wallace. In his writing and speaking, Glaude is an American critic in the tradition of James Baldwin and Ralph Waldo Emerson, confronting history and bringing our nation's complexities, vulnerabilities and hope into full view.

An American Sign Language interpreter will be present for the lecture. If you anticipate needing other accommodations, please contact scholars@psu.edu.

Past Lectures
Timothy Snyder headshot
2023 Timothy Snyder Richard C. Levin Professor of History, Yale University

Programs Throughout the Year Distinguished Honors Faculty Program (DHFP)

The Distinguished Honors Faculty Program (DHFP) offers Schreyer Scholars the opportunity interacting with Penn State faculty beyond the classroom, and beyond your major around important topics. From discussion over dinner to lab or gallery tour to concerts—DHFP events are two hours or less, sometimes with a “pre-read” (or a pre-view), and a great way to broaden your education. DHFP events are typically capped at ten students and will be advertised first to new Schreyer Scholars (regardless of entrance year). The DHFP is possible through the generous support of Art and Betty Glenn.

2024-25 Distinguished Honors Faculty

Laura Cabrera headshot

Laura Cabrera Dorothy Foehr Huck and J. Lloyd Huck Chair in Neuroethics  Neuroscience, Neurotech and Society

Dr. Cabrera will use movies and documentaries touching on neuroscientific or neurotechnology advances to stimulate dinner discussions on the implications that these advances have for individuals and society. These discussion will delve on what is possible and what is still science-fiction and touch on themes such as identity, agency, autonomy, neuroenhancement, and responsibility. Her events will foster interdisciplinary discussion on our shared responsibilities as members of society on how to govern these advances, and how to foster responsible innovation.

View Dr. Cabrera's Event

James Lyon headshot

James Lyon Professor, Music Cross-Disciplinary and Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Creativity

What is creativity, where does it come from, how can it be cultivated, and how is expressed across and between disciplines? This is the focus of violinist and conductor Scott Yoo in his PBS series “Now Hear This,” and we will view hour-long episodes over dinner and discuss creativity as it related to Prof. Lyon’s field, which is Music as well, and to the various fields of the participants.

View Dr. Lyon's Event

Suzanne Mohney headshot

Suzanne Mohney Professor of Materials Science and Engineering Semiconductors for Energy Sustainability 

Creating affordable, clean energy and combatting climate change are two of the United Nations’ goals for sustainable development. The theme of my series of gatherings will involve examples of how semiconductor materials and devices can contribute to these goals, since they can be exploited for energy conservation and conversion. Each semester’s gathering will revolve around a different technology that students may already know something about from daily life, such as solar cells, electric vehicles, energy-efficient indoor lighting, or computing. We will focus on the role that semiconductors play in these technologies, typically involving discussion with a guest with complementary expertise, a site visit, or a hands-on activity.

View Dr. Mohney's Event

Michael Nelson headshot

Michael Nelson Professor and Department Head, Political Science The Supreme Court and U.S. Politics

The Supreme Court has always been a focus of political controversy, going back to the earliest days of the United States, since its decisions impact so many aspects of American life. More recently, particularly in 2000 and 2020, the Court has been asked to adjudicate key questions about elections—in effect, to determine winners and losers. We will look at significant recent cases and what the Court might see in the near future, and discuss how Americans view the Court and its decisions.

View Dr. Nelson's Event

Dipanjan Pan headshot

Dipanjan Pan Dorothy Foehr Huck and J. Lloyd Huck Chair Professor, Nanomedicine and Professor, Nuclear Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering Communicating Scientific Discoveries During a Pandemic/Opportunities and Threats of Artificial Intelligence

In the fall we will look at the challenges of communicating scientific discoveries during a pandemic. The topics of discussion will include a) the lessons learnt during the COVID pandemic, b) rapidly developing technologies and the socioeconomic communication gaps, c) the role of social media and d) broadly discuss how scientists, health professionals and media can work together to disseminate accurate information. In the spring we will discuss the opportunities and threats presented by Artificial Intelligence (AI). The advancement of machine learning and AI tools create new possibilities in healthcare, education, innovation, arts and other areas. Despite this, large-scale adoption of AI gives rise to concerns about safety, trust, computation power, job loss, ethics, etc.

View Dr. Pan's Event

Richard Peng headshot

Richard Peng Associate Professor, Project and Supply Chain Management (Penn State Erie) Supply Chain Aspects of Health Care

Prof. Peng’s research is about quality and supply chain issues in health care—in the college setting we often focus on the research or interpersonal aspects of medicine, but health care is also a product and an exceptionally complex one. How is health care “produced” in the United States, and how can that production be improved? He plans to offer one on-campus dinner in the fall and a field trip in the spring to look at this vitally important issue.

Gonzalo Rubio headshot

Gonzalo Rubio Associate Professor, Classics and Ancient Mediterranean Studies The Road to Babylon: Reasons to Study a Dead Civilization

Professor Rubio is a scholar of ancient Mesopotamia and the ancient Near East in general. In an era that privileges “useful” knowledge towards professional goals, he will lead discussions about how he became interested in such a unique field to the point of devoting his career to it, and what we can learn about science, economy, law, politics, and society by studying ancient civilizations.

View Dr. Rubio's Event

Yunfeng Shi headshot

Yunfeng Shi Associate Professor, Health Policy and Administration Multidisciplinary Contributions to Health Care

Dr. Shi’s background and work are highly interdisciplinary, drawing insights from public policy, economics, management, information systems, and rural health, to address challenges in health care. Dr. Shi plans to organize a series of conversations and events to show how different fields (including engineering, data science, political science, business, and the liberal arts) can all contribute to health care in significant ways, and how health care can be an exciting part of one’s career, regardless of the chosen major.

View Dr. Shi's Event

Song Tan headshot

Song Tan Verne M. Willaman Professor of Molecular Biology The Art and Ethics of Scientific Investigations

Dr. Tan will promote dinner discussions among Schreyer Scholars on a variety of topics including the ethics of inventions and discoveries, and the role of competition in scientific discoveries.  We will start by watching a 45 to 60 min movie segment or television program to provide the appropriate context for both science and non-science majors.  We will then discuss in the next hour issues explicitly or implicitly contained in the video program.

View Dr. Tan's Event

Take Charge Leadership Opportunities

Leadership is a crucial part of the Schreyer Honors College mission. Leadership skills can be learned inside the classroom, but applied practice is important, too. Enhance your honors experience and develop your skills by taking advantage of these leadership opportunities.

Schreyer-Sponsored Organizations

Schreyer Affiliated Student Organizations are open to all students regardless of sex, gender, sexual orientation, race, or any other protected class.

The Behrend Schreyer Council (BSC)

BSC is a resource for the Schreyer Honors College Scholar community at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College and a liaison between Behrend Schreyer Scholars, other Commonwealth Campuses, and University Park. We serve as a forum for Scholars to share their interests, opinions, and recommendations. We foster the development of personal relationships among members in addition to offering leadership, academic, service, and social opportunities.

Gender and Sexual Diversity in Schreyer

Gender and Sexual Diversity in Schreyer (GSDS) was created to fit the needs of LGBTQIA+ Schreyer Scholars. GSDS intends to make the Schreyer Honors College a more inclusive environment by coordinating an alumni mentoring network, compiling mental and sexual health resources, and fostering cultural competency through collaborative outreach initiatives.

Schreyer Consulting

The Schreyer Consulting Group aims to prepare Schreyer Scholars for competitive careers in consulting, expand the breadth of career development resources and placement opportunities, and build and sustain interest in the consulting field among Scholars.

Schreyer for Women (SfW)

SfW is an organization dedicated toward the championing of women and non-gender-conforming individuals through opportunities for personal and professional development and community engagement. We are a space for Scholars to network, socialize, collaborate, and contribute to their community even beyond graduation.

Schreyer Honors College Student Council (StuCo)

StuCo acts as a liaison between groups such as University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA), Schreyer administration, and the Schreyer student body. Additionally, we help to market and sell all Schreyer merchandise, plan social events for Scholars, offer an avenue for Scholars to be involved in THON, plan service and philanthropic initiatives, and organize academic and career building events.

Schreyer Medical Team (SMT)

The Schreyer Medical Team is committed to building a community of pre-health students in Schreyer by hosting speaker events, panel discussions, visits to medical schools, and more. Our events are aimed to support Scholars in broadening their perspectives in medicine, learning about the application processes, and engaging in opportunities that support their success.

Other Opportunities

Make A Difference Social & Civic Engagement

In between classes with leading researchers and faculty, labs, and study groups, you can carve out time to pursue the things you're excited about and figure out where you can make a difference. The Honors College is where you'll meet the people, take on the responsibilities, make the connections and develop the skills you need to change the world.

Schreyer Scholar Clifford Stueck

Schreyer’s research requirement has compelled me to augment my classroom studies with hands-on research in my field, which will strengthen my knowledge in my field of aerospace. The Schreyer Honors College was integral in my acceptance into a highly selective study abroad “Engineers Made in Germany” that focused on the automotive industry, complete with a scholarship to help defray the cost.

Clifford Stueck ' 22 Aerospace Engineering

Lead & Engage Student Programs

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