WEACCOMPLISHED ARE


Truth seeker: Katie Mantz is ready to change the world.


When I gave the commencement address at Penn State Abington a few years ago, I asked the students to stand if they were the first in their family to graduate college. I believe more than half of the class stood. When I then asked students to rise if they received any type of financial assistance, 95% of the class rose from their seats. It’s amazing to me that there are still so many families whose children cannot afford to go to college.


It was only with financial assistance that I was able to attend college. My predecessors helped and guided me – and without that, I would not have been able to complete my education.


My wife’s parents are Penn Staters and both of our children are alumni. We all want to enable students who are high achievers to receive a quality college education. There is tremendous value in being able to attend a commonwealth campus, and Renee and I are happy to support Penn State Abington programs, awards and scholarships.


I encouraged the 2010 graduates to make a difference in society and pay it forward. Just as individuals have helped them achieve a college degree, there will always be students who cannot afford to continue their education. Everyone needs to help.


– Barry Brandeis, ’68, Liberal Arts


I’ve always been the crazy hippie trying to save the world. When studying for my degree in political science in Southern California, I learned you should always do good first, and doing well will follow. But after spending 16-hour days working on political campaigns, I knew I’d never have a normal life in that field.


I’ve always focused on getting to the truth of things, and that fascination extended to the scientific side of investigating and finding the truth. When I decided to return to school to get a second degree in forensic science, I chose Penn State because its program is one of the best in the country.


As an out-of-state student who doesn’t qualify for most grants, I was very excited to get the Brandeis scholarship. My entire education is being financed by student loans and scholarships, so every dollar helps lift that worry about paying off loans later.


The great thing about going to school here is that Penn Staters are virtually everywhere. I was wearing a PSU sweatshirt in a Kansas City airport and three different people yelled, “We are!” So I always feel like I’ve got a friend wherever I go.


– Katie Mantz, ’16, Forensic Science


Barry and Renee Brandeis: Helping students reach higher and achieve their dreams.


CONV E R SAT IONS I N C A R I N G


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