Academics

Fourth Class of Sheetz Fellows Inducted at Penn State Altoona

Steve and Nancy Sheetz (center) celebrate the induction of the fourth Sheetz Fellows class with (from left) Morgan Keirn, Catherine Anderson, D. Collin Reinhart, Stephen Mullen, Dylan Leazier, Frank Amabile Jr., Karly Bish, and Jesse Ickes.  Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

Citing the perseverance 19th-century entrepreneur Frederic Tudor, Penn State Altoona Sheetz Fellows program founder Stephen G. Sheetz encouraged the program’s eight inductees to draw inspiration from the fact that, throughout history, many aspiring entrepreneurs with promising innovations accepted significant risk and endured complete failure before achieving professional goals and personal ambitions.

 

The fourth class of Sheetz Fellows -- Frank A. Amabile Jr., of Conshohocken, Pennsylvania; Catherine Anderson, of Duncansville, Pennsylvania; Karly Bish, of St. Marys, Pennsylvania; Jesse J. Ickes, of Altoona, Pennsylvania; Morgan Keirn, of Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania; Dylan Leazier, of Hagerstown, Maryland; Stephen Mullen, of Downingtown, Pennsylvania; and D. Collin Reinhart, of Quakertown, Pennsylvania -- was inducted during a special ceremony in the Sheetz Center for Entrepreneurial Excellence on Feb. 21.

 

Sheetz Fellows pursue a course of advanced instruction and engage in activities that promote an enhanced awareness and understanding of business theory and practice. While seven of the eight inductees share an academic focus on a business major, all are pursuing a course of study in entrepreneurship.

 

In remarks especially tailored for a group of aspiring entrepreneurs, Sheetz told the story of Frederic Tudor’s efforts to supply ice from frozen lakes in New England to people residing and vacationing in warmer climates around the world in the early 1800s. While the initial challenges associated with coordinating the various logistical aspects of shipping were met, problems related to keeping the ice frozen en route to the final destination were not resolved. After decades of failed attempts and personal financial ruin, Tudor discovered that sawdust acted as the perfect insulator for ice during shipping.

 

“Frederic Tudor was innovative, creative, and optimistic, and willing to take risks and endure humiliating failure,” said Sheetz, a 1969 Penn State graduate, former Penn State Altoona student, and Sheetz Family Council Chairman. “In the end, his persistence led to unqualified success as the creator of the commercial ice industry, shipping his fresh water product around the globe. I hope Frederic Tudor and his story will be sources of inspiration for you, especially when your spirit and your will are tested.”

 

The Sheetz Fellows program was established as part of an historic gift presented to Penn State Altoona by Steve and Nancy Sheetz in 2009. Sheetz Fellows aspire to levels of achievement, values, and integrity associated with the Sheetz name and Penn State’s reputation. 

 

Established academic standards must be met to maintain status within the program. Other requirements include completion of a study abroad experience, ethics course, 80 hours of community service, and an internship, self-sponsored research or creative project. The mentoring component of the Sheetz Fellows program pairs seniors with selected professionals who offer guidance and insights divined throughout their careers as successful business executives and entrepreneurs. The rigorous and stimulating experiences of the Sheetz Fellows program are designed to provide students with the knowledge and skill sets necessary to achieve their academic goals and professional aspirations. All students graduating with the status as a Sheetz Fellow receive special recognition at commencement.

 

“The academic culture at Penn State Altoona has been enriched, and the prospects of our region enhanced, because Steve and Nancy Sheetz care deeply about students and the community in which they were raised,” said Chancellor and Dean Lori J. Bechtel-Wherry. “They embrace the promise that higher education offers for not only individual growth and discovery but societal enrichment and progress. I congratulate each of our Sheetz Fellows for pursuing this extraordinary opportunity and express best wishes for continued academic success.”

Last Updated March 2, 2015