Academics

College of Arts and Architecture announces college marshal, department marshals

Caleb Yoder, son of Terry and Kendra Yoder of State College, Pennsylvania, has been named the spring 2016 Penn State College of Arts and Architecture student marshal in recognition of his academic achievements. He will receive a bachelor of design in interdisciplinary digital studio and bachelor of arts in film-video (College of Communications) during Penn State’s commencement ceremonies on May 7.

A Schreyer Honors College Scholar, Yoder has been active in the Student Film Organization, serving as president in 2013–15, and the Digital Media Group, serving as vice president in 2014. In summer 2015, he interned at Dreamworks Animation, where he filmed and edited events, meetings and training classes for Dreamworks Animation employees. He has also interned at CNET 7 and Minitab in State College. Other production experience includes serving as a graphic designer for ComMedia at Penn State, creating motion graphics and graphic stills for the student-run “Centre County Report.” Yoder plans to pursue a career in film post-production.

The College of Arts and Architecture has also selected seven department marshals.

Nicole Deitrich, of Elizabethville, Pennsylvania, has been named the Department of Architecture student marshal. She will receive a bachelor of architecture degree with an economics minor. Nicole has received numerous scholarships and departmental awards while at Penn State, including the Fourth-Year Design Excellence Award, Ewing Cole Inc. Endowed Award in Architecture, and National Concrete Masonry Association Competition Honorable Mention. She is active in Victory Christian Fellowship, most recently serving as treasurer. She interned at RLPS Architects in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, for two summers, producing 3D site and building models, renderings, and client meeting presentations, among other duties. She studied abroad at the Pantheon Institute in Rome in fall 2014.

Alena Howe, of Port Matilda, Pennsylvania, has been named the Department of Art History student marshal. She will receive a bachelor of arts in art history and bachelor of science in French and francophone studies, with minors in business and the liberal arts, and international studies. Alena, recipient of numerous scholarships, has interned at La Galerie Maeght in Paris, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Palmer Museum of Art, among others. A ceramics artist, she has served as manager of the ceramics studio at Penn State’s Center for Arts and Crafts for the past four years. She has also been active in the French Club and THON.

Melanie Socash, of Freedom, Pennsylvania, has been named the student marshal for the graphic design and integrative arts programs. She will receive a bachelor of design in graphic design. Melanie is a scholarship recipient who has been honored with several awards in the Graphis New Talent competition. A Design Association member, she has served as THON staff photographer and as designer for Victoria’s Secret Brand Representatives on campus. Last summer, she interned at branding agency Laird+Partners, working on the Tommy Hilfiger team.

Emily Larkin, of Effort, Pennsylvania, has been named the student marshal for the Department of Landscape Architecture. She will receive a bachelor of landscape architecture, with minors in geography and environmental inquiry. A Schreyer Honors College Scholar, Emily has served as president and treasurer of the Landscape Architecture Student Society, ambassador for the Department of Landscape Architecture, and president of the Arts and Architecture Interest House. She has received many departmental scholarships and awards and written for several upcoming publications.

Ian Duh, of State College, Pennsylvania, has been named the student marshal for the School of Music. He will receive a bachelor of musical arts in piano performance, as well as a bachelor of science in science. A Schreyer Honors College Scholar, Ian has studied both piano and violin while at Penn State, in addition to science and bioethics. He is the founder/music director of No Strings Attached and its affiliate ensemble, Ulterior Motive, both a cappella groups. He served as music director for the Happy Valley Chinese School Chamber Orchestra and for several local musicals. He was also president of the Penn State chapter of the Liszt Society.

Natalie Vero, of Manorville, New York, has been named the student marshal for the School of Theatre. She will receive dual bachelor of arts degrees in theater performance and broadcast journalism, with a minor in international studies. Natalie has been active in the Penn State Thespians and in several School of Theatre mainstage productions. She recently served as an international student correspondent in Greece for Penn State’s “Centre County Report.” She has interned at radio stations and was a volunteer for LifeLink PSU.

Hollace Kutay, of East Petersburg, Pennsylvania, has been named the student marshal for the School of Visual Arts. She will receive a bachelor of fine arts in studio art, focus in ceramics. A Schreyer Honors College Scholar, Hollace has exhibited her work in juried exhibitions in both the United States and Florence, Italy. She is the founder of the nonprofit Ceramic Art and Culture Institute in Reading, Pennsylvania, and plans to continue her work there after graduation. She has been an active fundraiser for various causes, including the National Trust’s educational programs. 

Caleb Yoder, College of Arts and Architecture student marshal for spring 2016 Credit: Alex Bush / Penn StateCreative Commons

Last Updated May 2, 2016