UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Six Penn State seniors have joined an impressive list this spring. With their selection as student marshals in the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications, they represent the latest honorees who have displayed their commitment and talent as undergraduate students at the University. The college's commencement exercises will be conducted Saturday, May 6, at the Bryce Jordan Center.
The group of honorees includes an overall marshal and a representative from each of the college’s five majors. The honorees are:
Overall
Emma Shellhamer, a native of Chester Springs, is a Schreyer Honors College student who earned bachelor’s degrees in public relations and English.
During her time at Penn State, Shellhamer completed a variety of internships and experiences, including a copywriting internship at QVC, a technical editor internship with the College of Information Sciences and Technology, and an online editorial internship with Spoon University. In addition, Shellhamer held a secretary position with The Navigators campus ministry, a social media marketing position with Undressed Foods, and served as editor-in-chief at Spoon University. She will be escorted by faculty marshal Steve Manuel.
“I am so grateful for the past four years at Penn State, and it is a remarkable blessing and honor to serve as the overall student marshal for the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications this spring,” said Shellhamer.
Advertising/Public Relations
Sabriana Pimentel, who earned her bachelor’s degree in advertising/public relations, was selected to participate in the nationally competitive 2017 American Advertising Federation Most Promising Multicultural Student Program. She also completed a strategy internship at Initiative–IPG Mediabrands in New York City. Pimentel was highly involved on campus, working on student advertising campaigns for Adidas and Avon.
In addition, she was an executive board secretary for the Advertising Club, an intern for Penn State Athletics Strategic Communications and an account associate for Happy Valley Communications. She will be escorted by faculty marshal Ken Yednock.
"I'm so honored that I was chosen as student marshal,” said Pimentel. “Being selected just confirms how hard I've worked these past four years and that everything I've done has been recognized."
Film-Video
Danielle Wegman has earned her film-video degree and a degree in marketing. She also put together a strong list of professional experiences while at Penn State. She served as a brand ambassador for Seeso (an advertising-free streaming comedy channel operated by NBCUniversal), completed a technical operations internship at CNBC in New Jersey, and worked as a postproduction and marketing intern at Universal Pictures in Los Angeles.
On campus, Wegman was a managing director for the Penn State Marketing Association, a rotating crew member for the PSN-TV news broadcast, worked as a crew member for 46 LIVE for three years, and was a member of CommRadio. She will be escorted by faculty marshal Rod Bingaman.
“Being selected as a student marshal is a huge honor and I am so proud to represent my fellow film-video graduates,” said Wegman.
Journalism
A native of China, Min Xian will be the student marshal for journalism. During her time at Penn State, Xian traveled to Greece as part of the international reporting class to cover the refugee crisis and reported on gentrification in Baltimore during 2017 spring break.
Xian has also put together several professional experiences, including serving as a reporter and photographer for the Centre Daily Times and completing internships with WPSU and the College of Engineering. She will be escorted by faculty marshal Curt Chandler.
“Being selected the journalism marshal completes my Penn State experience,” said Xian. “I am honored to represent the wonderful accomplishments and high ethical standards shown by my fellow journalism graduates that continue to humble me.”
Media Studies
Lindsay Miller will serve as the media studies representative. On campus, she served as a contributor for Her Campus Media. She was a public relations intern for BD&E in Pittsburgh and at Light of Gold PR in New York.
In addition, Miller gained business experience as an accounting assistant with Regency Transportation in Pittsburgh and as a registration operations assistant with St. John’s University Conference Services in New York. Miller, who transferred to Penn State in the fall of 2015, was a member of Alpha Omicron Pi, Ed2010 and EmpowHER. She will be escorted by faculty marshal Jo Dumas.
“Being selected as student marshal is quite the honor, and makes me feel like all of my efforts throughout college are being recognized,” said Miller.
Telecommunications
Jesse Pepperman will serve as the telecommunications representative. Pepperman completed two internships in Los Angeles — one at Paradigm Talent Agency and one at Echo Lake Entertainment.
He was one of 12 students to spend the spring of 2016 in Los Angeles as part of the inaugural cohort of students in the Penn State Hollywood Program. He completed an internship at C-SPAN during the fall of 2015 through the Stanley E. Degler Washington Program.
His other experiences include an internship at A&E; working in The Daily Collegian advertising department; helping in the control room for sporting events on campus; and working as a show representative with PSN-TV. He will be escorted by Robert Richards, the John and Ann Curley Professor of First Amendment Studies.
"I am honored to be selected as a student marshal and represent the telecommunications major in front of my peers,” said Pepperman. “This recognition is a culmination of my course work and professional internships in the media industry. The Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications provides educational and career opportunities unlike any other university in the country, and I am proud to be a part of it."