As another academic year comes to a close, see photos of first-year students from the College of Arts and Architecture “before” and “after” their first year at Penn State. Encouraged by faculty members after seeing an article in The New York Times last spring, Stephanie Swindle (public relations specialist) photographed and interviewed 14 students for a new project, #PSUBeforeAfter. Some students brought personal items to their photo sessions. Others brought friends and spent extra time in front of the camera having fun and being themselves. See the outtakes in the #PSUBeforeAfter Extras Gallery.
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Beth Morgan, a double-major in Music Performance and Speech Therapy from Wyncote, PA, brought her cross country jersey to her "after" photo shoot. "My team has become my second family," said Morgan. In the fall, she described herself as "pretty quiet but trying to reach out of myself." Morgan also plays cello. She will be spending the summer working in Acadia National Park.
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Savannah Welsh and Claire Placky, best friends from State College, PA, made it through their first year of college with support from each other. Welsh, a dancer and graphic design major, said, "This year has taught me that even small changes can make a huge difference in your life." Placky, an art education major who has always wanted to be an art teacher, added, "This year taught me that no matter how hard life gets, everything will pass and the sun will come out again."
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Savannah Welsh poses for her individual photos.
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Claire Placky poses for her individual photos.
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Nyomi Warren, graphic design major from Sharon, MA, brought a T-square for her "after" photo, which is an essential for her work. In the fall, Warren described herself as "competitive, edgy, athletic, tall, outgoing, organized, silly, loud, and a figure skater." This spring, she read over her previous description and commented on how she is "pretty much the same person with more friends, a bigger appetite, and a more social personality from the first introduction – me from the start!" Warren was in the midst of finishing her graphic design portfolio at the time of the shoot.
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Mark Weaver, a student from Lock Haven, PA, who was initially considering Art Education, had a great year and is on track for majoring in Art Education. "It's surprising how much difference a year can make!" he said. Weaver, an artist by nature, loves to paint, especially with watercolors. In his "after" photo he is wearing a white shirt onto which he stitched a drawing. When asked what he wanted people to know about him in the fall, Weaver answered, "I'm a strange person, but I'll always comfort a person in need." He and several of his new friends from art history class stayed in the photo studio and had fun taking extra photos, which will be featured in the album of extras.
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Grace Collins, an Art Education pre-major from Sugarland, Texas, was not camera shy. She showed off her personal item, galaxy printed tennis shoes, in both photos. Not only does she have over 1,000 Pokemon cards, but she played through the entire Mass Effect Game Series and is now starting to play through Dragon Age Origins. She also managed to win the President's Freshman Award, making her one of only several recipients from the College of Arts and Architecture.
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In the fall, Claire Killefer, an Art major from Palm Springs, CA, responded to the question, "What do you want people to know about you," with "Uncooked egg whites freak me out." She laughed when looking back on her answer, not particularly sure why she had mentioned this particular fact. Ever the eccentric artist, Killefer followed up by reaffirming, "uncooked egg whites still freak me out," and adding, "I love pie."
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Laura Sapet, a Psychology/Art Education major from Pittsburgh, PA, came to the "before" photo shoot with her friends, Mark Weaver and Claire Killefer. Her birthday is on Halloween, and uncooked egg whites do not freak her out. In the spring, Sapet returned with Weaver and Killefer for their "after" photos. The three have been inseparable, taking classes together and even giving Sapet a new nickname, which when asked what she wanted people to know about her responded, "My name is Larry!"
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Turner Blashford, a graphic design major from Carlisle, PA, juggled and played ukelele during his "before" photo shoot. He also wanted everyone to know that he really likes tea. In his spring update, Blashford said, "I still love tea. I joined tea club." At the time of the shoot, the tea club was anticipating the visit of a tea master to perform a tea ceremony. When asked about his summer plans, Blashford said, "I'm off to Prague this summer to learn how to build marionettes! Then, on to sophomore year!"
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Paige Landay, an art education major from Pittsburgh, PA, brought a picture frame to her "before" shoot. "I made it out of recycled materials I found in my dorm room and my friends' dorm rooms. I made it for my Art Educationclass, and it was my first project of my college experience!" Landay was excited to talk about her major. "I absolutely love art and can't wait to be a teacher," she said. She has also been a dancer for 14 years. in her "after" interview, Landay mentioned that she choreographed both showcases this year for the Volé Ballet Club. She also served on a special events committee for THON and donated 16 inches of her hair in honor of THON.
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Laura Kaeppel, a graphic design major from Catasauqua, PA, enjoyed her first year at Penn State. During her "before" photo shoot, she said, "I like to go on adventures! I like new things. And although I stand firm on what I believe, I keep an open and curious mind." Kaeppel got an internship this year with the Penn State Football Program doing graphic design work. When asked what advice she would give first-year students next year, she said, "As the years go on, remember to stay calm. You can do it!"
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In the fall, Olivia Dowd, a Music Education major from Pittsburgh, PA, mentioned that she loves baby giraffes, mismatched socks, and cartwheels. When she returned this spring, she had on mismatched socks and again did several cartwheels for the camera. She also said she still learns best when she teaches. When asked for an update, Dowd said, "I feel like I've become more aware of the importance of love, patience, kindness, hope, gentleness, etc. I love more things. I love learning and how much I still have to learn here. I still love teaching. That is my passion." This year, Dowd joined gymnastics club. "Maybe next year I'll do an aerial cartwheel!" she added.
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Sarah Nachtman, an Art Education major from State College, PA, laughed so hard when reading her answers from the "before" shoot that she cried. She had originally said, "I'm kinda shy until you get to know me. I love Jimmy Fallon and my boyfriend." Her spring response: "Still awesome, a little shy, but confident and happy. I still love Jimmy Fallon, but not longer have that boyfriend." The biggest update for Nachtman is that she has discovered a new love – "My Canon T5 Rebel camera!" She takes it everywhere with her and has joined the Penn State Photo Club. Nachtman has even created her own photography website: http://sarahnachtman75.wix.com/faithphotography and Flickr page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/87086877@N03/.
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Maria Elena Reguero, a graphic design major from San Juan, Puerto Rico, brought a Puerto Rican flag to her "before" shoot. "It is important to me because it symbolizes my roots, my culture, my family, and my identity. I love where I come from, and I hope to represent Puerto Rico everywhere I go," said Reguero. When asked what she wants people to know about her, Reguero said, "I love to paint and design artwork that will someday mean something to other people. That is my goal as a graphic design major – to create something that will change a person's day or mood, or that will just get them thinking about the message I'm communicating (hopefully for a good cause)." In her spring update, Reguero said, "I survived my first winter! I can't believe my first year is over. I met so many people and got to learn about what I love." She will spend the summer at home in Puerto Rico, where she has a graphic design internship.
