Farewell to a Friend and Colleague
Maureen Costello, international student adviser with Penn State’s University Office of Global Programs (UOGP), passed away after a long battle with cancer on Friday, Oct. 16. Her personal commitment to the work of UOGP and her generosity of spirit will be greatly missed.
Michael Adewumi, vice provost for Global Programs, praised her efforts, saying, “Maureen’s dedication to the mission of providing support to our international students was nothing but excellent. Her hard work and professionalism, despite the challenges of her recent illness, were an inspiration to all who knew her. She put her heart and soul into her work, and students and fellow staff alike greatly admired her.”
Although her early life included little travel outside of her native New England, Costello’s desire to give something back to the world led her to service as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Turkey. She was fascinated with the country -- which she described as “one of the cradles of civilization” -- and its abundant archaeological sites.
When the Peace Corps left Turkey in 1970, Costello remained for another six years, teaching English at the Middle East Technical University in Ankara. Throughout her life, she maintained correspondence with friends and colleagues there. She believed the new and wider perspective of the world she gained through this experience was one of the greatest benefits of her years abroad.
Costello first joined what was then the Office of International Students at Penn State in 1987 as an intern from the graduate program in counselor education. From 1989, she served as program coordinator, planning activities and programs for international students, helping them become acclimated to campus life in the United States. In 1995, she was promoted to adviser, providing support to international students with everything from immigration and regulatory requirements to adapting to the American education system. The extra time and care she gave to this position left an indelible imprint in the hearts and minds of not only the students, but also those who worked with her.
Juan Pablo Neyret, a former student, wrote upon hearing of her passing, “We have lost a marvelous woman…I'll keep her in my heart as the person who gave me the most wonderful welcome at [Penn State], so far from my home…she'll always be with me, and with all of us. I've just lit a white votive candle which will shine during this night, same as she shone during her life…”
Costello held a bachelor’s degree in history and political science from Trinity College in Burlington, Vermont, and a master’s in counselor education from Penn State. She was a long-time member of NAFSA: The Association for International Educators. A cat lover with a soft spot for homeless cats on the Penn State campus, she was a perennial volunteer at Centre County PAWS.
Maureen’s response to being a Peace Corps Volunteer, “we all share in the responsibility to make things better,” is representative of how she lived her life. She shared her time, her expertise, her goodwill, with people from every corner of the globe. In a world that too often takes the quick and easy way, she took the time to make a difference.
Donations may be made to the Ethel Beaver Fund, c/o Children and Youth Services, 420 Holmes Street, Bellefonte, PA 16823, Attention: Connie. Although Maureen was a dedicated volunteer at PAWS, she thought the Ethel Beaver Fund, which supports foster children, was a greater need.
In gratitude for Maureen’s years of service, UOGP is establishing an award in her honor. The Maureen Costello Service Excellence Award will annually honor a staff member in Global Programs who, like Maureen, exemplifies the ideal of service to students, staff, and faculty in international education at Penn State. Contributions, made out to “Penn State,” may be sent to University Office of Global Programs, 410 Boucke Building, University Park, PA 16802. Please note on the check “Maureen Costello Award.”
A memorial service will be held for Maureen at 2 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 6, in the Garden Room of the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center on Penn State's University Park campus. Arrangements have been made with the Joyce Funeral Home in Waltham, Mass. for a wake from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13, and a Funeral (Celebration of Life) at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14, with burial to follow at the family plot in Lincoln, Mass.