Honors College set path for Medtronic CEO

David and Betsy Bruning are the parents of a 2019 Penn State graduate, Benjamin, and a current Schreyer Scholar, Rachel, a double major in French and Francophone studies and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. They have always looked to support their children but found that more challenging living more than three hours away in Germantown, Maryland.

“One of the biggest differences, and it’s something I hadn’t seen until becoming a college parent, is that while your child is in high school, you go to all of your child’s events. You’re much more involved on a regular basis with your child’s activities,” David said. “Once your child heads off to college, that’s obviously much more difficult. While we are obviously pleased with the independence that our children developed, we still appreciate the chance to support them in a less direct manner.”

Joining the Schreyer Parents Council helped the Brunings stay more connected to Rachel’s numerous activities and experiences as a Scholar, and as the current co-chairs of the council, they aim to help other parents and families feel connected as well. When the Brunings joined the Parents Council, one of the organization’s main goals was to spread awareness of the Honors College throughout the country, particularly among high school guidance counselors. As the University’s switch to use of the Common Application put the Honors College on more prospective students’ radars, that focus shifted to helping parents feel more of a part of their students’ experience.

One of the ways the council connects with parents and families is through a private Facebook group that now includes nearly 700 members.

Though council members do not always answer questions from other parents directly, “they can make the connections or provide the insight, having been through the process before,” David said.

The council has also created a newsletter to be proactive with information that might be useful to broader groups of parents. They cover topics such as the thesis process to clear up any confusion parents might have or at least help them in talking to their students.

“We really want to use that newsletter to help address some of those misconceptions and explain what the thesis is and how it works,” Betsy said. “Or just give them some prompts to ask their students. Arm them with information.”

The other primary focus of the council is development, including raising funds for the Schreyer Parents and Family Fund, which helps provide financial support for Scholars who have experienced unexpected hardship.

“We don’t want somebody to lose out on this experience because someone lost a job or a parent got sick,” Betsy said.

The Brunings have been pleased to see Rachel’s leadership skills growing since she became a Scholar in 2017 and were happy to take on leadership roles within the council themselves as they continue to stay connected to the College.

“It’s been enjoyable,” David said. “We’ve liked the people we’ve worked with and it has been great to be part of a group that is helping students that need assistance.”

Alumni Admissions Interview Program

The Schreyer Honors College Alumni Admissions Interview Program (AAIP) brings Scholar alumni together with first-year applicants for optional, 30-minute interviews that allow the students to gain a deeper understanding of what life is like as a Scholar at Penn State from the people who experienced it. At the same time, it is a great opportunity for Scholar alumni to stay connected and to act as valued resources for the admissions team.

During interviews each fall, Scholar alumni help move students toward the same kind of experiences they enjoyed as Scholars. Launched as a pilot program only seven years ago, AAIP received a 2019 Volunteer Group Award for Young Alumni Involvement from the Penn State Alumni Association.

Learn how you can be a part of the College’s largest and most flexible alumni program by visiting the link at this code:

1. Register. 2. Review the training video and manual. 3. Enter your availability. 4. Interview matching applicants.

shc.psu.edu/alumni-friends/ In the last year, the program conducted … 1,274 interviews from 258 interviewers and

97% of alumni survey respondents said they would participate again.

“I love to hear about their passions, viewpoints on the world, and what keeps them curious.”

— Asia Grant ’17 Bus, AAIP volunteer and Scholar Alumni Society Board (SASB) president

Todd Bacastow ’05 IST (left), former SASB president and Asia Grant ’17 Bus (right), current SASB president receive a 2019 Volunteer Group Award for the Alumni Admissions Interview Program at a ceremony held by the Penn State Alumni Association in October 2019.