Penn State

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The Start of a New Era…

September 1, 2012 in Uncategorized | No comments

I’ve been a Penn State Football fan for as long as I can remember.  I’ve always loved the blue and white uniforms with the plain black sneakers.  I would get goose bumps when Joe Paterno would lead the team onto the field, but this year it is the start of a new era.    

I never imagined a scandal of this magnitude could or would ever happen at Penn State, but it did.   

So whether you are a Penn State alum, a Penn State fan, a Penn State faculty member or a Penn State student – tomorrow a new era begins.   We will never forget the victims, but as a university and a community we MUST move forward.   I hope the nation stands with us.  

I am so excited to see over 108,00 fans stand together as one on Saturday, September 1st for our team as they enter Beaver Stadium.  Thank you Bill O’Brien for your class and composure – we are truly lucky to call you Coach! 

Game day you will find me cheering with the Las Vegas Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association – it just feels right to be with others who truly love Penn State as much as I do.  

WE ARE…ONE TEAM!   

˜Terri Maruca

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Moving-in…

August 27, 2012 in Uncategorized | No comments

 

It might have been 24 years ago, but I remember moving into Simmons Hall at Penn State just as if it were yesterday.  On Friday, my boyfriend and I moved his son, Jordan, into his dorm at the University of Nevada at Reno – I might have been more excited than him.  Months leading up to his move to UNR, I spent my spare time creating checklists for him and sharing stories with him about my time at Penn State and in the dorms.   There is nothing more exciting than going back to school or beginning your college career. 

 As a freshman at Penn State in 1988, I lucked out on levels when I got my dorm assignment.  First I was assigned to Simmons Hall which was located in the middle of campus a block away from College Avenue and directly across from the Hub.   I got the best roommate ever, Janice Appleby, who was  from Camp Hill, PA.  We also were on the fourth floor (top floor) and we got a corner room with two windows.  I thought I had it the jackpot and as I look back I did on all levels.  

Times have changed in regards to dorm rooms and college since I was a freshman such as: 

 Dorm rooms are definitely much bigger;

  • Dorm rooms now normally include a private a bathroom, no community bathroom down hall;
  • Dorm rooms now have cable;
  • Dorms rooms include carpet;
  • Dorms have free Wifi;
  • Convenience like none other, you can purchase all your dorm necessities at Bed, Bath & Beyond (or other retailers) online and merely have it shipped to your dorm room;
  • Most dining halls now resembles a Las Vegas buffet.

 But some things about moving into the dorms and being a freshman will never change such as: 

  • The anticipation of meeting your roommate, neighbors on the floor and your RA;
  • Decorating your dorm room;
  •  Memorizing your schedule;
  • Knowing where your classes are;
  • That first meal in the dining hall;
  • Saying goodbye to your parents. 

I know Jordan is doing great today at UNR as he starts classes and I hope he looks back on the past four days and his entire four years at UNR as fondly as I do 24 years later.   My four years at Penn State were some of the best years of my life and they truly had a huge impact on who I am today. 

 

 

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Rest In Peace – Joseph Vincent Paterno: 1926 – 2012

January 24, 2012 in Uncategorized | No comments

Some of you may simply not understand why the passing of Joe Paterno, our beloved head coach, has been so hard on the Penn State community and that is okay.  However, don’t pass judgment on us…let us grieve and say good-bye to JoePa.  There is no other place like Happy Valley and unless you were a student at Penn State or had a family member attend, you will probably never understand how magically a place it is.  I will never forget Joe Paterno – he’s been a household name in my home since I can remember. He was one of the driving forces in my decision to attend Penn State, not solely because he was the head football coach, but because of the person he was and what he stood for.  He made Penn State a better place from what he did on and most importantly off the football field.  I will be a Nittany Lion forever and I promise to live my life “The Paterno Way!”  He wasn’t perfect, but he recognized his mistakes.  At this time of reflection, let us not overlook the good he did do for others and the impact he made with many.  My thoughts and prayers are with the entire Paterno Family and the Penn State Community during this difficult time. 

Below are some of my favorite Joe Paterno quotes, may his love and passion for life, family, football and Penn State live on forever:

“Believe deep down in your heart that you’re destined to do great things.” -Joe Paterno
“The name on the front of the jersey is what really matters, not the name on the back.” -Joe Paterno
“Success without honor is an unseasoned dish; it will satisfy your hunger, but it won’t taste good.” -Joe Paterno
“Besides pride, loyalty, discipline, heart and mind – confidence is the key to all the locks.” -Joe Paterno

“They ask me what I’d like written about me when I’m gone. I hope they write I made Penn State a better place, not just that I was a good football coach.” –Joe Paterno
We Are…

 

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We Are (Still) Penn State

November 29, 2011 in Uncategorized | No comments

In 1986, I was a junior at Woodridge High School in Peninsula, Ohio and trying to find the “perfect” college for me.  That Fall, my mom and I took a “college knowledge” tour of my top two choices:  Pennsylvania State University and Villanova University.  Ironically, both schools were coming off NCAA Championship’s:  Penn State for football and Villanova for basketball.  My love of sports started at a very young age and I knew I wanted to attend a big school with a strong athletic program.  Now I had to decide would I go to a football school or basketball school?

We visited Penn State first and we arrived in Happy Valley – I knew that this was the place for me.  I loved it from afar, but once we got out of the car and walked around the campus I knew it was love.  It felt like home and I felt comfortable there.  I knew immediately that this is where I wanted to be a college student.  We still drove to Villanova after our visit to Penn State, but I never got out of the car.  I knew I had found the place for me in Penn State, so why waste our time in touring Villanova?

I applied and was accepted in 1987 to Penn State.  When I received that acceptance letter in the mail – I became a Nittany Lion for LIFE. 

My four years at Penn State where probably some of the best years of my life.  I made dear friends, I grew up, I made mistakes, I made good choices, I ate bad, I did good in school, I loved volunteering for THON, I did not so good in Latin, I loved going to Beaver Stadium on Saturdays, I hated winters in State College, I loved the HUB, I had BIG hair and when it was time to graduate, I was sad to leave.

So you can only imagine how hard the past three weeks have been for me.  I am so proud to be an alumni of PSU.  Yes, I love Penn State football and have always held Joe Paterno in high regards for everything he did on and off the field.  Today it is hard to believe that the action of a few could turn our university and community upside down.  My prayers go out to the victims and their families.  We can’t take away what happen to them, but we came make sure it never happens again.  We must do whatever we can to raise awareness for sexual abuse and most importantly ensure that those that are guilty of wrong doings are punished. 

I love Penn State.  I love the role it had in molding me into the person I am today.  I am so proud to be of one of the 577,000 living alumni.    There is no other place like Happy Valley.  It will take time, but I promise to do whatever I can to help get us back to Penn State – Success With Honors.   We Are Penn State and I will forever be a Nittany Lion!

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The Madness Is Upon Us at KDC

March 16, 2011 in Kirvin Doak News | No comments

Each year, Kirvin Doak hosts a friendly competition during March Madness to see who can fill out the best bracket. The entire staff and KDC clients are invited to participate and enjoy the excitement of the NCAA Basketball Tournament.

Jim Valvano, NC State

 

 I have had the honor of being co-commissioner of the league for the past  three years with Terri Maruca, who is also a fellow Nittany Lion alum here at KDC. While it is always devastating to my ego to get beaten by pretty much everyone in the office (even after claiming to have superior basketball knowledge), it is still one of my favorite office events each year. This year, win or lose, I will enjoy the fact that my alma mater Penn State gets to play in the “Big Dance” for the first time in 10 years. Yes, that’s two Penn State references in a three sentence span. Did I mention it’s their first visit to the NCAA Tournament in 10 years?!

 As the weather gets warmer in Vegas, March Madness always seems to be the unofficial start of summer/pool season each year. There’s nothing better than watching a NCAA Tournament game outside with a nice cold beer while all your East Coast friends are still complaining about snow! Anyway, this year’s tournament should be a fun ride and we can’t wait to watch it all unfold here at Kirvin Doak Communications. Be sure to check back after the tournament to see who wins our office competition! One last time for my team: We Are…Penn State!

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