It’s a day of magic at Penn State Brandywine
MIDDLETOWN » As Penn State Brandywine graduates were conferred their degrees with the campus founder’s granddaughter among them, Delaware County Common Pleas Court Judge Nathaniel Nichols imparted them with some magic of his own.
On Saturday, about 110 graduates received their degrees at the school’s commencement ceremonies.
The campus was founded in 1967 by Penn State journalism professor John Vairo, first in a former fish market in Chester before it moved to its current location, which was an apple orchard in the 1900s and a dairy farm in the century before that.
With 1,400 students studying at the Delaware County campus, 200 live there and 12 majors can be completed there without having to transfer to another campus.
Allison Archambo, 23, of Middletown, teared up when thinking about the day, following in the tradition of her aunts, brothers and uncle, and of course, her grandfather, John Vairo, for whom the library is named.
She described him as “businesslike and very family oriented too.” He died in 2012.
Archambo, who majored in psychology and wants to pursue a Master’s degree in clinical psychology, shared what she enjoyed about Penn State Brandywine.
“I liked the small classes about it, the closeness with the professors, the one-onone,” she said. “I like how it’s close to home, too.”
Coleman Hart of Upper Darby said he didn’t want to go to Penn State.
“But, then I came here and I saw Brandywine and I saw what the Penn State culture is all about,” the marketing major said. “Everyone was so passionate about the school, they just love it so much. And, I remember driving out of the parking lot, I told my parents, ‘This is where I’m going. I’m not applying to anywhere else.’”
He said one of the most important moments of his college career was his participation in Thon, which he was involved all four years.
One of the years, he danced all 48 hours – no sleep, no coffee.
“I think I’m just that stubborn I refuse to give up,” Hart said. And, he also did it to honor his cousins and friends who had died because of cancer.
Now, the 21-year-old Phi Kappa Phi member is hoping to get a job in advertising but he’s keeping his options open.
“Honestly, I can’t predict the future so wherever life takes me, I’ll go,” he said.
As they sat in the Commons/Athletic Center on Brandywine’s campus, the graduates were treated to the wisdom and wit of Nichols.
“Class of 2018,” he said, “it’s time to wipe the slate clean.”
However, Nicholas said, that didn’t mean forget the past.
“I want you to take a look at the slate that you’ve created,” he said, adding that it is like a hard rock that has been pressured with layer after layer of experience.
He shared with the grads some of his own collegiate days such as when he was a student with a professor who would ask very long, challenging questions that everyone hoped to not have to answer.
One time, the professor asked his question to a student and there was an extended pause. So, he asked, “What’s the answer?”
In the back of the room, someone replied, “Abracadabra.”
After the chuckles, Nichols told the students he would share three tips with them, keeping brevity in mind.
“Set a goal – and you’re more likely to be able to achieve it,” he said. “You need to have a plan that is specific.” He urged them to write it down. “No one else has to see it,” he said. “Nobody else has to see it but you.”
The 10-year judge spoke from his own experience.
“So in law school, on my laptop computer, I put two words and I didn’t tell anyone,” Nichols said, saying he saw those two words every day. “Those two words were, ‘Your Honor.’”
Secondly, he advised them, “Have a mentor.”
Yet, he said, find someone who has their best in mind, who encourages them, but will call them out when needed, not a yes person.
“What’s important about the mentor is the mentor will be truthful to you,” Nichols said.
Then, there was the graduates’ final quiz.
Nichols listed the tips he gave, “Make a plan, have a mentor, what’s the third one?”
His question was met with silence.
“Abracadabra,” he said to erupting laughter.