UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — During a campus listening tour that crisscrossed the state this spring, President Neeli Bendapudi dedicated herself to getting to know the Penn State community. Now, as she concludes her second week in office, Bendapudi shares five things Penn Staters might not know about her — from the origin of her name to her personal mission to taste every Berkey Creamery ice cream flavor. 

1 — “Neeli” means “blue” 

My name, Neeli Bendapudi, is pronounced just like it’s spelled, and I tend to go by Neeli. In Sanskrit my name translates to the “sky’s color,” so it seems like I was born to wear — and cheer on — the Blue and White! 

2 — Bendapudi was born in India’s agricultural “rice bowl”  

I was raised in Andhra Pradesh, which is an agricultural area known as the “rice bowl” of India, and so I am appreciative of the importance of the agricultural sector in the commonwealth and Penn State’s longstanding excellence in the area. I grew up in a place where I could see the role of agriculture in terms of food supply and the well-being and security of a country. I have a high regard for this sector as a fundamental need, and as something that ties us together as a community when we break bread around a table. The University’s land-grant mission stems all the way back to our history as an agricultural school, so I’ve enjoyed visiting Penn State’s campuses and witnessing the continued importance of what we do at Penn State to local industry and economic development.  

3 — She values family above all  

Penn State is where I want to be, and I’m thrilled that four generations of my family — including my husband, mother, daughter, son-in-law and grandson — are joining me in this important experience. I value family above all, and we are very excited to join the Penn State family. We worked so hard and moved halfway across the world to create a better life, and I am so appreciative that we all can be together. 

4 — Bendapudi traveled across the commonwealth before she took office 

Each Penn State campus is unique and truly spectacular. Student Lion Ambassadors showed me around so many of the campuses, and I was so honored to see the campuses for the first time through their eyes. I’ve found a favorite spot at each campus. I have valued learning about their unique character and traditions and how each contributes to Penn State’s land-grant mission, including as educational and economic development engines for our local communities and for Pennsylvania families. I have two more campuses to visit and can’t wait to get on the ground. I know I have much more to see and experience, but I’m in awe based on what I have already learned. 

5 — She’s on a mission to try every flavor at the Creamery 

I love ice cream, and I love the Creamery! My husband has been on many, many visits, but I haven’t gotten to test them all yet — I think of it as my personal assignment before summer is over to taste every single flavor.