WYOMISSING, Pa. — Daniel George accomplished everything he set out to do at Penn State Berks in terms of academics, leadership and service. He will cross the stage to accept his baccalaureate degree in mechanical engineering, with a minor in mathematics applications, at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 4, during the college’s commencement ceremony at the Santander Arena in Reading.
George, a native of Philadelphia, began his studies at Penn State Abington before coming to Berks. He said that in addition to Berks offering the mechanical engineering degree, he was attracted to its smaller class sizes and proximity to Philadelphia.
“I enjoy the smaller classes; they allow you to get to know people better,” George commented. “It’s been a great experience.”
During his time at the college, George took the initiative and made many valuable connections both inside and outside the classroom.
George is graduating as the first Penn State Berks student to earn the mathematics applications minor, offered through Penn State Altoona. He explained that he enrolled in the minor because he wanted to develop a deeper understanding of topics relevant to his field.
“I want to be a trailblazer and inspire other students to raise their skills,” he stated.
George also took the initiative and contacted the Philadelphia office of Robotic Imaging, a nationwide provider of high quality laser scanning and scan to BIM services to engineers and architects. He wanted to volunteer at the company. They agreed and were so impressed by George that they offered him an internship the following summer.
“Being able to have direct interaction with people in all facets of the company was very beneficial,” commented George. “They welcomed me and allowed me to figure things out and grow.”
George stated that during his internship, he taught himself Fusion 360 before studying it in the classroom and also expanded his knowledge of creating floor plans in AutoCAD.
On campus, George made even more connections through his leadership and community service. He resurrected the Pavement Project, a student service organization. George assumed the role of president and began recruiting students until they had the eight members required to be recognized as an official student club.
In the last year under George’s leadership, the Pavement Project held a clothing drive, partnering with CommunityAid Thrift Store and Donation Center. They also sponsored a movie night with a raffle; proceeds were used to purchase needed supplies for the Reading School District’s Southwest Middle School.
“I’m proud of the group and all they have accomplished,” stated George. “I’m looking forward to seeing what they do in the future.”
George also served as president of the college’s Christian Student Fellowship. Each year during spring break, the student organization takes a service trip to Big Creek Mission in Bear Branch, Kentucky. Big Creek Missions is an inter-denominational Christian ministry center that works to connect mission groups with the needs of Appalachia.
He explained that during his trips, he worked on fixing homes, roofing, and helping out at homeless shelters and food pantries.
“One of the most important parts of faith is serving others,” George said. “There’s very little that I’ve been able to accomplish on my own. Everyone needs a support system to succeed.”
Growing up in a Christian household, George explained that he gave up the way he had been living his faith since childhood and he “rebuilt his relationship with Jesus."
"It’s not until you get older that you see the importance of faith and service,” he stated.
Serving as a role model is also important to George, he said. He served as a member of Futures in Engineering: Role-models Can Empower (FiERCE), a student organization in which engineering students mentor middle- and high-school students.
“People are inspired by role models, and I wanted to be one for youth,” explained George. “I want younger engineering students, especially those from minority backgrounds, to see what they’re capable of. I want them to see themselves as successful, even before they earn their degree.”
For his leadership and service, George was honored with the college’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Award and the J. Dean Stephans Memorial Award for Student Leadership in 2024. He also received the Howard O., Jr., and Jean S. Beaver Award for Community Service Award in 2023.
After commencement, George will begin working as an engineer at Brentwood Industries, a global provider of thermoformed plastic solutions, in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania.
Ultimately, he said, he would like to take his college experience and apply it in a management position, serving as a mentor to younger engineers to encourage and develop talent.
When asked how Penn State Berks prepared him for the future, George stated, “I learned skills that I wasn’t even thinking about like leadership and preparing for a career. Most of all, I learned about myself.
“It’s been a long, challenging journey. The experience makes you stronger so you can handle the obstacles that come your way.”