UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Two students have been selected to represent Penn State’s College of Earth and Mineral Sciences as marshals for the college’s spring 2023 commencement. Martha Christino has been named the student marshal, the top graduate overall, and Bevan Harbinson has been named the college’s engineering honor marshal, the top graduate in an engineering discipline. They will be recognized during the college’s spring 2023 commencement ceremony, scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 6, in the Pegula Ice Arena on Penn State's University Park campus.
Martha Christino: Student Marshal
Christino, a Schreyer Scholar, is graduating summa cum laude with a 4.0 grade-point average with a double major in meteorology and atmospheric science and civil engineering, and a minor in military studies.
Christino, who hails from Alexandria, Virginia, was home for the weekend to run a half marathon in Washington, D.C., when she was notified that she was selected as the college marshal.
“When I found out I was named the student marshal, I ran downstairs to tell my dad, who is a Penn State graduate, and he was very excited for me,” said Christino. “I was so focused on my race the next day that I did not completely process the news when I first received it. During my run the next day, I actually processed the news, thought about how far I have come since freshman year, and it was definitely a motivator to keep running.”
Christino selected George Young, professor emeritus of meteorology, as her faculty marshal.
“I owe an incredible amount of gratitude to Dr. George Young, who has been my research adviser since my first year and has had a tremendous impact on my career trajectory,” said Christino.
Christino’s research with Young focused on using machine learning in meteorological analyses and forecasting.
“I worked with Dr. George Young since the end of my first year on research focused on using machine learning to predict the eyewall replacement cycle in hurricanes, which was the topic of my honors thesis,” said Christino. “The first phase of the project involved identifying environmental predictors through statistical analyses. In the second phase, a logistic regression machine learning model, trained based on the identified environmental variables, was constructed and tested.”
Christino also conducted research with Sukyoung Lee, distinguished professor of meteorology.
“In my final semester I also worked with Dr. Lee on a project to identify the drivers of anomalous sea surface temperature trends in the Pacific Ocean.”
Christino received numerous University awards, including the Evan Pugh Scholar Award, President’s Freshman Award, President’s Sparks Award, and was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. She also was the recipient of many scholarships, including the Schreyer Honors College Academic Excellence Scholarship, the Matthew J. Wilson Honors Scholarship, the Robert A. Case Memorial Scholarship, and the Walter J. Kinsey Honors Scholarship.
Christino, who is in the Air Force ROTC, received many ROTC awards and recognitions, including the American Legion Scholastic Excellence Award, Scottish Rite Southern Jurisdiction Award, and was elected to the National Society of Scabbard and Blade. She also is a five-time recipient of the Air Force ROTC Meritorious Service Award, which is given to the top 5% of the ROTC class.
During her college career, Christino was an intern with the Bernard M. Gordon Learning Factory and for two summers she had an internship at the Whiting Turner Contracting Co. She served as president of the Aerospace Studies Student Organization and held many ROTC leadership roles, most notably as the cadet operations commander.
After graduation, Christino plans to attend graduate school in atmospheric or climate science to study the impacts of climate change on infrastructure and national security.
“Penn State has provided me with phenomenal research opportunities and mentors, and I feel very prepared for graduate school,” said Christino. “The faculty in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences care about you academically and personally. Rather than setting some arbitrary standard for success, they work with you to find your individual definition of success and then inspire you to achieve your goals.”
Christino said she has a million memories from her time at Penn State.
“Among my many memories, traveling as part of the college’s GREEN Program trip to Iceland and going to the GALA formal with my best friends are the highlights,” said Christino. “Also, when I was little, my dad used to sing the Penn State Alma Mater to me as a lullaby and I never understood the verse that talks about ‘standing at childhood’s gates, shapeless in the hands of fate’ — however after four years at Penn State, I do not think there is a better way to explain the transformation you go through in your undergraduate career. From fighting through the pandemic to standing in the student section in Beaver Stadium through a nine-overtime loss, everyone in my graduating class has been on a roller coaster these last four years. I think the most important lesson I will take from Penn State is an understanding that your ability to persevere under adversity is defined by the people you surround yourself with.”
Christino’s mother, Adrianne Goins; her father, Anthony Christino (class of 1984); and her sister, Ruth Christino, will be attending the commencement ceremony.
Bevan Harbinson: Engineering Honor Marshal
Harbinson, a Schreyer Scholar, is graduating summa cum laude with a 4.0 grade-point average with a bachelor’s degree in materials science and engineering. His faculty marshal is Robert Hickey, associate professor of materials science and engineering.
Harbinson, a native of Richland, Washington, was surprised to learn that he was selected as the college’s engineering honor marshal.
“While I knew I would be graduating with distinction, I was amazed when I heard that I would have an opportunity to represent the whole college,” said Harbinson. “I am glad to see the effort that I put into classes these past four years recognized and I look forward to celebrating with everyone else at graduation.”
Harbinson received numerous awards, including the Evan Pugh Scholar Award, President’s Freshman Award, President’s Sparks Award, Provost’s Award, and the Guy and Rae Rindone Award for Academic Excellence in Materials Science and Engineering.
He also was the recipient of many scholarships, including the Schreyer Honors College Academic Excellence Scholarship, the George H. and Madeline Hager Todd Scholarship, the Charles G. and Donna H. Carson Scholarship, the Kumpf Family Award for Student Excellence, the Anthony J. and Alberta L. Perrotta Scholarship, the AVX/Kyocera Foundation Scholarship, and the Frances Hamilton Byers Scholarship.
Harbinson gained real-world experience in his field through internships and lab research. He was an intern at Covestro LLC where he had the opportunity to see the inner workings of the engineering plastics industry and was a lab research assistant at Penn State’s Materials Characterization Lab where he worked with advanced instruments including electron microscopes and X-ray diffractometers. For his honors thesis, he conducted research on additive manufacturing of polymeric materials with Bryan Vogt, professor of chemical engineering.
Harbinson also pursued extracurricular activities. He served as the senior class representative for Materials Advantage, a nationwide student program for students interested in materials science and engineering and attended professional society meetings.
“One of my favorite experiences was this past fall when I had the opportunity to attend the Materials Science & Technology technical meeting and exhibition conference in Pittsburgh,” said Harbinson. “It was such a great experience where I not only learned a lot more about the leading edge of my field, but also made great memories with some of my closest friends in my major.”
After graduation, he will be joining Henkel Adhesive Technologies as a prism associate applications engineer.
“I look forward to using my knowledge of materials and polymers in particular to help make the world a better and more sustainable place,” said Harbinson. “After a couple years in industry, I may consider returning for graduate school.”
His mother, Lynn Harbinson, from Midvale, Idaho, and his father, Barry Harbinson, from Richland, Washington, will be attending the commencement ceremony.
Department Marshals
The five students listed below were selected to represent their respective departments during commencement:
- Mallori Bingaman
Energy and Mineral Engineering - Isabella Culver
Geography - Anna Ju-Young Lee
Geosciences - Lucas Erich
Materials Science and Engineering - Gabrielle Olson
Meteorology and Atmospheric Science