UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — If alumni of the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences really are a big family, then it is fitting they chose to celebrate a milestone by laughing with — and at — each other.
The Graduates of Earth and Mineral Sciences (GEMS), the college’s alumni society, recently celebrated its 30th anniversary with a comedy roast at the State Theatre in State College.
Former presidents of the GEMS board of directors and even Lee Kump, the John Leone Dean in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, took turns on the hot seat, receiving lighthearted jabs from GEMS members and EMS development and alumni relations staff during the event.
“It was a fun way to come together to mark 30 years and celebrate all the hard work and effort that staff and GEMS members have put in to benefit the college and its students,” said Barb Arnold, professor of practice in mining engineering at Penn State and a former GEMS board president, who was among those roasted at the event.
GEMS members play active roles in mentoring students and in working to recognize alumni for their achievements.
“It’s a little family,” said Laura Schell, who became president of the GEMS board in July. “We feed off each other’s energy. We are all so excited to help, and we have a lot of fun.”
Schell, who received her bachelor’s degree in materials science and engineering in 2011, said that, as a student, she benefited greatly from the guidance of GEMS. She said alumni attended everything from student council meetings to the Total Engagement with Earth and Mineral Sciences (TEEMS), an off-campus, pre-semester program for first-year students.
“I think every student who goes through EMS, whether they know it or not, there is an alum who has provided something to that experience,” she said. “Our student programming is so successful in part because our alumni provide brains and resources to ensure it’s a true value to our students.”
The GEMS board plays an important role in shaping the direction of the alumni organization and supporting the advancement of EMS graduates. Among its priorities, the board seeks to foster a strong network among alumni and enhance the reputation and influence of the college.
Schell said her vision for GEMS includes reaching out and engaging a broader group of alumni and getting more young members involved.
“We are so good at student engagement, and we are picking up steam on faculty engagement,” she said. “I think we are now trying to come up with new ways to serve the broader alumni GEMS membership.”
GEMS has already taken steps, Schell said, by lowering the number of years post-graduation for board eligibility and recruiting young alumni to join committees as non-board members.
“We’re trying to keep that small, family community going as alumni start and move through their careers,” Schell said. “EMS alumni truly have a unique experience that doesn’t have to stop at Penn State once you graduate.”
The college's alumni society activities can be supported through the Judy Kiusalaas Fund, which was established in honor of Kiusalaas — GEMS's first staff liaison — when she retired.