UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Nickolas Sotiropoulos Jr. was selected to represent the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences as the student marshal for Penn State's summer commencement Aug. 13 in the Bryce Jordan Center on the University Park campus.
Sotiropoulos, who is a native of Glen Mills, Pennsylvania, graduated with a bachelor’s degree in materials science and engineering. His faculty marshal is Jayme Keist, assistant research professor in Penn State’s Applied Research Laboratory.
“I am deeply honored to represent the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences as the student marshal,” said Sotiropoulos. “But I was also surprised to be selected as there are many other intelligent and gifted students within the college.”
Sotiropoulos worked with Keist as an engineering assistant and associate in the Applied Research Laboratory, researching how processing conditions effect the surface roughness and fatigue life for powder bed fusion additively manufactured Ti-6Al-4V, a titanium alloy with a high specific strength and excellent corrosion resistance.
Sotiropoulos received many scholarships for his academics including the Norris B. McFarlane Scholarship Fund, the Matthew J. Wilson Honors Scholarship and the Richard M. Wardrop Jr. Honor Scholars Scholarship in Metals Science and Engineering.
Sotiropoulos’ advice to students is to make sure to build relationships early with your professors and classmates; and be sure to attend career fairs, as they will help to create a strong professional network for your future.
Amy Robinson, associate teaching professor and associate head for undergraduate studies in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, was one of the professors with whom he formed a relationship.
“Dr. Amy Robinson was an exceptional professor who instilled in me a deep fascination for the properties of metals,” said Sotiropoulos. “I especially enjoyed her MatSE 497 course in which I learned all about the microstructures, and mechanical properties of non-ferrous structural metals.”
One of Sotiropoulos’ favorite experiences as a student was going to his first Penn State White Out game in Beaver Stadium during his freshman year.
“I had never before seen the [Penn State] White Out game, either in person or televised, and I will never forget taking my first few steps into the student section and being greeted by the sea of cheering fans dressed all in white,” said Sotiropoulos.
After graduation, Sotiropoulos plans to further his work in additive manufacturing.
“I plan to continue working with additive manufacturing of metals as I find it to be a fascinating industry that will continue to grow into the future,” said Sotiropoulos. “Penn State has given me a strong worth ethic and many connections to help further my career.”
Sotiropoulos' parents, Nick and Susan Sotiropoulos, also attended the graduation ceremony.