UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Natalie Meriwether has a passion for improving the lives of others, and she hopes to make an impact on the world through her volunteer and service work at Penn State.

When Meriwether, a junior biobehavioral health major, first learned that she would be presented with the inaugural Dr. Frank Ahern Student Award, she said that she was shocked and gratified to know that her diligence really meant something. Meriwether’s time at Penn State has only fueled her aspirations.

“I would love to work for the Centers for Disease Control or the World Health Organization,” said Meriwether. “Those are lofty goals, but I’m working hard toward them.”

The Dr. Frank Ahern Student Award, which is presented to outstanding undergraduates studying biobehavioral health, will allow Meriwether to continue to pursue the work that she loves. The award was created to honor teaching professor Dr. Frank Ahern, who spent over three decades at Penn State mentoring students, conducting research, and building the Biobehavioral Health program. To honor the legacy left by his contributions to the College of Health and Human Development, the crowdfunded award will be granted to one biobehavioral health student annually.

“The fact that the Department of Biobehavioral Health is flourishing today is a testament to Frank’s visionary leadership and tireless commitment to laying the groundwork for future success,” said Thomas J. Gould, who pioneered the crowdfunding effort alongside Jean Phillips Shibley and Sheree F. Logue. “I hope this award will be a way to recognize Frank’s efforts and the outstanding teaching faculty in the department who have followed in his footsteps, while at the same time spurring students to greater achievement.”

After Meriwether received the award, Ahern reached out to invite her to the Central Pennsylvania Chapter of the United Nations Association of the United States of America (UNA-USA), of which Ahern is president. The organization aims to foster an understanding of and support for the work of the U.N. within Centre County. Meriwether said she was delighted to join, and the two hope to reactivate the Penn State chapter, which ceased activity around the pandemic.

“I’m so grateful for Dr. Ahern’s guidance on that, and for getting to work with him and the entire UNA-USA Central Pennsylvania Chapter,” said Meriwether.

“I always felt my purpose was to be of service to others, that’s what makes me feel fulfilled and gives me meaning,” continued Meriwether, who has already begun to make a difference through her service.

As a Shot@Life Champion, Meriwether shared the organization’s message of providing children around the world access to vaccines at the nation's capital. She had the opportunity to meet American Red Cross nurses, pharmacists and Centers for Disease Control workers, as well as attend meetings on pediatric vaccine access with staffers of senators and state representatives. Meriwether received positive and receptive reactions from the staffers she met with about funding for the organization’s efforts.

After volunteering at her hospital’s vaccination clinic during the pandemic and gaining a passion for the cause, Meriwether recalled how amazing it was to attend the Shot@Life Summit in Washington, D.C.

“It was inspiring to see, and I really loved it,” Meriwether said. “It’s one of those things that I want to keep doing forever.”

Meriwether also worked as a conference consultant for Penn State alumna and scientist-astronaut Renee Frohnert on her TEDxPSU talk, which explored ways to build confidence as a woman in STEM. Meriwether explained the encouragement that this experience gave her as a woman in a similar field, and that it is a sentiment she will keep in mind throughout her college journey.  

“It’s all about finding that confidence within yourself so you can be the person that the next person behind you needs,” said Meriwether. “It just creates a pattern of support throughout Penn State.”

One of the first communities Meriwether found upon arriving at Happy Valley was Schreyer for Women, a group of female, transgender and nonbinary scholars whose goal is to empower gender minorities in the professional world. As the primary THON chair for the organization, Meriwether has seen firsthand the group’s passion for service, and she commends the academic pursuits of Schreyer for Women, as well as the personal ones.  

“I know I can go to Schreyer for Women and be part of a group of women who, no matter what, will encourage me to pursue anything that I put my mind to,” said Meriwether.

Meriwether claims that impostor syndrome can play a part in many women’s reactions to success, especially women in male-dominated fields. Because of this, being the first student to receive the award came as a surprise to Meriwether, but it was a welcome one.

“To me, it’s a sign that I’m in the right place, I’m where I’m supposed to be, and I’ve found the community that will let me thrive,” the biobehavioral health student said. “I’m speechless, honestly; I’m so incredibly honored to have been given this award.”