Major: English—Literature, Film, and Culture option
Minor: French and Francophone Studies
Hometown: Perkasie, Pennsylvania
Scholarships: Chancellor’s Scholarship
Why they chose Behrend: It was far enough from home that it made me I feel I was branching out. It is also the only Penn State Commonwealth Campus with NCAA Water Polo.
Why they chose their major: I have always been involved and interested in languages and the arts. The English—Literature, Film, and Culture option offered a diverse learning path that continues to interest me.
Proudest accomplishment at Behrend: I am most proud of the independence I gained while studying abroad for a semester in Montpellier, France. Living with a host family helped me to truly immerse myself in the French language and culture. I gained a global perspective on politics, sustainability, and life, and I can finally call myself multilingual.
Challenge accepted: Balancing work and play is always a challenge. I have had a job throughout my years at Behrend, and each semester, I get burned out toward the end. I try to remember to take time for myself and to spend time in nature, with my dog, or with the people I love.
Clubs/activities: I’m a member of Greener Behrend and the French and Francophone clubs.
Awards: Association of Collegiate Water Polo Coaches (ACWPC) Water Polo All-Academic Team, President’s Freshman Award (4.0 in first semester at Behrend).
O Captain, My Captain: I am the senior captain of the water polo team. I have been playing for nine years. I love the sport. It keeps me healthy and disciplined.
What you’d be surprised to know about them: Although people look at me and assume that I am a woman, I am non-binary and pansexual. Queer/gender studies have been a focus for me in my English classes. I am doing my senior thesis on Orlando by Virginia Woolf, which is a 1928 biographical fiction about a genderfluid aristocrat. LBGTQIA+ studies are underrepresented, and I want to bring light to these unique, queer ideas.
Highest priority for the coming years: I want to travel and understand cultures different from my own as much as possible. I know the best way to do that is to get paid while traveling, so I plan to find a career that accommodates this lifelong dream.
Love for art and nature: I am passionate about consuming and creating art, whether that is through dancing, painting, crocheting, writing, or making music. I also love nature and constantly seek out ways to preserve the Earth through vegetarianism, reducing waste, and giving back to the place we all call home.
Advice for first-year students: Someone told me that in the first month of school, I should say “yes” to any new opportunity that came my way. It was great advice as it allowed me to branch out and take advantage of the diverse student life at Behrend.
Nic plans to pursue a job that allows them to see the world, perhaps teaching English abroad or being a flight attendant.
I have always been involved and interested in languages and the arts. The English—Literature, Film, and Culture option offered a diverse learning path that continues to interest me.
—S.N. “Nic” Darrell