WEC held its first public event, the Run for Women 5K run/walk, drawing nearly 200 participants who completed the 3.1-mile course in Behrend’s Knowledge Park.
5K run/walk draws nearly 200 participants.
Penn State Behrend’s rich history of influential women began with Mary Behrend, who in 1948, donated her Glenhill home to the University in memory of her husband, Ernst, founder of Hammermill Paper Company. The first Behrend student was a woman—Dorothy Holmstrom, an engineering major, who was at the front of the line to enroll in the initial class of 146 students.
Recognizing that legacy and the growing importance of engaging women in leadership roles, Penn State Behrend formed the Women’s Engagement Council (WEC) in 2020.
In August, the organization held its first public event, the Run for Women 5K run/walk, drawing nearly 200 participants who completed the 3.1-mile course in Behrend’s Knowledge Park.
Among the highlights: Berkey Creamery ice cream at the finish line, courtesy of the Athletics Department, and Nittany Lion-shaped awards that were designed and 3-D printed by students in the college’s James R. Meehl Innovation Commons. The Black School of Business provided funds to buy much of the race equipment that can now be used year to year.
The top female and male finishers were both Behrend students: Lindsey Hartle, 18 (21:41), and Luke Dillen, 22 (20:46).
WEC’s future plans include a mentoring program, an awards program/luncheon, and a woman-focused speaker series designed to engage women at Penn State Behrend and in the greater Erie community.
The board recently began accepting applications for free membership in the council. Learn more at behrend.psu.edu/wec. Follow WEC on Facebook and Instagram.