Lisa Pearson

Board President

Graduated: Bachelor of Science degree in 2005
Major: Marketing, Minor: Sociology
Clubs & Activities: THON, Blue & White Society, Lions Share, & Athletics
From: Amherst, MA
Residence: Eastlake (Chula Vista, CA)
Job: Associate Athletics Director of Marketing at San Diego State
Board Activity: 3rd year as President, 2017-18 Events Chair, 2016-17 Secretary

Biography

Lisa is in her third year as President and fifth year on the Board. In 2016-17, she served as Secretary and in 2016-18 she served as Events Chair. Lisa graduated from Penn State in 2005 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing, minoring in Sociology. While a student at Penn State, she was very involved in THON, Homecoming Committee, the Blue & White Society, and Lions Share, while also working in the Athletics Department. Lisa has worked in college athletics since her time at Penn State, having also worked at Ohio State, Kentucky, and Iowa before moving to San Diego, where she is currently the Associate Athletics Director of Marketing & New Media at San Diego State. A native of Amherst, MA, she has now called Eastlake home for the past 4 ½ years. She is passionate about animal welfare and in her free time, Lisa loves to travel, spend time with friends and family, and attend live events such as sporting events and concerts.

Favorite PSU memory: Dancing in THON twice as a student, back when it was 48 hours and took place at Rec Hall. I was physically and mentally exhausted both times, but I would do it all again in a heartbeat if I could. Being a part of the largest student-run philanthropy in the world is one of the greatest experiences of my life and something that can’t fully be explained until you’ve experienced it yourself. FTK!

Marcy Yurick

Vice President

Graduated: Bachelor of Science, College of Agriculture 1997
Major: Environmental Resource Management
Activities/Hobbies: Nittany Lion Club Member, Back The Lion Club Member, Penn State Alumni Association Member. Volunteered at Center Wildlife Care, Shavers Creek Environmental Center and Center County PAWS. Currently Volunteer at Gently Hugged and Tomorrow’s Heroes Today
From: Drums, Pennsylvania
Residence: Oceanside, California
Job: Co-Owner  of Planted Earth Fitness
Board Activity: 2020-2021 Vice President, 2019-2020 Events Chair, 2017-2018 Secretary

Biography

Marcy is enjoying her 1st year as Vice President of the SDPSU Alumni Chapter. Her previous board member roles include Events Chair and Secretary. She earned a Bachelor of Science from the College of Agriculture in 1997 and majored in Environmental Resource Management. She’s also a member of the Nittany Lion Club, Back The Lion Club Member, and the Penn State Alumni Association. While Studying at Penn State, Marcy volunteered at the Center Wildlife Care, Shavers Creek Environmental Center and Center County PAWS. Currently Marcy volunteers at Gently Hugged and Tomorrow’s Heroes Today, here in San Diego. She is originally from Drums, Pennsylvania and currently resides in Oceanside, California with her 3 children. She is co-owner of Planted Earth Fitness. In her spare time, she enjoys playing baseball and going on bike rides with her children. She also enjoys wine with friends and watching Penn State Football.

Favorite Memory: After graduating college, I lived in State College until 2005. My 1st son was born at Mount Nittany Medical Center on June 21st 2004. I had a view of Beaver stadium. It was the 1st day of summer and it was raining buckets! It was a beautiful start to summer 🙂
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Ryan Drushel

Treasurer

Graduated: Bachelor of Science 2004
Major: Hotel, Restaurant & Institutional Management
Clubs & Activities: Penn State Blue Band; Fighting Lions Pep Band; Penn State Thespians; Delta Chi Fraternity; THON: Morale Committee & Dancer; Penn State Hotel Restaurant Society; Hotel Sales & Marketing Club; National Society of Minorities In Hospitality;
From: Evans City, PA
Residence: Palm Springs, CA
Jobs: Director of Food & Beverage at Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City
Board Activity: 2020 Treasuer, 2019 Treasurer

Biography

Ryan Drushel joined the SDPSU board in January 2019 as Treasurer where he oversees the board’s financial performance, most notably, the collection and distribution of the group’s annual scholarship awards. Ryan graduated from Penn State in May 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in Hotel, Restaurant & Institutional Management. While at Penn State, Ryan was an active member of the Penn State Blue Band, Fighting Lions Pep Band, Penn State Thespians, Delta Chi Fraternity’ THON as both a Morale Committee member and a Dancer in 2003, Penn State Hotel Restaurant Society,  Hotel Sales & Marketing Club and National Society of Minorities in Hospitality. He is from Evans City, PA and currently resides in Palm Springs, CA. Ryan is currently employed as the Director of Food & Beverage at Agua Caliente Casino Cathedral City.

Rob Kraft

Alumni Admissions

Graduated: Bachelor of Science in 1989; Postbaccalaureate GIS Certificate in 2016
Major: Geography, Minors: Economics and National Security Affairs
Clubs & Activities: NROTC, Club Volleyball, Ski Club, Intramurals, & Student Escort
From: Poway, CA
Residence: Palm Springs, CA
Jobs: Geospatial Intelligence Officer, The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency and Admissions Representative for the San Diego Region, Penn State Admissions Office
Board Activity: 8th year as Alumni Admissions Chair (AAC), 2 Years as Membership Chair,
1 year as Vice President, 2 years as President, and 1 year as Past President.

Biography

Rob has been the Alumni Admissions Chair throughout his eight years on the Board, often while dual-hatted as Vice-President, President (2), Past President, Membership and even a few months as Treasurer. He graduated in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science in Geography, with minors in Economics and National Security Affairs. He recently earned a post baccalaureate certificate in Geographic Information Systems in 2016. While at Penn State, he was in Naval ROTC, Club Volleyball, Ski Club, the Student Escort Service and the NROTC Pistol Team. After graduation he served in the U.S. Navy for 23 years as an Intelligence Officer; he is now a U.S. Geospatial Intelligence Officer for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. He also works for the Penn State Admissions Office as the San Diego regional recruiter. He was also on the Graduates of Earth & Mineral Sciences Board of Directors (2016-2019). Originally from King of Prussia, PA, he has lived all over the world. He married a saint from Escondido, CA and they and their two children live in Poway, CA.

Favorite memory from Happy Valley: Going to football games with my roommates and screaming for the Lions!

Carol Fasching

Scholarship

Graduated: Bachelor of Science in 1970
Major: Consumer Related Studies Minor: Interior Architecture, Space Planning, and Design
Clubs & Activities: Froth, University Swingers, W.R.A. in intramural fencing, and rifle, and participated in equine management facilitating the care of the university’s quarter horse herd.
From: State College, PA
Residence: Alpine, CA
Jobs: Fairfax County Police Department, Fairfax, VA – Warrant Officer. La Mesa Police Department, La Mesa, CA- Crime Prevention Officer, Law Enforcement, Crime and Intelligence Analyst. Retired 2009.
Board Activity: SDPSU Alumni member since 2015. This is the beginning of my first year serving on the board as Scholarship Chair

Biography

Carol graduated from the College of Health and Human Development in 1970 with a bachelor’s degree in Consumer Related Studies. She majored in Interior Architecture, Space Planning and Design. Carol grew up in State College. As a local, she took advantage of a unique opportunity to attend her first college course (French) at Penn State when she was 12. She went on to take several other classes until she matriculated as a full-time student. While at Penn State, Carol participated in Froth, University Swingers singing group, W.R.A. in intramural fencing, and riflery. She also volunteered to help with equine management, participating in the care and training of the university’s quarter horses and continues to be an equestrian. Currently retired and single, Carol is a resident of Alpine. Having spent most of her working career in law enforcement as a Crime and Intelligence Analyst, Carol was one of the pioneers in the field of intelligence-led policing. By applying temporal and spatial algorithms to crime patterns, she was often able to anticipate criminal activity and thereby direct more effective patrol. Although Carol studied to be a designer, she enjoyed a long career as a crime analyst. Carol now enjoys playing an occasional round of golf, but mainly she is engaged in gardening and “park maintenance,” as she uses her creative sense to design and landscape her mountain property. This is the beginning of Carol’s second year on the board, serving as Scholarship Chair.

One of Carol’s fondest memories of Penn State is, as a 13-year-old, walking past a fraternity on her way to Rec Hall, carrying her mother’s rifle for her riflery course. The fraternity boys made her laugh, albeit in embarrassment, when they formed a chorus line singing “You can’t get a Man with a Gun.”

Ryan Shatto

Communications

Graduated: Penn State World Campus MBA 2022
Major: Masters of Business Administration
Certificates: Nutrition – Penn State Extension
Clubs & Activities: THON 5k, Blue & White Society
From: Douglas, Arizona
Residence: San Diego, CA
Jobs: Digital Marketing Manager at CMW Media
Board Activity: Communications Chair 2020, Website & Social Media 2019

Biography

Ryan joined the SDPSU board in June 2019 as Web Developer and Graphic Design Coordinator for the chapter. During the first few months of his involvement, Ryan developed the new sdpsu.com website as well as created a new visual style guide for the chapter in accordance with Penn State’s brand identity. Ryan is a transplant from Arizona who is currently employed at CMW Media in downtown San Diego where he manages digital campaigns across Southern California and beyond. He has brought his experience in web development, graphic design and social media to help with improving engagement with PSU alumni and students in the San Diego County area. Ryan is pursuing his MBA through Penn State World Campus while balancing his involvement in the SDPSU chapter, his work schedule and of course making time for Penn State Football on Saturdays at Mavericks in Pacific Beach.

Favorite Penn State memory: “Being at Beaver Stadium while watching James Franklin lift the Big Ten East Division title after beating Michigan State in 2016!”

Bonnee Proo

Community Service Chair

Graduated: Bachelor of Science degree in 1991, Capital Campus
Major: Finance, Minor: Accounting
Clubs & Activities: Finance Club, Lion Ambassador, Summer Theater, Math Tutor
From: Reading, Pennsylvania
Residence: La Mesa, California
Jobs: Realtor with Coldwell Banker West, Prior: Loan Officer, Corporate Accountant
Board Activity: Second year as Community Service Chair

Dana Barger

Events

Graduated: Bachelor of Arts 1999
Major: Sociology
Clubs & Activities: Study Abroad – University of Exeter, England, Penn State Alternative Breaks Participant (PSAB), Research Assistant for the Department of Psychology
From: Pittsburgh, PA
Residence: Poway, CA
Jobs: Director of Recruitment & Admissions for Graduate and Professional Studies at Point Loma Nazarene University
Board Activity: Events Chair 2020

Biography

Dana is in her first year as the Events Chair on the Board, after starting out as the Sporting Events Chair. Dana graduated from Penn State in 1999, with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology. During her time at Penn State, Dana was involved with many volunteer projects, including being a Big Sister for Big Brother & Big Sisters of America, and participating in The Penn State Alternative Breaks (PSAB) in New York City. Dana also enjoyed her work study position in the Infant and Child Temperament Lab. Dana loves to travel and had the opportunity to Study Abroad at the University of Exeter, England, in 1997.

After graduating from Penn State in 1999, Dana joined the Americorps Vista program and began her career in Social Work. Dana changed directions and has been working in Higher Education for the past 12 years, where she is currently the Director of Recruitment and Admissions for Graduate Studies, at Point Loma Nazarene University. A native of Pittsburgh, PA, Dana, her husband JR and Boston Terriers (Rorey & Kasey), relocated to the greater San Diego area close to 4 years ago. Dana spends the majority of her free time outdoors, enjoying hiking, walking, going to the beach and spoiling her doggies. Dana is passionate about socializing of any kind with JR & friends, attending concerts, watching football, volunteering at church, and traveling.

Favorite PSU memory: Working at the Daily Grind coffee shop. I spent many fun times serving coffee to students, faculty, and the locals, engaging in great conversations. Any opportunity to be out and about was my goal! Attending football games, going to concerts & shows on campus, and shopping downtown was a blast!
WE ARE!

Susie Brant

Sporting Events

Graduated: Master of Arts, 1994
Major: English
Activities & Hobbies: Serving up Grilled Stickies at Ye Olde College Diner and trying to find my way out of the stacks at Pattee.
From: State College, PA
Residence: Escondido, CA
Jobs: Realtor at eXp Realty of California and Director of Customer Service & Fraud Prevention at DrJays.com
Board Activity: 2020 Sporting Events Chair, 2019 Communications Chair.

Biography

Susie is currently the Sporting Events Chair and looks forward to seeing you at one of our game watch parties!  She grew up in State College, PA, where her very first summer job was working on the Penn State campus in one of the dining halls.  Susie completed her M.A. in English Language and Literature in 1994.  These days she lives in Escondido with her husband Todd and their three rescue dogs.  Susie is a Realtor with The Honest Agent Team and also works in e-commerce for DrJays.com.

Favorite Penn State memory:  Listening to the radio with my dad as the Nittany Lions beat the Georgia Bulldogs to win the national championship in 1982. 

Laura Smail

Secretary

Graduated: Bachelor of Science, College of Education, 2002
Major: Elementary and Kindergarten Education
Activities & Hobbies: Students About Living Truth (SALT), Student Pennsylvania State Education Association (SPSEA)
From: Hollidaysburg, PA
Residence: San Diego, CA
Job: Executive Assistant, Trilogy Investment Group
Board Activity: New Secretary (as of July 2020)

Biography

Laura is excited to begin her first year on the SDPSU Alumni Association Board and will be serving as Secretary. She graduated from Penn State University Park in December 2002 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary and Kindergarten Education. Most of her coursework was completed at the Penn State Altoona Campus, where she served as secretary for Students About Living Truth (SALT) and volunteer coordinator for the campus chapter of Student Pennsylvania State Education Association (SPSEA). In her senior year, Laura met a Peace Corps recruiter at University Park who impressed upon her the need for trained teachers to share their expertise at overseas schools. Upon graduation, Laura embarked on a three-year adventure as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines, where she served as a teacher trainer for an elementary school. She was able to share many teaching tips and tricks she learned during her time at Penn State. Her love for education and service led her to pursue career opportunities with AmeriCorps*VISTA, Peace Corps Response, U.S. Peace Corps Headquarters, Teach For America, and even her alma mater, Penn State Altoona. She eventually made her way to the West Coast, first to San Francisco and then to San Diego. She currently works as an executive assistant in Solana Beach.

Favorite Penn State Memory: The experience that most impacted me was witnessing the Penn State family come together in solidarity during the devastating aftermath of 9/11. I attended a candlelight vigil on the steps of Old Main and felt connected to the campus community in a way I never had before. Six months later, I had the opportunity to participate in an alternative spring break trip to New York City with other Penn State students sponsored by Agape, a student ministry of State College Presbyterian Church. We spent a week serving with organizations across the city and visited Ground Zero together. I am forever grateful to have experienced this time in history with Penn Staters at my side.

Dawn Luchowski

Membership

Graduated: Bachelor of Science 2020, World Campus
Major: Economics
Minor: Business
Activities & Hobbies: Professional Golfers Association of America, Spouse Member; National Notary Association Member; Blue & White Society; Avid sports fan!
From: Stevens Point, Wisconsin
Residence: Wildomar, California
Jobs: Restaurant and Service Industry Professional, California Notary Public
Board Activity: First year as Membership Chair

Biography

Dawn is excited to be in her first year as the Membership Chair for the SDPSU Alumni Association Chapter. Her goal is to connect as many San Diegan Nittany Lions as possible and to find creative ways to engage all members! She recently returned to Penn State via World Campus after taking a 30 year “break” and graduated in August 2020 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics and a minor in Business. Dawn has been a restaurant and service industry professional for the past 15 years and previously spent 7 years in the front office of the Cleveland Indians, where she was the Manager of Purchasing and Corporate Services. She is also a licensed California Notary Public. A native of Stevens Point, WI, she enjoyed 12 amazing years on the beautiful island of Maui. She relocated to Wildomar 4 years ago with her husband, Frank, who also attended Penn State, and who is a PGA golf professional. In her spare time, Dawn enjoys playing golf, visiting the Temecula Valley wineries, exploring Southern California, and watching any type of sports – especially football! Go Pack Go!

Favorite Penn State Memory: Even though my recent graduation was a virtual celebration, I will never forget the emotion of finally being able to move that tassel from right to left and officially becoming a Penn State Alum! Being able to share that moment with my 81-year old Dad via Zoom is something I’ll always treasure! I’m looking forward to returning to campus in the near future to do it all over again in person! WE ARE!