Editor's Note: This is the first in a series called "Where Are They Now? Follow along as alumnus Teron Meyers tracks down Penn State Brandywine alumni and chronicles their quests for stable careers in a challenging job market. Meyers, who graduated in 2010 with a degree in communications, is working at a pharmacy as he seeks a stable career of his own. 

For most college graduates, that long-awaited day when they confidently walk onto the stage in the Penn State Brandywine Gymnasium to receive their degrees brings much joy. Now, at the pinnacle of their academic careers, many new graduates are asking, "What's next?" 

Having graduated at the peak of a recession, Paul Hurych '08 IST had concerns as an up-and-coming professional. But this tech-savvy grad emerged with few kinks to show.

Hurych began his college career in the fall of 2004 when the campus was still known as Penn State Delaware County. Throughout the next four years he was an active member in various organizations: vice president of the Information Science and Technology (IST) Club and president of the Student Government Association (SGA). He also was a Jane E. Cooper Honors scholar and graduated with high honors.

Having a strong fascination with computers and technology, Hurych was naturally drawn to his major. 

For two years after graduation, he worked as a software developer for McBee Associates in Wayne, before taking his current position at Akcelerant Software, in Malvern -- a move he hopes will help him in the future.

Although his road to a stable career has had few bumps, Hurych did face a few challenges. He remembers that very few companies were hiring when he began his job search. Just getting his foot in the door for an interview proved to be difficult, but not impossible.

"I was one of the lucky members of my graduating class. I had a job lined up for me after I walked," he said. And a little advice: "With the job market being as tight as it is, having a referral for a position will give you a definite advantage over other applicants."

In addition to his work, Hurych is still very much involved at his alma mater. With a knack for leadership, he presently serves as the vice president of the Penn State Brandywine Alumni Society. 

He said the best piece of advice he can give to recent and soon-to-be graduates is to use the large network of Penn State alumni for assistance. He attributes receiving an internship, as well as his current position, to the help of Penn Staters.

Hurych hopes to continue his career in software development, with aspirations of project management down the line. A master's degree in software engineering is on the list, too. Full of Penn State spirit, Hurych knows one thing for sure; he will always stay connected with the Brandywine Alumni Society.

by Teron Meyers '10 Com

Since 2003, Diane Shorter (Student Affairs Office) and I have led campus and community members with knitting needles and crochet hooks in hand to create handmade items for nonprofit organizations with an identified need. We call ourselves Knittany Lion Needleworks.

Last year, we asked our volunteers to help us make scarves for the Pennsylvania athletes competing in the 2011 Special Olympics USA. We were thrilled to be able to send 83 scarves that year to be worn by the athletes as they marched in during their opening ceremonies and during the games. 

We had requests to help this organization again, so we picked up our needles and hooks to help the 2012 Special Olympians in Pennsylvania. We knew this was a popular project with our volunteers, but we did not anticipate even more volunteers helping to create 119 handmade scarves in this year's Special Olympics USA colors of blue and red. 

Volunteers from Granite Farms estates made and donated nearly half of the 119 scarves, while others came from current students, alumni, parents, and community members. 

I have a feeling we will see this project on our list for 2013 so stay tuned!

For more information about Knittany Lion Needleworks, which will soon become an official club on campus thanks to an initiative led by freshman Theressa Ha, click here. 

-- Dr. Laura Guertin, Associate Professor of Earth Sciences 

{Women's basketball Head Coach Larry Johnson celebrates his one hundredth win with junior Bobbi Caprice (left) and senior Shari Harper (center), who recently celebrated her one thousandth point!}

Penn State Brandywine women's basketball Head Coach Larry Johnson celebrated his one hundredth career collegiate win on Friday, Jan. 20 against Penn State Beaver. 

After a rough start, the Brandywine Lady Lions turned on the heat in the second half and came back from a 16-point deficit to win 61-56.

"We played pretty badly for 30 minutes," Johnson said. "I don't know how we pulled it out. We started a run and came back." 

This victory over league rival, Penn State Beaver, gave Johnson his milestone one hundredth collegiate win. "It was a great victory and if I could, I would stay here for the rest of my career," he said about coaching at the campus. "I like this level and the small program. The girls make a great sacrifice; it's a commitment. They work really hard and do a great job."

Johnson is in his sixth season coaching at Brandywine and has gone 101-56 overall. He has led his team to three division titles, two final four appearances and two Penn State Athletic Conference (PSUAC) titles in 2007 and 2011. 

His players greatly respect him, his coaching ability and his leadership. Junior captain Bobbi Caprice spoke highly of her coach. "In my three years at Penn State Brandywine I have witnessed Coach Johnson put so much hard work and dedication into our program. He is willing to do whatever it takes to make our program succeed, and every one of us appreciates all he has done for us. I am very grateful to be a part of the team that helped get Coach Johnson his one hundredth win.  And what better way to get it, then the way he did?"  

"It's a great achievement. I have to thank all the girls who have played for me," Johnson added. "Without them, this would not have been possible."

By Melissa Algeo, Sports Information Coordinator

International Muslim author, speaker, and life coach Zohra Sarwari, will discuss with students at Penn State Brandywine what it means to be a Muslim on Tuesday, Jan. 17 at 11:30 a.m. in the Commons/Athletic Center, room 203. She was invited by a group of students (Lauren Jerla, Yash Patel, Stephanie Tracy, and Brittney Walker) who were moved by a talk Sarwari gave at the Association for the Promotion of Campus Activities Northeast Conference in Hershey last March. 

Sarwari has authored 10 books and has appeared on ABC News, Fox News and countless radio shows. Her programs, which include "I Am Not a Terrorist," "Are Muslim Women Oppressed?," and "Become the Change that You Envision in the World," inspire students across the globe and aim to peacefully bridge the cultural gap.

According to her website, Sarwari moved from Afghanistan to the United States as a refugee at the age of six. She went on to earn a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of California Davis, an M.B.A. from American Intercontinental University, and is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Islamic studies. Her first published book is titled "9 Steps to Achieve Your Destiny." Sarwari, a mother of three with one on the way who is also raising her nephew, started her own business "to share the benefits of her inspirational knowledge and heart-felt experiences with people all around the world," according to the site. 

We hope you'll join us for what promises to be an enlightening discussion. 

For more information on the program, please contact the Office of Student Affairs at 610-892-1270.

- Risa Pitman, Staff Blogger

Penn State Brandywine senior guard Shari Harper asked the scorer's table how many points she needed before heading back into the game against The Apprentice School on December 10. "One more," she heard. 

Moments later, with about eight and a half minutes to go in the second half, Harper had the ball. A quick first step got her past the first defender, while a nifty spin move jettisoned another. Harper finished the drive with a tough layup to make her only the fourth woman in Penn State Brandywine history to reach 1,000 points in a career.

"I kind of didn't know until the buzzer went off," she said. "I knew I was close." After the score, play was stopped to recognize her accomplishment. She was given the game ball, which she marched over to give to her mother, Jaqueline Harper-McIver.

"I was so proud," Harper-McIver said after the game. "This is her passion, and I'm here to support her. This is a milestone."

It was a milestone that looked like it would have to wait for another day. Coming into the game, Harper only needed 10 points to eclipse the mark. However, she struggled to find her groove in the first half, scoring only one point. Strong early play by sophomore Emily Lawry Thompson and junior Bobbi Caprice put the Lady Lions in the lead by three midway through the first half. Freshman Amanda Congialdi provided the team with some key defensive plays, but the team struggled to capitalize on forced turnovers.

Apprentice took the lead for good during a stretch of three separate runs of six or more points. Turnovers and foul trouble spelled disaster for the Lady Lions, who trailed 39-25 going into halftime. Brandywine head coach Larry Johnson tried to rally his team after a sluggish start.

"At halftime, we told them that they had to come out with a lot more energy. I think [Harper] is the one who brought the energy," the coach said. "She's definitely the hardest working player on the team."

Harper finally settled in, and lit up the scoreboard in the second half to the tune of 17 points. After Apprentice opened up a 20 point lead, a combination of Harper and Caprice cut the deficit to within 10 points with six minutes to go in the game. Apprentice responded with a big run, and put away the game during the remaining minutes. 

Harper finished the game with 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Caprice was the only other Brandywine player to finish in double digits with 14 points. Even with an L on the Lady Lions' scoreboard, for Harper and her supportive team, this game will always be remembered as a win.

By Melissa Algeo, Sports Information Coordinator 

Joanna McGowan's son, Christopher, was diagnosed with autism when he was just two years old. Since that day more than two years ago, Joanna, campus registrar at Penn State Brandywine, her husband, Dave, and their two sons have embarked on a difficult journey of healing, acceptance and never-ending love.

On December 4, Joanna published the children's book, You Are My Star, inspired by Christopher and illustrated by children on the autism spectrum. All proceeds from the book benefit Talk About Curing Autism (TACA), a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping families affected by autism.

"The book is for all children, but it's specifically geared toward children with special needs," Joanna said. "They work really hard. I think a lot of times the fact that they're kids, too, gets lost in all the work they're doing. The book is meant to be inspirational, to show love and acceptance while at the same time believing in hope and possibility for the future."

The McGowans are grateful for the support of TACA, and have benefitted from monthly meetings and the opportunity to connect with other parents and experts. They have also received financial support, including a grant to attend a conference and a scholarship for hyperbaric oxygen therapy for Christopher. Like most families affected by autism, the McGowans have excessive expenses that are often not covered by insurance, leaving little left over for charitable contributions; so the book provided a way for them to give back. "TACA is a really great organization," she said. "I wanted to do something to contribute that would be meaningful."

{Joanna and Christopher inside the hyperbaric oxygen chamber}

Joanna emphasized that the thing she loves most about TACA is that the organization is all about directly helping families. This is done through education, reference material, scholarships and, of course, a support system. It's this network of moms and dads that helped her find the illustrators for her book: their own children with autism, ranging in age from 5 to 11. Joanna's son, Christopher, provided the drawing for the page that reads, "You are the star/Shining brightest for me/I love who you are/And whoever you'll be."

"Please don't give up/On all you can achieve/Anything is possible/As long as we believe," another page reads.

Christopher has made a lot of progress, Joanna said, but "he still has a long way to go. He works really hard." He participates in almost 40 hours per week of behavioral therapy, spends a half-day in an autistic support classroom, attends a social skills group and gymnastics classes and sees a variety of medical specialists regularly.

Joanna's message to other families who have children with special needs is, "Don't give up hope. Don't underestimate potential. Keep working hard. Keep loving your child."