Happy Reader

I just received and read the March/April 2026 Penn Stater. What a great issue! In addition to the normal engaging material, the From the Editor segment and article covering Terry Smith were fabulous, and the cover story about Matthew Hollingham was very inspiring and really well done. Congratulations on yet another great issue. 

Scott Smith ’70, ’71 MS Sci
State College

Inspiring Stories

Nice piece on Terry Smith [“Terry Smith Has More to Write,” March/April, p. 32]. You really captured his essence. I knew Marques Henderson very well and covered Penn State during Terry’s playing days: Two quality people. When my old Penn State roommate and I met the other night for beers, we talked about how the crowd chanting for Terry at the end of the Pinstripe Bowl was one of the best moments in recent Penn State football history. I’m sure Joe was smiling down from heaven. I’m glad Terry stayed with the program. 

Steve Halvonik ’77 Com
Canonsburg, Pa.

A wonderful article on Coach Smith. We were so fortunate to have this fabulous man guide the team amidst a chaotic period last fall. His unconditional love and leadership were on display daily. We cannot thank him enough. I look forward to the recognition for Coach Smith at the home opener. He is a true Nittany Lion.

Matt Bird ’80 Eng
Gettysburg, Pa.

We must applaud two very outstanding and inspiring stories in the March/April 2026 issue of the Penn Stater. The article on Terry Smith, Pennsylvanian and a Penn Stater through and through, was terrific. He was a class guy from day one in Happy Valley. We remember him well on the field at Beaver Stadium. Loyalty is not often found in today’s sports environment. Terry Smith embodies loyalty.

The outstanding and also heartbreaking story on Matthew Hollingham’s proposed monster of a fundraising effort from “Arctic Circle to Africa” was inspiring [“The Heart Endures,” March/April, p. 48]. Matthew is a true Penn State hero. Overcoming a devasting loss to focus on touching others through his charitable work is awesome. This makes every Penn Stater proud.

David Petersen ’66 MEd Edu
Cynthia Petersen ’71 MS Edu
Johnstown, Pa.

I was very inspired by Matthew’s story and motivated to donate to the cause. However, I was unable to find it on the Happy Valley website. There is a great opportunity to mobilize the Penn State alumni to donate to this cause if it were made easy to do.

Jay Mandarino ’91 Eng
North Huntingdon, Pa.

You can support Matthew’s fundraiser at happyvalley.com/arctic-to-africa. —Ed.

Familiar Friend

That’s my Raggedy Ann doll! [From the Archives, March/April, p. 63.] I recognized her immediately. She is sitting there playfully among the Fisher-Price toys (somebody had to play with all those toys) on the cover of the November/December 1985 Penn Stater. Mom, Donna Symmonds Clemson ’55, former editor of alumni publications including the Penn Stater magazine, made her for me when I was in high school. Later she made one for my Penn State roommate and fellow Kappa sister. I still have her, although she is a bit more raggedy after almost 50 years. Seeing that picture brought back so many heartwarming memories of the multi-talented, pioneering, courageous, and most amazing woman I have ever known.

Leslee Clemson Torsell ’82 H&HD
Leadville, Colo.

Missed Shot?

Absolutely stunning two-page photo of Nittany Lion men’s hockey game at Beaver Stadium [Sports, March/April, p. 24]! The text that went with it is also excellent; however, why is there no mention of the women’s hockey game? The women’s team won their game against Robert Morris (3-0) the day before the men’s game, making their game the very first and victorious Division I hockey game at Beaver Stadium. The women’s team broke their attendance record. It’s possible that the men’s game photo was more impressive than a photo of the women’s game, but a callout to the impressive women’s team deserves a line or two! The women’s team includes U.S. Olympian Tessa Janecke, along with two other Olympic athletes.

Heather Rarick ’87 Eng
Houston 

Readers can get caught up on the women’s hockey team’s run to its first Frozen Four, and Tessa Janecke’s gold-medal turn with Team USA, here. —Ed.

Mont Alto Memories

I’ve been a Meno Haven retirement community volunteer since 2012 in the physical therapy department. This was where I met Patricia Byers. The first time I met her, I was wearing a Penn State T-shirt. Patricia, seeing my T-shirt, asked me if I was a Penn State graduate. I told her yes—I graduated from Mont Alto in 1970. That’s when she told me her name, and she was dean of student affairs at Mont Alto from 1965 to 1986. After her therapy was done, I sat down with her, and we talked for over an hour. To my surprise, she’s 101 years old with a good memory. We talked mostly about Mont Alto. When she came to Mont Alto in 1965, the campus was dominated by male students in the three associate degree programs offered at that time. In 1966-67, bachelor of science students started arriving, bringing women onto the campus. As dean of student affairs, Patricia was tasked with starting social activities on campus. Patricia had a meeting with the student body in the basement of Conklin Hall, and after some brainstorming, a campus newspaper, a coed chorus, and weekend dances (jammies) were started in the social room at Wiestling Hall. Mont Alto had a men’s basketball team; several girls wanted to start a cheerleading program, but they needed an adviser, so she volunteered. One of her fondest memories was being instrumental in having the associate degree students’ graduations moved from University Park to Mont Alto. During her 21 years as dean of student affairs, she’s proud of being part of the campus growth and bringing the full college experience to a small campus.

Doug Foreback ’70 Eng MtAlt
Chambersburg, Pa.