The Digital Collegian - Published independently by students at Penn State
[ Summer 2006 ]

Business staffer steps up, saves lives
Collegian Insider 2006
Mild-mannered Matt turns hero

By Melissa Britton
Collegian Staff Member '06

Matt Emmerling, a 2005-06 account executive for The Daily Collegian, is described by most as an all-around good guy.

One early morning last April, he proved it.

On Monday, April 3, Emmerling made headlines when he and Penn State graduate Kevin Mahoney saved five students from a burning house.

After seeing smoke coming from the back of a house at 700 West College Ave., Emmerling ran into the burning building and was able to fight off the heavy smoke to wake the sleeping residents and, with Mahoney's help, get everyone to safety before flames engulfed the house.

The next morning at the Collegian office, the senior communications major was greeted with applause. Surprised by the response, he simply smiled and went right to work.

"I didn't really think it was that big a deal," Emmerling said. "I was always taught to be humble."

For members of the Collegian staff, however, it was a big deal. Emmerling's bravery showed what kind of person he is.

"I'm really proud of him for just being brave," Business Adviser Candy Heckard said. "[Matt has] paid some tough dues. I'm happy that he got to show what a good guy he is."

"[Matt is] laid back; he likes to have a good time," Heckard added., "and [he] really loves the Collegian."

Matt is not the only Emmerling who loves the Collegian -- or to work in the Business Division, for that matter. Jim Emmerling, Matt's uncle, was a marketing manager, making Matt something of a "Collegian legacy."

Emmerling's start at the Collegian was anything but easy. In spring 2005 he was in the Business Training Program in hopes of becoming a member of the staff, but then a car accident while vacationing in Cancun left him in a coma for a week.

Emmerling recovered from the accident and returned to the Collegian.

"That's when I knew I had a strong person on my staff," Clay Kohler, 2005-06 business manager, said.

By the 2005 summer session, Emmerling was well enough to finish his candidacy at the Collegian, eventually becoming a staff member. But then his life took another turn with his heroic rescue.

For Emmerling, the most rewarding part of the experience was meeting the students he saved.

"I'm really happy I got to be good friends with those guys," Emmerling said. "I'm glad I did something all right."

In the eyes of his staff, Emmerling did more than all right.

"Matt's actions were nothing less than heroic," Lisa Conkle, 2005-06 advertising manager, said. "I would not have expected anything less."

Collegian General Manager Gerry Hamilton commended Emmerling on his courageous effort.

"He did a fine thing as a human being," Hamilton said .

Photo by 2005 Collegian Photo Editor Dan Freel
Photo by 2005 Collegian Photo Editor Dan Freel
Matt Emmerling returns to action as a rock-steady Collegian staffer.

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