While most college students move back home and try to navigate their way through the job market after graduation, Penn State alumnus Lamar Richardson is building an empire.

An online advice column, an upcoming clothing line and his recently published book, Our Truth: A Forthright Poetry Compilation, are only a few of Richardson's projects.

After taking some time off from school in fall 2004, Richardson developed the name "Dr. Uplift" and began writing a poem every week along with the launch of his column, "The Bottom Line," as a process of self-healing, Richardson said.

His style of advice also earned him a new nickname from some of his friends who call him "Dr. Downlift" because of his sometimes frank criticism.

"I'm so real that sometimes I can hurt your feelings," Richardson said.

Although publishing a book is no speedy process, Richardson said the final product came about fairly quickly.

He said he developed the concept in August and proceeded to e-mail thousands of poets. The book was sent to the publisher about two weeks after he started receiving submissions, Richardson said.

Our Truth is a compilation of more than 90 poems, including 20 of Richardson's own pieces, which hit shelves this December.

"I could've done a book by myself, but I'm trying to have the best book out there," Richardson said. "Everything I do has to be top notch."

This poetry anthology covers a variety of issues, including abuse, street life, love and friendship.

"I told every poet that all I needed was quality poetry that touches one's heart and/or mind -- nothing more, nothing less," he said.

Richardson also said Our Truth was not made for a specific audience, but for people who love poetry from all different backgrounds.

"This book was intended to be a vessel that challenged my creativity, to help me learn the business, to give poets an opportunity to shine and to be of service to poetry lovers," he said.

Richardson isn't the only one representing Penn State in his book. Fellow poet and recent graduate from Penn State's Beaver Campus, Shawntaye Scott, also submitted three pieces for the book.

Scott knew Richardson through a mutual friend and was excited to contribute to the book and see her name in print, she said.

"I was thrilled [Richardson] was a fellow Penn Stater doing the project," Scott said. "I was very happy about the book, because I've been trying to get published, and it hasn't been very easy."

Before teaming up with Richardson on the poetry compilation, Scott said she checked out his Web site to get a feel of his work and came across his advice column.

"I thought he was really funny and really truthful," Scott said. "He doesn't beat around the bush, and I think that's what people need."

Since their collaboration, Scott has submitted additional pieces for Richardson's follow-up book, The Open Mic Night, which is due out in a couple of months.

Richardson said he found what worked in his first compilation and incorporated more of it into his second.

"People love the spoken-word-feel pieces in my book; therefore, Open Mic Night is all about that feel," Richardson said.

Although he hopped around schools before settling at Penn State, Richardson found a few individuals who helped him with different obstacles and eventually to graduate.

Andrew Jackson, who's been an academic adviser for the past 20 years in the College of Education, was one of those people on whom Richardson felt he could rely.

Jackson offered advice and guidance to Richardson and said he admired his independence and enthusiasm.

Jackson also said that not a lot of black students have people they can relate to, so he finds himself helping many students outside the College of Education.

"I found a wonderful mentor in Dr. Andrew Jackson," Richardson said. "He's someone I could talk to about situations in my life without having to hold back. Whenever I needed to vent to an adult during the spring or summer at PSU, I would just make an appointment with him, and he would guide me in the right direction."

Richardson has another book in the works and an upcoming Internet radio show, as an extension of his advice column, with a new female co-host.

"It is a no-holds-barred kind of thing, and that's why I picked it," he said.

Along with entering the airwaves, Richardson is venturing into other unknown territory -- the clothing industry, where he expects his line to be out by spring or summer 2007 under the "Dr. Uplift" name.

"I'm trying to push this as far as I can, and I'm blessed to have so many talented people around me," Richardson said. "I'm not after the money. I do it for the love. I do what I do for the love of my community."