Ryan Brown came to Penn State not because he chose it, but because Penn State chose him.
Brown, a member of this year’s homecoming court from Philadelphia, said that college “wasn’t the thing for an inner city kid,” and was told that it would simply be a “dream” for him.
However, that did not stop him from working hard in school, Brown (senior-integrative arts) said.
On top of working hard in high school, he worked three jobs, was actively involved in any group he could join, was part of student government and started a drumline.
Brown worked hard to achieve the best grades possible, and by senior year he applied to seven different schools, he said. Six out of the seven accepted him –– Penn State was one of them.
Brown said after applying to Penn State and attending Achiever’s Weekend was when he “fell in love with the school.”
His favorite Penn State memory was simply the fact that he got accepted, he said.
“I made it through everything. After always being told it’s not likely I would go to college, I’m here,” he said. “It’s a dream come true.
Brown’s friend, Genevieve Logerie , said Ryan is the “definition of a student leader.”
“He’s well-rounded, educated, confident, and cultured. Aside from that, he’s genuinely a great energy to be around,” she said.
During his time at Penn State, Brown has been a member of The Penn State Student Black Caucus since his freshman year. He was vice president during sophomore year and president throughout his junior and senior year .
He joined the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity his freshman year as well and held many leadership positions throughout the course of his college career. On top of all of this, he is also serving as an at-large representative and vice chair for the University Park Undergraduate Association diversity committee .
Logerie (senior-neuropsychology) said students should vote for Brown for Homecoming King because he “represents the pride and courage of Penn State.”
When it comes to Brown’s future, “the sky is the limit,” he said. After all the limitations from his childhood, he has made it his mission to surpass all of them, he said.
“There is no one in my way now,” he said.
He hopes to have a good career and go on to get three more degrees before finally starting his own architecture firm.
Brown said he is “dedicated to making the world a better place.”
To email reporter: cyg5125@psu.edu
