A native of Wyomissing, Stephen Huber, one of the members of the 2012 Homecoming Court, came into his Penn State roots with the help of his family, particularly his older sister.
“I was fortunate enough to be exposed early on because my sister attended two years prior, and when I was doing my college search she was my advocate,” Huber (senior-finance and advertising) said. “I remember visiting her specially one time for the Penn State vs. Iowa game during her freshman year. The football games, culture and the atmosphere are so unique that you don't find them anywhere else in the country.”
Like many other freshmen, Huber first came to Penn State participating in the LEAP program, which is a six week long program in the summertime where new students can get the feel of campus.
“I loved the summer session, and I met some of my best friends. When I moved back in the fall, seeing the difference between a couple thousand people and 40,000 people, there was so much activity, everyone was really excited,” Huber said. “I knew that guys that I would have casual conversations with might end up being my best friends for life.”
Another Penn State memory Huber takes with him is the 2012 Interfraternity Council/Panehellenic Dance Marathon, where he got involved in fundraising efforts with his business fraternity, Alpha Kappa Psi.
“With Alpha Kappa Psi, I got involved in fundraising efforts, got to meet our two THON families and really have a connection,” Huber said. “I just put a lot of effort into THON that year, and it was so much more rewarding. Seeing how our hard work paid off, it was so special, and I'll never forget it for the rest of my life.”
Huber has been an active member of the Penn State community since the fall of his freshman year, when he came across Alpha Kappa Psi at the fall Smeal College of Business Involvement Fair.
Huber has previously served as vice president of membership, and is now the vice president of alumni relations in the fraternity.
A man of many interests ranging from sports, to film, to business, Huber said that his inspiration to become heavily involved in various activities stems from his mother.
“Throughout my childhood and junior high, I was always involved in sports. I started playing soccer at a young age and made a switch to football once I was allowed to play a contact sport, and it became my passion all throughout high school,” Huber said. “My mom was always a supporter of me, and encouraged me to try something new everyday, and to put yourself in an uncomfortable situation every day. It's an attitude I've carried.”
Some Penn State students see Stephen as having a positive impact on the student body by being involved in so many various things on and off campus.
“Stephen is one of the most passionate Penn Staters I've met. He displays pride in the university in all academic, athletic, and philanthrophic events here at Penn State and in the surrounding Centre County community,” Joe Knittel (senior-finance) wrote in an email. “His actions have definitely had an positive impact on the student body.”
Huber, who just celebrated his 21st birthday on Sept. 26, said his plans for the future are tentative, but that he has a holistic view of business, and wishes to try an entrepreneurship down the road after schooling.
However, although Huber is uncertain where life after Penn State may take him, he said he knows for sure how he is going to spend his retirement.
“I want to own and operate a miniature golf course at the shore,” Huber said. “We played mini golf every single day, and I'm extremely competitive, more so than with actual golf. I loved that experience growing up.”
