Thank you for your interest in the Penn State Emergency Management Club! ClubEM began as a “University Affiliate” student organization during the 2013 Fall semester at Penn State. Intended to serve as a project-driven organization, ClubEM is the primary opportunity for students to become involved and learn about the field of emergency management in the absence of an official field of study at Penn State’s main campus. The club was formed by Tom Bedard who was, at the time, a senior meteorology student and the student weather liaison/intern with the Penn State Office of Emergency Management (PSUOEM).
ClubEM was created under the idea that it would have a close working relationship with PSUOEM and the local community. The working relationship between student and administrative emergency management at Penn State’s main campus was meant to allow students the opportunity to learn and gain experience while accepting projects and courses offered by the administrative office. In ClubEM’s latest initiatives, our tenets hold true. The club is working to ensure that Penn State students, faculty, and staff are prepared in the event of a natural or man-made disaster.
The first class of ClubEM student members were entirely from the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences at Penn State. Each member was able to bring a unique background and a specialized set of skills to the club, allowing it to thrive. These student meteorologists, geologists, geoscientists, and geographers completed three projects in the club’s first semester and cemented ClubEM’s place at Penn State. The club is continuing to expand with new members and projects, and welcomes Penn State students of any major who have an interest in emergency management.
As of Fall 2015, Club EM is now a Weather Ready Nation Ambassador, as recognized by the National Weather Service!
