By: Gale Biddle
The “Getting to Know You” articles have focused on the full-time staff, faculty, and administration of the Libraries. But, there is an important group that has been overlooked: the
work-study and part-time employees. The work-study and part-time employees are often the unsung heroes of the Libraries. I would like to give special thanks to Carmen Gass for suggesting them for the articles! The first person I am so happy to introduce you to is Lauren Everett, a work-study student and part-time evening supervisor at Penn State Altoona.
Lauren was born and raised in Duncansville, Pennsylvania. She attended school at Hollidaysburg, and one of her favorite memories is riding her bike to her elementary school just a couple of blocks from her home. She has 2 sisters, Lindsey, 19, and Bridgett, 17, and one brother, Liam, 14. As Lauren explains, they have much in common, are quite close, and enjoy playing games together.
With English as her major and professional writing as her minor, Lauren anticipates becoming a creative writer after she graduates. To support herself until her writing career takes flight, she first plans to go to graduate school and work in library archives. She discovered her interest in archives when she decided to work with an undergraduate research program transcribing letters and documents. She enjoys solving the puzzles in the context of the transcriptions and connecting the stories together.
When you meet Lauren, your first impression might be that she’s someone who is quite reserved. What you might be surprised to find out is that she listens to Emo punk bands, like My Chemical Romance, and loves reading, writing, and watching anything in the horror genre. She enjoys crafting, sewing, cross-stitching, knitting (which she learned from her grandmother), and crocheting (which she taught herself by watching YouTube videos). Her plan is to hand make items to give to the professors who had special meaning to her during her college career. An animal lover, Lauren also loves to care for her two birds: Philly, a zebra finch, and Cosmo, a cockatiel. Lauren will be graduating this Spring semester. During her time here, this is what she says she’s loved about Penn State:
“What I love most about attending Penn State is the community I have been embraced into; many of my English classmates are very supportive and positive, and I have met many professors who have gotten me opportunities that helped me make decisions about my future career.”
I wish everyone could have the chance to have a conversation with Lauren. I’m not sure I’ve been able to accurately describe just how impressive she is as a person, especially for her age.
She has a maturity beyond her years. She’s incredibly intelligent, talented, kind, and generous. I have no doubt she will accomplish great things.
10 Random Questions
1. What flavor of ice cream best describes you? Neapolitan because depending on the day, I’m able to play the role for what people need.
2. Favorite Color? Purple
3. What song do you never get tired of hearing? “Never Break My Stride” by Matthew Wilder
4. You have $100 to spend, all your friends are busy, and you have a free afternoon. What do you do? Go to Barnes and Noble and Panera
5. Would you rather visit the past or the future? Past
6. What popular trend most annoys you? How the vernacular is going and the obsession with vanity
7. Dream job(s)? Author, librarian in a library that still practices the ancient custom of chaining books to the shelves, or playing the organ in a large cathedral
8. Last show you binge watched? Moonbase 8
9. Favorite cereal? Capt’n Crunch with Berries
10. 4 people you would put on your version of Mt. Rushmore? Stephen King, Benedict Cumberbatch, Gerard from My Chemical Romance, and Robin Williams