HARRISBURG, PA — On May 31, 2025, community leaders, students, staff, faculty, and friends of Harrisburg University (HU) converged on Hilton Harrisburg for HU’s Annual Gala. The Gala serves as the University’s keystone fundraising event, celebrating the profound impact of philanthropy on higher learning and highlighting the transformative academic experiences of HU’s outstanding students.
A Night of Fellowship and Philanthropy
As always, the Gala served as a significant driver of support for the Emerging Scholars Fund, which directly benefits HU’s undergraduate students.
And in 2025, HU was pleased to announce Asian Indian Americans of Central Pennsylvania (AIACPA) as the 2025 Impact Award Honoree – the University’s highest honor. HU is forever grateful for AIACPA’s dedication to community building, academic access, and social cohesion – values that align seamlessly with HU’s mission of creating pathways to opportunity for all.
A Spotlight on Student Success
But it was the students who truly stole the show. While attendees enjoyed a formal dinner, they heard firsthand accounts from six HU students about their achievements, their dreams for the future, and the road that led each of them to Harrisburg University.
The students below each brought their passion, their commitment to learning, and their gratitude to the donors who help make HU’s scholarships – and scholastic excellence – such a force to be reckoned with in Pennsylvania. Hailing from the heart of Pennsylvania all the way to remote villages across the globe, these students bring diverse perspectives and a fierce determination to shape where the world is headed.
Keep reading for a look back at these six inspiring stories from HU students!
Brayden Miller ‘26
“When I first heard about taking college credits in high school, my honest reaction was … ‘It’s way too early for that.’ The thought of college just seemed so far away. But that night, I went home and did what very few spoiled kids think to do: try to save my parents money! The trouble was, we all knew I wasn’t quite ready for college-level English. So, next thing I knew, I was enrolled in College in High School. This turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
“Through Harrisburg University, I got to experience real college-level learning without leaving my high-school classroom. This helped me to make the most of a critical moment in my life. I learned how to manage my time, think critically, and explore new subjects like computer science, calculus, and physics. This head-start has been incredibly valuable. I wasn’t just learning advanced STEM concepts earlier than I would have … I was getting a jump on earning college credits and paying my way through higher learning.
“I know I wouldn’t be standing here today without the scholarships I received. HU made it possible for me to focus on being a student, not on whether I could afford to be one, starting when I was still in high school. What a gift this has been. Because of that support, I walked into my first real college class with confidence – not fear. And that’s something I’ll always be grateful for.”
Martin Johnson ‘25
“Four years ago, I began my search for an affordable engineering institution. The cost of attending HU was far less than the other schools I looked at, and the scholarships I received covered about half of it. I was baffled that a place like this existed.
“I didn’t have a specific engineering field in mind, so learning different aspects of various disciplines was enticing. It helped me find my footing and passion within a specific field. And so, I chose Advanced Manufacturing. It became the sea of knowledge I’d sail for the next four years.
“In 2024, I was proud to be a part of HU’s first-ever Lunabotics team, and to help the team bring home two awards from the qualifying events in Florida. Lunabotics is a robotics competition hosted every year by NASA, where teams design and build a robot that can carry out construction work on Earth’s moon.
“At HU, students are required to complete an internship before graduating, so I began working at KVG shortly after returning from my trip to Florida for Lunabotics. Within the first few days at KVG, I met John Boyer, the company’s CEO. After calming my nerves, we talked about my contributions to the company: creating a virtual reality simulation that connects trade show visitors to our 3D printing workshops across the globe.
“Thank you to Harrisburg University, to John Boyer and KVG, and everyone out there who makes experiences like mine possible. I’ll do my best to make you proud!”
Scott Stephens ‘26
“It’s hard to believe that I’m on the verge of graduating from college next year! This is a good moment to reflect on where it all began. I had always been into movies, video games, and comic books thanks to my dad, and I knew from an early age that whatever I was going to do in the future would revolve around recreating for others the experiences I had with my father. But the question always remained: ‘How would I get there?’ I eventually arrived at HU, where I met Professor Charles Palmer and learned about the Interactive Media degree. Within a half-hour, I was confident that this university was the place for me.
“The culture that HU has built around hands-on learning from your first day was a huge selling point for me because I knew that, from day one, I could begin fulfilling my dreams of being a storyteller. And it was in these moments after my early days at HU that I realized I can’t let the worry of things not working out keep me from striving for success.
“In July 2023, Professor Palmer recommended me for an internship with JPL, a marketing agency here in Harrisburg. Two weeks later, I got in. And so, throughout my second year, where I was initially worried about my progress, I realized that I was a lot further along than I thought I’d be. I was also lucky enough to land an internship with Athlon, a company based in HU’s Center for Innovation & Entrepreneurship (better known as The CIE).
“I will be forever grateful for these experiences with JPL and Athlon, and for the support I received from Professor Palmer and others at HU who opened the doors.”
Ashley Bonnet ‘26
“I was born in Haiti but raised in Paterson, New Jersey … a city that taught me grit, resilience, and heart. Those same traits followed me into my journey here at Harrisburg University. I started as a biology major, filled with curiosity and ambition, but the path I envisioned for myself was still somewhat murky. That changed when Dr. Yiben Wang, my Chemistry professor, encouraged me to consider a future in biochemistry research. It led me to Dr. Akeisha Belgrave, who became not just an advisor but a true mentor.
“This past year truly tested me. I wanted to give up on my research. I wasn’t getting results. Nothing was working and I felt like I was failing. But Dr. Belgrave wouldn’t let me quit. She reminded me that progress often hides behind persistence. Because of her push, the same project that had me ready to give up instead won Third Place at the 100th annual Pennsylvania Academy of Science (PAS) Conference and First Place at the HU Research Symposium, along with a research grant. Dr. Belgrave’s grit became mine.
“The faculty at Harrisburg University, specifically the Integrative Sciences program, are a mighty force. I am walking proof that with the right people in your corner, you can transform your life. For those who helped me become a scientist with purpose with a future full of possibility … thank you!”
Rosalina (“Rosie”) Rivera ‘25
“It’s not a stretch to say that my time at Harrisburg University has truly shaped who I am. It still feels weird to say it, but I became an official alumna of this amazing university earlier this month! It’s been a long time coming, but I’m proud of the journey I took to get here.
“And I’m thrilled to say that I’ll be starting my full-time job at Eurofins Labs in Lancaster, straight out of college. In my role as a Food Testing Lab Technician, I’ll have a chance to put all that I’ve learned into practice and help keep people safe at the same time.
“In the time I’ve spent at HU, my biggest accomplishment has been a forensic anthropology project undertaken with HACC. We discovered 13 skulls and five full sets of human remains with no identifying paperwork, which have been used for anthropology classes for years. We are now working to give all the remains an anthropological profile with a high degree of precision. Why? Because science can be a key to human dignity.
“Practicing my hands-on skills on a project with this level of importance to our local communities is truly a privilege. And I think that’s the core of what this university offers: a welcoming and supportive environment, relevant skills, and plenty of opportunities to exercise them. I would like to thank Professor Carrie Wise at HU and everyone who supported me over the years – thank you for believing in me!”
Priyadharshini (“Priya”) Rajmohan ‘25
“I’m a proud South Indian from Tamil Nadu – a land famous for filter coffee (we call it ‘filter kaapi’), farmers, incredible architecture – and where people still ask, ‘Ponnu-ku America-ah?’ (‘A girl going to America?’) But look at me! Vandhutaen pa! I made it! From a very small village, all the way to Harrisburg University, to being the first college graduate in my family.
“HU didn’t just give me admission – it gave me a platform and a sense of community. From attending workshops and volunteering, to becoming a Student Library Assistant, to landing my first internship and job at the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission … it’s been a journey of growth, resilience, and discovery.
“In that journey, the community really mattered. The thing I missed most from India was our sense of togetherness … But I found it again here. That’s why this year’s Impact Award means so much. The Asian Indian Americans of Central Pennsylvania Association – or AIACPA – has been a pillar of support for the Indian community in Central Pennsylvania. They empower families, celebrate and share India’s culture, and create platforms where voices like mine can be heard. Their work brings generations together and reminds us that we are not alone, even thousands of miles away from our home.
“Vanakkam and congratulations to AIACPA! I’m reminded that no matter where we are, our roots – ‘namma ooru’ – are always with us. To my fellow students … especially those who came here with nothing but dreams in their suitcase … keep showing up! One event, one connection, one opportunity at a time … you’ll write your own story.”
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Ready to help HU and its incredible community of learners write more inspiring stories like these? From supporting our scholarship fund to sponsoring the Annual Gala, there are plenty of ways to support higher learning and economic development in the heart of the Commonwealth. Start a conversation today about how you or your organization can contribute to HU’s mission of empowering society and building futures through STEM innovation.
ABOUT HARRISBURG UNIVERSITY
Harrisburg University was recently recognized by US News & World Report as one of the nation’s most innovative colleges. HU is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and is a private, nonprofit university offering bachelor’s and graduate degree programs in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, nursing, and other health science fields. For additional information about HU’s affordable, demand-driven undergraduate and graduate programs, please call 717.901.5146 or email Connect@HarrisburgU.edu. Stay updated by following Harrisburg University on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and X (Twitter).
