Board Member Spotlight
Name: Alva (AJ) Foister
Class Year: 2013
Major: Life Science
LEC-PSAA Position/Committee Chair: Board Member
Why are you involved with the Lake Erie Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association? I am originally from the Erie area and wanted to stay connected to the Penn State family after I left college.
What is your favorite Penn State moment? Proposing to my wife, who also is a Penn State grad, on my graduation day.
What do you like most about your career? I am a Registered Nurse who is currently pursuing further education in the medical field. My nursing background has greatly prepared my for the empathy and personal connections that are such a rewarding aspect of the job.
What are your hobbies? I hold a black belt in Goshin Jutsu, as well as, Tae Kwon Do and am now studying in other styles. I enjoy reading science-fiction and crime thrillers when I’m not absorbed in a medical text.
Where else do you volunteer? I volunteer as an instructor at the Mikki Bort Martial Arts Foundation and also volunteer with Utopia Wildlife Rehabilitators.
What is your favorite restaurant in Erie/Crawford/Venango? I have many favorite places to eat, but as a rule of thumb, anywhere with a good steak is alright by me.
One piece of career advice to recent Penn State graduates: Sometimes in life, the most direct route to your goals is not the one you were meant to take, as they say “ the best laid plans of mice and men oft go awry.” That is to say that things may not always go according to plan, but never give up on your dreams. Sometimes you have to let life lead you where it will and remember to enjoy the view along the way.
Why should alumni get involved with LEC-PSAA? I think it’s important for alumni to get involved with LEC-PSAA because it is a very direct way to stay connected to Penn State and to meet others who bleed Blue and White. Not only are the networks you build important while you are in school, but the ones that you develop once you graduate can help open many doors that will lead you to success.
Why should alumni meet you? I went to Penn State as a non-traditional student so I can bring a different perspective to the post-collegiate experience. I never dreamed that I would be able to attend a great school like PSU and now, I have not only graduated but have remained involved in Penn State affairs as much as I possibly can.
Class Year: 2013
Major: Life Science
LEC-PSAA Position/Committee Chair: Board Member
Why are you involved with the Lake Erie Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association? I am originally from the Erie area and wanted to stay connected to the Penn State family after I left college.
What is your favorite Penn State moment? Proposing to my wife, who also is a Penn State grad, on my graduation day.
What do you like most about your career? I am a Registered Nurse who is currently pursuing further education in the medical field. My nursing background has greatly prepared my for the empathy and personal connections that are such a rewarding aspect of the job.
What are your hobbies? I hold a black belt in Goshin Jutsu, as well as, Tae Kwon Do and am now studying in other styles. I enjoy reading science-fiction and crime thrillers when I’m not absorbed in a medical text.
Where else do you volunteer? I volunteer as an instructor at the Mikki Bort Martial Arts Foundation and also volunteer with Utopia Wildlife Rehabilitators.
What is your favorite restaurant in Erie/Crawford/Venango? I have many favorite places to eat, but as a rule of thumb, anywhere with a good steak is alright by me.
One piece of career advice to recent Penn State graduates: Sometimes in life, the most direct route to your goals is not the one you were meant to take, as they say “ the best laid plans of mice and men oft go awry.” That is to say that things may not always go according to plan, but never give up on your dreams. Sometimes you have to let life lead you where it will and remember to enjoy the view along the way.
Why should alumni get involved with LEC-PSAA? I think it’s important for alumni to get involved with LEC-PSAA because it is a very direct way to stay connected to Penn State and to meet others who bleed Blue and White. Not only are the networks you build important while you are in school, but the ones that you develop once you graduate can help open many doors that will lead you to success.
Why should alumni meet you? I went to Penn State as a non-traditional student so I can bring a different perspective to the post-collegiate experience. I never dreamed that I would be able to attend a great school like PSU and now, I have not only graduated but have remained involved in Penn State affairs as much as I possibly can.
