Core Values
University halls echo with the groans of students struggling under a full course load.
For LeAnn Penn, a mere full class load would be a vacation.
Penn, 20, of Slippery Rock is a senior at Slippery Rock University majoring in pre-med biology.
In addition, she is an ROTC cadet, a volunteer at Pittsburgh's Center for Organ Recovery and Education (CORE), and is a Miss Moraine State 2017 pageant winner, a title that allows her to raise organ donation awareness.
In June, she will compete in the Miss Pennsylvania pageant before she continues her service in the National Guard.
Mark Shotwell, an associate professor of biology at SRU and Penn's academic adviser, said he has never had a student like Penn.
“She has a tremendous attitude. She gets up at 6 a.m. for ROTC training and exercises, and she is still on top of everything,” he said. “To see her, you would never guess what she is capable of.”
Penn seems to have an endless supply of energy and discipline, outperforming many of her peers, both in the classroom and out, he said.
“I'm always afraid she's going to hit a wall, and she never does,” he said. “It is truly remarkable.”
Penn said she has always been driven. In high school she was an athlete, worked a job and earned 50 college credits before graduation.
“I think it's because of the way my parents are,” she said.
Her mother, Diane, is a nurse, and her father, Jeffrey, is a Marine.
Penn's passion for organ donation advocacy began three years ago when her best friend, Jacob French, of Youngstown, Ohio, died of a coronary artery aneurysm a few days before Penn's birthday.
“He was an organ donor,” she said. Knowing his death saved the lives of others helped Penn overcome her grief and gave her a passion for saving lives by raising awareness for organ donation.
She also volunteers at CORE, encouraging people to register as organ donors.
Just getting people to sign up saves lives, she said. “I feel like it's a way to bring a little of my best friend back.”
When she's not volunteering, Penn is in the classroom or training with her fellow ROTC cadets.
“It's a full-time job being in school and in the ROTC,” she said. “It's difficult, but if it was easy, everyone would do it.”
Penn started a $500 scholarship for students who are both biology majors and ROTC cadets.“I realized in ROTC, no one (else) is a bio major,” she said.Neither of the difficult programs has many students enrolled.Penn is hoping her scholarship encourages other students to believe they can do both.After school, she will continue her training and serve her country.“In May, I'll be a lieutenant in the Pennsylvania National Guard,” she said. After her service she expects to apply to medical school.But before that, she will compete in the 2017 Miss Pennsylvania pageant.Jessica Kennedy, one of the executive directors for Miss Butler County 2016 and Miss Moraine State 2017 pageants, said Penn has used her time in pageants to help the community and raise awareness for causes she is passionate about.“You have girls who compete for the scholarship, and you have girls who go out and help their community. LeAnn is the latter,” Kennedy said. “She is all about making a difference.“It's all about what you make of it. It's a constant networking opportunity.”The Miss Pennsylvania competition is June 14, 15 and 17 at the Shady Side Academy in Pittsburgh.Penn will be joined by Miss Butler County Julia Wilkens and Miss Butler County Outstanding Teen Courtney Bearer.For more information about organ donation or to register visit www.donatelife.net.
