Rick Bolinger is September AEE Student of the Month

 September AEE Student of the Month

The Center for Professional Personnel Development would like to recognize Rick Bolinger as the September Agricultural and Extension Education Student of the Month. Rick is from New Enterprise, Pennsylvania and is a graduate of Northern Bedford County High School. While in high school, he was a part of the Northern Bedford County FFA Chapter where he held an officer position for two years and got to attend many different conferences and contests. Rick will graduate in May of 2026.

Before attending University Park, he began his Penn State journey at the Altoona campus. When asked why he chose Penn State Rick says, "I chose Penn State because I knew I wanted to major in Ag Education and Penn State is one of the best!" His favorite classes while at Penn State have been AEE 349 and AEE 350 both focus on teaching ag mechanics and are taught by Dr. Ewing. 

Rick is a big Steelers Football fan. He enjoys hunting, playing sports, and playing guitar. A fun fact about Rick is that he can play the banjo. While at Penn State, he has worked at the Haller Beef Farm. He also got to be a part of Shaver's Creek Outdoor School. His agriculture interest revolves around Animal Science and he particularly enjoys beef production. His future plans are to become a high school ag teacher. 

In January, Rick will begin student teaching at Juniata Valley High School with Mrs. Raylene Russell. He will be teaching a few general ag science classes, animal science, food science, and an 8th-grade rotation. He is excited to be able to teach a unit on beef cattle in two different courses.     

Rick's favorite quote is: 

“If you ain't first, you're last"

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  Erica Teagarden

  CPPD Student Worker

  Agricultural and Extension Education
  

  Class of 2026