January 2019 Student of the Month: Thomas Gabel (@gabel_thomas)

Every month we recognize a student within the Agricultural and Extension Education program who has gone above and beyond as our Student of the Month. A freshman, Thomas Gabel has been chosen as our January Student of the Month! Let's learn a little more about Thomas and why we've decided to choose him as Student of the Month.

Hailing from Newport Pennsylvania, Thomas is a proud member of #PSUAgEd22 with a passion to make a difference in the world of Agricultural Education. “Any time you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don’t, then you are wasting your time on Earth”. This statement from Roberto Clemente is Thomas’s favorite quote standing as a testament to the way by which he conducts himself.

A trail of service and dedication to Agricultural Education follow Thomas in his FFA and 4-H experiences including being the 2017-2018 PA FFA State Vice President and the Wila 4-H President from 2013-2017. When asking Thomas why he chose Agricultural and Extension Education at Penn State he said, “because of the genuine individuals [professors] that seriously care and invest themselves in their students.” 

Outside of his coursework, Thomas has engaged himself in learning leadership experiences such as being the Public Relations Director of the Leadership, Education, and Agricultural Development (LEAD) Society, a Teach Ag! Avenger, and a Global Teach Ag! Intern. Additionally, Thomas is a proud member of the Agricultural Student Council, Collegiate Farm Bureau, and the Cedar Heights Church.

If you want more of Thomas, you can listen to him through the #TeachAg Talks podcast series or you can find him hanging out at Baby’s Burgers and Shakes downtown. Of course, you can always follow him on Twitter @gabel_thomas and Instagram @gabelt31.

A Glimpse of Thomas:
Hometown: Newport, PA
Graduation: May 2022 (#PSUAgEd22)
Birthday: August 28th, 1998
Favorite PSU Class: AEE 216: Practical Parliamentary Procedure
Favorite Sports Team: Indianapolis Colts
Favorite Hang-out on Campus: Ferguson 213
Favorite Place to eat in State College: Baby's Burgers and Shakes
4-H/FFA Background: FFA: 2017-2018 Pennsylvania FFA State Vice President, Newport FFA Chapter President (2014-2017), competed in various Public Speaking Leadership Development Events and was part of the 2017 State Winning Parliamentary Procedure team, 2019 American FFA Degree Recipient, 4-H: Wila 4-H President (2013-2017), participated in the photography project and entered photography books at my county fair and Farm Show
Favorite quote: "Any time you have an opportunity to make a difference in this world and you don't, then you are wasting your time on Earth" - Roberto Clemente

Justin Kurtz
Guest Blogger
Twitter Handle: @JustinDKurtz
2022 Agricultural Education Student Teacher