Scholar Profiles
Simran Grover ‘09
Major: Finance
“I love the feeling of helping out others because we all have needed or will need help at some point in our lives.”
Since she was 15 months old, Simran Grover has traveled almost annually with her parents to visit her extended family in India. While the experience has made Simran more appreciative of her heritage, it also has made her more appreciative of what she has at home.
“In India I would see underprivileged people on the streets, very young children who looked extremely malnourished, and all of the laborers working so hard to support their families.” she said, “Seeing the life there always encouraged me to give back and reminded me of how fortunate I am.”
Now years later, whether she is fundraising for children with cancer or running a clothing drive, Simran remains dedicated to volunteering.
“I think it is very rewarding to know that you've made a difference in someone else's life,” the Schreyer Honors Scholar said.
Simran, a junior finance major in Penn State’s Smeal College of Business, started her college volunteerism as a freshman with Leadership JumpStart, a first-year seminar course within the Honors College designed to get Scholars involved in the community. For her service project, Simran and her peers held “Africa Day” at a local elementary school to educate students about the culture, geography, and people of the country.
Simran’s experience with Leadership JumpStart was so influential that she became a teacher’s assistant for incoming students the following year and helped new students plan a prom for residents of a retirement home.
“Being a business major, it’s easy to think more about ‘what’s in it for me’ and concentrating on yourself.” she said, “But I think it’s really important to look outside of that and realize there are people in the community who you can also give back to.”
To give back even more, Simran became a member of the Morale team for The Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, known as THON. The annual campus-wide event raises money for children with cancer.
“It’s one of the most amazing experiences you could ever be part of,” Simran said. “It's 46 hours of standing on your feet, supporting the dancers, and entertaining them. I was overwhelmed by how many people were participating and proud to be part of it.”
Besides being on the Morale team for two years, Simran also volunteered her time as an Honors College mentor during the 2006-2007 academic year. The Mentoring Program gives incoming students a chance to create ties with established scholars.
“You get to be a friendly face for freshman so they are not afraid to ask questions,” she said. “I like being able to give them advice and help them transition.”
As a lifetime Girl Scout member, Simran feels it is important to promote positive female role models. Last year, Simran was involved in the “Turn Beauty Inside Out” campaign run by Peers Helping to Reaffirm, Educate, and Empower, which teaches middle school girls about positive body image.
Although Simran felt rewarded enough to serve others, some Penn State faculty members believed she should be awarded as well. During her sophomore year in 2007, Simran was nominated as first-time winner of the Robert “Bear” Koehler Award.
The award, which is in memory of Robert Koehler, is given jointly to one graduating Schreyer Scholar earning a degree from the Smeal College of Business and one undergraduate Scholar who shows promise of better serving the community.
Koehler, nicknamed “Bear” by many students and friends, was an associate professor of accounting at Penn State’s Smeal College of Business and faculty member since 1963. Koehler was also a strong advocate of community service. After his untimely death in Jan. 2007, alumnus Noah Barsky and others endowed an award in Koehler’s name to be given to a student who best exemplifies the accomplishments of his life of service at Penn State.
— By Ashley Glowinski '08 Public Relations-Advertising
