Lori Gravish Hurtack’s love for Penn  State University is quite evident , growing up just 15 minutes from State College.  She knew since the third grade that Penn State would be the place for her to earn an undergraduate degree.  She did so by earning a B.S. in Exercise Sports Science.  After earning a graduate degree in Cardiac Rehabilitation from East Stroudsburg University.  She was drawn to come back to Penn State to begin teaching in the Department of Kinesiology in 1999.   Currently, she is an Associate Teaching Professor in The Department of Kinesiology while also serving in roles as an alumni development coordinator and internship coordinator within her department as well.  Over these past two decades her enthusiasm for student learning, service to the university, engaging in outreach opportunities and recognition of public health as an emerging career pathway led her to newfound course development. In 2023, she launched the first undergraduate course that explores the fundamentals of systemic homelessness and street medicine. In 2025, she was awarded the George W. Atherton Award for Excellence in Teaching from Penn State University.  In her free time, she enjoys snorkeling in the Caribbean, kayaking, and supporting many Penn State athletic events with her husband, Patrick.  Her dedication to her students, alumni, community, and family is what keeps her smiling on a daily basis!

Christy Witmer is a proud Penn Stater who earned her degree in Elementary Education in 1993. At Penn State Altoona, she played on the tennis team, and at University Park she scooped cones while working at the Creamery. Today, she cares for the littlest members of the Penn State family as a teacher at the Childcare Center at Hort Woods, guiding infants and toddlers and mentoring student teachers in hands-on learning. She met her husband at Penn State, and their blue and white romance included an engagement at Beaver Stadium. Since moving from Pittsburgh to Happy Valley, she has spent countless Saturdays cheering on the Nittany Lions. She loves spending time with her children. Her son is a senior at Columbia University. Her daughter is carrying on the family tradition as a sophomore at Penn State. Christy is proud and excited to add to the Glory in her Story by being a member of Homecoming 2025.

Dr. Molly Countermine is a beloved and award-winning Teaching Professor in Penn State’s Department of Human Development & Family Studies, where she has taught since the late 1990s. Over her more than two-decade career, she has earned the College of Health & Human Development’s Excellence in Teaching Award over a dozen times—a testament to her impact in the classroom. Dr. Countermine is widely recognized for her student-centered approach, characterized by storytelling, humor, and authentic personal reflections. Her popular courses consistently engage students in lively, relatable conversations about real-life experiences. Student reviews offer glowing praise, calling her “compassionate,” “inspirational,” and “one of the best professors I’ve ever had.” She is a fierce advocate for all her students, and takes great care in addressing issues of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging, and Justice in her classroom. In March 2021, Dr. Countermine delivered an emotionally resonant TEDxPSU talk titled “Life Isn’t Supposed to Be Good… All the Time,” in which she challenges cultural myths of constant positivity and encourages mindfulness and emotional authenticity. The talk has been viewed tens of thousands of times and highlights her ability to bring personal insight into broader conversations about mental well-being. Outside the classroom, she leads a vibrant life as a professional musician in the local State College music scene, connecting with students and the community through art and performance—a moving illustration of her philosophy that joy, creativity, and authentic connection are central to well-being. An advocate for human flourishing, Dr. Countermine integrates mindfulness practices into her classes—often beginning class sessions with brief meditations to help students transition into the learning space. This approach reflects her holistic focus on students’ emotional and cognitive engagement.

Jimi Werner graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Print Journalism. His love of sports took him through the curriculum to be part of the Curley Center for Sports Journalism. After graduating, Jimi started working back in his hometown of Harrisburg, PA, for a digital and experiential marketing firm called Sara Bozich for more than 7 years. There, he found a passion for working with local communities and serving them through his skills of communication and outreach. He returned to his alma mater in 2022 as the Advocacy and Communications Specialist for the Office of Government Community Relations. His duties include coordinating Penn State’s grassroots advocacy activities through Advocate Penn State, connecting and communicating with internal and external audiences, and working with student leaders as advisor for Lion Caucus, the University’s official student advocacy organization.