Biography Guidelines

Guidelines for writing the first draft biography for the College of Agricultural Sciences Outstanding and Outstanding Recent Alumni Awards

The total word count should be 225-250 words. The bare minimum is 200, and the maximum is 250.

Guideline Example

First sentence must include:

  • full name, abbreviated class year and college
  • title, employer (if applicable) and hometown
 Dave N. Geise '68 Agr is president and CEO of Furmano Foods of Northumberland, Pa., the largest family-owned tomato processor in the eastern United States that is over 80-years-old.

Second sentence:

  • something noteworthy about honoree
  • or why the person became an Outstanding Alum

Second paragraph should list work history and Primary professional achievements in reverse Chronological order

Geise has been president of Furmano Foods since 1977 after beginning his career with the company in 1968. At the time of Geise's election as company president, the complexion of the company had changed significantly and production figures were at two million cases per year. Under Geise's leadership, Furmano Foods annual production has grown to more than seven million cases of canned goods in the Northumberland facility.

Third paragraph should list awards, other memberships of note

Geise is a leader in the food industry, serving on committees and boards at the state and national levels. He is the past chair of the Board of Directors for the Pennsylvania Food Processors Association, and, since 1982, has held positions on the board of the National Food Processors Association. Geise received the Pennsylvania Agribusiness Achievement Award in 1996 from the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. He also serves as a member of the board of directors of the Central Susquehanna Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Final Paragraph should list Penn State associations and/or personal information

An active volunteer for the College of Agricultural Sciences, Geise serves on the Penn State Food Science Facilities Committee, the Food Industry Alumni Group, and has lectured in the Ag Business Executive Program. In 2001, he received the college's Outstanding Alumnus Award and in 2003 was inducted into the college's Armsby Honor Society. Geise is a life member of the Penn State Alumni Association. He and his wife, Jody, live in Milton, Pa.