Campus Celeb: Allison Rebecca Penn (‘16)
Twitter/insta handle
@AllisonRebeccaP
Allison Rebecca Penn, or “ARP” as her friends like to call her, can be considered nothing less than unique, and if you don’t think so, “you don’t know ARP!” (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StSYRSm-yNI)
Allison is a Junior in the College of Communications, studying advertising. As a native New Englander, Boston had always been close to her heart. When she reached the age of applying to undergraduate schools, looking into BU only reaffirmed to her what she already knew: that she would be staying in New England for another few years. Allison is drawn to this campus because of the challenging class work, caliber of professors, abundance of extra curricular activities, and various events occurring on campus.
She beams, “[At Boston University] I knew I had the support and opportunity to do anything I wanted to do and be anyone I wanted to be.”
And indeed Allison is just who she wants to be. She gets involved in anything and everything that continues to make her happy on campus. She is a member of Omega Phi Alpha (the only community service sorority on campus), the new club “She’s the First,” and Hillel’s Challah for Hunger program. Also, she dances for a Dance Theatre Group, has been a staff member of FYSOP, writes for Her Campus, and enjoys playing Intramural Broomball. She can be found running from class to meetings to meals and get togethers and back to class again at night then back to her room for a couple hours of shut eye before the next day begins.
“I’m on the go most of the time, trying to fit everything into my packed schedule,” she says, but she does not look the least bit tired or overwhelmed.
This may be because on the weekends she enjoys some down time, sleeping in and relaxing or exploring the city with her friends. She tends to use her weekends to give back to her home of choice, participating in hours upon hours of volunteer work in the city.
Community service is a passion for Allison. She finds that people can understand each other on a deeper level when they volunteer together, and this is why she has created so many bonds with her sorority sisters. This year in particular, Allison is striving towards a 75 hour marker for her service hours, and has already completed 52 hours towards that goal.
But it’s not just about the number; she explains that she and her sisters “all stand for social justice and have a passion for making the world a better place through service.”
And at the end of any day—weekend or otherwise—she truly enjoys spending time with friends the most.
“The more absurd and adventurous the activity [with my friend is], the better,” she says with a smile.
Aside from her friends, another idea gets her through her long and busy days: she just remembers to be a happy person, even when things get rough. Essentially, Hakuna Matatah.
As much as Allison was able to make this campus her home, she understands that freshmen may feel a little out of place. Her advice for incoming freshmen is that, “you’ll figure it all out eventually!” and she admits that she does not yet feel fully straightened out herself.
“Get involved in new activities, step out of your comfort zone, and you will learn the most.”
But first, perhaps get to know the route of the T because it will be able to take you everywhere.
In a few weeks, Allison will be going home to participate in a stair climb by the American Lung Association in a hotel in Providence. Please support her cause.