Living Large...

EARTH House residents Alyse Johnson (left) Kelsie Bicking feel right at home.

Choosing the right housing arrangement at Penn State can be tricky. But for students interested in agricultural sciences and the environment, there's no residence hall on earth like EARTH House.

"EARTH House, located in North Halls, is a special living option for students majoring in the agricultural sciences," says Anna Smith, an Animal Bioscience major and past president of EARTH House. "The community is open to everyone with an interest in nature, the environment and everything related to the agricultural sciences."

Guy Barbato, associate professor of poultry science and supporter of EARTH House, believes that allowing all students the opportunity to live in EARTH House embodies the special residence hall's goal. "We're striving to provide a community atmosphere among students with similar interests, which is why we opened the doors to all students," he says. "We actually have engineering, hotel and restaurant management, biology, and business majors in EARTH House. We want to foster a friendly environment, and by living in close vicinity to other agriculturally focused students, you're bound to meet others like you and make lasting friendships."

Curtis Frederick, a Horticulture major who resided in EARTH House for two years, believes the living conditions and atmosphere of EARTH House are unparalleled. "The suites are completely new and upscale," he says. "You get a private bathroom, air conditioning, wi-fi access, a band room to jam in and a residence hall kitchen. The students you live with have similar interests. Of course, we do a lot together."

Smith, who lived in the standard residence halls for a semester, could not be more impressed with the difference. "It's a really fancy residence hall," she explains. "We have lounges to talk in, we're getting a bunch of plants for the entrance, it's quiet, students are very academically focused and the meals are of a high caliber. Since we offer a lot of activities, we also offer students a lot of positions for leadership. Instead of just participating in events, students can run them and get some great experience in the process. It allows you to get to know everyone and get involved."

The EARTH House community feels like a family, believes Frederick. "Because Penn State is so large, it's refreshing to come back to a community that knows you and cares about you," he says.

(For information on joining EARTH House, contact Guy Barbato at 814-865-4481 or by e-mail at gfb1@psu.edu.)