When Hurricane Helene hit the southeastern United States in September, it caused significant damage from Florida to Tennessee. Penn State World Campus student Lydia Cowher watched the news coverage of the storm’s destructive path from her home in central Pennsylvania.
“As soon as it happened, I just felt absolutely horrible for the people in those situations, and not just the people, but the animals, the livestock, the pets, all of the living beings that went through this hurricane,” Cowher said. “I felt like I needed to do something tangible to be able to assist.”
Cowher, who is a graduate student and works in financial aid in the Penn State College of Medicine, partnered with her husband to collect donations from their community and deliver them to a town in North Carolina. This call to serve others is a big part of why Cowher is working toward her second graduate degree online through Penn State World Campus.
Surveying the damage
In October, Cowher and her husband decided to travel south to bring donations and supplies to those affected by Hurricane Helene. Through the generosity of their community — including churches, local businesses, and fire companies — they collected more than 2,000 pounds of dry cat and dog food, more than 150 cans of wet food, two large bags full of toys and treats, 50 fleece blankets, 20 cases of water, and more than 120 pounds of cat litter.
“I think other people were feeling the same way that we were,” she said. “What is something tangible that we can do to help others who are in need?”
Cowher and her husband traveled with a truck full of supplies to Boone, North Carolina, where they found a church that had a space to drop off the donations.
“The pet food was flying off the shelves before we even left, before we were even done unloading the truck,” she said. “You could tell there were some people who were very much in need because they were pulling a wagon and walking down the road because they don’t have transportation.”
After dropping off the supplies, the Cowhers drove around the town to see what the conditions were. She recalled seeing portable showers, the high mud and water lines from the flood, toppled homes, downed trees, and more.
“It was very heart-wrenching to see some of the destruction,” Cowher said. “It was a very emotional experience.”
The Cowhers plan to make another trip to deliver more supplies later this year.
Using her education to serve others
Cowher earned her undergraduate accounting degree at Penn State and a Master of Public Administration in 2022 through World Campus.
With a background in accounting, Cowher said her goal was to someday become a certified public accountant (CPA). As she began studying and earning credits to be eligible to take the CPA exam, Cowher decided to enroll in the Master of Taxation program that covers specialized concepts in tax law, research, analysis, and planning.
While the course work will help her study for the CPA exam, this credential isn’t her end goal.
“One of my really big passions is helping people in whatever shape that may take,” she said.
Cowher envisions a business in which she helps low-income individuals and those who may not have access to financial services. She also wants to partner with local schools and introduce personal finance skills like saving, investing, and budget management to teenagers.
Whether it’s on the weekends or a full-time job, Cowher wants to pay it forward to others and share the knowledge she’s gained through her career and education.
“My ultimate goal is to help people,” she said. “Feeling like I’m making a difference in somebody’s life by helping them is really what drives me.”
Making a difference in one’s community
Cowher encourages her fellow Penn Staters to get involved if they feel a call to serve others.
“If you feel the need to help somebody, do it. Your small, little effort could make the hugest difference in somebody’s life,” Cowher said. “And you may not even know it.”
A Penn State degree online
Penn State World Campus has been offering a Penn State degree online for more than 25 years and has a comprehensive selection of more than 200 degrees and certificates now available.