John Bunting
DALLAS, Pa. — During high school, John Bunting was an introvert who didn’t get involved in many activities. That has changed now that he is in college and taking as many opportunities as come his way.
Now in his second year at Penn State Wilkes-Barre, Bunting is the president of Student Government Association (SGA) and is involved in other clubs and campus activities. He balances those activities with his studies in cybersecurity and is also considering a business minor.
He became interested in the campus knowing that a friend had begun his studies at Penn State Wilkes-Barre a year earlier. When Bunting came for his first tour and saw the cybersecurity lab and talked with Brian Reese, co-coordinator and lecturer in information technology, “that solidified coming to Penn State Wilkes-Barre. I could see how he was so invested in teaching his students and all the work he put into the lab. My family and I could see how genuine he was and that made a big impression on all of us.”
After completing high school at Monroe Career and Technical Institute in Brodheadsville, Bunting saw the chance to make a change and reinvent himself.
“I saw this as a new opportunity since no one knew my face or name,” he said. “I thought, ‘Why don’t I put myself out there?’ What better way was there than to get involved with all these different clubs? And so I’ve tried to put myself out there since the beginning of my time here.”
During his campus tours and while talking to New Student Orientation leaders, Bunting looked into the opportunities on campus to learn more. In addition to SGA, he decided to join the Blue and White Society, 4 Seasons Club, Academic Advising Council, and Game and Film Society. He also has attended THON to cheer on his fellow Penn State Wilkes-Barre students and serves as a resident assistant at Nittany Commons.
As president of SGA, he is one of the club’s representatives at the Council of Commonwealth Student Governments. He served with the club last year and came into this year having already built a good working relationship with Jacinda Rose, the club’s vice president.
“The clubs have had a huge impact on my college experience,” Bunting said. “It isn’t just about what you learn, but who you meet. The sophomores I met last year were an immense help with everything from class planning to where to look for information. Some other individuals who specialized in certain topics, like programming or English, served as mentors for me.”
He said that when students get involved, the entire Penn State Wilkes-Barre community benefits.
“It makes you feel more in touch with the community since you’re directly involved with clubs. It also helps with making friends, which I think is one of the most important things a student can do,” he said. “Everyone at Penn State Wilkes-Barre is so invested in helping each other. Clubs strengthen how well-knit our community is and help us strengthen one another.”
Bunting was honored during last spring’s SGA Leadership and Athletic Awards Ceremony with the Outstanding Club Member of the Year Award for the Blue and White Society and the Eric A. and Josephine Walker Award. As an active member of the Blue and White Society, he participated in meetings and events, including a night light activity where members used old glass bottles to create special lights. He and the club also took a trip to University Park to watch a football game and visit the Berkey Creamery.
In addition to his peers, Bunting has connected with faculty and staff at Penn State Wilkes-Barre. He said he appreciates the ease of speaking with them and how welcoming they are.
“All the faculty and staff I’ve interacted with are always willing to help and are really there for you,” he said. “I really like the individuality and size of our campus. You can have a one-on-one meeting with professors or a staff member relatively easily and they don’t judge you for any questions you might ask.”
As part of the 2+2 Plan, he will move on to University Park after this academic year.
“I’ll definitely be sad to move away from the Wilkes-Barre campus, but I also look forward to new opportunities and seeing what’s to come,” Bunting said.
After graduation, he hopes to work in cybersecurity and eventually start his own business in that field.
“I want to help as many people as I can,” he said. “Being able to provide people with security in the cyber world is a way I can do that.”
