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faith & family

For I was hungry, and you fed me.

I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink.

I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home.

I was naked, and you gave me clothing.

I was sick, and you cared for me.

I was in prison, and you visited me ...

when you did it to one of the least

of these my brothers and sisters,

you were doing it to me.

– Matthew 25:34-46

Jesus … my hope in life

In my senior year of college, I met the love of my life. I poured my whole life into this girl. After graduating in Chemical Engineering from West Virginia University, I left for the University of Illinois for my PhD. But I couldn't stay away. In just two semesters at Illinois, I returned to West Virginia about 20 times to see her. She got a job just below Wheeling WV, and so I decided – fairly sure that I was throwing away any chance at my dream job of Professor -- to return to Carnegie Mellon for graduate school. But after just 1½ years, she broke off the relationship. And I learned first-hand what it means to have your heart ripped out. It was then that Jesus walked in. He put a little Bible in my hand, and just reading the words in that Bible changed my course forever – gentle words that spoke to my broken heart, and powerful words that promised me a future. God has since granted me my amazing wife Stephanie and a family. And He did indeed call me to a professorship at Penn State, with a plan for my life.

My hope in Jesus Christ. It's what helps me wake up every day ready to change the world. It’s what makes me hungry for life. If you want to hear more about my story, please just see me or email me (velegol@psu.edu).

My 3 girls …