Gary Abdullah Jr. was born in the shadow of Beaver Stadium, went to State High, and married his childhood crush who lived down the street … but he never intended to stay in Happy Valley. Today, he will tell you that he has made Happy Valley his place — and it’s his life’s work to make it a place for everyone. Because in his words, “Happy Valley isn’t happy for everyone.” And he wants to change that.

“It all starts with my parents, Gary and Lydia,” he says. “They met at Penn State in the early ‘70s. Being a Black student at Penn State looked very different then. There has been growth and development, and times are changing, but it can be rough to be a Black man here. It’s helped to inform the work that I do.”

His parents stayed in the Happy Valley community and poured their lives into helping people of color to transition into the community, stay, grow and flourish.

“Once, I asked my mother why they stayed in this community, when they could be making more money somewhere else,” he remembers. “And she said, that’s easy. My ministry is here.”

“I’m just picking up that mantle,” he said.

He talked with us about making Happy Valley a place where everyone can thrive, the reasons he’s raising his daughters here, and the restaurant that he thinks deserves more love. Read on.

Can you tell me about your role as the Assistant Dean of Diversity and Inclusion in the Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications?

When I began my work at Penn State, I started in admissions recruiting underrepresented students. From there I went to academic advising and was a multicultural coordinator of education. I’ve been the Assistant Dean of Diversity and Inclusion for five years.

Penn State can be a great place, but Happy Valley isn’t happy for everybody. Students transition through this place, do good work, and take advantage of resources — but they need to thrive — both inside and outside the classroom.

That’s my goal. That’s why I do this. I want them to leave here without actively disliking Penn State or the area. And I want them to have thrived while they were here.

I help students with things that range from minor to major, to make them feel like they belong.

Can you give me some examples of what this looks like?

Sure. Some of our students are transitioning from boroughs in New York City, which is a much different environment. There is noise and action all the time. Once, a student was coming to Penn State for a summer program. She couldn’t afford to make the trip, so a colleague and I drove to Philadelphia in a van and picked her up. She was shocked by what she saw out the window on her way to campus — she’d never seen cows before.

There are so many levels for that type of change. Students find it hard to adjust to how dark and quiet it is here, or have trouble finding hair care, or resources that they had access to at home.

There is a very real sense of ‘I don’t see my people,’ and it can be very tough.

What's your WHY -- what is your internal motivation to do what you do?

If I can help somebody leave Penn State not hating Penn State, I’ve done my job. Some people of color really hate the experience that they’ve had to go through to get that degree. If I can be the person to help them, that’s why I do what I do.

When people say that they love Happy Valley, they aren’t talking about Old Main or Beaver Stadium — it’s the feeling that they get, the memories of the experiences that they’ve had.

If we can put people in positions to develop those good memories, that’s my why. I want to tell people, ‘You can do well here— you can do good.’

In your opinion, what makes Happy Valley so one-of-a-kind?

There are great educational resources here for my girls, Malia (14) and Sanai (16). They are getting a solid development educationally so they can go attack the world. They will be able to go be strong women. I can give that to them here in Happy Valley.

Part of it is a safety issue as well. By and large, I feel that my family is fairly safe. I don’t have to worry every minute of every day about what’s going on with them. That’s important for me.

My family is here — my mom, dad and sister. And my church community at the Unity Church of Jesus Christ is here.

What’s one off-the-beaten-path thing that you love about Happy Valley?

I don’t know about being off the beaten path, but my favorite underrated pick is Hoss’s. People don’t give Hoss’s enough love. I love that place.

Another thing that I love about Happy Valley is the first snow. Before the plows start on the roads, I’ll go out and just drive. I love the silence that the snow brings. You can’t get that in a lot of places.

What’s something every visitor should see (or eat, or experience) while they are here?

Hoss’s! When I read this article, I need to see that you wrote down Hoss’s. (Laughs) Oh, that and Meyer Dairy eggnog. It’s so much better than any store-bought eggnog you will ever buy. That’s the one. You also have to try truffle popcorn at Big Springs Spirits, and the Bellefonte Wok.

I appreciate State College. I know that nowhere is perfect, and there are always things that can be improved. But this is a great place for making a living and providing for my family and safety — I really appreciate my city for that. This is my place. I represent.