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The popular Facebook page, Humans of New York, inspired a similar project at Clarion University and it has gained momentum since it launched this semester.
Humans of New York tells the stories of the people who live in New York and Clarion University grad student Megan Foster's rendition tells the stories of the people who are part of the Clarion University community.
"I want to know why the people that make up Clarion University chose this school. I also want to know what they love most about it. I want this to be about them and their relationship with the school. Whether it be a student, professor, or faculty member, I want their story," Foster said.
She also wanted this project to be a thank you to Clarion University. Foster is library science graduate student in her last semester at Clarion.
"A lot of the people who make Clarion run aren't thanked enough," she said.
Foster began her project on her own Facebook page "Let's Try This Angle – Foster's Photography" and the project has been shared on Clarion University's social media outlets.
Her first featured profile was of herself. In Foster's own profile, she explained why she chose Clarion.
"I chose Clarion University because it offered a course in library science, a field that I had always been interested in. I also chose it because of what I heard about the faculty and professors. At Clarion, I am not a number, but a person with a name. Those that work behind the scenes and those that teach us know us by name. They genuinely care about us. This is also what I love most about this campus. The educators that are employed there are some of the most caring, kind-hearted, individuals I have ever met."
Fosters favorite profiles so far have been of two Chartwells employees, Lois and Patty. Lois has worked at the university for the past 32 years and works in Eagles Commons and Patty works in Gemmell Food Court. Both ladies are beloved by students, faculty and staff.
"They're the reason I started this project," Foster said of the women.
Foster said she thought this project would be successful because of the generation that's on campus and their love of social media. She was encouraged by her friends, parents and the Social Media Roundtable group.
Foster also has a love of photography and takes the images for the posts.
Once Foster graduates, she said she'd love to continue the project. Foster said she lives in New Brighton and wouldn't mind returning to Clarion to gather more stories.
To share your story, contact Foster directly.