State College Magazine just released their “Best of 2012” report, which honored Sue Paterno as the Best Public Servant to the State College/Centre County region.

Mrs. Paterno has a passion for helping her community and volunteering, which was instilled in her as a young girl, as she sold poppies to help veterans as a fifth-grader. Many years later, she still stands strong in the community, volunteering whenever possible

She spent 17 years raising funds to help build the Suzanne Pohland Paterno Catholic Student Faith Center, which held its first Catholic mass back in September.

Like many members of the Paterno family, she has also devoted much of her time with the Special Olympics Pennsylvania. Sue is also a member of the Board of Directors. “I knew it was going to be hard for me this year, and yet they give you so much love,” She told State College Magazine “I was so glad I was with them. Some things you have to make yourself go do. You can’t let them down because you’re going through something. You have to honor your commitment.”

She was surprised by the news that she was named Best Public Servant, but also told the magazine that volunteering isn’t about the recognition. “I think you do it because it’s what you do. You see there’s a need and then you try and help fill it.”