Just over one year after Penn State graduate student Lovisa Arnesson-Cronhamre was tragically killed, Matthew Hollingham set off on a remarkable challenge to honor and cement his love and legacy for his late fiancé.

On Saturday, September 14, Hollingham began his travels up Mount Nittany, aiming to hike the peak 49 times — the equivalent of summiting Mount Everest. Not only did he effortlessly navigate 29,100 feet of hiking, he did it in just 35 hours and for an even better cause.

Hollingham is a second-year graduate student working towards his Ph.D. in architectural engineering. Hollingham and Arnesson-Cronhamre met three years ago while attending university together in Scotland. With dreams and career aspirations, they moved together to the United States over a year ago.

“Lovisa, still is in a way, my fiancé,” Hollingham said.

After Arnesson-Cronhamre died in a pedestrian accident last September, it seemed only right to Hollingham to honor his late fiancé in a creative way and bring an aspect of positivity to what has been an otherwise unimaginable tragedy.

“I wanted to continue that in a way that I thought would help her legacy in a way. She was a very lovely sweet, happy person,” Hollingham said.

Throughout the climb, Hollingham did his best to regulate his emotions to prevent the stress from fluctuating his physical body and stamina. It was key for him to stay level and grounded and not let his emotions get in the way of his challenge.

“You want to go numb if that makes sense. Afterwards, I was very emotional and before as well. But during, I had to stay neutral the whole time,” Hollingham said.

While he had to prepare mentally before the climb, his physical stamina, no matter the exercise, was also key in not allowing his body to break down as he went along. He also had some previous excursions under his belt that helped him.

“Periodically, I like to do very stupid things for charity,” Hollingham said.

Such “stupid” things include previously walking the length of the United Kingdom, from Glasgow to London, raising money for charity. The 450-mile, 17-day endeavor didn’t stop Hollingham from walking the width of the country, totaling about 30 hours and tallying 100 more miles.

This time around, he was occasionally accompanied by some friends who stopped in for trips up the mountain along the way. Hollingham was certainly never alone in his journey to honor his fiancé.

A large piece of support also came from the hundreds of donations to Save The Children, Hollingham’s chosen charity for all proceeds.

“Lovisa really wanted to be a mother. That was a large part of her. She had a bunch of siblings and loved children,” Hollingham said. “It’s for the children she never had in a way.”

Hollingham had grappled with where to send the money for some time, seeing as though Arnesson-Cronhamre was also a Type 1 diabetic. Ultimately deciding that she wouldn’t have wanted to be defined by her disability, he knew nothing would make her happier than donations to the cause she was so passionate about: children.

The power of fundraising and word-of-mouth became ever so apparent in the spread of the donation page. Forced to step out of his comfort zone, Hollingham spoke shamelessly to as many people as he could about the matter.

Local businesses, such as Appalachian Outdoors, even donated items to support Hollingham tangibly on his journey. The money and donations continue to pour in with current proceeds totaling over $12,000.

“People are unbelievably kind and supportive. People you never thought of will do the most lovely things. It’s really quite beautiful in a way,” Hollingham said.

Reaching people from all around the world, even Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi, Hollingham’s story and his effort to honor Arnesson-Cronhamre have touched many.

Arnesson-Cronhamre’s family is also seeking to commend her legacy by granting an award to another astrophysics student with a passion similar to hers.

The scholarship, named “Be More Lovisa,” helps to highlight all of the traits that those closest to her loved: kindness, generosity, and thoughtfulness.

“It’s a kindness award in a way,” Hollingham said.

The family and selection committee seek to capture her unique kindness in the recipient, possibly someone humble enough that they wouldn’t normally even nominate themselves for it.

Each and every day is a step forward for those who were close to Arnesson-Cronhamre, as they find ways to keep her spirit alive in beautiful ways.