Harry in stairwell of Penn State Ag Administration building / Photo by JD
If you google Harry Crissy of Penn State, you may find lots of entries, especially if you look under "Broadband." If you are in a Zoom meeting with him, he is the one sending positive image reactions to praise others, but he is the last one looking for attention. He prefers to shun the light and the lens. He has a Master's from Penn State in Geospatial Intelligence Analytics as well as a Penn State Master of Science in Community and Economic Development. Harry's name and job title, "Extension Educator- Business and Community Vitality" is listed under the subhead, "Economic Development Experts," as one of eight standouts.
Harry was eager to present to RULE XX in Harrisburg and his title was: "Broadband Essentials." What was abundantly clear throughout his cramped time frame as he fielded so many questions from scholars is how much "Harry's Canon of Broadband" is valued. The proof resonated in select evaluation comments. (There were many more.)
RULE XX Scholar Comments:
"Wow, just wow! Hearing about the cost-effectiveness of fiber and the best route to get to rural areas was unbelievable. We need to emphasize this to our local legislators, especially in rural areas."
"Phenomenal presentation. Thank you for bringing so much detail, so much policy meat, so much expertise. I learned a ton in that short hour and was engaged the whole time. Thanks so much, and best of luck with your important work to connect PA!"
"I learned that there is a lot more that can be done once you have the fiber optic option available. I really wasn't aware that there was that much of a difference!"
"Data, data, data. The more information you have to understand a problem, like the lack of broadband, the better. I enjoyed how he is willing to share his GIS talents with everyone possible. Expertise should be shared."
"Mr. Crissy was fascinating. His map is incredible. He highlighted the broadband inequity."
"I was amazed to learn about how many 'gaps' there are in broadband service. I was also very impressed with the GIS mapping capabilities."
"I was excited for this presentation; I'm a total data geek. Very impressed with the data platform on broadband."
"You sounded very prepared and shared the information very well without many notes. I could sense your passion from the facts you have memorized. I think the links you demonstrated for us were very useful."
"It was awesome heightening my awareness of the importance of fiber connectivity and why it's better to use. Opened up my eyes to the possibilities of putting the connections in rural places."
"It was interesting to see just how much data exists to evaluate the intersections between different social issues. It was so cool to have this overview of the issue of connectivity in rural areas and how it correlates to other metrics."
"Very interesting. You really explained the necessity for fiber! I'm sold! Glad my property value will go up!"
"I love your approach to applied research and how you have used your methodology to help solve real issues for Pennsylvanians. Thank you for your service. I will be contacting you to learn more about your Broadband work and GIS."
"Amazing that drone imaging can produce a terabyte of data in a day."
"Absolutely an eye-opening presentation."
"Interesting how they trained a GIS to spot blight on a single plant, then applied that data across a full crop to determine the health of crops across large geographies. Appreciated his insights on the impact to rural PA from the revocation of the Digital Equity Act."
The RULE XX evaluation was a breathless cavalcade of compliments to Harry. His degree of excitement as he speaks seems to be contagious to his audiences.
This photo captured Harry in a 2024 Rockefeller Foundation event, at their Headquarters in New York, NY. His presentation title was, "Broadband Navigator: Empowering Tomorrow's Digital Nation Through Local Project Development Convening." Though Harry was there with colleagues to testify to the value of navigating broadband capability, his favorite form of navigation is a waterway in Pennsylvania, Colyer Lake, where he paddleboards.
