Amanda Ball, McLean, Va., and members of the Penn State York women’s basketball team put their coloring and decorating skills to good use and created a pile of holiday cards to send to soldiers recently deployed to Afghanistan. The idea for the project came to the team from Terri Van Slyke, assistant basketball coach and an admissions counselor at Penn State York, who had done something similar at a previous school where she worked. Van Slyke noted that doing the cards is a great way to give back and let the troops know how much they are appreciated.

The project has special meaning for Ball because she remembers writing to her brother, David, when he was in Iraq and how much it meant to him. In addition to writing her brother, Ball was able to Skype with him and that let her really stay in touch. The cards created by the women’s basketball team were sent to a friend of her brother and the other soldiers in his unit. The women worked on the cards as a team a few times after practice and also took them home and worked individually.

“Cards and letters mean a lot, especially at the holidays,” said Ball. “It makes you feel good to make the cards and is a way to let the soldiers know we appreciate all they are doing for us. The holidays are really meant for people to be with family and surrounded by loved ones. The cards help make the soldiers feel more at home while they are away.”

The team hopes their cards will let the soldiers know how much they are appreciated and provide a taste of home.

To learn more about the Penn state York women’s basketball team, visit them on the Penn State York athletics website.

Nancy L. Baldwin, York, Business Administration; James Battaglia, Landisville, Business Administration; Brandon M. Bien, York, Electrical Engineering Technology; Nathan R. Brown, Red Lion, Information Sciences and Technology; Rashad P. Burke, Red Lion, Letters, Arts, and Sciences; Jeffrey D. Cass, Dover, Business Administration; Tom Estes, York, Electrical Engineering Technology; Randy A. Forry, York, Electrical Engineering Technology; Lisa A. Frigm, Washington Boro, Letters, Arts, and Sciences; David E. Guinn, Hanover, Human Development and Family Studies; Lelian Hanna-Siha, Lititz, Letters, Arts, and Sciences; Michael M. Herr, Dover, Mechanical Engineering Technology; Tracy L. Holmes, Dallastown, Human Development and Family Studies; Brittany L. Holtzapple, Etters, Letters, Arts, and Sciences; James M. Houser, Hanover, Information Sciences and Technology; Rachelle L. Ingle, Hanover, Business Administration; Kristy A. Lalic, York, Letters, Arts, and Sciences; Lori A. Leisey, Ephrata, Business Administration; Tammy L. Martin, York, Letters, Arts, and Sciences; Terry E. Rummel, Hanover, Electrical Engineering Technology; Mathew Schon Jr., York, Letters, Arts, and Sciences; Wendy A. Shearer, Hanover, Business Administration; Joshua M. Sheffer, Airville, Mechanical Engineering Technology; Barry J. Shelley, Felton, Mechanical Engineering Technology; Dale E. Smith, York, Electrical Engineering Technology; Daniel E. Stambaugh, Wellsville, Letters, Arts, and Sciences; Wanda S. Steffy, Lancaster, Business Administration; Andrew D. Taylor, Delta, Business Administration; and
Justin A. Zackery, York, Letters, Arts, and Sciences.

Graduates receiving their Penn State baccalaureate degrees:

Elodia Barajas, York, Information Sciences and Technology; Tiffany J. Barlow, Thomasville, Human Development and Family Studies; Michael A. Beck, Eldersburg, Maryland, English; Garrett M. Benson, Lincoln University, Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology; Donovan M. Blessing, York, Business; Elizabeth M. Boyer, York, English; Mark A. Brown Jr., Wrightsville, Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology; Cameron A. Caffaro, York, Science; Leonardo T. Calderone, Thomasville, Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology; Shanna L. Christensen, York, Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology; Andrew F. Dubbs, York, Human Development and Family Studies; Christine R. Elliott, Manchester, Business; Julie L. Evans, Harrisburg, English; Cory M. Grove, Glen Rock, Business; Bishoy Haleem, York, Business; Michael D. Klunk, New Oxford, Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology; Aaron J. Kraft, York, Communication Arts and Sciences; Ryan A. Lloyd, York, Business; Alicia J. Marchio, New Freedom, Business; Monica C. McMillan, Red Lion, Business; Jeffrey P. Neblock, Downingtown, English; Jide J. Oyawale Jr., Beltsville, MD, Communication Arts and Sciences; Heather T. Robicheau, Manchester, Communication Arts and Sciences; Matthew D. Ruth, York, Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology; Tammie R. Sanders, Red Lion, Human Development and Family Studies; Rohan R. Shelatkar, Mumbai, India, Information Sciences and Technology; Kaitlyn E. Shelley, York, Human Development and Family Studies; Samuel A. Sica, New Freedom, Business; Robert S. Silverman Jr., York, Business; Brandon M. Thomas, York, Business; Nyzsa M. Watkins, York, English; Juliana C. Webb, New Freedom, Business; Melissa L. White, Dallastown, Business; Grant L. Williams, Glen Rock, Business; and Charlyann L. Witman, York, Science.

Graduates receiving the Master of Education in Teaching and Curriculum:

Lindsey B. Barley, York; Steffani J. Bryan, Dallastown; Timothy M. Cushatt, York; Bruce W. Eveler Jr., Felton; Ashley M. Gentzler, Seven Valleys; Elizabeth A. George, Mount Joy; Sara A. Keeny, Dover; Barbara L. Michaels, York; Marcy E. Mummert, New Oxford; Adrienne L. Myers, Yoe; Jessica L. Nealon, Landisville; Lauren N. Nolan, Dover; Emily J. O'Holla, York; Marlania N. Panzer, Felton; Jessica E. Plank, Gettysburg; Felicia C. Rodrigo, Etters; Eric Ruppert, York; Scott A. Shaffer, Seven Valleys; Taryn E. Shrader, Hanover; Kala J. Stripling, Mount Joy; Stephen T. Vernon, York; Kristen A. Wertz, York; Jessica L. Wertz-Godfrey, York; Jennifer L. White, York; and Daniel S. Wise, Red Lion.

Graduates from other Penn State campuses receiving their degrees at Penn State York:

Marie C. Celius, Harrisburg, Business; Corey A. Davis, Stewartstown, International Politics; Danielle L. Ness, Mount Wolf, Crime, Law, and Justice; and Stephen D. Paduhovich, Wrightsville, Workforce Education and Development.

Students changing to other Penn State campuses to continue their degree programs in spring:

Aldin Avdic, York, Management; Mary L. Barr, Willow Street, Workforce Education and Development; Eric S. Beaverson, York, Capital College; Heather N. Bishop, Spring Grove, Nursing; Nathan W. Bradley, Middletown, Altoona College; Caitlin M. Brown, Stewartstown, Engineering; Brandon L. Bull Jr., Windsor, Business Administration; Jennifer L. Dabbs, Hanover, Psychology; Keely S. Downey, Dover, Arts and Architecture; Bryan Ebaugh, Fawn Grove, Organizational Leadership; Sara L. Eline, Dover, Nursing; Katherine A. Essel, Phoenix, Maryland, Kinesiology; Laura E. Feveryear, Delta, Agriculture; Michael J. Forstoffer Jr., Stewartstown, Criminal Justice; Nathaniel J. Gambino, York, Mathematics; Jeremy A. Gemberling, Danville, Computer Engineering; Kurt D. Gordon, York, Information Sciences and Technology; Hannah M. Grim, East Berlin, Agriculture; Sarah L. Hanson, York, Geography; Heather E. Hodge, York, Crime, Law, and Justice; Pietra S. Jamison, York, Business Administration; Lucienne K. Johnson, Pine Grove, Psychology; Christian N. Kaschak, York, Division of Undergraduate Studies; Christine A. Leiphart, Mount Joy, Organizational Leadership; Benjamin I. Lesko, New Freedom, Engineering; Kate M. Livingston, Dover, Agriculture; Adam M. Malasavage, Palmyra, Agriculture; Miraf A. Mamo, Alexandria, Virginia, Biotechnology; Tyler E. Mason, Dillsburg, Division of Undergraduate Studies; Tricia L. Mitschele, York, Human Development and Family Studies; Cameron T. Murray, Red Lion, Education; Laura M. Nonemaker, Stewartstown, Agriculture; Eric G. Pfeiffer, Red Lion, Letters, Arts, and Sciences; Amy L. Rankin, New Providence, Kinesiology; Audrey G. Russin, York, Altoona College; Susan M. Rutherford, Stewartstown, Capital College; Michael L. Saylor, Mount Wolf, Agribusiness Management; Megan N. Schmitz, New Freedom, Crime, Law, and Justice; Valerie J. Schutz, Mount Joy, Letters, Arts, and Sciences; Reginald R. Scott Jr., New Freedom, Liberal Arts; Tiffanie J. Shaud, Columbia, Capital College; Amy M. Shelly, Mount Joy, Letters, Arts, and Sciences; Brian Snell, York, Mechanical Engineering Technology; Daniel C. Snyder, York, Geosciences; Adam J. Sontag, Hanover, Communications; Matthew P. Stewart, East Hanover, New Jersey, Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management; Heather M. Taylor, Red Lion, Human Development and Family Studies; Kathryn T. Thomas, Glen Rock, Agriculture; Matthew J. Umstead, Manchester, Archaeological Science; and Breanna M. Winters, Dover, Interdisciplinary Humanities.

Penn State York’s men’s soccer team once again finished strong with an 8-2 conference record and the regular season championship. For the past five seasons the team has consistently been among the teams to beat in the Penn State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC).

Conference play proved to be challenging as the Lions earned hard fought victories on the road at Penn State Hazleton and Penn State Brandywine before yielding their only conference loss at rival Penn College. Regular season success was rewarded with the number one seed in the PSUAC tournament. After taking a commanding 2-0 lead at home, York gave up three unanswered goals, two by the way of penalty kicks, and lost their first home match and thus their season came to an early and untimely end.

Despite the sudden ending, the season’s success was acknowledged by both the PSUAC and the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA). Aldin Avdic, York, Pa., was named the PSUAC’s player of the year after scoring 16 goals with 1 assist in Penn State York’s 13 matches. Players Trey Chilcoat, New Freedom, Pa., scored 10 goals with 5 assists in his freshman campaign and Adam Beck, York, Pa., scored a pair of goals with a program record 11assists, and both were named first team All-Conference. Dan Lynd, Hanover, Pa., earned second team honors after converting to goalkeeper early in the season and boasting 0.62 goals against average.

After spending most of the season nationally ranked in the top 10 and topping out at number four, the USCAA named Avdic, Chilcoat, and Beck first team All-Americans and Dan Brinkley, Camp Hill, Pa., honorable mention All-American after scoring 5 goals with 2 assists splitting his season between midfield and defense. Scott Barrera, York, Pa., and Mihir Jadhav, York, Pa., earned Academic All-American honors for their success on the field and in the classroom.

In addition to player acknowledgement, Rich Chilcoat, head coach, was named PSUAC Coach of the Year for the third time in the past four seasons. Chilcoat, New Freedom, Pa., was selected by his peers within the conference and that makes the award very special for him.

“I am humbled to be selected by my peers for such an honor and will accept this award on behalf of my players, my coaching staff, and the entire athletic department,” said Chilcoat. “Our players worked very hard and made many personal sacrifices to enable us to be successful, and both Don Walker, assistant athletic director, and Chris Beaverson, interim athletic director, were extremely supportive,” he said. “Finally my coaching staff consisting of Ben Otterson, Tim Weikert, and Joe Dizio Jr. were equally responsible for our team's preparedness and were essential both in training and at games.”

This season the coaching staff at Penn State York expanded to include former players Tim Weikert, York, Pa., and Joe Dizio, York, Pa. According to Chilcoat, much of player Dan Lynd’s success should be attributed to his goalkeeper training with Dizio. Weikert was instrumental in York’s stat keeping, played a leadership role in training and earned his first career win as interim coach at Penn State Schuylkill. Chilcoat also noted that since arriving at Penn State York, Otterson, York, Pa., has played a key role as his first assistant and is a significant role in York’s unprecedented 5-year-run.

For more information about Penn State York Athletics visit the website at www.sports.yk.psu.edu or contact Chris Beaverson, interim athletic director, at 717-505-8949 or E-mail:cab187@psu.edu.

The EOP provides opportunities to students of limited financial means who are interested in Penn state and who show academic promise and ability but may not initially fall within the general admission standards in terms of high school grades and standardized test scores. The program offers support resources for these students to help them succeed throughout their college career.

“My internship was a great experience that I wouldn’t trade for the world,” she said.

Inspired by her Uncle Quin, a Penn State alumnus who also attended York campus, Barlow, never had a second thought about where she would go to college. Prior to college, Barlow attended Bermudian Springs High School until she was a sophomore and then was home schooled through her junior and senior year. She received an academic diploma from the state through the Susquehanna Home School Program.

Barlow is excited to be graduating and has a cheering section of more than 20 family members and friends who will watch her graduate. She hopes to find a job that will incorporate her passion for children and higher education and plans to attend graduate school in the fall. She would like nothing better than to be able to work for Penn State someday.

Gary C. Butler, president and chief executive officer of Precision Custom Components (PCC) LLC, is the commencement speaker. PCC is a manufacturer of custom fabricated pressure vessels, reactors, casks, and heavy walled components requiring highly specialized machining, welding, and/or fabrication. Butler has held his position since 2001. He was the vice president and general manager at PCC in 1997, and thanks to excellent work to improve the company’s performance, he was promoted to his current position.
Through his leadership and the efforts of the entire PCC team, the company was named “Business of the Year” in 2010 by “Central Penn Business Journal” (CPBJ) for private companies with more than 100 employees. Butler was also recently honored as “Executive of the Year” by the CPBJ.

Butler received a bachelor of science in Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University in 1971 and became a registered professional engineer in mechanical engineering in the state of Pennsylvania in 1975.

With a passion for education in our region, Butler’s community activities truly make a difference and his dedication is evident in the number of organizations he is involved with. He has served on the Penn State York Advisory Board since 2006 and currently holds the position of vice chairperson of the board. He is the president of the Manufacturers Association of South Central Pennsylvania, president of the Penn State Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering Society, president of the York County Science and Engineering Fair, and a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers. It is safe to say that if it were not for the efforts of the entire Butler family, the York County Science and Engineering Fair would not be the success it is today.

Butler and his wife, Susan, reside in York. They have two grown children, Jennifer and Brett, and both are proud Penn State graduates.

In addition to hearing from Butler, Penn State York will continue its tradition of open microphone where graduates can speak for a moment. The top graduating senior in Penn State York’s baccalaureate programs, Shanna L Christensen, a bachelor of science in Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology (EMET) with distinction; top associate degree graduate, Wanda S. Steffy, associate degree in Business Administration; and top master’s degree graduate, Ashley M. Gentzler, master of education in Teaching and Curriculum; will also speak.

Penn State York will award 25 master of education in teaching and curriculum degrees; 36 baccalaureate degrees; 3 bachelor of arts in communication arts and sciences; 5 bachelor of arts in English; 13 bachelor of science in business; 6 bachelor of science in electro-mechanical engineering technology; 4 bachelor of science in human development and family studies; 2 bachelor of science in information sciences and technology; and 2 bachelor of science in science. The campus will also award 29 associate degrees: 8 in business administration; 5 in electrical engineering technology; 3 in human development and family studies; 1 in information sciences and technology; 9 in letters, arts, and sciences (liberal arts); and 3 in mechanical engineering technology.

Four Penn State York students who completed their work at another Penn State location will return to York, their home campus, to receive a degree during the ceremony. Penn State York offers the first two years of more than 160 Penn State majors, a 2+2 program, and those students comprise most of the campus.

Penn State York’s THON group invites you to participate in “Community Night” at Isaac’s on Sunday, Dec. 11 where 20 percent of your check, dine-in or carry out, will be donated to help the fight against pediatric cancer. The event takes place at the Isaac’s location at 2960 Whiteford Road, York, from 5-9 p.m. Pick-up a flyer at the campus or download one here and present it when making a purchase and a portion of the proceeds go to the campus THON committee's effort to raise money for the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Medical Center. The Four Diamonds Fund helps children with cancer and their families.

This is just one of many events the Penn State York THON Committee will have leading up to the 40th Annual Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON), the 46-hour dance marathon, set for February 17-19, 2012, at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College. The theme for this year’s THON is “Brighten Every Journey.”

Penn State York broke its own record by raising $17,160.71, the largest amount it has ever raised for THON and made it to the top 10 in fundraisers among the Penn State campuses. The highest total to date for York had been $9,486.71 raised in 2008.

THON, a year-round fundraising event benefits The Four Diamonds Fund, Conquering Childhood Cancer, at the Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital in Hershey, Pa. The year culminates in a no sitting, no sleeping, two-day dance marathon. Since 1973 the students of THON have raised more than $78 million and have helped thousands of children and families fight pediatric cancer. Last year the event raised more than $9.59 million and broke its own record. The mission of THON is to conquer pediatric cancer by providing outstanding emotional and financial support to the children, families, researchers, and staff of The Four Diamonds Fund.

During THON weekend, more than 700 dancers and thousands of supporters come together at University Park in the hopes of one day finding a cure for pediatric cancer. Whether standing for 46 hours as a dancer, entertaining the crowd, taking care of the facility, or even sitting in the stands, every person at THON plays a small part in creating an amazing atmosphere of love, compassion, and understanding. This atmosphere inspires the students to fundraise throughout the year and tells the families of The Four Diamonds Fund that they have the care and support they need. This collective effort, involving more than 15,000 students, has become one of Penn State's greatest and most unifying traditions.

There’s still time to donate. The best way to be sure your donation is counted in time is to visit the campus or donate online at www.thon.org. Be sure to use the dropdown box and designate your donation for York and your donation will count toward the campus total.

Anyone interested in supporting the dancers from Penn State York can send checks made payable to:

Penn State York Benefitting THON
c/o York Student Government Association
Penn State York
1031 Edgecomb Ave.
York, PA 17403

Please be sure to note York, Org. 170 in the memo line of the check. Checks sent to the local campus as well as online donations will be credited to the local dancers and then added to the final total at University Park.

Mark your calendar now for the Holiday Pasta Dinner to benefit THON set for Saturday, Dec. 17, from 4-8 p.m. at the Madison Avenue Church of the Brethren, 645 Madison Avenue, York.

Penn State York is celebrating its 11th annual fall commencement on Friday, Dec. 16 at 6 p.m. in the Pullo Family Performing Arts Center at the campus. Gary C. Butler ‘71, B.S., P.E., president and chief executive officer of Precision Custom Components (PCC) in York, is the commencement speaker. PCC is a manufacturer of custom fabricated pressure vessels, reactors, casks, and heavy walled components requiring highly specialized machining, welding, and/or fabrication.

For those who cannot attend the event, Penn State York's commencement can be viewed on Comcast cable channel 18 or streaming on the website.
 
The campus will award associate and baccalaureate degrees and recognize master's degree graduates during the program. The ceremony is free and open to the public.

In addition to hearing from Butler, Penn State York will continue its tradition of the open microphone where graduates can speak for a moment. The top associate, baccalaureate, and master’s degree graduates will also say a few words. A number of former Penn State York students who completed their degree work at another campus of Penn State will return to their home campus, York, to receive their degrees during the ceremony.

For more information on Penn State, The Lancaster Center’s wide range of programs for spring, call (717) 299-7667 or (800) 828-6233, or visit their website.

Commencement begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 16 at the Pullo Family Performing Arts Center on campus. Registration for the spring semester is ongoing, with most day and evening credit classes beginning Jan. 9, 2012. Other courses begin throughout the semester. Plan to register early to ensure a place in class. Classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.

For information on Penn State York's range of programs beginning Jan. 9 and throughout the spring, call 717-771-4040 or visit our website.

“We have not seen a program like this anywhere else,” said Dennis Baughman, coordinator of the master of education in Teaching and Curriculum at Penn State York. “We are excited to be able to offer this multidisciplinary program.”

WellSpan contacted Baughman a year ago about developing a teaching and curriculum program for their employees, especially those who will participate in the simulation center at York Hospital. The number of medical simulation centers is expected to increase in the near future and with that will come an increased demand for directors for those centers. This new program will help train individuals to fill those jobs.

In addition to WellSpan, the Lancaster General College of Nursing and Health Services is also participating in the program.

The program consists of 10 three-credit courses, which focus on the latest educational research and development of teaching skills. Topics include data analysis, standards-based instruction, curriculum development, educational assessment, the learning-engaged community, and the use of high, intermediate, and low fidelity medical simulation technology and devices.

All students will complete a clinical simulation project which involves creating simulation curriculums and experiences. Faculty members will include practitioners with medical simulation experience and researchers.

For more information about the program, contact Baughman at (717) 771-8413 or e-mail him at dpb3@psu.edu.

Penn State York has been offering a master of education in Teaching and Curriculum for educators since 1994. The program in York is offered in partnership with Penn State Harrisburg.

Ben Morgan, a junior at Penn State York majoring in English, is the winner of the third annual Penn State York Blue & White Society (BWS) essay contest. Current students were asked, How do you show your Penn State pride on our campus and in our community?

Morgan, 25, from Hanover, Pa., shared his thoughts in his essay, “I Pride Therefore I Act.” He received a certificate and a $50 gift card to the Penn State York Bookstore. Second place winner is Brian Baker, 18, from York, Pa., a freshman majoring in education, with his essay "Why I’m Penn State Proud." He received a $25 gift card to the bookstore. The winning essays can be viewed online.

Honorable mentions went to Alyssa Gradus, Bel Air, Md., for “Campus of the World;” Nathan Mooney, Stewartstown, Pa., for “Things About Penn State York I Am Glad to Have;” Heather Searfoss, Mechanicsburg, Pa., for “Penn State: The Experience;” and Ashley Valentin, York, Pa., for “Being my Best Self at Penn State.”

The BWS was established as a student organization that aims to enhance student life through promoting Penn State pride, community service, and dedication to the University. THE BWS is the student extension of the Penn State Alumni Association.

“I’ve always had a passion for helping people, it is rewarding,” said Shelley. “As I grew older, I realized I specifically wanted to work with senior citizens. I decided to do this Thanksgiving Day Project because it is a time when many of us spend time with family and friend but a lot of senior citizens don’t have family to be with. I thought it was important to do something to make their day and give back to them.”

Shelley is doing the project at the senior center as part of an internship through the HD FS program under the guidance of faculty member JeanMarie St. Clair-Christman, assistant professor of human development and family studies.

Donations are still needed, especially turkeys, and if you would like to donate, please contact Shelley at kes313@psu.edu or contact Christman at jxs176@psu.edu or (717) 771-4161.

The sound of a variety of music and the modeling talents of the Nittany Catwalk Club entertained a crowd of about 80 at Penn State York on Friday, Nov. 11 when the Celebration of Music took place. The event raised $2,168.90 for the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP).

“I am very happy, it is beyond what I had expected,” said Tiffany Barlow, organizer of the event and a senior in human development and family studies (HD FS) at the campus. “The money is going to a great cause and that makes it even better.”

The EOP provides opportunities to students of limited financial means who are interested in Penn state and who show academic promise and ability but may not initially fall within the general admission standards in terms of high school grades and standardized test scores. The program offers support resources for these students to help them throughout college and to succeed.

Tickets sales and donations raised $1,084.45 and matching funds from the Penn State York Bookstore brought the total to more than $2,000.

In a friendly competition, a number of groups performed and those in attendance voted for their favorite act. The winning group was a trio of Penn State York students, Rhoi Fajardo, violin and piano; Peter Bottros, piano; and Mandar Bandekar, guitar.

Barlow is working with EOP students as part of an internship through the HD FS program under the guidance of faculty member JeanMarie St. Clair-Christman, assistant professor of human development and family studies.

“All in the Timing” has been celebrated for its comic ingenuity, for its ability to explore and challenge conventional views of language, time, history, and drama. According to “The New York Times,” Ives is “wizardly…magical and funny…a master of language.” “Time” magazine writes that Ives’ work “aerobicizes the brain and tickles the heart…Ives is a mordant comic who has put the play back in playwright.”

The five plays to be performed are “Sure Thing,” “The Philadelphia,” “Variations on the Death of Trotsky,” “Arabian Night,” and “The Universal Language.” Members of the cast are Penn State York students and Drama Club members.

“Sure Thing” is a contemporary comedy about two people who meet in a cafe and find their way through a conversational minefield as an offstage bell interrupts their false starts, gaffes, and faux pas on the way to falling in love. The cast features Adam Sontag portraying Bill and Margaret Kramer as Betty. The director is Josie Moore, instructor in communication arts and sciences at the campus.

In “The Philadelphia,” a young man in a restaurant who has fallen into "a Philadelphia," a “Twilight Zone”-like state in which he cannot get anything he asks for. His only way out of the dilemma is to ask for the opposite of what he wants. Characters are Al, played by Jacob Brown; Marcus, played byTyler Stonesifer; and the waitress, played by Caitlyn Hughes. The play is directed by Ivana Greene, a Penn State York student.

“Death of Trotsky” fictionalizes the death of Russian revolutionary Leon Trotsky on the day of his demise as he desperately tries to cope with the mountain climber's ax he's discovered in his head. The cast includes Joseph Dickerson as Trotsky, Jenn Montooth as Mrs. Trotsky, and Julius Ludena as Manuel. The play is directed by Stuart Stelly, Ph.D., instructor in English at Penn State York and adviser for the Drama Club.

In “Arabian Nights,” Norman, who is considered completely normal, walks into a shop owned by utterly ordinary Flora, looking for a souvenir of his travels and together they find whirlwind romance, spurred on by a wacky translator. The cast includes Fabiola Miranda as the interpreter, Joe Lombardi as Norman, and Hannah Barlow as Florida. The play is directed by Josie Moore.

“The Universal Language” brings together Dawn, a young woman with a stutter, and Don, the creator and teacher of Unamunda, a wild comic language. Their lesson sends them off into a dazzling display of hysterical verbal pyrotechnics, and of course true love. Adam Sontag plays Don and Jasmine Graham is Dawn. The play is directed by Stuart Stelly.

For more information on the plays or the Penn State York Drama Club, please contact Stuart Stelly at (717) 771-4185 or tss11@psu.edu.

The board has named Dr. Rodney A. Erickson, executive vice president and provost, as the interim president of the University. Tom Bradley, assistant coach, has been named interim head football coach.

Items for the drive can be dropped off in boxes locate throughout the campus including outside the Lion’s Den in the Joe and Rosie Ruhl Student Community Center and outside the Penn State York Bookstore in the M.S. Grumbacher Information Sciences and Technology Center.

Suggested school supplies include everything from pocket folders and three-ring binders to erasers, glue sticks, and jump drives. The campus drive is sponsored by the Penn State York Student Government Association (SGA). For more information please contact Anna Robuccio, SGA president, at (717) 771-4043 or aer5210@psu.edu.

Students will discuss the religious significance of the festival and share their personal experiences celebrating Eid. The presentation will be followed by a food tasting of dishes from South Asia. Traditional Henna tattoos will also be available for those interested.

This event is sponsored by the Penn State York Diversity Committee and the Student Government Association (SGA). For more information, contact Somya Dwvedi-Burks at (717) 771-8419 or sud16@psu.edu.

Tickets are on sale now for the Celebration of Music set for Friday, Nov. 11 at 5 p.m. at Penn State York. Tiffany Barlow, 22, a senior in human development and family studies (HD FS) at York, decided to put together an evening of music to raise funds for the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP). Barlow, from Fairfield, Pa., is working with EOP students and the program as part of her HD FS internship. The musical celebration is in the Conference Center of the Main Classroom Building at the campus.

“The reason for the Celebration of Music is to raise money for the EOP,” said Barlow. “This important program provides opportunities to students of limited financial means who are interested in Penn State and who show academic promise and ability but may not initially fall within the general admission standards in terms of high school grades and standardized test scores. The EOP offers support and resources for these students to help them throughout college and help them succeed.”

Through her work with EOP students, Barlow has learned of situations where students are in need of additional financial support other than the $125 certificate that is provided to them if they meet the criteria of the program and attend study halls and meetings. Barlow wants to be sure students can pay for their books and hopes the musical event will bring in additional funds for the program.

Barlow has put together an evening of music including everything from a piano and violin musical duel to a screamo band. The performers will be set-up around the Conference Center and take turns performing.

Performers include Clutch the Impulse, a screamo band; We Fought by the Sword, a hardcore, rock, techno, and alternative band that includes Martin Arabi, a Penn State York student; SYGNAL, otherwise known as Dubset DJ and local artist Connor Strategos ; and Eli Flako Almanzar, a Latino DJ and a student at Penn State York who is part of the EOP. Rhoi Fajardo and Peter Bottros, both Penn State York students, will have a musical duel on piano and violin; and finally, Penn State York student Scott M. Bowser’s alternative band will perform.

Tickets are $5 for Penn State York students, faculty, staff and alumni; and $10 for the general public. Children under age 12 are free. Tickets will be available at the door and can also be purchased on campus Nov. 8 and 9 from 12-1 p.m. outside the Lion’s Den in the Joe and Rosie Ruhl Student Community Center.

Original plays of 10-30 minutes are being accepted. Students may submit up to three scripts. Prizes of $150 for first place, $100 for second place, and $50 for third place, are being awarded with a possible production or reading by the Penn State York Theatre Program in spring 2011.

Scripts should be sent to Stuart Stelly, Ph.D., instructor in English and director of the Penn State York Theatre Program, room 118, The Pullo Center. Stelly can be reached at (717) 771-4185, or tss11@psu.edu. Scripts will not be returned.

Deadline for submission is Dec. 1. View the required format and sample script.

Penn State York’s THON Committee is having a Halloween Family Fun Fest on Saturday, Oct. 29 with proceeds going to The Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, fondly known as THON, to help children with cancer through the Four Diamonds Fund at the Penn State Hershey Medical Center. The event takes place from 2:00-6:00 p.m. in the Joe and Rosie Ruhl Student Community Center on campus and is open to the public.

The cost is $3 for children (adults are free!) Come out for games, music, pumpkin painting, assorted crafts, face painting, basket raffles and much more!

For more information please contact Kara Smith at kjs5375@psu.edu or Carley Spangler at ces5502@psu.edu.

Help Penn State York’s THON Committee raise as much money as possible to support the fight against pediatric cancer. Mark your calendar now for THON Weekend, February 17-19, 2012, at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College. Last year THON’s combined total raised from across the University was a record-breaking $9,563,016.09.

Jennifer Nesbitt, Ph.D., associate professor of English at Penn State York, isn’t surprised that eyebrows are raised when she mentions her research topic: rum as a symbol in literature. She after finding numerous references to rum in her studies of novels from the Caribbean Basin, the United States, the U.K., and Canada, decided the impact of the liquid was a topic worth studying.
“This project has allowed me to look at the ways popular texts—everything from 1950s tour guides to cookbooks to the film “Pirates of the Caribbean”—inform the way rum works as a symbol in literature,” said Nesbitt. “Even the song “Rum and Coca-Cola” has a really interesting story behind it,” she said.

Earlier this year, Nesbitt shared some of her research findings in a lecture entitled “Rum Histories: Drinking in the Past Postcolonial Atlantic Literature and Culture,” at University Park where she served as an Institute of Arts and Humanities (IAH) Resident Scholar for 2010-11. This is the first time a faculty member from York has been named an IAH Resident Scholar since the program began in 2003-04.

The IAH Resident Scholar program is jointly sponsored with the College of Arts and Architecture, the College of the Liberal Arts, and the commonwealth campuses. The program provides up to nine faculty members per year with one semester of release time from teaching, a $1,000 mini-grant for research expenses and/or materials, and the use of an office in Ihlseng Cottage at University Park.

Nesbitt joined the Penn State faculty in 2003 and specializes in twentieth century British literature, postcolonial literature and women’s literature. She has taught a variety of writing and literature classes, including first-year composition and rhetoric, introductory literature classes in the short story and women’s fiction, and upper level courses in literary theory, Caribbean literature, twentieth century British literature, and women’s literature. She earned an undergraduate degree in History and Literature in 1987 from Harvard University, Cambridge, Ma. and a doctorate in English with a certificate in women’s studies in 1999 from Emory University in Atlanta, Ga. She is originally from Winchester, Ma.

Nesbitt says with a smile, “Lots of people volunteer to help with my research.” 

This certificate focuses on technology topics that are critically important to employers in the workplace today. Designed with the adult student in mind, this 13-credit certificate offers an excellent way to begin or resume a college education and is an important credential to add to a résumé. Credits earned in the certificate can also be applied toward a degree. Courses in the certificate are offered on Saturdays and begin in January 2012.

This program is delivered in a part-time basis, one course at a time. If you have a degree in a field other than information technology, adding an IST credential to your résumé may be beneficial to your career. If you’re just starting in the information technology field or need a formal academic credential, this part-time, short-term certificate can be a great solution.

A Penn State certificate will be granted upon successful completion of the following four courses: Information, People, and Technology (IST 110), Organization of Data (IST 210), Networking and Telecommunications (IST 220), and New Media and the Web (IST 250).

Information on financial aid eligibility for part-time students enrolled din credit certificate program is available. Tuition reimbursement from employers is accepted with verification of eligibility.

To learn more about this program and other offered at the center, visit their website, call (717) 299-7667, or follow them on Facebook.

If you like rock n roll and 80s music, mark your calendar for Saturday, Oct. 22, when Velveeta, not the cheese, will perform at 7 p.m. in the ballroom at Heritage Hills Golf Resort and Conference. This popular State College band will be doing a one night performance as part of Penn State York’s Homecoming Weekend activities. Tickets are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. No need to worry about missing the Penn State vs. Northwestern football game, it will be broadcast on two big screens.

The event is being sponsored by the Penn State York Alumni Society and the Penn State Alumni Association (PSAA), York County Chapter. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $15 online at the Penn State Alumni Association, York County Chapter website or send a check made payable to PSAA-York County Chapter, c/o Penn State York Alumni and Development Office, 1031 Edgecomb, Ave., York, PA 17403.

Velveeta, a four-person band that has been entertaining for more than 16 years, started playing as a joke at The Brewery in State College. Their fan base has grown over the years and Velveeta is now considered one of the top bands performing in State College and around the area.

John “Bones” Harper, drums and vocals; Brent Martin, keyboard and guitar; Brian Kriley, guitar and vocals; and John Matthews, bass and vocals, are Velveeta. The band plays a variety of 80s tunes with a mix of others. Song titles such as “What I Iike About You,” I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll,” and “I’m a Believer,” are just a sampling of the hits in the band repertoire. Don’t miss the chance to see Velveeta. For more information on the band, visit 80scheese.com and for more information on Penn state York Homecoming activities, visit the homecoming website.

Hanson, 19, of York, Pa., began her college education as a dual enrollment student; she took college courses while in high school, and then graduated to attend Penn State as a Division of Undergraduate Studies (DUS) student. She was undecided about her major and explored courses through DUS until she settled on geography. DUS allows students to explore the University's academic offerings before deciding on a field of study and is for students in transition from one college or major to another. DUS encourages students to meet their academic potentials through well-informed educational planning, as well as through meaningful experiences such as internships, education abroad, public scholarship, research, and student organizations.

Hanson will share her journey to finding a major and talk about her involvement in an education abroad program in South Africa, Parks and People, that she participated in last spring. She will share slides and answer questions about her experience.

Miesha Hall, a Penn State York graduate and head of the York County Task Force on Human Trafficking is the speaker. Hill, a graduate of Penn State York’s bachelor of science in Human Development and Family Studies program, will speak about human trafficking in York as well as outside the area. Recently there have been a number of human trafficking issues reported in York. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn more about this troubling issue in the local community and around the world.
 
The goal of the series is to introduce people to a variety of cultures and diversity issues. The First Friday Series is sponsored by the Penn State York Diversity Committee.  Please bring your lunch and plan to take part in this informative program. Drinks and light snacks will be available.

“Never before have we seen such a dramatic increase in mental health issues throughout our communities and affecting our college age student body,” said Lisa Ann Plowfield, the new chancellor at the campus, who will take part in the walk. Plowfield encouraged the campus community to form a team and participate in the walk.

Campus walkers will wear special T-shirts at the event and walk as a team. Donations are still being accepted and checks should be made payable to National Alliance on Mental Illness York and sent to Ann Fetterman or Di Hershey at the campus, 1031 Edgecomb Ave., York, PA  17403, who helped coordinate the York campus team. For more information on the second annual National Alliance on Mental Illness walk in York, please call (717) 848-3784.

Penn State York’s Cultural and Performing Artists series continues with POETRI, spoken word poet, on Tuesday, Oct. 4.  The free performance, at 7 p.m. in the Community Room of the Joe and Rosie Ruhl Student Community Center, is open to the public.  The Cultural and Performing Artists series is sponsored by the campus and MediaOnePA.

A Tony Award-winner, POETRI, is a poet and comedian who will make you laugh.  He has appeared in “Blades of Glory,” and on “Yes Man,” “Oprah,” “House of Payne,” “Bones,” and Ice Cube’s critically acclaimed series “Black.White.”  POETRI received a personal invitation from President Barrack Obama to attend the first ever Spoken Word Event at the White House.  If he had a super power, POETRI says it would be that his poems cure everyone’s problems.

A familiar face in commercials, POETRI has also written and/or appeared on more than 150 commercials for clients like Nike, Gatorade, Subway, and the Los Angeles Lakers. He won the grand prize of $10,000 in the last online Spoken Word competition for FAMECAST.  He also hosts the largest weekly poetry venue in the nation, Da’ Poetry in Los Angeles, Calif., with an attendance of more than 350 people every Tuesday.

Adult learners interested in enrolling in a credit program still have time to take a course this fall at Penn State York. Two courses are being offered through the Video Learning Network (VLN) and the other is a blended course combining in-person instruction with online work. All three courses are being offered in an accelerated seven-week format and are offered once a week from 6-9 p.m. Credits earned can be applied toward a certificate or degree program.

The two VLN courses are taught in a convenient format combining face-to-face sessions with video conferences and online instruction by Penn State instructors. The VLN was created by the Penn State World Campus as a way to give adult learners easy access to a Penn State degree. Offering courses in this format also will help ensure that courses remain open by aggregating learners at multiple sites.

VLN classrooms are equipped with high-definition viewing screens, document cameras and other technologies for live interaction among faculty and students at the course origination site and up to three other sites.
Introduction to selling techniques (MKTG 220) begins Oct. 17 and meets on Mondays through Dec. 5; introduction to visual arts (ART 001) begins Oct. 19 and meets on Wednesdays through Dec. 10; and introduction to business information systems (MIS 204) begins Oct. 19 and meets on Wednesdays through Dec. 7.

For more information or to register for these courses, visit out website, e-mail YorkCE@psu.edu,or contact Jeff Warner at 717-771-4105.

In Penn State's 2009-2014 University-wide strategic plan, Priorities for Excellence, University leaders noted that one key to Penn State’s continuing success will be "creating a sustainable university, not just in conventional environmental terms, but in a wide array of resource dimensions, including fiscal sustainability...[I]ncreasing pressures on global resources and environmental conditions make it imperative that Penn State embrace sustainability in its many dimensions in ways that would position the University as a leader nationally and internationally."

"The Strategic Plan for Sustainability will provide the roadmap for ensuring that the Priorities for Excellence goal of increasing the number of academic offerings that incorporate sustainability into the curriculum is met and that sustainability is researched, taught, promoted and practiced," said Rod Erickson, Penn State executive vice president and provost. "It will follow the University's strategic planning framework, and specific strategies and metrics will be developed concurrently at the college, campus and unit levels. Its development will involve students, faculty, staff, leadership, alumni, supporters and corporate partners."

In spring 2011 Erickson and Al Horvath, senior vice president for finance and business, charged a University Sustainability Council to "identify broad goals and opportunities to leverage and link the many sustainability initiatives already occurring at the University and to recommend new thrusts...for operational initiatives, academic programs and administrative services associated with sustainability." They named Steve Maruszewski, assistant vice president of the Office of Physical Plant, and Denice Wardrop, assistant director of the Penn State Institutes of Energy and the Environment and senior scientist and professor of geography and ecology, as the council's co-chairs.

The council has determined seven guiding principles for the strategic plan's design and implementation: consistency, transformational capacity, inclusivity, interdisciplinarity, responsibility, measurement, and transparency. The council also has defined sustainability at Penn State as "the simultaneous pursuit of economic well-being, human health and prosperity, and environmental quality in a manner that balances the needs of present and future generations."

The plan's five goals under consideration are:

• Create an integrated living laboratory for sustainability. We will implement continuous improvement efforts and best sustainability practices in our operations, facilities and behaviors to provide an immersive sustainability experience.
• Ensure that all Penn State students develop a deep understanding of and commitment to sustainability. We will prepare students to lead others in the implementation of sustainability strategies in their personal lives, local communities and professional pursuits.
• Engage the Penn State community in learning about and pursuing sustainability. We will involve all students, staff, faculty, administrators, alumni, partners and supporters in learning about -- and taking meaningful action towards -- a sustainable world.
• Develop, advance, integrate and deploy the knowledge, science and art of sustainability. We will accelerate and expand research into sustainability challenges from multidisciplinary perspectives to develop and implement solutions in our local, regional, and global communities.
• Advance sustainability within the larger society. We will fulfill Penn State’s land-grant mission to develop and implement innovative university-community partnerships that actively respond to the needs of the state and our broader communities.

The public discussion phase of the drafting process began in May 2011 and will continue through Sunday, Oct. 16. In September and October, town hall meetings will be held at each Penn State location to give individuals the opportunity to discuss the plan in its current form and offer suggestions in support of each of the plan’s five goals. For a list of town hall meeting dates, visit http://live.psu.edu/story/55039 online.

Individuals also may share ideas by email at sustainablestate@psu.edu or at http://green.psu.edu/SustPlan/form.asp/ online. Ideas submitted by the Oct. 16 deadline will be shared in a timely manner with the University Sustainability Council for their thoughtful consideration during the planning process. The final draft of the Strategic Plan for Sustainability is scheduled for completion by Dec. 31.

For answers to frequently asked questions about the Strategic Plan for Sustainability, please visit http://live.psu.edu/story/54759 online.

For a list of sustainability initiatives Penn State is already doing, visit http://green.psu.edu/psuDoing/default.asp, and to learn more about Penn State sustainability teaching and research, visit http://green.psu.edu/research/default.asp online.

“Any Other Word,” Penn State York’s literary E-zine, is now accepting submissions of fiction and poetry from the Penn State York community (students, faculty, and staff) for its sixth edition. Please submit essays, poetry, fiction, short stories or general prose by Saturday, March 31, 2012, for consideration in the upcoming publication. All submissions, along with any questions, should be addressed to Noel Sloboda, Ph.D., assistant professor in English and publication adviser, at njs16@psu.edu .

Any Other Word is a creative outlet for members of the Penn State York community and was created to showcase campus talents and unite artistic minds. Work on the first issue began in the fall of 2006. The publication can be read online.

Submissions published in the “Any Other Word” are selected by a board of directors who read all entries submitted and make selections. The student adviser has the final say on what is published. The publication takes its name from the quote by William Shakespeare, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other word would smell as sweet.”

The dangers of texting while driving were made real to students at Penn State York on Wednesday, Sept. 14 when the distracted driving simulator made a stop at the campus. Two simulators were brought to campus by the Student Programming Board in an effort to remind students about the dangers of texting while driving and the impact distractions can have on their driving.

“As a commuter campus, the dangers of texting while driving have the potential to impact every student on campus,” said Jason Kilmer, associate director of student affairs. “We wanted to provide students with a safe and realistic way to experience what can happen to them if they are distracted while driving.”

The visit to Penn State York is part of the “Save a Life Tour” designed for drivers to experience first-hand the devastating effects of distracted driving. The simulators were provided by Kramer Entertainment Inc., and have been touring the country for about a month.

Each simulator is like a driving video game equipped with a steering wheel, brake pedal, and other components of a vehicle. Participants sit in front of a screen that displays the road and then the distractions get started. Drivers receive text messages on an attached iTouch and had to respond while driving. Students who participated hit stop signs, other vehicles, and also crashed. Some students were able to drive while texting but had many close calls and uncomfortable moments on the road.
 
After each crash, images of actual car crashes are displayed along with facts and information about them all with the goal of informing students about the hazards of distracted driving.

Penn State York’s Cultural and Performing Artists series kick-offs with the acoustic guitar sounds of Javier Mendoza on Monday, Sept 19. This free performance is set for 7 p.m. in the Conference Center of the Main Classroom Building at the campus. This series is sponsored by the campus and MediaOnePA. Tickets are not required for free performances.

Mendoza blends rock and roll with his Spanish roots and combines those elements with classical and modern rock influence to deliver a unique transnational sound. He sings in English and in Spanish and throughout his 12-year career has been working hard and gaining fans one show at a time. With 11 albums spanning 11 years, Mendoza demonstrates his ability as a singer, songwriter, and performer.

Most recently, Mendoza was voted the best male solo artist in the 2011 River Front Times Music Award. He has worked with some of the best musicians in the region and shared the stage with the likes of Willie Nelson, Blues Traveler, Everclear, Los Lobos, The Roots, Ben Folds, Idina Menzel, Duran Duran, and many more.

To learn more about Mendoza, visit his website at www.javiermendoza.com.

Amy Burgess has been named the new women’s volleyball coach at Penn State York.  Burgess has been working with the team to prepare them for the 2011 season which is under way.

“We are looking forward to the enthusiasm and knowledge that Amy brings to the women’s volleyball program at Penn State York,” said Chris Beaverson, interim athletic director at the campus.

A resident of Dover, Burgess played college volleyball at Lock Haven University and was a four-year captain along with being an All-Conference player.  She was also part of an international team that toured Europe and played in seven different countries.

She coached the Dallastown girl’s junior varsity volleyball team from 2002-10 and their junior high team from 2006-10.  She also coached the Susquehannock girl’s junior varsity and junior high teams in 2000-01.

Burgess’ coaching philosophy is to develop the whole player, physically, socially, and mentally. 

Burgess holds a masters in sports studies from the University of Tennessee and bachelor of science in health and physical education from Lock Haven University.  She attended high school at York County School of Technology and graduated with a degree in culinary arts.

For more information about the Penn State York Volleyball Team and the other athletic programs at the campus, visit the athletic website.

There’s still time to register for Penn State York’s Spend a Summer Evening Program

Making a college decision is one of the most important and exciting decisions in a person’s life.  Prospective students and their families can get a taste of what it is like at Penn State York during the Spend a Summer Evening program set for July 21 from 6-8:30 p.m.  There’s still time to register. 

Talk with admission representatives and learn more about financial aid, academic programs, and student life.  After the presentations, take a campus tour and enjoy Penn State Berkey Creamery ice cream with your family and Penn State representatives.  To register or for more information, please call Penn State York Admissions at (717) 771-4040 or (800) PSU-6227 or register on the Web at www.yk.psu.edu/admissions/visits.

Ben Bailey from the television show “Cash Cab” will bring his stand-up comedy to Penn State York’s Pullo Family Performing Arts Center (The Pullo Center) on Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m.  Tickets are on sale now and are $27.50.  Tickets can be purchased at The Pullo Center box office, charge by phone at 717-505-8900, or online at www.pullocenter.yk.psu.edu and www.Ticketmaster.com. Penn State York students can purchase one ticket, regularly priced at $27.50, at the discounted rate of $15 at the box office.

Acclaimed stand-up comedian, Bailey is the most desired cab driver in New York.  He is the host of the highly successful shows "Cash Cab" and "Cash Cab: After Dark" on the Discovery Channel.  He was singled out by publications such as “Entertainment Weekly,” who put Ben on their “Must List” in 2006; “People” magazine who said "All Hail Cash Cab;" and the New York Post.  As a stand-up comedian he has also been profiled in The New York Times, the Associated Press, and numerous other reputable publications.  In fact, "Cash Cab" has gained such a following that Bailey received a daytime Emmy nomination last year for "Outstanding Game Show Host."

As far back as Bailey can remember he was always delivering something. Whether it was flowers, sandwiches, pizza or people, he had more than 68 odd jobs prior to and during his stint as an up and coming stand-up comic. He recalls driving passengers in his limo, dropping them off, and then hitting the comedy clubs before coming back to pick them up and take them home. In fact, some of his passengers were so enamored with him that they even came to watch him perform!   So, when Bailey was offered the job as the host of "Cash Cab," driving was a no brainer.

Ben got his unlikely start as a stand-up comedian when he was mistaken for a comic in the green room of The Comedy Store in Los Angeles where he was hired to answer the phones. The booker, seeing that the other comics in the room could not get enough of Bailey’s humor, scheduled him on the spot.  Now with more than 10 years under his belt as a successful stand-up comedian, Bailey continues to perform all over New York City and has achieved international acclaim for both the show "Cash Cab" and performing stand-up comedy all over the world.

Penn State York will host an Adult Learner Open House on Tuesday, July 26 from 4-6 p.m.   The event, in the John J. Romano Administration Building on the upper part of the campus off of Albemarle Street, is free and open to the public.

Information will be available on the admissions process, advising and career services, financial aid, the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), the video learning network (VLN), services for veterans, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), and other educational options for adult learners.  Special sessions will cover topics about credit certificates and degree opportunities for adult learners and an Advanced Induction Motor Principles Seminar for Professional Engineers will be offered.  A professional development hour (PDH) will be awarded to participants taking the engineering seminar.

As part of the open house, three adult students will receive the Business Essentials for Professional certificate.  These students are the first cohort of students earning certificates through Penn State’s Video Learning Network (VLN).  Penn State's Business Essentials for Professionals certificate is composed of a series of credit classes that can provide students with a solid foundation in essential business concepts such as communication, sales, marketing, and information systems.  It is a 12-credit program that can stand alone as an additional credential to a resume or be applied toward a degree.

Most courses in the VLN are offered in an accelerated seven-week format and are taught in a convenient format combining face-to-face sessions with video conferences and online instruction by Penn State instructors. The VLN was created by the Penn State World Campus as a way to give adult learners easy access to a Penn State degree. 

Penn State York provides a variety of services and activities to help adult students be successful in their college experience. Students can select from more than 200 noncredit, certificate, and degree programs. Adult learners may start taking courses one at a time, credit or noncredit, and may not go through the admissions process until later in their educational experience. A variety of scheduling options are available, including enrolling part-time or full-time, participating in day and/or evening classes; completing a program at your workplace; or studying at home through online courses.

An adult learner is someone who is 24 years of age or older; a veteran of the armed services; or returning to school after four or more years of employment, homemaking, or other activity; or a person who assumes multiple adult roles such as parent, spouse/partner, employee, and student.

Registration for the Adult Learner Open House is preferred but not required. To register and for more information please call (717) 771-4067 or visit www.ce.yk.psu.edu/openhouse.html.  To learn more about the variety of programs for students of all ages at Penn State York please visit www.yk.psu.edu or call (717) 771-4040.

More than 60 educators are registered for the institute which features keynote speakers with topics including “From Smart Toilets to Smart Schools” on Monday; “Making Connections: 21st Century Skills, H.E.A.T. and Student Achievement” on Tuesday; “Learning in a Networked World” on Wednesday; “21st Century Classroom – What the Heck?” on Thursday; and “The Benjamin Button Effect” on Friday.

Participants are asked to bring their own laptop each day since all sessions are hands-on with regular online work required throughout the day. The course is designed for all skills levels and most subject areas. Session subjects range from easy blogging to introduction to sketchup (a drawing tool) to digital literacy skills and google sites (website builder).

Explore sessions are designed to help teachers develop their interests over a board range of self-selected topics. The same explore sessions will be offered each day and participants will choose a different hands-on session each morning. On Friday, participants will choose one of their four previous explore sessions to return to so they can ask more questions and begin to pursue ideas.

Curricular sessions are designed to provide teachers with curricular area technology expertise to promote higher level thinking. These are hands-on topics chosen by institute facilitators and are at the core of this course giving teachers training with a technology integrator in their field. Most teachers will choose the curricular session that matches what they teach and will stay in that group throughout the week.

Nurses, guidance counselors, learning support and gifted teachers are welcome at the institute ant may select daily topics from any area of interest.

For more information, please visit www.TechitU.com, download a PDF with more information, or contact Dennis Baughman, coordinator of the master of education in teaching at curriculum, at (717) 771-8413 or e-mail him at dpb3@psu.edu.

Through interactive exercises, participants will discover how to spend less time but learn more studying a textbook using the "SQ4R" method, the do's and don'ts of note-taking, and how to become a more effective and productive student. The program includes the booklet "Improving Your Study Skills."

Cora Dzubak, Ph.D, director of Penn State York's accredited Nittany Success Center, is the course instructor. Dzubak will cover topics including learning styles, time management, textbook usage, test-taking strategies, study skills, and a variety of other topics designed to help students learn.

Cost for the course is $95. For more information, call (717) 771-4013 or visit the website.

Making a college decision is one of the most important and exciting decisions in a person’s life.  Prospective students and their families can get a taste of what it is like at Penn State York during the Spend a Summer Day or Evening program in July.  Discover what Penn State York and Penn State have to offer.  Enjoy a summer day, Wednesday, July 13, from 9-11:00 a.m., or a summer evening on Thursday, July 21, from 6- 830 p.m.; talk with admission representatives and learn more about financial aid, academic programs, and student life.

After the presentations, take a campus tour and enjoy Penn State Berkey Creamery ice cream with your family and Penn State representatives.  To register or for more information, please call Penn State York Admissions at (717) 771-4040 or (800) PSU-6227 or register on the Web at www.yk.psu.edu/admissions/visits.

Comedian Earl David Reed was the highlight of a retirement celebration for Joel. M. Rodney, chancellor of Penn State York, on May 18 when more than 150 friends, community supporters, campus community members, and University representatives gathered to honor him. The event began with a reception and concluded with a roast of the chancellor who is retiring from Penn State on July 31. During the program, Reed poked fun at Rodney and members of the audience. In the end Reed thanked Rodney for his friendship and his outstanding work at Penn State.

Speakers at the event, in the Pullo Family Performing Arts Center on campus, included Madlyn Hanes, vice president of the Commonwealth Campuses; Donald A. Gogniat, former campus executive officer at Penn State York; Holly Gumke, director of business services at the campus; and Elizabeth Dellinger, the chairperson of the Penn State York Advisory Board. In addition to her own comments, Hanes shared comments from Graham Spanier, Penn State president and Rodney Erickson, executive vice president and provost at Penn State.

The evening concluded with Dellinger presenting flowers to Judy Rodney and a memory book of photos, letters, and cards to the chancellor that represents his more than 8 years at the campus.

Rodney, 73, joined Penn State York in March 2003, and made his retirement announcement to faculty and staff at the annual campus orientation last August. Although he is retiring from Penn State, he has accepted an appointment as visiting director of global partnerships for the University of South Florida Polytechnic in Lakeland, Fl., which he begins on August 1.
 
Lisa Ann Plowfield, dean and professor of the College of Nursing at Florida State University, has been named as the new chancellor at Penn State York effective Aug. 1.

A capacity crowd of more than 1,000 filled Penn State York’s Pullo Family Performing Arts Center for the 41st annual spring commencement held on Friday May 13 at 6 p.m. Those who could not attend were able to view the ceremony on the campus’ website. Graduates heard from a variety of speakers with messages from the importance of education to preparing for careers in a global economy.

Joel M. Rodney, chancellor of Penn State York, gave the commencement address and reminded students about the many changes that have occurred in the world and at Penn State York during their time as students.

“Penn State York has changed to prepare you for success,” said Rodney. “The campus has grown from 4 international students just a few years ago to 45,” he said.

Rodney stressed the importance of globalization and the many ways in which the campus has prepared students to compete in the world. He shared that York was the first commuter campus to earn an international designation from the University and that efforts are continuing to provide a variety of opportunities for all students.

Rodney will retire from the University effective July 31, and has accepted an appointment as visiting director of global partnerships for the University of South Florida Polytechnic in Lakeland, Fl.

Before he leaves, Rodney hopes to have the new certificate in entrepreneurial studies fully developed and operational, advance the goals of Penn State York’s capital campaign, and continue to improve services to students -- especially those from around the world.

Leonard J. Berkowitz, associate professor of philosophy at the campus, who is retiring after 39 years of service to the University, also spoke.

“I love this campus and the University,” said Berkowitz. “Mostly I love teaching and students.”

Berkowitz reminded students that if they only studied their major they would just be trained but because of their study of the general education subjects such as art, English, philosophy etc., they are educated. He also noted that the study of their major will help get them to obtain a job but that their general education study will help make it all worthwhile.

In addition to hearing from Rodney and Berkowitz, the audience heard from numerous students who shared brief comments as part of Penn State York’s continuing tradition of the open microphone. Students thanked parents, spouses, and children for support and some recognized faculty and staff members who helped them along their journey at the campus. Christopher E. Balderson, Red Lion, Pa., the top associate degree graduate; Katie L. Rice, Mount Joy, Pa., the top baccalaureate degree graduate; and Kristin N. Stasko, York, Pa., representing the master’s degree graduates; also spoke.

Penn State York awarded 20 master of education in teaching and curriculum degrees; 73 baccalaureate degrees; 7 in bachelor of arts in communication arts and sciences; 4 bachelor of arts in English; 3 bachelor of arts in letters, arts, and sciences; 17 bachelor of science in business; 9 bachelor of science in electro-mechanical engineering technology; 16 bachelor of science in information sciences and technology; 16 bachelor of science in human development and family studies; and 1 bachelor of science in science. The campus also awarded 22 associate degrees: 6 in business administration; 3 in electrical engineering technology; 3 in human development and family studies; 2 in information sciences and technology; 5 in letters, arts, and sciences (liberal arts); and 3 in mechanical engineering technology.

Eleven Penn State York students who completed their work at an upper division campus of Penn State will return to York, their home campus, to receive a degree during the ceremony. Penn State York offers the first two years of more than 160 Penn State majors and those students comprise most of the campus.

The following students received associate degrees: Daniel J. Andrews, Mount Joy, business administration; Rollin W. Apgar, Glen Rock, letters, arts, and sciences; Christopher E. Balderson, Red Lion, information sciences and technology; Carin S. Becker, York, letters, arts, and sciences; Jamil M. Bennett, York, mechanical engineering technology; Bond D. Brewer, Dover, business administration; Brett H. Carnahan, York, letters, arts, and sciences; Lorelei H. Delp, York, human development and family studies; Stefania M. Ferrante, York, business administration; Kurt D. Gordon, York, information sciences and technology; Christopher A. Gross, Lancaster, mechanical engineering technology; Kathleen E. Gurley, York, letters, arts, and sciences; Scott A. Hetrick, East Berlin, electrical engineering technology; Emily R. Lauer, York, letters, arts, and sciences; Thomas J. Leana II, Glen Rock, business administration; Tyler D. Mellinger, Willow Street, electrical engineering technology; Jennifer J. Miller, York, human development and family studies; Sheldon L. Mumma, McConnellsburg, mechanical engineering technology; Sharon K. Santiago, Mount Joy, business administration; Douglas A. Snyder, New Oxford, business administration; Hung C. Tang, York, electrical engineering technology; Youngjin H. Um, York, human development and family studies.

The following students received baccalaureate degrees: Neha A. Amin, Vasai West, India, information sciences and technology; Amitejsingh K. Anand, Mumbai, India, information sciences and technology; Heather J. Balthaser, York, human development and family studies; Corey W. Baughman, Red Lion, human development and family studies; Michael W. Baum, Carlisle, electro-mechanical engineering technology; Mary E. Beaston, Columbia, human development and family studies; Michael A. Beck, Eldersburg, Md., English; Stephanie L. Behrens, Stewartstown, English; Mayetreyee P. Bishnu, Mumbai, India, information sciences and technology; Heather N. Booth, Red Lion, business; Tamazine T. Brooks, Shiremanstown, human development and family studies; Alexis M. Brown, Red Lion, business; Tyler A. Buck, Macungie, electro-mechanical engineering technology; Alissa C. Cardenas, Manchester, human development and family studies; Rajdeep Champa, Mumbai, India, information sciences and technology; Purva V. Chitnis, Mumbai, India, information sciences and technology; Sebastian C. Cortinez, York, information sciences and technology; Carla J. Cyr, Lebanon, human development and family studies; Joseph J. D'Arrigo, Red Lion, electro-mechanical engineering technology; Ryan P. Eisensmith, York, electro-mechanical engineering technology; Jennifer L. Elicker, York, business; Johan Erimee, Mechanicsburg, business; Rhoi J. Fajardo, Dover, business; Brittany A. Frey, Dover, human development and family studies; Sarah M. Gerick, Fawn Grove, human development and family studies; Donald E. Gladfelter Jr., Hellam, business; Lyanne Gomez, York, letters, arts, and sciences; Lacey L. Graham, Red Lion, business; Katie J. Helsel, Glen Rock, communication arts and sciences; Darren L. Higginbotham, Lancaster, electro-mechanical engineering technology; Megan L. Hoffer, Stewartstown, communication arts and sciences; Zachary L. Holoch, Spring Grove, information sciences and technology; Alex H. Horvatinovic, York, business; Taylor P. Hughes, Friendship, Md., science; Jeffrey M. Kane, Biglerville, electro-mechanical engineering technology; Eric L. Kennedy, Hanover, English; Douglas J. Kirk, York, information sciences and technology; Laura A. Kline, York, human development and family studies; Andrew C. Knight, Hanover, information sciences and technology; Aaron J. Kraft, York, communication arts and sciences; Ryan R. Laird, Philipsburg, electro-mechanical engineering technology; Thomas M. Lantry Jr., Delta, electro-mechanical engineering technology; Brian J. Lawrence, Hanover, human development and family studies; Justin M. Liek, York, business; Ciera N. Logue, Dover, business; Kelly N. Mackley, Dover, communication arts and sciences; Kara L. Miller, York, business; Erin R. Murphy, Hanover, human development and family studies; Leighann N. Myers, Hanover, human development and family studies; Praneet K. Nadar, Mumbai, India, information sciences and technology; Hannah J. Phillips, Stewartstown, English; Katie L. Rice, Mount Joy, letters, arts, and sciences; Travis R. Riley, Red Lion, business; Bryan Rivera, Hamilton, N.J., information sciences and technology; Jonathan M. Roberts, Stewartstown, information sciences and technology; Joshua M. Robertson, Hanover, business; Milagrito D. Roque, York, human development and family studies; Cory M. Ruck, York Springs, information sciences and technology; Dustan N. Ruth, Abbottstown, communication arts and sciences; Abbey J. Sabold, Manchester, business; Tina M. Scholz, Wrightsville, business; Karan Uttamkumar Shah, Mumbai, India, information sciences and technology; Jennifer J. Sheffer, York, letters, arts, and sciences; Rohit R. Shetty, Mumbai, India, information sciences and technology; Keenan N. Slenker, Wrightsville, business; Shayla S. Smith, York, communication arts and sciences; Brandy M. Snyder, Columbia, communication arts and sciences; Diana L. Sparks, Stewartstown, business; Benjamin C. Suarez, York, electro-mechanical engineering technology; Kevin W. Tarbart, Delta, information sciences and technology; Nikole E. Tome, York, human development and family studies; and Laura E. Trimmer, York, human development and family studies.

The following students received master of education degree in teaching and curriculum degrees: Julie A. Beard, Felton; Sara E. Bosley, Glen Rock; Angela N. Buckler, Dallastown; Stacey A. Bupp, York; Shandel M. Cibellis, Dallastown; Renee M. Decker, Emigsville; Shannon C. Ebersole, Dallastown; Sarolta Z. Farkas, York; Melanie A. Heuer, Felton; Bethany G. Johnson, New Cumberland; Elizabeth C. Kelly, Millersville; Melissa J. Miller, York; Jessica L. Myers, Windsor; Suzanne M. Nolan, Dover; Debra J. Riek, York; Jessica A. Rohrbaugh, York; Matthew A. Ross, New Oxford; Lydia E. Santiago, York; Julia C. Smith, Dover; and Kristin N. Stasko, York.

The following students completed their programs at other Penn State campuses but returned to their home campus, York, to receive their degrees: Mark A. Amberman, Bellefonte, supply chain and information systems; Mark L. Brunson, Bel Air, Md., management; Anuradha N. Chhibber, York, marketing; Heidi E. Hartman, Hanover, nursing; Christopher M. Hoke, Hanover, hotel, restaurant, and institutional management; Nicholas D. Huso, Parkton, Md., Science; Jessica Petrie, York, human development and family studies; Jessica A. Seisman, Delta, English; Meghan E. Strausser, Stroudsburg, letters, arts, and sciences; and Roman D. Zaryk, Red Lion, organizational leadership.

The following students are changing to other Penn State campuses in fall to continue their degree programs: Tyler J. Adcock, Dover, mechanical engineering technology; Karissa A. Aldinger, York, Capital College; Jamie N. Altman, Laurel, Md., Arts and Architecture; Matthew B. Arentz, Hanover, kinesiology; Jeremy W. Arvelo, York, wildlife and fisheries science; Stephen A. Bailey, Hampstead, Md., premedicine; Christine E. Bealing, Hanover, psychology; Cory T. Beard, Spring Grove, electrical engineering; Patrick W. Betmarik, Hanover, supply chain and information systems; Kendall M. Biesecker, York, business administration; Sarah R. Bode, York, business administration; Brady W. Boyer, York, business administration; Juliette A. Branker, Owings Mills, Md., Asian studies; Emilie L. Breon, York, criminal justice; Troy T. Bushmire, Stewartstown, aerospace engineering; Raquelle D. Camphor, York, communications; Yike Cao, York, Capital College; Christopher J. Caraballo, York, accounting; Zhi-Hui Chen, York, Capital College; Yong Su Choi, Seoul, South Korea, finance; Katrina E. Chronister, Dover, physical therapist assistant; Hsien-Yu Chu, New Oxford, Capital College; Mitchell T. Clarke, York, engineering; Amanda L. Coble, Mt. Wolf, advertising/public relations; Matthew J. Cocco, Centereach, N.Y., marketing; Ryan M. Corney, Spring Grove, electrical engineering; Alex A. Crespo, Hellam, accounting; Hasani M. Cromwell, New Freedom, psychology; Laurel M. Crone, Dover, arts and architecture; Alison A. Crossley, Dover, biology; Matthew A. Culler, Dover, physics; Nathan D. Cutshall, York, Spanish; Michelle N. Cvach, Forest Hill, Md., crime, law, and justice; Brandon N. Cwalina, New Freedom, international politics; Lauren R. Dalemar, York, animal sciences; Rokiesha N. Davis, York, Capital College; Patric M. Destevens, York, Capital College; Thomas P. Devine, East Petersburg, information sciences and technology; Brittany E. Dietz, York, kinesiology; Susanna G. Doherty, New Park, mathematical sciences; Arthur Y. Dong, Oakland Gardens, N.Y., business administration; Stefany L. Dusman, Hanover, science; Zach D. Einsig, York, journalism; Taylor C. Evans, York, hotel, restaurant, and institutional management; Kevin L. Faust, Lancaster, provisional; Nayib A. Felix, Manchester, crime, law, and justice; Laura E. Feveryear, Delta, agriculture; William Fike, Hanover, mechanical engineering; Jennifer L. Fink, New Oxford, communication sciences and disorders; Jake M. Flanagan, Hanover, biochemistry and molecular biology; Tyler J. Frey, Windsor, nutritional sciences; Het F. Gandhi, Carlisle, hotel, restaurant, and institutional management; Kate E. Garvin, York, nursing; Kyle N. Gibson, Severn, Md., meteorology; Michael F. Gobrecht II, York, mechanical engineering technology; Todd M. Goldstein, Hanover, political science; Susan M. Grow, Stewartstown, labor studies and employment relations; Ariel D. Hagarman, York Springs, human development and family studies; Durant K. Harvin IV, Reisterstown, Md., communications; Anthany L. Heindel, Downingtown, electrical engineering; Timothy P. Herlihy, Centereach, N.Y., media studies; Joshua J. Hess, Willow Street, mechanical engineering; Desiree N. Hibshman, Hanover, accounting; Alanna M. Hoey, York, education; Laura A. Hoffman, Hanover, elementary education; Derek A. Hollinger, York, environmental engineering; Rebecca C. Hollinger, York, meteorology; Sabryna D. Holmberg, Glen Rock, elementary education; Cole J. Houser, Thomasville, rehabilitation and human services; Chun-Jui Huang, New Taipei City, Taiwan, division of undergraduate studies; Kenneth T. Huang, Severna Park, Md., Capital College; Catherine E. Huggins, New Freedom, psychology; Tait H. Huso, Parkton, Md., science; Natalie J. Janowiak, Red Lion, communication sciences and disorders; Jeremy R. Kerstetter, Spring Grove, international politics; Evan M. Kieber, York, geography; Kyle R. Kinard, Felton, environmental engineering; Evander D. Kinsler, York, public policy; Lauren R. Kline, York, forensic science; Kelsey S. Kman, Enola, political science; Raleigh S. Koeberle, York, earth and mineral sciences; Saryet A. Kucukemiroglu, York, science; Setenay N. Kucukemiroglu, York, marketing; Jennifer R. Lake, Wellsville, marketing; Lynn Langrill, Littlestown, nursing; Phuong Thao N. Le, York, accounting; Adam R. Leiphart, York, psychology; Nianyun Li, Zhengzhou, China, business administration; Fangru Liu, York, division of undergraduate studies; Michael D. Livinghouse, Red Lion, forest science; Brittany D. Lynton, Shrewsbury, business; David S. Maenner, York, telecommunications; Ritesh Maheshwari, Mumbai, India, marketing; Jennifer L. Marcombe, York, elementary education; Cynthia M. Mareck, New Freedom, electrical engineering; Dana M. Markel, York, archaeological science; Konstantinos I. Marros, York, criminal justice; Andrew D. Martin, Millersville, physics; Mohit Massey, Mumbai, India, electrical engineering; Julianne Mayo, York, accounting; Amber R. McCann, York, Altoona College; Paul T. McElhinny, York, history; Deanna M. Meisky, York, premedicine; Nader M. Mekheal, York, biology; Zachary R. Merritt, Stewartstown, finance; Benjamin S. Miller, Mount Wolf, engineering; Orian Navat, York, communications; Jordan M. Nissley, Hummelstown, information sciences and technology; Ryan M. Nittinger, York, English; Jared W. Nixon, Hanover, biobehavioral health; Sam G. Noerpel, East Berlin, aerospace engineering; Elise K. Olsen, Felton, secondary education; Ryan J. O'Toole, York, electrical engineering; Cheon Moo Park, York, industrial engineering; Nicole A. Phillips, Parkton, Md., health policy and administration; Rebecca J. Picone, Felton, environmental resource management; Alexandra I. Priester, Lititz, journalism; Kayla M. Prokop, Mt. Wolf, liberal arts; Pawel K. Puchalski, Lake Forest, Ill., division of undergraduate studies; Rui Qian, Shanghai, China, economics; Feng Qin, Nanjing, China, engineering; Timothy M. Rau, Dallastown, accounting; Michael A. Rehmert Jr., New Freedom, science; Stephanie K. Reip, New Freedom, criminal justice; Emily C. Righter, York, accounting; Ian H. Rineer, Millersville, engineering science; Michael J. Rubadue, Wrightsville, Spanish; Emily C. Ruch, Mechanicsburg, psychology; Horace E. Schenck, York, economics; Daniel L. Schneider, New Providence, agriculture; Lauren E. Schweinsberg, New Oxford, biology; Zachary T. Scott, Glenville, kinesiology; Sungwhan Seo, Yongin, South Korea, marketing; Cole S. Shaffer, New Freedom, information sciences and technology; Yun Shao, Shanghai, China, finance; Dai Shi, Beijing, China, economics; Kyle E. Shoop, Etters, finance; Paige B. Shreffler, Dover, criminal justice; Rachael E. Smith, Hanover, occupational therapy; Savannah R. Smith, Red Lion, journalism; Bethany L. Snyder, Thomasville, science; Won Tak So, Jeonju, South Korea, economics; Angela M. Solle, Seven Valleys, psychology; Daniel T. Sourbeer, Lancaster, marketing; Angela M. Steco, Lancaster, journalism; Joshua M. Stewart, Wellsville, mechanical engineering technology; Samuel W. Stoltzfus, Conestoga, wildlife and fisheries science; Matthew A. Strevig, Felton, nuclear engineering; Hana L. Suders, York Haven, management; Krithika Sudeswaran, Fairfax, Va., information sciences and technology; Justin D. Sumpman, Wrightsville, engineering; Ran Sun, Hangzhou, China, business administration; Meher Tabassum, Red Lion, accounting; Fiona Tang, New York, N.Y., division of undergraduate studies; Natasha M. Taylor, Thomasville, marketing; Bailey D. Templin, York, communications; Chloe B. Thatcher, Camp Hill, liberal arts; Andrew M. Thompson, York, secondary education social studies; Douglas R. Tomanio, Shrewsbury, engineering; Ariel M. Totten, Harrisburg, Capital College; Jason M. Trout, New Freedom, rehabilitation and human services; Dat T. Vo, York, electrical engineering technology; Jessica E. Waltersdorff, Spring Grove, elementary and kindergarten education; Hsuan-Hui Wang, New Oxford, Capital College; Jason M. Warner, East Berlin, finance; Kent T. Weibley, York, mechanical engineering; Brandon M. Willis, York, aerospace engineering; Kathrin Winter, York, occupational therapy; Nancy M. Wong, Savannah, Tenn., psychology; Long Yang, Carlisle, science; Claire L. Zeranski, York, nursing; and Alexandra S. Zharichenko, New Cumberland, accounting.

For a brochure or more information on summer course offerings at Penn State York, call (717) 771-4050 or visit the summer section of our website.

Joel M. Rodney, chancellor of Penn State York, is the commencement speaker when the campus celebrates its 41st annual spring commencement at 6 p.m. Friday, May 13, in the Pullo Family Performing Arts Center. The ceremony is free and open to the public.

For those who cannot attend the event, Penn State York's commencement can be viewed on Comcast cable channel 18 and streaming on the website at www2.yk.psu.edu/commencement.

In addition to hearing from Rodney, Penn State York will continue its tradition of the open microphone where graduates can speak for a moment. Christopher E. Balderson, Red Lion, Pa., the top associate degree graduate; Katie L. Rice, Mount Joy, Pa., the top baccalaureate degree graduate; and Kristin N. Stasko, York, Pa., representing the master’s degree graduates will also say a few words.

Penn State York will award 20 master of education in teaching and curriculum degrees; 73 baccalaureate degrees; 7 in bachelor of arts in communication arts and sciences; 4 bachelor of arts in English; 3 bachelor of arts in letters, arts, and sciences; 17 bachelor of science in business; 9 bachelor of science in electro-mechanical engineering technology; 16 bachelor of science in information sciences and technology; 16 bachelor of science in human development and family studies; and 1 bachelor of science in science. The campus will also award 22 associate degrees: 6 in business administration; 3 in electrical engineering technology; 3 in human development and family studies; 2 in information sciences and technology; 5 in letters, arts, and sciences (liberal arts); and 3 in mechanical engineering technology.

Eleven Penn State York students who completed their work at an upper division campus of Penn State will return to York, their home campus, to receive a degree during the ceremony. Penn State York offers the first two years of more than 160 Penn State majors and those students comprise most of the campus.

Rodney, 73, is retiring from the University effective July 31, and has accepted an appointment as visiting director of global partnerships for the University of South Florida Polytechnic in Lakeland, Fl.

Before he leaves, Rodney hopes to have the new certificate in entrepreneurial studies fully developed and operational, advance the goals of Penn State York’s capital campaign, and continue to improve services to students -- especially those from around the world.

Rodney originally came to the campus as the campus executive officer in March 2003 and when the University reorganized in 2005 he was named chancellor of Penn State York.
Under Rodney’s leadership the campus has earned an international designation from the University and the number of international students has grown significantly. Rodney was instrumental in designing a two-plus-two program in 2006 between Penn State and the Vidyalankar School of Information Technology in India that allows students from India to combine their first two years of university education in computer science in India with their final two years in information sciences and technology (IST) at Penn State York. The first students came to York in 2008 and the program continues to be strong.

In addition, Rodney helped found a multi-campus India Initiative which expanded the two-plus-two program in IST to six additional schools in India and now also includes the following Penn State campuses: Berks, Greater Allegheny, Hazleton, New Kensington, Schuylkill, Worthington Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, as well as York.

Also under Rodney’s leadership, the Pullo Family Performing Arts Center (The Pullo Center) on the campus was completed in 2005 and a theatre minor was added to the curriculum at York. The Edward M. Elias Science Building, featuring updated classroom and lab facilities, opened this summer and renovations are under way to the chemistry labs at the campus which will be transformed into a high-tech engineering facility, the Ralph G. and Madeline B. Swenson Engineering Center.

In the community, Rodney’s service is outstanding. He was recently honored by the York County Chamber of Commerce with the Exemplar Award for exemplifying the spirit of the Chamber’s mission and making significant contributions to the business community and enhancing York County’s quality of life. He is a member of the Rotary Club of York and serves on the boards of the Advanced Skills Center in York, the Susquehanna Heritage Trust, the Art Institute of York, and the York Area Regional Charter School. He held several posts including chair-elect, chair and other offices in the York County Chamber of Commerce. He also served on the board of directors and as vice president of the Crispus Attucks Association; he was on the board of directors of the York County Economic Development Corporation.

Rodney also is listed in Who’s Who in America and has served as a U.S. Department of Education Rehabilitation Services Administration grant and program reviewer.

Thirty-two outstanding adult students from the area were inducted into the Penn State York Chapter of Alpha Sigma Lambda during ceremonies on Friday, May 6 at 6 p.m. in the Community Room of the Joe and Rosie Ruhl Student Community Center. Alpha Sigma Lambda is a national honor society that recognizes the unique achievements demonstrated by adult students in higher education programs. Students inducted into the organization must have a grade-point average of 3.2 or higher.

Penn State York began a chapter in 1991 to recognize the accomplishments of its growing adult student population. The adult student population at the campus is about 30 percent.

Those students inducted are: Daniel J. Andrews, Mount Joy, Pa.; Rollin W. Apgar, Glen Rock, Pa.; Bilal Ariturk, Enola, Pa.; Christopher E. Balderson, Red Lion, Pa.; Tamazine T. Brooks, Shiremanstown, Pa.; Joseph M. Cabrera, York, Pa.; Jeffrey D. Cass, Dover, Pa.; Rose M. Devlin, York, Pa.; Bryan Ebaugh, Fawn Grove, Pa.; Johan Erimee, Mechanicsburg, Pa.; Brian A. Eshleman, Hanover, Pa.; Karen S. Fink, Lititz, Pa.; Christine S. Frederick, Brogue, Pa.; Christina B. Funkhouser, Hanover, Pa.; Patricia A. Garcia, York, Pa.; Darren L. Higginbotham, Lancaster, Pa.; James M. Houser, Hanover, Pa.; Rhonda J. Johnson, York, Pa.; Danielle M. Kern, York, Pa.; Krista L. Klinedinst, Dallastown, Pa.; Jessica A. Kuhns, Columbia, Pa.; Michael D. Livinghouse, Red Lion, Pa.; Deborah S. Messerly, York, Pa.; Christina D. Miller, Red Lion, Pa.; Sheldon L. Mumma, McConnellsburg, Pa.; Diana L. Palmer, East Berlin, Pa.; Dixie L. Pennington, Crownsville, Md.; Ebony K. Ratleff, York, Pa.; Mindy M. Shepler, Manchester, Pa.; Wanda S. Steffy, Lancaster, Pa.; Emily M. Stinebaugh, Dover, Pa.; and Meher Tabassum, Red Lion, Pa.

Bethany Snyder of Thomasville, Pa., was just 13-years-old when she attended Pathways to Your Future: Exploring STEM Careers, a program to encourage young women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) at Penn State York in 2003. No one is more surprised than she is that at age 20 and a science major at Penn State York, she will be helping to present one of the workshops when the 15th annual program takes place on Friday, May 6 from 8:45 a.m.- 2 p.m., in the Pullo Family Performing Arts Center at the campus. Registration begins at 8 a.m.

“When I was in seventh grade myself I participated in this program; it is so nice to see it go full circle for me.” Snyder was selected to attend the program back then as one of attendees from Dover Middle School. “I was naturally good at science and that’s why I was one of the girls selected to attend. I wasn’t always interested in science but the program was exciting and I remember feeling very special to be on a college campus for a day when I was in seventh grade.”

Snyder will be working on the workshop The Science of Color in Cosmetics, one of the most popular workshops at the conference, along with her chemistry professor Dr. Fulgentius Lugemwa, assistant professor of chemistry at Penn State York; Dean Putt, a research scientist in chemistry; and his daughter Allison Putt, a chemistry student at Lebanon Valley College. Snyder laughs about remembering that this was a workshop she wanted to attend back in 2003 but it was full.

“I’m still a little bitter about that but this year I can live vicariously through the girls and I’ve had the opportunity to practice doing the workshop and making nail polish,” she said.

While a student at York, Snyder has served as a research assistant in chemistry to Lugemwa and shares her love of science every day. Snyder’s interest in science took a few years to grow since those middle school days but she now loves her major and will be moving on to University Park in the fall to complete her degree.

Cell-A-Bration, Video Haiku, Dazzling Database, Making “Scents” of Biology, Getting Physical with Math and Science, DNA Detectives, The Science of Color in Cosmetics, Girls Go Graphic, and Makin’ Tracks are just a few of the workshops being offered this year.

Seventh grade girls, their teachers, and some parents representing 26 schools (public, private, charter, and cyber) will take part in this career awareness program. Some 308 people (students, parents, and teachers) will be participating in the free program.

Pathways to Your Future offers girls the opportunity to explore a variety of job related fields in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Participants can attend three workshops from a list of 24 covering a wide range of topics. The program also provides teachers with information to guide young women toward career opportunities in these fields.
 
Pathways to Your Future: Exploring STEM Careers is sponsored by Penn State York, the Alice J. Whiteley family, Exelon Nuclear, Haas Printing Co. Inc., Yorktowne Graphics, and a Pullo Family Grant.

For more information, please contact Barbara Dennis at (717) 771-4128.

“Any Other Word,” Penn State York’s literary E-zine’s fifth edition is now available online. To see the publication, visit http://www2.yk.psu.edu/anyotherword. This issue features the recent winners of the Hint Fiction contest.
 
Student editors for the current publication are Eric Kennedy, a senior majoring in English from Hanover, Pa.; and Jennifer J. Sheffer, a senior majoring in Letters, Arts, and Sciences from York, Pa. The cover design for the magazine, titled Upright,” was done by Corey Magloire, a sophomore majoring in integrative arts from York, Pa.

Submissions are now being accepted for its sixth edition, due out in spring 2012. The submission deadline is Dec. 31, 2011. All submissions, along with any questions, should be addressed to Noel Sloboda, assistant professor of English and publication adviser, at njs16@psu.edu . “Any Other Word” is a creative outlet for members of the Penn State York community (students, staff, and faculty) and was created to showcase literary talents and unite artistic minds. Work on the first issue began in the fall of 2006.

Submissions published in “Any Other Word” are selected by a board of directors who read all entries submitted and make selections. All authors retain full copyrights on their works. The student adviser has the final say on what is published. The publication takes its name from the quote by William Shakespeare, “What’s in a name? That which we call a rose by any other word would smell as sweet.”

It was a record-breaking late night breakfast at Penn State York on Monday, May 2 when more than 150 students taking a breather from studying for finals consumed 25 dozen eggs, 11 pounds of bacon, and 5 pounds of cheese, 300 pieces of toast, and 7 dozen donuts. The cooking was done by some Penn State York faculty and staff, members of the Penn State York Alumni Society, and some guidance from David Platzer, head chef of the campus’ dining area, the Lion’s Den. Students were treated to egg, bacon, and cheese sandwiches, on wheat or white toast, donuts, coffee and soda. Some attendees were rebels and had their meal sans toast.

In addition to all the eating, there were plenty of musical performances and karaoke that kept things busy right up until 10 p.m. when the event ended. The Blue & White society raffled off a Penn State bean bag chair and the proud winner was Emily Robuccio who had accompanied her big sister, Anna, a Penn State York student, to the event. The late night breakfast has become a popular event on campus and provides a way for faculty and staff to connect with students and help them relieve some stress as they study for finals.

The late night breakfast began in 2009 when Todd Eicker, director of admissions, mentioned this activity during finals week had been a great success at a college where he formerly worked and thought it would be great at Penn State York. Eicker met with food service on campus, got some help from one of the campus alumni organizations, and the event was born.

The event was sponsored by the Student Activity Fee, the admissions office, the Blue & White Society, and the Penn State York Alumni Society.

Penn State York’s 13^th annual celebration of diversity, April 11-20, provided members of the campus and local community an opportunity to learn about different cultures through a variety of programs and events.  Unity Day was celebrated on Thursday, April 14 when the gymnasium of the Joe and Rosie Ruhl Students Community Center played host to a variety of performances, food from around world, and other activities and displays designed to celebrate diversity.

Activities throughout the extended celebration featured presentations about Haiti, Peru, Japan, and the volunteer activities of students who worked in New Orleans, La., during spring break.  Those interested in learning to Salsa dance also had the opportunity to take a free dance lesson.  Others interested in the Japanese art of origami learned how to make paper cranes.  The paper birds were sold for a donation benefitting Japanese tsunami relief.

Goals for Unity Week include creating teachable moments to learn about diversity and to provide an opportunity for the campus and community to suggest ways Penn State can create a multicultural environment.

Unity Week is the culmination of the work of Penn State York’s Diversity Committee which includes students, faculty, and staff and is sponsored by the group. A variety of multicultural events are planned throughout the year to provide a forum for the campus and community to learn about diversity.

Author and editor Robert Swartwood coined the term “hint fiction” in 2009 and defined it as a story of 25 words or fewer that suggests a larger, more complex story.

The contest, sponsored by “Any Other Word,” was open to Penn State York students and entries were read without the author’s information appearing on the story. The winning stories will be published in the upcoming (fifth issue) issue of “Any Other Word.”

Read previous issues of “Any Other Word,” at http://www2.yk.psu.edu/anyotherword.

Penn State York will celebrate its 41st annual spring commencement at 6 p.m. Friday, May 13, in the Pullo Family Performing Arts Center at the campus. Joel M. Rodney, chancellor of the campus, is the commencement speaker.

For those who cannot attend the event, Penn State York's commencement can be viewed on Comcast cable channel 18 and streaming on the website.

Rodney, 73, is retiring from the University effective July 31, and has accepted an appointment as visiting director of global partnerships for the University of South Florida Polytechnic in Lakeland, Fl.

Before he leaves, Rodney hopes to have the new certificate in entrepreneurial studies fully developed and operational, advance the goals of Penn State York’s capital campaign, and continue to improve services to students -- especially those from around the world.

Rodney originally came to the campus as the campus executive officer in March 2003 and when the University reorganized in 2005 he was named chancellor of Penn State York.

Under Rodney’s leadership the campus has earned an international designation from the University and the number of international students has grown significantly. Rodney was instrumental in designing a two-plus-two program in 2006 between Penn State and the Vidyalankar School of Information Technology in India that allows students from India to combine their first two years of university education in computer science in India with their final two years in information sciences and technology (IST) at Penn State York. The first students came to York in 2008 and the program continues to be strong.

In addition, Rodney helped found a multi-campus India Initiative which expanded the two-plus-two program in IST to six additional schools in India and now also includes the following Penn State campuses: Berks, Greater Allegheny, Hazleton, New Kensington, Schuylkill, Worthington Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, as well as York.

Also under Rodney’s leadership, the Pullo Family Performing Arts Center (The Pullo Center) on the campus was completed in 2005 and a theatre minor was added to the curriculum at York. The Edward M. Elias Science Building, featuring updated classroom and lab facilities, opened this summer and renovations are under way to the chemistry labs at the campus which will be transformed into a high-tech engineering facility, the Ralph G. and Madeline B. Swenson Engineering Center.

In the community, Rodney serves on numerous boards. He was recently honored by the York County Chamber of Commerce with the Exemplar Award for being the outstanding leader of the year. He is a member of the Rotary Club of York and serves on the boards of the Advanced Skills Center in York, the Susquehanna Heritage Trust, the Art Institute of York, and the York Area Regional Charter School. He held several posts including chair-elect, chair and other offices in the York County Chamber of Commerce. He also served on the board of directors and as vice president of the Crispus Attucks Association; he was on the board of directors of the York County Economic Development Corporation.
 
Rodney also is listed in Who’s Who in America and has served as a U.S. Department of Education Rehabilitation Services Administration grant and program reviewer.

In addition to hearing from Rodney, Penn State York will continue its tradition of the open microphone where graduates can speak for a moment. The top associate, baccalaureate, and master’s degree graduates will also say a few words. A number of former Penn State York students who completed their degree work at another campus of Penn State will return to their home campus, York, to receive their degrees during the ceremony.

The campus will award associate, baccalaureate, and master's degrees during the program. The ceremony is free and open to the public.

Bacon, eggs, and slices of white and wheat bread are being gathered in preparation for Penn State York’s free late night breakfast set for Monday, May 2 from 8-10 p.m. at the campus. Members of the faculty, staff, and alumni will sharpen their culinary skills, along with some help from the head chef in the campus’s dining area, and prepare egg sandwiches for hungry students needing a break from studying for finals. Coffee, donuts, and soda complete the menu for the evening. The event is free to members of the Penn State York community and takes place in the Lion’s Den of the Joe and Rosie Ruhl Student Community Center.

The late night breakfast has become a popular event on campus and provides a way for faculty and staff to connect with students and help them relieve some stress as they study for finals.

In addition to the food, students can show off their vocals skills and take part in an open microphone or karaoke. Members of the Penn State York Alumni Society will also be on-hand to present graduating seniors with a small gift and provide information about the activities and events available to alumni.

Stephen Paduhovich, Wrightsville, Pa., received third place and $50 for his play, “The Evaluation,” and Douglas Leik, Dallastown, Pa., also received third place and $50 for his play, “Deployment.”

The plays “Oath” and “Deployment” will be performed by theatre students on April 28 and 29 at noon in room 114 on the lower level of The Pullo Center. Admission to the performance is free.

The competition was open to Penn State York students enrolled for fall 2010. Original plays of 10-30 minutes were accepted. The contest is also sponsored by the Penn State York Theatre Program.

First prize went to Laura Davila Reyes, East Berlin, Pa., for her painting, "Bar Glasses." She also earned honorable mention for her painting “Yellow Tulip.” Dana Markel, York, Pa., also earned honorable mention for her mixed-media collage, “Me.” Kerry Magni, Penn State York kinesiology instructor and athletic director, served as judge for the show.

Other artists with pieces in the show are Jamie Altman, Laurel, Md.; Laurel Crone, Dover, Pa.; Stephanie Ekstrom, Stewartstown, Pa.; and Saryet Kucukemiroglu, York, Pa. Some works are for sale and range in price from $40 to $200. For more information on the show, contact Laurel Crone at lmc5359@psu.edu.

Hours for the exhibition are Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Saturday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.

The experience will help to provide participants with an understanding and appreciation of proper soccer skills and techniques. Time will be devoted to basic skills and concepts important to the younger player in a positive atmosphere.
 
Under the direction of Ben Otterson, assistant Penn State York soccer coach, camp participants will learn the importance of proper preparation such as warm-up and stretching prior to participation as well as foundation skills and tactics. Otterson also stresses the importance of having fun while playing soccer. Otterson has a national and advanced national license for coaching soccer.
 
The fee for the five-day camp is $95 and includes the instruction and a camp T-shirt. Please be sure to register early to ensure your place in camp.

For information or a brochure, call Penn State York at (717) 771-4036; e-mail Kerry Magni, athletic director at Penn State York, at kam24@psu.edu; or download the brochure (PDF).

Registration is under way for Penn State York's 29th annual youth soccer camp set for July 25-29 at the campus. The camp is designed for both female and male soccer players of all ability levels, ages 8 through 13. Players are grouped according to age and ability level during the first camp session.

Camp hours are 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Under the direction of Rich Chilcoat, Penn State York soccer coach and two-time Coach of the Year winner in the Penn State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC), players will participate in a total athletic experience including stretching and conditioning, drills, position analysis, rules of the game, and team play. In addition to Chilcoat, the camp staff includes other area soccer coaches and players who bring years of experience to the field. Lectures, demonstrations, films, and instructional videotapes augment physical activity. Drills, games and other activities take place on the soccer fields at Penn State York. Players should arrive at camp each day dressed to play soccer and should bring indoor footwear in case of rain.

The fee for the five-day camp is $185 and includes instruction and coaching, camp ball, a soccer T-shirt, and lunch each day. For information or a brochure, call Penn State York at (717) 771-4036, e-mail Kerry Magni, athletic director at Penn State York, at kam24@psu.edu; or download the brochure online (PDF). Enrollment is limited to the first 115 registrants.

Two-time Grammy-award winner LeAnn Rimes takes to the stage at the Pullo Family Performing Arts Center (The Pullo Center) at Penn State York on Saturday, October 22 at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $68 & $47, and they go on sale April 25, at 10 a.m. Tickets can be purchased at The Pullo Center box office, charge by phone at 717-505-8900, or online at www.pullocenter.yk.psu.edu and www.ticketmaster.com. Penn State York students can purchase one ticket, regular priced at $47, at the discounted rate of $27 at the box office.

Rimes has sold more than 37 million albums, three Academy of Country Music Awards, and 12 Billboard Music Awards. Rimes is the youngest recipient of a Grammy Award, and was also the first country recording artist to win in the Best New Artist category. Rimes has placed 42 singles on the Billboard hot country songs chart, 13 of which are top-10 hits, and has scored numerous hit singles in her career, including “Can’t Fight the Moonlight” which went #1 in 11 countries, and “How Do I Live,” which is the second longest charting song ever on the Billboard hot 100 chart.

Rimes is as an accomplished actress and author, including writing two children’s books, “Jag” and “Jag’s New Friend,” as well as the novel, “Holiday in Your Heart” and the inspirational book “What I Cannot Change.“

She has long-supported a variety of charity organizations including advocating for the National Psoriasis Foundation, The Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes, and the Children’s Miracle Network.

Rimes recently released two songs from her forthcoming album, “Lady & Gentlemen,” where she reinterprets classic country songs by men, including the Grammy nominated song “Swingin’” and the original new song, “Crazy Women.”

Penn State York honored the academic achievements and service of its outstanding students, faculty, and staff for the 2010-11 academic year during the 40th Annual Academic Awards Banquet, Friday, April 15 in the Conference Center of the Main Classroom Building. More than 90 academic and service awards were presented following a 6 p.m. dinner.
 
Awards were presented by a variety of campus groups and several community organizations including the Rotary Club of York and the York County Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association. Highlights of the program were the presentation of the Eric A. and Josephine Walker Award, the James H. Burness Award for Excellence in Teaching, the Penn State York Advising Award, and the new Clark E. Fisher Memorial Award.

The Clark E. Fisher Memorial Award honors and recognizes outstanding achievement in engineering by a full-time undergraduate student. The award is named for the late Clark E. Fisher, ’83, a Penn State engineering graduate. Family members, Precision Custom Components (PCC) - Fisher’s former employer, colleagues from PCC, and friends joined together to create an award in remembrance of Fisher. The award is given in the field that Fisher loved, engineering. Matthew D. Ruth, York, Pa.; is the recipient and this is his second time receiving this award.

The Eric A. and Josephine S. Walker Award, the most prestigious student award of the evening, was presented to Corey W. Baughman. This award is given annually to a full-time student who exhibits outstanding qualities of character, scholarship, leadership, and citizenship. Each Penn State campus selects a recipient of this award. Baughman is a senior at Penn State York majoring in Human Development and Family Studies. He resides in Red Lion, Pa. Baughman was recognized for his outstanding service to the campus and community through a variety of projects and for his excellent performance in the classroom.

The James H. Burness Award for Excellence in Teaching is given to one part-time and one full-time member of the Penn State York faculty based on nominations by students and other members of the campus community. The award is named in honor of the late James H. Burness, in recognition of his outstanding teaching and service to the campus. Burness died in December 1999. This year's recipients are Charles (Chuck) L. Kennedy, senior instructor in political science, full-time award and Dr. Judith K. McCormick Higgins, part-time instructor in business, part-time award.

Kennedy, of Mechanicsburg, Pa., who also won the teaching award in 2001, received high praise from his students for his positive attitude and his knowledge of the subject. One student wrote, “Teachers like Chuck are few and far between. I am in my third year at Penn State and have taken courses at University Park, Harrisburg, and York and hands down, he is the best professor I have ever had.” Another student said, “Chuck is special. He is the kind of professor all schools need and he 110 percent deserves this award!” Still more praise from others, “Mr. Kennedy has exceptional speaking abilities and really knows how to articulate a subject matter. He is very inspiring, challenging, and fastidious in ensuring how well students perform.” Still others gave kudos to Kennedy for his hands-on teaching approach and his ability to make the class enjoyable. “Chuck Kennedy makes the class enjoyable and productive at the same time. His simulations give us a firsthand look into how different elements of the political system work and makes coming to class in the morning exciting.”

Higgins, of Windsor, Pa., received numerous accolades from her students for her subject knowledge, her dedication, and a teaching style that keeps students engaged. One student wrote, “I never in my life have had a teacher/professor so enthusiastic and intriguing. She tends to draw you in so deep and keep you interested that the class feels like it’s only 5 minutes long, not 2 hours and 40 minutes.”
Another student wrote, Dr. Higgins is a great professor. She makes each class interesting because she brings boring topics to life. She is very intriguing and passionate about everything she says and teaches.” Still more students cited Higgins for her exceptional attention to detail and the many real-world examples she provides to help them learn. “She has a different way of teaching that makes us think outside of the box.”

Harley H. Hartman of Hanover, Pa., instructor of engineering, was honored as the winner of the Penn State York Advising Award. The Penn State York Advising Award, given by the campus Academic Affairs Committee, was established several years ago to recognize the importance of advising students. This committee operates separately from the teaching award committee.

Hartman earned high praise for his willingness to help students wherever and whenever he can. One student wrote, “Harley has been extraordinarily helpful in getting me on the right path as far as what courses to take, and which ones will transfer. He is always very willing to work with me and he is always available either personally or via e-mail.” Another student wrote, “I have been to three different Penn State campuses and I also attended another university my freshman year of college. None of my previous advisers at any campus have been anywhere near as helpful or willing to help as Mr. Hartman. Mr. Hartman laid-out a plan for me which shows exactly what I need to take in which semester in order to graduate, which is a very relieving and gratifying thing.

The Penn State York Honors Program provides challenging opportunities for academically superior students. Students who complete 9 credits of honors work are recognized. Recipients are: Stephen A. Bailey, Hampstead, Md.; Matthew J. Cocco, York, Pa.; Ryan M. Corney, Spring Grove, Pa.; Alison A. Crossley, Dover, Pa.; Nathan D. Cutshall, York, Pa.; Lauren R. Dalemar, York, Pa.; Matthew L. Dunlap, Shrewsbury, Pa.; Joshua J. Hess, Willow Street, Pa.; Tait H. Huso, Parkyon, Md.; Crystal L. Kimball, York, Pa.; Saryet A. Kucukemiroglu, York, Pa.; Setenay N. Kucukemiroglu, York, Pa.; Jennifer R. Lake, Wellsville, Pa.; Randi H. Mallery, York, Pa.; Zachary R. Merritt, Stewartstown, Pa.; David B. Minogue, Stewartstown, Pa.; Miles M. Myers, Hanover, Pa.; Lauren E. Schweinsberg, Oxford, Pa.; and Alexandra S. Zharichenko, New Cumberland, Pa.

The Evan Pugh Scholar Award is for those juniors and seniors who are in the upper 0.5 percent of their respective classes and have completed at least 48 graded Penn State credits at the end of the fall semester of the academic year the award is given. Candidates are eligible if they have been full-time undergraduate students for at least four semesters prior to selection. The Penn State York recipient is Crystal L. Kimball, York, Pa.

The President's Freshman Award is presented annually to full-time undergraduate students who have earned a 4.0 grade-point average for the first semester of their freshman year of study. Recipients are: Rachel F. Decamp, York, Pa.; Kate E. Garvin, York, Pa.; Sunggeul Kang, York, Pa.; Mary E. Lee, East Berlin, Pa.; Fangru Liu, York, Pa.; Jennifer L. Marcombe, York, Pa.; Andrew J. Patterson, Shrewsbury, Pa.; Carley E. Richardson, Mountville, Pa.; Tyler P. Ruenroeng, York, Pa.; Robert S. Schultz, New Freedom, Pa.; and Keith E. Wickline, York, Pa.

 The President Sparks Award is presented annually to those undergraduate candidates who have earned 4.0 (A) cumulative grade-point average based on at least 36 graded Penn State credits completed by the end of the fall semester of the academic year the award is given. The President Sparks Award recipients are: Ryan M. Corney, Spring Grove, Pa.; Joshua J. Hess, Willow Street, Pa.; and Terri S. Rentzel, York, Pa.
 
Freshman Press Chemistry Award recipient is Jehanzeb H. Ghori, Las Vegas, Nev. This award is presented to a freshman based on outstanding academic achievement in chemistry.

Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi recognizes superior scholarship in all fields of study and only inducts the highest-ranking students from any branch of learning. The inductees are: Matthew L. Dunlap, Shrewsbury, Pa.; Matthew N. Duong, York, Pa.; Laura A. Kline, York, Pa.; Matthew C. Shannon, Red Lion, Pa.; and Nikole E. Tome, York, Pa.

Keystone Honor Society Awards were presented to full- and part-time students with the highest grade-point average (GPA) at or above a 3.50 GPA in each associate and baccalaureate degree program offered at the campus. Part-time students meeting the requirements are eligible to receive the award one time in their major. There are also minimum requirements for the time in the degree. Honorees for the full-time students are: Randy A. Forry, York, Pa., associate degree in electrical engineering technology; Nathan R. Brown, Red Lion, Pa. and Eric R. Gallant, Dover, Pa., associate degree in information sciences and technology; Rhonda J. Johnson, York, Pa. and Shehzad H. Siddique, York, Pa., associate degree in letters, arts and sciences; Jennifer L. Elicker, York, Pa.; Joshua M. Robertson, Hanover, Pa.; Matthew C. Shannon, Red Lion, Pa.; and Meher Tabassum, Red Lion, Pa., bachelor of science in business; Kaitlyn S. Kosalek, York, Pa.; Caitlin D. Markline, Glen Rock, Pa.; and Lera N. Tyler, New Freedom, Pa., bachelor of arts in communication arts and sciences; Shanna L. Christenson, York, Pa., bachelor of science in electro-mechanical engineering technology; Renee M. Hollinger, Hanover, Pa. and Crystal L. Kimball, York, Pa., bachelor of arts in English; Elizabeth M. Edkins, Columbia, Pa.; Laura A. Kline, York, Pa.; and Erin R. Murphy, Hanover, Pa., bachelor of science in human development and family studies; Shibani R. Chadha, York, Pa.; Purva V. Chitnis, York, Pa.; and Basil J. Hartman, Hanover, Pa., bachelor of science information sciences and technology; Rose A. Harless, York, Pa. and Katie L. Rice, Mount Joy, Pa., bachelor of arts in letters, arts and sciences; Matthew L. Dunlap, Shrewsbury, Pa.; Saryet A. Kucukemiroglu, York, Pa., and William D. Laviers, Bel Air, Md., bachelor of science in science.

Honorees for the part-time Keystone Honor Society students are: Jeffrey D. Cass, Dover, Pa., associate degree in business administration; Keith E. Wickline, York, Pa., associate in electrical engineering technology; Jennifer J. Miller, York, Pa., associate degree in human development and family studies; Peggy Ulsh, Mountville, Pa., associate degree in information sciences and technology; James M. Shaffer, Wrightsville, Pa., associate degree in mechanical engineering technology; Corey L. Miller, New Freedom, Pa., bachelor of science in business; Keith M. Sutton, Manchester, Pa., bachelor of science in electro- mechanical engineering technology; Karen D. Beard, York, Pa., bachelor of science in human development and family studies; and Christina D. Miller, Red Lion, Pa., bachelor of science in information sciences and technology.

Student Government Association (SGA) Campus Service Awards were presented to Rajdeep Champa, Mumbai, India and Angela Steco, Lancaster, Pa.

The Student Appreciation Award is given to faculty or staff person for outstanding service to students. The recipient was Monica M. Grigera, York, Pa., multicultural programs coordinator.

Gary L. Collison Community Service Awards were presented to Shane A. Moore, York, Pa. The service awards are named to honor the late Gary L. Collison, professor of English and American Studies at Penn State York, whose idea it was to recognize students for their volunteer service.

The Rotary Club Award is presented to an outstanding second-year student, chosen by the faculty, for having made a significant contribution to the campus and community. Rajdeep Champa, Mumbai, India is the recipient.

The Manufacturers’ Association Award honors a second year associate or baccalaureate degree student who has displayed academic excellence in an engineering or science program. The recipient was Randy A. Forry, York, Pa.

The Academic Achievement Award is given to a student(s) in recognition of academic accomplishments. The recipient(s) cannot have been otherwise honored with an academic award. Minimum qualifications are second year standing by spring semester of the year in which the award is presented and a minimum 3.5 cumulative grade-point average. Only Penn State credits are considered. Jennifer R. Lake, Wellsville, Pa. and Elise K. Olsen, Felton, Pa., are the recipients.

The York County Chapter, Penn State Alumni Association Award is presented to a graduating associate degree senior from York County who has demonstrated outstanding qualities of scholarship, leadership, and service to the campus. Alissa C. Cardenas, Manchester, Pa., is the recipient.

The Tutor of the Year Award is presented to the tutor who has made the greatest impact on students who came to the Nittany Success Center for extra help with their course work. Nader M. Mekheal, York, Pa. is the recipient.

The Tau Alpha Pi National Honor Society recognizes high standards of scholarship among associate degree engineering seniors. Campus engineering faculty select the award recipients. Recipients are: Randy A. Forry, York, Pa., electrical engineering technology (2EET); Sheldon L. Mumma, McConnellsberry, Pa., mechanical engineering technology (2MET); and Christian P. Brandt, York, Pa., electro-mechanical engineering technology (EMET).

The Lambda Pi Eta Award is the honor society of the National Communication Association. Recipients of this award are Megan L. Hoffer, Stewartstown, Pa.; Kaithyn S. Kosalek, York, Pa.; Aaron J. Kraft, York, Pa.; Caitlin D. Markline, Glen Rock, Pa.; Theresa L. Rosenberry, Etters, Pa.; Taylor M. Schwienebart, Dallastown, Pa.; Madeline E. Snyder, Dallastown, Pa., and Lera N. Tyler, New Freedom, Pa.

The Edward M. Elias Award is presented to the first- and second-year baccalaureate students moving to a campus within the Penn State system with the highest grade-point average. Dai Shi, York, Pa. and Ryan M. Corney, Spring Grove, Pa. are the recipients.

It was standing room only when Matt Wilson, co-founder of Under30CEO.com, spoke on April 7 as part of the Graham Entrepreneurship Lecture Series, Visionary Leaders at Penn State York. More than 225 students, members of the campus community, and others listened to the 25-year-old entrepreneur talk about following his passion and pursuing a dream.

“Challenge yourself and follow your instincts,” said Wilson. “Don’t be afraid to change the world and do what you love.”

Wilson, who co-founded Under30CEO.com along with Jared O’Toole, created a website dedicated to giving young entrepreneurs the tools and resources they need to succeed. After using social media to create a huge buzz online, Under30CEO was written about in numerous publications including Entrepreneur and Reuters, and Wilson began helping others build their brands through the digital marketing firm Shadow Concepts, LLC.

Wilson’s passion for entrepreneurship began at Bryant University, Smithfield, R.I., where he led the Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization to becoming the world’s No. 1 entrepreneurship organization and earned personal accolades as National Student Leader of the Year.

Wilson offered four steps for students to take as they pursue their passion and make their dream become a reality.

The steps are:

1. Make a list, find out who is making money and where the niches are;
2. Engulf yourself and learn everything you can about the area you are interested in;
3. Network, connect with millions of people through Twitter and other online tools as well as meeting with everyone you can; and
4. Take the leap, you might fail, but you’ll never know unless you try.

Penn State fans travelling to the Blue and White game Saturday, April 16 will have the opportunity to view “The Ball Games of the World Exhibit” from 4-10 p.m. in the Nittany Lion Inn. The collection of game balls, equipment, and posters depicting more than 60 games from around the world has been gathered by Ken Swalgin, Ph.D., associate professor of kinesiology at Penn State York. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

Swalgin has traveled the world adding to his collections and learning the details of games from numerous countries. The exhibit has more than 75 game balls and is on display as part of the Kinesiology’s Department Century of Excellence Celebration.

Penn State York honored its student athletes at the 40th annual Athletic Awards Banquet Friday, April 8, in the Lion’s Den of the Joe and Rosie Ruhl Student Community Center at the campus. The evening event not only honored athletes for their performance in their respective sports, but also honored those with outstanding academic achievements. Awards were presented following a 6 p.m. dinner.

Thirty-two Penn State York students earned the distinction of Academic All-Conference. This honor is bestowed on those student athletes who have a semester grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher during the semester of competition or a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher and completion of at least 24 credits. Recipients in their sports are: Baseball: Matthew B. Arentz, Hanover, Pa.; Donovan M. Blessing, York, Pa.; Robert A. MacCubbin, Delta, Pa.; Andrew D. Taylor, Delta, Pa.; and James E. Volz, White Hall, Pa. Women’s Basketball: Hannah M.Kuhn, Red Lion, Pa.; and Laura A. Hoffman, Hanover, Pa. Soccer: Scott D. Barrera, York, Pa.; Patrick W. Betmarik, Hanover, Pa.; Stephen P. Higgins, Nathan R. Hunt, York, Pa.; York, Pa.; Mihir L. Jadhav, Mumbai, India; Cody J. O’Connor, Hanover, Pa.; Karan U. Shah, Mumbai, India; John F. Suarez, Dominican Republic; and Timothy J. Weikert, York, Pa. Team Tennis: Aaron M. Dunlevy, Dover, Pa.; Michael N. Duong, Howard County, Md.; Christopher M. Lawyer, York, Pa.; Anh T. Nguyen, York, Pa.; Zil B. Vyas, York, Pa.; and Janessa T. Wagner, Dillsburg, Pa. Women’s Volleyball: Sabryna D. Holmberg, Glen Rock, Pa.; Lauren R. Kline, York, Pa.;Hannah M. Kuhn, Red Lion, Pa.; and Erin R. Murphy, Hanover, Pa. Men’s Basketball: Ryan R. Bradshaw, Baltimore, Md; Joshua D. Czerski, Baltimore, Md.; Johan Erimee, Mechanicsburg, Pa.; Chemin F. Lambert, York, Pa.; David B. Salerno, Bethlehem, Pa.; and Seth A. Warren, Dover, Pa.

Eleven students earned Athletic All-Conference in the Penn State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC). This award is given to athletes chosen either by their coach or other coaches in the conference for their athletic performance. Recipients are: Women’s Basketball: Hannah M. Kuhn, Red Lion, Pa.; and Jennifer L. Fink, New Oxford, Pa. Men’s Basketball: Durant K. Harvin, Reisterstown, Md. Team Tennis: Mikesh J. Desai, York, Pa.; Michael N. Duong, Howard City, Md.; Nathan J. Gambino, York, Pa.; and Zil B. Vyas, York, Pa.

Durant K. Harvin, Reisterstown, Md., received the Trimmer Award in basketball. This award is named in honor of former Penn State York Basketball Coach Ron Trimmer and is given to the most improved player.

Gregory S. Ebersol, Leola, Pa.; received the Broadbent Award given in honor of Bruce Broadbent, Ph.D., former assistant professor of kinesiology at the campus and division head of health and human development at the Commonwealth College. Broadbent was the campus’ first athletic director and worked for more than 30 years to promote the campus’ athletic programs.

Corey J. Magliore, York, Pa.; received the Christopher C. Miller Sportsmanship Award for soccer. This award is given to an athlete who displays a high level of sportsmanship not only on the soccer field but also in everyday life. The award was established in 2002 to honor the late Christopher C. Miller, the son of former Penn State York Soccer Coach George Miller, who passed away on July 9, 2001, at the age of 16. During his soccer career, Christopher played between 350 and 400 soccer games and never received a yellow or red card for unsportsmanlike play. His love of the game of soccer and outstanding sportsmanship will always be remembered through this award.

Michael Arnold, York, Pa.; tennis coach at Penn State York, was named the Penn State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC) Coach of the Year in Tennis for the second consecutive year for his outstanding leadership.

In the PSUAC, Hannah Kuhn, Red Lion, Pa., was named to the All-Conference First Team in women’s basketball; and Jennifer L. Fink, McLean, Va., women’s basketball, and Durant K. Harvin, Reisterstown, Md., men’s basketball, earned Honorable Mention All-Conference.

Prior to the start of the awards presentation, Joel M. Rodney, chancellor of Penn State York, presented a plaque to Kerry Magni for her 10 years of service as the campus’ athletic director. Magni is stepping down from that position.

Team coaches presented awards to their athletes:

Baseball (Head Coach Jason Aspito, Assistant Coach Joseph P. Royer, and Score Keeper Barbara Eshbach) First-year awards: Jose J. Aracena-Tavarez, York, Pa.; Matthew B. Arentz, Hanover, Pa.; Christopher R. Farscht, York, Pa.; Nathaniel J. Gambino, York, Pa.; Robert A. MacCubbin, Delta, Pa.; Christopher M. Miller, Red Lion, Pa.; David L. Pottle Jr., York, Pa.; John S. Smith, Lancaster, Pa.; and James E. Volz, White Hall, Pa. Second-year awards: Donovan M. Blessing, York, Pa.; Anthany L. Heindel, Downingtown, Pa.; Andrew D. Taylor, Delta, Pa.; Nicholas D. Wallin, Hanover, Pa.; and Kent T. Weibley, York, Pa. Third-year-award: Trevor E. Neff, Dallastown, Pa.

Women’s Basketball (Head Coach Eric Leese and Assistant Coach Tom Leese) First-year award: Hannah M. Kuhn. Second-year-awards: Amanda G. Ball, McLean, Va.; Jennifer L. Fink, New Oxford, Pa.; and Laura A. Hoffman, Hanover, Pa. Third-year-award: Lindsay E. Mumma, Dover, Pa. Fourth-year-award: Kaitlyn O. Toomey, Dover, Pa.

Men's Basketball (Head Coach Parrish Petry and Assistant Coach Alex Knox) First-year awards: Ryan R. Bradshaw, Baltimore, Md.; Zachary A Harlem, York, Pa.; Chemin F. Lambert, York, Pa.; David B. Salerno, Bethlehem, Pa.; and Seth A. Warren, Dover, Pa. Second-year-awards: Johan Erimee, Mechanicsburg, Pa.; Durant K. Harvin, Reisterstown, Md; Matthew V. Rotonda, Tom’s River, NJ; and Xavier E. Smith, Bel Air, Md. Third-year-award: Joshua D. Czerski, Baltimore, Md.

Soccer (Head Coach Richard Chilcoat, Assistant Coach Ben Otterson) First-year awards: Scott D. Barrera, York, Pa.; Adam M. Beck, York, Pa.; Daniel H. Brinkley, Camp Hill, Pa.; Jeffrey S. Childress, Dallastown, Pa.; Michael G. Chronister, York, Pa.; Lelish A. Depaso, York, Pa.; Gregory S. Ebersol, Leola, Pa.; Jordan E. Fair, Hershey, Pa.; Stephen P. Higgins, York, Pa.; Mihir L. Jadhav, Mumbai, India; Daniel J. Lynd, Hanover, Pa.; Cody J. O’Connor, Hanover, Pa.; Nicholas J. Ridolfi, Dallastown, Pa.; and Karan U. Shah, Mumbai, India. Second-year-awards: Aldin Avdic, York, Pa.; Patrick W. Betmarik, Hanover, Pa.; Cole J. Houser, Thomasville, Pa.; and Corey J. Magloire, York, Pa. Fourth-year-awards: Joseph D. Dizio, York, Pa.; Nathan R. Hunt, York, Pa.; John F. Suarez, Dominican Republic; and Timothy J. Weikert, York, Pa.

Team Tennis (Head Coach Michael Arnold) First-year awards: Matthew A. Culler, Dover, Pa.; Christopher D. Dill, York, Pa.; Michael N. Duong, Howard City, Md.; Christopher M. Lawyer, York, Pa.; Anh T. Nguyen, York, Pa.; Zil B. Vyas, York, Pa.; and Janessa T. Wagner, Dillsburg, Pa. Second-year-awards: Mikesh J. Desai, York, Pa.; Aaron M. Dunlevy, Dover, Pa.; and Nathan J. Gambino.

Women's Volleyball (Head Coach William Hahn) First-year awards: Tessa M. Berger, White Hall, Md.; Kathlyn M. Claycomb, Hanover, Great Britain; and Hannah M. Kuhn, Red Lion, Pa. Second-year-awards: Sydney R. Bondar, Reisterstown, Md.; Sabryna D. Holmberg, Glen Rock, Pa.; and Lauren R. Kline, York, Pa. Third-year-awards: Lindsay E. Mumma, Dover, Pa., and Ann P. Shaw, Spring Grove, Pa. Fourth-year-award: Erin R. Murphy, Hanover, Pa.

Learn more about Penn State York’s athletic programs by visiting the website.

Lomax, 19, a human development and family studies major at the campus, has been following the child abuse case concerning Darisabel since it happened in 2008. After her class presentation, which included the story of Darisabel Baez, Lomax and her friends decided they wanted to do something.

“Initially we thought we would visit Darisabel’s grave site with flowers but then we all talked and decided to do much more. Raising awareness about child abuse prevention is our goal and having a fashion show in Darisabel’s memory just seemed the right thing to do,” said Lomax. “We decided to do the show in April since it is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.”

Students contacted local businesses and were able to get several area clothing stores to provide clothing be worn in the show. In addition to the fashion show, there will also be other entertainment and speakers including Patti O’Brien, a forensic nurse at York Hospital who photographed Darisabel’s injuries when she was admitted to the hospital.

In addition to the fashion show, the group is selling blue ribbons, the color of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and all proceeds will go to the Lehman Center.

The group decided to contact members of Darisabel’s family to let them know there were people in York who cared about what happened to her. The grandparents of Darisabel will attend the show.

Lomax’s goal after college is to be a caseworker or psychologist and be able to help children and make a difference. “I’ve always worked around children,” said Lomax, “my mom is a foster mom and children have a special place in my heart.”

Penn State York women's basketball player Hannah Kuhn recently was selected to the Penn State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC) First Team. Fellow women's basketball player Jennifer Fink, and men's basketball player Durant Harvin, each received honorable mentions from the PSUAC.

Hannah Kuhn, a junior at Penn State York and a center on the basketball team, was selected to the Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC) First Team. Kuhn, a 21-year-old, a 6-foot-tall center, led the conference in scoring with 22.3 points per game, her free-throw percentage was 75.6 percent, and she finished in the top five in rebounding with 10.6 rebounds per game. She is a graduate of Red Lion High School, and is majoring in communications.

New Oxford graduate Jennifer Fink, 20, earned honorable mention accolades from the conference. She led the conference in minutes played at 39.5 minutes per game, finished in the top five in the conference in assists with 4.5 per game, and steals at 2.5 per game. The 5-foot 2-inch-tall guard also averaged 6.5 points per game and 5.3 rebounds per game. Fink is majoring in speech pathology.

In men’s basketball news, Durant Harvin, a 5-foot-10 shooting guard, also earned honorable mention in the PSUAC. Harvin scored 12.5 points per game, 3.1 assists per game, and 3 rebounds per game. Harvin is a sophomore majoring in communications major and a graduate of Franklin High School in Franklin, Md. According to Parrish Petry, Penn State York men’s basketball coach, Harvin was the most improved player from his freshman year to his sophomore year.

Penn State York will celebrate its 13th annual Unity Day on Thursday, April 14, and a variety of programs are planned from April 11-20, an extended Unity Week, when students, faculty, staff, and members of the York community are invited to celebrate diversity. Events will take place in and around the Joe and Rosie Ruhl Student Community Center from noon–1:00 p.m. each day and are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.

Monday through Friday, a variety of displays and events are scheduled to take place with an opportunity to learn something new each day. Monday is a presentation on Haiti, Tuesday is the day to learn how to Salsa dance, and Wednesday explores Peru through the eyes of students who visited there.

Thursday is Unity Day from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and features a variety of displays and an opportunity to sample ethnic foods to help celebrate diversity. Displays that reflect the origin or ancestry of faculty, staff, and students will also be set-up in and around the student center. The York County Chapter of the American Red Cross will be on-hand and students will help the group with making paper cranes that will be sold for a donation benefitting Japanese tsunami relief. Paper cranes will be available for purchase and those who are interested in the Japanese art of origami can also learn how to make their own.

Students who traveled to New Orleans during spring break will share their experiences on Friday and on Saturday, Penn State York students, faculty, and staff will join the Lower Susquehanna Riverkeepers in helping with the Codorus Creek Clean-up. Taikoza, a Japanese drum group, is featured on Monday, April 18 in a free performance at the Pullo Family Performing Arts Center on campus. This performance is part of the campus’ Cultural and Performing Artists Series sponsored by MediaOnePA. Finally, on Wednesday, April 20, the campus community will take part in a Japanese tea ceremony. This event is not open to the public.

Those participating in Unity Day on April 14 will wear specially designed T-shirts. Visitors to Unity Day event can also receive a shirt, while supplies last, if they visit a number of displays. Students in Fred Haag’s introduction to visual studies (Art 10S) class created 21 designs for Unity Week and the campus community voted to select one to appear on the shirt. Haag, an associate professor of visual arts at Penn State York, has involved his class in creating designs for a number of years.

A design by Jamie Altman, 18, a freshman from Laurel, Md., was selected as the winner. According to Altman, rather than using drawings of people in her design, she used different fonts and colors together to represent different people coming together.

Nineteen other students submitted designs for the contest and they are Ryan J. Althoff, York, Pa.; Cody A. Arnold, Lewisberry, Pa.; Brittney V. Balbier, Red Lion, Pa.; Amanda G. Ball, McLean, Va.; Alison A. Crossley, Dover, Pa.; Keely S. Downey, Dover, Pa.; Chun-Jui Huang, York, Pa.; Chemin F. Lambert, York, Pa.; Levi G. Lenker, York, Pa.; Kyle Lingg, York, Pa.; Dana M. Markel, York, Pa.; Tyler E. Mason, Dillsburg, Pa.; Samantha L. Melhorn, Dover, PA.; Carrie Phath, York, Pa.; Gabriel A. Plymire, York, Pa.; Joshua J. Ratliff, York, Pa.; James T. Rosenberger, Red Lion, Pa.; Dustin E. Sinclair, York, Pa.; and Summer A. Warner, Spring Grove, Pa.

Goals for Unity Week include creating teachable moments to learn about diversity and to provide an opportunity for the campus and community to suggest ways Penn State can create a multicultural environment.

Unity Week is the culmination of the work of Penn State York’s Diversity Committee which includes students, faculty, and staff and is sponsored by the group. A variety of multicultural events are planned throughout the year to provide a forum for the campus and community to learn about diversity.

Flags fly at Penn State York representing the homelands of students, faculty, and staff year-round, and symbolize campus pride in the ethnic heritage of campus members and their commitment to providing an environment where all opinions are valued and respected. Unity Week is an opportunity to educate, understand, and appreciate the differences among us and discover the many similarities.

Those attending Unity Week may also wish to visit the display of 30 ceremonial dance masks from Latin American nations, primarily Mexico and Guatemala, which are on permanent display in the Lee R. Glatfelter Library. The masks were donated by the family of the late Gary Collison, Ph.D., Penn State York professor of English/American studies, who died almost three years ago. These masks were part of a much larger collection gathered by Collison, many of which were purchased in his travels to other countries.

Unity Week Celebration April 11-20

Monday, April 11, 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Experience Haiti, Katie Sprich, presenter
Community Room, Joe and Rosie Ruhl Student Community Center

Tuesday, April 12, 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Salsa Dance Lessons
Community Room, Joe and Rosie Ruhl Student Community Center

Wednesday, April 13, 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Experience Peru through the eyes of students who visited there
Community Room, Joe and Ruhl Student Community Center

Thursday, April 14, 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Unity Day Celebration

Friday, April 15, 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Experience New Orleans. Hear from students who spent spring break volunteering in the city.
Community Room, Joe and Rosie Ruhl Student Community Center

Saturday, April 16, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Lower Susquehanna Riverkeepers/Codorus Clean-up
Smalls Athletic Field
428 North George Street
York, PA

Monday, April 18, 7:00 p.m.
Taikoza, Japanese Drum Group
Pullo Family Performing Arts Center

Wednesday, April 20, 4:00 p.m.
Japanese Tea Ceremony
Lion’s Den, Joe and Rosie Ruhl Student Community Center
This event is not open to the public.

Penn State York's small class size offers students the opportunity to get to know faculty members and work in research areas using state-of-the-art lab facilities. The two summer sessions also allow students to take a class and still have time to enjoy the summer.
 
For a brochure or more information on summer course offerings at Penn State York, call (717) 771-4050 or visit our summer information page online.

“Since I know many on our campus have experienced traumatic losses of loved ones from siblings and children to friends, I thought it would be a good idea to bring Dr. Cacciatore to campus,” said Cynthia Cox, Ph.D., who works in counseling services at the campus and in private practice. “Her research has been focused on helping to manage life following losses and I thought she would be a great resource to introduce our human development and family studies (HD FS) students and other health care professionals to the research on the topic.”

Caccatorie is working with a group in Lancaster called the Sweet Pea Project and the founder of that group, Stephanie Cole, contacted Cox to see if the campus would be interested in having her speak. The Sweet Pea Project was created by Cole after the death of her daughter Madeline, as a way to honor her memory and reach out to other bereaved parents. The Sweet Pea Project (http://www.sweetpeaproject.org/ ) offers comfort, support and gentle guidance to families who have experienced the death of a baby.

Caccatorie specializes in counseling those affected by traumatic losses, most often the death of a child. Her life changed profoundly in 1994 when her infant daughter, Cheyenne, died. She is board certified in bereavement trauma by the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress and the National Center for Crisis Management. She is also board certified through the American Psychotherapy Association. Her therapeutic interventions are all mindfulness-based including MCBT, narrative therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, logo therapy, and various post-traumatic stress therapies, such as repeated exposure therapy. She is an assistant professor and researcher at Arizona State University (ASU).

As the founder of the Center for Loss and Trauma/MISS Foundation, she is an advocate of “green” mental health care and holds memberships in: the American Psychotherapy Association, the Association for Contemplative Mind in Higher Education, the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, and the National Center for Crisis Management. She is regarded as an expert in traumatic loss and child death in families, and has been counseling and aiding individuals and families since 1996. She spearheaded and now directs the Certificate of Trauma and Bereavement graduate program and is a faculty affiliate in the Family Communication Consortium at ASU.

An acclaimed public speaker, Cacciatore provides expert consulting services in the area of traumatic loss. Her research has been published in peer reviewed journals such as “Death Studies,” “Omega Journal of Death and Dying,” “Birth,” “Social Work and Healthcare,” “Social Work,” and “Families in Society.”

She received her doctorate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and her master’s degree and bachelor's degrees in psychology from Arizona State University. Her work has been featured in major media sources such as “People” and “Newsweek” magazines, the “New York Times,” “Boston Globe,” CNN, National Public Radio, and the “Los Angeles Times.” She received the prestigious Hon Kachina Award in 2007 and the Sister Teresa Compassionate Care Award in 2008.

She is a mother to five children, now mostly grown, she notes “four who walk and one who soars”.

Jennifer Nesbitt, Ph.D., associate professor of English at Penn State York, will give a lecture entitled “Rum Histories: Drinking in the Past Postcolonial Atlantic Literature and Culture,” on Thursday, March 31 at University Park. Nesbitt, an Institute of Arts and Humanities (IAH) Resident Scholar for 2010-11, will speak at noon in Sparks Building, room 124. This is the first time a faculty member from York has been named an IAH Resident Scholar since the program began in 2003-04.

The IAH Resident Scholar program is jointly sponsored with the College of Arts and Architecture, the College of the Liberal Arts, and the commonwealth campuses. The program provides up to nine faculty members per year with one semester of release time from teaching, a $1,000 mini-grant for research expenses and/or materials, and the use of an office in Ihlseng Cottage at University Park.
 
Nesbitt joined the Penn State faculty in 2003. She specializes in 20th Century British literature, postcolonial literature, and women’s literature. She earned an undergraduate degree in History and Literature in 1987 from Harvard University, Cambridge, Ma., and a doctorate in English with a certificate in women’s studies in 1999 from Emory University in Atlanta, Ga. She is originally from Winchester, Ma.

“This project has allowed me to look at the ways popular texts—everything from 1950s tour guides to cookbooks to the film “Pirates of the Caribbean”—inform the way rum works as a symbol in literature,” said Nesbitt. “Even the song “Rum and Coca-Cola” has a really interesting story behind it,” she said.

Children in the after-school program at the York Salvation Army will have plenty of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches to eat thanks to the efforts of students, faculty and staff at Penn State York. The campus collected 305 pounds of the popular sandwich-making ingredients.

The Penn State York baseball team collected 140 pounds on their own with the rest of the campus donating the 165 pounds. A variety of jars, tubs, and other containers holding the ingredients of America’s most popular sandwich were delivered to the Salvation Army earlier this month. The Salvation Army’s after-school program feeds 50-75 children every day and peanut butter and jelly is one of their favorite sandwiches.

Ann Fetterman, instructor in English and director of the writing lab at Penn State York, spearheaded the peanut butter and jelly drive. The campus has been collecting peanut butter and jelly for the program for a number of years.

Jamie Altman, a Division of Undergraduate Studies student at Penn State York, is the winner of the Unity Week T-shirt design contest at the campus. Her design will appear on the Unity Week T-shirt worn by those participating in the week-long event, April 11-15.

Altman, 18, a freshman from Laurel, Md., created one of 21 designs to be considered for the event. Students in Fred Haag’s introduction to visual studies (Art 10S) class created designs for Unity Week and the campus community voted to select one to appear on the shirt. Haag, an associate professor of visual arts at Penn State York, has involved his class in creating designs for a number of years.

According to Altman, rather than using drawings of people in her design, she used different fonts and colors together to represent different people coming together.

Penn State York will celebrate its 13th annual Unity Day on Thursday, April 14, and two years ago turned a day-long celebration into a week-long event, when students, faculty, staff, and members of the York community are invited to celebrate diversity. Events will take place in and around the Joe and Rosie Ruhl Student Community Center throughout the week. More details on events will be available at a later date.

Matt Wilson, co-founder of Under30CEO.com., is the featured speaker when Penn State York continues its Graham Entrepreneurship Lecture Series, Visionary Leaders. The program is set for Thursday, April 7, at 12:30 p.m. in the Community Room of the Joe and Rosie Ruhl Student Community Center. The event is open to the public. Last year the lecture series kicked-off with Sheila C. Johnson, entrepreneur, philanthropist, co-founder of Black Entertainment Television, and president of the Women’s National Basketball Association’s Washington Mystics.

Wilson, who co-founded Under30CEO.com along with Jared O’Toole, created a website dedicated to giving young entrepreneurs the tools and resources they need to succeed. After using social media to create a huge buzz online, Under30CEO was written about in numerous publications including Entrepreneur and Reuters, and Wilson began helping others build their brands through the digital marketing firm Shadow Concepts LLC.

Wilson’s passion for entrepreneurship began at Bryant University, Smithfield, R.I., where he led the Collegiate Entrepreneurs’ Organization to becoming the world’s #1 entrepreneurship organization and earned personal accolades as National Student Leader of the Year. Wilson was a finalist for Alister and Paine’s Young Entrepreneur of the Year in 2010 and has been a keynote speaker to groups of more than 1,000 people. His personal mission is to inspire young people to use technology to create opportunity and become leaders.

A question and answer session will follow Wilson’s presentation.

Somya Dwivedi, Ph.D., instructor in biology, will share information Hinduism and talk about her experience being raised as a Hindu and how she has been influenced by other religions. Dwivedi came to the United States at age 23 and since that time has developed a more global perspective of religion. She will share her beliefs, which are based on Hinduism, but she has developed a more open view of the religion over the years.

The First Friday Series is sponsored by the Penn State York Diversity Committee. The goal of the series is to introduce people to a variety of cultures. Please bring your lunch and plan to take part in this informative program.

The amount of state money Penn State receives directly affects tuition increases. Without continued strong support from the state, students and their families can expect to see higher tuition bills next year.

Students will join with alumni to have individual meetings with Pennsylvania senators, representatives and their staffers. They will convey the message that a strong state appropriation will allow Penn State to continue its land-grant mission of providing quality, accessible higher education at affordable tuition rates for students and their families.

In addition to these meetings, Capital Day will also include a noon “Rally in the Rotunda” and an ice cream social to show support for Penn State, its ongoing impact on Pennsylvania’s economy, and its vital role in training future leaders. Hundreds of students are needed to pack the rotunda.

All Penn State students are welcome to participate in Capital Day but must register for the vent. For more information or to register, visit www.alumni.psu.edu/grassroots.

Capital Day is cosponsored by the Penn State Alumni Association’s Grassroots Network, an education and advocacy group supporting Penn State; the Council of Commonwealth Student Governments (CCSG), which represents Penn State students at the 19 undergraduate campuses beyond University Park; the University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA); and the Graduate Student Association (GSA).

For information about student traveling to Harrisburg from Penn State York, contact Kelsey Kman at ksk5113@psu.edu or call the Penn State York Student Government (SGA) office at (717) 771-4043.

Scholar athletes, outstanding players, and a variety of other awards will be presented following a 6 p.m. dinner. Award recipients and coaches attend the banquet at no charge.

Tickets for the event for guests can be purchased for $15 in the Penn State York Student Affairs Office. For more information please call Kerry Magni, athletic director, at (717) 771-4036 or e-mail her at kam24@psu.edu.

Awards will be presented by a variety of campus groups and several community organizations including the Rotary Club and the Manufacturers’ Association. Highlights of the program include the presentation of the Eric A. and Josephine Walker Award, the James H. Burness Awards for Excellence in Teaching, and the Penn State York Advising Award. Tickets for the event can be purchased in the Penn State York Student Affairs office. Cost for guests is $15. Award recipients and presenters attend free. For information, call the Student Affairs office at (717) 771-4045.

“The Duty to Degree: Informational Conference for Veterans is designed to provide veterans with information about their military benefits, financial aid, academic choices, counseling resources, and admissions options,” said Sharon Christ, director of Enrollment Management and Strategic Recruitment and Retention Initiatives and one of the planners of the conference at the campus.

Veterans who attend will learn about the opportunities available, meet with veterans who have successfully managed the challenges of becoming successful students, and the graduates who have gone on to fulfilling careers. A complete schedule for the day is at the end of the story.

Christine Frederick, a current adult student and veteran, is pursuing her bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies (HD FS) and remembers what it was like trying to arrange to return to school after her deployment in Iraq.

“Making the transition from the military to a collegiate environment can be difficult for veterans who may not know or understand their benefits,” said Frederick. “Sometimes in the excitement of returning home, that information is lost. While in Iraq, I communicated with Jane Emery in Penn State York’s Advising and Career Center and she advised me on the process of applying to Penn State when I returned home.” Frederick, who has been a part of the planning of the conference, notes that this program will help veterans learn more about the transition.

Frederick, who already earned an associate degree in letter, arts, and sciences at York in 1995, had experience at the campus so making that transition back to college was a bit easier for her.

In addition to hearing from students who are veterans and campus representatives, Philip Palandro, director of York County Veterans Affairs, will do the veterans benefit presentation and be available to answer questions.

Veterans interested in the program can register online at http://www2.yk.psu.edu/veterans/. Online registration ends at noon, Thursday, April 7, and those who wish to register after the deadline, should call Sharon Christ at (717) 771-4048 or e-mail her at sem1@psu.edu. Limited walk-ins will be accepted April 9. To learn more about the variety of opportunities at Penn State York, visit the website at www.yk.psu.edu or contact the admissions office at (717) 771-4040.

The powerful sound of Japanese Taiko drums will fill Penn State York’s Pullo Family Performing Arts Center (The Pullo Center) on Monday, April 18, at 7 p.m. when Taikoza, Japanese Drumming Ensemble, visits York. This free performance is part of the campus’ Cultural and Performing Artists Series sponsored by MediaOnePA.

Taikoza, a Japanese music and dance group founded by Marco Lienhard, has dazzled audiences worldwide with its electrifying performances since 1995. The Taiko is a large barrel-like drum that can fill the air with the sounds of rolling thunder. Drawing from Japan's rich tradition of music and performance, Taikoza has created a new sound using a variety of traditional instruments. In addition to drums of assorted sizes, Taikoza performers also play the shakuhachi and the fue (both bamboo flutes) and the koto (a 13-string instrument).

Taikoza has performed in Europe, and Asia. The group has also appeared on the History Channel and The Last Samurai DVD set. Taikoza’s goal is to educate people about the exciting art form of Taiko and introduce them to Japanese culture. Much like their music, Taikoza’s members come from culturally diverse backgrounds.

For more information on Taikoza and Marco Lienhard, visit http://www.taikoza.com online.

Lisa Ann Plowfield, dean and professor of the College of Nursing at Florida State University, has been named as the new chancellor at Penn State York effective Aug. 1. She replaces Joel M. Rodney, who will retire on July 31.

"Dr. Plowfield brings a depth and breadth of higher education experience to Penn State. She is an established leader in the use of best practices and multidisciplinary approaches to education, with timely expertise in curriculum development, assessment of learning outcomes and accreditation. We look forward to her joining us as chancellor of Penn State York to build on the campus' longstanding record of academic excellence and its strong and vital presence in the region," said Madlyn Hanes, vice president for Commonwealth Campuses.

"My background as a nurse faculty member has allowed me to witness first-hand the important benefit of educational engagement through service learning, internships, undergraduate research and student activism. In addition, my work on numerous interdisciplinary teams and projects has afforded me a breadth of understanding well beyond a single discipline. I'm looking forward to bringing this philosophy and richness to a campus offering high-quality education to meet today's growing workforce needs," said Plowfield. "My vision for advancing education begins with dynamic curricula, scholarship that includes undergraduate participation in research, service learning and outreach, and promoting real-world application in meeting community needs."

Plowfield earned her diploma in nursing at Geisinger Medical Center School of Nursing in Danville; her bachelor of science in nursing at Thomas Jefferson University; her master's in trauma and critical-care nursing at the University of Maryland; her doctorate in nursing at University of Virginia and a certificate in case management at Johns Hopkins University. She is licensed as a registered nurse in Delaware, Florida, Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Plowfield has been dean and professor of the College of Nursing at Florida State University since 2007. In that role, she successfully led the college through national accreditation and a rigorous state university system quality enhancement review; re-aligned the mission and strategic plan of the college to meet the research-intensive focus of the university; established the first doctoral education within the College of Nursing; extended nursing education to statewide regions in need of graduate nursing education; implemented professional and alumni advisory boards; developed the fundraising capacity of the college; and was principal investigator and co-principal investigator of numerous grant awards totaling more than $3.5 million.

Before joining Florida State University, Plowfield was director of the School of Nursing in the College of Health Sciences at the University of Delaware from 2002-2006. There, she successfully led the school through two national accreditations; developed and implemented an innovative new undergraduate residency curriculum; envisioned and established a state-of-the-art simulation center for students; increased annual state funding for the base budget by $550,000; and enhanced the scholarship productivity of faculty. Also at the University of Delaware, she served as director of the UD Nursing Center from 1996-2007, and moved through the faculty ranks from assistant professor to associate professor with tenure to professor between 1993 and 2007.

She has earned several awards and honors throughout her career, and has been very active both within her university and in the community. She has had numerous articles published in refereed journals and peer-reviewed publications, and has written chapters appearing in nine books. In addition, Plowfield has made numerous presentations both nationally and internationally.

Plowfield is a native of Lancaster County, Pa., and a graduate of Warwick High School in Lititz, Pa.

Mayor C. Kim Bracey, the first African-American mayor of the City of York, will visit Penn State York on Tuesday, March 29 in celebration of Women’s History Month. She will have lunch with members of the campus community beginning at 11:30 a.m. and then speak about the City of York and Women’s History Month beginning about noon. This portion of the program is open to the public. Bracey’s visit is sponsored by the Penn State York Diversity Committee.

Bracey was elected the first African-American mayor of the City of York on Nov. 3, 2009, and was sworn into office as the 24th mayor on Jan. 4, 2010. She previously served as the appointed director of the department of community development for the City of York from June 2003 until January 2009.

A native of York, Bracey attended York City schools and is a proud graduate of William Penn Senior High School. She attended Bloomsburg University and in 1984 joined the United States Air Force where she served honorably until 1994 achieving the rank of E-6. Among her medals and citations, she received the National Defense Service Medal and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal. She chose to return to York in 1994 to work for the Crispus Attucks Community Association where she managed the local program of YouthBuild AmeriCorps.

Bracey lives in York with her husband, Vernon, and they are the proud parents of two children.

For more information on this program, please contact Barbara Dennis at 771-4128.

“Is She Conventional or Is She Controversial?,” is the topic when Catherine Gourley, well-known author and national director for Letters About Literature, speaks at Penn State York on Thursday, March 24 in celebration of Women’s History Month. The program, at noon in the Community Room of the Joe and Rosie Ruhl Student Community Center, is free and open to the public. This Women’s History Month program is sponsored by the Penn State York Diversity Committee and the Student Activity Fee Committee.

Gourley’s books cover topics including media literacy and popular culture, women's history, child labor, and the American Civil War. Her nonfiction books are considered social histories that tell the story of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. In 2008, the Children’s Book Council named all five titles in Gourley’s popular women’s history series, “Images and Issues of Women in the Twentieth Century,” to its list of Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People. Booklist also recognized the series by naming all five titles to its Top 10 list of Nonfiction Book for Youth.

At present, Gourley is the national director for Letters About Literature, a reading promotion program of the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress. In addition, she is the curriculum writer for The Story of Movies, an educational outreach program on film study and visual literacy developed by The Film Foundation, Los Angeles, Ca., under the auspices of director Martin Scorsese.
 
Gourley has presented both national and international programs on her books as well as her consulting work for both the Library of Congress and The Film Foundation. Home Box Office (HBO) recently featured Gourley in “Faces of Feminism,” a documentary film that accompanies their hit series “Boardwalk Empire.”

Her latest book is “The Horrors of Andersonville: Life and Death in a Civil War Prison.” It explores the human suffering and media sensationalism surrounding one of the Civil War's most tragic chapters.

Catherine Gourley lives in Woodbridge, Va.,with her husband, Dennis.
 
The campus’ Women’s History Month celebration continues on Tuesday, March 29 at when Mayor C. Kim Bracey, the first African-American mayor of the City of York, will visit Penn State York. Mayor Bracey will have lunch with members of the campus community beginning at 11:30 a.m. and then speak about the City of York and Women’s History Month beginning about noon. This portion of the program is open to the public. Bracey’s visit is sponsored by the Penn State York Diversity Committee.

Penn State York will hold its third sporting clays event on Thursday, April 21 at Central Penn Sporting Clays in Wellsville, Pa. The event, from 1:30 – 6:00 p.m., benefits Penn State York’s Nittany Success Center. The Nittany Success provides tutoring, study skills workshops, and a variety of other support to help increase student success and increase their academic autonomy. Services are provided free. Participants are invited to take aim and shoot for a day of fun that also benefits Penn State York students.

The schedule for the day includes registration and warm-up from 1:30 – 3 p.m., shooting the course from 3–4:30 p.m., and ends with a tailgate and pig roast from 4:30–6 p.m.

A variety of contests will take place throughout the day. Wobble trap contestants have a chance to win four tickets to the Penn State vs. Nebraska game on Nov. 12. In additional to individual prizes, participants with a competitive side may wish to take on one of the three celebrity shooters this year.

Tom Russell, chief meteorologist at WHP-TV CBS 21, invites shooters to shoot more clays than he does for a chance to win four box seats to an upcoming Orioles vs. Yankees game at Camden Yards provided by Peoples Bank. Russell is a well-traveled broadcaster and has won many awards for his work including an Emmy and numerous Associated Press Awards. Earl David Reed (EDR), comedian, bodybuilder, and radio personality invites participants to shoot more clays than he does for a chance to be entered in a drawing for a car detail/drive a Porsche Cayenne prize package sponsored by Autohaus Lancaster. EDR has appeared on the “Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and performed in Las Vegas and can be heard on the “People’s Morning Show” on 105.7 the X as well as “Pearls from Earl” on Fox 43 News. The winner of this drawing will drop their car off by noon on a Friday and drive away with a Porsche for the weekend while their car is being detailed.

The final celebrity shoot is Denise DelGrosso Gilliland, third generation member of the DelGrosso family, the oldest family-owned producer of pasta sauce in the United States. She has appeared on the “Today Show” cooking with her family as well as sharing her breast cancer story on the national syndicated show “Better TV.” Shoot more clays than DelGrosso for a chance to win four tickets to a fall 2011 season show at Penn State York’s Pullo Family Performing Arts Center.

Individuals can be a sponsor for $50 which includes 50 clays, foam ear plugs, a shell bag, and the tailgate. Sponsorships are also available for businesses. The For the Glory sponsorship of $4,000 is a presenting sponsor, please call for more details. The Blue and White sponsorship of $1,000 includes four shooters with individual shooter benefits, five station signs on the course, a one-year membership to Central Penn Sporting Clays for “Top Gun” shooter, and a corporate discount for a block of eight tickets to a Pullo Center performance. The Nittany sponsorship of $600 includes four shooters with individual shooter benefits and two station signs on the course. The Station sponsorship of $125 includes a sign at a shooting station.

Each participant receives a free custom event T-shirt and a 20 percent discount coupon courtesy of the Penn State York Bookstore as well as a jar of DelGrosso pasta sauce courtesy of Denise DelGrosso Gilliland and DelGrosso Foods.

For a brochure or more information on the event, please visit www.yk.psu.edu/clayshoot, call (717) 718-6781, or e-mail iona@psu.edu. To learn more about Penn State York’s Nittany Success Center, the beneficiary of this event, visit http://www2.yk.psu.edu/learncenter/.

Earl David Reed takes to the stage at Penn State York’s Pullo Family Performing Arts Center (The Pullo Center) on Saturday, April 2, at 7:30 p.m. This is Reed’s third live performance at The Pullo Center. Ticket price is $26.50, and they are on sale now. Tickets can be purchased at The Pullo Center box office, charge by phone at (717) 505-8900, or online at www.pullocenter.yk.psu.edu or www.ticketmaster.com.

Reed, a standup comedian and popular radio personality on WQXA, 105.7 the X out of Harrisburg, has been doing comedy for 15 years. He has performed at more than 100 comedy clubs and colleges and is a favorite in Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Along with his 10 years of morning broadcasting experience and numerous television appearances, his improvisational style has become a favorite of radio and stage audiences all around.

He has appeared on the “Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and Home Box Office ( HBO), and has been in the spotlight throughout his comedy career. He is also a spokesperson for breast cancer awareness and devotes time to this cause. Reed’s dynamic presence, hard driving wit, and improvisational style delivers an energy charged performance that leaves comedy audiences wanting more. He has flexed his funnies on stages all across America and has appeared on “The Arsenio Hall Show,” “NBC Friday Night Videos,” “Showtime at the Apollo,” “Comedy Central,” and is a two time Star Search winner.

Students participating in the Preparation for Your Verbal SAT (9:00– 11:00 a.m.) will review important skills assessed in the verbal section and have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the format and type of questions on the Verbal SAT. Participants will also practice test-taking in simulated exam conditions. Cost for the Preparation for Your Verbal SAT course is $95.

Dana L. Sauers is the course instructor. Sauers was named Poet Laureate of Hanover, Pa. She is an English instructor at Delone Catholic High and the author of “My Letter to the World,” her most recently published book of poetry.

The Math SAT preparation starts with an introduction to the SAT Math format. Then, the students are introduced to the two types of questions:  Grid-ins and Multiple-choice. The problems solved are taken from past SAT exams and the major topics covered include: Geometry, Basic  Arithmetic, and Algebra I & II. A Calculator can be used in solving the problems, but all the SAT Math questions can be solved without a Calculator.

Bruce Babcock, Ph.D., assistant professor of mathematics at Penn State York, is the instructor. Babcock earned a doctorate in mathematics from Michigan State University and is a former winner of the prestigious AMOCO Foundation Outstanding Teaching Award. He was also honored with the Outstanding Teaching Award at Penn State York in 1991 and the James H. Burness Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2007. He has authored numerous study guides for the University's Independent Learning Program and developed with a colleague a blended learning course for the Penn State World Campus. With the same colleague, they have authored a course that is currently being used by World Campus at Penn State.

Register for both sessions at $155 and save $10. The course fee includes “The Official SAT Study Guide: For the New SAT” by the College Board. For a brochure or more information, please call Penn State York at (717) 771-4032 or visit the website at www.ce.yk.psu.edu and click on youth programs.

Entries will be read blindly (without the author’s name). Authors of the top three submissions, as determined by the “Any Other Word” student editors, will be awarded copies of the “Hint Fiction” anthology as well as a new Moleskine notebook. Winners will be announced by April 14, 2011.

Swartwood’s vision inspired a 2010 collection published by W.W. Norton, which features work by such notable authors as Joyce Carol Oates, F. Paul Wilson, Ha Jin, Stephen Dunn, and Joe R. Landsdale. Learn more about Swartwood and his collection by visiting http://www.robertswartwood.com/hint-fiction/

Read previous issues of “Any Other Word,” at http://www2.yk.psu.edu/anyotherword.

Penn State York's small class size offers students the opportunity to get to know faculty members and work in research areas using state-of-the-art lab facilities. The two summer sessions also allow students to take a class and still have time to enjoy the summer. Summer also is a great time to perfect computing skills and the campus has a number of programs for the novice or the experienced user. The seminars provide a clear, in-depth, hands-on approach to using and understanding personal computers.

For a brochure or more information on summer course offerings at Penn State York, call (717) 771-4050 or visit http://www.yk.psu.edu online.

The Penn State York Drama Club and theatre students will present Neil LaBute’s comedy/drama “reasons to be pretty” on Thursday, March 24; Friday, March 25; and Saturday, March 26 at 7 p.m. in the Pullo Family Performing Arts Center (The Pullo Center). The play is free to the Penn State community, $5 to high school students, and $10 to others. The play contains mature material and may not be suitable for all ages.

The show is directed by Stuart Stelly, Ph.D., instructor in English at Penn State York and adviser to the theatre group, York, Pa.; with Jennifer Barber, York, Pa.; working as assistant director and stage manager. The cast includes Penn State York students Adam Sontag, Hanover, Pa.; Angela Steco, Lancaster, Pa.; Carley Richardson, Mountville, Pa.; and Davon Pinkney, York, Pa. Crew members are Jason Etokebe, Dover, Pa.; Melissa Colon, York, Pa.; and Danica Day, Hanover, Pa; also students.

“Reasons to be pretty,” which appeared on Broadway in 2008, is a coming-of-age comedy/drama about Greg, a college dropout whose life is going nowhere fast. He works in a dead-end job in a shipping warehouse, is trapped in a love-hate relationship with a psychotic girlfriend, and has only one male friend, an incredibly obnoxious buddy from high school who still bullies Greg. Though Greg wants to change his life, he does not seem to have the energy to do so—until he says one little thing about his girlfriend, a thing that shakes up his world and compels him to find the wisdom, and courage, that will help him reshape his life.

“Time Magazine” says about the play: “It is tight, tense and emotionally true, and it portrays characters who actually seem part of the world that the rest of us live in.”

Set-up for the event is Saturday, March 5, from 9-12 p.m. and Sunday, March 6, emergency only, 11 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Judging takes place Monday and Tuesday, March 7 and 8, from 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. and the fair is open to the public Wednesday, March 9, from 5-7 p.m.

Awards will be presented at 7 p.m. in the Pullo Family Performing Arts Center (The Pullo Center) on the Penn State York campus. For more information, please contact Rodney Martin at (717) 475-1054.

Dann Johns, founder of the Susquehanna Valley Sangha, a Buddhist group in York, will share information about this religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs, and practice.

The First Friday Series is sponsored by the Penn State York Diversity Committee. The goal of the series is to introduce people to a variety of cultures. Please bring your lunch and plan to take part in this informative program.

Mark your calendar now for Friday, April 1 at noon when the topic will be Hinduism.

Feb. 22 marked the date that Penn State was founded in 1855 as a publicly supported agricultural college. In 1863, Penn State was designated as Pennsylvania’s land-grant college -- a distinction that only Penn State holds and a designation that created a university to educate large segments of society that had not yet been served by higher education. To underscore Penn State’s important relationship with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Penn State Outreach has created a video that highlights the many successes of the University and the individuals whose lives have been touched by Penn State.

As one of the nation’s first land-grant institutions, Penn State has been in a partnership with Pennsylvania for nearly 150 years. Through this partnership, Penn State has provided both access to education and expertise to help solve some of society’s most pressing problems.

“It’s a designation that meant Penn State would work to improve the well-being of farmers and industrial workers,” said Penn State President Graham Spanier. “It meant that Penn State was one of the ‘people’s universities,’ created to make a difference in the lives of citizens.”

Today, Penn State plays a significant role in education, research and service that supports the development of the Commonwealth and its residents.

“Penn State is proud of its partnership with Pennsylvania and remains committed to the Commonwealth as we move forward in the 21st Century,” said Spanier.

Penn State York began offering courses in York in 1926 in a variety of locations in the community and the current campus location opened in 1959. Penn State York now offers eight baccalaureate degrees, six associate degrees, a master’s degree in education through a partnership with Penn State Harrisburg, and the first two years of nearly all of Penn State's 160+ degree programs. For a history of the campus, visit http://www2.yk.psu.edu/common/history/

To learn more about this unique partnership between the Commonwealth and Penn State, click on the video link: http://thepartnership.psu.edu/.

The Penn State York Advisory Board has named the exeutive committee for 2011. The board is comprised of alumni, friends, and corporate leaders, and is a key link between the campus, the York community, and the surrounding area. The board is organized into committees that provide leadership in many areas including academic programming, development and fund raising, facilities planning, and student life. Board members serve as ambassadors for the campus and the University and are an important conduit for community feedback regarding campus programs and activities.

Members of the 2011 Penn State York Advisory Board Executive Committee, pictured left to right, are John A. Klinedinst, C.S. Davidson, Inc., treasurer; Joel M. Rodney, chancellor of Penn State York, secretary; N. Daniel Waltersdorff, Barton Associates, Inc., second vice chair; Elizabeth J. Dellinger, York Traditions Bank, chair; Timothy E. Debes, NuTec Design Associates, immediate past chair; Gary C. Butler, Precision Custom Components, first vice chair; and D. Reed Anderson, Stock and Leader, counsel.

For more information on the Penn State York Advisory Board visit http://www.yk.psu.edu/Information/advboard.htm online.

Explore the Worlds of Engineering, Science, and Information Sciences and Technology on Saturday, March 5, when Penn State York opens its doors to middle and high school students. The program, from 10 a.m.–3 p.m., offers a variety of hands-on activities for students including: “DNA Detectives” with Robert Farrell, associate professor of biology; “The Colorful World of Chemistry,” with Andy Landis, assistant professor in chemistry; and “Lego Mindstorm Robotics” with Michael Marcus, associate professor of engineering. Other topics include “How Strong is Your Bridge?” with Chuck Gaston, assistant professor of engineering; “Build a Computer,” with Joe Royer, system administrator; and “Spinning the Web” with Emily Wenk, instructor in information sciences and technology.

A series of workshops for parents about choosing a college and paying for college will also be offered throughout the day. Stay an hour or the entire time. Penn State York faculty will lead students in a variety of activities that introduce them to science, engineering, and information sciences and technology.

Beginning at 2 p.m., watch the breaking of the bridges during the Bridge Building Competition being held in conjunction with Explore the Worlds. The event, sponsored by the Lincoln Chapter of the Pennsylvania Society for Professional Engineers, offers high school students a chance to construct a bridge and then test it to see how strong it is. Bridge registration begins at 12:30 p.m. and all bridges must be registered prior to the start of the competition. Bridge kits are still available and can be picked up at C. S. Davidson, 38 North Duke Street, York. For additional details on this event please contact Tim Koppenhaver at 846-4805. This program is free and open to the public. Visit www.pspe.org/lincoln/lincoln.shtml and click on events for more information.

For more information on Explore the Worlds, visit the Web at http://www2.yk.psu.edu/explore/ or call (717) 771-4040 or 1-800-778-6227.

Schedule and Workshop Descriptions

• 9:15 a.m.: Workshop Registration
• 10 a.m. - 1 p.m.:  Workshops for students/Workshops for parents
• 1-2 p.m.:  Complimentary Lunch
• 2 p.m.:  Bridge Building Competition - Watch or be a Participant! Preregistration for bridge competition is required.

“DNA Detectives”
Dr. Robert Farrell, associate professor of biology
10 a.m., 11 a.m., and 12 p.m.

The world of forensics is becoming more sophisticated each day. The techniques and methods have not only revolutionized the criminal justice system, but have also captured the imagination of a very large television viewing audience. In this workshop, students will have an opportunity to learn about the standard techniques and equipment commonly used to solve crimes; some of the myths surrounding the discipline will also be dispelled. Questions about Penn State's forensics major will be answered.

“How Strong is Your Bridge?”
Dr. Chuck Gaston, assistant professor of engineering
10 a.m.–1 p.m.

Using only "LEGO®-type" blocks and a limited amount of masking tape, design and build a bridge which will be weighed and then tested to destruction. The measure of efficiency is maximum load supported/bridge weight.

“Spinning the Web”
Emily Wenk, instructor in information sciences and technology
10 a.m., 11 a.m., and 12 p.m.

Find out how programmers create Web pages in this hands-on workshop. You’ll learn how to turn a simple text file into a Web page, how to get images to display, how to change background and font (type) colors, how to use different fonts, and how to use an image for a background. Participants will go home with a CD with the web page on it and plenty of reference to helpful websites where more images and information are available free.

“Build a Computer”
Joe Royer, systems analyst
10 a.m., 11 a.m., and 12 p.m.

Learn how to build a computer. Students will be grouped in pairs and will work together putting a computer together from scratch.

“LEGO® Mindstorm Robotics”
Michael Marcus, associate professor of engineering
10 a.m., 11 a.m., and 12 p.m.

Come build and program a robot vehicle complete with touch sensors.

“The Colorful World of Chemistry”
Dr. Andy Landis, assistant professor in chemistry
10 a.m., 11 a.m., and 12 p.m.

When atoms combine to form compounds, colorful and sometimes violent reactions can take place. The nature of these reactions will be shown through a series of hands-on demonstrations involving the colorful chemicals that compose fireworks and the explosive reaction of hydrogen and oxygen.

Polizzi, also known as “Snooki” from one of the most talked about reality shows “Jersey Shore,” has become America's guilty pleasure. This 4’ 9” tall firecracker from New York proudly shows off the lifestyle of being a guidette. Polizzi got her name Snooki for having a loud, outgoing, and hysterical personality. Currently single, Snooki hopes to find the "gorilla" of her dreams!

In addition to her reality television show, Polizzi has appeared on several talk shows and magazine covers. She came from being a veterinary technician to a reality celebrity overnight. Polizzi notes that she will never forget where she came from, her family, her friends, and her life back in upstate New York. Polizzi’s Pullo Center appearance, hosted by Adam Ace, will consist of a 40- minute question and answer session with the audience, as well as audience participation including a proper poof demonstration and the right way to do the famous fist pump!

Penn State York dancers Sam Noerpel, 19, of East Berlin, Pa., and Angi Solle, 19, of York, Pa., danced two nights away and completed the 46-hour 39th Annual Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON), Feb. 18 - 20, at the Bryce Jordan Center which raised a record-breaking $9,563,016.09 for the Four Diamonds Fund to help children with cancer. Penn State York broke its own record by raising $17,160.71, the largest amount it has ever raised for THON and made it to the top 10 in fundraisers among the Penn State campuses. The highest total to date for York had been $9,486.71 raised in 2008. You can view photos from the event on Facebook and Penn State Live.

Throughout the weekend themed “Together Without Limits,” members of the York THON Committee encouraged the dancers along with thousands of others and York’s two THON families, the Hills and the Hagens. For the past five years, York has sponsored Madison “Maddie” Hill. Hill, 13, of Dover, Pa., has battled non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma since October 2004. She completed her treatments in February 2008 and celebrated three years out of treatment on Feb. 15. She is in remission and today is a happy healthy teenager. She attended THON along with her parents, Dawn and Scott, and her brother, Travis.

In addition to Hill, Penn State York also sponsors 3-year-old Ava Hagens, of York, Pa., who was diagnosed on July 24, 2009, with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). She is undergoing treatment and this was her second trip to THON along with her parents Jessica and Greg.

Under the direction of Penn State York students Stephanie Behrens, 21, of York, Pa., and Jennifer Lake, 19, of Wellsville, Pa., who danced at THON last year; the group was busy throughout the year and their efforts paid off. Behrens and Lake attended meetings at University Park throughout the year to catch up on all the THON rules and expectations and have been having weekly meetings with the campus’ THON committee since just after THON last year.

For York’s dancers, and members of the campus’ THON committee, the year has included a variety of fundraising efforts such as hosting a talent show called Paw Search, selling subs, hosting a basket bingo, selling Bon Ton community day books, and successfully taking part in canning weekends (soliciting donations) at several locations in the York area. In the end, all their work was a record-breaking success For The Kids.

All attendees who plan to submit a FAFSA during a session should bring copies of their 2010 financial documents including federal tax returns, W-2 forms and untaxed income statements, as well as amounts for their current assets. Students who are 23 or younger should attend with a parent or guardian.

For more information please contact the Penn State York Student Aid Office at (717) 771-4045.

"The VLN technology provides the ability to network learners in geographically separated locations and connects the students in a rich learning experience through natural real-time interaction," said Jeff Warner, director of continuing education at Penn State York and an instructor in the VLN. Warner also is coordinating the VLN program at York.

VLN classrooms are equipped with high-definition viewing screens, document cameras and other technologies for live interaction among faculty and students at the course origination site and up to three other sites.

Courses in three credit certificates are beginning in March and many of the classes in the credit certificate programs can be applied toward an associate or baccalaureate degree. Certificates being offered beginning in March are Lean Sigma Implementation, Business Essentials for Professionals, and Nursing Management. For more information, visit http://www.ce.yk.psu.edu/, e-mail YorkCE@psu.edu  or contact Jeff Warner at 717-771-4105.

A new mechanical engineering technology lab at Penn State York will be called the Harvey and Winifred Bradley Mechanical Engineering Laboratory in appreciation for a generous commitment from Winifred and Harvey Bradley. The 1,275-square-foot lab will be a part of the campus’ new state-of the-art engineering facility, the Ralph G. and Madeline B. Swenson Engineering Center, set to open in summer 2011.

“We’re very grateful to Win and Harvey Bradley for their latest gift to Penn State York,” said Joel M. Rodney, chancellor of Penn State York. “Over the years they have made generous gifts in support of engineering, continuing education, and the library’s collection. I am honored to include them among the select number of Penn State York’s major benefactors,” he said.

Founders and former owners of Bradley Lifting Corp., a leading manufacturer of below-the-hook lifting equipment, the Bradleys have a strong commitment to the York County community and want improved educational opportunities in the field of engineering. Their recent gift to Penn State York will help provide outstanding educational facilities and opportunities for students and prepare them for the workplace.

“As a successful engineer and manufacturer, I found that an engineering lab is essential for proving that an equipment design is both practical and safe,” said Harvey Bradley, P.E. “Win (Winifred) and I are glad that we can make this part of the new engineering facility possible. We are honored and proud that it will bear our name.”

Harvey Bradley has served on the Penn State York Advisory Board since 1986. Over the years, he and his wife have contributed financially to Penn State, including a gift toward the renovation of a building located on Albemarle Street, adjacent to the campus. In 2001, it was named The Bradley Building. It houses the continuing education division, and its activities are an essential part of the campus.

Renovations to the campus’ former chemistry laboratory will create the cutting-edge Ralph G. and Madeline B. Swenson Engineering Center. New chemistry labs are now a part of the recently opened Edward M. Elias Science Building. The engineering center will consist of three basic areas:  two large classrooms and a machine shop. The extensive renovation will more than quadruple the programs current electro-mechanical engineering technology (EMET) and mechanical engineering technology (MET) space from two labs at 1,220 square feet to three areas totaling 5,100 square feet. The facility will propel Penn State York to the forefront of engineering education in the region.

In the east side of the center, the one large classroom (approximately 2,000 square feet) will contain both computer workstations and multi-directional instruction capabilities, utilizing projection systems with multiple screens. In the west side, the other classroom, capable of accommodating up to 25 students, will have a dedicated area for light engineering equipment, CNC machines, and robotics equipment.  Adjacent to this classroom, a heavy machine shop will have a flexible open plan and be designed for heavy engineering equipment and machinery.

Both classrooms contain perimeter storage for smaller equipment and supplies as well as student projects. There will also be some faculty office space and a new gallery/corridor with display areas for student work.

A new entrance will be constructed on the exterior of the existing building, the John J. Romano Administration Building, to highlight the new center. The entrance will include an interior water feature.

Total cost of the project is approximately $1.35 million, with the additional funds coming from other private philanthropists and organizations. Fundraising for the project is ongoing, and gifts will count toward Penn State York’s goal in For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students. The campaign is directed toward a shared vision of Penn State as the most comprehensive, student-centered research university in America. The University is engaging Penn State’s alumni and friends as partners in achieving six key objectives: ensuring student access and opportunity, enhancing honors education, enriching the student experience, building faculty strength and capacity, fostering discovery and creativity, and sustaining the University’s tradition of quality. The campaign’s top priority is keeping a Penn State degree affordable for students and families. The For the Future campaign is the most ambitious effort of its kind in Penn State’s history, with the goal of securing $2 billion by 2014.

Voni Grimes, 88, a local community member, musician, and former director of business services at Penn State York; and Clifton Johnson, 23, a rap artist and former Penn State York student who is currently completing his degree in management at Penn State Harrisburg, will lead a discussion following the film.

“HIP-HOP: Beyond Beats and Rhymes” was created by Byron Hunt, a lifelong hip-hop fan, who was tired of seeing the same stereotypical images and messages in hip-hop videos. He decided to make a film about the gender politics of hip-hop, the music, and the culture that he grew up with.

“The more I grew and the more I learned about sexism and violence and homophobia, the more those lyrics became unacceptable to me,” said Hunt. “I began to become more conflicted about the music that I loved.”

The result of Hunt’s questioning is “HIP-HOP: Beyond Beats and Rhythms,” a riveting documentary that tackles issues of masculinity, sexism, violence, and homophobia in today’s hip-hop culture. The film provides insight from divergent voices including rap artists, industry executives, rap fans, and social critics from inside and outside the hip-hop generation. The film also explores such pressing issues as women and violence in rap music, representation of manhood in hip-hop culture, what today’s rap lyrics reveal to their listeners, and homoeroticism in hip-hop.

Penn State York’s Fourth Annual Basketball Tailgate featuring food and fun is set for Tuesday, Feb. 15 at 5 p.m. in the Community Room of the Joe and Rosie Ruhl Student Community Center. The event is sponsored by the Penn State York Blue & White Society and the Athletic Department at the campus. The event is free for Penn State York students thanks to the Student Activity Fee and others may join the event by showing their $5 basketball ticket stub.

York’s women’s and men’s basketball teams take on Penn State Brandywine with the women taking the court at 6 p.m. and the men at 8 p.m. Those who attend are encouraged to wear their favorite Penn State attire and be ready to cheer! The First Capitol Drumline will be performing during half-time of the men’s game.

The menu for the evening features chili, chips, sodas, and sweet treats available before the women’s game and this tailgate fare will be available as fans arrive throughout the evening. Ina addition to the food, there is a 50/50 raffle and a guessing game contest with a prize of a $150 gift certificate from the Strand-Capitol Performing Arts Center. For those non-students 21 years old and older, a special drawing will be held for a Yorktowne Hotel Romance Package a $183 value. Just fill out an entry form and the drawing will be held at half-time of the men’s game.

For more information, please contact Iona Conlon, Blue & White Society adviser and an alumni and development specialist at Penn State York, at (717) 718-6781 or iona@psu.edu.

The Blue & White Society was established as a student organization that aims to enhance student life through promoting Penn State pride, community service, and dedication to the University. THE BWS is the student extension of the Penn State Alumni Association. For more information on BWS, visit http://www.alumni.psu.edu/gobw/.

Participants can satisfy continuing education requirements with a variety of professional development courses for nurses, administrators, direct-care staff, and other health care professionals. Penn State’s program has been approved by the Department of Public Welfare. Classes will be held at Penn State, The Lancaster Center, which is located in the Farm and Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Road, Lancaster.

State regulations include many requirements for personal care homes including staff training and education. Prior to initial employment as an administrator, a candidate must successfully complete the 100-hour standardized administrator-training course approved by the Department of Public Welfare.

The PCHA Exam will be administered on Wednesday, April 13, 6-8:00 p.m. and on Thursday, April 14 from 10 a.m.-noon.

For more information or to register please call Penn State, The Lancaster Center at (717) 299-7667 or e-mail lancaster@yk.psu.edu or register online at www.lancastercenter.psu.edu.

Working out, breaking-in new sneakers, cutting caffeine and sugar, and just plain staying healthy are just a few things Penn State York students Angi Solle, 19, and Sam Noerpel, 19, are doing as they get ready to head to University Park to represent the campus in the 39th Annual Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, “Together Without Limits,” set for Feb. 18 – 20 at the Bryce Jordan Center (BJC). The two dancers were chosen to represent Penn State York based on a variety of criteria including spirit points they earned since September by doing a variety of activities to raise funds for THON. THON, as the dance marathon is affectionately known, is the largest student-run philanthropy in the country and its goal is to raise money to help fight pediatric cancer.

For York’s dancers, and members of the campus’ THON committee, the year has included a variety of fundraising efforts such as hosting a talent show called Paw Search, selling subs, hosting a basket bingo, selling Bon Ton community day books, and successfully taking part in canning weekends (soliciting donations) at several locations in the York area. Under the direction of Stephanie Behrens, 21, of York, Pa., and Jennifer Lake, 19, of Wellsville, Pa., who danced at THON last year; the group has been very busy. Behrens and Lake have attended meetings at University Park to catch-up on all the THON rules and expectations and have been having weekly meetings with the campus THON Committee since just after THON last year. Their work has paid off and York’s THON total, which now tops $14,000 and is still growing, is the largest amount the campus has raised in its history.

In addition to raising money, through THON, the campus sponsors two families: the Hill family and the Hagens family. For the past five years, York sponsored Madison “Maddie” Hill. Hill, 13, of Dover, Pa., has been battling non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma since October 2004. She completed her treatments in February 2008 and celebrated three years out of treatment on Feb. 15. She is in remission and today is a happy healthy teenager. In addition to Hill, Penn State York is also sponsoring 3-year-old Ava Hagens, of York, Pa., who was diagnosed on July 24, 2009, with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL). She is undergoing treatment and this will be her second trip to THON along with her parents Jessica and Greg. The Hill family, Maddie, Dawn, Scott, and Travis will also be attending THON.

THON, a year-round fundraising event benefits The Four Diamonds Fund, Conquering Childhood Cancer, at the Penn State Hershey Children's Hospital in Hershey, Pa. The year culminates in a no-sitting, no-sleeping, two-day dance marathon. Since 1973 the students of THON have raised more than $69 million and have helped thousands of children and families fight pediatric cancer. Last year the event raised more than $7.83 million and broke its own record. The mission of The Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon is to conquer pediatric cancer by providing outstanding emotional and financial support to the children, families, researchers, and staff of The Four Diamonds Fund.

Noerpel, of East Berlin, Pa., is a sophomore majoring in aerospace engineering and a 2009 graduate of Bermudian Springs High School. He began his work with THON in 2009 as a freshman at Penn State York.

“I became involved with THON because pediatric cancer is one of the most terrible things I think a family can go through and I want to do what I can to help fight it,” said Noerpel. “THON is a great way for me to join others who feel the same way I do.”

Handling the sleep depravation isn’t one of Noerpel’s concerns; he just wants to be sure he can make the THON families feel good even if he doesn’t feel 100 percent. Noerpel attended THON last year so his favorite day is Sunday when all the THON families gather, there are many activities, and the BJC is packed.

Solle, of York, Pa., is a sophomore majoring in Psychology and a 2009 graduate of Dallastown Area High School. She became involved in THON in February 2010 after THON weekend. Solle has never attended THON and considers dancing a once in a lifetime opportunity.

“Since I have never been to THON before I don’t know what to expect. I’ve heard so many good things about this experience and I cannot wait for every part of it,” Solle said. “I am so happy to be dancing for Penn State York and am very proud of all of our members this year. Everyone has worked so hard and our THON group includes some of the most passionate people I know,” she said. “I love my sleep but I know THON weekend I will be so excited that I will fight through my sleepiness.”

Solle was responsible for organizing canning weekends and she, Noerpel, and others spent many hours in the cold raising money for THON.

Noerpel and Solle are both anxious to spend time with York’s THON families and to experience THON with the York THON Committee and the thousands of others working to find a cure for pediatric cancer. Both dancers consider it an honor to be dancing at THON and representing the campus.

In addition to Noerpel and Solle, Savannah Smith, of Red Lion, Pa., is a Penn State York who is participating in THON as an independent dancer. Smith is a sophomore majoring in public relations and a 2009 graduate of Red Lion High School. Smith danced last year for the campus. She is part of a THON family and the event is very personal to her. She lost her brother Jed, just 12-years old, to leukemia on January 3, 2010, so for her, dancing at THON is an extraordinary way to remember her late brother.

During THON weekend, more than 700 dancers and thousands of supporters come together at University Park in the hopes of one day finding a cure for pediatric cancer. Whether standing for 46 hours as a dancer, entertaining the crowd, taking care of the facility, or even sitting in the stands, every person at THON plays a small part in creating an amazing atmosphere of love, compassion, and understanding. This atmosphere inspires the students to fundraise throughout the year and tells the families of The Four Diamonds Fund that they have the care and support they need. This collective effort, involving more than 15,000 students, has become one of Penn State's greatest and most unifying traditions.

There’s still time to donate. The best way to be sure your donation is counted in time is to visit the campus or donate online www.thon.org. Be sure to use the dropdown box and designate your donation for York and your donation will count toward the campus total.

Anyone interested in supporting the dancers from Penn State York can send checks made payable to:

Penn State Dance Marathon
c/o York Student Government Association
Penn State York
1031 Edgecomb Ave.
York, PA 17403

Please be sure to note York, Org. 170 in the memo line of the check. Checks sent to the local campus as well as online donations will be credited to the local dancers and then added to the final total at University Park.

Students will be paired with a current Penn State York student and sit-in on classes, tour the campus, and spend the day just like a college student. Lunch is provided free in the Lion’s Den Café at the campus. The program allows students to experience college life and get to know the campus. Please call Penn State York Admissions at least one week prior to the date you’d like to attend at (717) 771-4040 or (800) 778-6227 to register. You can also register online at www.yk.psu.edu and visit admissions.

Mark your calendar for Feb. 12 to enjoy snow tubing, dinner, and three bands all for $10. Beginning Monday, Feb. 7, Penn State York students can purchase a ticket to the 4th Annual Snowball at Heritage Hills Resort and Conference Center in York, Saturday, Feb. 12 from 10 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. Visit the campus Student Affairs office or purchase a ticket outside the Lion’s Den in the Joe and Rosie Ruhl Student Community Center. Discount tickets are available to this special event with an original price tag of $46 thanks to the Penn State York Student Activity Fee.
 
Matt Santry takes to the stage at 5:45 p.m., Hot Tub Limo performs at 6:45 p.m., and the final band is Mark DeRose and The Way Home at 7:45 p.m. In addition to York, a number of other colleges and universities are attending this daylong event.

Heritage Hills is located at 2700 Mt. Rose Ave., York. For additional information about the event, visit their Web site at www.hhgr.com or call (877) 782-9752.

Penn State York will hold a Black History Month Community Celebration on Friday, Feb. 11 at 6:30 p.m. in the Pullo Family Performing Arts Center (The Pullo Center) on campus. The evening features performances by the Southside Steppers, the Bethlehem Baptist Choir, and many other performers from the talented York community. The program is free and open to the public.

The Southside Steppers, associated with the Crispus Attucks Community Association of York, is comprised of local youth who volunteer their time to perform rhythmic routines in the tradition of step dance.

Bethlehem Baptist Choir of Bethlehem Baptist Church in York will share their artistic gifts of music in celebration of Black History Month. The choir will perform a variety of gospel numbers. Shane Moore, a current sophomore student at Penn State York, will direct the choir. In addition to being a student at the campus, Moore is the minister of music at the church.

The celebration is sponsored by the Penn State York Diversity Committee and The Pullo Center. For more information on this program, please call the Penn State York Office of Student Affairs at (717) 771-4045.

All attendees who plan to submit a FAFSA during a session should bring copies of their 2010 financial documents including federal tax returns, W-2 forms and untaxed income statements, as well as amounts for their current assets. Students who are 23 or younger should attend with a parent or guardian.

For more information please contact the Penn State York Student Aid Office at (717) 771-4045.

“Sikhism: An I’m OK, You’re OK Kind of Philosophy,” is the topic when Penn State York’s First Friday Series continues for spring at noon on Friday, Feb. 11, in the Community Room of the Joe and Rosie Ruhl Student Community Center at the campus. The program is free and open to the public.

Sukhdeep Gill, Ph.D., associate professor of human development and family studies, will share her thoughts and ideas about this philosophy.

The goal of the series is to introduce people to a variety of cultures. The First Friday Series is sponsored by the Penn State York Diversity Committee. Please bring your lunch and plan to take part in this informative program.

Widely successful across audiences of all ages, the original story will be brought to new life in the 90-minute stage show that will transport audience members from the Central Park Zoo to the wild of Madagascar. In addition to featuring everyone’s favorite characters, “Madagascar Live” takes the audience on an action packed adventure with imaginative set, costume and puppet design, magnificent singing and dancing and the hit song “Move It, Move It” for an experience the entire family can enjoy.

Visit The Pullo Center Web site at www.pullocenter.yk.psu.edu for more information on this performance and all the free and ticketed programs offered throughout the year.

For more information about “Madagascar Live,” visit www.madlive.com. Find “Madagascar Live” on Facebook (www.facebook.com) by visiting: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Madagascar-Live/156147897738163.

The Drive-By Truckers, an alternative country band, will take to the stage at Penn State York’s Pullo Family Performing Arts Center (The Pullo Center) on Wednesday, Feb. 16 at 7:30 p.m.   Ticket prices are $42 and $32, and are on sale now.  Tickets can be purchased at The Pullo Center box office, charge by phone at (717) 505-8900, or online at www.pullocenter.yk.psu.edu or www.ticketmaster.com.

Drive-By Truckers formed in Athens, Ga., in 1996. Currently, the band consists of Patterson Hood (vocals, guitar), Mike Cooley (vocals, guitar), Shonna Tucker (bass, vocals), John Neff (guitar), Jay Gonzalez (keyboards), and Brad Morgan (drums). Cooley and Hood are the only original members of the band remaining. Perhaps the band’s best known former member, guitarist and contributing songwriter Jason Isbell left the band in 2007.

Noteworthy for their three-guitar lineup, the Truckers are often associated with the Southern rock movement of the 70s and jam bands but are too cerebral and irreverent to sit squarely in either genre. Their lyrics often revolve around the working class trying to survive in economically-depressed small towns of the South.
 
Drive-By Truckers will release “Go-Go Boots,” on February 15, 2011 on ATO Records.  “Go-Go Boots” is their eleventh record and was produced by their longtime producer, David Barbe (Deerhunter, Bettye LaVette, Sugar). In conjunction with “Go-Go Boots,” they’ll also be releasing their documentary “The Secret to a Happy Ending” on DVD.

Rajdeep Champa, a senior at Penn State York majoring in information sciences and technology (IST), is the winner of the second annual Penn State York Blue & White Society (BWS) essay contest. Current students were asked to show their Penn State pride and answer the question, How does Penn State inspire you?

Champa, 22, from Mumbai, India, shared his thoughts in his essay, “We Not Me.” He received a certificate and a $50 gift card to the Penn State York Bookstore. Second place winner is Anna Robuccio,19, from Columbia, Pa., a freshman majoring in agriculture, with her essay "Penn State Has Changed My Life." She received a $25 gift card to the bookstore.

Honorable mentions went to Tyler Ruenroeng for "We Are Penn State!", Tracy Holmes for "My Dream, My Inspiration," and Thorne McFarlane for "Dream and Live at Penn State York."

The BWS was established as a student organization that aims to enhance student life through promoting Penn State pride, community service, and dedication to the University. THE BWS is the student extension of the Penn State Alumni Association. For more information on BWS, visit http://www.alumni.psu.edu/gobw/.

The event in York is one of four qualifiers in Pennsylvania leading to the FTC PA State Robotics Championship in Weatherly, Pa., on March 5. The other sites are Penn State Erie, The Behrend College; The Pennsylvania College of Technology; and Montgomery County Community College. The acronym FIRST means For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology and the organization was founded in1989 by Dean Kamen, an accomplished inventor, who wanted to inspire young people to appreciate science and technology.

“Team members are part of an alliance trying to perform tasks on the field with their robots,” said Stephen Kew-Goodale, event coordinator for FTC. “We emphasize gracious professionalism with winning or losing not the important things. Winning is nice but the design process is the important thing. We expect teams to help each other and develop friendships and camaraderie throughout the competition,” he said.

Penn State York students, faculty, and staff will work as volunteers during the competition filling a variety of roles from judges to field tech advisors, scorekeepers, software inspectors, and more. Throughout the competition teams are judged on their sportsmanship, performance of their robots, completion of tasks, following the rules, and a variety of other criteria. Students in grades 7-12 take part in the competition.

Marshall F. Coyle, associate professor of engineering at Penn State York, is the volunteer coordinator for the event, and has worked to fill the many positions necessary to make the competition possible.

“I am really excited about the FTC event! Our campus is a great place to have one of the qualifiers and Penn State York students, faculty, and staff have stepped-up to help,” said Coyle.

For more information on the FTC qualifiers including teams registered, visit http://www.weatherlyrobotics.org/. For more information on FIRST, visit their Web site at http://www.usfirst.org/

Penn State York’s THON Committee will hold a basket bingo on Sunday, Jan. 30 with proceeds going to The Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, fondly known as THON, to help children with cancer through the Four Diamonds Fund at the Penn State Hershey Medical Center. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. with bingo beginning at 2 p.m. in the Conference Center of the Main Classroom Building at Penn State York, 1031 Edgecomb Ave.

The event features Penn State Longaberger baskets along with many others valued at more than $3,000. Food and drinks will be available for purchase. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased on campus outside the Lion’s Den, Joe and Rosie Ruhl Student Community Center, Monday through Friday, 12-1 p.m. or at the door the day of the bingo.

The basket bingo is one of the campus’ many fundraisers in support of THON which takes place on Feb. 18–20, 2011, at the Bryce Jordan Center in University Park. The campus will send two local dancers to participate in this 46-hour dance marathon which has raised more than $69 million since it began in 1973. The THON theme for 2011 is Together Without Limits.

For more information on the basket bingo, please contact Brandy Snyder at (717) 725-6607 or e-mail bms5373@psu.edu.

Michael E. Brennan has been named the director of the Graham Entrepreneurship Certificate Program at Penn State York. Brennan began his duties Dec. 1 and as part of the job will continue the visionary leaders lecture series on campus and work closely with faculty to infuse an entrepreneurial curriculum focus across multiple disciplines. A new certificate program is planned for fall 2011.

“We are delighted that Michael Brennan, who was chosen after a national search, agreed to serve as the director of the Graham Entrepreneurship Certificate Program. Mike’s vast experience in business and industry and his knowledge of the entrepreneurial process make him the ideal person to lead this important new student-centered venture at Penn State York,” said Joel M. Rodney, chancellor at the campus. “Mike’s background in industry and the York community will allow him to step into this new role and hit the ground running, as we look to him to make connections for the campus, our faculty, and our students with local and nationally acclaimed entrepreneurs.”

Brennan will also work to create junior workshops to reach out to local junior and senior high school students through existing campus programs such as the Chancellor’s Honor Certificate in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM), Pathways to Your Future Exploring STEM Careers, and Project Talent Connections.

Prior to taking on his new position at the campus, Brennan served as director of operations for Tazo Tea, Portland, Ore., a division of Starbucks Coffee Company, Seattle, Wash. His career in operations management has provided comprehensive manufacturing solutions for international companies including Starbucks, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Digital Equipment Corporation, and General Electric. Brennan served as the director of operations for the Starbucks York Roasting Plant before being promoted to run the Tazo Tea operations in Portland, Ore. He also served as a Penn State York Advisory Board member and during that time assisted the campus in procuring funding for the Starbucks Greenhouse which opened on campus in July 2005.

Brennan holds a bachelor of science in business from Trinity College, Burlington, Vt. He attended the Babson College Management Program; the General Electric Manufacturing Management Program, a two-year program; and the General Electric Apprentice Training Program, a three-year-program. In addition, he has attended training programs in LEAN Manufacturing and Corporate Diversity and Cultural Awareness.

Brennan resides in York with his wife, Joan, and the couple has three grown children.

“In The Mood,” a 1940s musical revue, takes to the stage at Penn State York’s Pullo Family Performing Arts Center (The Pullo Center) for one show on Thursday, March 3 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are on sale now at $33. Tickets can be purchased at The Pullo Center box office, charge by phone at (717) 505-8900, or online at www.pullocenter.yk.psu.edu or www.ticketmaster.com.

“In The Mood” takes a retro look at the life and times of America’s greatest generation. With music and dance combining up-tempo big band rhythms to mellow intimate ballads, audiences experience the swing and rhythm of this most sentimental and romantic era in American life. The musical revue features the In The Mood Singers and Dancers with the String of Pearls Big Band Orchestra with music arrangements, costumes, and choreography that takes audiences back to the 1940s.

Visit The Pullo Center Web site at www.pullocenter.yk.psu.edu for more information on this performance and all the free and ticketed programs offered throughout the year.

For more information about “In The Mood,” visit www.inthemoodlive.com.

Due to inclement weather, Mayor of the City of York C. Kim Bracey’s visit to Penn State York on Tuesday, Jan. 18 in celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King’s Jr.’s birthday has been rescheduled until Feb. 22. Bracey, will have lunch at noon with members of the campus community followed by a speech at 12:30 p.m. in the Community Room of the Joe and Rosie Ruhl Student Community Center. Bracey will speak about Dr. King’s impact on politics today. This portion of the program is open to the public.

Bracey’s visit is part of the campus’ remembrance of the late Dr. King called Wake Up! Realize the Dream and is sponsored by the Penn State York Diversity Committee.

Bracey was elected the first African-American mayor of the City of York on Nov. 3, 2009, and was sworn into office as the 24th major on Jan. 4, 2010. She previously served as the appointed director of the department of community development for the City of York from June 2003 until January 2009.

A native of York, Bracey attended York City schools and is a proud graduate of William Penn Senior High School. She attended Bloomsburg University and in 1984 joined the United States Air Force where she served honorably until 1994 achieving the rank of E-6. Among her medals and citations, she received the National Defense Service Medal and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal. She chose to return to York in 1994 to work for the Crispus Attucks Community Association where she managed the local program of YouthBuild AmeriCorps.

Bracey lives in York with her husband, Vernon, and they are the proud parents of two children.

For more information on this program, please contact Barbara Dennis at 771-4128.

The faculty member chosen for this award is selected by a committee of three former recipients of the award, plus two student members. This committee depends on nominations and supporting information that is provided by students.  Prior award recipients from the past three years,  Ali Kara, Harriet Darling, and Orsay Kucukemiroglu; and staff of the Advising and Career Center, Andrew Caldwell, Jane Emery, and Dina Wulinsky are not eligible for the award.

Nominations should be submitted using the online form by 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 25, 2011.

It is just about three months since Patrick Tanner took on the position of director of student and enrollment services at Penn State York. Tanner came to Penn State York from Roger Williams University in Bristol, R.I., and for him accepting this position not only means working for an internationally-known university, it means he returns home and is closer to family and friends. Tanner grew up in the Terre Hill and New Holland area of Lancaster County and has family throughout Pennsylvania.

“We were delighted that Patrick Tanner, who was chosen from a national search, agreed to come to Penn State York and back to his home state of Pennsylvania,” said Joel M. Rodney, chancellor at the campus. “Patrick brings a fresh perspective and his experience in the area of residence life will be of great help to the campus when we move to that stage of our development.”

Tanner, 34, who began the position on Oct. 19, 2010, is responsible for the overall administration of enrollment and student programs and services for York. His area of responsibility includes student recruitment, student activities, financial aid, recreation and athletics, and just about any other programs and services related to students.

Prior to taking the position at York, Tanner worked as the assistant director of residence life at Roger Williams University where he directed the entire residence life program for 3,000 students in conjunction with the director of residence life. His experience over the years has included positions at the University of Denver in Colorado and Grand Valley State University in Michigan.

“This is a fascinating opportunity. There is an amazing faculty and staff here at Penn State York committed to students and I am looking forward to creating the Penn State York of the future,” said Tanner. “Penn State is the number one recruiting university in the country for corporations and the value of a Penn State degree has never been higher. When you add to that accomplishment to all that the campus has to offer, including top-notch academics, student activities, and the Pullo Family Performing Arts Center, it is an exciting time to be here.”

Tanner holds a masters of education in secondary, adult, and higher education from Grand Valley State University, Allendale, Mich; and a bachelors of theatre arts and communications from Geneva College, Beaver Falls, Pa.

He resides in York with his wife, Julie, and two children.

“The Heifer effort this year was a great example of how the campus really pulls together to meet a goal,” said Ann Fetterman, instructor in English, director of the writing lab, and the point person for volunteer activities on campus. “The library staff challenged the entire campus community and people really stepped forward to donate,” she said. “I like that we are sending support back to India in gratitude for the large number of students we have on campus who came to Penn State York from India,” Fetterman said.

In previous years the campus has raised funds to send bucks, sheep, and rams to the coastal and northwestern districts of Orissa State in India: Puri, Cuttack, Mayurbhanj, and Suderga, as well as sending two water buffalo and a goat for the Lusime Women’s Draft Cattle Project in Zambia.

Penn State York’s fundraising activities for Heifer have included selling scoops of ice cream at the noon hour, selling pins with photos of animals on them such as Love a Llama, and just collecting general donations. With the $2,012 raised, the campus will fund the purchase of 16 goats ($120 each) for families in the eastern Rajasthan area of India.

Heifer International’s mission is to work with communities to end hunger and poverty and to care for the earth. This simple idea of giving families a source of food rather than short-term relief caught on and has continued for more than 60 years

For more information on this project, please contact Ann Fetterman at (717) 771-4162 or axf25@psu.edu.

Penn State York students will help serve breakfast with other Penn Staters from 8:30– 10:00 a.m. at the Crispus Attucks Association, 605 S. Duke Street in York. After breakfast on Jan. 17, there will be opportunities to volunteer at local agencies such as Helping Hands, York County Food Bank, Manito, and others. Penn State York does not have classes on Jan. 17 so students are encouraged to remember Dr. King by doing community service. To register for the community service events, please contact Ann Fetterman, instructor in English and volunteer coordinator at Penn State York, at 717-771-4162 or axf25@psu.edu.

Mayor C. Kim Bracey, the first African American mayor of the City of York, will visit the campus Tuesday, Jan 18, at noon to have lunch with members of the campus community followed by a speech at 12:30 p.m. Bracey will speak about Dr. King’s impact on politics today. This portion of the program is open to the public.

Penn State York students, faculty, and staff will continue the celebration in a Speak Out on Freedom, Jan. 19 at noon. Songs, video clips, poems, personal reflections, and other materials from around the world featuring famous freedom fighters including Dr. King, Mahatma Gandhi, Bob Marley, John Lennon, Desmond Tutu, Elie Weisel, and others will be shared during this event. This program is free and open to the public.