It’s the applications, not just the technology Annual Report EDITION
INsIDe
Fall 2011
2
Alumni News
4
Featured Alumni
5
Advisory Board
6
Continuing Education
7
Commencement 2011
8
THON Fundraising
9
Cover Story
page 4 Featured Alumni
page 8 THON Fundraising
11 Campus Highlights 14 Faculty Profile 15 Student Profile 16 In Touch
page 15 Global Competitor
TRADITION
CONTRIbuTORs
writers Allison Goodin, Donna Hahn, Kate Morgan, and Lynn staples photography Kate Morgan design and layout Todd Greb • blue Dot Communications & Graphic Design www.bluedotcommunication.com Send correspondence to: Tradition Alumni Magazine Attn: Kate Morgan Penn state Lehigh Valley 2809 saucon Valley Road Center Valley, PA 18034-8447 Printed in the usA – Tradition is published twice a year by the Office of university Relations, Penn state Lehigh Valley. THIs PubLICATION Is AVAILAbLe IN ALTeRNATIVe MeDIA ON RequesT. e Pennsylvania state university is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to programs, facilities, admission, and employment without regard to personal characteristics not elated to ability, performance, or qualifications as determined by university policy or by state or federal authorities. It is the policy of the university to maintain an academic and work environment free of discrimination, including harassment. e Pennsylvania state university prohibits discrimination and harassment against any person because of age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status. Discrimination or harassment against faculty, staff, or students will not be tolerated at e Pennsylvania state university. Direct all inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policy to the Affirmative Action Director, e Pennsylvania state university, 328 boucke building, university Park, PA 16802-5901; Tel 814-865-4700/V, 814-863-1150/TTY. u.ed. LVO 12.38
In the Moment Photo by Kate Morgan
On the cover:
It’s the applications, not just the technology Annual Report INSIDE
A student video tapes a biology experiment using and iPod Touch 4G. As part of the Penn state Media in Motion pilot program, two students at Penn state Lehigh Valley are creating, editing, and uploading instructional videos directly from the iPod to share with their classmates. Read more about this and other creative uses of technology that are happening at the campus on page 9.
from the chancellor “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” I know that Dickens was not talking about Penn state, but the line is certainly descriptive of the last several months. Overall, it has been a good year for Penn state Lehigh Valley. Hosting the board of Trustees at their summer meeting in July gave us the chance to showcase our new campus to them for the first time. And their responses were just what we had hoped for – nothing but positive. The positives, however, were not just for our facilities, but, more importantly, they also included the interactions with our students, faculty, and staff. More recently, however, it has become the most difficult and challenging time in our history as the university deals with its role in the recent allegations. At our campus and across the Penn state community, we grieve for those affected by this tragedy and struggle to make sense of how it could have happened here, at Penn state. but now, more than ever, we approach our commitment to the core values of this institution and our campus’ mission statement with a renewed sense of purpose. Our new president Dr. Rodney erickson said, “…as we move forward, and move forward we must and we will,” – we at the Lehigh Valley campus are fortunate to have the support of our alumni and friends. Alums like Jose Fonseca, whose personal story of success as an athletic trainer at Duke university you can read on page 4. Alums like steve Markowitz and Dan Puchyr who, along with their families, have been so generous to our campus (Annual Report page 1). And like Todd Dietrich, page 2, who is the new leader of our campus Alumni society. Their stories and actions, along with those of many others you will meet in these pages, represent the very best of what Penn state can be. Our students are already well on their way to meeting, and possibly beating, last year’s THON fundraising goal. see page 8 for ways that you can help them fight against pediatric cancer. Read about the amazing cycling season schreyer scholar and Olympic hopeful Matt baranoski has had on page 15, and delve into the latest ways that technology is helping our students enhance their academic experience on page 9. These are just a few examples that Penn state Pride is alive and well in the Lehigh Valley. I could not be prouder of how our campus community has come together in the face of astonishment and adversity. each day, our students, faculty, and staff demonstrate why Penn state Lehigh Valley will be able to celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2012 – their enduring commitment to making life better. On behalf of the entire Penn state Lehigh Valley community, I wish you and yours a wonderful holiday season, and we look forward to seeing many of you in our centennial year.
Dr. Ann Williams Chancellor
FALL 2011
1
alumni news
Penn State Lehigh Valley Alumni Society President Todd Dietrich ’04
“I really want to focus on increasing our membership.”
– Todd Dietrich
Todd Dietrich is a former Penn state Lehigh Valley sGA president, a lifelong member of the Penn state Alumni Association, and as of July, he is the president of the Penn state Lehigh Valley Alumni society. With big plans and a lot of Penn state Pride, Todd answered some questions about his pathway to the society. Why did you choose Penn State Lehigh Valley? I chose Penn state Lehigh Valley because it provided all of the benefits of the larger university along with the lower cost and flexibility of being in the area I grew up.
Lehigh Valley in 2004, Dr. susan speece. I received the Rose Cologne Keystone Citizen Award for community service and after commencement she asked me for my resume. she forwarded it to Weidenhammer and I have been there for seven years.
What were you involved in when you attended Penn State? I was part of CCsG, sGA, THON, Lion Ambassadors, and I also served on a litany of committees and pretty much anything else that student Affairs came up with. I believe that being involved really enhanced my college experience.
What are your goals for the Alumni Society? Well, the society recently filled endowment for a scholarship and we are really proud of that. Now, I really want to focus on increasing our membership. One of our most successful venues is through monthly networking events held the third Thursday of each month from 6-8 p.m. at a local dining establishment. It is a fun and informal way to network with other Penn state alumni in the area. We also want to have a lot more interaction with the students and have been working closely with the blue and White society, the undergraduate society for Psu students. I am excited to be working with the new Alumni Coordinator, sue Chappell, to find other ways to connect with the students, campus, and other alumni.
What is your favorite memory of Penn State? The default answer for anyone who has been a dancer is usually THON and while I did dance in THON 2003, probably my favorite memory of Penn state was when I went to my first CCsG meeting in the fall of 2001 and got to see how the Commonwealth campuses all came together. It really opened my eyes and made me want to become a more involved student. I guess it worked because I ended up being sGA president from 2002 – 2004. You have always stayed connected and involved with Penn State. Why? The opportunities I've had due to the organizations and people I've interacted with during my time as a student, and now as an alumnus, have made a tremendous positive impact on my life. I continue to help Penn state as much as I can so others can also benefit from those same kinds of opportunities. What do you do professionally? I’m an Application specialist for Weidenhammer, an information technology company based out of Wyomissing. I got the job through the referral of the CeO of Penn state berks2
P eNN s TATe L eHIGH VALLeY T RADITION
Have you gotten involved with community events? We recently volunteered at Celtic Classic in bethlehem and it was very successful. Fifteen area alumni, some who didn’t even know about the local society, signed up to help work a beverage tent. It was a great day. How do alumni and friends find out about upcoming events or ways to get involved? We are really active on Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, and each month we send out a digital newsletter. To check our alumni social network, visit the links below. • facebook.com/psulvalumni • foursquare.com/psulvalumni • twitter.com/psulvalumni • psulvalumni.org
Alumni and Corporate Liaison Named
Sue Chappell ’84 Though sue Chappell has been a familiar face at the Lehigh Valley campus for more than four years, the position she assumed in late October is new to her and to the campus. Chappell was recently named Alumni and Corporate Liaison for Penn state Lehigh Valley, a multi-faceted position that will focus on building connections to the campus for alumni and local businesses. Chappell previously served the campus’ Department of Continuing education as a youth and adult programming coordinator. but her Penn state connections are not limited to employment. Chappell is a 1984 graduate of the school of business at university Park and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in education through Penn state’s World Campus.
“I am so excited to combine the pride of being a Penn state alumna, my knowledge of the Lehigh Valley campus and service area, and my professional background in this exciting new position,” said Chappell. “I hope to engage alumni and local businesses with our thriving campus in mutually beneficial ways.” In her new position, Chappell will work with the Penn state Lehigh Valley Alumni society, the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the Alumni Association, and will advise the campus’ blue and White society. In addition, she will work to connect alumni and corporate partners with the campus in various ways, including mentoring opportunities and engagement with faculty and students in the classroom.
SPRING Ice Cream Sale
Sale: January 1 March 12, 2012 Delivery: March 29, 2012
For more information, contact Katie Wells at kwells@psualum.com or 610-439-3484. No orders will be taken via email.
FALL 2011
3
featured alumni
Duke University – Athletic Trainer Jose Fonseca ’99
Above: Penn State Alumni and Duke University Athletic Trainer Jose Fonseca, center, is on the sidelines with Duke basketball coach Mike Krzyzewski.
For Penn State Lehigh Valley alumnus, Jose Fonseca, becoming an athletic trainer was a natural career choice – combining his love of sports and medicine. An athlete himself, Fonseca grew up idolizing athletes like Don Mattingly, Julius Erving, Tony Dorsett, and Hershel Walker. However, his biggest idol was his father. “My father has been my guiding light. He has always been there for me with advice, help, or anything that I needed,” states Fonseca. Growing up in a tight-knit family from San Salvador, El Salvador, Fonseca was inspired by his parents who sacrificed everything to move to the United States to provide him and his two sisters with a better life. During his high school years at Salisbury High School, Fonseca played football and suffered an injury that required the assistance of his school’s athletic trainer. Long hours of treatment provided ample time for discussion with his trainer, which sparked an interest in sports medicine as a career.
After visiting his sister, Maria, at Penn State University Park – and attending his very first Penn State football game at Beaver Stadium – he was convinced that Penn State was where he wanted to attend college. Penn State offered an Athletic Training program and he was thrilled to be accepted. Fonseca began his Penn State education at the Lehigh Valley campus, a decision he never regretted. “I decided to attend the Lehigh Valley campus to help with the transition between high school and college. It gave me a chance to make new friends and also maintain my past friendships. It was a great experience,” states Fonseca. During his junior and senior years at University Park, Fonseca had the opportunity to work as a student athletic trainer for football, women’s lacrosse, and swimming/diving. Shadowing the staff members for each of these sports provided Fonseca with a greater understanding of how the role of an athletic trainer impacts the life of an athlete – both on and off the playing field. “Watching the athletic trainers work continued
Pictured left: Jose Fonseca with Penn State Lehigh Valley Chancellor Dr. Ann Williams in Cameron Indoor Stadium on the campus of Duke University. Center: Jose with his pool in the training room at Duke University. Right: With the Duke University basketball team after winning the 2010 NCAA Championship. Inset: Jose’s National Championship ring.
4
P ENN S TATE L EHIGH VALLEY T RADITION
with the athletes and seeing how grateful they were for their support and assistance left a lasting impression on me,” states Fonseca. After graduating from Penn State, Fonseca went on to accept a graduate assistantship at the University of Florida. Part of his assistantship was to work as an athletic trainer at a local high school. “I truly enjoyed working on my own and elevating my skills to a new level. However, the experience made me realize that the high school setting was not where I wanted to be,” states Fonseca. When he received a phone call from his former boss at Penn State with the opportunity to earn his master’s degree while working with college athletes again, he never looked back. After completing his master’s degree in kinesiology from Penn State in 1999, Fonseca worked as an athletic trainer for men’s basketball and baseball at East Tennessee State University until 2002, then moved onto the University of Nebraska, where he primarily worked with men’s basketball and assisted with the Cornhuskers’ nationallyranked football program. In 2004, Fonseca accepted a position as basketball athletic trainer at Duke University, which boasts one of the best collegiate basketball programs – and head coach – in the country. In 2010, the team won
the National Championship, earning him a coveted championship ring (see photo inset on page 4). Now in his eighth year at Duke, Fonseca is grateful for all of the opportunities his Penn State education has provided for him. “I am fortunate to be surrounded by tremendous people and work under a terrific Director of Athletic Medicine (Robert “Hap” Zarzour), all who allow me to grow professionally and personally. In addition, I have the opportunity to work with one of the top hospitals on the east coast which boasts the best doctors. I am blessed to be where I am today and Penn State was a big part of that,” states Fonseca. Fonseca looks back on his years at Penn State with pride and is impressed to see how far the Lehigh Valley campus has come since his time as a student. “I loved my years at Penn State. Everything about it is spectacular and special. The new campus is modern and beautiful. It makes you feel like you are part of something bigger,” states Fonseca. When he is not on the basketball court or in the athletic training room, Fonseca enjoys spending time with his wife, Janna, and his two children, Pedro “Pete” and Alexis.
advisory board
A Passion for Service: Martha Phelps Penn State Lehigh Valley Advisory Board member Martha Phelps has devoted much of her life and career to community involvement. In addition to working in positions that were quasi-public, encouragement from employers and colleagues led her to begin volunteering on local boards and committees where she could focus on making a difference in the Lehigh Valley. Growing up on a farm near Meadville, Pennsylvania, Phelps enjoyed the outdoors and was influenced by the forces, beauty, and opportunities that nature presented. When it came time to choose a college, Phelps wanted a change from the rural setting in which she was raised. “I chose Penn State because it was big. It wasn’t a very scientific approach to choosing a school, but I wasn’t sure what I wanted to study and it offered everything. In addition, it was affordable. Since I was paying my own way, that was very important to me,” states Phelps. Initially enrolled and accepted as a liberal arts/French major, she changed to business administration to take advantage of the increasing job market for business majors. “Dr. Arthur Williams, then head of that department at University Park, encouraged me to focus on real estate and insurance, which provided opportunities to develop my leadership abilities. At that point, it was pretty clear I wasn’t cut out to be an accountant!” Phelps graduated PSU in 1972 with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration (insurance and real estate) followed by her MBA in December of 1973. Highlights of her career include owning her own company, CustomBelts USA, western hemisphere distributor for CAT (Caterpillar’s licensed merchandise) belt ware. Prior to that, she was senior vice president for communications and fundraising at Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Hospital, president of the Allentown-Lehigh County (now Greater Lehigh Valley) Chamber of Commerce, and executive director of the Private Industry
Council of Lehigh Valley. Phelps was initially approached by former Penn State Lehigh Valley CEO and member of the Chamber of Commerce Board, Jack Cooney, to join the Penn State Lehigh Valley Advisory Board, and has been a member since the early 1990s. “The talent, enthusiasm, and vision of the students, faculty, and staff at the campus are very stimulating,” states Phelps. During her time on the Advisory Board, the campus has grown from 500 students to 1,000 students this fall – a feat that seemed out of reach during the campus’ early days in Fogelsville. “The Advisory Board has provided the campus with guidance and support during these last few exciting years. Martha supported our vision long before our recent growth seemed possible. We are fortunate to have her as an ambassador in this community and long-time board member,” said Chancellor Ann Williams. “It’s been positively thrilling to be involved through this tremendous period of growth over the past several years. It just keeps getting better and better. With its expanded facilities, programs, and courses of study, Penn State Lehigh Valley has grown into its natural position as a significant higher education option in our region. Everyone benefits!” “Since retiring in 2006, I have more time to devote to volunteer consulting, service on nonprofit boards, and using the skills and knowledge of a lifetime to benefit the community. A solid rural upbringing, along with my Penn State education, formed the base for what has been, and continues to be, a very fulfilling life,” states Phelps. Through it all, Phelps has never lost her childhood love of nature. “I am still a very 'outdoors' person. Fly-fishing and gardening are two of my favorite things,” states Phelps. When she is not volunteering in the community, she enjoys traveling with her husband, Bill Halstead. FALL 2011
5
continuing education
Penn State Lehigh Valley Welcomes… Beth Ann Delaney, MSW, LCSW Program Coordinator & Faculty for Professional Development
Meet Beth Ann Delaney, a new addition to the Penn State Lehigh Valley Continuing Education Department. A veteran of Penn State, Delaney joined the campus team in July to focus on developing partnerships with business and industry in the Lehigh Valley, including healthcare. She will also assess, develop, and facilitate professional leadership development for supervisors, managers, and executives. With over 20 years of experience in corporate training and development, human resources, strategic planning, and cultural transformation, Delaney frequently presents at various professional organization workshops on leadership. Prior to settling at the Lehigh Valley campus, she served as a faculty member for Penn State’s Management Development Program and Services and ran her own private clinical practice and corporate consultation practice. In 2005, Delaney was voted one of the top 25 Women in Business in the NEPA Business Journal. Delaney is very enthusiastic about her role at the campus. “I am excited to be at Penn State Lehigh Valley because of the many opportunities here in the Lehigh Valley area to establish corporate partnerships for leadership development. My goal is to be able to assist organizations in identifying and developing their emerging leaders for their organizations long-term success.” To find out how Penn State Lehigh Valley can work with your company supervisors and managers, contact Beth Ann Delaney at 610-285-5239.
Nursing Graduation Twenty-three Penn State Lehigh Valley Practical Nursing graduates celebrated with family and friends during a ceremony held September 15.
6
P ENN S TATE L EHIGH VALLEY T RADITION
Sharon Gordon, MSN, RN, CNOR(E) Practical Nursing Program Coordinator
Penn State Lehigh Valley’s Practical Nursing program has been educating future nurses for six years. The eighteen-month, parttime, evening and weekend certificate program prepares students to sit for the state board exam that licenses them as LPNs. In October, the campus program welcomed Sharon Gordon as its new coordinator. Gordon’s role supports the activities of practical nursing students in both the clinical and classroom setting not just at Lehigh Valley, but also at the Berks and Hazleton campuses. “As the landscape of healthcare delivery continues to change and develop, I look forward to facilitating the enhancement of our practical nursing education in a way that reflects those changes and best prepares our students for successful careers in patient care,” said Gordon. Gordon’s background and clinical expertise includes work in surgical services and med/surg. She most recently worked as Interim Director of Nursing and Healthcare Sciences at Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC), and she has served as a clinical adjunct at both LCCC and Cedar Crest College. Gordon also spent several years as College Director of Allied Health and External Programs at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College in Gulfport, Mississippi.
commencement 2011
Above from left: Chancellor Ann Williams welcomes graduates and guests to the 2011 Commencement Ceremony. Graduates had the opportunity to take a keepsake photo with the Nittany Lion Mascot during the reception. Graduate Valerie Crackel celebrates with her daughter Sophia.
Above from left: Graduates listen as guest speaker Dr. Mayim Bialik presents her address. Dr. Bialik (right), who holds a Ph.D in neuroscience but is well-known for her role on CBS’s hit comedy The Big Bang Theory, spoke to students about overcoming challenges that stand in the way of their goals and finding balance. Below: Graduates and guests listen as Student Marshall David Goodpaster delivers his speech. The ceremony was held May 7, 2011, at Stabler Arena in Bethlehem.
FALL 2011
7
Fundraising is Under Way In 1973, a small group of dedicated Penn State students held our first dance marathon. That year, thirty-nine dancer couples participated and raised $2,000. Since then, THON’s presence in the Penn State community has grown exponentially. THON now has over 15,000 student volunteers, 700 dancers, and has raised more than $78 million, benefiting The Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Hershey Children’s Hospital. Last year, the Lehigh Valley campus team shattered their previous record by raising more than $24,000 toward the University total of
$9 million. Their new fundraising goal is $27,000. This year’s THON dance marathon is being held February 17-19, 2012, at the Bryce Jordan Center in State College. Penn State Lehigh Valley students began fundraising for THON 2012 during a kick-off event on October 6, 2011. The event included a basketball tournament, as well as the chance for students to "Pie Your Presidents" for a donation. Future fundraising events include a silent auction and an on-campus concert and talent show.
To support this year’s fundraising efforts, stop by one of the Penn State Lehigh Valley THON canning sites on January 20-22 and February 10-12. • Walmart in Hatfield, Quakertown, Trexlertown, Whitehall, and Lehighton • Dunkin’ Donuts on Hamilton Street • McDonald’s (Trexlertown) • Various businesses on Lehigh Street in Allentown Or, to make a gift online, simply visit http://thon.org/donors/donateonline/credit and choose “LEHIGH VALLEY” as your designated organization.
8
P ENN S TATE L EHIGH VALLEY T RADITION
A NNUAL R EPORT PENN STATE LEHIGH VALLEY
2010-2011
CAMPUS RECEIVES UNRESTRICTED GIFT FROM DAN AND JUDY PUCHYR In 2009, when the campus was preparing to move to its present location in Center Valley, special care was taken to plan how the ten-ton Nittany Lion Shrine would be relocated. Dan Puchyr, Penn State Lehigh Valley alumnus and advisory board member, and owner of Bracy Contracting in Allentown, did not hesitate in donating his services to move the iconic lion. Now Puchyr and his wife Judy have again stepped up to support the Penn State Lehigh Valley campus with a generous unrestricted gift. The funds from this donation will support a project or need to be decided each year and will give the campus tremendous flexibility to address its changing needs over the next five years. The current engineering lab will also be named in recognition of their generosity. “As a campus chancellor, I can personally attest to the value of gifts like Dan and Judy’s because they allow the immediate, and sometimes unforeseen, needs of the campus to be fulfilled,” said Ann Williams, chancellor of the Lehigh Valley campus. Early in his career, Puchyr was employed by Ray B. Bracy Construction, Inc., as an estimator, purchasing agent, and project manager. During his eleven-year tenure with RBBCI, he became vice president and a ten percent stockowner of the company. In that time period, RBBCI had completed approximately $100 million in construction projects in the general Lehigh Valley area. In 1987, Puchyr started Bracy Contracting, Inc., with the objectives of maintaining the high quality level of general construction services provided by RBBCI and of becoming more competitive in an open shop market. Among his career achievements are being twice named “General Contractor of the Year” by the American Subcontractors Association. He recently was instrumental in facilitating the completion of Mimi’s Place, a pediatric waiting room area at St. Luke’s Hospital in Allentown, dedicated in loving memory of his son, Brian, who passed away in 1995. Dan and Judy, his wife of 38 years, have two adult children, Lindsey and Matthew, with whom they continue to enjoy family time boating, skiing, and raising German Shepherds.
MARKOWITZ FAMILY GIFT WILL MAKE MUSIC FOR CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY Since 1939, Allen Organ Company, based in Macungie, Pa., has been making music all over the world with its famous organs. The company’s founder, Jerome Markowitz and his wife Martha, supported the arts in the Lehigh Valley throughout their lives. That legacy is sustained by a recent gift from Jerome and Martha’s family that will establish “The Jerome and Martha Markowitz Music Room” at Penn State Lehigh Valley and “The Jerome and Martha Markowitz Trustee Scholarship.” Martha Markowitz was a long-time board member of the Community Music School (CMS), located in Allentown, which provides high quality, accessible music instruction for all persons who have the desire to learn. With her son, Steven, a 1975 business graduate of Penn State, and also a student at a campus of the University in the Lehigh Valley, she had long envisioned the possibility of a partnership between CMS and the campus. That vision is now being fulfilled by Steven, his wife Anne Marie, and family members Marc Markowitz, Sandra Goldstein, and David and Judy Roberts. “My parents were great lovers and supporters of music in the Lehigh Valley,” said Steven Markowitz, current president of Allen Organ Company and Lehigh Valley campus advisory board member. “It seemed only fitting that our family honor the memory of our parents with a gift that will help music appreciation and education continue to flourish in the Lehigh Valley.” Their two-pronged gift will create a new music room that will provide Penn State Lehigh Valley students with instruments, sound proof instruction and practice areas, and space for solo and group performances. Along with their monetary gift, the Markowitz family has donated Jerome and Martha’s personal grand piano to be used in the space. The music room will also be utilized by CMS for student instruction and recitals. In addition, the gift will establish a Trustee Scholarship. The Trustee Matching Scholarship Program maximizes the impact of private giving while directing funds to students as quickly as possible, meeting the urgent need for scholarship support. In this groundbreaking philanthropic model, Penn State matches five percent of the total pledge or gift at the time a Trustee Scholarship is created, making funds available immediately for student awards. This University match, which is approximately equal to the endowment’s annual spendable income, continues in perpetuity, doubling the support available for students with financial need.
Martha and Jerome Markowitz.
Dan and Judy Puchyr
ART GALLERY INSPIRES GIVING For the past 100 years, Penn State Lehigh Valley has provided the local community with academic programs that fit the specific needs of our business and industry. From our humble beginnings in the basement of the Stevens School to our much expanded location in Center Valley, Pa., we have grown to become a diverse and enriching campus community. The addition of the Gallery at Penn State Lehigh Valley and arts related courses in fall 2010 have added a whole new realm of creativity and enrichment for our students, inspiring a new focus for generosity among alumni, friends, and the local community. In just over a year, the Gallery has gained the attention of our students, local members of the arts community, and the media – connecting the campus to the greater Lehigh Valley community in a new and exciting way. “The first series of exhibitions in the new gallery were designed to establish relationships within our campus and the artistic community in the Lehigh Valley. We featured exhibitions from faculty, students, local public school art departments, and established regional art groups,” states Ann Lalik, Arts Coordinator and Gallery Director. Interest in the art gallery continues to grow. In spring 2010, the campus proudly introduced “The Friends of the Gallery” program, designed to provide direct support for the needs of the gallery. Donors of $500 or more are recognized on the uniquely designed recognition wall outside of the gallery, which was graciously designed by alumnus and Advisory Board member, Howard Kulp. “Friends of the Gallery” receive advance notice of upcoming exhibitions and are welcome to hold private events in the gallery.
Area businesses and foundations have also shown support by sponsoring specific exhibitions. Frank Shipman and TC Salon sponsored the inaugural exhibition featuring the architectural designs of Howard Kulp. Metro Mix of The Morning Call sponsored the first student exhibition, Common Reading, Uncommon Learning. The Pennsylvania Council of the Arts (PCA) Project Stream, which is distributed through the Lehigh Valley Arts Council, generously supported the exhibition, Reaction and Healing: the 10th Anniversary of 9/11. Coming in 2012, the Dexter and Dorothy Baker Foundation will support a series of exhibitions and programs that will commemorate our campus’ 100th anniversary. “We are thankful for the rich cultural community we serve and appreciate the support that this new artistic endeavor has inspired. As we enter the campus’ 100th anniversary year and complete the Gallery’s first year, we recognize the many opportunities to partner with the Lehigh Valley through exhibitions and programs,” states Ann Williams, Chancellor of Penn State Lehigh Valley. To become a Friend of the Gallery or to sponsor an upcoming exhibition, please contact Ann Lalik, Gallery Director and Arts Coordinator, at Penn State Lehigh Valley. 610-285-5261 or AnnLalik@psu.edu.
MASTER CRAFTSMAN $2000 +
ARTISAN $1000 +
Holt Family Foundation Howard L. Kulp Lutron Electronics Ken & Carol McGeary Ann Williams
Michael & Priscilla Johnson Dr. Walter & Theresa Johnson Ann & John Lalik Prasant Pandey Carolina & George McCluskey
Clockwise from bottom left: Gallery Director Ann Lalik poses at the very first gallery exhibit. Warren Armstrong ’60 (left) congratulates Richard Greenleaf ’63 during the reception for Greenleaf ’s July 2011 exhibition. This installation hangs at the gallery entrance and acknowledges individuals and organizations who have made gifts to support the gallery.
MATCHING GIFTS MAKE A DIFFERENCE Matching gift programs are a great way for companies to give back to the community by contributing to organizations that are designated by their employees. These special programs allow Penn State University alumni to double—sometimes even triple—the size of their annual gifts to Penn State and the Lehigh Valley campus. Who is eligible? Companies may match gifts from their employees, retirees, board members, and other affiliates. Spouses of these affiliates may also be eligible for a match, so gifts have the potential to be matched by more than one company. In most cases, your company’s human resources or personnel office can provide a matching gift form. You should fill out the donor portion of the form and then send it to the Office of Development at Penn State Lehigh Valley, either with your gift or after your gift has been sent. The match will count toward your overall giving level at the campus.
2010-2011 DONORS CHANCELLOR’S CIRCLE The Chancellor’s Circle recognizes individuals who have made an annual gift or gifts to Penn State Lehigh Valley totaling $1,000 or more. Air Products Foundation ATAS International, Inc. Bracy Contracting Fidelity Investments Charitable Gift Fund John W. and Kathleen E. Hart Holt Family Foundation Prasant Pandey and Dianne R. Jacobetz Michael F. and Priscilla A. Johnson Theresa B. Johnson Howard L. Kulp Penn State Lehigh Valley Alumni Society Lehigh Valley Business Education Partnership Lehigh Valley Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association LPD Lutron Foundation L. Charles and Ruth Howard Marcon Martin D. Cohen Family Foundation Mr. Kenneth A. McGeary Pennsylvania Higher Education Foundation Poe Studies Association Ann M. Williams
ALUMNI DONORS Raymond E. and Jane Reiss Allamong Clement V. and Fallon Alulis Samuel E. and Amy P. Amory Robert A. and Michalene M. Bartkowiak Donald L. and Kathleen Bauman Gary S. Beck James C. and Sally A. Becker Justen T. and Heather Bennett Jamie Betancourt and Karen A. Betancourt David R. and Janet Billings James N. Binder Keith B. Bingaman Richard A. and Bonita L. Bleiler Christopher M. Bogden Thomas W. and Janet Jones Bonekemper Richard G. and Elizabeth A. Britigan Thomas M. Brown Robert M. and Bonnie M. Burdette Lee F. and Susan E. Chappell Carl H. and Laura I. Chegwidden Armand J. and Nancy K. Coco Martin D. and Beth A. Cohen Virginia A. Cohen Eric J. and Kimberly Dalius Craig P. Davis
Walter S. and Jane L. Delong Arthur L. Dethomas Todd E. Dietrich Adrienne M. Dorward Molly Kate Driscoll William V. Durso, Jr. and Catherine E. Naughton Dale T. and Katherine Eck Peter J. Eck Matthew M. Farkas Alison M. Feichtel Stephen G. Fekete Jay R. and Tracy Judy Frantz William C. and Fran Fritz William S. and Marsha Agre Goss Jerome D. and Josee Groleau Graybill Geoffrey and Nichola Gutgold Gerald R. Haas Donald L. and Patricia L. Hallman Charles L. Harris and Jessica L. Riedy Philip A. Hartranft Bryan T. Havir Joseph F. and Lisa L. Hazler James C. and Susan L. Hennessey Gwen L. Herzog Jason and Christen Hollinger Kimo S. and Elisabeth Kugler Hollingsworth Steven G. Holtzer Brian K. Hontz Sr. and Kathy Hontz Michael Allen and Maryann Hubick Mary C. Hutchinson Edward C. Kelchner Kevin J. and Grace Giovanni Kelley Torsten Kemmerer Kermit E. and Georgiana Kemp Robert B. and Joan M. Kern Thomas B. and Stephanie Kish Gregory and Laura J. Klucharich Chris D. and Sharon Weidman Kostenbader Michael J. Krajsa James L. Labar Michael R. Linsenbigler David M. and Ann-Margaret Rodgers Longenbach Jason K. Longley Robert C. Mack Thomas A. Male Steven A. and Ann Marie Markowitz Sherry L. Marzaro Dennis L. and Joyce Burket Mays Gregory L. Mazziotta Diane Lewis Keith W. and Krista A. McKeon Paul James McNeill and Valerie Lee V. Buss David F. Merida
GIVING OPTIONS AT PENN STATE LEHIGH VALLEY UNRESTRICTED FUNDS All unrestricted funds are to be used at the Chancellor’s discretion, providing flexible resources to address Penn State Lehigh Valley’s most pressing needs and to create opportunities. These funds are applied to areas with the greatest need, like student aid, new academic initiatives, and faculty recruitment. Penn State Lehigh Valley Future Fund Penn State Lehigh Valley Chancellor’s Fund
PROGRAM FUNDS John V. Cooney Pre-College Youth Program Fund: Established by the Lehigh Valley Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association in honor of former Penn State Lehigh Valley CEO Jack Cooney. The fund supports the campus’ pre-college youth programming. Julius Cohen Memorial Fund: Established by Martin Cohen in memory of his father, Julius Cohen. The fund supports the enrichment of the academic support opportunities for economically disadvantaged and diverse students attending Penn State Lehigh Valley utilizing the Academic Support Center. Marsha & William Goss Educational-Related Trip Fund: This fund was established by Marsha and William Goss to support educational-related field trips for Penn State Lehigh Valley students. Don Klein Campus Excellence Fund: Established by the Lehigh Valley Chapter in honor of longtime member and volunteer, Don Klein. This endowed fund is to be used at the discretion of the Penn State Lehigh Valley Chancellor to fulfill the needs of the campus. The Lion Terrace at Penn State Lehigh Valley: Initiated as a student beautification project, the Nittany Lion Terrace is the perfect place to display your Penn State pride forever. Engraved pavers, stepstones, and Lion’s Edge stones are available from $100 to $1,000. Also available are named benches and gardens for $5,000. See the World Fund: Supports faculty and student educational research trips throughout the globe. Students have studied biology in Costa Rica and the political process in New York and Washington, D.C. Student Athletics Fund: Supports the varsity and intramural athletic programs at Penn State Lehigh Valley and allows more students to participate in these exciting activities. Search for Answers Fund: Provides much needed resources for research in all academic fields offered at Penn State Lehigh Valley since research is such an integral part of the academic experience for students and faculty. continued on next page
Daniel and Davina Danner Messics Brandon P. Metzger Franklin G. Metzger Christopher J. Meyers Sheryl Lynn Mockler Brian G. and Kathie Renee Kutzler Mory Richard A. and Iris L. Musselman Warren D. and Julie Kowalski Nichols Richard A. Noll Mark D. and Suzanne B. Olson Steven D. and Kimberly A. R. Orndorf William M. and Louise Ann Pammer Don C. and Diana Wheatley Patt Richard U. and Cynthia L.B. Perosa Clyde W. Halstead and Martha A. Phelps Michael D. and Lori A. Piltz Michael F. Polce Michael C. and Donna M. Puchyr Gregory J. and Rosalie Wallitsch Radio Tammi C. Redd Deanna M. Reinert Gary A. and Debra A. Reinert Justin A. Remo Michael K. Romanishan Ralph D. Romano Wendy S. Rooth Judith Imbody Sandt Allen A. and Tina L. Sandt Daniel G. Schaffer and Jennifer S. Schaffer Jeremy D. Schaller John P. and Dianne E. Schellenberg Christopher R. and Christina J. Schoemaker Janet Ballek Scott Chris A. Senora Ryan F. and Valerie Venezia Singley Nicholas and Kelly Ann McKeon Sisonick Trevor J. Smith and Lauren Marks Michael A. Sodl Robert M. Soha Jeffrey M. and Lori King Soldo Robert G. Sotak David A. Spamer and Debora Walp Spamer Matthew E. and Kara A. Stahley Rodney G. and Faye R. Stauffer Lawrence G. and Raymonde Stets Charles G. and Katherine Stinner Barry L. Strohmeier and Rebecca A. Strohmeier Dolores E. Sugra William M. Tegyi Geoffrey E. Thomas Larry N. and Benedicta B. Trubilla Joshua G. and Katie L. Wells William N. York Barry L. and Nancy Patterson Ziegenfus
GIVING OPTIONS continued Seedling Fund: Provides support for innovative and entrepreneurial projects which support the land-grant mission.
James M. Williams Art & Culture Fund: Supports Penn State Lehigh Valley art and culture programs, including the Penn State Art & Culture Series.
SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS The funds listed below provide essential scholarship support to Penn State Lehigh Valley students. For details about these funds or for more information about
supporting student scholarship at Penn State Lehigh Valley, please visit our website at www.lv.psu.edu or call the Office of Development at 610-285-5039.
Donald E. Allen Memorial Scholarship Edward and Inez Donley Renaissance Fund Scholarship Penn State Lehigh Valley Alumni Society First Year Scholarship Penn State Lehigh Valley General Scholarship Fund Lehigh Valley Chapter Endowed Scholarship Fund Lehigh Valley Campus Alumni Scholarship Lehigh Valley Renaissance Scholarship Jerome and Martha Markowitz Trustee Scholarship
Rudy Mohr Memorial Scholarship Fund Patt Family Scholarship Don and Doug Patt Renaissance Fund Scholarship Penn State Lehigh Valley Trustee Scholarship Mabel White Riker Memorial Scholarship Eugene R. and Sandra A. Slaski Scholarship Richard Laird Smith Memorial Scholarship Hap and Marcia Wagner Renaissance Scholarship
FRIENDS OF THE CAMPUS Peter J. and Renae J. Behrens Frank A. and Nancy J. Behum Elsie G. Bell Catherine Britton Barbara H. Campbell James and Patricia Cannon Barbara Anne Cantalupo Margaret Christian Constance Doklan Roger A. Egolf Howard R. Berninger and Elizabeth K. Fairback Daniel R. Farrell Richard W. Fatzinger Ana B. Figueroa-Coddou Paul A. Frye *Frank L. and Renee Dreyer Gittler Larry and Donna M. Hahn Tai-Yin Huang Joseph F. and Barbara H. Hutchinson Karen E. Kackley-Dutt Debra Kopp John and Ann Lalik Olaf Starorypinski and Kathie Leslie David E. Livert Barbara J. Long Laura A. Marsteller Richard C. Martin Stephen C. and Sharon L. May Bryan and Jacqueline S. McLaughlin
Michael J. Mihalik Carl R. and Helene Miksitz Philip F. and Debra S. Miller Clifford E. and Cynthia L. Nash James R. and Denise T. Ogden Larry J. and Vickie S. Osmond Janet Pinaire Joseph R. and Arlene Quesada Edward D. Reibman Kathleen J. Romig Mark E. and Kimberly E. Schadt Dean R. Shaffer Eugene R. and Sandra Slaski Colin E. Snyder Ronald L. and Sue Snyder Matthew L. and Lynn M. Staples Susan E. Steele Kenneth A. Thigpen
CORPORATIONS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND FOUNDATIONS Anonymous Lehigh Valley Dreier Auto Sales HANNAN Communications International Christian Cycling Club Nestle Purina PetCare Company Professional Realty Enterprises Inc. Vortex Cycling, Inc. Wells Lawn Service
For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students continues its mission of providing resources to allow the campus and University to educate and serve students of the Lehigh Valley and beyond. Recent gifts from alumni, volunteers, friends, and others to Penn State Lehigh Valley have been directed for student activity initiatives, the Nittany Lion Terrace, and the Gallery at Penn State Lehigh Valley, among others. To learn more about the campaign and how you may participate, please contact the Development Office at 610-285-5039.
cover story
vailable technology is an expectation that college students have, and while more is generally considered better, Penn State Lehigh Valley has made a concentrated effort to focus on the kind of technology that is relevant to the campus vision and focused on making life and learning better. Details like smart technology and stronger wireless options are just some of the improvements that have been made since 2009, when Penn State Lehigh Valley moved from Fogelsville to Center Valley. But it isn’t just about the amount of technology in a campus, it really comes down to the use of it by both the faculty and the students. According to Dr. Kenneth Thigpen, director of academic affairs, “We look to the future with every project, not merely thinking about the classroom for today, but about the classroom five years from now. We are growing here. The students who enroll have expanding needs and expectations for their learning environments. We owe them an education that prepares them for careers that involves creative use of technology.” Throughout the campus, classrooms have been upgraded or redesigned based on studies of today’s learning environment. For example, the Video Learning Network (VLN) on the third floor is a Continuing Education initiative that links video-based classrooms across the university to offer a wide variety of credit courses for adult students from one broadcast site. Blending the latest videoconference and online learning technologies, campuses are able to share topnotch instructors through the use of technology. Content is shared from a broadcast location across a network to receiving locations where students sit in specially-designed classrooms adorned with large high-definition monitors which project classrooms from other locations as well as instructional
A
material and the instructor. Additionally, each seat has a call button that focuses and zooms the camera on the button-pusher and activates a ceiling microphone closest to the student so all participants from any location can see and hear questions or comments. “The goal at the Lehigh Valley campus is to attract new adult learners to programming that may not have otherwise been offered through traditional delivery methods. Currently, three professional certificates are available through the Video Learning Network and we look forward to offering degree completion programs as well as noncredit offerings in 2012,” said Diane McAloon, assistant director of continuing education at Penn State Lehigh Valley. Educators have realized that classroom design is as important as the technology that has been integrated. In the fall of 2011, with some financial support from a grant, room 219 was transformed into a collaborative learning environment. Four horseshoe-shaped tables allow up to eight students to share computer screen access via a dual monitor hub mounted at the head of the workstation. Additionally, the second monitor, controlled by an instructor, can be used to share a computer screen, a document camera, or a smartboard. “The workspace is really conducive to small group discussions and projects,” said teaching assistant Vinod Jeyaretnam ’14. One of the first of its kind in the Penn State system, this collaborative classroom has become a model across the university. To meet the rising interest in digital arts, a Mac lab was created so the campus could offer classes in photography and graphic design. With 25 iMac computers and three Epson R3000 photo printers, students are getting specialized instruction using state-of-the-art equipment. Similarly, the Media Commons, a multimedia lab offers students studio access to record, photograph, and videotape. Eight
continued on page 10
Vinod Jeyaretnam, ’14
Campus Alliance
inod Jeyaretnam, ’14, who is majoring in Biology and Business Management, was the first student at Penn State Lehigh Valley to be selected to instruct Bio 003, Peer-Learning in Biology. This one-credit course supports Bio 110, the introductory biology class for those who are interested in declaring a biology major. He leads two sections in Room 219, using the collaborative environment to help teach content interactively.
enn State Lehigh Valley is part of the Eastern Alliance, a program that offers classes among five campuses through a variety of ways. From the video learning system, to teleconferencing, and even online or hybrid format, this program combines different ways to offer a Penn State class through the technology that eliminates the need for hour-long commutes. “If the same business class is needed at all locations, we can offer one class that fulfills the needs of all five campuses,” said Dr. Thigpen. We are a growing campus, but some of our students have special class interests or requirements and this classroom delivery option allows us to serve a larger population, with less inconvenience.”
V
Students compete in a biology-themed game of Jeopardy. Each of the four collaborative work stations compete as a team against each other, cumulating points throughout the semester. To date, students attending Bio 003 have scored higher in Bio 110 than those who do not take Bio 003.
P
FALL 2011
9
Mac computers loaded with editing software puts audio and video production into the hands of students. A “whisper” room allows students to record soundtracks and voiceovers in an insulated environment, and a green screen studio can be used for student interviews or presentations. “From classwork to personal use, I’ve witnessed numerous students combine creativity and technology,” said Eileen Grodziak, coordinator of the Media Commons. “It is refreshing and amazing to watch these students raised in the age of technology create projects that are just fantastic.” Students in college need to learn on tools that have become standard in their career field. This semester, the Education Department acquired a Mimeo board which converts any whiteboard into an interactive
smartboard commonly found in K-12 schools. “It is important for our students to understand how to interact with the technology in classrooms because this is a tool they must have for today’s students,” said Debbie Kopp, supervisor of student teaching in Education. Programs can be downloaded from the Internet or created by instructors or students. “It’s the way students learn these days,” said Vicctoria Nadig ’12, who is currently student teaching in Quakertown. “It creates classroom engagement and the kids love using it. Going ‘up to the board’ takes on a whole new meaning these days.” As Penn State Lehigh Valley continues to grow, the focus is on student needs and a new kind of learning environment. Watch as our campus and our students continue to evolve in a digital world.
Senior Victoria Nadig uses the smartboard daily in her student teaching class in the Quakertown School District. She has programmed numerous lesson plans that she can upload for an interactive experience for her students.
continued Kevin McFall
Ann Lalik
Media in Motion
evin McFall is an engineering professor with a knack for successfully teaching complex theories to students. Winner of the 2011 Teaching Excellence Award, McFall said he is always interested in finding new ways to help his students. This semester he paired the portable document recording camera with Adobe Connect, a web conferencing program, so he could record his classroom lecture. He uses the document camera as a webcam for Adobe Connect and wears a wireless lapel microphone. Together he is able to capture his demonstrations both visibly and audibly. Each session is immediately available via a URL which he shares with his class on ANGEL, Penn State’s course management system. “There are several students who use the videos regularly for review or when they miss a class,” McFall said. “I really like how the technology works together easily. There are definitely students who appreciate the availability of these lectures.”
hen introducing the wax carving and casting project to the metalworking class, Ann Lalik, instructor of jewelry-making, presents a lengthy demonstration on carving a wax ring. Because the material and demonstration area is small, it is hard for a classroom of students to see the work area. By using the document view camera, Lalik can set up to project her hands and the small tools on to the larger screen, allowing the students to watch the process easily. The video and audio capability of the equipment is used to record the demonstration so that it can be streamed through the online class site. Lalik said she was really excited to be able to use this in her class. “This process works extremely well and students have the opportunity to go back and watch parts of the demonstration for refresher or clarification and they can use open lab time to continue their work without needing an instructor for help.”
B
K
Dr. Kevin McFall creates videos for his class using a document camera and a lapel microphone. He then uploads his videos to his class site for students to access.
10
P ENN S TATE L EHIGH VALLEY T RADITION
W
By using the projection of the portable document camera, Ann Lalik is able to demonstrate intricate metalworking techniques in a way the entire class can see. She also records her demonstrations for reference when students work on their own.
io 110 Honors students, Sruthi George and Ayza Taimur have been making movies as part of their educational assignments. Selected for the Penn State pilot program, Media in Motion, these students were given university-owned iPod Touch 4Gs in August loaded with iMovie and tasked with using them in an educational environment, specifically the biology lab. “We are preparing students to apply biology concepts in the lab,” said Taimur. The students create videos demonstrating and explaining labwork all with only the use of the iPod. “We can record, edit, and upload to YouTube directly from these devices,” said Taimur. “Students can access them through our Facebook Bio 110 site.” This one-semester sanctioned project has been so well received, that the students want to extend the program into the spring semester and use it for an honors Biology option next semester. Taimur said, “I want to continue using this because it is a great way to integrate technology in our classes. It is a more productive use of an iPod Touch 4G.”
Biology honor students Sruthi George (L) and Ayza Taimur (R) were selected for the University Park pilot program Media in Motion which challenges students to find educational ways to use the iPod 4Gs. George and Taimur are documenting lab work which is shared on a specific Facebook site for students in Bio 110 which helps them prepare for labs or actually complete labs on their own.
campus highlights
9/11 Anniversary Events In The Gallery The Gallery at Penn State Lehigh Valley hosted the exhibition, Reaction and Healing: The Tenth Anniversary of 9/11, from September 6-October 21. An opening reception was held September 8. The exhibit was part of a multi-venue exhibition with Penn State Berks’ Freyberger Gallery, The Yocum Institute for Arts Education in Wyomissing, and the Jewish Cultural Center of Reading. The Lehigh Valley campus exhibition included seven nationally and internationally recognized visual artists exhibiting thirty works.
This handmade book by artist David Wander depicts some of the unforgettable imagery of September 11, 2001.
In the Courtyard The campus community gathered on September 9 to take part in a memorial service for the victims of 9/11. Multidenominational spiritual messages were shared, as well as the reflection of an adult student who served in the military on 9/11 and the days after. The service was enhanced by the presence of both an army ROTC and Marine Corps color guard, and the Southern Lehigh High School marching band played a selection of patriotic songs. The service closed with a performance by members of the Penn State Lehigh Valley glee club.
The campus gathers for a memorial service for the victims of 9/11.
In the Community Immediately following the memorial service, students departed the campus to participate in the annual national 9/11 Day of Service. This year, students volunteered at Cetronia Ambulance Company and Cetronia Fire Department in Allentown where, in addition to their volunteer work, they heard a presentation about 9/11 and what it means to be a first responder from Cetronia personnel.
Penn State Lehigh Valley students prepare to board vans that will take them to their volunteer site. FALL 2011
11
Did you know… …that 2012 marks Penn State Lehigh Valley’s centennial year of educational service to the region! The campus opened its doors as one of the first permanent technical centers of The Pennsylvania State University in 1912, and has the distinction of being the oldest continuously-running campus outside of University Park. While the campus name and location have changed over the years, its mission has not – still emphasizing Penn State’s original land-grant institution mission of offering lifelong learning opportunities to the community. To celebrate this historic milestone, the campus is planning a number of events. Below are details for a few of these special events. Visit our website or follow us on Twitter (@Psulehighvalley) for updates.
Penn State Lehigh Valley Golf Tournament to support Penn State Lehigh Valley Athletics
Save the Dates Upcoming Gallery Exhibits in Celebration of Penn State Lehigh Valley’s Centennial
Monday, June 4, 2012
January 16 - February 11, 2012 Penn State Lehigh Valley Celebrates 100 Years of Service
Join us as we celebrate the campus’100th anniversary with this inaugural event to support our local student athletes!
Thursday, February 2, 2012 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Alumni Night at the Gallery
Tournament held at: Brookside Country Club 901 Willow Lane Macungie, PA 18062
Join fellow alumni for a celebration of Penn State Lehigh Valley’s 100th anniversary. Stop by and pick up your 100th anniversary gift and find yourself in a yearbook!
For more information about how you can participate in this event, contact Lynn Staples at 610-285-5082.
February 27 - April 28, 2012 Home Front Heroes: Penn State Women during WWII in Honor of Women’s History Month For more information, contact Ann Lalik, Gallery Director at annlalik@psu.edu or 610-285-5261.
12
Warm Coats, Warm Hearts Drive
P ENN S TATE L EHIGH VALLEY T RADITION
100 Coats for 100 Years! To celebrate 100 years at Penn State Lehigh Valley, the Office of Student Affairs, in conjunction with the Community Service Club, will be collecting coats for the Warm Coats, Warm Hearts Drive sponsored by Burlington Coat Factory. To drop off your gently-used coats, visit the Office of Student Affairs, Room 214, from Monday, Jan. 9 through Thursday, Jan. 12. Each coat collected will benefit someone in need in our community. Our goal is 100 coats in honor of our centennial celebration!
Roaring Recipes Cookbook See the back cover of this issue for information about a special commemorative cookbook compiled by the Penn State Lehigh Valley Women’s Commission that can be yours!
Richard Greenleaf's custom painting of the Penn State Lehigh Valley Nittany Lion Terrace was unveiled during a special dinner for the Board of Trustees.
Board of Trustees On July 14-15, 2011, the campus was pleased to welcome the University Board of Trustees as they gathered for their summer meeting. Though much of their visit was spent conducting important business that affects the future of the University, the board members took the time to learn more about the campus and the Lehigh Valley area in general. On Thursday evening, a special dinner was held at Saucon Valley Country Club where board members, administrators, faculty, staff, the Lehigh Valley campus Advisory Board, and special guests honored recent gifts made to the campus, as well as two recipients of the campus “Partner in Progress” award. Additionally, a new painting by Allentown architect, artist, and Penn State alumnus, Richard Greenleaf, was unveiled. Greenleaf is known for his impressionistic landscape paintings that depict some of the most recognizable spots at University Park. Greenleaf created a scene of the Lehigh Valley campus Nittany Lion Terrace to commemorate the upcoming centennial celebration at the campus. The painting was then featured in an exhibit of Greenleaf's work at the campus gallery during the board’s visit, and will remain on permanent display at Penn State Lehigh Valley. On Friday, in between voting on important University business, board members were treated to lunch, complete with Penn State Lehigh Valley’s exclusive ice cream, and tours of the campus by Lion Ambassadors. Lion Ambassador and Student Government Vice President Tony Zogheib (third from left) leads board members on a tour of the Lehigh Valley campus.
Penn State Lehigh Valley began its Intercollegiate Men's Basketball program's inaugural season this fall. "We are thrilled to bring a new dimension to Penn State Lehigh Valley athletics with this new men's basketball team," said Rich Fatzinger, coordinator of athletics at the Lehigh Valley campus. "As our campus continues to grow, we hope that this is just the beginning of the expansion of our athletic offerings." The program will play a full schedule as members of the Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC) and the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) which gives the team the opportunity to compete for conference and national championships. The team is led by first-year head coach Dawud AbdurRahkman who brings his past experience as a former NCAA Division 1 assistant men's basketball coach at Howard University, former prep school coach, long-time grassroots youth recreation coach and Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) basketball coach. The team played their first home game against Penn State Brandywine on November 28 at the Southern Lehigh High School gymnasium, where all home games will be played.
2012 Schedule Date
Time
Opponent
Jan. 10
7:00 pm
PSU Brandywine
Jan. 11
7:30 pm
PSU Hazleton
Jan, 14
3:00 pm
PSU Beaver
Jan. 16
7:00 pm
Penn State York
Jan. 18
7:00 pm
PSU Schuylkill
Jan. 23
7:00 pm
Penn College
Jan. 26
7:00 pm
Penn State Scranton
Jan. 30
7:00 pm
PSU Wilkes-Barre
Feb. 6
6:00 pm
PSU Mont Alto
Feb. 8
7:00 pm
Penn State Schuylkill
Feb. 10
7:00 pm
PSU Brandywine vs. PSU Fayette
Feb. 13
7:00 pm
Valley Forge Christian College
Home
Away
FALL 2011
13
faculty profile
A Globally Engineered Career Dr. Kevin McFall Dr. Kevin McFall, center, works with students.
Most students entering an engineering class with Dr. Kevin McFall have no idea that they are about to learn a foreign language. But McFall, an assistant professor of engineering, knows it is one of the first hurdles he must help his students overcome. To understand engineering concepts and problems, he explains, the students must learn to think and speak in engineering terms, a challenge he equates to learning a new language. “In those first few class meetings, I am listening more to what my students are trying to say rather than what they really are saying, to get at their questions and problems,” says McFall. “Success doesn’t come as easy as it may have in high school for some students. I know it is frustrating for them, but I think it helps to remind them how far they’ve come.” Perhaps it is that offering of perspective, as well as his willingness to work with students individually outside of class, which helped prompt his nomination as last year’s recipient of the Lehigh Valley campus’ Teaching Excellence Award. As one student commented, “The almost infinite availability of office hours and a very awesome, positive, and enthusiastic professor…makes this difficult-to-understand class fun.” McFall can relate. After all, he was once a young engineering student himself whose academic path forced him to learn a foreign language…literally, and more than once. During his junior year as an undergraduate at Virginia Tech, McFall learned of an exchange student opportunity in Sweden. He ended up completing his entire senior year there and even took the GRE test for graduate school in Stockholm. Little did he know at the time, it would be the first of many global experiences that would shape the course of his career. The next opportunity presented itself while McFall was obtaining his graduate degree at MIT. He discovered a government supported assistantship program for American citizens that fell within his academic focus. The only catch was that he had to spend a semester in Japan. “This was perhaps my most challenging time abroad. In Sweden, though it has its own culture, there were many things that were familiar or similar to what I was used to. Japan was like living on a different planet. The language was much more difficult to learn, dining was a huge adventure, and the culture was just so unfamiliar. It was an eye-opening experience.” Following graduation from MIT, McFall determined that 14
P ENN S TATE L EHIGH VALLEY T RADITION
he wanted to move back to Sweden, having fallen in love with its culture, environment, and unique balance of family, tradition, modern equality, and technology. After a year there as a research fellow in artificial intelligence and then four more years as a faculty member, a new opportunity presented itself. A former teacher from Virginia Tech was now serving an administrative role at a campus of Georgia Tech based in France. It was these years in Sweden and France that seemed to place McFall in the direction of teaching. To that end, he obtained his Ph.D in three years, then spent two years teaching at the French campus. During that time, McFall also got married. As he and his wife began their family, they also realized that it might be time to move back to the United States to be closer to their extended family. Soon, the worldly professor would find himself at Penn State Lehigh Valley, where, since 2008, as his recent award proves, he has already made a significant impact. Not only is he teaching engineering courses, he is also the campus’ representative to Penn State’s College of Engineering, allowing him to better advocate for and advise Lehigh Valley students. In addition, McFall teaches a section of the campus’ first-year experience course for freshman which introduces students to all of the resources available to help them succeed academically, and encourages them to embrace cultural, social, and ethnic diversity. An active engineering club is now in its second year on campus, and McFall is looking to establish connections with some of the corporate engineering powerhouses that are based in the Lehigh Valley, such as Air Products and Lutron. Despite being back in the United States, thoughts of international travel are still not far from McFall’s mind. Only now, he is eager to encourage his students to take advantage of the opportunity to have an experience abroad. He is in good company as a number of Penn State Lehigh Valley faculty are making global experience more accessible to students through short-term, for-credit opportunities. “International travel can affect people differently. For some, it opens the mind to embrace that there is a world outside what they grew up knowing that they want to be a part of. For others, it can really cement their desire to stay closer to the world they are familiar with. It’s a great lesson either way, and one that I think is important for our students, especially today.”
DR. MCFALL’S current research involves using artificial neural networks to solve complex mathematical equations. Specifically, he is looking at developing a technique that will apply to certain types of problems. Though his research falls under the umbrella of artificial intelligence (A.I.), McFall can tell you that A.I. in practice is much different than the Hollywood interpretation. “Designing something to act with the appearance of intelligence is difficult but doable; however, creating a system to truly think intelligently is exceptionally challenging if not impossible.”
Global Competitor
M
A
T
T
B
student profile
A
R
A
N
O
S
K
I
Matt Baranoski, top right, races for Team USA at the 2011 Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Juniors Track World Championships in Moscow, Russia.
Back in August, while the rest of his classmates were getting to know each other during orientation activities, incoming Penn State Lehigh Valley freshman Matt Baranoski was on the other side of the world competing at the 2011 Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) Juniors Track World Championships in Moscow, Russia. Baranoski joined fifteen other athletes to represent the United States during the competition. Though the Perkasie native was a little disappointed about missing some of those first memory-making events of his college career, Baranoski was eager to give his all in an attempt to meet or beat his bronze medal finish at the 2010 World Championships, a performance that automatically secured his spot on this year’s team. In Moscow, Baranoski again proved an asset to the American team. He earned a bronze medal in the kilometer race, which marked just the second time Baranoski has competed in that event in his career, and it was the first medal for the USA Cycling contingent at the 2011 competition. He also had a strong seventh place finish in both the men’s sprint event and the men’s keirin. However, his participation this year almost didn’t happen. In February, Baranoski fell ill with mononucleosis, and his training was significantly impaired. “I wasn’t sure I’d be able to compete at all this summer,” said Baranoski, who plans to major in electrical engineering and minor in kinesiology at Penn State. “But then I started to feel better and made it to the junior national championship in July in Texas, where I ended up winning all five of my events.” His performance in July added to a list of wins that has been growing since Baranoski began racing at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center at age six. It was at the Trexlertown facility, formerly known as the Velodrome, that Baranoski and his brother got started in cycling through free programs offered by Air Products. With a natural talent for the sport, he won his age group at nationals at age twelve and his cycling career began to take shape. It has also remained a family affair with his father, Mike, serving as his coach.
Attending the Lehigh Valley campus is helping the cyclist keep both his athletic and academic career on course. With its close proximity to the Valley Preferred track, the campus is the home of the Penn State cycling team which has won multiple collegiate national titles under the direction of coaching legend Jim Young. Academically, Baranoski is also a standout having been admitted to Penn State’s prestigious Schreyer Honors College, which represents the top five percent of students at the University. “Being in the Lehigh Valley, I’ve been able to ride with the best, including former Olympian Bobby Lea, a former Penn State Lehigh Valley cyclist, and Penn State is flexible in working with my cycling schedule. My goal is to follow in Lea’s footsteps and qualify for the Olympic team in 2012 or 2016.” With all of his past success and inspiration from other cyclists to motivate him, Baranoski is still mindful of the reality that, when it comes to cycling, the U.S. is a major underdog. “In Europe, cycling is like NASCAR. In countries like Australia, promising cyclists are sent to training academies. It’s a totally different animal,” says Baranoski. “My number one priority is always to race to the best of my ability.” Since returning to the U.S. and starting his classes, Baranoski has begun racing for the collegiate cycling team. At the USA Cycling Collegiate Track Nationals held in September in Indianapolis, In., Baranoski placed first in the kilometer and sprint events, and second in the flying time trial. Shortly after, he also medalled in all four events he competed in, one of only three riders to do so, at the USA Cycling 2011 Elite Track Nationals held Sept. 28-Oct. 2 in Carson, Ca. He placed second in the keirin in a photo finish, third in the team sprint, fifth in sprints, and third in the kilometer event. Next up for the busy cyclist is the World Cup event which will help decide the next U.S. Olympic cycling team. For updates on Baranoski’s and other Penn State Lehigh Valley cyclists’ progress, visit our website at www.lv.psu.edu. FALL 2011
15
in touch
Penn State Lehigh Valley Night at Coca-Cola Park Penn State Lehigh Valley sponsored a fireworks night and a “what might have been night� at Coca Cola Park over the summer, cheering on the AAA Iron Pigs. The Nittany Lion threw out the first pitch at each game and taught the mascots all about Penn State push-ups. Campus Chancellor Dr. Ann Williams was interviewed about student life, continuing education, and degree opportunities at Penn State Lehigh Valley during the game by both radio hosts and Service Electric. Meanwhile, the mascots took time out of their busy season to pay a visit to the campus and pose at the Nittany Lion shrine.
16
P ENN S TATE L EHIGH VALLEY T RADITION
FALL 2011
17
Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 166 Lehigh Valley, PA
2809 Saucon Valley Road Center Valley, PA 18034-8447
Serving over 100 years! The Roaring Recipes cookbook will be on sale in early 2012 via the Lehigh Valley Women’s Commission website at www.lvwccookbook.webs.com and at the Penn State Lehigh Valley campus bookstore. Roaring Recipes is published by The Lehigh Valley Women’s Commission to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the Penn State Lehigh Valley campus.
only
.00 20 each
$