DuBois – Student Clubs at Penn State DuBois are shattering records for the amount of money they have raised for area charities and organizations.  According to the Office of Student Life clubs have donated $10,360 during the Fall 2008 semester alone.  The combined total for both fall and spring semesters last year was $10,660.   "This is an exciting time, as our students are on course to raise more money in a single year than ever before,” said Chancellor Anita McDonald.

The largest contributor to this total so far is the Penn State DuBois Business Society, which raised over $5,000 for the DuBois Area United Way through its Casino Night event.  “We really want to thank the Business Society for doing this,” said United Way Director Herm Suplizio.  “It was an excellent fundraiser for the community, and it shows that those students have pride in the community and really do care.”

Some student organizations, however, also donate items or services.  Recently Occupational Therapy Students donated Occupational Therapy Kits to Clearfield Hospital.  Also, the Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) Club helps charitable organizations organize community activities.  For example, members work with Big Brothers Big Sisters to take children bowling each year.  “The HDFS Club provides a link between students and the community,” said club member, Shannon Kassab.  “It’s so rewarding to see the children’s faces light up.” 

One of the most successful fund-raising organizations on campus is the Penn State DuBois THON Committee.  Last year they raised nearly $7,000 for the Penn State dance marathon, which benefits children with cancer.  Since the THON event takes place in February, Associate Director of Student Life Rebecca Pennington said the THON Committee’s campaign has just kicked off, and will surely raise a substantial amount of funds in the coming weeks.

“I am so truly proud of this campus and our students,” Pennington said.   She continues, “The time and effort that they have put into raising these funds and making these contributions speaks to the character of our students and the Penn State family.”

University Park – Former Penn State DuBois student Jonathan R. Crawford recently served as student marshal for the College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) during fall commencement at the Bryce Jordan Center on December 20.   A DuBois native, Crawford carried the college banner and led IST graduates into the ceremony.   He was named marshal due to his academic achievement, participation in building the College of IST, extracurricular activities, character and leadership, and future potential.

Crawford was joined by Penn State DuBois IST Instructor Jason Long, who had the honor of serving as faculty marshal. 

Crawford began his college career at Penn State DuBois, and studied there for three years before moving on to the University Park Campus.  Long remembers Crawford as a promising student.  “He did extremely well at DuBois,” Long said.  “I know he worked very hard in his studies.  I was very pleased to hear that he earned this impressive achievement.”

A veteran of the United States Army, Crawford served from 1999 until 2003, and was deployed to Iraq in 2003 for the initial invasion. 

Currently Crawford is exploring different career paths in IST.  “I'm interested in such opportunities as systems engineering, project management and consulting,” he said.

DuBois – During this season of giving, students in the Occupational Therapy (OT) Program at Penn State DuBois have donated some inventive tool kits to the Occupational Therapy Department at Clearfield Hospital.  Known as Occupation Kits, students worked with therapists at Clearfield hospital to determine what items the kits should include.  They contain items that are used for some typical occupations and tasks that people engage in, like cooking, home maintenance, and dressing themselves or children. 

“The reason these were put together is so therapists at the hospital could have ready-made occupational activities for their patients to use in therapy sessions,” said OT Instructor LuAnn Demi.  She explained, “If a person who had a stroke is receiving therapy and they indicate that they need to do home maintenance chores when they return home, the therapist can pull out the Home Maintenance Occupation Kit and have the patient use the typical items in a therapeutic way.”  The Home Maintenance Kit, Demi said, includes things like pipe fittings that the patient can practice putting together, and even includes a kit the patient can use to build a bird house.  “It’s therapy that makes sense to the patients,” Demi said. 

Clearfield Hospital OT Assistant and Penn State DuBois Graduate Nakoma Tamburlin accepted the donation.  “I think the kits will help a lot,” she said.  “Everything you’ll need is in one container, and they’re very organized and useful for many different activities.” 

The kits donated to the hospital include the Home Maintenance Kit, plus a Pediatric Dressing Kit which contains clothes activities for children to help them learn to dress themselves, and a Cooking kit, with basic cooking utensils and kitchen items.  The OT Department at Penn State DuBois will keep a House Cleaning Kit and a Pet Care Kit on campus to use for instruction. 

Students said just putting the kits together has been educational, and rewarding, and that they learned a lot just by thinking about the items that should be included in the kits.  “It was meaningful to me because it’s going to be used at Clearfield Hospital,” said OT Student Lindsey Anderson.  “It’s not some project on a piece of poster board that I’m going to throw away, it’s practical and people will benefit from it.” 

OT Instructors at the campus will conduct research into the use of these kits at the hospital to determine their usefulness compared to traditional therapy. 

Instructors LuAnn Demi and Marge Pendzick will also make a presentation on Occupation Kits at the American Occupational Therapy Association’s annual conference in Houston, Texas, in April of 2009. 

DuBois – Members of the Penn State DuBois Business Society have presented a check for $5,485 to the DuBois Area United Way. 

Students raised the money by selling raffle tickets for a Las Vegas Vacation as part of their Casino Night event, which was held November 21 at Penn State DuBois.  The winner of the trip is Suzi Van Norman, of Richardsville, PA, who said she’s already made the arrangements for the trip, and can’t wait to leave.

Business Society President, Casey McKinney said more than 150 people turned out for Casino Night, where casino-style games were played using false money.  A Chinese auction and 50/50 held during the event raised over $700 for the Business Society.  “It went really well,” said McKinney.  “We want to make this an annual event.” 

DuBois – The Campus Activities Board (CAB) at Penn State DuBois is currently holding a book drive for the non-profit organization Books For Africa.  Students, faculty, staff and members of the community are encouraged to bring gently used text books, or fiction and non-fiction books and drop them in one of several collection boxes on campus.  Boxes are located in every building to assure convenience to those who participate. 

“The program gathers, sorts and ships books to children in Africa,” said CAB member Shannon Kassab. 

According to the Books For Africa Program, there is a “book famine” in Africa, leaving children there “hungry to read and hungry to learn”. 

You can learn more about the program by visiting http://www.booksforafrica.org/.

 Penn State DuBois Assistant Professor of Mathematics and Geoscience, Byron Parizek says he has a passion for unraveling the mysteries of our planet.  Perhaps it’s fitting that his current research could possibly yield results of global significance. 

Parizek’s work attempts to answer questions about climate change and rising sea levels.  He believes the answers he’s looking for lie in glaciers, which are melting at an alarming rate.  He explains, “Glaciers and ice sheets are important in the Earth system as they serve as amplifiers, catalysts, and recorders of climate change.  They also affect landscapes and global biogeochemical cycling.” 

With funding from the National Science Foundation and NASA, Parizek’s focus is on the continental ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica.  He develops numerical models of ice flow to determine how both past and present ice sheets respond to their environments.  Parizek has developed some theories about what is causing on-going changes in the ice sheets and what those changes can mean to the world.  His work takes into account assumptions about future greenhouse gas emissions and global warming, an obvious catalyst for the melting of ice sheets.  His research helps show that once the removal of coastal ice is initiated, the dynamic response will likely be larger and propagate farther inland at a much faster rate than the glaciology community predicted less than a decade ago.

 “My collaborative research has shown that the ice sheets in both Greenland and West Antarctica can shrink more rapidly than previously believed due to the lubricating and thermal effects of melt water as well as the loss of ice shelves that are floating in a relatively warm bath of ocean water around the perimeter of the ice sheets,” Parizek says. 

He has also found that while the sediment under wet-based glaciers contributes to lubrication and fast flow speeds, it can provide a stabilizing effect at the grounding zone (the region where the ice loses contact with the ocean floor and begins to float as an ice shelf).  In regions around West Antarctica, sub glacial sediment is deposited into grounding-zone wedges on the ocean floor.  Both data and models suggest that when ice is in contact with these local mounds, the frictional drag from increased ice/sediment contact slows ice flow, thereby temporarily stopping further ice retreat until either the ice thins or sea level rises.  Parizek explains that this dual role as lubricator and stabilizer highlights the importance of “understanding the processes of sediment deformation, transport, and deposition as they impact our ability to make reliable predictions about the future behavior of the ice sheets amidst modern atmospheric and oceanic warming.” 

Parizek goes on to explain what this could mean for the planet, “There are implications for sea-level and global-climate fluctuations.  Understanding how ongoing marginal changes will affect inland flow is critical to accurate predictions of ice-sheet evolution, freshwater flux into ocean basins, and sea-level rise.”

While his research is ongoing, Parizek enjoys sharing what he finds with students at Penn State DuBois and throughout the Penn State system.  “I look forward to expanding our new and dynamic Earth Program at Penn State DuBois as well as the Penn State Ice and Climate Exploration Center (PSICE) by mentoring undergraduate and graduate students and post-doctoral fellows,” He says.  He notes that he’s had the opportunity to work closely with a number of students already.  “I have mentored four undergraduate students from The College of New Jersey, two undergraduate students from Penn State DuBois in an Independent Studies course, and I am presently co-mentoring one post-doctoral fellow at University Park.”

Parizek has already published several articles on this research in professional journals, with more due out next year.

DuBois - In 2006, there were over 10,000 suicides in Korea, According to the World Health Organization.  Ben Park, Associate Professor of Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) at Penn State DuBois, wants to know why.  He spent last year in Korea looking for answers.

“My principal purpose, while I stayed in Korea, focused on collecting primary data to further my research on self-destructive behaviors,” Park said.  “In particular, my objective was to obtain personal notes that will enable me to better understand the act of suicide and motives behind the suicide behavior.”

Answers did not come easy, however.  Park explained, “In the Korean cultural context in which suicide behavior is associated with a great deal of stigma I was able to obtain only a few personal documents. Instead, I was able to find seven suicide attempters who were willing to participate in my in-depth interview project.”  Once these interviews are transcribed and translated, Park said, they will be studied in hopes of finding a link between developmental problems and behaviors of self-destruction.

Park also distributed a survey, which asked participants about things like their reasons for living, attachment to one’s body, and identity development.  He was able to collect 249 completed questionairs.  With this information Park said he’ll make a cross-cultural comparison with the same type of data that was collected in Isreal,  in collaboration with a colleague.  He’ll also examine the link or the lack of connection to one’s cultural or ancestral heritage to suicidal ideation.   The results will likely be published in papers and scholarly reports.

While performing this research, Park had the opportunity to make several presentations on his work at Korean universities and medical centers.  He also taught graduate and undergraduate courses to both native Korean and international students at several different institutions, as well as helped to organize events to educate the public about suicide.

“I am pleased with what I have accomplished during my sabbatical year,” Park said.  “I believe that the broadened and deepened cross-cultural knowledge I obtained from my experience teaching in Korea will improve my teaching ability and enhance the quality of education I provide to my students at Penn State. I also expect that I could make further contributions to the local community here in the U.S. due to the experience I had in Korea.”

Park expects to produce a series of publications based on this research.

DuBois - The Penn State DuBois Student Government Association will hold its 14^th annual Breakfast with Santa this holiday season.  Reservations can be made now.  Available time slots are 8:00 a.m., 8:45 a.m., 9:30 a.m., and 10:15 a.m. Saturday, December 6, in the Student Union at Penn State DuBois. 

Children will have the chance to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus and, of course, sit on Santa’s knee and tell him what they want for Christmas.  Kids can participate in activities like face painting and play games, like Pin the Nose on Rudolph.

The cost is $3.75 per person, and proceeds will benefit the Make a Wish Foundation.  Reservations are a must.  To reserve your time, call Marly Greeley in the Student Life Office at (814) 375-4764, or email Marly at mag374@psu.edu.

DuBois - Penn State DuBois Professor of English Richard Kopley has been recognized for 25 years of service with the campus.  He was awarded a plaque and a chair, according to university tradition.

Kopley began teaching at Penn State DuBois in 1983, after holding a position Illinois State University.

Kopley graduated from New Rochelle High School in New York, where he now returns each year to chair a panel of literary experts who share their knowledge with the high school students.

He went on to study English at Brandeis University in Massachusetts.  He earned his masters in English at the Teachers College at Columbia University, and eventually a Ph.D. from the State University New York at Buffalo where he also taught while completing his degree.

In addition to teaching, research and writing have been large parts of Kopley’s career.  He has authored two books on his literary research.  The latest, due out this month, delves into the structure, sources and autobiographical significance of Edgar Alan Poe’s Dupin Mysteries. 

During the recognition ceremony, Chancellor Anita McDonald spoke about Kopley’s dedication and willingness to reach outside of his expected duties for the good of the university.  “Richard served as Director of Academic Affairs at Penn State Worthington Scranton and as English Disciplinary Administrator for the Penn State campuses,” she recalled.  “But we’ve always wanted Richard here teaching.” 

“I’m very indebted to this campus and always will be,” said Kopley.  “I owe most of my life’s research and my ability to do that research to teaching at Penn State DuBois.  I love the teaching. I love the research.  I’ve also enjoyed the service,” he added.

Kopley lives in State College with his wife Amy, who is a Professor of Art History at Lycoming College in Williamsport.  They have two children, Emily and Gabe. 

DuBOIS – Administrators at Penn State DuBois wish to inform the public that a disaster drill will be held on Thursday, November 6, at 4:00 p.m. at Penn State DuBois.  Local police departments, fire departments and emergency medical service personnel will all participate in the drill. 

This disaster drill has been designed to simulate a situation in which a shooting has occurred, and an armed person is still on campus.  The purpose of the drill is to continue to improve and test the campus emergency plan. The drill will make students, faculty and staff more familiar with the plan, and afford emergency responders an opportunity for training and testing of their strategies.  

Penn State DuBois and Emergency Service Personnel want the public to know that there should be no reason for alarm during the November 6 exercises; this is only a drill.   

Your media coverage is also welcome during the event.

DuBois – Students in Biology 110 at Penn State DuBois, a required course for students enrolled in Penn State’s life sciences curricula, are getting a glimpse into their future careers.  The course stresses the fundamentals of biology and gives the students a taste of what real-world research is like in the field research lab. 

“Part of the learning students do is to become skilled at applying the scientific method,” said Professor Robert Loeb.  “They create a hypothesis and an alternative hypothesis and test them.” 

During one of their first scientific exercises, students were faced with a question which had to be answered using the scientific method.  The question: Does soil temperature affect the presence of plants in a given area?  Many of them developed their own hypothesis.  Some said yes, and some said no.  Science, however, would yield the answer.

“We have 10 different plots and we’re comparing the plants that are growing in each plot,” said student, Allison Nussbann.  “Then we’ll see if varying soil temperatures relate to the different plants, which grow in the different plots.”

Students found that soil temperatures in the plots ranged from 58 to 62 degrees Fahrenheit.  However, the same types of plants were found in each plot. Those included several types of grass, clover and dandelions.  

This was no surprise to Loeb, “Of course, they will find no connection between soil temperature and the plants that grow there.  The fact is that the plants have all adapted to the climate of DuBois.”

Loeb also explained that humans have the greatest affect on plant growth.  Things like mowing and planting directly affect the lawns and other campus environments, and have a profound impact on what plants are present in the environments.  

But Loeb explains this exercise was not meant to bring about a revolution in scientific discovery.  It was meant to be the first step in molding students into the rigorous work of scientists and that experimental results help investigators to gain a greater understanding of the phenomena they study. The students analyze the data, validate or reject each hypothesis and come up with new explanations concerning their observations.

“This will be their first introduction to applying the scientific method in field work and critically analyzing data, which many of them will do for the rest of their professional lives,” said Loeb.

DUBOIS – The American Red Cross will hold a blood drive at Penn State DuBois from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 15 in the campus gymnasium.

Penn State DuBois will host the blood drive in memory of  former Professor, John Vargas, who died in August. 

Vargas began teaching Environmental Science at Penn State DuBois in 1969.  He retired in 2004. 

The drive is also sponsored by Pep Paws.  All donors will receive a free t-shirt while supplies last.

 Kinesiology Instructor, Maureen Horan has been appointed the Assistant Director of Academic Affairs.  She served as interim Co-DAA from July, 2007 until July, 2008.  As ADAA, Horan will oversee all aspects of the Adjunct Faculty. Horan says she looks forward to these responsibilities, as she sees the need for quality part time teachers a must if diverse offerings are to be made available at Penn State DuBois. 

As ADAA, Horan will also continue to support the newly aligned Center for University Excellence better, known as the CUE, while closely working with CUE Director, Jackie Atkins.  

The CUE was once called the Learning Center and was the area on campus where academic assistance was provided.  Today the Center is a bustling hub of activity surrounding Peer Tutors in many varied disciplines, workshops on everything from study habits to time management, and a place where visiting parents are taken to showcase the free instructional aid given to all students attending Penn State DuBois.  Horan says Atkins has transformed the Center into an amazing atmosphere for learning.

Horan will continue to teach while serving as ADAA.

DUBOIS – Penn State DuBois welcomes children of the area to a Trick-or-Treat night on campus.

Student clubs and the Penn State DuBois Office of Student Life will host the event.   Children are encouraged to wear their Halloween costume for trick-or-treating and fun Halloween activities.  

Trick-or-Treat Night is scheduled from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Friday, October 31, in the Lion’s Den at Penn State DuBois.

DUBOIS – The Department of Continuing Education at Penn State DuBois wants leaders in local industry to learn from example.  That’s the basis of the course, Structuring for Innovation a Deliberate Creative Process for Technical Innovation, which will be offered in October.  Course Developers say engineering principles presented in the course have been developed by researching more than a million patents that have employed innovative solutions to problems in various industries.

The TRIZ method is a powerful business tool for enhancing innovation and problem solving,” said Assistant Director of Continuing Education, John Blasdell.   “It is a structured scientific process that is utilized to generate more solutions of a higher quality, in less time.  Many fortune 500 companies embrace TRIZ for this reason.” 

Rates for the course have also been discounted, thanks to state funding recently secured by Blasdell and others who have helped to establish a Keystone Innovation Zone in Clearfield, Jefferson and Elk Counties. Please contact the Continuing Education office at 375-4715 for questions or to register.

“We are pleased to be able to offer this program to organizations in our area at a substantially reduced rate, due to our affiliation with the Tri-County KIZ,” said Blasdell.  

DUBOIS – The Penn State DuBois Alumni Society will hold it’s annual Alumni Awards Dinner on October 16.  Three Penn State DuBois Alumni will receive awards. 

Jessica Jones, presently of Ashville, North Carolina, will receive the Dave Shaffer Outstanding Young Alumna Award.  Jones graduated with a Letters Arts and Sciences Degree in 2005 and is the Copy Editor for Sophia Magazine.

Steve Monaco is the recipient of the Outstanding Alumnus Award.  Monaco, a 1988 Business graduate, lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is the Financial Accounting Operations Executive for Bank of America.

Bob Grieve, of DuBois, will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award.  He graduated from the Engineering Program in 1977, and is the Vice President of Hallstrom Construction. 

The Distinguished Ambassador award will be presented to Nancy Micks, of DuBois.  Micks is the President and CEO of the Greater DuBois Chamber of Commerce.

Formal presentation of the awards is open to the public.  The ceremony is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 16 in the Hiller Auditorium at Penn State DuBois. 

For more information, contact Alumni Relations Officer, Tammy Gaither, at (814) 375-4786 or tcg2@psu.edu.

“Kids in College (KIC)” at Penn State DuBois was recently recognized as one of the Best Summer Kids’ Programs at Universities and Four-year Colleges by LERN.  An international association of lifelong learning programming, offering information and resources to providers of lifelong learning programs, LERN recognized the KIC program at Penn State DuBois in its July/August 2008 publication.

“Kids in College has been a part of the Penn State DuBois campus since 1985,” indicates Sueann Doran, coordinator for the program.  “Both the number of course offerings and the number of participants have grown during the program’s existence.  It’s a great way for kids from 4-years-old through 6^th grade to have experiences that are not normally part of the school curriculum.”

Doran will be part of a panel at the LERN Annual Conference, held in San Francisco in November, to share and trade ideas regarding running large and successful summer programs.  She is excited that the program was recognized for its success and credits the teachers, parents and staff members who work with her every year to produce the quality program.

“Seeing the enthusiasm that children have and the fun they experience as they learn, is the best part of working with the program,” according to Doran.  When asked how she feels KIC has been beneficial for youth of the area, Doran replied, “I have seen children come back year after year with an excitement that is beyond belief.  They spread out through the campus and infect everyone with their enthusiasm.  That enthusiasm and love for learning goes with them to other aspects of their life and that is the critical component to success in anything they do.  I think it has given children a chance to learn more about the subjects and hobbies they love the most – and they have fun doing it! Also, parents love the fact that our program is available to give their children something more mentally stimulating to do in the summer.”

KIC classes usually meet during June and July.  Look for your brochure, describing next summer’s classes for this award winning program, in March, 2009! 

DuBois - Penn State DuBois welcomes their new Director of Development, Jean Wolf. With 19 years of fundraising experience in higher education, Wolf comes to Penn State DuBois from Clarion University of Pennsylvania.  Her career at Clarion progressed from Director of Annual Funds to Director of Alumni and Development, to her most recent position as a Major Gifts Officer. 

“I’m very pleased to welcome Jean to Penn State DuBois,” said Chancellor, Anita McDonald. “Her extensive experience in working with volunteers and alumni, and her understanding of development will make her a valuable member of our team.” 

Wolf looks forward to providing leadership to the University Relations and Development Office at Penn State DuBois and getting acquainted with the generous supporters of the campus. She is especially excited to join a growing campus of the best University in PA, “Dear Old State”.   Wolf resides in Clarion, PA with her husband, Greg and two daughters, Hannah and Sophie.

North East, PA - The Penn State DuBois Lady Lions Women’s Volleyball Team dropped their season opener to Mercyhurst Northeast College 5-25, 19-25, 10-25.  The loss drops the Lady Lions to 0-1 on the season.

Courtney Yenzi (Reynoldsville/Punxsutawney) paced the squad with 5 service points (3 aces) and 7 kills.  Danica Hamm (Winburne/West branch) had 5 service aces and totaled 18 assists on the evening while Missy Aul (St Marys/St Marys) and Meghan Spicher (Falls Creek/DuBois Area) combined for 10 kills and 4 blocks.

PSU DuBois was able to shake off some first game jitters to attempt a comeback in game two.  However, a four point service run from Hamm and two aces from Yenzi couldn’t propel the team to the victory.

Penn State DuBois will look to rebound when they travel to Penn State Beaver for a vital PSUAC clash on Monday at 7:00 p.m.

DuBois – In continuing efforts to make Penn State DuBois a global campus, the Office of International Student Services has been created.  Working under the office of Admissions, Tharren Thompson, of DuBois, has been named the International Student Services Coordinator. 

This is among Chancellor Anita McDonald’s efforts to recruit students from other countries. McDonald has said she believes local and international students alike can benefit from learning about different cultures.

Once international students arrive, Thompson takes them under his wing.  He helps them adjust to the campus and the community, introduces them to faculty, staff and students, and helps them build relationships.  Overall, his goal is to help the students remain comfortable and to help them embrace the community. Likewise, he’ll help the community embrace the international students.  “I want to also maximize the opportunities for domestic students and faculty to benefit from them being here,” Thompson said.

Thompson’s efforts extend beyond the campus, however.  He also works to help international students find housing and employment and even helps them set up bank accounts.  He’s sensitive to the needs of people who have come far from home, because he’s been there himself.  

“I’ve moved to other countries, I’ve done the visas and I’ve been through all of it before,” Thompson noted, as he recalled his days doing mission work and teaching English as a second language in South Asia.  

Thompson, who holds a Masters in International Communications has also lived in the United Kingdom, and has studied various foreign languages.  It’s this background that makes him the man for the job, according to Admissions Officer Melissa Duttry, who said, “What Tharren brings is the breadth and depth and understands the multicultural parts so much better than anyone else.”

Thompson now works closely with a new freshman at Penn State DuBois who is also new to the states. Weesam Abouelanasr was born of Egyptian parents in Canada.  He’s just started college at Penn State DuBois, and is looking forward to his first year.

DuBois – Recent Penn State studies show that instructors who are in tune with digital technology may have a better chance at connecting with students.  

Penn State’s Senior Director of Teaching and Learning with Technology, John Harwood recently spoke to the Penn State DuBois Faculty Congress about this subject.  His program, “When Web 2.0 Students Meet Web 1.0 Faculty: Challenges and Opportunities” delves into the separation between faculty and students with regards to their use of technology.

Harwood separates students from many of their instructors by categorizing them in two different groups; “Digital Natives” and “Digital Immigrants”.  Digital Natives are young people who have grown up in the age of the internet and cell phones, and Digital Immigrants are those people at least a few years older who have seen these technologies develop, and are attempting to adopt them.

“In some ways we’re living in parallel universes,” explains Harwood.  “We need to find areas of convergence.” 

To bring technology that students regularly use into the classroom would open up a greater understanding between professor and student, according to Harwood.  “Penn State faculty want to get students more engaged, and students are very engaged in technology that we’re unaware of,” he said. 

Harwood said things like Social Networking Services (SNS) are a major vehicle for communication among young college students.  These include internet sites like Facebook, where users create an online profile, and can share pictures, interests and even communicate with other people through the site.  According to Harwood, more than 80% of students at Penn State maintain a Facebook account.  Those students, he said, are more likely to stay in touch with friends through such SNS sites than they are to communicate through even email or telephone. 

Many Penn State instructors currently use the ANGEL course management system, where exams can be taken, or papers submitted online.  Its technology like this that Harwood says can help bridge the gap between Digital Natives and Digital Immigrants.  At least, he says, it’s a start. 

These findings, however, raise a level of concern with some.  Associate Professor of English, James May asked, “Is a university cheapening itself by getting into this?”

Harwood said no.  With so many digital distractions he said, “today’s students are in a continuous state of partial attention”.   He believes communicating with them through means they are comfortable with is the most effective way to educate them.

Some faculty members who attended the presentation said just knowing more about the technologies students use will help them reach out to their classes more effectively, and devise new ways to bring technology into their courses.   

“I’ve used web-based tools and electronic workbooks for years,” said Spanish Professor Deborah Gill.  “We have to try to keep up with what our students are doing.” 

Penn State DuBois Information Sciences and Technologies Program Leader, Jason Long, said technology can allow students and faculty to be better connected than ever before.

We see students using their computers to watch and post videos on YouTube, to check a friend’s emotional state by logging into Facebook and sometimes doing homework.  As a professor, I use many internet tools to stay connected with my students,” Long said.   “With the tools now available over the internet, staying connected is a non-issue.”

DUBOIS—Penn State DuBois will offer a new course for educators in Clearfield on Wednesday evenings this fall who are in need of ACT 48 hours, considering upper level undergraduate studies or gaining professional certification.  A three credit course, EDPSY 421 Learning Processes in Relation to Educational Practices will be taught by Kevin Wallace, Assistant High School Principal for the Clearfield Area School District.  EDPSY 421 is an introduction to the empirical study of variables and conditions that influence school learning.  Drawing on his extensive background in education, the instructor will present the latest educational research and theory, and challenge educators to use it in their classrooms.  These will include but will not be limited to: 

• The importance of assessing learning
• The PSSA and School Improvement
• Behaviors and their effects on learning
• Components of learning and the importance of differentiated instruction models
• The effect of society and culture on learning
• Higher order thinking and learning
• The importance of motivation on learning
• The effects of teacher attitude and school resources on learning

“This course is a convenient opportunity for new teachers who need to complete additional coursework to meet certification requirements.  Enrolling in this course could also help veteran educators meet Act 48 requirements,” explained Diana Ricotta, Penn State DuBois Assistant Director of Continuing Education.

The course will begin September 24.

For more information about the courses offered by Penn State DuBois, contact Ricotta at (814) 375-4718. E-mail may be directed to: dricotta@psu.edu and educators will find registration information at http://www.ds.psu.edu/CE.

Wildlife expert and award-winning author, Marty Essen will kick off the Fall Cultural Events Series at Penn State DuBois in September. Essen will present a high-energy digital slide show featuring exotic animals from seven continents.   His presentation, “Around the World in 90 Minutes” is full of laughs, surprises, and interesting facts. 

See Essen on Tuesday, September 16, at 7:00 p.m. in the Hiller Auditorium at Penn State DuBois. 

This event is free and open to the public. 

DuBois – Mike Yakich is back on campus after six weeks in the Alaskan Bush.  The Penn State DuBois Wildlife and Fishery Sciences Student spent much of his summer at remote sites in the Frontier State as an intern with The Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association (CIAA), based in Kenai, Alaska.  We first told you about the 44-year-old Returning Adult Student in July, just before his journey began.  Now that it’s over, Yakich says, “I knew it was going to be fun, but I didn’t know it would be that good.  It was quite an experience.” 

Yakich worked on the Adult Sockeye Salmon Enumeration Program with CIAA, where he trapped fish, recorded their weight, length and age and returned them to the water.  A single scale was also collected from each fish to be analyzed in a lab later, giving technician’s additional information about the salmon’s age and health.  The information collected will be used to set limits on the yearly salmon harvests.  Yakich says these species are commercially fished and vital to Alaska’s economy. 

The fish are captured for study while they travel upstream to in-land lakes to spawn.  They’re caught using structures called weirs, which workers construct from aluminum pickets.  The weirs create a dam that stop the fish, but allow water to pass through.  A live box is then opened, allowing fish to swim inside. Yakich said once in the box, salmon are picked up by hand for analysis.  Out of all the fish to pass through their weir, 40 salmon a day are studied, and then released.

In order to get the fish, researches must go into remote territory. Their camps were up to 200 miles from the base in Kenai, and only accessible by plane.  Each of the two camps Yakich worked in were occupied by himself and one or two other people; either fellow interns, or seasonal employees with CIAA.

“After four days of training we flew into the first camp at Stephan Lake, North of Kenai,” Yakich said.  “There are no roads, and we had to take enough supplies for our first three weeks there.  After that, supplies were brought in by bush plane every two weeks.”

Yakich said the camps were primitive.  He and his colleagues slept in tents and cooked over camp fires the entire time they were in the bush. 

After three weeks at the camp on Lake Stephan, Yakich headed to a similar camp at Lake Larson.  Here, he counted up to 5,000 fish some days.  Between the two sites he worked, Yakich says he saw an estimated 38,000 fish, and handled every type of pacific salmon.

“I really learned a lot,” he recalls.  “But I also realized how much I already knew going into the internship, since I already had my two year Wildlife degree from Penn State DuBois.”

Yakich said the internship brought him close to many other species besides those that swim in the lakes and streams.  All of which contributed to his overall excitement about his time in Alaska.

“Just to experience this and see the amount of wildlife was incredible”, he recalls.  “I saw eagles, spruce grouse, weasels, bears.”

 Grizzly Bears, in fact, were a regular site around the research camps.  Yakich explained, “I saw at least one bear a day, sometimes up to four a day.” 

The CIAA issued Yakich and his counterparts a 12 gauge shotgun for self defense.  Luckily, he says, it was never used.  Instead, the researchers were respectful of the animals and careful in the wild habitat.  “The bears belong there,” Yakich said. “I’m just visiting.  We kept our distance and always let the bears know we were there by yelling or clapping.”  He explains that, during training, his instructors stressed that one should never surprise a grizzly, and never disturb one while they’re eating. 

“At Lake Larson there was one we called the 10:30 bear,” Yakich recalls.  “He was fishing at the same place on the stream every morning at 10:30.”  

Yakich’s tales from his internship have sparked a big interest in the CIAA with other Wildlife students at Penn State DuBois.  Yakich says many more students will likely apply for the internship next year.  As for Yakich, he says, “I’d go back, for sure.”  

To see more photos from Mike’s adventure in Alaska, visit http://dubois.psu.edu/Alaska

DuBois – The new academic year is underway, and Penn State DuBois welcomes more than 250 new incoming freshmen this fall.

“We have seen remarkable increases in our enrollments the past two years and we are very excited about helping these students reach their academic goals” said Admissions Officer, Melissa Duttry. 

At the campus convocation, new students were welcomed by Chancellor, Anita McDonald, who congratulated them on reaching a new milestone in life.  She also offered advice, and encouragement.

“This is a great time to be in College.  It’s also a very important time,” McDonald said.  “We have so many challenges in our communities and in our world today.  You’re part of the solution. No matter what career path you’ve chosen, it will serve an important role in our society.” 

Freshmen were introduced to faculty and staff members that they will get to know during their time at Penn State DuBois.  They also met experienced students who offered advice on a peer level.

“You’ve stepped onto your path in life,” said Student Government Association President, Tony Harris. “Penn State can help keep you on the right path.”

This year’s incoming freshmen are now part of approximately 84,000 Penn State students, University-wide.

DuBois – Chancellor Anita McDonald has announced that Dr. Debra Straussfogel is the new Director of Academic Affairs at Penn State DuBois.  As DAA, Straussfogel is responsible for supporting campus faculty, encouraging and supporting campus activities and innovations to improve teaching and learning, and directing the day-to-day functions of academics at Penn State DuBois. She is already on the job, and looking forward to the academic year to come.

“It’s a privilege to be working in support of the faculty, staff and students of Penn State DuBois; and I’m thrilled to be back at Penn State,” said Straussfogel.

Straussfogel’s career in higher education spans 20 years.  After graduating from Penn State in 1987 with a PhD in Geography, she was an Associate Professor of Geography and Natural Resources at the University of New Hampshire, and an Associate Professor of Geography at the University of Northern British Columbia.  While at the University of Northern British Columbia, she also helped to establish the Natural Resources and Environmental Studies Institute, and served as its Co-Director. She had also served as the Acting Chair of their Geography Program, where she worked with faculty and students in all aspects of academics.

Chancellor McDonald said, “Dr. Straussfogel is an outstanding scholar and we are fortunate to have someone with her academic experience and leadership to lead our strong and unique academic programs to the next level.”

Straussfogel said her vision for academics at Penn State DuBois is to enhance opportunities for student engagement in the full Penn State experience; to provide resources and opportunities to attract high quality faculty and promote cutting edge academic programs and research; and to strengthen the close ties between Penn State DuBois and the community it serves.

DuBois - The Penn State DuBois Nittany Lion, along with Penn State DuBois Athletic Coordinator, Scott Feldman, recently spent time at a summer baseball camp in DuBois.  They were joined by Ike, the State College Spikes mascot, and a crew of other coaches and instructors. 

Now in its fifth year, the Triple Play Baseball Camp was founded, in part, by Tom Calliari of DuBois.  This year, more than 100 children participated, and they came from all over the region to do so.  They range in age from eight to fifteen. 

The kids learn the finer points of the game, but stiff competition is not the focus here.  Calliari said many of the participants never go on to play little league, or on a school team.  They participate in the camp simply because they love the camp.  They also, love the mascots.

Feldman, who has volunteered as a pitching instructor with the Triple Play Camp for all five years, recently brought his coworker, the Nittany Lion to camp for a visit.  Calliari set up Ike’s visit.

“It’s really exciting for the kids,” Callairi said. “I think they look forward to seeing the mascots more than they look forward to getting the instruction.”   

DuBois - Penn State DuBois is conducting a Community Needs Assessment in Eastern Clearfield County starting later this summer.  According to Continuing Education Representatives at Penn State DuBois, the objective of the study is to determine the educational needs of the workforce in this area, so that more strategic decisions can be made related to education, training and economic development in the community. 

The project will include the distribution of an on-line needs assessment survey developed by the Workforce Assessment Center, operating through Penn State’s Workforce Education and Development Initiative.  Researchers say information collected by the survey should provide an overview of workforce needs and strengths in the eastern portion of Clearfield County.  To ensure researchers have an accurate representation of the workforce in this area, 175 employers representing each industry cluster have been chosen to participate in the survey.

Jeannine Hanes, of Penn State DuBois Continuing Education, is the principal investigator of the study.  Selected companies in Eastern Clearfield County will receive a letter in late July requesting participation.  Respondents will e-mail Hanes indicating their willingness to complete the survey.  The link for the on-line survey will then be provided to the participants electronically.  The survey takes approximately 20-25 minutes to complete.  More accurate data will be collected if multiple employees from each company respond. 

“We need the company’s who are requested to complete the survey to understand the importance of participation,” Hanes said.  “The results of this assessment will allow Penn State DuBois and other training providers and economic development entities to provide accurate, on-target services.”

Results of the survey will be compiled in a report by the Workforce Assessment Center and will be shared with the appropriate agencies in the community.  This includes training providers, economic development entities and County Government Officials.  Assessment responses will remain confidential and data from this research will only be reported as collective findings.

The project was initiated during a meeting with local employers in the fall of 2007 with discussions about local training providers and ensuring they offer the necessary education and training to meet the needs of the current and upcoming workforce. 

If you have questions about the assessment or participation in the on-line needs assessment survey, please contact Jeannine Hanes at 814-375-4836 or jhanes@psu.edu

DuBois - The Continuing Education Department at Penn State DuBois has joined researchers at University Park to introduce a cutting edge course for people who work in the construction field.  “Lean and Green:  Developing Innovative Processes for High Performance Buildings” will focus on methods for making new buildings more energy efficient. 

According to representatives with Penn State DuBois Lean and Green Research Initiative, sustainable, or green buildings use less energy, require fewer resources, generate less waste, and provide better, more productive environments than regular buildings.

“Going green and sustainability are the buzz throughout Continuing Education right now,” said CE Representative, Jeannine Hanes.  “Folks are concerned about saving money, and along with it, saving the earth.” 

But researches warn that designing and building a green facility is no easy task.  Systems are more complex, and need to be integrated with other building elements. Construction is done with sometimes unusual materials, and to different standards.  For this reason, Hanes said, anyone involved with a green building, in almost any capacity, could benefit from the course.  She said planners, architects, engineers, construction employees and operators, managers, designers and owners could all gain a better knowledge of these new and developing construction methods.

The course will be held Thursday, September 25, from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. at Penn State DuBois.

To register, or for more information, contact Jeannine Hanes at 814-375-4836.   

DuBois – An all-new program for middle school and high school students at Penn State DuBois, could get students’ names in print.  “A Teen’s Guide to Writing Short Stories”  introduces students grades 8-12 to writing short stories, but also covers methods for getting their work published.  Instructor, Rob McGovern said he shows students how to seek out the magazines, journals, books and website that their work is most appropriate for, and teaches them how to get the work accepted.

“This class is designed to help them get published,” McGovern said.

But first, their writing has to be good.  McGovern tears down the parts of fiction writing to show students how it’s all put together.

“We examine the elements of literary fiction,” he explained.  “That way they can apply that to what they read and write to better understand the parts of a story.”  He adds, “Read the work of published authors as much as you can and apply what you like in your own style.”

A ninth grader at Punxsutawney Area High School, Hayden Muth says he now has a better understanding of what makes a story work.  “I’ve learned how to break writing down and look at the little details and the elements of fiction,” he said. 

Summer Youth Program Coordinator, Sueann Doran said this course is one of many offered during the Kids in College and Art, Science and Technology Institute this summer at Penn State DuBois. 

“We have classes for all ages, from infant to twelfth grade,” she said.  “Classes on writing, math, science, art and sports are all offered.”

Around 600 students are signed up for this summer’s sessions so far, but there’s room for more.  The next session starts July 7. 

For more information, contact Sueann Doran at 375-4716 or srd145@psu.edu  or log onto www.dubois.psu.edu/youth

DuBois – The Penn State DuBois Rebate Program will help students pay tuition costs beginning this fall.  According to the program coordinator, all students and their families have to do to participate is buy things they already need.

Rebate Program Coordinator, Lisa LaBue said the program is simple.  Penn State DuBois buys gift certificates from local and national businesses; students or their families buy the certificates to use for purchases at those businesses; a percentage of the money spent on the gift certificate is then placed in an account in the students name; at the end of the semester, all funds in the account are paid on the tuition bill.  

“You purchase and spend a $100 gift certificate, you get five dollars towards tuition,” LaBue said, offering an example, but noted that the value of certificates will vary.   She said the certificates offered can often be used for practical items that families will spend money on anyway.  “I’m going to go for groceries anyway, and I’m going to spend $100, so I might as well buy gift certificates from the Rebate Program and get some money in my account.”

The program has been well received by many students and their parents.  Joshua Fryer, of Clarion will attend Penn State DuBois as a freshman this fall.  He and his mother, Trudy, recently met with LaBue to talk about the rebate Program. 

“It will be great, I like the idea,” Trudy Fryer said. “I can see us using things like gas cards and certificates for groceries.”

However, the variety of businesses offering certificates will go well beyond just those gas stations and grocery stores according to LaBue.  She says certificates will be available for restaurants, drug stores, hotels, airlines and more.  She notes businesses benefit from the program because it draws customer attention. 

The Penn State DuBois Rebate Program is sponsored by the DuBois Educational Foundation (DEF), a non-profit entity, organized for the purpose of supporting, promoting and fostering education and of furthering the advancement of learning in arts, sciences and occupations at the DuBois Campus of the University.  The DEF also serves as the Advisory Board to the campus.   LaBue says similar programs have been implemented at private K through 12 schools in our area and across the country, but the colligate level is new territory for such a plan.  “We’re taking it to the next level,” she said.     

Chancellor Anita McDonald said pioneering a university-level version of this rebate offer is part of a continuing effort between the campus and the DEF to help students cope with the rising costs of higher education.  She said, “It’s certainly not common in other higher education institutions, we’re stepping outside of the box during these financially challenging times to help our students and their families.”

According to LaBue, even future Penn State DuBois students and their families can participate in the program years before they head to college.  An account can be established in their name at any time, and rebate points can be stored to use towards their tuition when the time comes to enroll.  

For more information, contact Lisa LaBue at 375-4805 or lal27@psu.edu

Visit the Penn State DuBois Rebate Program home page at http://dubois.psu.edu/rebate.

DuBois – Six area business people are speaking a different language thanks to the completion of a Continuing Education Course at Penn State DuBois.  The Introduction to Mandarin Chinese course will help those professionals connect with companies in China and excel in the global marketplace. 

DuBois – The Penn State DuBois Spring 2008 Commencement Ceremonies were held at 2:00 p.m. Saturday in the campus gymnasium.   According to the campus registrar, more than 100 people have earned degrees at Penn State DuBois this academic year.  

Chancellor Anita McDonald presided over the ceremony, and Mr. Joseph Hummer served as campus Marshall. 

This year’s guest speaker was Marilynn N. Butler, Ph.D.  A graduate of Penn State DuBois, Butler is the Dean of the School of Professional Studies and Associate Professor of Business at Ursuline College in Pepper Pike, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland. Founded by the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland in 1871, Ursuline was the first women's college to be chartered in Ohio and one of the first in the United States.

Prior to her appointment as dean in 2002, Dr. Butler was the founding director and chair of the Master of Science in Human Resources Development program at St. John Fisher College in Rochester, New York. Prior to her appointment with Fisher in 1997, she served as a human resources consultant for The Chauncey Group International, subsidiary of the Educational Testing Service in Princeton, New Jersey. During her graduate studies at University Park she was an instructor of Speech Communication for The Pennsylvania State University.

As a Penn State DuBois Alumna, Butler’s speech centered on the campus and it’s people, explaining that her own success is rooted here.

“The strength and support of the Penn State DuBois community is a force that pushes its graduates forward into a trajectory of boundless opportunities,” she said.  “It took a campus to launch me, it takes a campus to carry on.”

In conclusion, Butler advised students on planning their path to success and stressed the importance of being a constant learner, saying, “Do what you know, what you don’t know, learn.”

Chancellor McDonald conferred degrees.  Masters, Baccalaureate and Associate degrees were presented.  Interim Directors of Academic Affairs, Mary Mino and Maureen Horan presented Academic Awards.  Graduate, Mathew Urmson of Pittsburgh offered the Academic Awardees Address for Associate Degrees, and Jody Lucas Kulakowski offered the address for Baccalaureate Degrees.

DuBois – New equipment at Penn State DuBois is showing Earth and Mineral Science students the light.  That is, reflected and transmitted light.  Penn State DuBois has just acquired a new Leica Petrographic Microscope for use in the Earth and Mineral Science labs. 

“It is the tool of choice for initial analysis of rocks and minerals collected in the field and it will help students to better understand the concepts of geology,” said Assistant Professor of Math and Geology, Neyda Abreu. 

Students will use the microscope to view minerals, rocks and ores as they learn about the main constituents of our planet.  Light is transmitted through the sample and manipulated to provide views of various minerals the particular sample might contain.  The result is often a burst of vibrant colors, not visible to the naked eye.  The colors’, in the sample allow students to identify the makeup of ore or minerals and gives us clues about their composition and atomic structure.  To the layperson, looking into the scope gives the impression of looking into a kaleidoscope.   

The scope is linked to a computer, so the image on the slides can also be viewed on the computer screen, or projected onto a larger screen for an entire classroom to see.  Specialized computer software is also used to analyze, process and store information gathered with the microscope. Abreu says equipment identical to this is used everyday by professional geologists.  “Being proficient with this petrographic microscope is something students can put on their résumé,” she added.

Abreu says the Leica Petrographic Microscope with its accompanying tools was a $20,000 investment for the campus.  The purchase was partially funded by a generous gift from Penn State DuBois Alumnus, Bob Umbaugh and his wife, Joyce.  

She adds, “Administration and Chancellor Anita McDonald were very supportive, recognizing the impact this would have on our students.” 

DuBois – The Penn State DuBois Spring 2008 Commencement Ceremonies are scheduled for Saturday, May 17, at 2:00 p.m. in the campus gymnasium. 

This year’s guest speaker is Marilynn N. Butler, Ph.D.  A graduate of Penn State DuBois, Butler is the Dean of the School of Professional Studies and Associate Professor of Business at Ursuline College in Pepper Pike, Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland. Founded by the Ursuline Sisters of Cleveland in 1871, Ursuline was the first women's college to be chartered in Ohio and one of the first in the United States.

Prior to her appointment as dean in 2002, Dr. Butler was the founding director and chair of the Master of Science in Human Resources Development program at St. John Fisher College in Rochester, New York. Prior to her appointment with Fisher in 1997, she served as a human resources consultant for The Chauncey Group International, subsidiary of the Educational Testing Service in Princeton, New Jersey. During her graduate studies at University Park she was an instructor of Speech Communication for The Pennsylvania State University.

The following is a list of Penn State DuBois Spring 2008 Graduates:

Joshua K. Altman of Shippenville, Associate in Science - 2yr Wildlife Technology; Justin C. Benner of Millerstown, Associate in Science - 2yr Wildlife Technology; Adam J. Blanchard of St Marys, Associate in Science - 2yr Business Administration; Robert D. Bollinger III of Carlisle, Associate in Science - 2yr Wildlife Technology; Ottavio A. Borgia of Erie, Associate in Science - 2yr Wildlife Technology; Devin H. Braun of Saint Marys, Associate in Engineering Technology - 2 yr Mechanical Engineering Technology; Jennifer L. Chittester of Brockway, Associate in Science - 2yr Occupational Therapy; Justin D. Clark of Curwensville, Associate in Science - 2yr Wildlife Technology; Myra L. Clark of Reynoldsville, Associate in Arts - 2 yr Letters, Arts, and Science; Leola L. Crosley of Brockport, Associate in Arts - 2 yr Letters, Arts, and Science; Jason N. Deeter of Mohrsville, Bachelor of Arts - Letters, Arts, and Sciences; Ashley A. Eckl of St Marys, Bachelor of Science - Human Development and Family Studies; Timothy C. Elias of Ridgway, Associate in Engineering Technology - 2 yr Mechanical Engineering Technology; Denise D. Elliott of Big Run, Bachelor of Science – Business; Monica R. Faith of Dubois, Associate in Science 2 yr Human Development and Family Studies; Michael P. Federici of DuBois, Bachelor of Science – Business; Ashley E. Fleming of Irvona, Bachelor of Science - Human Development and Family Studies; Jeffrey R. Flowers Jr. of Latrobe, Associate in Science - 2yr Wildlife Technology; Neil A. Hanes of Saint Marys, Bachelor of Science – Business; Derick L. Hay of DuBois, Associate in Science - 2yr Wildlife Technology; Jessica A. Hazuda of DuBois, Bachelor of Science - Human Development and Family Studies; Holly D. Heatherdale of Brockway, Associate in Science - 2yr Business Administration; Joshua B. Hook of Brockport, Bachelor of Science – Business; Lauren E. Hook of Brockport, Bachelor of Science – Business; Jeanne R. Howe of Curwensville, Bachelor of Science – Business; Heather L. Humbert of Rochester, Associate in Science - 2yr Wildlife Technology; Christina A. Jameson of Saint Marys, Associate in Science 2 yr Human Development and Family Studies; Christina R. Jones of Brockway, Associate in Science 2 yr Human Development and Family Studies; Jody L. Kulakowski  of Punxsutawney, Bachelor of Arts - Letters, Arts, and Sciences; Marcie J. La Belle of, Bachelor of Science - Human Development and Family Studies; James D. Lowe Jr. of Cherry Tree, Associate in Science - 2yr Wildlife Technology; Bradley L. Luzier Jr. of Frenchville; Bachelor of Science – Business; Nicole L. Matve of Sugar Grove, Associate in Science - 2yr Wildlife Technology; Faith J. McGarry of Curwensville, Bachelor of Science - Human Development and Family Studies; Kyle V. Meley of Warren, Associate in Science - 2yr Wildlife Technology; Carolyn A. Merling of Clearfield, Bachelor of Science - Human Development and Family Studies; Shawna L. Miller of Ridgway; Associate in Science 2 yr Human Development and Family Studies; Nichole L. Neal of Brockway; Bachelor of Science - Health Policy and Administration; Terry R. Orvosh of Rochester Mills, Associate in Science 2 yr Human Development and Family Studies; Jonathan P. Peace of Punxsutawney, Associate in Engineering Technology - 2 yr Mechanical Engineering Technology; Kilee A. Pentz of Grampian; Bachelor of Science – Business; Shelly C. Reed of Weedville; Bachelor of Science - Human Development and Family Studies; Joshua J. Reid of Sykesville, Bachelor of Science – Business; Dorothy M. Ringer of Melbourne, Bachelor of Science - Human Development and Family Studies; Sean D. Rockmore of Clearfield, Bachelor of Science - Human Development and Family Studies; Ryan M. Ross of Carrolltown, Associate in Science - 2yr Wildlife Technology; Tera L. Schindley of Reynoldsville, Associate in Science - 2yr Information Sciences and Technology; Kathy F. Schoening of Penfield, Associate in Science 2 yr Human Development and Family Studies; Toree F. Sedor of DuBois, Bachelor of Science - Human Development and Family Studies; Sean W. Shermer, DuBois, Associate in Engineering Technology - 2 yr Mechanical Engineering Technology; Charles W. Shilk of Ridgway, Associate in Engineering Technology - 2 yr Mechanical Engineering Technology; Nicole M. Skrzypek of Kersey, Associate in Science - 2yr Business Administration; David J. Sorg of Saint Marys, Associate in Science - 2yr Information Sciences and Technology; Joyce A. Starr of Luthersburg, Bachelor of Science - Human Development and Family Studies; Phaedra L. Steele of St Marys, Associate in Science - 2yr Business Administration; Eric W. Stuby of Reynoldsville, Bachelor of Science - Crime, Law, and Justice; Scott W. Syphrit of Brookville, Associate in Science - 2yr Information Sciences and Technology; Matthew B. Urmson of Pittsburgh, Associate in Science - 2yr Wildlife Technology; James R. Walker of Reynoldsville, Associate in Science - 2yr Wildlife Technology: Jeffrey D. Whaling of Brookville, Associate in Science - 2yr Wildlife Technology; Nicole L. Wingard of Brockway, Associate in Science 2 yr Human Development and Family Studies; Michael S. Wisor of Clearfield, Bachelor of Science – Business; Michael P. Yakich of Monaca, Associate in Science - 2yr Wildlife Technology; Kimberly E. Zwick of Sykesville, Bachelor of Science – Business. 

Genevro Honored as PSU's Top Male Scholar-Athlete

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State DuBois men’s basketball point guard Kevin “Kez” Genevro has been named the University’s John C. Egli Outstanding Male Scholar-Athlete for 2007-08. This honor is given to one male and one female student per year from the 1,400 student-athletes who participated in one or more of the ten varsity sports offered at the fifteen locations of the Penn State University Athletic Conference.

Genevro, a 2006 graduate of Elk County Catholic from St. Marys, PA, is a Mechanical Engineering major, compiling a 3.42 cumulative grade point average in four semesters. A member of the PSUAC All-Conference team for 2007 and 2008, Genevro was a United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) All-American Honorable Mention for 2007, and was named a USCAA All-American for 2008.

“I am very proud of Kevin, and I cannot think of a more deserving student to be awarded this honor”, said Dr. Anita McDonald, PSU DuBois Chancellor. “He has shown himself to be a true role model, both on the court and in the classroom.” DuBois Men’s Basketball head coach Dave Bennett agrees. “Kez works hard on his academics and that has a positive influence on the underclassmen because they see the best player on the team as a true student-athlete.”

The Egli Award was established in honor of Assistant Professor John Egli in recognition of his distinguished service to Penn State University as a student, athlete, faculty member, and coach. As the first Commonwealth Campus Coordinator of Athletics,  Mr. Egli was responsible for the establishment, growth, and development of the Commonwealth Campus Athletic Conference, now known as the Penn State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC).

Genevro will be honored along with female Egli Award recipient Jill Chocallo of PSU Wilkes-Barre at the PSUAC Awards Luncheon on April 21^st at the Penn Stater Conference Center in State College.

3/28/2008 - Two Penn State DuBois Basketball Players named to All-Conference team

DUBOIS, Pa. – Penn State DuBois students Kevin “Kez” Genevro and Dylan Howard were named this week to the Penn State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC) All-Conference team for the 2007-08 season.

Genevro, an Elk County Catholic graduate, led the DuBois squad in scoring (18.7) and assists (5.8). Howard (Osweyo Valley) holds the distinction of Penn State DuBois’ first one-thousand point player, scoring a total of 1,070 career points as a Nittany Lion, and also set a campus record for 3-point shots in a single season (103 points). A third Penn State DuBois player, Kyle Vogt (Cameron County), was named as an All-Conference Honorable Mention for 2007-08.

DuBois head coach Dave Bennett says the inclusion of his players to the All-Conference team is “a significant honor.” Bennett commented on the character of the honored athletes as well, saying “All three players would trade this individual honor for a team championship--and that is what makes them great to coach.”

The PSUAC Men’s Basketball All-Conference Team roster is chosen by the 15-member teams’ coaches from over 150 student-athletes across the Penn State commonwealth campus system.

3/10/2008 - PSUAC Semifinal Results

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The Penn State DuBois men’s basketball season came to an end on the Bryce Jordan Center court Friday afternoon as the DuBois Nittany Lions fell to Penn State New Kensington 54-62. The top-seeded New Kensington squad held a slim lead through most of the first half, but saw DuBois begin to rally as the second half of action drew on. The DuBois men whittled New Ken’s 15-point lead down to 3 points with two minutes left in the game, but then a spectacular defensive play by New Ken All-American Jeremy Hurt gave New Kensington the boost it needed to pull away to a 62-54 win at the final buzzer.

Hurt’s defensive play in the clutch was just one highlight of an excellent overall defense strategy from New Kensington, as the team effectively shut down DuBois’ big guns. Senior Dylan Howard, who went 7-for-11 on 3-pointers during Monday night’s Elite 8 win over PSU Hazleton, was limited to 6 points on the day against New Kensington on Friday. Kevin Genevro was similarly stifled, carrying only 9 points for the game. Freshman Josh Salter led the scoring for DuBois with 17 points on the day. Senior  Jonny Songer added 12 points and 11 rebounds in the semifinal. New Kensington’s Jeremy Hurt led his team’s scoring with 14 points.

Penn State DuBois finishes the 2007-08 season with an overall record of 15-and-15, including a second consecutive trip to the USCAA National Championship tournament and a Final 4 appearance at the PSUAC playoffs. New Kensington went on to drop the championship match to PSU Abingdon 58-76 on Saturday afternoon.

The DuBois Nittany Lions will kick off the 2008-09 season of PSUAC play on Monday, December 1^st, 2008 at home against Western Division rival PSU Beaver.

3/1/2008 - USCAA Round 3 Results

SOUTH PORTLAND, Me. -- The Penn State DuBois Nittany Lions rounded out their second consecutive appearance at the 2008 USCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship with a 73-81 loss to Hesser College on Saturday. The fifth-seeded Blue Devils took an early lead in the first half and never ceded control of the game, leading 39-31 at the halftime buzzer. DuBois mounted a late-game offensive surge to bring the score within one point with five minutes left to play, but Hesser would proceed to make a five-point run to pull away as the clock wound down. The Lions would go on to score only three more points in the remaining five minutes as the Blue Devils padded their lead by two more points to end the game with a 81-73 lead. DuBois' Kevin Genevro led the scoring for the Lions with 20 points, while Dylan Howard would add 19 points. Jimmy Higgins came away with 18 points and 11 rebounds on the day. Hesser's Chris Murrell paced the Blue Devils with 24 points and 9 rebounds.

The DuBois Nittany Lions return to PSUAC action on Monday night at 7:30 for an Elite 8 playoff game at PSU Hazleton.

2/29/2008 - USCAA Round 2 Results

SOUTH PORTLAND, Me. -- The Penn State DuBois Nittany Lions fell to sixth-seeded New Hampshire Technical Institute Capitals in second-round action at the 2008 USCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship Friday night by a score of 65-76. Just as they did on Thursday night in their loss to Southern Maine Community College the Lions jumped out to an early lead, keeping the momentum throughout the half with a 35-31 lead at halftime. The Capitals came out strong in the second period, however, and began to pull away with the lead as the clock wound down, ending the game with an 11-point margin, 65-76. DuBois freshman Josh Salter led the seventh-seeded Nittany Lions with 18 points and two rebounds, and Kevin Genevro tallied 15 points for DuBois with 6 rebounds. Senior Dylan Howard, who was recognized at the start of the game for achieving a 1,000-point career at Penn State DuBois, added 12 points on the night, bringing his career total to 1,017. For the Capitals, Ryan Lambert led the way with 15 points and 6 rebounds for NHTI.

The DuBois Nittany Lions will play in the final round of USCAA championship competition with a 9:30am start on Saturday. The DuBois men then return to PSUAC play with an Elite 8 appearance on Monday evening in Hazleton.

2/29/2008 - Penn State DuBois Player hits 1,000th career point

SOUTH PORTLAND, Me. -- The Penn State DuBois Men's Basketball program saw one of its student-athletes achieve a remarkable milestone Thursday night, as senior Dylan Howard scored his one-thousandth career point during the second half of the Nittany Lions' loss to Southern Maine Community College in the first round of the 2008 USCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship in South Portland, Maine. “I am very happy for Dylan, and very proud of him tonight,” said head coach Dave Bennett. “Dylan has been a model athlete for our program for the past four years, and we're pleased that he's been able to reach this milestone.” Bennett noted that this was the first time in the history of the Penn State DuBois athletics program that an athlete had hit the 1,000-point mark.

Howard and his parents were honored by the Penn State DuBois coaches, staff and fans, as well as SMCC Athletic Director and USCAA Tournament Director Matt Richards before the start of Friday afternoon's second-round game against New Hampshire Tech Institute. “I want to congratulate my fellow-teammates”, said Howard, “because this couldn't have happened without them.” He also expressed his gratitude to the men's coaching staff for their role in helping him develop his game and grow as a player during his time at Penn State DuBois. Howard will graduate in May with a degree in marketing, and hopes to return to the Penn State DuBois men's program next year as an assistant coach.

Penn State DuBois will play in the third round of the USCAA Division II Men's Championship Saturday morning before returning to the Keystone State to take on PSUAC Elite 8 opponent PSU Hazleton on Monday evening.

2/28/2008 - USCAA Update

SOUTH PORTLAND, Me – The Penn State DuBois Nittany Lions fell to the second-seeded Southern Main Community College Seawolves in the first round of the 2008 USCAA Division II Men's Basketball championship Thursday night in a hard-fought 76-82 loss. The Nittany Lions led the game through most of the first period, leading by as many as ten points during the first twenty minutes. The SMCC Seawolves picked up momentum, however, and managed to take a 30-28 lead in the final seconds of the first half. After re-taking the lead at the beginning of the second half, the DuBois squad fell behind and were never able to recover, as SMCC went on to outscore the Lions 52-48 in the last twenty minutes. Kevin Genevro paced the Lions with 30 points and six rebounds, followed by Dylan Howard with 21 points and 5 rebounds. Coleman Findlay and Chris Banks accounted for almost half of SMCC's total points on the night, with 20 points each.

With the loss, Penn State DuBois drops to the consolation bracket, and will play on Friday afternoon at 4:30pm.

For more information, please visit our Athletics and Fitness home page at http://www.ds.psu.edu/StudentLife/Athletics/sports.htm?cn25

DuBois – Occupational Therapy Assistant students at Penn State DuBois are polishing their skills in a real-world setting, while helping students at an area elementary school.  The After School Handwriting Enrichment Program at Wasson Elementary school engages Penn State DuBois OTA students with real elementary students who need some extra help with their fine motor skills. 

“It’s a win-win situation,” said Senior Instructor of Occupational Therapy, Marge Pendzick. “The elementary students get help and our students get experience and training. There are not a lot of opportunities where our students can work with children so closely.”

During a recent Wednesday session, the group of kindergarten through third grade students started off by making a woven Easter Basket.  Penn State DuBois OTA students helped the children through each step of the intricate process.  Pendzick said such exercises will increase the children’s finger dexterity and fine motor skills.  Those improvements are ultimately reflected in the students’ handwriting.  Later in the session,  the PSU OTA students assisted the elementary students in creative ways to practice correct letter formation and to increase upper extremity strengthen.

“We’ve noticed definite improvements with handwriting and a change in attitude towards printing,” said Wasson Elementary Teacher, Jen Fye. 

Penn State DuBois OTA students, Lisa Pompeii and Laruen Foster said the knowledge they have gained through this program is invaluable.  “We get hands on training, learning the fine motor skills and gross motor skills of children and how they develop,” said Pompeii.  Foster ads, “We can see developmental stages and can learn to correct any patterns that are incorrect, like how they hold their pen.”

DuBois – Four Penn State DuBois students and one campus staff member spent spring break volunteering in storm-ravaged Mississippi with the emergency and refugee program, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.   Student Life Coordinator, Marly Greeley led students Julie Wojtaszek, Jennie Korb, Melissa Livergood and Megan Lundgren to Biloxi, Mississippi, where they helped to rehabilitate a state park and  a home devastated by Hurricane Katrina in August, 2005. 

“It’s amazing how much devastation there was. You would think that after two and a half years things would be better,” said Korb, noting that many homes in the Biloxi area are still as bad, or worse that they were just after the storm hit. 

Livergood added, “There are still so many empty foundations and stairs that just lead to nothing.”

Impacted by what they saw while driving to the camp, the Penn State DuBois group was very determined to make a difference, and they had a great opportunity to do so.  Combined with students from Penn State’s Behrend, Brandywine, Lehigh Valley and Harrisburg campuses, 72 Penn Staters made up the largest group ever to volunteer with PDA.  They made the PDA encampment their home for the week; up to six people would share a single tent-like “pod”, and take turns cooking and performing other chores to the benefit of the entire group.  Here only a few short hours of rest were enjoyed each night, before they headed back out to labor in the Mississippi heat. 

In Sheppard State Park the volunteers planted trees, cleaned up debris, rebuilt foot bridges and breathed new life into picnic areas. 

However, the amateur construction crew from DuBois found their greatest rewards in remodeling a home for one victim of the storm.

Wojtaszek recalls a 79 year old woman who lived on her own in a home still in a dilapidated post-Katrina state, “She was on her own, her house was falling apart and the yard was overgrown.  It looked like nobody lived there,” she recalls.  The woman they came to call “Lilly” had health problems and could not even leave her home for over a year.   As they applied fresh paint and landscaped around the home, Lilly told the students they were the answer to her prayers. Each member of the group recounted the story with tears in their eyes.

“She said she prayed for an Easter miracle, and she believes God sent us, and we were her miracle,” Wojtaszek said.  “We mowed the yard, planted flowers and painted her house, and she was so grateful.”

“She made us realize a lot about ourselves,” Korb said.  “So many other people also thanked us and were so appreciative.  I didn’t know it would mean so much to everyone.”

Livergood adds, “It made me realize that I take too much for granted and over stress about things.  This was something bigger than yourself and you’re a part of it,” she said. 

Student Life Coordinator, Marly Greeley says she’s thankful the students had such positive experiences, and that they made such a positive impact in Mississippi.  “It makes me feel so good to have students like this,” Greeley said.  “I’m very proud of them for spending their spring break working so hard.  They are wonderful leaders in our community. 

Greeley and the students who volunteered in Mississippi would also like to thank the Rotary Club, Johnson Motors, WOWQ, and Representative Dan Surra for supporting their cause.

DuBois – Business and Accounting Students at Penn State DuBois are available to file taxes, free of charge, for anyone who qualifies for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program offered through the IRS. 

VITA is designed to give low income families professional-grade tax help, without the professional-grade bill. 

“The program is designed to catch a lot of entry errors that people often make while filing their taxes,” said Instructor in Business, Annette Muth.  “We can help them avoid those mistakes, while saving them up to $200 in fees.” 

Students completed a tax accounting class at Penn State DuBois, plus became certified with VITA through an online IRS program.  Those students, who are all volunteers, say the work is worth it.  Business Major Mike Wisor said, “We’re getting real world experience and helping people at the same time.”  Wisor adds, “Plus, I know I can handle my own taxes now.”

Volunteers will be available every Thursday through the end of March from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in Room 103 of the Swift Building at Penn State DuBois.   To make an appointment, call 1-800-822-2610 or 765-1551.

On Monday afternoon (2/11), the Penn State DuBois men’s basketball program received an official bid to the United States Collegiate Athletic Association’s 2008 Division II Men’s Basketball Championship in South Portland, Maine, February 27-March 1. For the second year in a row, the DuBois Nittany Lions will be making their presence known at the USCAA tournament at Southern Maine Community College.

DuBois head coach Dave Bennett is proud of the hard work his squad has put in, and the opportunity they have to compete at the national level again this year. “We are very excited to have an opportunity to compete in the National Tournament.  This is a great honor and will be an excellent experience for the players in our program.  I am very happy for the guys because the hard work, dedication and sacrifice they have shown has helped us meet one of our team goals.”

But Bennett is mindful that the national championship bid comes along while there is still unfinished business in the state conference.  That reality was brought into sharp focus over the past week with a 1-and-1 PSUAC record in the past two games (an 87-70 win over PSU Greater Allegheny on Thursday and a tough 78-86 loss to northern division leader PSU Hazleton on Sunday.)  “We need to stay focused because we have 3 difficult [PSUAC] conference games over the next week and a half,” said Bennett. “Once the playoffs begin, its a new season where every team is 0-0, and I think our players will welcome the challenge.”

The DuBois men travel to PSU Fayette on Wednesday afternoon, and then host PSU Beaver in the Multipurpose Building gymnasium at home on Saturday at 3:00pm.  

Beginning this semester, Penn State DuBois is proud to offer a new certificate program designed to meet the immediate needs of working adults who want to master the management of technology in the workplace.  The Information Sciences and Technology Department’s Fundamentals of Technology Management Certificate Program will increase students’ knowledge of new technologies, fine tune their management style and provide an overview of how technology impacts business.  Program courses emphasize the use of technology as a tool for providing information for effective decision making and increased productivity.

“Once you complete this program, you’ll learn to manage technology, rather than let technology manage you,” said IST Program Leader, Jason Long. 

From seasoned managers, to new employees, anyone who needs to understand the application of technology in the business environment can benefit from this information.  As Penn State DuBois IST Student, Clifton Whitcomb notes, “Technology has made its way into every facet of our lives, it is of utmost importance that individuals maintain a basic understanding of technology in order to function and protect themselves in today’s world.”

Today’s world is also something instructors will keep in mind while teaching this course.

“We are moving beyond the traditional learning experience and using a collaborative approach to learning,” said instructor, Diane Lucas.  “Many of the topics, assignments and discussions for these courses are problem-based. Using this type of teaching approach allows students to take theory and apply it to real-world problems and situations.

The program will also be convenient for people taking courses and working at the same time.  Distance education, and in class courses are blended together, allowing maximum flexibility in scheduling. 

For more information on The Fundamentals of Technology Management Certificate Program, contact the Penn State DuBois Office of Continuing Education, at 814-375-4718.

DuBois – With Clearfield County poised to be a leader in the production of biofuels, Penn State DuBois is prepared to educate area residents about this emerging industry.

The Biomass Energy Workshop is designed to educate anyone who is interested in the production and use of biofuels.  Experts in Continuing Education at Penn State DuBois say this workshop will provide valuable information for anyone living in and around Clearfield County, where three different companies plan to build biofuel production facilities. 

“Our goal is to keep our communities informed and educated on an industry that could soon supply an enormous economic boost to our area,” said Continuing Education Representative, Jeannine Hanes.  

The one day course will cover the basic principles and technology used in the production and conversion of biomass, such as corn,  into fuels for transportation, heat, electricity and other products.  Farmers might find valuable information on how to store crops for fuel production, while chemists might be interested in the conversion process.   Discussions centered around the economic and environmental impacts will appeal to business owners, sportsman and most citizens.      

“This course will truly offer something for anyone and everyone who is interested in biofuel production,” said Hanes.  “It covers the fuel production process from start to finish.” 

The course will be taught by the Director of Penn State’s Biomass Energy Center, Dr. Thomas Richard who holds a Ph.D in Biological Engineering. 

The Biomass Energy Workshop will be held at Clearfield Area High School on Tuesday, February 5, from 8:00 a.m. until noon.  You must be registered to attend.  All students, faculty and staff of Clearfield Area High School are invited to attend the program free of charge. 

For more information, or to register, call the Penn State DuBois Department of Continuing Education at (814) 375-4715. 

DUBOIS – Penn State DuBois in partnership with Cooperative Extension will offer a statewide food safety course designed to meet the food certification requirements for food service managers, chefs, caterers, cooks, health officials, and inspectors.  The 15-hour class will meet on Tuesday, February 5 and February 19, 2008 at Penn State DuBois. 

The ServSafe training program fulfills Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture requirements for the Food Employee Certification Act in the categories of food service, retail, and bakery.  Under this act, all food service establishments must employ or designate at least one certified supervisory employee.  This requirement includes retail and bakery establishments. The course is a nationally recognized certification program that teaches safe food-handling practices that protect customers, increase profitability, reduce liability, and enhance a business' competitive position. The program focuses on the issues of contamination, storage, preparation, serving, and food safety regulations and standards.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, an estimated 76 million cases of food-borne illnesses result in approximately 5,000 deaths in the United States each year. About 95 percent of all food-borne illnesses are caused by the mishandling of food.

Participants who complete the program and pass the examination will receive their ServSafe Certification from the National Restaurant Association and may apply for the state Department of Agriculture certificate required by the Food Employee Certification Act.

For more information call 814-375-4715, class size is limited.