DuBois – Members of the Penn State DuBois Business Society and Marketing 301 recently presented a check for $2,275 to DuBois Regional Medical Center (DRMC) to benefit the Hahne Regional Cancer Center. 

Business Society and marketing students raised the funds during Casino Night, which was recently held on campus in conjunction with the campus THON Committee. The event raised a total of $4,550, and the two student organizations split the proceeds in half, donating their shares to the organization or cause of their choice.  The THON committee chose to support THON, the Penn State Dance Marathon, which annually benefits the Four Diamond Funds for kids battling childhood cancer.

Admission for Casino Night was free and open to the public.  False money was used for casino-style games such as blackjack, roulette, craps, poker, bingo and more. Funds were generated through a silent auction with gift baskets, merchandise from local businesses, and Penn State items up for bid.   

Josh Salter contributed 22 points and Justin Alvarez had a solid all around game with 12 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. 

Penn State DuBois returns to action on January 3rd and 4th when they travel to the Lycoming Holiday Tournament.

The Penn State DuBois women secured a 79-53 win over Central Penn College on Saturday.  DuBois got ahead of Central Penn early, with a 34-18 lead in the first half.  Kelsie Rini was the leader scorer for DuBois with 22 points.  Tessa Vargas contributed 15 points, and Missy Aul put 11 points on the board.

Following their holiday break, the DuBois women will return to the court on Saturday, January 15, when they host Penn State Wilkes-Barre. 

DuBois – On Thursday evening, 53 individuals made the transition from being Penn State DuBois students, to Penn State DuBois alumni.  Bachelor and associate degrees were conferred in a wide range of disciplines including science, finance, physical therapy, and more.

"This evening is not just for you," Chancellor Anita McDonald told graduates.  "It's also for the family, friends, faculty, staff and administration that are here tonight.  We all want to tell you how proud we are of your academic success.  So, if we clap too loud, or take too many pictures, it's because we are so happy and very proud of your accomplishments." 

Mr. Edward Nasuti served as special guest speaker and offered the commencement address.  Nasuti is a Penn State DuBois alumnus and the president of the DuBois-based engineering firm, Lee-Simpson Associates. He is also the President of the DuBois Educational Foundation, which provides financial and administrative support to the campus. This year, Nasuti and his wife Della, along with Lee-Simpson Associates, established a Trustee Matching Scholarship for Penn State DuBois engineering students.

During his speech, Nasuti encouraged graduates to use their degrees not just to succeed, but also to help others.  He said, "You have obtained the knowledge and skills necessary, not only to succeed in the world, but also to become the leaders of tomorrow. This distinction also comes with responsibility.   It is important that you also use your education to make your community and your country a better place to live.  Get involved.  Serve on a community committee, and help make a difference."

Immediately follow the presentation of degrees, Alumni Society President Jackie Allen welcomed the newest alums to the Alumni Society.  As part of the class of Penn State DuBois' 75^th Anniversary year, each graduate received a copy of the campus history book, Penn State DuBois Proud, as a gift from the campus, and a 75^th anniversary holiday ornament compliments of the Penn State DuBois Alumni Society.

Pictured above are graduates who participated in Fall Commencement ceremonies.

Front Row, Left to Right:

Keith Sorg, Occupational Therapy; Melissa Stockwell, Occupational Therapy; April Meyer, Occupational Therapy; Paul Mezser, Letters, Arts, and Sciences; Sholynn Voigt, Occupational Therapy; Erica Walker, Occupational Therapy; Meredith Gilmore, HDFS; Meagan Young, Business.

Back Row, Left to Right:

Betsy Clouser, Business; Carl Griech, Occupational Therapy; Ian Carr, Business; Bradley Johnston, Letters, Arts, and Sciences; Jonathon Weber, Business; Jeffery Sexton, Letters, Arts, and Sciences; Tony Harris, Earth Science; Kelly Leuschel, HDFS; Samantha Spangler, HDFS; Kristin Handwerger, Business; Terri Gardner, Occupational Therapy; Dan Beers, Physical Therapy Assistant; Rachel Britton, Occupational Therapy; Miranda Hoyt, Occupational Therapy. 

Above, Speaker Ed Nasuti delivers the commencement address.		Four Generations: Graduating adult learner Terri Gardner (center) represents one of the four generation of her family who attended her commencement ceremony.  At left is her daughter, Sara Gardner-Tennant; At right is her mother, Mary Cribbs; in front it Terri’s granddaughter, Lily Tennant.

DuBois – Students in the Freshman Engineering and Design class at Penn State DuBois competed to develop the best designs for environmentally friendly ways to cook and move water this semester. Some teams of students designed and constructed their own solar cooking device, while other teams designed and built water pumps that can run without conventional power.  

The winners were recently named at Engineering Day. For the solar cooker, the winning team members were students Kevryn Boser, Andy Skraba and R.J. Fotta.  For the water pump, the winning team was Chase Lyle, Miles Ridgeway, Ed Ward, Chris Antonio and Tyler Rushnok.

Not only are the ideas of cooking and moving water without conventional energy sources environmentally friendly, it’s also a necessity in some parts of the world.  Assistant Professor of Engineering Craig Stringer said solar cookers are used extensively in South Africa where firewood is scarce, and less than 20% of the nation’s residents are tapped into the electrical grid. 

For the students, it allowed classroom learning to be put into practice, bringing textbook lessons to life. 

"The students were very excited to showcase their designs to the campus, and team members were very impressed by the questions and ideas other students had about their designs," Stringer said.

University Park, Pa. — After seven years of working a full-time job and two part-time jobs to make ends meet, Ridgway resident Patricia Park-Buehler, a single mother of two sons, was ready for a change. She enrolled at Penn State with the goals of earning a degree and finding a good job. During her journey, Park-Buehler worked, took care of her boys, remarried and also dealt with a serious health issue. And her perseverance paid off. She landed a job before completing her bachelor of science degree in criminal justice. Park-Buehler will pick up her degree during fall commencement ceremonies Dec. 18 at University Park campus.

“When I was 33, I was working too much,” said Park-Buehler, now 37. “Instead of more dead-end jobs, I decided to go to college — for my kids and for me.”

Park-Buehler started by taking evening classes through Penn State DuBois Continuing Education at the campus and in St. Marys, through Continuing Education’s partnership with the Community Education Council. She also received the campus’ Alumni Trustee Scholarship. In addition, she enrolled in online classes delivered through Penn State’s World Campus. “Both formats have positives,” she said. “The classroom setting offered more one-on-one interaction with the faculty, and online courses offered flexibility, so I could do course work at midnight.”

While a student, she remarried. Then in 2008, she was diagnosed with undifferentiated connective tissue disease/lupus, an autoimmune disease. “It was very difficult for me. I didn’t make the dean’s list for a time.”

Earlier this year, she received an e-mail from Penn State DuBois Continuing Education about internship opportunities and applied for one. Little Pine Resources, an independent energy company engaged in oil and gas exploration and production in North Texas and central Pennsylvania, invited her to spend the summer at its Clearfield office. “I did case law research and learned about title abstracting,” Park-Buehler said.

Before her internship ended, Park-Buehler was offered a full-time job with the company and started working immediately after the internship ended. She handles quality control for natural gas leases and does lease audits. “I hit it lucky,” she said.

In addition to pursuing her bachelor’s degree, Park-Buehler took three courses in Penn State DuBois Continuing Education’s Marcellus Shale Land Use Practices in Pennsylvania Certificate program. She is using what she learned in both programs on the job.

Park-Buehler also participated in the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon at the campus, and joined Delta Mu Sigma Honor Society, Blue and White Society, National Society of Leadership and Success, and Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges.

What’s next? Park-Buehler is thinking about law school — after Chandler, 15, and Jacob, 13, graduate from high school.

For information about Penn State’s online education programs, visit http://www.worldcampus.psu.edu/ and for information about continuing education programs, visit http://ceup.psu.edu/ online.

Penn State World Campus specializes in adult online education, delivering more than 70 of Penn State’s most highly regarded graduate, undergraduate and professional education programs through convenient online formats. Penn State Continuing Education offers a venue for adults to return to the classroom and reaches more than 30,000 adult learners annually at Penn State campuses statewide. They are part of Penn State Outreach, the largest unified outreach organization in American higher education, serving more than 5 million people each year, delivering more than 2,000 programs to people in all 67 Pennsylvania counties, all 50 states and 114 countries worldwide.

Contacts:

Deborah A. Benedetti, Penn State Outreach, 814-238-4895, dab12@outreach.psu.edu
Dave Aneckstein, Penn State Outreach, 814-865-7600, dxa141@outreach.psu.edu

DuBois – Tony Harris has a passion for volunteering and helping people.  It's a passion that, for a while, he will pursue full time after his graduation from Penn State DuBois in December.  The soon-to-be graduate of the Earth and Mineral Science program has submitted his application to the Peace Corps.

He said the Peace Corps has asked for his preferences of countries to work in.  Harris has given the organization those preferences, but they're widely varied.

"I'm interested in the Caribbean, South America, Eastern Europe, and South Africa, too," Harris said.  "I told them it really doesn't matter where I go.

"I would mostly teach classes in schools overseas.  I could end up teaching English, or basic science," Harris said, explaining some of the things Peace Corps volunteers do. 

After three months of training, Peace Corps volunteers spend two years in the country they're placed in.  Harris said he would be happy to serve those two years, building his own résumé while helping communities in need.

"The experience of teaching with the Peace Corps fills many of the requirements for teaching certificates for most school districts, and I'm really interested in pursuing a career in teaching after I complete some volunteer work," said Harris. 

Harris said he'll have to wait before embarking on a Peace Corps mission.  The application process, which he is now going through, takes several months.  Until it is complete, he's going to stick around Penn State DuBois, working in the Student Life Office where he'll help to organize events and volunteer opportunities for students.

"I don't know why I love volunteering," Harris said.  "Maybe it's selfish.  Maybe it's because I feel like I get so much out of helping people.  It makes me feel good.  I always keep the quote from Gandhi in the back of my mind.  He said to 'be the change you wish to see in the world'." 

DuBois – In the midst of economic downturns that have caused unemployment rates to soar, professionals at Penn State DuBois continue to refine the services offered to help people train for new careers.  Understanding that the student experience can be unique for people who are returning to the classroom after being in the workforce, the campus has established programs and services to help adult learners make the transition.

"We start off with a special orientation just for adult learners," said Director of Student Affairs Rebecca Pennington.  "We want them to come to the regular orientation too, but we also encourage them to come to the separate adult learner orientation, which is just a little more focused on the specifics for them.  We go through all of the services offered to them, step by step."

Pennington said things like computer skills are given special attention, since students of a non-traditional age may not have had the exposure to new technology that the average 18 year old freshman has had.  "We go over everything related to computers and the systems we use, right down to how to turn on the machine," she said.

Pennington said the adult orientation may be an eye-opener for some who are nervous about becoming a student again.  She said, "A lot of them worry that they'll be the only 30 year old, 40 year old, or 50 year old on campus.  Then they walk into the orientation and see there are a lot of others like them."  In fact, according to Pennington, one-third of the students on campus are adult learners, which are defined as students age 25, or older.

The Center for Undergraduate Excellence (CUE) is one of the first stops that students of any age can make to get help with academics and more information on the campus.  The center offers tutoring in a wide range of subjects, in addition to general help and information.  CUE director Diane Gigliotti-Spratt said, "They can come here to find out all sorts of information.  We're another resource for them to find out how to navigate the campus, navigate the Penn State system, and a way for us to be as accessible to students as we can be."

Gigliotti-Spratt said 20 percent of the visitors they get at the CUE are adult learners, who often return regularly for assistance.  She said they come back because she and the tutors stress that it's okay to ask for help.

"No question is stupid.  There is always support," said Gigliotti-Spratt.  "Most often they just need a little push in a positive direction, and someone to help give them a little confidence and show them that they can be successful." 

Anne Ziegler, of Ridgway, is an adult learner with an 18 year old daughter who is also starting off in college this year.  She is a regular at the CUE, explaining, "The CUE is such a great asset, and what it offers makes it more comfortable to be here.  It's part of what makes this campus really welcoming."

Ziegler just closed her own nail salon and, looking to make a change, returned to school to earn her business degree.

"It's a major decision to go back to school as an adult learner," she said.  "But you have to remember that you're not the only one doing it.  We're all doing it together and with support from other adult learners and people on campus, you can do it.  You don't know what doors might open up for you.  It is a real growing experience, and you learn a lot about yourself." 

Spring semester classes at Penn State DuBois begin January 10.  For more information, call (814) 375-4720. 

DuBois – A new book written by literary scholars, for literary scholars, was edited by Penn State DuBois' own Assistant Professor of English Elizabeth Evans.  Woolf and the City (Clemson University Press) is a compilation of papers written by professors, students, and grad students from around the globe, with each examining the work of famed early 20^th century writer Virginia Woolf. 

The papers included in the book were all submitted to the Nineteenth Annual Conference on Virginia Woolf, held at Fordham University in New York City.  Each year the conference is dedicated to exploring a different theme in Woolf's writing, and the nineteenth conference dealt with her perception of city space, and its influence on her work.

"The purpose was to reexamine urban space," said Evans.  "She was writing at a time when London and New York were exploding in population.  Moving about the city, for many in that time, provided inspiration, and she was no exception. So, there has been an interest in Woolf and the city space for some time." 

More than 200 papers were submitted for the conference, and for inclusion in the book. Evans had the task of reading each one carefully, and providing her editorial expertise to assure proper style, content and grammar were used, and that information was accurate.  Also, she had to whittle down the submissions to just a few.  She confessed, "There were so many fabulous submissions.  The hardest part was turning down some wonderful work."  

The book also includes information on teaching about Woolf and her work in the classroom, which Evans does at Penn State DuBois.  

"It works on different levels.  One is about understanding Woolf as a masterful writer, and learning from her," Evans explained.  "Also, understanding her helps us to better understand her time and place in history.  We can see Shakespeare through her eyes, the city space of her time through her eyes." 

Evans received her doctorate in English at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She has taught a range of composition and literature courses both at UW-Madison and at Wake Forest University. Her research and teaching interests include 19^th and 20^th century British literature, women's and gender studies; cultural geography and spatial theory; and postcolonial literature and theory.

"These are two separate events, but they're taking place in the same building and could both come together to make a nice evening out," said Student Life Coordinator Marly Doty. 

The spaghetti dinner is scheduled from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. in the Lion's Den Café, in the Hiller Building.  Eat-in or take-out will be available, and will include spaghetti, roll, salad, and dessert. The cost is $5 for adults and $4 for Penn State students.  Advanced tickets are available through the Student Life Office. All proceeds will benefit THON, the Penn State dance marathon, which contributes to the battle against childhood cancer.

Christmas Around the World, will feature holiday songs from varied countries and cultures, and will be preformed by the Penn State DuBois choir, under the direction of campus music instructor Paul Fehrenbach. The show is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. that evening in the Hiller Auditorium.  Christmas Around the World is the December installment of the campus Performing Arts Series. All Performing Arts Series events are free and open to the public.  

For more information, contact the Student Life Office at 375-4764, or studentactivities@psu.edu

The DuBois men came close with a 65-63 loss to Beaver. Both teams rallied back and forth throughout the game. The loss brings the men's season record to 2-4. 

The Penn State DuBois Lady Lions fell to Beaver 83-58 in their match up, bringing them to 3-4 for the season. 

The guest speaker for the ceremony is Edward Nasuti, of DuBois.  Nasuti is a Penn State DuBois alumnus and the president of the DuBois-based engineering firm, Lee-Simpson Associates. He is also the President of the DuBois Educational Foundation, which provides financial and administrative support to the campus. This year, Nasuti and his wife Della, along with Lee-Simpson Associates, established a Trustee Matching Scholarship for Penn State DuBois engineering students.

For more information on Fall Commencement at Penn State DuBois, visit http://www.ds.psu.edu/Academics/DuBoisCommencement.htm?cn2

The event, planned for Thursday, December 9, will feature a dinner of soup and sandwiches in the Lion's Den Café, Hiller Building, with a showing of the film, Christmas with the Kranks, to follow.  Dinner will begin at 5:30 p.m., and the movie is set to begin at 7:00 p.m.

The price of admission to the dinner and a movie event for each person is a nonperishable food item, a toy, or a blanket.  Toys and blankets may be new or gently used.  All items will be donated to area food banks, and other charitable organizations. 

"We're doing this to show that the true meaning of Christmas is to help others and those less fortunate," said Delta Mu Sigma member Adam Snyder. 

For more information, contact the Student Life office at 375-4764. 

The Penn State DuBois Lady Lions fell in their contest against the Westmoreland County Community College women, 84-78. 

Penn State DuBois returns to action next Wednesday, December 1st, when they face conference rival Penn State Beaver in their first PSUAC Conference home game.  The women's game will start at 6:00 p.m., and the men's game is slated for 8:00p.m.

Students in the leadership program at Penn State DuBois currently support 300 soldiers through participation in the national Adopt a US Soldier campaign.  For the holidays, those students are looking to the public to help support the troops through donations of common items to be placed in care package and sent to troops serving overseas.    

Students also plan to add a personal touch to the packages they send this year, explained Student Leadership member Tony Harris. "We will be in the Lion's Den during collection days with materials for people to make cards that can be sent to soldiers," he said.  Harris noted that those materials will also be available during Breakfast with Santa, to be held at Penn State DuBois on Saturday, December 11. 

Collection of items will take place in the Lion's Den Café, in the Hiller Building, between 12:00 noon, and 1:00 p.m., from November 29, through December 10. Items can be dropped off at the student life office, second floor, Hiller Building, during all other times between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Non-perishable food items, travel size hygiene items, batteries, and books are all recommended for donation. 

For more information on Adopt a US Soldier, and more ideas for items to donate, visit http://aauss.com/

DuBois – Three Penn State DuBois alumni were honored for their success, and the accomplishments they have made since their graduations, at the annual Alumni Society Awards Banquet on Friday.

Howard Allen, of DuBois received the Dave Shaffer Outstanding Young Alumni Award.  The 2001 business graduate is a facility manager with Wal-Mart, and has been recognized by their corporate headquarters for adopting and implementing a new accounting process and new cashier scheduling process. He also played an integral role in the planning and organization of efforts to open the new Wal-Mart Supercenter in DuBois. 

Director of Student Affairs Rebecca Pennington presented the award to Allen.  She worked with him often when he was a student and involved in student government and other activities. Pennington said, "I always knew Howard would someday receive this award.  His ambitious nature and motivation has always been amazing."

Allen remembered his family moving to DuBois from the Lancaster area when his father got a new job.  "I really didn't want to come to DuBois, but it was probably the best thing that could have happened," he said.  "Coming to Penn State DuBois was one of the best decisions I ever made in my life."

Bryan Burhans is this year's recipient of the Outstanding Alumni Award.  Burhans earned a degree in Wildlife Technologies in 1987, and another in Wildlife Science in 1992.  He is now the president and CEO of the American Chestnut Foundation (TACF), and a certified wildlife biologist, based in North Carolina. Through his work with the groundbreaking efforts of TACF, a rebirth of the American Chestnut Tree may soon be a reality.  Burhans was also chosen to present the Umbaugh Lecture at Penn State DuBois in April of 2010. 

Wildlife instructor Joe Hummer, who taught Burhans when he was a student, presented the award.

"Bryan's accomplishments are quite remarkable," Hummer said.  "I'm very honored to have been a part of his education and to present him with this award." 

"I think about DuBois and this campus often, and I think about the opportunity that the campus gave me," Burhans said.  "Penn State DuBois gave me the opportunity to pursue the career I have and to have a position that I thought I could only dream of." 

Michael Dugan, a 1968 engineering graduate, was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award.  Dugan is the President and CEO of EchoStar Communications Corporation.  During his career he provided leadership and direction for EchoStar's expanding product line, which included DISH Network.  Dugan, who lives in Denver, Colorado, was not able to attend the ceremony, but his award was accepted by Chancellor Anita McDonald.

"The thing about lifetime achievers is they just keep on achieving," McDonald said.  "That's how Mike is.  He is also humble.  Mike would never believe that he is worthy of any recognition, but the rest of us know that he certainly deserves this Lifetime Achievement award."

Lois Richards, executive director of the Clearfield County Career and Technology Center, and a past Alumni Award recipient, served as emcee for the evening.  In closing, she said, "I can't think of a better way to celebrate 75 years of Penn State DuBois than by honoring these fantastic alumni."  

DuBois - Josh Salter became the fifth player in Penn State DuBois basketball history to break the 1,000 point scoring mark Friday evening against St. Vincent College.  Salter led the team in scoring with 18 points in an 87-64 loss to St. Vincent, brining his total to 1,006 points. 

Salter also led the team in scoring on Saturday with 31 points against tournament host Mt. Aloysius in the consolation game.  

DuBois lost the consolation game 108-86, bringing the season record to 1-3.   Salter finished the weekend with 1,037 career points.  The team returns home to play on Tuesday against Westmoreland County Community College at 8:00 p.m. 

THON, the Penn State dance marathon, annually benefits the Four Diamond Funds for kids battling childhood cancer.  The DuBois THON committee will donate their Casino Night profits to the overall THON goal. 

The Business Society has chosen to support Hahne Regional Cancer Center at DuBois Regional Medical Center. 

Casino Night was absolutely free and open to the public.  False money was used for casino-style games such as blackjack, roulette, craps, poker, bingo and more. A silent auction was also held, with gift baskets, merchandise from local businesses and Penn State items up for bid.   

"I experienced the generosity of the students, faculty, staff, parents and the community when they came together for the Casino Night fundraising event," said Assistant Professor of Economics and Business Society advisor Evelyn Wamboye. "The event was purely organized by the students to raise funds in support of the fight against cancer. The amount of time, dedication and effort that the students put into organizing this event was really admirable and amazingly professional." 

DuBois – Some area children got a first hand look at some exotic animals during presentations made recently by students in the Wildlife Technology program at Penn State DuBois.  The presentations were open to kids of any age who have an interest in learning about wildlife. 

Three groups of students offered different presentations that focused on exotic species that are not native to Pennsylvania, or the United States.  Specifically, Silver Carp, Burmese Pythons, and Ringneck Pheasants were covered.

"The children really enjoy this, and get really excited to come to these," said Wildlife Technology Instructor Keely Roen.  "Our students really benefit too because they get the experience of making presentations for different age groups." 

Student presenters explained how each of the non-native species came to exist in the U.S.  The algae eating Silver Carp were brought from Asia in the 1970's to help control algae growth in American water treatment plants.  Floods, however, allowed the fish to escape into open waterways, where they have become an invasive species.  The large fish, which can reach 40-60 pounds, continue to put stress on native fish populations. 

"Researchers are trying to figure out how to barricade water systems to keep them from spreading," said student presenter Derek Johnson, of Curwensville.  "But, it's hard because you can't control the carp without also controlling the native species, and blocking them off from the waterways too."

Students presenting information on the pythons assured children that Pennsylvania's climate is too cold for the giant snakes to survive in the wild.  However, many wild snakes are living and reproducing in southern states, especially Florida, where they have become highly invasive.  They can reach 20 feet in length, and feed upon domestic animals, and even creatures as large as alligators.  Pythons that made it to the wild in this country, presenters said, usually started off as pets purchased at a pet store.  Often, owners will let the snakes go once they've lost interest, or the snake becomes too large for them to keep.

A highlight of the program came when student presenters Bill Brehun and Matt Allen brought two live pheasants into the room.  They brought one male, and one female bird, that gave children a first-hand, up-close look.  The children were even allowed to pet the pair of pheasants, which came from a private farm that raises the birds. 

A popular game bird among hunters, the Ringneck Pheasant, presenters explained, is actually native to China.  It was brought to the United States in the late 1800's for hunting. 

As the students explained to the children, the difference between the pheasant and the other animals discussed is that the pheasant is not invasive. 

"Even thought they're not native, they fit well into our ecosystem and don't cause problems for us or our native animals," explained wildlife student Marissa Galeotti of Coudersport.  "They do survive here, but have a hard time surviving the Pennsylvania winters." 

Children were quizzed after each presentation, and had the chance to answer questions to claim prizes of candy and cookies. 

For more information on the Wildlife Technologies program at Penn State DuBois, call (814) 375-4720. 

Mansfield logged an 86-50 win over the DuBois men.  Javon Brown led the scoring for DuBois, putting nine points on the board.  This puts the Penn State DuBois men at 1-1 for the season.  The men now look forward to a tournament at Mt. Aloysius Saturday.

The DuBois Lady Lions fell to Mansfield 91-49.  Missy Aul led DuBois with 14 points and seven rebounds.  Jessica Tarr followed closely with 12 points.  The DuBois women are now 1-2.  They're on the road this Saturday, hosted by the Community College of Allegheny County – Boyce. 

Hors d'oeuvres, dessert, and beverages will be provided.  The free event is sponsored by the Penn State DuBois Alumni Society Board of Directors, and open to everyone.  It is planned for 7:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. on Friday, December 10, in room 209 of the DEF Building.

Please RSVP to Autumn at agw11@psu.edu, or (814) 375-4775 by December 3^rd.

DuBois was lead by Josh Salter's 26 point, 10 rebound effort and Chris Dickison's 26 point, 6 rebound performance. The Penn State DuBois men are now 1-0 on the season. 

The Penn State DuBois Women's Basketball team fought hard, but fell in their game to the Alfred women's team, 77-47.   The DuBois women won their season opener in an away game at the Community College of Allegheny County North, 65-21.  This brings the women's record to 1-1. 

The DuBois Nittany Lions will travel to Mansfield on Wednesday to take on Mansfield University in another men's and women's double-header. 

DuBois – Penn State DuBois students honored the men and women who have served in the nation's armed forces on Veteran's Day with volunteer service, and a noon-time ceremony. 

Steve Manginell, a student and veteran of the United States Air Force organized the Veteran's Day ceremony held around the campus flag pole in Schoch Plaza.  It included the Pledge of Allegiance, a moment of silence, music, and a speech by Manginell.  Dozens of students, faculty, and staff members attended.

Manginell served as an Air Force Security Policeman during Operation Just Cause in Panama, in 1989.  During his speech, he shared his own personal stories and feelings about serving. He also spoke about the important roles veterans have played in America's history, and in the lives of everyone. 

"There is nothing we have in America today that a veteran didn't make a sacrifice for.  Absolutely nothing," Manginell said.  "So, we need to bring more awareness to the veterans and to this holiday so people can express their thanks." 

Also, on the morning of Veteran's Day, seven members of the Penn State DuBois Veteran's Club volunteered to serve at a veteran's pancake breakfast held at the DuBois American Legion post.  Doug Kessler, president of the Veteran's Club, and an Air Force retiree with 27 years of service, was among those volunteers. 

"It's all about service before self," Kessler said.  "Vets come first today, it's their special day, and we want to help show our appreciation." 

Chancellor Anita McDonald said, "We are fortunate to have many veterans who are currently enrolled as students here at Penn State DuBois, and it gives me a great deal of pride to have them as members of our campus community."  

DuBois – Students in the Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) programs at Penn State DuBois connected with businesses in their field at an internship fair recently held in the student union, and sponsored by the campus HDFS Club.  Nearly 50 students attended, and representatives from a dozen local businesses and organizations seeking interns were present.  Those companies ranged from area probation departments, to mental health agencies, and child behavioral organizations. 

Both two and four year HDFS programs at Penn State DuBois require internships, and according to senior instructor and HDFS Club advisor Sally Vavala, those internships can benefit both students and local organizations. 

"We're indebted to these organizations for providing these opportunities to our students, but we also want to provide the organizations with good interns who can help them with their essential functions," Vavala said.

Crystal Vicklund, a primary counselor for Pentz Run Youth Services in DuBois, and a recent Penn State DuBois HDFS graduate, agreed.  Vicklund represented Pentz Run in its search for interns at the internship fair.  She said, "Interns are extra eyes and hands, and they're nice to have in almost all areas of what we do.  We have had interns take on grant writing, and other big projects that really matter.  They're not doing trivial things."

Lacey Hackett, student and president of the HDFS Club, said the internships help students network and could potentially connect them with future employers.  Most of all, she said, the internships provide the ultimate learning experience.  "They give us first-hand experience, so we'll have that by the time we graduate, and we'll know what we're getting into when we start a job. 

For more information on internship fairs, career fairs, and other opportunities at Penn State DuBois, call 375-4764.

DuBois – Winners of the 2010 BIG* (Business Ideas Gone Wild) Competition were announced at an awards ceremony Tuesday at the DuBois Country Club. An idea for a new and innovative chimney sweeping tool took the top prize in the contest, jointly organized by the Tri-County Keystone Innovation Zone, the Office for Technology Transfer at Penn State DuBois, and the Greater DuBois Chamber of Commerce. The competition is designed to spur regional economic development through support of local entrepreneurship and creative business ideas.

Jason Gabler, of St. Marys, claimed first place for his invention of the From the Ground Chimney Cleaner.  Gabler's device allows the complete cleaning of a household flue to be done on the ground, from the bottom, up, rather than requiring someone to clean the flue from the roof.  He will receive $12,000 in services and cash to help develop the product and cover the costs of engineering, design, marketing, and other expenses.

"I can't believe I'm up here in front of you because I'm afraid of heights." Gabler quipped as he accepted his first place honors at the podium.  "I came up with this because I didn't like cleaning my chimney on an icy roof when it's 10 degrees outside."  

Second place went to Clearfield resident Robert Fedak for his Lazerback light system design.  His unique idea for a lighting system to fit to the rear of tractor trailers would greatly improve the visibility drivers have while backing up, especially into loading docks.  Fedak will receive $6,000 in services and cash to help develop his idea.

Two honorable mentions were assigned. One went to Mark Bryan, of DuBois, for his Go Green Insulated Siding.  The Styrofoam based product adds significant insulation to homes, lowering heating bills, and can be produced to replicate the look of log homes. 

The other honorable mention was awarded to Dave Lowe, of Wilcox, for his method of producing skins, or the outside finish for electric guitars and electric bass.  Bryan and Lowe will each receive $500 for the development of their ideas.    

The featured speaker for the awards ceremony was Robert Macy, the director of the Farrell Center for Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Penn State, University Park. Macy has been an entrepreneur for over 20 years, and realized success in starting his own businesses in video game development, selling his first company to America On Line in 1997.  He also completed law school and has helped to guide other young entrepreneurs to success in business in his role as an attorney.

"I believe entrepreneurs are the people who will save the world, providing the innovation we need," Macy said, explaining the changing ways business is done in the modern world.  He also offered advice for people who want to try something new, or take a risk, but are still afraid to.

"We need to encourage people to try.  We need to celebrate failure.  You learn from failures.  When there's failure, you know what you did wrong," said Macy.  "It's a matter of perspective. You need to see that nothing out there is a problem; it's just a new opportunity. 

The BIG* Competition is open to individuals, teams or small businesses in Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean or Potter counties.  The prizes include not only cash but also market research support through the Ben Franklin Transformation Group, brand identity through Vision Creative Group, engineering services through the Penn State DuBois Innovation Lab, new product development services through the Northwest Industrial Resource Center, and much more.  Organizers say the competition is a way to provide support needed by local entrepreneurs to be successful in the marketplace. For more information, visit www.thebigcompetition.ncentral.com

In the photo:

Front, L-R: Jeff Marshall Sr., Honorable Mention for Go Green; Mark Bryan, Honorable Mention for Go Green, Heather Kogo, Honorable Mention for Go Green; Jason Gabler, First Place; Robert Fedak, Second Place; Dave Lowe, Honorable Mention. 

Back, L-R: Eric Bridges, North Central Executive Director; Chancellor Anita McDonald, Penn State DuBois; Robert Macy, Featured Speaker, Deborah Pontzer, Congressman Glenn Thompson’s Office; John Weible, North Central/Tri-County Keystone Innovation Zone, Sally Moran, Penn State DuBois. 

Brennan placed 68th of 86 in a 6k race, with a time of 32:24.  In the 8k race, with 122 runners participating, Antonio placed 94^th  with a time of 32:53, and Gordon came in at 110 with a time of 35:54. 

"The runners ran well on such a flat course.  It was a good change to the hills that are normally raced in Pennsylvania," said Penn State DuBois cross country coach Jeremy Bochert. "The breakout performer is Chris Antonio as he improved by 5 minutes today in the 8k compared to his last race.  "It was good experience for all three runners and I hope that they have gained something special from this race, as I have."

The over all champion in the women’s race was Logan Fry of St. Mary’s-of-the-Woods College at 24:08.   St. Mary’s-of-the-Woods also claimed the team championship.  The men’s championship race was won by Abram Deng of Spalding University in 25:22.  Spalding University won the men’s team championship.

The USCAA is a national organization that provides quality athletic competition on a regional and national level.  Nation-wide, the USCAA holds a membership of 64 higher education institutions. Those member institutions include schools like the University of Cincinnati-Clermont, the University of Maine-Augustus, Ohio State University-Marion, The University of Pittsburgh-Titusville, and campuses within the Penn State system.   

For more information visit http://www.theuscaa.com

Assistant Professor Neyda Abreu, and Assistant Professor Ben Turner both shared their work at the Geological Society of America's (GSA) 2010 Meeting and Exposition at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colorado.  Founded in New York in 1888, the GSA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the geosciences, or sciences related to the study of the planet.

Abreu presented on the benefits of using digital media in the classrooms, which she has found to be extremely engaging for modern college students aspiring to start geoscience careers and on the impact of international field trips into science students’ global awareness.  Her methods call for students to take a personal and hands-on approach to learning.

One example, Abreu explained, uses technology to incorporate video production as part of her course curriculum.  Rather than doing conventional lab reports, students in her Geoscience 201 course instead must produce two 50 minute videos titled, What Does it Take to Become a Volcanologist? and What Does it Take to Become a Planetary Geologist? The videos must include interviews with professionals in the fields, and information pertaining to research in the field.  These projects are intended to introduce students to these geosciences careers first hand, and demonstrate the relevance their course work has in the real world. 

Abreu also presented her findings on the impact field trips can have on students, over traditional classroom learning.  In courses like her Earth 400 seminar, Abreu explained, "Field experience is fundamental to conveying abstract concepts in the Earth sciences.  Some things are just difficult to communicate in the classroom."

As an example, she cited an extended field trip that she took students on in 2009.  They visited the Sudbury meteorite impact structure in Canada, which is the oldest and second largest impact crater on earth, which means it was created by a meteor or other celestial object striking the earth.  Visiting the site gave students a chance to study the effects of such extensive shock first hand.  Aside from learning about geological processes, Abreu said she believes in training 21^st century students to approach problems with a systemic perspective. She said Earth Sciences are ideal to introduce future scientists to notions of global interdependence and interconnectedness. 

Turner's presentation centered on methods he has refined and employed to help understand the sources of waterway contamination due to deep mining.  His quantitative hydrogeologic models help to identify the source of contamination, and could possibly be used to control or relocate the point of discharge for such mines.  A bonus in his research is that the same mine pool could also be used as a water supply or geothermal heat source if treated properly.

Turner presented his findings from work he has done in abandoned mines around the DuBois area.  His models illustrate the flow of water, its source, and where it ends up.  His work is ongoing, and could produce a very positive impact on the environment. 

Approximately 6,000 scientists attended the GSA's annual meeting from October 31, through November 3, in Colorado this year.  For more information on the GSA, visit  http://www.geosociety.org/

DuBois – Penn State DuBois Professor of Psychology John Johnson now regularly shares his knowledge and views on the national, and world-wide level through a new blog.  Johnson was recently asked by the magazine Psychology Today to join the staff of bloggers for the online version of the publication.  His blog is live on the magazine's site now.

"I was very excited when I was asked," Johnson said.  "I read Psychology Today when it first came out in the late 1960's, and it was one of the things that got me interested in psychology enough to major in it. Joining PT as a blogger feels like it completes the circle of my association with the magazine."

Psychology Today is published bi-monthly in the United States, and covers issues about relationships, health, and other topics as they relate to psychology.

In its online form, bloggers such as Johnson can discuss a variety of topics relevant to everyday life, offering an ever-expanding and evolving source of information for readers with an interest in psychology. 

"I am greatly looking forward to blogging because I have a lot more freedom to write about things I care about and see them appear more quickly than they would in a traditional academic journal," said Johnson. 

Johnson has taught at Penn State DuBois since 1981, earning his full professorship in 1995.  He completed a research fellowship at the University of Bielefeld, Germany.  He was previously an instructor at Johns Hopkins Evening College, and Towson State University.  He is a member of several professional organizations, such as the American Psychological Association, and the European Association of Personality Psychology.  Johnson has published numerous papers in academic journals. 

Johnson completed his undergraduate work at Penn State, and earned his masters and Ph.D. in psychology at John Hopkins University. 

To read Johnson's blog and watch for new entries, visit http://www.psychologytoday.com

The USCAA is a national organization that provides quality athletic competition on a regional and national level.  Nation-wide, the USCAA holds a membership of 64 higher education institutions. Those member institutions include schools like the University of Cincinnati-Clermont, the University of Maine-Augustus, Ohio State University-Marion, The University of Pittsburgh-Titusville, and campuses within the Penn State system.    

The Cross Country National Championships are scheduled for November 4 and 5 at NHTI.  For more information visit http://www.theuscaa.com/

Records show that 40% of campus faculty and staff made a financial gift in support of the campus last year.  In total, campus employees have raised an impressive $33,000 in the three years since these specific opportunities for faculty and staff giving were established.

"We’re almost half way there to our goal of 100 percent participation of campus employees," said Faculty and Staff subcommittee co chair Maureen Horan.  "We have a great group of individuals on the committee who work hard to raise awareness of the campaign.  They are excited that all the monies raised will stay here to help our wonderful students at Penn State DuBois."

In fact, all gifts specifically made to Penn State DuBois through For the Future, the Campaign for Penn State Students, stay in DuBois to help local students.  Donors have the option to specify what programs their gifts will benefit.  Some of the areas that see support from the campaign include the Penn State DuBois Scholarship Fund, helping to make a Penn State education more affordable and accessible to all students.

A portion of gifts received support the campus Future Fund as well.  This fund allows the chancellor to direct resources to programs or initiatives on campus that demonstrate the most urgent need.  

Campaign donations also help to fund campus youth programs such as Kids in College (KIC), the Arts, Science, and Technology Institute (AST), and Math Options.

Gifts can also benefit international travel opportunities, athletics programs, or nearly any campus program the donor chooses.  For the Future strives to make all aspects of a Penn State education even more affordable and accessible to students in central Pennsylvania and beyond.    

For more information on giving at Penn State DuBois, contact Director of Development Jean Wolf at (814) 372-3038, or jaw57@psu.edu

Casino Night is absolutely free and open to the public.  False money will be used for casino-style games such as blackjack, roulette, craps, poker, bingo and more. A silent auction will also be held, with gift baskets, merchandise from local businesses and Penn State items up for bid.   

Proceeds will benefit the Hahne Regional Cancer Center, and THON, which supports the Four Diamonds Fund for children battling cancer. The last Casino Night held on campus raised nearly $5,500. 

For more information, contact Amanda Kear at alk5300@psu.edu or 814-771-8391 or Kim Hummel at kjh5100@psu.edu or 814-762-4020.

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 play games and win prizes, and Santa will have a gift for each child.

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 Doty in the Student Life Office at (814) 375-4764, or make your reservations online at www.dubois.psu.edu/breakfastwithsanta

This year's ornament commemorates Penn State DuBois as  the campus celebrates its 75^th anniversary and 75 years of being "deeply rooted in our community."   With a student population of over 900, the university adds immensely to the character and vibrancy of DuBois.

Featuring traditional Penn state colors of deep blue and white, these ornaments elegantly compliment any Christmas decor.  They also make the perfect gift for someone who has moved from the area.

The tree ornaments are individually gift boxed and sell for just $10.00 each.  As these holiday ornaments are a "limited edition" item, it is recommended that residents purchase them early while supplies last.  There will only be 250 available for sale.                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Ornaments can be purchased at the following locations:

                   Downtown DuBois Revitalization Group at 109 North Brady Street, Second floor

                   Penn State DuBois

                   Greater DuBois Chamber of Commerce at 3 South Brady Street

                   Stew's Brew Coffee House at 34 South Brady Street

                   Merle Norman Boutique at 22 South Brady Street

                   Hockman's Candy at 2 West Long Avenue

For more information or to order ornaments directly, call Karen Vanderhoff at 814-371-3064.

Dancers use flowing veils, finger cymbals, canes, and candles to enhance their performance of various styles of expressive, fast-paced dance from a diverse assortment of cultures. The ensemble is one of few professional Middle Eastern dance companies to also include dance traditions from Central Asia, North Africa, Turkey, and Spain.

Each performance features traditional costumes and props.

Abzahrah has performed across the United States, and Central and South America, hoping to raise an awareness and understanding of the value of the culture and traditions of Middle Eastern dance.

Dell will supply Alienware computers, which will be open to all participants.  Two tournaments are planned, featuring Halo: Reach and Medal of Honor. 

"The biggest reason we do this is to offer a fun, safe environment for students and gamers of all ages to get together and play some videogames and enjoy themselves," said event organizer and IST program leader Jason Long.  He noted that Videogame Day is held twice each year, once in the spring, and once in the fall.  Last Fall’s Videogame day brought in 156 gamers. 

Videogame day is planned for 4:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 13, in the DEF Building at Penn State DuBois.  A $5.00 admission fee covers all gaming, pizza, snacks, and a drink for each participant.  Online registrations are required.  Log onto www.istlab.net to register. 

The DuBois Lady Lions will now face Penn State Mont Alto in the final four at 7:00 p.m. Friday at Rec. Hall, University Park.  The winner of that contest will advance to the championship game, slated for Saturday at Rec. Hall.

The Penn State DuBois volleyball team ended its regular season at 12 and 4 Saturday, defeating Penn State Worthington-Scranton 3-0 by scores of (25-15, 25-9, 25-14).  The ladies then lost the second match to Penn College of Technology 3-0.  By game scores (25-23, 25-19, 25-14)

DuBois – The Save a Live Tour recently made a stop at Penn State DuBois, spreading a powerful message about the dangerous and often deadly consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol.

Based in Grand Rapids Michigan, the Save a Life Tour travels throughout the United States, and has even made stops in Europe, to bring their unique multimedia display to college campuses, high schools, and military bases.  Using videos, posters, props, and a driving simulator that replicates the experience of driving under the influence, Save a Life's approach has been called over the top, yet effective. 

"The videos are graphic," admits Save a Life Tour representative Christopher Rich, noting that some of their videos were shot on location at fatal DUI crash sites.  "That's the point, though.  That's the impact of the program.  We want to show them the reality of what can happen when someone drives drunk." 

Though less graphic, the drunk driving simulator can be an eye opener as well.  "We put delays in the gas, brake, and steering, so it simulates your natural reactions being delayed the way they would be if you were drunk," Rich explains.  "When you turn the wheel and don't see a reaction, you naturally keep turning.  That's an example of what people do when driving under the influence.  When people drive it, they get out and say how hard it was to do." 

"I think this has a big impact because it's not just a video or a speaker," said Penn State DuBois student Chris Kolp.  "It's not censored.  It's real.  I think every campus should host this.  It shows the real aftermath of DUI accidents, and that hits a lot harder than talk."

Wilkes-Barre defeated Penn State Beaver on Sunday to take 5^th place in the conference over Beaver.  The winner of Wednesday's playoff game will play in the final four on Friday, Oct. 22 at Rec. Hall, University Park.  The championship game is slated for Saturday, October 23.

The Penn State DuBois volleyball team ended its regular season at 12 and 4 Saturday, defeating Penn State Worthington-Scranton 3-0 by scores of (25-15, 25-9, 25-14).  The ladies then lost the second match to Penn College of Technology 3-0.  By game scores (25-23, 25-19, 25-14)

Howard Allen ‘01 Bus, of DuBois will receive the Dave Shaffer Outstanding Young Alumni Award.  Allen is a facility manager with Wal-Mart, and has been recognized by their corporate headquarters for adopting and implementing a new accounting process and new cashier scheduling process. He also played an integral role in the planning and organization of efforts to open the new Wal-Mart Supercenter in DuBois.  

Bryan Burhans ‘87 WLT, ‘92 WS is this year's recipient of the Outstanding Alumni Award.  Burhans is the president and CEO of the American Chestnut Foundation (TACF), and a certified wildlife biologist. Through his work with the groundbreaking efforts of TACF, a rebirth of the American Chestnut Tree may soon be a reality.  Burhans was also chosen to present the Umbaugh Lecturer at Penn State DuBois in April of 2010. 

Michael Dugan, ‘68 Eng, will be honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award.  Dugan is the President and CEO of EchoStar Communications Corporation.  During his career he provided leadership and direction for EchoStar's expanding product line, which included DISH Network.  Dugan will not be able to attend the ceremony, but his award will be accepted by Chancellor Anita McDonald.

For more information, call the Alumni Relations Office at (814) 375-4775.

DuBois – Robin Becker, a published poet, Penn State Laureate for 2010-11, and professor at Penn State's University Park campus will read work from her six collections of poems in an appearance that is free and open to the public and campus community. 

A Professor of English and Women's Studies at Penn State, Becker has received individual fellowships for her poetry from The Bunting Institute, The Massachusetts Cultural Council, and the National Endowment for the Arts. 

The Penn State Laureate is a full-time University faculty member in the humanities or fine arts who is assigned half-time for one academic year to bring an enhanced level of social, cultural, artistic and human perspective and awareness to a broad array of audiences. The laureate will be a highly visible representative of Penn State who will appear regularly at events University-wide and throughout the Commonwealth at community and statewide events.

Becker's reading is scheduled for 12:00, noon, on Wednesday, October 20, in the Hiller Auditorium at Penn State DuBois.  A question and answer session and book signing will follow.  The public is welcome to attend.

According to Ken Nellis, campus athletic coordinator, Penn State DuBois sports teams can look forward to a winning year.  He said all teams and coaches are hard at work to improve their performance and their programs.

Following a winning season last year, and a fourth place finish in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association’s (USCAA) Division II Men’s National Basketball Championship, the men's basketball team will look to follow up the 2009-2010 season with even greater success in tournaments this year. The men kick off their season with a scrimmage against Washington Jefferson at 1:00 p.m. on November 6, and the official opener against Alfred University at home at 7:30 p.m. on November 15.  

For the women's basketball program, a spot in a state or national tournament is in reach, and Nellis assures fans that the DuBois Lady Lions will fight hard on the hardwood to make the dream a reality. The Lady Lions will host the Community College of Allegheny County for a scrimmage at noon on October 23, and open their season at home against Alfred University at 5:30 p.m. on November 15.

The wrestling team won the Pennsylvania Collegiate State Championship at Williamson School of Mechanical Trades in Exton, PA last year. With 12 returning wrestlers this season, the team is again poised for success. The wrestling team starts their season off with a quad meet at University of Scranton; additional participants are Morrisville State, and Washington and Lee on October 30.  The quad meet will start at 11am.

For the most up to date information on Penn State DuBois varsity athletics, including full schedules, visit http://www.ds.psu.edu/StudentLife/Athletics/sports.htm

Members of Penn State DuBois student clubs will don their costumes, hand out candy and provide games for kids 12 and under in a safe, family friendly environment.

The Fourth Annual Safe Trick-or-Treat Night is planned from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Friday, October 29, in the Hiller Student Union. 

THON began in 1973, when dancers raised just over $2,000.  Today, it is the largest student-run philanthropy effort in the nation. In 2010, the event raised nearly $8 million for The Four Diamonds Fund, which supports childhood cancer research.  THON 2011 is planned for February 18 through the 20 at the Bryce Jordan Center, where dancers will attempt to stay on their feet for 46 hours. 

The PTA students entered the cooking contest with sponsorship from Dr. Douglas Yingling of Clearfield. Other students assisted in handing out chili samples and collecting monetary donations for hospice. Students also assisted in housekeeping duties such as emptying trash, and sold raffle tickets for the 50/50 and prize baskets.

Besides helping to raise money for a good cause, Academic Coordinator of Clinical Education for the PTA program, Stephanie Russell, said they learned important lessons as well.   She said, "They recognized the need to work together as a team, and recognized the need for effective communication in a project.  It also gave them experience organizing tasks for effective outcomes."

Pictured are participating students. In back, left to right: Greg Wehler, Jeremy Long, Paul Kelly, Ted Wozneak.

In front, left to right: Jennifer Allison, Karen Kane, Mellissa Galbo, Rochelle Tettis, Lindsay Micale.

The Montreal based Cirque E'loize company executes amazing physical feats inspired by traditional circus styles while drawing inspiration from modern urban culture in their latest show, ID.  In all, 10 circus disciplines will be featured, all against the backdrop of hip-hop, rock music, and science fiction videos.  ID, set in a futuristic city, explores individuality, identity, and anonymity in today's high-tech, visual culture.

The event is scheduled for Tuesday, February 15.  The bus will leave Penn State DuBois at 4:30 p.m., and stop at the Clearfield Wal-Mart to pick up additional passengers at 5:00 p.m.  Dinner is planned at Bonfatto's restaurant, Bellefonte, before the show.  Show time is 7:30 p.m. at Eisenhower Auditorium. 

The all-inclusive price is $75.00 for adults, $57.00 for persons 18 and under. 

To make your reservation, or for more information, contact the Alumni Relations Office at 814-375-4775 or email Autumn Weil at agw11@psu.edu 

DuBois – Nesse Godin, a survivor of the Holocaust, will share her memories and experiences at Penn State DuBois in October.  The community is invited to hear her speak, free of charge.  

Godin was 13 years old when the Nazis began to kill and imprison her people.  Following the Nazi takeover, Godin was forced into the Stutthoff Concentration Camp, and survived life in four other labor camps and a death march before liberation.

Godin's story has appeared in national publications, TV documentaries, and radio programs.  She has been presented with the Eli Wiesel Holocaust Remembrance Medal in recognition of her dedication to remember the victims of the Holocaust and for teaching the consequences of hatred.

In 1950, Godin and her husband moved to the United States, settling in the Washington D.C. area.

Godin is scheduled to speak at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, October 25, in the Hiller Auditorium at Penn State DuBois.  Her appearance is part of the Penn State DuBois Performing Arts and Lecture Series.  For more information, contact the Student Life Office at (814) 375-4764, or studentactivities@psu.edu

Art pieces from the Winkler Gallery of Fine Art will be displayed on campus at Penn State DuBois, and an exhibition of photography by Penn State DuBois students, faculty, and staff will be on display at the Winkler Gallery, for the Penn State DuBois 75^th Anniversary Art Exchange. 

The unique displays will be unveiled during an open house from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Friday, October 15, in the DEF Building Atrium at Penn State DuBois.  Refreshments will be provided.

An exhibition of photography submitted by students, staff, and faculty of Penn State DuBois will be on display at the Winkler Gallery of Fine Art beginning with a reception on from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on October 23, at the Winkler Gallery. 

The public is welcome to attend the open house exhibits, enjoy the art displays, and interact with artists.  The exhibits on campus and at the Winkler Gallery will remain on display through November 30. 

According to the PLCB, the grant is intended to fund enforcement efforts, campaigns to change how students think about alcohol and binge drinking, counseling and training activities, and other intervention programs.  Penn State DuBois is among 32 colleges and universities to receive such funding.

"We are very excited to have received this grant funding from the PLCB," said campus Health Services Coordinator Jill Betton. "Our goal is to create an environment that is conducive to students making a positive impact on others and sending a message to make healthy choices.  This grant will allow us to work with the Partnership For Prevention Coalition to provide quality educational programs focused on reducing underage and dangerous drinking among college students."    

Specifically, Penn State DuBois will use the PLCB funds to implement programs and efforts including Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students (BASICS); Certified Peer Educators; Alcohol Alternative Events; Social Norm Messaging; Student Health 101; and community service projects. 

Longe's story recounts his experience entering the operating room for surgery at Walter Reed Army Medical Hospital after suffering an injury while serving in Iraq.  He paints a detailed picture of a world that can only be seen through the eyes of a nervous patient just before going under the surgeon's knife.  

"Brandon Longe’s descriptive paragraph vividly elaborates the tense moments before surgery in a military hospital," said Penn State DuBois Distinguished Professor of English Richard Kopley. 

Sophie Reed chose to write about her father in the story that appears in The Best of Freshman Writing.  Reed lost her father to cancer, but recalls the strength that he had throughout life, and even after his diagnoses.  She said the well being of his family always mattered most to her dad, and that it showed through his total selflessness, even when facing his own illness.

"I just explained the things he was involved in throughout out lives, even after he was diagnosed," Reed said.  "He contributed so much to the family as we grew up.  It was personal, and something I feel passionate about.  It's hard to talk about, so I wrote about it, and it really helped me." 

"Sophia Reed’s persuasive essay touchingly relates her father’s loving dedication to his family," Kopley said.   

"Both of these pieces compellingly convey vital private worlds, and they ably showcase the considerable writing skill achieved by English 4 students at Penn State DuBois," he continued.

The Best of Freshman Writing is available for purchase at Penn State Book Stores.

DuBois – The Penn State DuBois Liaison Committee to the Penn State University Commission for Women recently started off their year of activities with their annual Kickoff Luncheon.

The Liaison Committee at DuBois maintains a relationship with the Commission for Women at University Park, and has its own individual agenda to support the needs of women in its area. The goals of the committee include supporting and distributing the work of the Commission for Women, identifying and advocating women's issues, developing and implementing educational programs on women's issues, and acting as a resource for individual women and their well-being.

Andie Graham, of Clearfield, served as guest speaker for the kickoff event.  Graham is a graduate of the Penn State DuBois Wildlife Technologies associate's degree program, and earned her bachelors in Letters, Arts and Sciences (LAS) with concentrations in biology, geology & English, and received a minor in natural resources. She worked for a semester as the Teaching and Laboratory Assistant for the wildlife program.  Currently she has reenrolled to earn her degree in earth and mineral science. Always an advocate for women and women's rights, Graham was awarded the Janette M. Burns Award in 2009.  The award is given each year to a student, faculty, or staff member who has enhanced the campus climate for women at Penn State DuBois.  That same year she was also granted the Stand Up Award, a university-wide award for those who make a stand in what they believe in.

In her speech, Graham indicated that her father has been one of the greatest inspirations of her life, and always encouraged her to follow her dreams.

"Ironically it wasn't a woman at all who inspired and supported me the way my dad always has," Graham said.  "But it didn't matter to him that I was a girl.  He encouraged me to embrace being a woman and made me realize that, as a woman, I could do anything I wanted to do. When I entered the predominantly male Wildlife major on campus, he supported me, telling me I could do whatever I wanted."  

Annual events organized by the Liaison Committee to the Commission for Women at Penn State DuBois include the Clothesline Project and the Take Back the Night Rally, and special yearly events for Women's History Month. 

"We started the season already short on players," said Athletic Coordinator Ken Nellis.  "With injuries and other issues taking a couple of players off of the already short roster for the remainder of the season, we thought it was best for everyone to just cancel." 

The team ends the season 2 and 5, with the last game a September 26^th home loss to LaRoche College.

"The atmosphere will be much like that of the legendary gatherings at the old DuBois Mansion in decades past," said Chancellor Anita McDonald.  "There will be elegant dining and superb entertainment by the internationally renowned University Park choir, Essence of Joy. In addition, Dr. Graham Spanier, president of Penn State University will serve as the guest speaker.  The evening will allow us to reflect on our past, but also give us a glimpse into our bright future."

The theme of the gala is Celebrating the Partnership of Community and Education. The event is planned for 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 14, at the DuBois Country Club.

A limited number of tickets will be available for purchase.  All proceeds will benefit the Penn State DuBois Scholarship Fund, which provides financial aid and support to Penn State DuBois students each year. 

For more details and ticket information, contact Sally Moran at (814) 375-4803.

DuBois – Classrooms and laboratories are not what they used to be just a few short years ago. Rapidly changing technologies have changed the way classes are taught at schools and universities across the country, and around the globe. Robert Agnew, Instructor of Biology at Penn State DuBois, is particularly aware of these rapid changes, and has embraced the new high-tech tools he is able to use in the classroom.  His work in integrating new technology, or even using technology to replace older, less desirable methods of teaching, has earned him some recognition.

Agnew has been invited to present his research on the benefits of technology in instructional biology laboratories at the College of Southern Maryland's Fourth Annual Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference in October.

Agnew has, for the past two years, utilized software programs and 3-D models to teach anatomy, specifically that of human beings.  It has been a welcomed alternative to the dissection of cats, which was once a necessary part of the courses.  In generations past, the same lessons were also taught by using actual human cadavers. 

"Cadavers are hard to come by and legally obtain in this day in age.  It's just beyond the scope of what most campuses can do," Agnew said.  "Plus, students aren’t comfortable with using cadavers.  Students also didn't like the cats." 

Agnew said the software he uses now simulates human anatomy so well, that there simply is no need for the real thing in the laboratory.  Plus, it keeps students comfortable with their work.  Also, since software can be used by many more people than traditional models, students in lower level classes are able to begin the advanced work much sooner.

"When I was in school, I was a senior before I ever had a course like this," Agnew said.  "Now freshmen are taking this." 

Agnew is currently working to compare the grades of present students using the software with grades of past students who were required to dissect cats in the labs.  He suspects he'll find significant improvement in grades thanks to more modern teaching tools.

"I no longer teach the way I was taught.  I've seen instructional technology evolve from slide projectors and a collection of cassette tape players, to a seemingly limitless array of technologies," Agnew said.  "Students do benefit from this blended approach to teaching biology courses."

In order to qualify for membership students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above, and be involved in campus or community service.

Delta Mu Sigma reaches out to DuBois and the surrounding area by offering community service such as a "Dine Out" event at Luigi's Restaurant, with part of the proceeds benefiting scholarship funds.  Members have volunteered with organizations like Habitat for Humanity, and organize a haunted house on campus each Halloween and donate proceeds to local charities.

New members and the Delta Mu Sigma Board are pictured.

Front Row, L-R: Steve Manginell, Staci Neal, Adam Snyder, Lori Leonard, Diane Vail, Brandy Reigel.

Middle Row, L-R: Terri Gardner (Delta Mu Board), Denise Diety, Sarah Shick, Jody Vollmer, Meladie Bailey, Ed Williams (Delta Mu Board), Colleen Coudriet (Delta Mu Board).

Back Row, L-R: Kasey Hanes, James Mosher, Tim Folmer, Jaci Gordon, Deborah Whiting, Ann Ziegler, Bryan Seitz, Fred Coulter. 

In describing the mission of SGA, President Alex Angstadt said, "We are committed to serving our fellow students, faculty, and staff with honor and respect.  In addition, it is our goal that no question go unanswered, no voice go unheard, and to be as positive and enthusiastic as possible to help Penn State DuBois be a leader within the community, and within the entire Penn State family."

Front row, left to right:

Alina Bumbarger, Upper Class Senator

Eddie Smith, Club Coordinator/THON Co-Chair

Mike Reed,  Treasurer/Campus Activities Board Co-Chair

Kim Hummel,Vice President/THON Overall/Adult Learner Representative

Alex Angstadt, President

Emily Yarnish, Recording Secretary

Izzi Cogan, Corresponding Secretary

Back row, left to right:

Chris Kolp, Upper Class Senator/CAB co-chair

Aleshia Weible, First Year Senator

Joe Shields, Upper Class Senator

Angela Hu, Upper Class Senator/Diversity Representative

Theresa Skillman, Upper Class Senator/ Entertainment/Fundraising Chair

Heidi Miller, Upper Class Senator/ THON co-chair

Chrissy Lockwood, First Year Senator/ Adult Learner Representative

Rebecca Kear, First Year Senator

Louise Whyte, First Year Senator

Andrew Piccolo, First Year Senator

MaRanda Smith, First Year Senator

Absent from photo: Tony Harris, Upper Class Senator; Morgan Lingle, First Year Senator; Jessica Noland, First Year Senator.

Art pieces from the Winkler Gallery will be displayed on campus at Penn State DuBois, and art work by Penn State DuBois students will be on display at the Winkler Gallery, for the Penn State DuBois 75^th Anniversary Art Exchange. 

The unique displays will be unveiled during an open house from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Friday, October 15, in the DEF Building Atrium at Penn State DuBois.  Refreshments will be provided.

The public is welcome to attend the open house, enjoy the art displays, and interact with artists.  The exhibits on campus and at the Winkler Gallery will also remain on display through November 30. 

All area high school juniors and seniors, as well as adult learners of any age, are encouraged to attend.  Information for students of any age will be available.

During visitation, prospective students can learn about admissions, financial aid, the Penn State DuBois Rebate Program, and available courses of study.  Campus tours will also be offered, and visitors may sit in on a sample class taught by a Penn State DuBois faculty member. 

Current students, including adult learners and students of traditional age, will be on hand to talk to visitors about their own college experiences.  The Nittany Lion will also be available for photo opportunities. 

Fall Visitation Day is scheduled from 9:00 a.m. until noon on Saturday, October 16, in the Student Union.  An RSVP to Enrollment Services is appreciated, and can be made by calling (814) 375-4720. 

Madison, NJ – Maureen Horan, current kinesiology instructor and assistant director of academic affairs at Penn State DuBois, will be inducted into the 2010 Athletics Hall of Fame at Drew University on September 24. 

Horan spent 23 years at Drew before coming to Penn State DuBois.  She began teaching at Drew in 1980, and would go on to become a tenured associate professor, department chair of health and physical education, and a record-setting coach at the New Jersey school.

According to representatives at Drew University, the Athletic Hall of Fame recognizes and honors individuals who have made outstanding contributions to Drew athletics and who have brought distinction to Drew University and its athletic programs.

Horan's accomplishments at Drew include coaching the field hockey team to a 169–95 record, making her the all-time leader in wins. From 1985 to 1990, her teams had six straight Mid-American Conference (MAC) playoff appearances and were MAC champs in 1983 and 1985. Her teams qualified for the NCAA Division III Tournament three times (1983, 1985 and 1986) including a National Semifinal appearance in 1985. Her 2000, 2001 and 2002 teams were Freedom Conference champions, and she was Freedom Conference Coach of the Year in 2000 and 2002, the same year she led the team on a successful preseason playing tour of Europe.

As women’s lacrosse coach Horan became the second winningest coach in Drew history with a 79–47 record. Her 1984, 1985 and 1988 teams were MAC champions, and her 1985, 1986 and 1988 teams made NCAA Tournament appearances.

In 2002, Horan was awarded the Women’s Sports Foundation’s Prestigious Pioneer Award.

Horan has called Penn State DuBois home since 2003. She continues to contribute her special talents and abilities to the success of students through teaching, and through her involvement in athletic and fitness programs.

"We are very fortunate to have Maureen at Penn State DuBois," said Chancellor Anita McDonald.  "It was under her leadership as athletic director that we began to enhance our campus athletic programs and joined the USCAA, which permits students to compete at the national level.  Maureen is very deserving of this Hall of Fame honor, and I look forward to attending the induction ceremony in New Jersey."

"My years at Drew University are full of so many wonderful memories that I could write a book about them," said Horan. "Receiving this award is truly the icing on the cake of life. I am honored, humbled, and delighted to go back and see some very special people and to be inducted into the Hall of Fame at Drew University.  This is just beyond words."

The 2010 induction ceremony for the Drew University Athletic Hall of Fame is planned for 6:30 p.m. on Friday, September 24, at the Madison Hotel in Morristown New Jersey. 

DuBois – Representatives from the Arkansas-based Nucor made a presentation about their company and employment opportunities at Penn State DuBois recently.  Nucor, the largest steel producer and recycler in the United States, is on the hunt for graduates with a solid education in the engineering and manufacturing fields. 

"The Penn State engineering program's reputation is the big thing," said Nucor Supervisor Dave Davolt.  "It's a good program and we like to get graduates from it.  The internships and co-op students we get from Penn State always do really well, and they're the type of people that fit well into our company." 

Davolt said Nucor prides itself on having small town values and a foundation in rural communities with facilities located off the beaten path and away from metropolitan areas.  For this reason, he said, students from more rural institutions like Penn State DuBois should feel right at home if they come to work at a Nucor facility.

Graduates who land a job with Nucor will contribute to the production of steel used to build cars, pipe and tube for the natural gas and oil industry, household appliances, and much more. 

"They're capable of doing so much, and they want to recruit students with a good foundation that can also learn new methods," said mechanical engineering student Jennifer Ritz, of Brockway.  "I'm interested in seeing what they're all about and how I can fit into this." 

Assistant Professor of Engineering Craig Stringer said this presentation was the best way for students to do just what Ritz hoped to do.  He said, "It gives them a chance to see what opportunities are out there, and maybe expand their horizons.  We have a lot of great manufacturing facilities that give young engineers opportunity right here close to home; meeting with these representatives from Nucor, though, also lets our students see that there are facilities all over the world, and that they may have a chance to explore."

"We welcome the opportunity Penn State DuBois has provided for everyone to visit one of the most historical areas in the community," said Tom Schott, chair of the Spirit of DuBois Lantern Walk committee. "Preparations for this program started 10 months ago and the historical society believes it has gathered some significant history that will be presented in an entertaining fashion. No one will leave this walk without learning something new about the community."

Admission to the Spirit of DuBois Lantern Walk is $5 for adults and $3 for students, with children sixth grade and younger free if accompanied by an adult. All proceeds benefit the DuBois Area Historical Society. The program is suitable for all ages.

The first tour will leave the Hiller Building at 6:00 p.m. with tours to follow every 20 minutes. Parking is available on campus and guides will be in place to direct visitors to the Hiller Building.

"Many famous people have lived or worked on the former John DuBois property," said Schott. "Some of the "Spirits" to be encountered include a pioneer, the hearer of a death bed statement, a man who went on to be a king among his own people, a bi-lingual immigrant, a child who lassoed his future, and several more. We invite the entire community to come out and support the historical society. This is your history, come and experience it."

To make advance reservations for a specific walk time, call the DuBois Historical Society at (814) 371-9006 during the following hours:  Tuesday and Wednesday 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.  Tour groups will be limited to 20 people. Walk-ins are also welcome and will be assigned to the next available tour. The walk is just under a mile long and will last around an hour.

DuBois - Daudi Waryoba has joined Penn State DuBois as an Assistant Professor in Engineering this fall semester, and will contribute a wealth of knowledge to the new four-year general engineering degree program. 

Waryoba received his Ph.D. in Mechanical and Material Engineering from Florida State University (FSU) in 2003. Before coming to Penn State DuBois he worked as a visiting assistant professor at the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Florida A & M University-FSU College of Engineering, from fall 2008 to summer 2010, where he taught a variety of courses. He also worked as a postdoctoral research associate at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory (NHMFL).

Waryoba's arrival at Penn State DuBois this fall has happened concurrently with the launch of the new baccalaureate degree program, General Engineering, with an Applied Materials Track, which is offered on campus for the first time this year.

"I am enthusiastic and optimistic for the new engineering program at Penn State DuBois," Waryoba said.  "I am looking forward not only to using my teaching and research experience in the class room, but also to working on collaboration with local industries and communities."

"With Daudi's previous industrial experience we're hoping to expand our partnerships with the area Powder Metals and manufacturing industries," explained fellow Assistant Professor of Engineering Craig Stringer.  "He will help us to foster those relationships that are mutually beneficial to us and area companies.  Our students get great internships and employment opportunities, while those companies see our graduates entering the workforce as well qualified potential employees."  

DuBois – The exiled daughter of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, Alina Fernandez, will share her incredible story when she speaks at Penn State DuBois this month, in an appearance that is free and open to the public.   

Growing up, Fernandez recognized her position as one of Cuba's elite, but the political practices she witnessed under her father's regime and the neglect she experienced drove her to renounce that position and, ultimately, her relationship with her father.

Her talk will depict her life growing up in Cuba, and describe the political environment during the 1960's and 70's.  She will describe what caused her to join the political dissident movement in the 1980's, and her eventual exile and escape.

Fernandez is scheduled to speak at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 23, in the Hiller Auditorium at Penn State DuBois.

This event is part of the Performing Arts and Lecture Series at Penn State DuBois.  All such events are free and open to the public.  For more information, or a complete listing of all events, contact the Student Life Office at (814) 375-4764, or studentactivities@psu.edu

A variety of programs and demonstrations will offer opportunities for people of all ages to learn more about nature, plant and animal life, and methods for conserving natural resources. A Bluebird Box building program will also be held, which will allow participants to build a birdhouse, and take it home with them at the end of the day.

Food will be available on campus during the event, including hamburgers, hotdogs and soft drinks. 

The ECO Club's Family Fun Day is planned for 12:00 p.m. through 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 19, in the campus event lawn at Penn State DuBois.  Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP by September 17, to Eco Club President Bill Berhun at (724) 787-8198, or wjb5104@psu.edu

"Right now we're asking people to avoid the areas immediately around the Swift Building that are closed off with the orange fencing," said Director of Business Services John Luchini.  "The biggest reason we're asking people to avoid these areas is safety." 

Luchini said that in the coming months other areas of the campus, such the Schoch Plaza, may be closed off while work is completed on various parts of the project.   Each time new parts of the campus are affected, the campus community will be notified. 

"We want to keep people aware of the changes, and make sure they're staying clear of areas where active construction work is happening," Luchini said.  "We'll notify students, faculty and staff by Penn State email each time new areas are closed or opened." 

Luchini encourages everyone to keep an eye out for those notifications, and to frequently check the renovations webpage at http://dubois.psu.edu/Renovation for up-to-date information. 

The Swift Building was built in 1963, and has remained unchanged ever since.  It has always provided space for a multitude of campus necessities.  The building housed classrooms, labs, faculty offices, computer labs, the Center for Undergraduate Excellence, and more.  Luchini said updates to the building's interior will keep this versatile building functioning in all of its roles for years to come.

Plans call for crews to update the heating system, replace windows with more energy efficient treatments, and install energy efficient insulating panels on the outside. They'll also put in a highly efficient air conditioning system.

Labs will be upgraded with new equipment and new workspace.  There will be improvements to classrooms and a new student lounge will be constructed. 

The project plans were designed by KTH Architects, of DuBois.  The projected $4.5 million dollar cost of the project will be funded by Capital Renewal Funds from the state, and Penn State University dollars.  Work is expected to be complete by summer 2011.

DuBois – Tony Harris wanted to make a difference in the world by doing something to help the planet while, at the same time, simplifying his own life.  Going into his senior year as an Earth and Mineral Science Major at Penn State DuBois, he decided there was no better time to make a difference than his last summer as an undergrad. 

"One night I was lying in bed and couldn't sleep, and I saw all of this material stuff around me," said Harris.  "I thought it was just ridiculous to have all of this stuff.  I thought if I didn't have it around, I could figure out me." 

So, Harris began searching for a cause.  He wanted to get back to basics and make a difference in the conservation of a natural resource.  He found La Tortuga Feliz, a non-profit organization for the protection of sea turtles in Costa Rica.  The organization turned out to be just what Harris was looking for.

"The green turtle is my favorite animal, plus I just know that the ocean is in trouble.  I wanted to help," Harris said.  "Running a conservation program like this one day would be an ultimate goal of mine." 

Harris got first-hand knowledge of what it takes to make a program like La Tortuga Feliz work.  He spent the month of June in South East Costa Rica collecting sea turtle eggs and taking them to a hatchery for incubation.  Each night, he and fellow volunteers walked approximately six miles along the beach to watch for mother turtles digging a hole in the sand to build a nest.  When they spotted a turtle, the volunteers would simply wait for her to begin laying, then hold a bag under the turtle to catch her eggs.  Each mother can lay from 60 to 120 eggs at a time.  Hatchling turtles will emerge from the eggs after 55 days in incubation, and are then released into the sea. 

"The hatchery really increases the chances of survival for the baby turtles," Harris explained.  "On the beach there are poachers, ants that can destroy the nests, and feral dogs that will dig them up and eat them."

Harris explained that poachers will collect the turtle eggs for sale at local markets, where they are sold as a delicacy.  Poachers can make a good living from the sale of these eggs, sometimes collecting hundreds of dollars for a single night's work. 

Harris' work did not go unnoticed by the university, either.  Before he left, Instructor in Wildlife Technology Keely Roen was able to set up internship guidelines for Harris' work with La Tortuga Feliz, turning his volunteer mission into an opportunity to further his education and earn credits toward his degree. 

"I was very happy this worked out for Tony.  When he told me about his experience, I knew that the work he was doing would make an excellent internship opportunity, but also would really interest a lot of students here," said Roen. 

There may have been even more important lessons learned for Harris, however.  Since a large part of his motivation for taking this volunteer opportunity was a desire to simplify life for a while, and do some soul searching, Harris found that Costa Rica provided the backdrop he needed. 

"I took a lot from this and learned a lot about myself," Harris said.  "You're secluded out there.  We only had a shack with bunks in it.  It's quiet, with no modern conveniences.  I found that I love the simple life, and getting back to nature."

Harris, in fact, plans to get back to La Tortuga Feliz as well.  After graduation in the spring, he wants to volunteer with the organization again, and may become certified to teach English to the Costa Rican residents who live there.    

To learn more about La Tortuga Feliz, visit http://www.latortugafeliz.com/default.asp?action=pagina&pagina=31&taal=2

To see a video on the organization produced during Harris' time there, log onto http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkApGPQI0Z8

DuBois – Officer John Licatovich has been named as the new Campus Police Services Officer at Penn State DuBois. 

In his new role, Licatovich will assist members of the campus community in assuring safety and security.  To this end, he will train other staff members in the best safety and security practices, as well as offer support to students, faculty, and staff in need or distress.  With a growing number of students, and an increase in special campus events, Licatovich will also provide general security on a day to day basis, as well as during events. 

Additionally, he will serve as a campus liaison to the Pennsylvania State Police, DuBois City Police, and Sandy Township Police.

"This is really a proactive approach to maintaining a level of safety and security on campus," said Director of Business and Finance, John Luchini.  "Thankfully, we have never had a situation arise on campus that deemed police action necessary.  It is nice to know that we'll have someone here who can do that if we need him.  This will also give our students a little extra feeling of security." 

Licatovich is no stranger to wearing a badge, or providing protection.  He comes to Penn State DuBois after serving 16 years with the DuBois City Police Department.  Prior to that, he worked with both the Sandy Township and Clearfield Borough Police Departments. 

Licatovich started his law enforcement career as an officer and park ranger at Presque Isle State Park, on Lake Erie.  He gained some of his most valuable experience in the United States Marine Corps as a guard at the United States embassies in Moscow, Russia, Ottawa, Canada, and in Port Lewis Mauritius, Africa.  

After his six year stint with the Marines, Licatovich became a security agent responsible for protecting one of the original Bill of Rights documents.  When the Bill of Rights was first drafted, 15 hand written copies were made.  The documents are periodically taken on a tour of all 50 states, and Licatovich was responsible for keeping one of those historic documents safe on its journey.     

"I've been very fortunate to have the opportunities to meet the people that I have met, and to see the places I have seen," said Licatovich of his colorful career.  "It has all given me a greater respect for this country."

The DuBois native may have originally returned home to become an officer with the City of DuBois, but now he says he has found a new home at Penn State DuBois.

"This is the chance to enter a new career with a highly respected organization that I am exited to be a part of," he said.  "I basically get to create a police department that will provide security to the students, faculty, staff, and visitors at this campus.  That's exciting." 

Wamboye, a native of Kenya, made a trip back to her home country this summer to explore options there for educational experiences for Penn State DuBois economics students, who study developing countries.  It had been 10 years since Wamboye's career led her to places beyond Kenya, and she returned to see the country through the eyes of an economist.

"Home is always home, but when you go back in this way, you see things with a different prospective," she said.  "It was completely different.  When you leave somewhere, you see things differently.  I now see that the infrastructure is really destroyed."

Failing infrastructure was not the only thing that now seemed foreign to Wamboye in her native country.  "I found that they don't keep records of unemployment, or how many jobs have been lost or created," she explained.  "Especially for research, if you don't have the data, how can you know where this economy is going?" 

It's things like this that Wamboye said will serve as valuable lessons for her students, noting, "They'll appreciate the difference and get a more clear picture of what it's like in a developing country where you just can't get the information.  Here, we're used to being able to get anything online, its instant information," she said. 

Wamboye said the trip will not only be a valuable educational experience for the students, but it could also be beneficial for Kenya. 

"They will be able to visit some economic sectors, have a cultural experience, and be able to make some positive contributions to the community in conjunction with Kenyan students," she said, offering her own account of service to the community of Nambale, Kenya.  "Before returning to the U.S., I had the opportunity to honor an invitation by a non-profit church organization in my home town, Nambale in the Western Province of Kenya. I was asked to advise them on community development. After spending almost a full day with them discussing some fascinating economic issues based on 'Participatory Integrated Development Approach', they generously rewarded me with a sheep as a token of appreciation for my time."

Wamboye hopes to secure the funds to take her first group of students to Kenya in 2012.  "This will undoubtedly be a life transforming experience for those students that participate," she said.

The ServSafe Program fulfills The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture requirements for the Food Employee Certification Act in the categories of food service, retail, and bakery.

Under this act, food service establishments must employ or designate at least one certified supervisory employee.  This requirement must be met by all establishments in the food service industry including retail and bakery.

Each year in the United States, an estimated 76 million cases of food-borne illnesses result in approximately 5,000 deaths. About 95 percent of all food-borne illnesses are caused by the mishandling of food.

The ServSafe 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.

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.

The 13-hour class will meet from 9:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, September 16 and Thursday, September 30, 2010, at Penn State DuBois.

For more information call (814) 375-4836 or (814) 372-3005, class size is limited.

DuBois – The panel of five judges is in place for the Second Annual B. I. G.* (*Business Ideas Gone wild) Competition, sponsored jointly by the North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission, the Office for Technology Transfer at Penn State DuBois, and the Greater DuBois Chamber of Commerce. These judges will be responsible for choosing the best, most innovative, and unique business idea entries submitted to B. I. G.* this year. The winner will receive up to $20,000 in cash and services to develop, research, or market a new product or new process.

This year's judges are: Dan Dowling, Dave Geci, Cynthia Labant, Anne Posteraro, and Kerri Presloid.

Dan Dowling is the President and CEO of the DuBois Area YMCA. He is active in community organizations including DuBois Rotary Club, and is Chairman of the Treasure Lake Property Owner's Association Finance Committee.  He is the manager of the DuBois Little League, and a past board member of the Greater DuBois Area Chamber of Commerce. 

Dave Geci is a certified public accountant and owner of Geci and Associates PC with offices in St. Marys and Kane.  He is also an investment advisor.  Geci is active in the community as a basketball coach, former treasurer of the ECCHS Athletic Association  and a member of the Allegheny Hardwood Development Council. 

Cynthia Labant is the Consumer Lighting LED Senior Engineer at Osram Sylvania in St. Marys.  She is a member of the American Ceramic Society and National Institute of Ceramic Engineers.  Labant is also the holder of five patents, and an Osram STAR award winner.  She is active with the Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts, and sits on the PTO board of the St. Marys Catholic Elementary Schools.  She is also the coordinator and presenter of Pre-Cana Marital Preparation classes. 

Anne Posteraro is the Accounting Manager for KTH Architects, Inc.  She is a member of the DuBois Business College Advisory Board, and a past chair of the Greater DuBois Area Chamber of Commerce.  Posteraro is on the Girl Scouts of Western PA Curry Creek Advisory Board and Site Team, and the St. Michael Archangel Church Council. 

Kerri Presloid is the first place winner of the 2009 B. I. G.* Competition.  She won for her Polliwog Academy Education Games, which teach both students and parents ways to be successful in academics.  Presloid, a former second grade teacher, is also active in school activities and volunteers at her children's schools.

"We are very fortunate to have this panel of judges. With their diverse backgrounds, from engineering to business management to finance, they will provide a balanced and comprehensive review of the ideas," said Penn State DuBois Technology Transfer Coordinator, Sally Moran. 

The competition is designed to spur regional economic development through support of local creative ideas. Entries will be accepted from teams, small businesses, and individuals over 18 who reside in Cameron, Clearfield, Elk, Jefferson, McKean, or Potter Counties.  The entry could be for any marketable product or business process or for dramatic improvements to things that already exist.

"The B. I. G.* Competition provides an opportunity for everyone in our region to see if their idea has what it takes to help their dreams become reality," said John Weible, Business Development Coordinator for the North Central Pennsylvania Regional Planning and Development Commission. 

The deadline for entries to the competition is August 25.  Winners will be announced November 9. 

For more information, or to submit an idea, visit www.thebigcompetition.ncentral.com

DuBois – School is back in session at Penn State DuBois.  Faculty and staff officially welcomed students for the start of the fall semester at the annual Convocation and student orientation on Thursday.

"All of us here at Penn State DuBois are excited to see you and are looking forward to Monday and the start of classes," said Chancellor Anita McDonald, before an audience of students and parents in the campus gymnasium.  "I hope you are looking forward to next week and the beginning of many new experiences as you start, or continue your college life." 

In all, nearly 1,000 students are enrolled for the 2010-2011 academic year at Penn State DuBois.  Of those, slightly over 300 are new freshmen.  Students come from 46 counties in Pennsylvania, and 9 different states.  Additionally, two current students are natives of China. 

"This diversity of different home towns, cultural heritage, work and life experiences, ages, and more will enrich your college years," McDonald said.  "Starting today, make an effort to get to know someone new, including the faculty and staff." 

McDonald stressed the importance of education and the value it will add to the lives of the new students, as well as the contributions they'll be able to make as well rounded citizens. 

"This is an important and critical time for you to be attending a university.  We have so many challenges in our communities, this country, and the world," McDonald said.  "We will need each and every one of you to help us address the complex issues we face today armed with your Penn State educational experience." 

This is the latest CE program designed to quickly and affordably provide new skills to people seeking new career opportunities.   Those who complete the 115 hour course and earn the industry recognized certificate will be qualified for jobs in some of the fastest growing fields in the country including telephone and computer networking, cable and satellite system operation and repair, and more.

This information session will give those considering the program the chance to learn more about it, and the doors it can open for them.  They'll have the chance to meet the instructor, Bill Carlson, receive information on career opportunities, and learn how to register.  Rick McConnell, CEO of Simpson Communications, Inc. will also be present to discuss the industry. Simpson Communications has offices in DuBois, Altoona, Clarion and St. Marys.

• Thurs, Sept 23 – Alina Fernandez, Daughter of Fidel Castro. 7:00 p.m.,  Hiller Auditorium
  • Alina Fernandez is the exiled daughter of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro. Growing up, she recognized her position as one of Cuba's elite, but the political practices she witnessed under her father's regime and the neglect she experienced drove her to renounce that position and, ultimately, her relationship with her father as well. 
     
• Mon, Oct 25 – Nesse Godin, Surviving the Holocaust. 7:00 p.m.,  Hiller Auditorium
  • Nesse Godin was 13 years old when the Nazis invaded her home. Shortly after the Nazi takeover, she was interned in the Shauliai Ghetto. During the war she survived the Stutthof Concentration Camp, four labor camps and a death march before liberation in 1945.
• Wed, Nov 3 – Belly Twins.  7:00 p.m.,  Hiller Auditorium
              Featuring dances of the Middle East and India

• Mon, Dec 6 - Christmas Around the World 7:00 p.m.,  Hiller Auditorium
  • Featuring Dr. Paul Fehrenbach and the Penn State DuBois Choir. The show will be focused around Christmas around the world. Holiday songs from different countries and cultures.

 All Performing Arts events are free and open to the public.  For more information, contact Student Life Coordinator Marly Doty at (814) 375-4764, or mag374@psu.edu

DuBois – Students and graduates of the Penn State DuBois Occupational Therapy (OT) and Physical Therapy Assistant (PTA) programs may have an advantage over many jobseekers in today's market.  That was a refreshing lesson that OT student Carl Griech, of DuBois, learned at a job fair held specifically for students and recent grads in these fields.

"I found that there is a lot of opportunity," said Griech, who will graduate from Penn State DuBois in December.  "The outlook is good, really good.  It's a good time to be graduating in the next year or two." 

In fact, according to statistics assembled by the National Labor Relations Board, demand for qualified physical therapy assistants is expected to grow through 2016.  That's why some companies are now conducting wide-spread searches for qualified therapists and therapist assistants. 

"We came from three and a half hours away, and it was well worth it," said Jennifer Smith, of the Frederick, Maryland based therapy provider, TX Team.  "These students are coming out at a wonderful time because there is a lot of demand." 

A Penn State grad herself, Smith said she was able to make contact with prospective employees at the job fair.  She's looking for people in the OT and PTA fields who have the skills, and other abilities to make them great therapists.

"They need to have good bedside manner, professionalism, patience, and they need to be eager to learn." 

Penn State DuBois OT and PTA instructor Barb Reinard said the job fair not only offers great opportunity for students and graduates to connect with employers, but it's also another learning experience for the jobseekers. 

"They get a chance to practice the interview process," she said.  "It's another chance to shake a hand, and have that experience, and their confidence builds." 

Reinard said the annual fair may be one reason graduates of the Penn State PTA program are so successful.  She explained that program graduates have enjoyed a 100 percent employment rate for the last three years.  That's compared to a 78 percent employment rate in the field nation wide. 

"This may be the one extra thing that puts us in that category," said Reinard. 

For more information on the Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy Assistant Programs at Penn State DuBois, contact Director of Enrollment Missy Duttry at (814) 375-4720, or mab1@psu.edu  

The Chemical Dependency Prevention and Counseling Certificate offered by Penn State DuBois Continuing Education (CE) gives professionals in a variety of fields an edge by teaching them how to identify substance abuse, as well as how to treat it.

"No matter what field you're in, mental health, nursing, counseling, probation, you're going to run into substance abuse," said instructor Bill Allenbaugh.  "If you can't recognize the signs, that patient won't be treated properly, and that's a disservice to them and to the system. This course teaches students the signs and symptoms of that dependency." 

Allenbaugh said dependency is wide-spread, and can be difficult to identify.  Especially since it can happen to anyone, as he explained, "We're dealing with a lot of middle class professional people here, and a lot of juveniles.  Addiction knows no economic or age boundaries."

Further complicating the diagnoses of substance abuse are the ever changing trends in drug use.  Allenbaugh noted that abuse never really goes away, but the substance of choice may come and go. 

"It's always here, but the drug changes, they go in and out of fashion," he said.  "The popular drugs right now are pharmaceuticals; a while back it was heroin."

Graduates of the program have used what they have learned in different ways.  Doug Turner, of Curwensville, graduated from Penn State DuBois in 2009 with a degree in Letters, Arts, and Sciences, but focused his course work on psychology and counseling.   He took the Chemical Dependency Certificate program as a supplement to his regular curriculum. He now works for Johnstown based Children's Behavioral Health as Therapeutic Staff Support for in-need children in area school districts.

"It was tremendous," Turner said.  "The program was beneficial to me because it served as a guideline for the classes I needed to take in order for my degree to prepare me for what I wanted to do." 

Gilbert Baez took the certificate program independently to refresh his skills and improve his résumé.  He had already worked for more than 30 years as an addiction counselor in Maryland, but found value in the program's cutting edge information as he looks to further a career in counseling now that he has relocated to Pennsylvania.  

"It will help me to put myself out there on the market and get employed in the field in this area," Baez said.  He noted that one day, he may even open up his own residential addiction treatment facility. 

For more information contact Assistant Director of Continuing Education Diana Ricotta at 375-4718. 

Long used Dell computer systems to establish a new training network on which system problems could be accurately simulated.  Students can then tackle real world problems in information systems, without having to create actual malfunctions that would ruin their valuable equipment.  The innovative approach impressed the people at Dell so much, that they had to look deeper into Long's work, and showcase it on their own site. 

The purchase of the new Dell equipment, and establishment of this training system was made possible by grants from the PA Department of Labor and Industry, North Central Workforce Investment Board, Microsoft and local matching dollars.  

To see the complete Dell case study, visit http://www.dell.com/content/topics/global.aspx/casestudies/en/us/us/fy2011-q2-id1600?c=us&l=en&s=gen

The Penn State DuBois Alumni Society Board of Directors includes the Executive Board, the Board Members, and the Past Presidents.

Front Row (Left to Right): Peg Armanini, Sue Ann Blakeslee, Vince Verbeke, Tim Novak, Michael White

On Stairs (Bottom to Top): Amanda Burkett, Brenda Saricks, Jackie Allen, Jana Sharlow, Carrie Wood, Amy Fatula, Jennifer Watkavitch, Terry Polifko, Autumn Weil

DuBois - Sueann Doran, of DuBois, has been selected as the new Penn State DuBois Community Outreach Coordinator for Clearfield.  She officially begins serving in this role this summer, though she assumed responsibility for the Clearfield program in early January when she became the Interim Outreach Coordinator.  Doran formerly worked as a Program Coordinator for Penn State DuBois Continuing Education.

As the Community Outreach Coordinator, Doran is responsible for creating and managing schedules for Penn State courses held in Clearfield.  She also works to recruit both traditional and adult students, and helps those students make a smooth transition into taking college classes.

"As an adult learner herself, Sueann understands and relates well to the prospective students’ life circumstances," said Diana Ricotta, assistant director of Continuing Education. "She is an excellent role model for them, having earned her degree while she was a working wife and mother."

"I know that it takes courage to go on to college, and it is even a bigger challenge after being out of school for a number of years," Doran said. "But, it can be done. I’m proof of that. You just have to take the first step and get the information you need to begin."

Doran is now busy helping students to prepare for the next session of classes to be held at the Clearfield Area High School.  They include courses on effective speech and composition, courses to help people understand the Marcellus Shale gas industry, and classes on Medieval European History.  Two Human Development classes being offered in the fall are Infant and Child Development and Values and Ethics in Human Development and Family Studies Professions.  Many of the classes offered in Clearfield give students additional options for general education classes that are conveniently offered in the evening.

Classes begin August 23; individuals interested are encouraged to register soon.  Doran can help in selecting the best courses to meet individual interests and needs.  She can be reached by calling (814) 591-5459.  Her office hours in Clearfield at the PA CareerLink are Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8:00 am through 4:00 pm and other times by appointment. 

For the entire listing of courses available in Clearfield, visit www.ds.psu.edu/clearfield

DuBois – At 44, Mike Davies has rebounded from a layoff and started fresh in a new career as a Customer Testing and Installation Technician with Level 3 Communications in Coudersport, PA.   He earned his Telecommunications Technologies Certification at Penn State DuBois in September, and immediately went to work as a contractor for Level 3, and was soon offered a full time position with the company.

"My schooling really helped me get in the door," Davies said.  "It gave me all the stepping stones that I've been able to carry through both jobs, and gave me an understanding of the layouts I'm working with now."

Each day Davies is responsible for testing layouts of fiber optic lines that support communication networks throughout the United States.  His work makes the transmission of information by phone, internet, and television all possible.

"I'm taking a design and making sure it's tested," Davies said, explaining his role in the functions of fiber optic networks, and making sure that they make every connection they're expected to make.  He uses computer models to monitor the courses that the communication lines take.  "I may have one that goes from New York City to Florida, and I have to make sure it hits everywhere it needs to along the way."

Davies said most people may not think about how they get their information these days, but everyone uses the fiber optic networks his company builds, whether they know it or not. "You watch the Super Bowl on Level 3," he said.

Even to Davies, it's hard to believe that just a year ago, in July 2009, he was laid off from his position as a press operator with Case Cutlery in Bradford, PA.  He said he commends Case for delaying the layoffs as long as possible, and mentioned that they have since called laid off employees back to work.  Davies, however, has already taken another path.

"I decided to keep perusing the job I went to school for.  It's already a rewarding career, and it's been a crazy, fun ride," he said.

The Telecommunication Technologies Certification Program is for people interested in obtaining certification in one of the fastest-growing, high-demand occupations in the country. This fiber optic cabling is being used across Pennsylvania and the United States in various capacities. Students earn an industry-recognized certificate upon completion of all three courses, learn the basics of network cabling in both copper-based systems and fiber optic based systems, receive hands-on training, and upon completion, receive a field tool kit.

Courses will be offered again in St. Marys beginning September 13.  For more information, contact Jeannine Hanes, continuing education representative at 814-375-4836.

Previously McAninch coached the DuBois Middle School girl’s soccer team for four seasons. He has also coached girls and boys teams in age brackets ranging from elementary school, to college age. 

"My season goal for the Penn State women are to pick up where Rachael Schmitz, departing head coach, left the young program," McAninch said. "Soccer is a player’s game, and I will need the team to help me with the rest of the goals for this season."

McAninch holds a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) National Coaching License, which he obtained in 2003.

"I feel fortunate to have Scott on our staff to take over the second year of our soccer program," said Athletic Coordinator Ken Nellis. "Scott is entrenched in the community and has become a student of the game, educating himself in the sport as well as the coaching profession.  Scott will provide stability to our young team and will have the opportunity to bring in players from the region to build a team to play his style of soccer."

The Penn State women’s soccer team’s first game of the season is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. on September 3, at Pitt-Greensburg. 

For the most up to date information on Penn State DuBois Athletics, visit http://www.ds.psu.edu/StudentLife/Athletics/sports.htm.

DuBois – Jeremy Bochert, of Reynoldsville, takes over as the new Penn State DuBois cross country coach this season.  He previously coached track and field at DuBois Central Catholic High School, and continues to run competitively, himself, in marathons and other organized races.

A 1998 graduate of Punxsutawney Area High School, Bochert ran on two district champion teams as a varsity athlete.  He also ran for Mansfield University, where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in Psychology in 2003. 

"In this sport, you're not just running against others, you're also running against the clock," Bochert said, explaining his passion for cross country.  "You always know your limits and how good you really are.  That's humbling, but it can also be rewarding." 

He also said the sport it appealing because anyone can excel at it if they work hard.  "Anyone with any body type can run cross country.  If you run a lot, and do it with passion, you're going to get better," he said. 

"I am very pleased to have Jeremy Bochert join our coaching staff," said Penn State DuBois Athletic Coordinator Ken Nellis.  "Jeremy brings a wealth of knowledge to the cross country program; he is young and active in the sport.  Jeremy is also tied into the community and running clubs, so he knows many of the high school coaches in the area and will have the opportunity to grow and lead the team in the years to come.  I feel we are fortunate to have someone of Jeremy’s caliber and character coaching our men’s and women’s teams."

The first cross country meet of the season is scheduled for September 11, at Penn State Lehigh Valley. 

For the most up to date information on Penn State DuBois Athletics, visit http://www.ds.psu.edu/StudentLife/Athletics/sports.htm?cn257

"Penn State DuBois is really looking good at 75," said Chancellor Anita McDonald.  "The university has invested in the function and appearance of our outdoor spaces in order to make the entire campus environment more pleasing and comfortable to students, faculty, staff, and our guests." 

Those improvements include: new trees, shrubs, flowers and other vegetation. New outdoor furniture, planters, and fencing have also been installed.  The campus event lawn, between the DuBois Educational Foundation (DEF) Building, and the Hiller Building received a complete overhaul.  It now offers an open, modern green space for activities, and attractive sitting areas. 

Community members are invited to get their first look at the campus makeover during the 75^th Birthday Celebration from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., on July 17.  Students, faculty, and staff will celebrate this milestone with live music, carnival games, food, a petting zoo, prizes, and much more. 

"Our friends in DuBois and the surrounding communities are always welcome to visit our campus," said McDonald.  "But at this time, we send a special invitation for everyone to come and see, for themselves, the many improvements to our campus environment." 

"In our 2009 – 2013 Strategic Plan we organized our key goals into five themes," McDonald said.  "They are: Access, Operational Excellence, Quality and Reputation, Growth, and Transformation.  Doing so allowed all campus units to contribute to each theme and therefore the entire plan."

Under the Access category, McDonald explained that she is always looking for new ways to make it convenient for students to attend the campus, noting that many of the students must travel long distances to get to class. 

"Today, the service area for the campus is nine counties, representing the largest geographic region of any campus.  Students come from as far north as the New York border and as far south as North Indiana County.  These miles are not on highways, but rural, two land roads. In some cases it may also be over at least one to two or three mountains," McDonald said.  She explained that forming good relationships with area landlords was one goal of the strategic plan, giving students opportunities to move closer to campus.   

In terms of operational excellence on campus, McDonald said she strives to see that staff members are cross-trained, giving them the ability to cover for their colleagues.  "Folks are cross trained so that we have backup when someone is ill or on vacation,"  she explained. "It's another method for promoting efficiency and cost savings."   

"Quality and reputation begin with our faculty.  This has been another banner year for our faculty," said McDonald, expanding on the third goal of the strategic plan.  She outlined faculty members who had made significant accomplishments in the last year, as well as those recognized by the university for their work.

McDonald also noted the success the campus has seen in securing funding for research.  "I’m proud to say that for the past two years, we have been the leaders within University College in the amount of funds received from grants and contracts.  In the fiscal year 2009, we received almost $1.8 million, and for fiscal year 2010 we were down just slightly to $1.3 million. Not bad in this economy," she said.      

The theme of Growth, McDonald said, will be realized through the addition of programs that match the needs of area industry and students.  She explained, "We will add program options that have a demand and we will do so by collaborating across campuses, including University Park; on alternative delivery options, such as World Campus and the new Video Learning Network, and adding more online classes." 

To bring to life the theme of Transformation, McDonald said that offering new and alternative services, and expanding diversity are key elements.  Recruitment has reached far beyond the campus' traditional service area, she said.  This has brought international students to campus, as well as students from varied ethnic backgrounds. 

McDonald noted plans for building renovations and additions as well.  She said that an expansion to the Multipurpose Building, including updated athletic facilities, is greatly needed to help support and house the growing campus athletic programs.  She also outlined plans for the renovation of a house, recently purchased by the university, which will be home to the campus honors program once renovation is complete. 

In terms of new services, McDonald spoke of the Office of Technology Transfer at Penn State DuBois.  It was established to help small business and inventors secure funding and research opportunities in order to establish themselves, and their product, in the marketplace.  "There is quite an entrepreneurial spirit here in North Central Pennsylvania and we have developed a model to foster this culture of entrepreneurship and innovation," she said.  "We have been able to create this office with grant and internal funding and it is an exciting initiative and demonstrates our ability to serve our area industries and creative individuals while also giving our students real life issues to solve, interaction with local employers and research projects guided by their faculty."

In closing, McDonald thanked the trustees for the opportunity to share the campus plan with them.  She also thanked them for choosing Penn State DuBois as the venue for their July meeting.  "It certainly has a special significance for us in this year of our 75^th anniversary."   

DuBois – At the July 8 Penn State Board of Trustees Banquet at the DuBois Country Club, Penn State University President Graham Spanier presented the DuBois Educational Foundation (DEF) with an all new award.  The Penn State DuBois Spirit of Philanthropy Award was granted to the DEF for the foundation's undying support to Penn State DuBois for the last 65 years.  The award was accepted by DEF President Ed Nasuti. 

"No group has had more influence on the growth, change and development of the Penn State DuBois campus and local communities," Spanier said of the DEF.  "Notable efforts have included the acquisition of property to expand the campus, construction and renovation of buildings including the first field house, the DuBois Mansion, classroom buildings, and the Swift, Multipurpose, and Smeal Buildings; all of which have been deeded to Penn State." 

Spanier explained that the DEF was formed in 1944, when the campus closed because the majority of students joined the war effort.  It was uncertain if the campus would reopen following World War II, so community members formed the DEF to support the campus, and keep it open.  As Spanier noted, they have been a source of constant support ever since.

"The foundation has also donated money for equipment and programs through matching grants, tuition assistance for area high school students enrolled in college courses, provided scholarships for adult learners and most recently endowed the DuBois Educational Foundation Trustee Scholarship.   They provide funding for varsity athletics and developed a sub-committee dedicated just to that purpose," Spanier said. 

Upon presenting the award, Spanier remarked, "On this occasion of the foundation's 65^th anniversary, I am very pleased to award the DuBois Educational Foundation the inaugural Penn State DuBois Spirit of Philanthropy Award."    

While accepting the award, Nasuti said, "It is humbling to have the opportunity to represent the DEF tonight when the efforts of this organization have played an important part in my own career, beginning as a student at Penn State DuBois over forty years ago."  He continued, "The current board of the DuBois Educational Foundation is committed to continuing the excellent work that our predecessors have accomplished, and we look forward to serving the campus and our communities for many more years." 

DuBois – At the July 8 Board of Trustees’ Banquet held at the DuBois Country Club, Dan Kohlhepp, Chair of For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students, announced that a combined total of $300 thousand has recently been donated to Penn State DuBois for trustee scholarships and other endeavors.

The Harry J. and Catherine E. Charlesen Trustee Scholarship is meant to provide financial assistance to an outstanding business administration student at Penn State DuBois. Funds for this scholarship have been given by anonymous donors in honor of the Charlesen's. Harry Charlesen started the business administration associate degree at Penn State DuBois and chaired a Penn State committee to enhance the two-year program university-wide.

The Lee Simpson Associates, Inc./Edward & Della Nasuti Trustee Scholarship has been established to provide financial assistance to students pursuing studies in engineering at Penn State DuBois. This gift is given by alumnus Ed Nasuti, his wife Della, and the engineering firm, Lee Simpson Associates, Inc.

The Sam King Trustee Scholarship provides financial support for deserving students of Penn State DuBois with demonstrated financial need. This scholarship is named for the late faculty member who taught political science, history and other subjects at Penn State DuBois beginning in the 1940's.  To honor him, one of King's former students, Ray Pethtel, who enrolled at the campus in 1958, initiated efforts to establish the scholarship.  It is funded through donations from former students and friends of Sam King. 

The Brown W. and Ineeda D. Leonard Trustee Scholarship will provide financial support to undergraduate students at Penn State DuBois with demonstrated financial need, whose ethnic, cultural, and/or national background contribute to the diversity of the student body.  This scholarship is given by current Penn State DuBois Chancellor Anita McDonald, and her husband Bob, in remembrance of her parents and her dedication and commitment to diversity.

The A.J. and Sigismundo Palumbo Charitable Trust has made a $50,000 gift for trustee scholarships.  These funds will also benefit deserving Penn State DuBois students with financial need.

KTH Architects and Hallstrom Construction committed $50,000 to the Campaign. Both companies and their presidents, Bob Hallstrom and Bob Grieve, have a long standing history with the DuBois Campus, including their time has students together. Both Mr. Hallstrom and Mr. Grieve have received the Penn State DuBois Alumni Society Outstanding Alumni Achievement Award.   

"These gifts not only provide financial assistance for students, but send a message to students that there is faith in their abilities and they can achieve their dreams of a higher education," said Penn State DuBois Director of Development Jean Wolf.  "We're thankful for these donors and their investment in students at Penn State DuBois.” 

The Trustee Matching Scholarship Program is designed to make a Penn State education accessible to all qualified students, regardless of their financial means.  The university matches five percent of the principal of each gift annually and combines these funds with income from the endowment to effectively double the financial impact of the scholarship.  

This combined $300,000 will be counted as contributions to For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students.  Penn State DuBois' campus goal for the campaign is $12,000,000.  The campaign will conclude in June of 2014.  For more information about the campaign, contact Director of Development Jean Wolf at (814) 372-3038, or jaw57@psu.edu.

"This is an incredible achievement for our campus, and our engineering faculty who have worked so hard to make this program a reality," said Chancellor Anita McDonald.  "This will open up enormous educational opportunities for people interested in engineering in this area." 

In fact, the program has been built upon the needs of people and industry in Central Pennsylvania.  Titled, General Engineering, with an Applied Materials Track, the program offers a concentration on Powder Metals (PM), a strong industry in the Tri-County area.

"We have had companies and students alike requesting this program in the area for some time," said Penn State DuBois Continuing Education Director John Piccolo.  "In the four year program they'll do much more research work, and learn much more about research and development than they can in a two year program. That will make a difference, and give companies graduates who will be able to do quality R and D [research and development] for them." 

Assistant Professor of Engineering Craig Stringer echoed Piccolo's comments, explaining, "We'll offer the intellectual component more so than an associate degree program.  We'll teach more theory in the classroom, and then go and apply that theory in the labs."    

Stringer also noted the advantage local students will have in getting local jobs.  "It gives them the opportunity to stay at home if they choose, giving them the skills they need to jump right into a regional industry," he said.  He explained how this also benefits the local PM industry.  "We've heard from local manufacturers that they're looking for individuals with a certain skill set.  We're trying to fill that need," he said. 

Piccolo said many graduates of the Penn State DuBois Associate in Engineering program have been waiting for this degree to be offered, so they can further their education close to home as returning adult students. 

"It is really significant that a lot of the potential students are already working and have families in this area," Piccolo said.  "This will allow them to obtain a degree while still employed at their current job." 

However, Stringer noted that the program will provide opportunity to anyone wishing to look for jobs elsewhere, too. 

"It covers a variety of engineering fields.  We really put breadth and depth into the degree, so if students want to take another track, or concentration, outside of the applied materials track offered here, they can do that," Stringer explained.  " The first two years of this program compliment many of Penn State’s College of Engineering degrees  giving  students a foundation of courses that work with degree such as electrical, mechanical, ceramics and a lot more."

Stringer noted that Penn State Hazelton will offer the same program with a track in alternative energy, answering a need for their region, which is populated with wind farms and other energy sources. 

Stringer wrote the curriculum for the program along with a colleague from Penn State Hazelton, Associate Professor in Engineering Wes Grebski. 

"It shows how versatile this program really is," Stringer said.  "It works so well to answer the needs of both our area, and Hazelton's area, by just interchanging nine of the core track courses.  You could really take any concentration that you want to with this program.  It's plug and play."

Students can begin to enroll in the new engineering baccalaureate program this fall.  For enrollment information, contact Missy Duttry at (814) 375-4720, or mab1@psu.edu

To learn more about the program, visit http://dubois.psu.edu/GeneralEngineering 

With a career as a jazz trombonist spanning over four decades, Betters has over a dozen albums and CD's to his credit. He can be heard on jazz radio stations and continues to be a favorite of sports fans by playing regularly at Pittsburgh Steeler games.  He credits his success to his parents who owned and operated one of the area's hottest jazz spots in his hometown of Connellsville, Pennsylvania.

Betters has performed with artists such as Louis Armstrong, Al Hirt, Slide Hampton, Ramsey Lewis, and Urbie Green. The Harold Betters Quartet toured with Ray Charles and appeared with comedian, Dick Gregory, at New York's Apollo Theater.

He has guest starred on several television shows including The Tonight Show, as well as on local TV programs in Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and San Francisco.

Betters received his formal musical training at Ithaca College and Brooklyn Conservatory of Music. He gives back to music education by conducting jazz clinics, seminars, and workshops at universities including Penn State and Pitt. 

The carnival celebrating the 75^th birthday of Penn State DuBois is planned for 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 17.  There will be fun summer activities for each member of the family, including carnival games, food, a petting zoo, prizes, and Penn State DuBois birthday cake. Betters will take to the stage to perform two sets of classic jazz beginning at 6:00 p.m.

For more information on the day’s events, call (814) 375-4764, or visit http://dubois.psu.edu/birthday

"This is a great honor to host the Board of Trustees on our campus," said Penn State DuBois Chancellor Anita McDonald.  "The trustees have not met here in 30 years, and it makes it that much more exciting that they are visiting us during our 75^th anniversary celebration." 

The Board of Trustees is the corporate body of Penn State with complete responsibility for the government and welfare of the university and all of its interests, including students, faculty, staff and alumni.

Presentations will be made by University President Graham Spanier, McDonald, and by members of various university committees.

The Board of Trustees will meet beginning at 9:15 a.m. on Friday, July 9, in Room 202 of the DuBois Educational Foundation (DEF) Building at Penn State DuBois.  Meetings and presentations will last throughout the day, ending at 3:00 p.m. 

Meetings are open to the public.

Join students, faculty, and staff as they celebrate this milestone with live music, carnival games, food, a petting zoo, prizes, and much more.  You can also help yourself to a piece of Penn State DuBois' birthday cake.  

The carnival is planned for July 17, from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.  For more information on the day’s events, call (814) 375-4764, or visit http://dubois.psu.edu/birthday

DuBois – Instructor Jason Long has been named the DuBois Education Foundation (DEF) Educator of the Year.  He is an instructor and the Program Leader in the Penn State DuBois Information Sciences and Technology program. 

Each year the DEF presents the Educator of the Year Award to a Penn State DuBois faculty member who has made a difference in the lives of students.  Nominations for the award come straight from the students themselves.  One of Jason's former students, Fred Terwilliger, explained the kind of impact Long has had on those he teaches.

"After several major changes, it wasn't until I crossed paths with a newly hired instructor named Jason Long in the Fall semester of 2001 that I truly knew what I wanted to do for a career," Terwilliger said. "I was already enrolled in the IST program before Jason came to DuBois, so I had already identified that I wanted a career in the world of technology. However, it wasn’t until I observed Jason's teaching style that I decided my true passion was to teach in the world of IST. My experience with Jason is what inspired me to pursue my master's degree and subsequently, a career in higher education."

Long reacted to receiving the award by saying, "I am honored and humbled to be recognized for this award.  I never thought I would enjoy teaching as much as I do."  He continued, "I live by one rule:  If you do not like what you do, you should not do it.  You will make yourself and anyone around you miserable.  Now, you understand why I am in a good mood every time you see me. I am happy that I am a part of the Penn State DuBois family." 

"We are working closely with local exploration companies to develop curriculum to train those already working in the industry to work in Pennsylvania, and to educate the local workforce for the growing field," said CE Representative Jeannine Hanes.

Marcellus Shale is an enormous natural gas reserve found within black shale, deep underground, throughout much of Pennsylvania, New York, West Virginia, and Ohio.  According to the Marcellus Shale Coalition, "The production of natural gas from the Marcellus Shale formation is important because it produces a clean-burning, Pennsylvania-based energy source in an environmentally sound manner. It also provides economic benefits to communities."

According to a Penn State study, the natural gas found in Marcellus Shale could be equivalent to the energy content of 87 billion barrels of oil, enough to meet the demand of the entire world for nearly three years.

Some courses that Penn State DuBois will offer to help residents become familiar with the booming natural gas industry are: Introduction to the Land Professional in Pennsylvania; Introduction to Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania; Introduction to Geographic Information Systems: Nature of Geographic Data and Spatial Information; Geological Fundamentals of Natural Gas; Fundamentals of Hydrology/Environmental Concerns; Introduction to Basic Legal Principles and Ethical Responsibilities; Introduction to Real  Estate Law; Introduction to Legal Research, Title Abstracting, Use of Records, and Legal Documentation; and PA Oil and Gas Law.

Students may register for chosen courses individually or choose to obtain an entire certificate. Classes begin August 10. 

For more information, contact Jeannine Hanes at (814) 375-4836.

DuBois - Seven Penn State DuBois honors students journeyed to the Grand Canyon and Zion National Park in May for an enrichment activity to learn more about geology, plants and animals of the Colorado Plateau.

Led by English Professor James May, Honors Program Coordinator, the group included Alexander Angstadt, of Clearfield; Zachary Baer, of Avonmore; Leah Crosley, of Brockport; Douglas Kessler , of DuBois; Owen Samuels, of Penfield; Lois Kate Smith, of Media; and Elizabeth Williams, of Lock Haven.

The group flew nonstop from Cleveland to Las Vegas and then drove a van to Zion National Park in Utah. After hiking in Zion, the group circled the canyon clockwise, and stayed several nights on the southern rim at Canyon Village. Then the group drove to Las Vegas via the Hoover Dam, where now, May said, "stunningly high" bridges span the gorge.

At the Grand Canyon, the students heard talks on the condors and the geology of the canyon. As a warm up, they hiked the Grandview Trail and the spent the next day hiking trails near the Bright Angel Lodge. 

Freshman Alex Angstadt and Professor May completed a 19 mile hike down the South Kaibab trail across the Colorado River, and then back up the Bright Angel trail.

"The group was fortunate to enjoy dry and cool weather during their hikes," May said. "On a typical day in May, the temperatures range from below freezing at night on the rim to well over a hundred degrees nearly a mile below in the canyon, but temperatures only reached the mid 80's during the group’s 2010 hike."           

On the trail the group encountered a big horn sheep, perched on the rocks a foot off of the trail, and saw the California condor soar, sometimes close enough to see the golden or mustard diamond on its chest.                                                                       

"Though five million tourists come to the Grand Canyon annually, few descend to the inner gorge, where the cold Colorado River cuts through shiny black schist and pink granite," May said.

Everyone praised how remarkably clean and well-managed Zion and especially the Grand Canyon were. They were proud that the parks created a favorable impression to the millions of foreigners who visit the parks annually, May said.

"Traveling to and in the Grand Canyon area builds a lot of camaraderie between the students," May said. "And few of our students have seen the desert southwest and know how grand, colorful, and beautiful that region is.  Also, a hiking vacation to the Colorado Plateau is well suited to our campus with its Wildlife Technology and Geo-Science programs."

Due to the Honors program’s funding from Penn State, the trip only cost each student $200, plus their meals.

The students who take courses for honors credit are usually offered a spring trip as an enrichment activity and reward for their academic efforts during the school year.  

To learn more about honors courses and activities at Penn State DuBois, contact Deborah Gill at 814-375-4783.

DuBois - The Knights of Columbus (K of C) of DuBois has donated four solar-powered lights to illuminate the monument on Monument Hill above Penn State DuBois.

The large granite monument marks the grave site of John DuBois, who founded the town of DuBois, and is topped by a statue of a woman said to represent hope. High atop the hill, it overlooks the town and the land that once held his estate and mills where the Penn State campus is today.  DuBois made his fortune in the lumber industry, and owned and operated a large sawmill that was once located across today's route 255 from the campus.  He died in 1886. 

Members of the K of C say they made this donation of lights because they want to honor and remember a man who did so much for the area.

"The more light we shine on this person, the stronger the community will be," said Tom Shade, K of C District Deputy. "The monument stands at one of the highest points in DuBois, so at night, with a little illumination, it should be visible from most places in town."

"We’re thrilled that the members of the Knights of Columbus made this generous donation that will help to honor John DuBois," said John Luchini, Penn State DuBois Business Services Director. "He was the founder of this town, and his legacy has always had an enormous impact on our campus."

"The people of DuBois need to honor this man," Shade said. "He was an outstanding individual."

DuBois – As part of the kickoff of Penn State DuBois' 75^th anniversary celebration, a new woodcarving of a mountain lion was unveiled on campus, with a surprise dedication to Chancellor Anita McDonald.  It comes to campus as a gift from local business leaders Dan and Donna Kohlhepp.   

"We planned to have this natural sculpture placed on campus to pay tribute to tradition and industry in the region, particularly to the region's rich lumber heritage," McDonald said, unaware that the lion would end up honoring her. "The campus has strong ties to lumber industry heritage, having been placed on the grounds of lumber tycoon John DuBois' estate." 

The arrival of the statue was something McDonald expected.  Having the work of art dedicated to her, however, came as a complete surprise.  During the dedication ceremony, Kohlhepp let the cat out of the bag, so to speak.

"We’re here to dedicate this Lion sculpture to a person who has come to our community, embraced our community, and embraced our campus," said Kohlhepp, who is also a campus alum.  "She has energized the campus, our community, and our dreams.  The person to whom this lion is dedicated is Anita McDonald."

Astonished, McDonald joked, "I'm speechless.  Most of you know that I'm not often speechless."  She also expressed her gratitude for receiving the honor, and her appreciation for the support of the campus and community. "All of the things said today about me really reflect back on all the great people on this campus.  On behalf of the faculty, staff, and students, I will gladly accept this dedication." 

The sculpture was created by chainsaw artist Rick Boni, who with his wife Liz, owns Appalachian Arts Studio in Ridgway, Elk County. Using his chainsaws, Boni carved the lion from a single sycamore log. 

Currently the carving stands near Symmco House, on the corner of College Place and East DuBois Avenue.  Once the renovation work is complete on the Patrick Swift Memorial Building, the lion will be moved to its permanent home in the interior Swift Courtyard.  Fittingly, this building is named for Kohlhepp's great-uncle, who helped to establish the campus in 1935.

A plaque placed on the lion sculpture reads, "Dedicated to Dr. Anita McDonald, Chancellor, On the 75th Anniversary of Penn State DuBois, 1935-2010." 

"The importance of this is to highlight the work that is being done by our students and faculty in all areas," said symposium organizer and Spanish professor Debora Gill.  "This gives students the opportunity to become more global in their experience by seeing the work that is being done outside of their own discipline."  

Open to people in all academic fields at all Penn State campuses, 36 students, and 7 faculty members made presentations at this year's symposium.  The full day conference categorized presentations in two categories: Arts and Humanities, and Science and Math.  

Student Melinda Marconi used poetry and photos to characterize the human experience in her presentation, Reflections of Life.  Marconi said it was a learning experience, explaining, "Initially I was quite nervous about presenting my work. Once I started, however, things fell into place quite well. I enjoyed watching my audience’s expressions change and listening for reactions as I read my poetry."

Marconi said the sense of community was obvious during the conference as well. "It was great knowing that I had plenty of people in my session supporting me, both fellow students and professors," she said.   

"The students presenting this year were just fantastic," said Gill.  "They hit it out of the park." 

"Youth have the opportunity to extend their skills or attempt something new and different that could set the stage for even more exploration in the future," said Youth Program Coordinator Jeannine Hanes.  "The course instructors are all experienced in working with these age groups and provide creative activities and time for the participants to delve deeply into the area that interests them."

This year's courses will introduce students to a wide range of subjects, including music recording, video editing, robotics, and video game programming. 

The first session of AST classes begins June 14.  For a complete list of courses, please visit www.dubois.psu.edu/youth, or call Jeannine Hanes at 814-375-4836. 

DuBois – Penn State DuBois Earth Science student Andie Graham took first place in the student poster contest at the Fifth Annual West Branch Susquehanna Restoration Symposium, hosted by the West Branch Susquehanna Restoration Coalition (WBSRC) in Williamsport in May.  Her project poster reflected two years of research that she has conducted along with Penn State DuBois Assistant Professor of Geosciences Ben Turner. 

The symposium is held each year to highlight efforts being made to cleanup pollution in the West Branch of the Susquehanna watershed.  According to the WBSRC, abandoned mine drainage (AMD) is the single largest source of pollution to waterways within the watershed.  Approximately 30 groups consisting of watershed associations, Trout Unlimited chapters, conservation districts, and local businesses have come together to form (WBSRC) in a grassroots effort to clean up this water system.

For the past two years, Graham's work has consisted of monitoring pH levels at the Bilger Run wetland, located near Curwensville, Clearfield County. The site was severely impacted by AMD due to years of extensive coal and clay mining. The company, Hedin Environmental, started to treat the water there with limestone in 2008, with hopes of improving the water quality. Building upon research conducted by The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Graham and Turner studied the water at the Bilger site, and found the treatment is working.

"Results indicate that the water quality has slowly, but steadily improved since the implementation of the treatment system," Graham said. "After treatment, the pH increased from September 2008 to April 2009 with an average pH of 4.67." 

Their work is important because of the significant environmental impacts it could uncover.  It is possible that bird species in the area could be drastically affected by the AMD.  A reduction in the pollution could mean a resurgence of some species, although continued research is required on the subject. 

Graham received a $200 prize for her first place win in the poster contest.  However, she said the experiences she has had doing this work are the real prize.

"This has given me the opportunity to meet and work with several conservation groups such as Trout Unlimited, and the Western PA Conservancy. My involvement with these groups has led to several other great opportunities," she said. 

Remaining humble, Graham was also sure to give credit to fellow researchers, and those who have helped her along the way.

"As far as the award goes, there were so many wonderful presentations at the symposium, so I was really surprised when they announced that I had won. It was really unexpected," she said.  "Also, my Penn State DuBois instructors Keely Roen, and Joe Hummer, and Terry O'Conner from the Anderson Creek Watershed Association have been a huge help throughout this project."

For more information on efforts to clean up the West Branch of the Susquehanna and the entire watershed, visit http://www.wbsrc.org/index.html

"Youth have the opportunity to extend their skills or attempt something new and different that could set the stage for even more exploration in the future," said Youth Program Coordinator Jeannine Hanes.  "The course instructors are all experienced in working with these age groups and provide creative activities and time for the participants to delve deeply into the area that interests them."

This year's courses will introduce students to a wide range of subjects, including music recording, video editing, robotics, and video game programming. 

The first session of AST classes begins June 14.  For a complete list of courses, please visit www.dubois.psu.edu/youth, or call Jeannine Hanes at 814-375-4836. 

The event will be a four-person scramble with an 8:30 a.m. shotgun start.  Team entries are $240, with individual registration set at $60.  Fees include green fee, cart, brown bag breakfast, lunch, on-course beverages, skill prizes, and team awards. 

Organizers are seeking sponsors for this event.  For more information and a registration form contact Ken Nellis, Athletic Coordinator, at 375-4857 or kcn3@psu.edu  Or, click here (Word) or here (PDF) for an online registration form.

DuBois – Wesley McMasters, of Houtzdale, will soon add another "master's" to his name.  The 2010 Letters, Arts, and Sciences graduate of Penn State DuBois is set to begin a Master's of English program, with full teaching assistantship, at the University of Maine this fall. 

A 2007 graduate of Moshannon Valley High School, McMasters grew up near Houtzdale, Clearfield County.  He showed promise in English at an early age, but began to shine in the field during his college years. 

"Wes is one of the best students I have ever had," said Penn State DuBois Distinguished Professor of English Richard Kopley.  "I’m sure he’ll go for his Ph.D. in English after this MA in English at the University of Maine.  He’s bound for glory." 

McMasters did some of his most impressive work under Kopley's tutelage, compiling some of the first organized biographical information on a near forgotten contemporary of Edgar Allan Poe. The life and accomplishments of Morton McMichael, a friend of Poe's, who may have been an enormous influence on Poe's early publications, had never been formally researched or documented. McMasters is possibly the first person ever to write a biographical document on McMichael.  He also had the opportunity to present the paper at the Third International Edgar Allan Poe Conference in Philadelphia in October.

"The experience was awesome.  To be able to present my work, and not just be there as an observer, is more than I ever could have asked for," McMasters said.  He is considering following up his research and eventually publishing the first complete biography of Morton McMichael. 

However, McMasters will be very busy in the near future.  A teaching assistantship means he'll complete his master's program at no cost, but in exchange for teaching undergraduate students at the University of Maine.  It will be a full schedule, but one that he will embrace as an aspiring English professor. "Teaching while taking classes is probably the most thrilling part about this," McMasters confessed.  "I will be able to further build the foundations of a career that I started with getting my bachelor's degree." 

"I challenge you to reach for the best in yourself, to be positive even when the chips are down, and to make the most out of every opportunity presented to you," Scarnati said. "How you handle every situation, every obstacle, and every challenge depends on you, and the choices you make."

The senator has handled a few challenges himself, but ultimately has found great success.  He is currently serving his third term representing the 25^th district in Pennsylvania, which includes Cameron, Elk, Jefferson, McKean, Potter, Tioga and parts of Clearfield and Warren Counties.  A native of Brockway, Scarnati was first elected to the state senate in 2000.  He became the President Pro Tempore of the senate in 2007, and assumed the office of Lieutenant Governor upon the death of Catherine Baker Knoll in 2008.  Formerly, he was a member of the Brockway Borough Council, and chair of the Jefferson County Republican Party. 

Scarnati, himself, sat in the same gymnasium as a graduate of Penn State DuBois in 1982.  That year, he earned is degree in business administration, and went into the family restaurant business. During his commencement address, he shared stories about his own background and success, and talked about how he went from the restaurant business, to politics.  However, he told students that his path is not the only way to find success and satisfaction in life. 

"Clearly, there is no blueprint for how to be successful, but there are key factors in how to set yourself up for success.  Some are obvious, such as working hard, being professional, being respectful, and being true to yourself.  Some you have to learn and make a part of your everyday life," he said.  However, what the senator stressed most was character; to do the right thing because it is the right thing to do.

"You never know who is watching, and as you head out into the unknown, I urge you to remember to carry yourself as if someone is watching," Scarnati said.  "Do the right thing, not because you have to, but because you should."

Chancellor Anita McDonald expressed her appreciation to Scarnati by presenting him with a copy of the campus history book, Penn State DuBois Proud, with his name embossed on the cover.

McDonald presided over the commencement ceremony and conferred degrees. Senior Instructor in Wildlife Technology Joseph Hummer served as Campus Marshall, and Director of Academic Affairs Debra Straussfogel presented academic awards. 

The goal of the program is to keep young women interested in mathematics by showing them the opportunities and satisfaction that they can realize through its use.  Students participated in workshops on diverse topics such as volcanoes, forest management, soil science, and optometry.   One exercise had them analyzing forensic evidence, and another applied mathematics to fitness activities.  Penn State DuBois faculty and staff members, as well as volunteers from the community served as instructors for the lessons.  The instructors were women who work in a variety of professions that deal with mathematics on a regular basis.  "We try to get them interested in the careers so they realize that if they stick with math, it could lead to an interesting and rewarding career," said Senior Instructor in Education, Dr. Pamela Hufnagel.  "These are often careers the kids might not know about." 

The program is aimed at this specific demographic for a reason. "Seventh grade is a critical age when girls start to lose interest in Math," Hufnagel said.  "Programs like this have been proven to help hold that interest."

The effectiveness of the program has led to a growing interest among school administrators in the area.  This year, 195 seventh grade girls from 15 schools participated in the program. 

DuBois – A group of Penn State DuBois employees were recently recognized for their length of service to the campus.  Penn State DuBois annually recognizes faculty and staff members for their years of employment when employees reach personal milestones every five years. 

Back Row, L-R: Anita McDonald, chancellor; Dennis Duttry, Tech Services, 10 years; Lisa Lepovetsky, English instructor, 10 years; Betsy Carlson, Continuing Education, 5 years; Jan Monaco, Advising Center, 10 years; Randy Spaid, Tech Services, 5 years; Sally Vavala, Human Development and Family Studies instructor, 20 years; Linda Gelnett, Continuing Education, 20 years; Tricia Lukehart, marketing, 10 years; Paul Ferhrenbach, music, 15 years. 

Front Row, L-R: Tony Vallone, English professor, 20 years; Roxanne Masisak, Academic Affairs, 25 years; Joe Hummer, Wildlife Technologies instructor, 35 years; Lisa Taylor, chancellor's office, 25 years; Jackie Atkins, English instructor, 20 years. 

Not present for the photo were: Laurie Breakey, 20 years; Bill Allenbaugh, 15 years; Steve Bauer, 10 years; Chip Bell, 10 years; Steve Feldbauer, 10 years; Faisal El-Awar, 10 years; LuAnn Demi, 10 years; Richard States, 10 years; Christine Curley, 5 years; Greg Heasley, 5 years; Conny Pope, 5 years; Steve Shaffer, 5 years.

A native of Brockway, Scarnati was first elected to the state senate in 2000.  He became the President Pro Tempore of the senate in 2007, and took over the office of Lieutenant Governor upon the death of Catherine Baker Knoll in 2008. 

Before becoming a senator, Scarnati cut his political teeth as a member of the Brockway Borough Council, and as chair of the Jefferson County Republican Party. 

Scarnati is also an alumna of Penn State DuBois, having earned a degree in business administration at the campus in 1982. 

Though Penn State DuBois has been established for 75 years, this will be the 40th commencement ceremony.  Before 1970, students graduated at University Park.  This year's milestone graduation event reflects the growth that has made it possible for students to earn full baccalaureate and associate degrees at Penn State DuBois, and graduate at their home campus. 

Commencement weekend will also mark the opening of the Penn State DuBois 75th Anniversary Celebration, with a kickoff dinner scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Friday, May 14, at the Cottages at Christ the King Manor.  Commencement is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 15, in the campus gymnasium. 

The first six week session will run from May 17 through June 25.  Teachers, as well as upper level undergraduate education majors will benefit from Group Procedures in Guidance and Counseling. 

Family Development, American Civilization to 1877, and Introductory Sociology will also be offered during the first six week session.  The history and sociology courses will fulfill general education course requirements for Penn State.

The second six week session runs from June 30 through August 11, and offers Drugs, Behavior and Health, Effective Speech, and Intermediate Algebra. 

For more information about summer courses, contact Sueann Doran, Interim Outreach Coordinator, in Clearfield at (814) 591-5459 or by email at srd145@psu.edu  Additional information on scheduling can be found at www.ds.psu.edu/ce

Two new professional development classes will also be offered for educators this summer, particularly those who need ACT 48 hours.  Fundamentals of Renewable Energy Sources, will cover different types of renewable energy, and ideas for using renewable energy in an efficient manner.

Educators Using Video as Authentic Assessment will help teachers to find ways to move away from paper and pencil tests to methods that test what students know about a subject while engaging them in higher order thinking skills.

A complete list of courses, course schedules, and registration information can be found at www.ds.psu.edu/ce.  For more information about summer educator courses, contact Diana Ricotta, Assistant Director of Continuing Education (814) 375-4718, or dricotta@psu.edu

DuBois – The first American Chestnut tree to be planted in Central or Western Pennsylvania in this century has taken up root at Penn State DuBois. 

"After 26 years of breeding, we're finally able to produce the first potentially blight resistant chestnut," said Bryan Burhans, President and CEO of The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF), and graduate of the Penn State DuBois Wildlife Technology program. "This represents the first trees we can actually put in the ground."

 A rapidly spreading fungus, known as the chestnut blight, attacked the American Chestnut tree in the early part of the 20^th Century.  Within a few years, the chestnut virtually disappeared from America’s forests, and remains mostly absent from the landscape today.

"This species accounted for one quarter of our hardwoods before its demise," said Forestry Instructor Aaron Stottlemyer.  "It left an enormous hole in our forests when the chestnut tree died off." 

What's more, is the effect that the loss of the chestnut had on wildlife that largely depended on the trees for the food they produced, explained Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Forester Gary Gilmore.  "The loss of the chestnut was an ecological disaster," he said.  "The value it had to wildlife is undeniable, and that's why working to bring it back is a priority to all conservation oriented organizations."

For more than a quarter century, TACF, DCNR, and a handful of other organizations have worked to bring the chestnut back to North America. Locally, the DCNR Bureau of Forestry, and Penn State University have been working on breeding a blight-resistant American chestnut.  By cross-breeding American Chestnuts with the already blight-resistant Chinese Chestnut, scientists have hoped to produce a strain of American Chestnuts that is highly resistant to the blight.  The tree just planted at Penn State DuBois is one of the first trees that researchers feel could survive in the wild. 

"The tree will certainly get the blight," Burhans said.  "The question is whether or not it can fight it off." 

At a mere 18 inches high, Burhans said the tiny tree is a year and a half old, and came from a greenhouse in Tennessee, where some of the strongest of the newly bred chestnuts are born.  Noting the fast growth of these trees, Burhans said the sapling will shoot up rapidly.  "It could be chest, or head high by the end of summer," he said. 

Penn State DuBois Wildlife Technology students work on an ongoing chestnut tree project in Jefferson County each year, as well.  There, a farm containing around 2,000 crossbred saplings serves as another research hub for organizations like TACF.  One of those students, Nathan McCandless, had the honor of digging the hole for the new campus chestnut tree to be planted.

"It's an honor to be given the opportunity.  It's really something special, and something that no one else can say they had the chance to do," McCandless said. 

"It is very significant to have this tree on campus," said Burhans.  "In 15 or 20 years, you'll have one of the biggest chestnut trees in the country.  The place to come and see a real chestnut tree will be Penn State DuBois." 

DuBois – Students from a wide variety of academic programs were honored at the 71st Annual Delta Mu Sigma Honors Convocation at Penn State DuBois recently.  Awards at the Honors Convocation recognize students for an array of accomplishments, ranging from academic excellence, to overcoming hardships to succeed. 

More than 200 Penn State DuBois students are members of Delta Mu Sigma. In order to qualify for membership, students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or above, and be involved in campus or community service.

Delta Mu Sigma reaches out to DuBois and the surrounding area by offering community service and fundraisers with part of the proceeds benefiting scholarship funds.  Members have volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, and organize a haunted house on campus each Halloween, and donate proceeds to local charities. 

Delta Mu Sigma Awards recipients for 2010 are pictured, left to right:

Row one: Staci Neal, Heidi Miller, Justine Hauser, Kelly Hosack, Kim Hummel, Kelsey Mathews, Whitney Lewis, Barbara Powell, Naomi Burwell, Rebecca Edwards.

Row Two: Melinda Marconi, Terri Garrner, Mike Reed, Breanne Wendel, Brittany Charleson, Chris Kolp, Ed Williams, Melissa Bush, Courtney Wigfield, Maggy Cappella.

Row Three: Tony Vallone, Delta Mu Sigma Faculty Advisor; Theresa Clavarella, Owen Samuels, Jeffrey Sexton, Wesley McMasters, Tim Folmer, Brian Shank, Douglas Kessler, Zachary Baer, Bradley Long, and James Kuterbach, faculty member and recipient of the Excellence in Academic Advising Award.    

According to the United States Department of Agriculture, an invasive species is defined as a species that is non-native, or alien, to the ecosystem under consideration, and whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm, or harm to human health. Invasive species can be plants, animals, and other organisms.  Human actions are the primary means of invasive species introductions.

For their presentation, Kessler and Williams concentrated on mammals, like the feral hog, and insects, such as the Gypsy moth, Emerald Ash Borer, and Asian Ladybug Beetle. They also provided information on fish, like the Asian Carp, and plants, like Japanese Knotweed.  Kessler and Williams were invited to present at the Expo after word spread that the students had completed a similar assignment in the fall for their Terrestrial Wildlife Management course.  "Doug and Liz were required to develop an activity focused on invasive species for an elementary school-aged audience.  Children were invited to class to participate in the activities the Penn State students had developed.  I think it was quite a learning experience for both parties," said Keely Roen, Instructor of Wildlife Technology. 

"Liz hand drew four or five invasive species and turned them into a coloring page for the kids.  Also, we had a revolving picture show that played constantly at our booth," said Kessler.  "We also had photos of both plants and animals, two pieces of ash tree, damaged by Emerald Ash Borers, preserved Emerald Ash Borers, and Asian Ladybug Beetles.  Throughout the course of our demonstration we handed out pamphlets, magnets, and sticker tattoos."

The wildlife majors said they designed this demonstration specifically to get the importance of their message across to elementary age children, and they believe it worked.  "The children acquired some knowledge about what some invasive species can do to harm the environment," Williams said.  "I think teaching the kids that came to our booth about invasive species was a very good experience for me, and for the children."

DuBois – The Occupational Therapy (OT) Program at Penn State DuBois recently opened its doors to the campus and community.  Students and faculty of the program organized an Occupational Therapy Open House in order to educate others about their major, and profession. 

"We want to show people what occupational therapy really does," said student and OT Club president Rachel Britton.  "Most people get it confused with physical therapy, and it's really very different."

Britton explained that physical therapy focuses on recovery and strengthens the bodies of those who have suffered an injury or illness.  Occupational therapy, on the other hand, focuses on teaching people who have experienced a change in their physical abilities how to function at the highest possible level. 

"OT is about the person and what they can do, and getting them back to being independent," Britton explained.  "We want them to do the things they did before, even if it's in a different way, so that they can maintain the roles they have in their lives, like being fathers, or mothers, or leaders."

The faculty and students in the program demonstrated the tools and techniques they use in their field to show visitors how OT works.  Occupation Kits are one valuable asset they have.  The kits 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 exercises provided by the kits allow patients to repeatedly practice these everyday activities.

Visitors also saw the OT house at Penn State DuBois, which is a fully functional space, with a full kitchen, bathroom, bedrooms, and other living spaces.  It's the ideal learning environment for OT students, according to instructor Lu Ann Demi. 

"We have this real house, where we can teach students to work with patients the way they would in the real world, helping them to function within their own home," Demi said.

Britton added that helping someone to regain that high level of function is the most important thing to OT patients, and the most rewarding thing to OT professionals.  "It allows the patients to maintain their self worth and self esteem," Britton said. 

DuBois – Students in the Penn State DuBois Environmental Conservation and Outing (E.C.O.) Club hosted an Earth Day celebration in the Student Union, with the hopes of spreading the word about environmental concerns, and green practices. 

Club members provided live music and free food, but also encouraged those who attended to browse the various displays set up by students, clubs, and more than a dozen businesses and organizations who displayed their environmentally conscious messages. 

"We want to make sure people are aware of the things going on in our environment, and what they can do to help protect and preserve our environment," said E.C.O. Club President Zack Baer.  He noted that even the picnic style lunch they offered was served on washable plates, as opposed to the typical paper or plastic picnic ware.

Businesses explained what their companies do to function efficiently, and the measures they've taken to go green.  Volunteer organizations showed students how their work directly impacts the environment, and invited students to become involved in those efforts.

"We want people to know what we do, and that's improve the habitat for future generations," said Bob Pendro, of Pennsylvania Wildlife Habitat Unlimited.  His group does everything from planting trees, to stalking fish, and helping with wildlife surveys and studies. "We also want to get people, young people, involved.  The more people we get, the more projects we can get done and the more we can accomplish," Pendro said.  

Many of the young people at the event seemed to recognize the message people like Pendro spread through their work, and realize that environmental stewardship is important, not just on Earth Day, but throughout the year.

"Earth Day is all about caring for your planet and cleaning it up, and remembering to be conscious everyday," said student Elizabeth Williams.

The candidates will be asked questions related not only to the state, but also questions regarding issues about the central Pennsylvania Region.  All questions will be asked by the facilitator for the evening, Jay Philippone, owner of Priority Communications.  There will be no questions from the audience.

Nancy Micks, Chamber President, said, "I have tried to express to those representing the candidates that the people of our area are as important to their election as those in the larger cities.  The candidates need to come here to answer our questions and respond to our needs." 

Of the eight candidates for governor, four are Democrats, two are Republicans and two are Independent.  The response from the candidates’ campaigns to date:

Anthony Williams (D):  No Response           

Tom Corbett (R):  Surrogate Speaker

Joe Hoeffel (D):  Surrogate Speaker

Sam Rohrer (R): Will Attend

Dan Onorato (D):  Surrogate Speaker           

Mansfield (Ind): Military Duty

Jack Wagner (D): Will Attend           

Gordon (Ind):  No Response

The Chamber is asking for community input with regard to questions to pose to the candidates.  Please contact the Chamber at (814) 371-5010 with suggestions.

DuBois – During her days at Penn State DuBois from 1992 through 1994, Nicole Kovalyak had her sights set on a career in nursing.  She never imagined that she would also become an inventor.  However, with patents filed on inventions intended to make premature babies more comfortable, and the chance to win a quarter of a million dollars in a contest sponsored by Pepsi, an inventor is exactly what Kovalyak has become.  She's now in the running in Pepsi's Refresh Everything competition that awards grants for great ideas or inventions in a number of areas, including healthcare.  The public chooses the winners through online voting, and two top prize $250,000 grants are awarded each month, to be used to start a business or follow through on the applicant's idea.

Kovalyak's Nurture Rest pillow is the result of her experience as a neonatal intensive care nurse.  After attending Penn State DuBois, she went on to earn a nursing degree from Duquesne University, and has spent the last nine years working with premature babies as a Registered Nurse at DuBois Regional Medical Center (DRMC).  

"Technology in medicine has come so far, but not much has been done to make preemies comfortable," Kovalyak said.  "When they're comfortable they burn less calories, feedings are better, and they sleep more.  So, they grow, get stronger, and go home faster."

Through research and her own experience, Kovalyak determined that babies are most comfortable and get the most rest when they're held by their mother.  For preemies though, the medical equipment they must be connected to does not allow their mother to hold them.  So, she set out to design and construct the Nurture Rest, which simulates the mother's chest. 

"Babies naturally want to lie on their bellies, and they can't get comfortable on a flat bed," Kovalyak explained. On the Nurture Rest, they are willing to reposition, then they naturally start to suck as if they're feeding, and they go right to sleep." 

She continued, "This gets them as comfortable as possible, so they eat and rest better, and ultimately it reduces their time in the hospital." 

Kovalyak said they've used the Nurture Rest in the neonatal unit at DRMC for more than two years now, but the other nurses only recently found out that the pillows were her invention. "I was afraid I wouldn't get real feedback if my coworkers knew the pillows were my idea, and I really wanted to know what the nurses thought of them," she said.   

The real feedback she got was positive, and full of praise.  Other nurses, and even parents of the premature babies cared for at DRMC have fully embraced Kovalyak's invention.  She said any criticism she did hear was used to make improvements or changes to the Nurture Rest.

Kovalyak hopes to start a business that will produce her pillows for hospitals all over the country, or around the world.  The Pepsi Refresh Everything competition would give that effort an enormous boost.

"I just hope I can get as many votes as possible to get this off the ground.  I really think my idea can help a lot of families by helping their babies get healthier faster," Kovalyak said.

To vote for the Nurture Rest, visit http://www.refresheverything.com/  Votes must be cast before the end of April. 

“This is a really special year for Kids in College,” said youth program coordinator Jeannine Hanes.  "Not only does this year mark the 75^th anniversary of Penn State DuBois, but it's also a big milestone year for our youth programs.  We have some exciting new things to offer for our 25^th year, as well."

New for this year is a weekly drawing for various gifts, which will be held in honor of the anniversary.  Students participating in classes each week will be entered into the drawing. There will also be a free supervised lunch period for children attending both morning and afternoon classes in the same week. 

Hanes said she and other organizers have built upon their previous success and believe the 25^th KIC will be the best yet. "We have brought back the best of the programs from previous summers and added new ones suggested by past participants and their parents," she said.  "The classes will involve children with hands-on projects to help them understand machines, art, music, science, or any number of things. We offer classes for almost any interest."  Some new class titles this year include: Galactic Training Academy, Pop Bottle Science, Backyard Birdwatchers, and more!

 Single and multiple-day sports camps are also available in tennis, basketball, wrestling, volleyball, and soccer.  Please note that the dates for the volleyball camp originally scheduled an advertised for June 7-11 has been rescheduled to June 21-25. 

Students in middle and high school can also enjoy class offerings through the Art, Science and Technology Institute at Penn State DuBois.  Among the topics for these courses are podcasting, music recording, sci-fi facts, puppetry, cartooning, drawing, and oil painting, jewelry making, showchoir, robotics with LEGO®, videogame development, and exploration of college life, study skills.  We have also added another course since to the Art, Science and Technology Institute schedule, Videogame Development.  See www.dubois.psu.edu/ce/youth for details. 

Space is limited. For more information, call Jeannine Hanes at 814-375-4836. Registration information and a full list of courses is also available on the website at www.dubois.psu.edu/ce/youth/. 

Full Course List

DuBois, Monday-Thursday, June 14-17

All About Dinosaurs (Ages 4, 5 & 6) 10 a.m.-Noon, Carol Smith
Roar through the world of dinosaurs with hands on activities including art and science projects, songs, games, and stories.

Pets on Parade (Ages 4, 5 & 6) 10 a.m.-Noon, Peggy Wilson
Come and share stories about your pets and learn about many other pets.

Fantasy Island (Grades 1-3) 10 a.m.-Noon, Rachel Frederick
Books can take you on a fantastic journey!

Hop on the Wizardry Express (Grades 3-6) 10 a.m.-Noon, Franny Wales
Begin this magical camp with a sorting ceremony where you will be sorted into one of three Penn State “houses”.

Backyard Birdwatchers (Grades 4-5) 10 a.m.-Noon, Denny Shaffner
Come and learn how to identify birds in our area.

Around the World in Four Days (Grades 4-6) 10 a.m.-Noon, Rose Colson
Have you ever wondered what kids in other countries do for fun or what they eat?

Rockin' With Guitar (Grades 5-6) 10 a.m.-Noon, Mark Wurster
Learn some basics about chords, tab, music note reading, and strumming in order to play along with favorite rock, folk, and popular songs.

Interesting Insects (Ages 4, 5 & 6) 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Carol Smith
See how ladybugs, spiders, caterpillars, butterflies, fireflies, bees, crickets, and ants can be our friends.

African Animal Safari (Ages 4, 5 & 6) 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Peggy Wilson
Come on an African Animal Safari!

Storybook Art (Grades 1-3) 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Melissa Fletcher
Have you ever wondered how pictures in your favorite books are created?

Homes Around the World (Grades 2-3) 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Rachel Frederick
Come and discover different cultures through the homes of people from various countries. Children will hand-make several styles of homes, find the purpose of a home, and visit several countries!

Galactic Training Academy (Grades 3-5) 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Tharren Thompson
Spend time “in a galaxy far, far away” as you explore the secrets of your favorite galactic heroes.!

A World of Fashion (Grades 4-6) 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Rose Colson
Clothes…everyone, everywhere, wears some type of clothing.!

Robotics (with LEGO®) (Grades 5-6) 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Sam Bundy
Use your imagination to create fun and exotic machines to meet a multitude of mechanical challenges and tasks.

Keys to the Keyboard (Grades 5-6) 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Mark Wurster
Unlock the basics of playing the piano or keyboard!!

DuBois, Friday, June 18

Jr. Scientist (Grades K-2 ) 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Carol & Stan Smith, & Peggy Wilson
Join us to experiment with liquids and solids, gravity, surface tension, and bubbles.

Music in Motion (Grades K-2) 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Mark Wurster
Practice moving in rhythm to rock, pop, folk, and dance music.

Crazy Cooking Kids (Grades 3-4) 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Rachel Frederick
We will be crazy chefs in our kitchen!

Ocean Discovery (Grades 4-6) 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Rose Colson
Have you ever wondered about the ocean and how we depend on it?

DuBois, Monday-Thursday, June 21-24

Who Lives in the Ocean (Ages 4, 5 & 6) 10 a.m.-Noon, Carol Smith
Through stories, crafts, songs, and games, we will learn about some of the fascinating creatures that live in the ocean and at the beach.

Fun with Widgets (Ages 4, 5 & 6) 10 a.m.-Noon, Peggy Wilson
Discover how simple machines are made and how they operate.

Glamour Girls (Grades 2-4) 10 a.m.-Noon, Rachel Frederick
Find the true beauty inside of you! Learn how to respect and love your body, eat healthy, experiment with fun healthy meals.

Pop Bottle Science (Grades 2-4) 10 a.m.-Noon, Jennifer Olay
Come explore the worlds of chemistry, physics, biology, geology, weather, and even astronomy with amazing experiments and projects using a pop bottle.

Motorized LEGO0 Lab (Grades 3-4) 10 a.m.-Noon, Tharren Thompson
Get ready to build, experiment, and explore with LEGO®!

Frosting & Flowers (Grades 4-6) 10 a.m.-Noon, Jamie Thrush
Learn cake decorating basics!

Folklore, Tall Tales, and Blogging, Oh My! (Grades 5-6) 10 a.m.-Noon, Tara Kramer
Have you ever wondered what an author was thinking when he/she wrote a story?

Princess Palace I (Ages 4, 5 & 6) 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Rachel Frederick
Calling all princesses! This is a time for you to become a real princess!

Space Explorers (Ages 4, 5 & 6) 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Peggy Wilson
Get ready for fun activities about space!

Movin’ & Groovin’ with the Line (Grades 1-3) 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Lynda Pontzer
Interpret body movements into stick figures of mobility and action in this unique drawing class!

Awesome Art (Grades 2-4) 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Carol Smith
Come and explore different kinds of projects and media.

Physics in Motion (Grades 2-4) 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Jennifer Olay
Labout gravity, light, motion,  while doing hands-on experimentation.

Amazing Space (Grades 4-6) 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Tharren Thompson
Come on an exciting journey through our solar system-and beyond!

Fashion Jewelry Design (Grades 4-6) 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Tammy Gaither
Craft 6 to 8 projects during this course and wear beautiful handmade jewelry home each day.

DuBois, Friday, June 25

Super Hero Hunt (Ages 4, 5 &6) 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Rachel Frederick
Learn about super heroes and what makes them great.

Amazing Habitats! (Grades K-1) 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Peggy Wilson
Come join us as we explore a variety of natural habitats.

Pirate School (Grades 1-3) 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Susie Maurer
Argh! This is no ordinary school! THIS IS PIRATE SCHOOL!

Mad Scientist (Grades 3-5) 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Carol and Stanley Smith
Mad scientists wanted!

Digital Editing (Grades 4-6) 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Tara Kramer
Create unique works of art using web applications, including a digital photo album that can be shared with friends and family. 

St. Marys, Monday-Thursday, June 21-24
(All St. Marys classes are located at the Community Education Council of Elk and Cameron Counties, unless otherwise noted)

Art From Life with Pete Winklbauer
Elk County Catholic School
10 a.m.-Noon, (Grades 1-3)
12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. (Grades 4-6)
The beautiful setting of the St. Marys’ convent will be the location of this class, providing a backdrop of flowers, trees, and color patterns that can be used in your artwork.

Ocean Discovery (Grades 4-6) 10 a.m.-Noon, Rose Colson

Have you ever wondered about the ocean and how we depend on it?

Un Poco De Todo (A Bit Of Everything) (Grades 1-3) 10 a.m.-Noon, Tara Deemer

along and find out about the people and countries of the Spanish-speaking world. ¡Buen viaje!

Around the World in Four Days (Grades 1-3) 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Rose Colson
Have you ever wondered what kids in other countries do for fun or what they eat?

Fiesta: Vamos a México (Grades 4-6) 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m., Tara Deemer
We will explore the culture, customs, and history of our southern neighbor – and learn a little Spanish along the way!. 

Special Developmental Classes!
 
Mommy & Me Music Time (Ages Infant-2) DuBois, Mon.-Thurs., June 14-17, 10:15 a.m.-11 a.m.,For baby and mom! (or dad! or grandparents!) Learn to connect and communicate with your little one through music. Research shows that very young infants can get a head start on advanced motor skills, communication, and spatial reasoning when they are exposed to music and rhythmic movement. At least one parent must accompany each child. Instructor Becky Sensor is a music teacher and choral director at DuBois Middle School.

Little Genius Music Time (Ages 3-5) DuBois, Mon.-Thurs., June 14-17, 9 a.m.-10 a.m., Research shows that very young children can improve motor skills, communication, coordination, and spatial reasoning when they are exposed to music and rhythmic movement. Participants will sing, play rhythm instruments, dance, and have a great time! An adult must attend with 3-year-olds and is welcome to attend with 4 and 5-year-olds. Instructor Becky Sensor.

Toddlers on Their Toes (Ages 2-4) DuBois, Mon.-Thurs., June 21-24, 9 a.m.-10 a.m., This ballet with yoga class will teach adult and child how to stretch and move together. The class will focus on basic and easy yoga poses and very basic ballet movements. Students and parents should wear clothes and shoes that are easy to move in and comfortable. Instructors Becky Sensor and Elizabeth Cogan.

DuBois – Penn State DuBois Associate Professor of Human Development and Family Studies (HDFS) Ben Park has received the George W. Atherton Award for Excellence in Teaching.  Named for the seventh president of Penn State, the university presents the award each year to faculty members who have made substantial efforts to develop excellence in undergraduate teaching.

To be considered for the award, faculty members must have a full-time appointment at Penn State, a tenure-line appointment, undergraduate teaching as a primary responsibility, and a minimum of three years undergraduate teaching experience at Penn State. 

When discussing his philosophy on teaching, Park believes connecting with students, and showing them how their work will impact others, are keys to success.  "Teaching to me involves sharing the joy of learning, and helping students come into contact with new knowledge, understanding and capabilities," he said.  "My ultimate desire as a teacher is that my students are awakened by knowledge, to discover who they are and understand what they are capable of doing to improve their own lives and the world in which they live." 

In addition to teaching at Penn State DuBois, Park is also the coordinator of the Gerontology Minor Program, the chair of the International Students and Programs Committee, and a member of the Diversity Team.  He has conducted extensive research on human behavior, including self-destructive and suicidal behavior. Park's writing has been published in numerous academic publications, and he has given lectures on his research at multiple locations in the United State and Internationally. 

DuBois – A Penn State DuBois faculty member has been recognized for taking her dedication to students beyond the classroom.  Instructor of Wildlife Technology Keely Roen has been chosen as the faculty recipient of the Penn State University Excellence in Advising Award.

This award is given in two separate categories; one for faculty members, and one for professional advisers.  The nominee's impact on general advising, academic guidance, career guidance, enthusiasm, and assistance in decision making are all considered by a committee that determines the award recipients.

"I genuinely appreciate this award because it makes me feel as if I really helped someone," Roen said.  Remaining humble, she adds, "However, I feel a little strange getting an award for just doing my job." 

Academic advisers at Penn State DuBois help students become fully engaged in their educational experience, and meet their educational goals.  Advisors help students to understand the requirements that must be met to earn their degrees, and help them decide how they'll meet those requirements.

Roen acts as an adviser to students in 24 different majors within the College of Agriculture. Each semester she advises as many as 35 students. 

Originally from Alexandria, Virginia, Roen earned her Bachelor of Arts in Biology at the University of Pennsylvania, and her Master of Science degree in Ecology at Penn State.  She has taught at Penn State DuBois since 2001. 

DuBois - Bryan Burhans, President and CEO of the American Chestnut Foundation (TACF), and certified wildlife biologist, was chosen to present this year's Umbaugh Lecture at 12:15 on Friday, April 23, at Penn State DuBois.  During Burhans' visit, he will also plant an American Chestnut tree on campus at Penn State DuBois.  The planting is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. Thursday, April 22. 

Made possible by the generosity of Robert and Joyce Umbaugh, the lecture brings highly qualified speakers in the fields of science and technology to the campus each year.  The lecture is free and open to the public.

Burhans and his presentation, Bring Back the American Chestnut, were chosen for the 2010 Umbaugh Lecture for a variety of reasons. Through Burhans' work with the groundbreaking efforts of TACF, a rebirth of the American Chestnut Tree may soon be a reality.  A rapidly spreading disease, known as the Chestnut Blight, attacked the American Chestnut Tree in the early part of the 20^th Century.  Within a few years, the chestnut virtually disappeared from America’s forests.   Burhans is among a number of researchers working on a blight resistant strain of the chestnut by crossbreeding it with the Chinese Chestnut.  His lecture brings a greater awareness and understanding of this research to the campus community.

Though his work alone is worth hearing about, it is even more relevant to Penn State DuBois, since Wildlife Technology students here currently work with TACF to plant and care for crossbred chestnut trees as part of their curriculum, and part of the efforts to find a blight resistant tree.  These reasons are, in part, why Burhans' work is highly respected at Penn State DuBois.  "The American chestnut was the single most commercially and ecologically important tree species in the eastern deciduous forest prior to its demise in the first half of the 20^th century," said Instructor of Forestry Aaron Stottlemyer.  "We at Penn State DuBois are fortunate to have strong ties to the organization leading the charge to restore this species to our forests, and to its president, Bryan Burhans."

Burhans received his Associate of Wildlife Technology degree at Penn State DuBois, and a Bachelor of Wildlife Science from Penn State. Then, he went on to earn his masters degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology from Frostburg State University.

Burhans started his career as a wildlife biologist for the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries and served as a wildlife biologist for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for two years. He then went to work for the National Wild Turkey Federation in South Carolina as the Director of Land Management Programs working throughout the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

DuBois - Penn State DuBois Associate Professor of Mathematics and Geosciences Rick Brazier had the unique opportunity to teach geology in Africa this year.  Penn State DuBois student Mike Yamrick also had the exceptional opportunity to be one of the students in Brazier's field school. 

The eight week long AfricaArray field school was based out of the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, Africa.  There were 25 students in all, including Yamrick from Penn State DuBois, and four students from other universities in the United States.  The rest of the students were from different locations on the African continent.   

Brazier and the students spent a week at the university designing their field project before heading out to a remote bush camp where they collected and interpreted geophysical data for the project. The goal of this undertaking was to collect geophysical data to benefit Africa’s economy and society, as well as to understand the geology of the continent.

The students from the U.S. made formal project presentations on their work at University Park.  Brazier is scheduled to present a portion of his work during the Natural Resources Colloquium at Penn State DuBois on April 30. 

 
"This experience for the students was not only academically beneficial but life changing," Brazier said, adding that bringing different cultures together within the school had a lasting impact as well.  "The cultural diversity aspect of this program is truly eye opening."

Yamrick said the experience helped him to decide that seismology is what he will concentrate on in his career. "The field school in Africa was awesome. I found what I am truly interested in, and what I would love to make a career out of," he said.  Yamrick also noted that the diverse group in the school made an impression on him as well.  "The field school was a very interesting experience. I got to meet people from a totally different culture, and work with some of the most qualified professors in the world."

AfricaArray is a partnership between Penn State University, Witwatersrand University, and the Council of Geosciences in Pretoria, South Africa. 

DuBois – Beginning April 5, the Penn State DuBois Women's Liaison Committee will begin its Clothesline Project and Take Back the Night activities on campus. 

The events honor women who have been victims of violence and assault.  Fabric paint and T-shirts will available for supporters to decorate in memory of a victim.  The shirts will then hang on a clothesline in the Student Union, displaying messages of hope and support.  Each t-shirt color represents a different violent crime against women.  White for women who have died from violence; yellow or beige for women who have been battered or assaulted; red, pink or orange for women who have been raped or sexually assaulted; blue or green for women who are survivors of incest or child sexual abuse; purple or lavender for women attacked because of their sexual orientation, and black for women attacked for political reasons. 

The Take Back the Night Rally and events are planned for April 12.  Supporters will walk throughout campus with signs displaying messages of hope for abuse victims during the day.  The rally will begin at 7:00 p.m., and include speakers from organizations such as Passages and Crossroads, and the Clearfield County Victim Witness Office.  There will also be poetry readings, and a candlelight vigil.     

"I believe that events like the Clothesline project and the Take Back the Night Rally are important to the victims," said student organizer Heidi Miller. "It's a way to show support, make them aware they are not alone and that people do care and want to help.  It's also a way for people to come together, make a stand and show everyone that violence is not the answer.  It's ugly and it needs to stop."

Officers John Licatovich and Lanny Prosper covered crimes and penalties in their presentation, Alcohol Offenses and Sanctions – How can they impact you? They explained many of the consequences of committing these crimes that young adults may not be aware of.

"A lot of the younger people don't think twice about how these things affect them getting their degree, or their entire life," Prosper said.  He related one story of a college student who nearly had to change majors because criminal charges appeared on a background check at her university. 

"This program really ties together all of the things they can face, not only as far as criminal charges are concerned, but also how their school or campus policies can affect them following an offense,"   Licatovich explained. 

The officers covered areas such as DUI, underage drinking, possession, furnishing alcohol to minors, and other common offenses. 

"Luckily, we have very responsible students at Penn State DuBois," said Student Life Coordinator Marly Doty.  "Most of them won’t have to worry about facing such penalties, but it’s good for them to know what those penalties are.  At the very least, they can pass on what they’ve learned to others."

Kopley is the author of Edgar Allan Poe and the Dupin Mysteries (Palgrave MacMillen), which takes an in-depth look at Poe’s detective stories.  He has contributed to numerous journals and magazines as an expert on Poe’s work, and has spoken about his work at international conferences.  He has also been interviewed for articles that have appeared in such publications as U.S. News and World Report. 

This First Thursday Event is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 1, at Schlow Centre Region Library, 211 South Allen Street, in State College. 

First Thursday is a celebration of the arts in State College.  It is sponsored by the Knight Foundation Fund of the Centre County Community Foundation.

The ServSafe Program fulfills the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture requirements for the Food Employee Certification Act, which states that all establishments in the food service industry must employ or designate at least one certified supervisory employee.

The program focuses on the issues of contamination, storage, preparation, serving, and food safety regulations and standards.

Each year in the United States, an estimated 76 million cases of food-borne illnesses result in approximately 5,000 deaths. About 95 percent of all food-borne illnesses are caused by the mishandling of food.

The 15-hour class will meet from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 6 and Tuesday, April 20, 2010, at Penn State DuBois.

For more information call (814) 372-3005; class size is limited.  If you are seeking recertification, you must contact Rick Kralj at the Jefferson County Cooperative Extension at 814-849-7361.

Children age 10 and under are invited to take part.  Children who find one of 12 golden eggs will receive an additional prize.

Reservations are required.  A $2.00 per child donation will be collected to benefit the Shriners Hospital for Children.

To make a reservation, contact the Office of Student Life at (814) 375-4764, or email mag374@psu.edu

DuBois – A group of Penn State DuBois students spent their recent spring break helping to rebuild communities in New Orleans that are still struggling to recover from the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. 

On the service trip were Jacey Royer, Theresa Skillman, Crystal Vicklund, Max Moclock, Kim Hummel, Alina Bumbarger, Chris Kolp, Tony Harris, Mike Reed, Meredith Gilmore, Matt Sliwinski, Melinda Marconi, Cory Ball, Wes McMasters, and Haylee Passmore.  They were led by Penn State DuBois Student Life Coordinator Marly Doty.  They logged more than 400 volunteer hours during the week-long trip.

One of the first jobs the students jumped into upon arrival in New Orleans was planting trees.  Nearly half a million of Louisiana's Cypress trees wiped out by Katrina.  "Louisiana’s coastal border is lined with swamps and Cypress trees, providing protection from hurricanes. With the loss of these trees, Louisiana is more susceptible to a greater loss during a hurricane," Doty explained.  She said the students planted more than 1,000 trees on their first day.

The rest of their work entailed fixing a home that had been damaged by the hurricane, and then repaired poorly.  Much of the time they were correcting subpar work done by an unscrupulous contractor.  "A lot of people were victims of contractor fraud after the hurricane. Our homeowner was one of those people," said Doty.  "We stabilized the flooring and prepped the outside for siding."

Student volunteers said they felt good about the work they did, and that it will have a lasting impact.  Volunteer Chris Kolp said, "This trip has been so rewarding, the community members were so appreciative, and it brought us closer together as a group. I wish we could have stayed longer.”

Crystal Vicklund added, "It was inspirational to interact with such positive people, despite the tragedy they still face in New Orleans. I am thankful for the opportunity to devote my spring break to give back to New Orleans." 

Doty said the positive experience students have while helping others on such trips becomes more apparent each year.  "This is the third year I’ve had the pleasure of taking students for an Alternative Spring Break trip. It has been wonderful to watch the enthusiasm for this project grow from four students to six and this year a total of 17 of us. This week gave students the platform to learn more about themselves, other people, and what they are capable of."

DuBois – Penn State DuBois Assistant Professor of Geosciences Neyda Abreu  has been selected as one of the 2010 Summer Research Collaboration Fellows for her work, A Window Into the Lives of Young Stars: Electron Microscopy Study of Natural and Experimentally Produced Samples from the Solar Nebula. 

To collect data for her work, Abreu spent six weeks collecting meteorites in the frozen landscape of Antarctica, working with the Antarctic Search for Meteorites program (ANSMET). During this time, Abreu's home was a 10 x 10 tent that she shared with one other team member.  

The hope is that a better understanding of the solar system will come from studying the collected samples.  Abreu will continue her research with this fellowship, while collaborating with Penn State Professor of Material Science and Engineering Elizabeth Dickey.

Created in 2007, The Research Collaboration Fellowship Program is intended to encourage and build research collaborations among faculty members across Penn State. This is accomplished through summer research collaborations between faculty members from the major research institutes located in University Park and faculty members at other campuses.

DuBois – Penn State DuBois Associate Professor of Mathematics and Geology Rick Brazier had the opportunity to work on several projects in South Africa during a recent sabbatical.  While he spent time training students in a field school, and monitoring seismic activity, some of his most profound work may have helped to save a local school.

Brazier's work has provided him with a broad base of experience in varied disciplines of Geology and Mathematics.  So, it was no surprise that he was called in to help indentify the reasons that the water supply at the Dayspring School in Magaliesburg, South Africa was dwindling.

"The school has its own water supply from wells on the property," noted Brazier. "During the past few decades these wells have been drying up, and without the water the school will have to close."  Brazier explained that closing the school would leave dozens of children from small farming communities with no way to get an education.

Brazier preformed a seismic survey of the property, while working with other researches to determine where the water was going.  They found that a number of Blue Gum Eucalyptus trees had been planted as wind breaks across the property around 30 years ago.  While the trees are found in Africa, they are not native to this part of the continent.  They are also known to be very thirsty.

"This invasive tree species uses up vast quantities of water," explained Brazier.  

This is the likeliest of explanations that Brazier and the rest of the team have found for the school's disappearing water supply.  An ongoing study is aimed at proving this idea, and bringing the water back to Dayspring School.

"The level of the water table is being modeled using Seismic and Electrical Resistivity methods. Over time the Blue Gum trees will be removed, and this project will continue to monitor the level of the water table to see if it can recharge," said Brazier. 

Jeff Smallwood (133 pounds), Shawn Hall (184 pounds), and Jim Mosher (Heavyweight) were selected to represent DuBois in the tournament.  Other DuBois wrestlers participating as wild card selections were David Hommell (133 pounds), Steven Terwilliger (174 pounds), and Joe Shields (197 pounds). 

The DuBois men finished in 16th place in the tournament.  On Friday Hommell lost a close 3-2 match to Adam Bastow from Grand Valley State. Hall also lost by decision 3-1 to Derek Marshall from Grand Valley State, and Mosher was eliminated from competition by number one seeded Michael Mullen from Marion Military Institute.  As a team, Penn State DuBois finished with 17.5 points.

Full tournament results can be found at www.ncwa.net.

The USCAA Academic All-American list honors student athletes who are not only dedicated to their sport, but also committed to academic excellence. 

In order to make the list, a student athlete must possess an overall grade point average of 3.5 or greater as documented by a school transcript.

The USCAA is a national organization that provides quality athletic competition on a regional and national level.  Nation-wide, the USCAA holds a membership of 64 higher education institutions. Those member institutions include schools like the University of Cincinnati-Clermont, the University of Maine-Augustus, Ohio State University-Marion, The University of Pittsburgh-Titusville, and campuses within the Penn State system.   

In all, 31 Penn State DuBois students are volunteering on these service trips.  Taking the New Orleans trip are Jacey Royer, Theresa Skillman, Crystal Vicklund, Max Moclock, Kim Hummel, Alina Bumbarger, Chris Kolp, Tony Harris, Mike Reed, Meredith Gilmore, Matt Sliwinski, Melinda Marconi, Cory Ball, Wes McMasters, and Haylee Passmore.

On the Florida service trip are Lauren Abersold, Kayla Barr, Monica Bilotte, Jessica Booher, Anita Cummings, Melissa DeLullo, Carrie Flanagan, Kyle Gordon, Heidi Hepler, Courtney Holtmeyer, Wayne Mauthe, Ashley McCullough, Meghan Pease, Lynne Swales, Ethen Tarner, and Alyssa Weidow.

For updates on these students and their experiences, log onto www.ds.psu.edu

The Alumni Society Tea features an assortment of tea and finger foods, live music provided by Paul Fehrenbach, a fashion show, and social time.  There will also be a 50/50 drawing and a Chinese raffle for luxurious baskets from Merle Norman, Mary Kay, Carriage House and more.

Guests are asked to bring decorations for their tables, using any theme they choose. Tables are judged, and the sponsor of the winning table will receive four free tickets to next year's Alumni Society Tea. Last year’s themes included Christmas toys, garden delight, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Paris, and a Penn State Blue and White theme. 

Tables seat a minimum of four people, and a maximum of eight.  Seats are $25 a piece, with proceeds benefitting the Alumni Society Trustee Scholarship Fund. Last year the Alumni Tea raised nearly $1,200 for the fund. 

The Alumni Society Tea is planned for 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 11, in the Lion's Den Café at Penn State DuBois. 

To make reservations, contact Autumn Weil at 375-4775, or agw11@psu.edu  Advanced reservations are required by March 26, 2010.

To learn more about the Penn State DuBois Alumni Society and the activities that engage the area alumni and the community, please go to www.ds.psu.edu/alumni

Genevro made All-American in United States Colligate Association Division II Men's Basketball.  Dickenson also received honorable mention on that list.

Both players joined the rest of the Penn State DuBois team, participating in the USCAA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship Tournament at Penn State Fayette March 3 through March 6. 

Penn State DuBois finished fourth in that tournament with a 79-62 loss to UC Clermont on Saturday. 

DuBois entered the playoffs with a 21-6 regular season record.  The team was runner-up in this same national tournament in 2007/08, when the tournament was held in South Portland, Maine. 

DuBois – Pan-Celtic rock band, Barleyjuice is slated to take the stage at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 16, in the Multipurpose Building Gymnasium at Penn State DuBois. 

Based in Philadelphia, music critics claim that Barleyjuice creates a sound that you would swear came straight from Ireland.  Fusing classical Irish influences with modern rock, the six-piece band uses bagpipes, violins, mandolins and other traditional instruments, along side contemporary rock instruments, to create a new and unique sound. 

Shay Clarke, of the Irish American News, says, "Here you’ll find great tunes, smart lyrics and a few instant classics from these great songwriters and musicians." 

Barleyjuice comes to Penn State DuBois as part of the campus' Cultural Events series.  This and other cultural events are free and open to the public unless noted otherwise.

For more information, contact the Student Life Office at 375-4764.

The DuBois men now advance to the semifinal round slated for 6:00 p.m. Friday at Penn State Fayette.  They'll face the victor of Thursdays' game between Williamson Trade and the University of Maine, Augusta. 

DuBois entered the playoffs with a 21-6 regular season record.  The team was runner-up in this same national tournament in 2007/08, when the tournament was held in South Portland, Maine. 

The USCAA is a national organization that provides quality athletic competition on a regional and national level.  Nation-wide, the USCAA holds a membership of 64 higher education institutions. Those member institutions include schools like the University of Cincinnati-Clermont, the University of Maine-Augustus, Ohio State University-Marion, The University of Pittsburgh-Titusville, and campuses within the Penn State system.   

Watch for updates at our home page or at http://dubois.psu.edu/StudentLife/Athletics/sports.htm?cn25

A complete schedule and tournament information can be found at www.theuscaa.com

"Congratulations to Penn State DuBois and its students for their dedication to service and commitment to improving their local communities," said Patrick Corvington, CEO of the Corporation for National and Community Service. "Our nation’s students are a critical part of the equation and vital to our efforts to tackle the most persistent challenges we face. They have achieved impactful results and demonstrated the value of putting knowledge into practice to help renew America through service."

Honorees are chosen based on a series of selection factors including the scope and innovation of service projects, percentage of student participation in service activities, incentives for service, and the extent to which the school offers academic service learning. 

"Great pride is the first thought that came to my mind in learning that the campus had been named to the 2010 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll," said Chancellor Anita McDonald.  "Penn State DuBois has had a long tradition of community engagement and service and I am very pleased that the students, faculty and staff have received this prestigious national recognition for their hard work and commitment to serving our region." 

Some of the contributions Penn State DuBois has made to community service include the Martin Luther King Day of Service, where students spend the holiday volunteering with charities.  Club events such as an annual haunted house and Breakfast with Santa provide family entertainment in the community, while raising funds for local causes.  Also, many students have provided their own skills and talents to directly impact the community through personal interaction.  Students in the Occupational Therapy Assistant program, for example, spent 1,050 hours last year volunteering at elementary schools to instruct children in handwriting enrichment.  All told, Penn State DuBois students logged 5,613 hours of service or service-learning hours last year.

Nation-wide, college students make a significant contribution to the volunteer sector; in 2009, 3.16 million students performed more than 300 million hours of service, according to the Volunteering in America study released by the Corporation. Each year, the Corporation invests more than $150 million in fostering a culture of service on college campuses through grants awarded by its programs; the education awards that AmeriCorps members receive at the conclusion of their term of service to pay for college; and through support of training, research, recognition, and other initiatives to spur college service.

The Corporation oversees the Honor Roll in collaboration with the Department of Education, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Campus Compact and the American Council on Education.

For more information, and a complete list of institutions recognized by the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, visit www.nationalservice.gov

The USCAA is a national organization that provides quality athletic competition on a regional and national level.  Nation-wide, the USCAA holds a membership of 64 higher education institutions. Those member institutions include schools like the University of Cincinnati-Clermont, the University of Maine-Augustus, Ohio State University-Marion, The University of Pittsburgh-Titusville, and campuses within the Penn State system.    

The Penn State DuBois Lions were runners-up in this same national tournament in 2007/08, when the tournament was held in South Portland, Maine. 

With a regular season record of 21-6, DuBois will take on New Hampshire Technical Institute-Concord's Community College (NHTI-CCC) in the first round of the USCAA tournament on March 3, at 10:00 a.m. at Penn State Fayette. NHTI-CCC ranked second in the Yankee Small College Conference and has a 21-14 overall record. 

Watch for updates at www.ds.psu.edu

A complete schedule and tournament information can be found at www.theuscaa.com

DuBois – Seven Penn State DuBois students volunteered to have their hair cut in an effort to raise funds for sick children.  One of those students even took his efforts a step further by also donating his hair to a second organization.   

The THON Hair Auction at Penn State DuBois raised over $600 this year.  All proceeds will be donated to THON, the Penn State Dance Marathon, which supports the Four Diamonds Fund for children battling cancer.  Students, faculty and staff cast bids on each of the volunteers.  The highest bidder on a particular volunteer got to cut that person's hair.

Nick Siple, of Brockway, brought in the most money.  His hair, which hung past his shoulders, went for $125.  That total came with a lot of help from Nick's mother, Barb Holt, who works in Administrative Support for Penn State DuBois Student Affairs.

"A group of us pulled some money together," Holt recalled.  "Some faculty and staff members pitched in, along with some of our family members.  It's a good cause."

Siple didn't stop at one good cause, however.  Since he went under the shears for the first time in a long time, he made it well worth the effort.  In addition to the money his haircut raised for THON, Siple also donated the 12 inches cut from his locks to Wigs 4 Kids, an organization that makes wigs for children who have lost their hair due to cancer treatment or other illnesses.  

"I miss my hair, but I'm glad it's going to support good organizations," Siple said.

"I'm always proud of my son," Holt said.  "I'm extremely proud of him right now for showing such generosity for the kids." 

The event, held at the campus Multipurpose building, included wine tasting, hors devours, a silent auction, live auction, raffles, and other games of chance.

Some of the evening's winners included Sheila Bauer, of St Marys, who won the drawing for a Joe Paterno autographed football; Jim Rusnick, of Emporium, who won the door prize of a flat screen television; and Mike Piccirillo, of DuBois, who won the 50/50 worth $645. 

The Lion Wine and Cheese was sponsored by Clyde, Ferraro and Company, Hopkins/Heltzel Law Firm, LaBue Printing, S&T Bank, and Paul and Connie Winkler.

The Penn State DuBois men's wrestling team now has another reason to celebrate the return of the campus' wrestling program.  The team won the Pennsylvania Collegiate State Championship Saturday at Williamson School of Mechanical Trades in Exton, PA.  This is the first year Penn State DuBois has had a wrestling program since the 1970's.

Penn State DuBois beat Williamson Trades 80-66.5.  The 197 pound Joe Shields, of Brookville, came out on top as tournament champion. 

Delaware Valley College placed third in the championship, Northampton Community College fourth, and Penn State's University Park club team came in fifth.    

The team brought home their championship plaque this week, sharing their victory with Penn State DuBois Chancellor Anita McDonald. 

Pictured are:

Front Row: McDonald; Assistant Coach Steve Manginell, of Emporium. 

Second Row: Kyle Bish, of St Marys; Jim Mosher, of Sheffield. 

Back Row,: Joe Shields, of Brookville; Steve Terwilliger, of Brockway

Follow DuBois Athletics at National Championships

2/19/2010 Update
We are pleased to announce that the PSU DuBois will be hosting a Men’s Basketball PSUAC playoff game.

Saturday, Feb. 20th at 3pm against PSU Greater Allegheny.

Come out to support the team, be loud!!   Wear your PSU athletics “white out” shirts from last Saturday’s game.  Additional white out shirts will be on hand in a limited quantity.

Click here for the latest results:

Athletics News

http://dubois.psu.edu/StudentLife/Athletics/sports.htm?cn25

Varsity Athletics Schedules and Results

Women's Basketball
http://dubois.psu.edu/StudentLife/Athletics/30090.htm?cn25

Men's Basketball
http://dubois.psu.edu/StudentLife/Athletics/30095.htm?cn25

Men's Wrestling
http://dubois.psu.edu/StudentLife/Athletics/30500.htm?cn25

DuBois – Dan Kohlhepp, of DuBois, has been named chair of the For the Future Campaign at Penn State DuBois. 

For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students is aimed at keeping a Penn State education affordable by increasing scholarship opportunities for students.  Each campus has assembled its own committee, which is responsible for seeking funding and gifts that will benefit only that campus' students. 

"Dan was an obvious choice as the chair of this committee," said Penn State DuBois Chancellor Anita McDonald.  "He is truly dedicated to his community and to giving back to the people in this region and sharing the success he has had in his business ventures." 

Kohlhepp is President and CEO of Granite Road, LLC, a consulting company specializing in real estate investment and development services.  He is also President and CEO of the Kohlhepp Real Estate Investment Trust, Ltd. and its sister company, the Kohlhepp Corporation which owns and manages a portfolio of closely held real estate investments.  He is also a past president of the DuBois Educational Foundation, the advisory board for Penn State DuBois.

Born and raised in DuBois, Pennsylvania, Kohlhepp earned his B.S. and M.B.A. degrees from Penn State and his Ph.D. in Real Estate and Urban Analysis at The Ohio State University.  He has published numerous academic and professional articles in real estate and continues to teach adult education classes and seminars.  In 2003, he received the Penn State University Alumni Fellow Award.

"As a Penn State graduate and lifelong supporter of the university, I am honored to have this chance to help current Penn State students receive the best education they can," Kohlhepp said.  "I also look forward to seeing all of the opportunities this campaign will provide for students from our area who may not otherwise be able to afford a quality education." 

The Penn State DuBois Lions will take on their conference rivals, Penn State Beaver, in this double header on Saturday, February 13. The women will take to the hardwood first, for a 1:00 p.m. game.  The men's contest will follow, slated for a 3:00 p.m. start. Currently the Penn State DuBois men hold a 17-5 record, and the women a 7-12 record.

Seniors on the Penn State DuBois basketball teams will also be honored Saturday.  Men Marcus Genevro and Kyle Mahoney, along with women Lauren Delacour, Lauren Donovan, and Whitney Lewis will be recognized. 

Free Whit Out shirts will be given to the first 500 people through the door, provided by S&T Bank and Fullington Autobus Company. 

DuBois - The public is invited to relive the history of the Penn State Dance Marathon, or THON, via a timeline exhibit created from resources in the Penn State University Archives. The display features photos and facts from the 37 year history of THON. 

THON began in 1973, when dancers raised just over $2,000.  Today, it is the largest student-run philanthropy effort in the nation. In 2009, the event raised more than $7 million for The Four Diamonds Fund, which supports childhood cancer research. 

This year, THON is scheduled for February 19 – February 21, at the Bryce Jordan Center, where dancers will attempt to stay on their feet for 46 hours. 

The THON exhibit will be on display in the Penn State DuBois Library, 113 Hiller Building, through February 22, 2010. The Library is open Mondays –Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; and Sundays from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.  For more information, call 375-4756.

DuBois – A new mystery novel, now on store shelves, has come straight from the mind of a Penn State DuBois student.  Death and the Campus  (I.C.G. Books) is the work of DuBois native and returning adult student Jeff Sexton, who plans to graduate from Penn State DuBois with a degree in Letters, Arts, and Sciences in December.  The book centers on detective Jason Horde, who returns to his alma mater to investigate the death of his former professor. 

"This is a first person account of the case as told by Horde.  He's a merger of your Sherlock Holmes and your hard-boiled Sam Spade," Sexton explains.  "I wanted to create a character that was seedy but still likeable." 

Sexton says the book's setting is loosely inspired by Penn State DuBois, but he wants it to feel familiar to anyone, anywhere.  "I want people to be able to read this anywhere in the country and feel like this is happening just down the street," he says.  

Inspiration for the 35 year-old's first novel came from literature he has studied in writing courses in his curriculum, including original detective stories by Edgar Allan Poe.  Once immersed in a passion for these stories, Sexton says he wondered if he could create such stories himself.  He took a shot, and asked English Professor Richard Kopley to offer feedback.

"I started writing and gave it to Dr. Kopley to read," Sexton recalls.  He gave me very positive feedback, so it made me want to give him even more to read because I was getting such great feedback." 

That continued work, over a two year span, eventually turned into Death and the Campus.  It its finished form, Sexton's work continues to garner praise from his teacher.

"Jeff Sexton is a natural writer of detective fiction.  He has an ease and command of the genre," says Kopley. 

Chancellor Anita McDonald praised the accomplishments of this returning adult student and father of three, noting that he also started his own company, I.C.G. Books, which he used to publish his book while working with an independent printer.  "It is amazing all of the responsibilities that Jeff has juggled.  There are so many challenges for people to overcome today," says McDonald.  "Just getting an education while raising a family is quite an accomplishment, but to also write a book and start a company at the same time is very admirable."   

Sexton says he's not done yet. He plans to further his education by getting his master's in creative writing.  He also wants to extend the saga of his character, Jason Horde, in a series of sequels to Death and the Campus.  That's a future that his already emerging fan base looks forward to.

"I thoroughly enjoyed this first Jason Horde murder mystery and look forward to reading more of Mr. Horde’s further exploits," Kopley says.

Death and the Campus is available online through Barnes and Noble and Amazon.com.  It is also in stock at the Penn State DuBois campus bookstore, which is a Barnes & Noble store.   

A book signing will be held at noon on February 15, in the Student Union at Penn State DuBois.

Athletic officials at Greater Allegheny say the forecasted winter storm has brought about their decision to call off the games.  An estimated six-to-eight inches of snow is expected in their area tonight.  This in addition to the 23 inches of snow the campus received on Saturday. 

The games have not yet been rescheduled. 

Nellis explained the reason for the tournament to be called off was that two of the participating schools, both based in Virginia, were forced to keep their teams from traveling to DuBois this weekend due to the severe winter weather forecasted for their area. 

DuBois – Though she normally specializes in Educational Support, Diane Gigliotti-Spratt has become a campus historian in recent months.  Surrounded by stacks of old books and historic photos, she's now heading up a project to record the 75 year history of Penn State DuBois in a soon-to-be released book.   

The book, Penn State DuBois Proud: Celebrating 75 Years of Service to Our Community (Heritage Books), will be available in mid-May, just as the campus' 75^th Anniversary Celebration kicks off.  Gigliotti-Spratt says the full-color, 150 page coffee table-style book will tell the history of Penn State DuBois through stories and recollections of the people who have been involved with the campus throughout its history.  "It is going to tell our story through a narrative," she said. "But a large part of it will also be photos, reflections, and facts gathered from retirees, former students, and community members who have memories of the campus." 

While gathering information to include in the book, Gigliotti-Spratt has had the opportunity to sift through records spanning all seven decades of the campus history.  "It has truly been a challenge, there is so much history here," she said.  "But it has been so interesting at the same time, and I've learned so much."  She goes on to explain, "I found that the first class to enroll at the campus in 1935 had students who came from nine different communities in the area.  Even then, people were traveling to get here and better themselves through education.  They did this based on their needs, and the needs of the workforce, but they also did it with the support of their communities.  Those are things that were as relevant back then as they are today." 

There is still time for alumni and friends of Penn State DuBois to share their memories, photographs or other items for inclusion in the book.  To do so, you're asked to call Diane Gigliotti-Spratt at 375-4792, or email dubois75@psu.edu

DuBois – Some area youth in Clearfield, Jefferson and Elk Counties are getting a head start on their career by exploring the professional options available right here in the Tri-County Area.  

The Leaders in Technology (LIT) program helps young people evaluate work they are best suited for through assessments and aptitude analysis, and then introduces them to technology-based careers that align with both their talents and interests. 

"The fist part of the program gets the kids to look inside themselves and understand what qualities they have, what interests they have and really examine who they are," said Youth Educator for the LIT program, Lisa Bowser.  She explains that properly matching program participants to work that interests and satisfies them is a key to career success. 

Throughout the course, students are also tutored in basic life skills, like balancing a checking account.  Basic math and reading skills are also reviewed and built upon.  Students also receive help and guidance in building good Leadership skills, which go a long way in helping them to feel comfortable and confident in a business environment. 

Modeled after similar programs used by 4-H, which were established with the help of the Penn State Cooperative Extension, Jefferson County Extension Director Rick Kralj said the program is built on a proven formula. He explained, "We've had such success with the 4-H program, that we're using that same basic curriculum here.  One of our main goals is to indentify the skills that the students need to make stronger and help them develop those."     

"There has been such a need for a program like this," Bowser said.  "To get these kids the exposure to these types of environments and to do this work and have someone tell them what it's like.  It's fantastic."

Each student in the program will, in fact, have someone to tell them exactly what it's like to work in their desired field.  After choosing a career that they would like to pursue, each student will be matched with a mentor who currently works in that field.  The mentor will help them to further explore the duties required of someone doing that type of work, and help them to understand the educational requirements.

The career paths the program focuses on are also ones that are likely to provide plenty of opportunity, according to Penn State DuBois Continuing Education Representative Jeannine Hanes.  "We have targeted high priority careers that the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has outlined as having a large demand for people to fill open positions," Hanes said.  That includes careers in the Telecommunications and Personal Computer industries, as well as work with Nanotechnology and Global Positioning Systems. 

Upon completing the program, each participant will have earned a certificate, and compiled a portfolio of their work.  Both are items they can use to help market themselves to potential employers.  

The class meets for three hours, once a week, for three months.  Classes are available in DuBois, St Marys, Clearfield, and Brookville.  People ages 14-21, with an economic disadvantage, and a barrier to employment are eligible.  There is no cost to class participants.

The program is the result of collaboration between the North Central Workforce Investment Board, Continuing Education at Penn State DuBois, and the Penn State Cooperative Extension.  The program is made possible by funding sponsored by the North Central Workforce Investment Board.  

For more information, contact Jeannine Hanes at 375-4836, or jhanes@psu.edu

DuBois – Students and staff from Penn State DuBois helped to commemorate the life of Martin Luther King Jr. with a week full of activates. 

One of the most influential activities was the MLK Day of Service, when students from Penn State DuBois, as well as five other Penn State campuses, celebrated this Martin Luther King Jr. Day serving others.  The regional Penn State Make it a Day On, Not a Day Off Day of Service gives students the chance to give back each Martin Luther King Jr. Day, rather than just take the day off while classrooms are closed. 

In its second year, the Regional event was designed to bring several Penn State Campuses together, and rotate through a new community in each of the campus' service areas each year. The efforts are coordinated by Student Activities Leaders at each Penn State location.  This year, DuBois, Shenango, Beaver, Fayette, New Kensington, and Greater Allegheny campuses joined forces.  Greater Allegheny hosted this service day, and the entire group of 80 students and staff members joined forces to volunteer around the campus' area of McKeesport to commemorate King's passion for community service. 

The Penn State team worked with Auberle, a home for abused, neglected and troubled children throughout Southwestern Pennsylvania, and with the Healthy Start and Earthen Vessels program.  The volunteers spent time teaching the children team building exercises, doing arts and crafts, and discussing the life and legacy of King.

"It was a great experience sharing the love that was behind Reverend Martin Luther King's messages with foster care kids that aren’t nearly as fortunate as us," said Penn State DuBois student Kyle Gordon. 

Fellow student Chris Kolp agreed, saying, "There is nothing like selflessness. I highly recommend taking time out for others; this world needs it more than ever."

DuBois Student Life Coordinator Marly Doty said she was impressed with the dedication the Penn State students had for serving the children they worked with.

"I am humbled to work with such giving and caring students," Doty said.

"I was amazed at the depth and insight the students gave. Our future looks brighter in this world with students like this."

Last year, organizers of the MLK Day of Service won the Vice President’s Award for Outstanding Program.

Other activities throughout the week included a Multimedia Presentation on the Civil Rights Movement, a screening of the film In Remembrance of Martin, and the establishment of a Dream Board, where students were encouraged to write down their dreams and have them posted in the Student Union.  

Live and silent auctions, raffles, and other games of chance will be held.  Numerous businesses and individuals in DuBois and the surrounding areas have donated items such as a flat screen TV, a Joe Paterno autographed football, a vacation package, other Penn State memorabilia, and much more.

All proceeds will benefit varsity athletic programs at Penn State DuBois. 

For additional information or to purchase tickets contact Autumn Weil at 375-4775 or agw11@psu.edu

The Monterey Jazz Festival On Tour celebrates one of the longest-running and most important jazz festivals with a stellar gathering of musicians featuring artists like Kenny Barron, Regina Carter, Kurt Elling, Russ Malone, Kiyoshi Kitagawa, and Jonathan Blake.   

The on-star ensemble will make just one stop at Penn State, and the Penn State DuBois Alumni Society will offer a complete package to help make this a memorable event.  The package includes transportation from Penn State DuBois or the Clearfield Super Wal-Mart, dinner and dessert at Bonfatto’s Restaurant in Bellefonte, and one Monterey Jazz Festival Ticket.  The package cost is $70.00 per person. 

Transportation will depart from Penn State DuBois at 4:00 p.m. and the Clearfield Wal-Mart at 4:45 p.m. on Tuesday, February 16. 

For more information, or to reserve your ticket, contact Autumn at the Penn State

DuBois Alumni Relations Office at 375-4775 or agw11@psu.edu

The breakfast is planned for 6:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 23, at the Grampian Community Building.  The cost is $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children under 10.  Tickets will be available at the door.

For more information on THON, visit http://www.thon.org/

The women take on Mercyhurst this Saturday, following a 63-50 loss to Pitt Titusville on Wednesday. Their record currently stands at 4-6.

For the men, they'll take on their first opponent of the new year when they face Penn State New Kensington at 3:00 p.m.  Their last game, back on December 20 ended in an 82-58 loss against Clarion University, bringing their record to 8-3.

The public is welcome to come out and support the Penn State DuBois teams in their home gymnasium in the campus Multipurpose Building.  Tickets are available at the door.

"We're excited to be pioneers in getting the USCAA to recognize wrestling," said Penn State DuBois Athletic Coordinator Scott Feldman.  "We're also thrilled to have our own wrestlers on the national stage."

Feldman said five teams and 50 wresters will participate in the tournament. The event will start off with a team dual tournament on Friday, and an individual tournament will follow on Saturday.  There will be awards for teams and individuals. 

"We hope this brings a lot of focus to our campus from far and wide," said Feldman. 

DuBois – Ken Nellis, of Clarion, has been named the new Athletic Coordinator at Penn State DuBois. His duties will include working with the six varsity athletic programs to schedule games and transportation.  He will also manage intramural, recreational, and club athletics, and coordinate activities with students and coaches. Nellis will also supervise the Fitness Room and athletic facilities.

A 1996 graduate of Clarion University, Nellis has nearly 20 years of experience working in academics. 

Nellis most recently worked as an Athletic Development Officer at Clarion University where he raised funds for the university’s athletic programs.  Prior to that, he served as a wrestling coach at Clarion for 16 years.  He was head coach for nine of those seasons, and served on the board of directors for the National Wrestling Coach’s Association for six years.  Nellis also supervised summer wrestling camps for children during his time as coach.  The camps hosted 600 to 800 youngsters each year.

"This is a great opportunity for me to get back into athletics administration and to work with students again," Nellis said of his new position.  "The recreational and intramural side really pulls everything together.  I’m not just working with student athletes on a varsity level, but I also get to interact with the student population as a whole." 

Kinesiology Instructor Maureen Horan, who helped to conducted interviews for the job, said Nellis is a great fit. "His focus on being student-oriented came across very clearly. The uniqueness of overseeing Athletics and Intramurals and other Student Life areas make this a very student-friendly position," she said.

Nellis said he was also attracted to the Penn State DuBois athletics programs because of their recent growth and the addition of several varsity sports in recent years.  He said he agrees with campus administration who sees athletics as an important part of the college experience.  "I think the athletic component is a great part of the academic process," Nellis said.  "It teaches students priorities, organization, teamwork, and leadership." 

Nellis replaces former Athletic Coordinator, Scott Feldman, who recently relocated to Texas.