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University, State College leaders target State Patty's Day

2/8/13

As the student-organized "State Patty's Day" approaches this month, town-and-gown initiatives are taking form to weaken the destructive annual gathering centered on the over-consumption of alcohol.

Since 2007, the artificial holiday known as "State Patty's Day" has led to an increase in alcohol overdoses, arrests, vandalism and litter, creating a generally inhospitable atmosphere in town. Attracting attention beyond the campus community, the event has been detrimental to the reputation of Penn State students, even though many of the day's revelers travel from outside University Park.

Untitled

Shale Gas Innovation Contest nets more than 70 new ideas

2/7/13

Last fall, The Shale Gas Innovation & Commercialization Center (SGICC) announced its second annual Innovation Contest. The deadline for participation was Feb. 1. Like last year's competition, which received more than 50 applications, this year's statewide contest turned out to be of great interest and generated more than 70 new ideas. A total of $75,000 in prize money is being offered, and three winners will be announced in the spring.

Bill Hall, SGICC director, noted that the quality of the applications was very high. "We received even more applications than last year, and many of the concepts are really impressive. Topics covered the entire gamut of the shale gas play from down-hole extraction, pad protection and environmental safety, water and wastewater focused technologies, data management concepts, and even included multiple downstream gas and NGL (natural gas liquids) utilization technologies. We are excited to start the vetting process to select the best concepts."

Untitled

Registration open for May 8 Pa. Groundwater Symposium

2/7/13

In observance of National Drinking Water Week, Penn State Extension and the state Department of Environmental Protection are collaborating with numerous other sponsors to offer the 2013 Pennsylvania Groundwater Symposium. Scheduled for May 8 at Penn State's University Park campus, registration for the event now is open.

Outreach_PennTAP

New guide promotes alternative fuel use by forest products industry

2/6/13

Alternative fuel use by the wood products industry could reduce the industry's dependence on fossil fuels and decrease its emissions.

A new resource guide created by the Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program (PennTAP), the Penn State College of Engineering, and the Mid-Atlantic Clean Energy Applications Center (MACEAC) promotes the use of one such alternative fuel: combined heat and power (CHP). CHP, also known as cogeneration, is the simultaneous production of electricity and heat from a single fuel source -- in this case, on-site waste products such as sawdust, wood shavings or bark.

Bob Phillips leaves Hershey Medical Center with his family

Palmyra man first in Pa. to go home with total artificial heart

2/5/13

When Bob Phillips left the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center for his Palmyra home this month, he did so without a human heart. The 74-year-old became the first person in Pennsylvania to go home with a total artificial heart and a portable driver to power it.

Gov. Corbett shares 2013-14 Pennsylvania budget proposal

2/5/13

As anticipated, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett today (Feb. 5) presented his 2013-14 budget, which included level funding of a little more than $214 million for Penn State's annual state appropriation. Also contained in his budget proposal is level funding at nearly $13.6 million for Penn College and $44.7 million for Agricultural Research and Extension.

"In this difficult budget environment, the governor's offer of level funding is a clear sign that higher education is critical for Pennsylvania's economic recovery and for our next generation of workers. The governor's budget proposal is the beginning of a long process of legislative review and we are pleased that he has recommended no cuts in our appropriation this year," said Penn State President Rodney Erickson.

Corbett announces level funding for higher education in 2013-14

2/1/13

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett announced today (Feb. 1) level funding for the state's four-year public universities in his 2013-14 spending plan.

During a press conference in Harrisburg, Corbett said university leaders have promised to keep tuition increases as low as possible in exchange for the $1.58 billion investment in higher education. Corbett will unveil his entire 2013-14 budget to the general assembly on Feb. 5.

Untitled

Online survey to gauge opinions about Pennsylvania's water resources

1/29/13

Pennsylvanians can express their opinions about the state's water resources by filling out a brief online survey conducted by Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences and several partner agencies.

Researchers are interested in learning what residents believe about the current status of the Keystone State's water and how they think funding and other resources should be prioritized to best protect and manage water resources. The objective is to collect opinions from thousands of Pennsylvania residents, according to Bryan Swistock, Penn State Extension water resources specialist, who is coordinating the research.

Untitled

Expo to showcase Pennsylvania forest products industry

1/24/13

Preparations are under way for the 2013 Forest Products Equipment and Technology Exposition, which will be held June 7 and 8 at Penn State's Ag Progress Days site at Rock Springs.

Known as Timber 2013, the bi-annual trade exposition is hosted by the College of Agricultural Sciences and the Pennsylvania Forest Products Association. Parking and admission are free.

Timber 2013 is an opportunity for owners and employees of forest-products companies to hone their business skills, learn about the latest production practices and see emerging technology, according to Penn State's Bob Oberheim, Timber 2013 manager.

Untitled

Penn State research helps build new Rothrock State Forest greenway

1/22/13

When a new greenway gives the Penn State community and area residents a direct access to Rothrock State Forest, the surface material will be a unique stone mix developed by researchers at the Thomas D. Larson Pennsylvania Transportation Institute's Center for Dirt and Gravel Road Studies at Penn State. The Musser Gap Greenway, scheduled to open in the fall, will extend 1.4 miles from the Musser Gap parking lot northwest to Whitehall Road near Blue Course Drive.

Researchers at the center developed a specialized stone mix called Trail Surface Aggregate, or TSA, in response to the need for a stone mix for non-motorized use paths that resists erosion and is low maintenance. The designer of the greenway, Stahl Sheaffer Engineering LLC selected Penn State's TSA for the project.

Penn State project breathing life into Philadelphia Navy Yard

1/18/13

Penn State's Board of Trustees on Jan. 18 approved final renovation and construction plans for the Energy Efficient Buildings (EEB) Hub headquarters building complex at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. The EEB Hub is a national effort to make commercial and multifamily residential buildings more energy efficient.

The designs for the EEB Hub building complex from the architectural firm of KieranTimberlake of Philadelphia, include renovation of an existing 38,000-square-foot building and the construction of a new 25,200-square-foot building. The buildings will facilitate public education and outreach, and function as the headquarters for the EEB Hub. The total project budget for both buildings combined is $39 million, funded by the state and grants from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Economic Development Administration. Completion of both renovation and construction is expected by spring 2014.

University, State College leaders target State Patty's Day

2/8/13

As the student-organized "State Patty's Day" approaches this month, town-and-gown initiatives are taking form to weaken the destructive annual gathering centered on the over-consumption of alcohol.

Since 2007, the artificial holiday known as "State Patty's Day" has led to an increase in alcohol overdoses, arrests, vandalism and litter, creating a generally inhospitable atmosphere in town. Attracting attention beyond the campus community, the event has been detrimental to the reputation of Penn State students, even though many of the day's revelers travel from outside University Park.

Untitled

Shale Gas Innovation Contest nets more than 70 new ideas

2/7/13

Last fall, The Shale Gas Innovation & Commercialization Center (SGICC) announced its second annual Innovation Contest. The deadline for participation was Feb. 1. Like last year's competition, which received more than 50 applications, this year's statewide contest turned out to be of great interest and generated more than 70 new ideas. A total of $75,000 in prize money is being offered, and three winners will be announced in the spring.

Bill Hall, SGICC director, noted that the quality of the applications was very high. "We received even more applications than last year, and many of the concepts are really impressive. Topics covered the entire gamut of the shale gas play from down-hole extraction, pad protection and environmental safety, water and wastewater focused technologies, data management concepts, and even included multiple downstream gas and NGL (natural gas liquids) utilization technologies. We are excited to start the vetting process to select the best concepts."

Untitled

Registration open for May 8 Pa. Groundwater Symposium

2/7/13

In observance of National Drinking Water Week, Penn State Extension and the state Department of Environmental Protection are collaborating with numerous other sponsors to offer the 2013 Pennsylvania Groundwater Symposium. Scheduled for May 8 at Penn State's University Park campus, registration for the event now is open.

Outreach_PennTAP

New guide promotes alternative fuel use by forest products industry

2/6/13

Alternative fuel use by the wood products industry could reduce the industry's dependence on fossil fuels and decrease its emissions.

A new resource guide created by the Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program (PennTAP), the Penn State College of Engineering, and the Mid-Atlantic Clean Energy Applications Center (MACEAC) promotes the use of one such alternative fuel: combined heat and power (CHP). CHP, also known as cogeneration, is the simultaneous production of electricity and heat from a single fuel source -- in this case, on-site waste products such as sawdust, wood shavings or bark.

Bob Phillips leaves Hershey Medical Center with his family

Palmyra man first in Pa. to go home with total artificial heart

2/5/13

When Bob Phillips left the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center for his Palmyra home this month, he did so without a human heart. The 74-year-old became the first person in Pennsylvania to go home with a total artificial heart and a portable driver to power it.

Gov. Corbett shares 2013-14 Pennsylvania budget proposal

2/5/13

As anticipated, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett today (Feb. 5) presented his 2013-14 budget, which included level funding of a little more than $214 million for Penn State's annual state appropriation. Also contained in his budget proposal is level funding at nearly $13.6 million for Penn College and $44.7 million for Agricultural Research and Extension.

"In this difficult budget environment, the governor's offer of level funding is a clear sign that higher education is critical for Pennsylvania's economic recovery and for our next generation of workers. The governor's budget proposal is the beginning of a long process of legislative review and we are pleased that he has recommended no cuts in our appropriation this year," said Penn State President Rodney Erickson.

Corbett announces level funding for higher education in 2013-14

2/1/13

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett announced today (Feb. 1) level funding for the state's four-year public universities in his 2013-14 spending plan.

During a press conference in Harrisburg, Corbett said university leaders have promised to keep tuition increases as low as possible in exchange for the $1.58 billion investment in higher education. Corbett will unveil his entire 2013-14 budget to the general assembly on Feb. 5.

Untitled

Online survey to gauge opinions about Pennsylvania's water resources

1/29/13

Pennsylvanians can express their opinions about the state's water resources by filling out a brief online survey conducted by Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences and several partner agencies.

Researchers are interested in learning what residents believe about the current status of the Keystone State's water and how they think funding and other resources should be prioritized to best protect and manage water resources. The objective is to collect opinions from thousands of Pennsylvania residents, according to Bryan Swistock, Penn State Extension water resources specialist, who is coordinating the research.

Untitled

Expo to showcase Pennsylvania forest products industry

1/24/13

Preparations are under way for the 2013 Forest Products Equipment and Technology Exposition, which will be held June 7 and 8 at Penn State's Ag Progress Days site at Rock Springs.

Known as Timber 2013, the bi-annual trade exposition is hosted by the College of Agricultural Sciences and the Pennsylvania Forest Products Association. Parking and admission are free.

Timber 2013 is an opportunity for owners and employees of forest-products companies to hone their business skills, learn about the latest production practices and see emerging technology, according to Penn State's Bob Oberheim, Timber 2013 manager.

Untitled

Penn State research helps build new Rothrock State Forest greenway

1/22/13

When a new greenway gives the Penn State community and area residents a direct access to Rothrock State Forest, the surface material will be a unique stone mix developed by researchers at the Thomas D. Larson Pennsylvania Transportation Institute's Center for Dirt and Gravel Road Studies at Penn State. The Musser Gap Greenway, scheduled to open in the fall, will extend 1.4 miles from the Musser Gap parking lot northwest to Whitehall Road near Blue Course Drive.

Researchers at the center developed a specialized stone mix called Trail Surface Aggregate, or TSA, in response to the need for a stone mix for non-motorized use paths that resists erosion and is low maintenance. The designer of the greenway, Stahl Sheaffer Engineering LLC selected Penn State's TSA for the project.

Penn State project breathing life into Philadelphia Navy Yard

1/18/13

Penn State's Board of Trustees on Jan. 18 approved final renovation and construction plans for the Energy Efficient Buildings (EEB) Hub headquarters building complex at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. The EEB Hub is a national effort to make commercial and multifamily residential buildings more energy efficient.

The designs for the EEB Hub building complex from the architectural firm of KieranTimberlake of Philadelphia, include renovation of an existing 38,000-square-foot building and the construction of a new 25,200-square-foot building. The buildings will facilitate public education and outreach, and function as the headquarters for the EEB Hub. The total project budget for both buildings combined is $39 million, funded by the state and grants from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the Economic Development Administration. Completion of both renovation and construction is expected by spring 2014.