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Library offers mini-classes on research basics

1/30/06

Learn to use Penn State University Libraries resources in informative one-hour sessions, "Research Basics," that will include how to access The CAT, the online catalog, and use the ProQuest article database. Sessions will be held at 3 p.m. Monday, Feb. 13, and Tuesday, Feb. 28. Free and open to the public, the sessions will be in the Gateway Commons Instructional Lab, 104 Pattee Library. No registration is required. For more information, call Instructional Programs at (814) 865-9257 or go to http://www.libraries.psu.edu/instruction/LIAS_Seminars.htm online.

Barnes & Noble gives $200,000 to Dance Marathon

1/27/06

Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, which manages bookstores on 23 Penn State campuses, has given $200,000 to the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON) in support of the fight against pediatric cancer. THON, the world's largest student-run philanthropy, is scheduled to take place Feb. 17-19 in Rec Hall on the University Park campus. Last year the event raised $4.1 million for the Four Diamonds Fund, which provides support to pediatric cancer patients, their families, researchers and staff at Penn State Children's Hospital, located on the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center campus. Steve Falke, regional director for Barnes & Noble College Booksellers, said the company has been a longtime corporate sponsor of the dance marathon. "All of our bookstore employees are honored to be associated with THON," Falke said. "The students who participate in the event are a tremendous inspiration to us, and so are the children and their families. Through this gift, we are making a long-term commitment to support their work to conquer childhood cancer."

The Medical Minute: Hepatitis A -- Another vaccination success

1/25/06

Hepatitis is an inflammation of the liver that can have many causes but is commonly due to an infection, usually a virus. The latest Medical Minute, a service of Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, reviews the five types of hepatitis virus, termed A through E. Hepatitis is often referred to as "yellow jaundice" because the skin and eyes turn brownish-yellow from high levels of bilirubin. Bilirubin is a by-product of red blood cell recycling. It leaks from the liver into the blood when the impaired liver can not remove it from the system. In 1995 hepatitis A vaccine was licensed in the United States. Initially it was recommended for vaccination of high risk populations and children older than age 2 in states with the highest incidence of hepatitis A -- mostly the states west of the Mississippi. In five years the incidence of hepatitis A plummeted from about 12 cases per 100,000 to less than three. Results have been so impressive that recommendations for vaccination have been expanded.

University Health Services announces handwashing campaign, smoking cessation challenge

1/24/06

Penn State's University Health Services (UHS) has announced two opportunities for students to improve their own health and the health of those around them. UHS's "Don't Get Caught Dirty Handed" handwashing campaign aims to reduce the spread of infections through educational events on Jan. 30 and Feb. 1-2. In addition, Penn State students at the University Park campus who want to quit smoking or at least cut back are invited to sign up for the "Quit and Win Challenge," which will be held during February.

Portrait session, orders for <i>La Vie</i> yearbooks being taken now

1/24/06

Every year La Vie publishes a yearbook that recaps and highlights the events and students that make the Penn State so memorable. This year La Vie is excited to announce the publication of its first all-color book. A few of this year's special features are a football magazine highlighting big games; special coverage of the Orange Bowl; a post-season interview with Joe Paterno; and comprehensive coverage of THON, complete with a DVD.

Newswire to begin for off-campus students

1/24/06

Beginning later this month, off-campus students will have a new option for accessing important news and information. The Penn State Off-Campus Student Newswire, sponsored by the Off-Campus Student Union, will provide information on downtown events, renter's rights and other issues relevant to students who live off campus. Don't miss this opportunity to become a more informed Penn State student and member of the State College community. People who currently live off campus or plan to in the near future are encouraged to sign up now. To subscribe, visit http://newswires.psu.edu/ online.

Student Philanthropy Council hosts awareness campaign

1/24/06

For two weeks beginning Jan. 23, Penn State's newly formed Student Philanthropy Council (SPC) will host a campaign aimed at raising awareness in the University community about the important role philanthropy plays at Penn State. Students can visit the SPC's table on the ground floor of the HUB-Robeson Center on Wednesday, Jan. 25, and Wednesday, Feb. 1, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. to learn more about philanthropy's impact on Penn State, plus enter a drawing for a chance to win prizes such as lunch- or dinner-for-two certificates at area restaurants, and exam packs from Nittany Notes.

Winter Trash to Treasure sale will be Saturday

1/24/06

The Student United Way Chapter will hold its winter sale Saturday, Jan. 28, to benefit the 37 local health and human agencies supported by the United Way. The Trash to Treasure sale aims to offer low-priced goods to the community while raising money and practicing smart waste management. The sale will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Trash to Treasure room in Johnston Commons. Parking is available across Bigler Road in the East Parking Deck. Cash and checks only will be accepted.

Off-campus housing fair set for Saturday

1/23/06

The 21st annual student Housing Fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 28, in Alumni Hall of the HUB-Robeson Center on Penn State's University Park campus. Admission is free, and students will be able to get information from more than 25 exhibitors representing a large variety of rental apartments, townhouses and houses. The event is sponsored by Off-Campus Living, as well as the Commonwealth Campus Student Government and the Off-Campus Student Union. Designed for students moving from the residence halls to town, the event also gives transfer students an opportunity to choose where to live in fall 2006.

Global Connections seeks volunteers to befriend international visitors

1/23/06

Global Connections, formerly the International Hospitality Council, needs volunteers for its International Friendship Program. In the program, volunteers will be matched with an individual, couple or family from another country, getting together once or twice a month for friendship and cultural exchange -- meeting for coffee and conversation, including them in family activities such as sharing a meal together, going pumpkin picking or attending an event. No housing is involved. To participate in the International Friendship Program, complete an application online at http://www.international.psu.edu/gc or contact the Global Connections office at globalconnections@ip.psu.edu or (814) 863-3927.
Read the full story at http://live.psu.edu/story/15655

Board approves Pangborn as vice president and dean for undergraduate education

1/20/06

Penn State's Board of Trustees approved the appointment of Robert N. Pangborn as vice president and dean for undergraduate education at the University. In his new position Pangborn is responsible for providing leadership in undergraduate education, including support for general education, active and collaborative learning, student research experiences, internships, service learning, cross-campus curricular integration, and the development of facilities for technology-enhanced learning. He also will administer the University's enrollment management and administration across Penn State's 20 baccalaureate degree-granting campuses. "Rob Pangborn is an extremely well-qualified individual to lead our efforts in undergraduate education and enrollment management. He is a distinguished scholar, award-winning teacher, a proven administrator, and a faculty leader who has contributed greatly to the University through his leadership on the Faculty Senate, the Administrative Committee on Undergraduate Education, and numerous task forces on such issues as general education and curricular integrity," said Rodney A. Erickson, executive vice president and provost.

Penn State adult learners recognized by state association

1/20/06

Six Penn State adult learners are among the 10 students who will be honored by the Pennsylvania Association for Adult Continuing Education (PAACE) with Outstanding Adult Students in Higher Education awards. "Penn State is well represented by these students," said Charlene Harrison, director of Penn State's Center for Adult Learner Services. "They, like many adult learners, have overcome tremendous obstacles and manage very busy lives in order to complete their education." The award recognizes adult students who have, among other criteria, shown success in coping with numerous roles, have overcome difficult circumstances in order to pursue higher education goals and have taken innovative approaches to meeting those goals. Penn State honorees are Kelly Freeman, a College of Arts and Architecture graduate from the University Park campus; Laura Lamar, a communication arts and sciences major attending Penn State York; Alice O'Connell, who is pursuing a bachelor's degree in human development and family studies from Penn State Fayette; Christopher Shedd, a secondary education graduate of the University Park campus who resides in Petersburg; Jacqueline Vaux, a Bellefonte resident pursuing a bachelor's degree in health policy administration at the University Park campus; and Michelle Way, a State College resident pursuing a bachelor's degree in nursing at the University Park campus.

Student engagement enhances Penn State policies, leadership experience

1/20/06

Penn State's student leaders are impacting the University and the surrounding community in ways that will leave meaningful and lasting contributions. High levels of student participation in clubs and organizations are resulting in stronger leadership skills and improved University events, services and town-gown relations, and Penn State administrators are taking active steps to foster those skills. Such was the message shared by Vicky L. Triponey, vice president for Student Affairs, and a panel of student leaders and student affairs administrators at the Board of Trustees meeting on Friday (Jan. 20) at Penn State's University Park campus. Triponey reported that undergraduate involvement is high -- at 75 percent -- according to a recent student satisfaction survey, and among that engaged student population, 64 percent believe their club participation has "strongly" improved their leadership effectiveness. "I continue to be grateful that so many of our students have discovered ways to give back to Dear Old State by enhancing the experience for their fellow students and by making Penn State a more vibrant and caring community," said Triponey.

The Medical Minute: Give blood, give life

1/18/06

January is National Blood Donor Volunteer month. The need for new donors increases every year while donations have dropped annually for a combination of reasons. There are stricter rules for donor exclusion to avoid transmission of disease. Younger generations tend to donate less often than our current seniors and the baby boom generation. Not only is the number of donors lower, the use of blood is increasing for more complex surgery and medical treatments. We are living longer and are more likely to need blood as we age. Although 60 percent of Americans are eligible to donate, only 5 percent do. Many hospitals including Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, which provides the Medical Minute, are testing artificial blood, but that product will not be ready for general use for several years. Even when artificial blood becomes available, it just replaces the oxygen carrying part of blood. There will still be a need for real blood to provide other blood components, such as, clotting factors and platelets.

Tickets still available for astronaut James Lovell's Jan. 25 appearance

1/17/06

Tickets are still available for the Distinguished Speaker Series appearance by Apollo 13 astronaut James Lovell on Wednesday, Jan. 25. Lovell comes to the stage of the Eisenhower Auditorium at 8 p.m. The event is free to the public, but tickets are required. Lovell was command module pilot and navigator for the epic six-day journey on Apollo 8, man's maiden voyage to the moon, during which he and his fellow crew were the first humans to leave the earth's gravitational influence. He then was backup commander to Neil Armstrong for the Apollo 11 lunar landing mission. His fourth and final flight was as spacecraft commander on the perilous Apollo 13 mission in 1970. He and his crew successfully modified their lunar module into an effective lifeboat when their cryogenic oxygen system failed. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis at locations on Penn State's University Park campus and in downtown State College.

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