Penn State student-athletes have posted one of their finest overall graduation rate performances since the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) began publication of institutional rates in 1990. The annual NCAA study of institutions nationwide revealed that Penn State student-athletes at the University Park campus had a graduation rate of 82 percent compared to a mark of 60 percent for all Division I institutions. The survey documented the entering freshman class of 1995-96 who earned degrees within six years, and used data collected by the U.S. Department of Education.

Now is the time for Penn State students to purchase men's and women's season basketball tickets for the 2002-03 season. Nittany Lion Basketball student season tickets are available for $50.00. This package includes all 13 games that are held while classes are in session, which includes games vs. Pitt, Temple, Ohio State, Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota and others. Lady Lion Basketball student season tickets are available for $10.00. This package includes all 11 games that are held while classes are in session, which includes games vs.

The Los Angeles-based quartet, Tool, will bring its dark and esoteric, but multi-platinum-selling, music to the Bryce Jordan Center on Penn State's University Park campus at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1. Appearing with special guest Meshuggah, a Swedish metal band, Tool is promoting its fifth album, "Lateralus," while Meshuggah pushes "Nothing," listed as the number one album recommendation in the loud music category of New Music Monthly magazine's September 2002 edition. Tickets go on sale tomorrow (Sept. 27). For more information, call (814) 865-5555 or (800) 863-3336, or visit

F.W. de Klerk, former president of South Africa, is the next speaker in Penn State's Distinguished Speakers Series on Thursday, Oct. 10, at 8 p.m. in Eisenhower Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. Tickets will be available to students attending the University Park campus on Tuesday, Oct. 1. Tickets will be available to faculty, staff and students from other Penn State campuses on Wednesday, Oct. 2. The general public may pick up any remaining tickets beginning Thursday, Oct. 3, on a first-come, first-served basis.

According to the latest edition of the Medical Minute, a service of Penn State's Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, it's scary to confront unfamiliar health threats like the West Nile Virus. News stories provide basic information, but in the interest of time or ratings, sometimes a balanced perspective is sacrificed. West Nile is caused by a virus that mostly affects birds. Mosquitoes bite an infected bird, pick up the virus and pass it on to more birds or to humans.

A contingent of 88 student volunteers spread out through Beaver Stadium at Penn State's University Park campus following Saturday's (Sept. 21) Nittany Lions football victory over Louisiana Tech with the mission of recycling tons of material left behind by ardent, if sometimes messy, fans. The volunteers, many of whom represented such student clubs and organizations as Rotaract, Orchesis Dance Company and the Penn State Crew rowers, were led in their efforts by David Hess, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

LION SUPPORT is concerned with helping students with family
emergencies and other problems. Students operate a 24-hour family emergency line at 814-863-2020 for students and their families. For more information on Lion Support, visit
http://www.sa.psu.edu/ATT/lsupport.htm.

PALMER MUSEUM OF ART, CALENDAR OF EVENTS
For a complete listing, visit http://www.psu.edu/dept/palmermuseum/.

SUPPORT NETWORK AVAILABLE
A Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Support Network is available to provide a more hospitable environment for people who are gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender.