Administration

Board of Trustees actions: March 23, 2007

Penn State's Board of Trustees met on Friday, March 23, 2007, at the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center in Hershey, Pa. The following items were presented to the board for action or informational purposes:

Penn State Board of Trustees meets; President Spanier's remarks
Penn State's Board of Trustees held its regular, bi-monthly meeting March 23 at The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. In his opening remarks to the board, President Graham B. Spanier outlined the University's partnership with Highmark, congratulated THON for its record total of more than $5.2 million raised this year for the Four Diamonds Fund, cited important research being done at Penn State Hershey, and spoke about the University's high television ratings on ESPN.
Read the full text of the president's remarks at http://live.psu.edu/story/23088

Tombros named chair of new University-wide capital campaign
Retired pharmaceutical executive Peter G. Tombros will chair the University's new capital campaign, President Graham B. Spanier told the Board of Trustees today (March 23). The University-wide fund-raising effort began its leadership gifts phase on Jan. 1. A dollar goal and a public kick-off date will be determined at a later date. Tombros, a Penn State alumnus, spent 25 years with Pfizer Inc. and since 2005 has volunteered his time to oversee the University's Science BS/MBA program. "Peter Tombros is a seasoned leader who brings invaluable talent, executive skills and multiple strengths to this volunteer position," said Spanier. "His energy, dedication and vast expertise in so many areas will help us make this campaign the most successful in Penn State's history. I have every confidence that under his able leadership, we are destined to hit new philanthropic milestones."
Read the full story at http://live.psu.edu/story/23093

Faculty/staff work environment benefits from university services and support
A progress report received today (March 23) by the University's Board of Trustees highlights Penn State's continuing effort to improve the University work environment. Emphasizing increased training, benefits, and the compensation and support services provided for incumbent and new faculty and staff, the report was provided by the Office of Human Resources.
Read the full story at http://live.psu.edu/story/23089

Sim Lab revolutionizes health-care education
Through a presentation Friday (March 23), Penn State's Board of Trustees received a glimpse into the next revolution in health-care education, which is unfolding at Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and the College of Medicine. In simulation training, the first patient isn't a human being -- it's a computerized manikin with replicated vital signs and health-care indicators. It reacts in much the same way a living person would react to treatment and testing. The big difference is that if something goes wrong, those teaching and practicing a medical procedure can hit the proverbial reset button without real consequences for the patient. "The benefits of simulation training are tremendous," said Elizabeth Sinz, director of the Simulation Development and Cognitive Science Lab at Penn State's College of Medicine, and associate professor of anesthesiology.
Read the full story at http://live.psu.edu/story/23105

Additions planned to buildings at University Park, Harrisburg campuses
The Board of Trustees March 23 approved an expansion to the Engineering Services Building, home to The Learning Factory. A one-story addition to the building on the University Park campus will be constructed to provide much-needed space for the Learning Factory, a hands-on learning facility of the College of Engineering that provides state of the art manufacturing and prototyping facilities. The board also approved a planned addition to the Olmsted Building, the major academic building on the Penn State Harrisburg campus.
Read the full story at http://live.psu.edu/story/23090

Building named in honor of founding dean
Penn State's former Business Administration Building at the University Park campus has been named for Donald H. Ford, founding dean of the College of Human Development, in a vote today (March 23) by the University's Board of Trustees. The Donald H. Ford Building, formerly home of the Smeal College of Business and situated at the southeast intersection of Park Avenue and Allen Road, is undergoing renovation to house three of the nine academic units of the College of Health and Human Development.
Read the full story at http://live.psu.edu/story/23091

Trustees authorize construction of Cancer Institute
The Board of Trustees of The Pennsylvania State University Friday, March 23 approved the final plans for the new Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute, following a recommendation from the Board of Directors of Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. The Trustees granted authorization to obtain bids and award contracts to construct the Cancer Institute Building, which was designed by the firms of Payette Associates of Boston and Array Healthcare Facilities Solutions of King of Prussia.
Read the full story at http://live.psu.edu/story/23092

Trustees approve sale of land in Potter Township
Penn State's Board of Trustees Friday (March 23) approved the sale of 165.34 acres of undeveloped land in Potter Township to Centre Hall Borough, Gregg Township and Potter Township. The land is part of the former Mellon Properties acquired by the University in 1999. The sale of the land, which has been determined to have no strategic importance to the University, will be subject to a deed restriction obligating the municipalities to use the properties for public purposes.
Read the full story at http://live.psu.edu/story/23094

Trustees approve three honorary degrees
Penn State's Board of Trustees today (March 23) approved the granting of honorary doctorates to Charles A. Sanders, former chairman and CEO of Glaxo Inc., general director of Massachusetts General Hospital and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School; Phillip A. Sharp, the Salvador E. Luria professor and head of the Department of Biology and Institute Professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; and Frederick W. Smith, chairman and CEO of Federal Express Corp. Each recipient will speak and receive an honorary degree at an upcoming commencement ceremony.
Read the full story at http://live.psu.edu/story/23095

Horvath appointed vice president for finance and business
Albert G. Horvath has been named vice president for finance and business at Penn State effective June 29, following approval by the University's Board of Trustees Friday (March 23). Horvath will report to Gary C. Schultz, senior vice president for finance and business/treasurer of the University. Horvath will lead the day-to-day management of Finance and Business and the strategic planning process for the unit which has an operating budget of more than $500 million and more than 2,500 employees. He will also be responsible for special projects and assignments, including information systems and technology, succession planning and emergency preparedness.
Read the full story at http://live.psu.edu/story/23097

Board of Trustees elects executive committee
The Penn State Board of Trustees on March 23 elected Marianne E. Alexander, Cynthia A. Baldwin, Joe Conti, Steve A. Garban, Samuel E. Hayes Jr., David R. Jones, Edward P. Junker III, Robert D. Metzgar and Linda B. Strumpf as members of its executive committee. The executive committee is composed of nine elected members plus the president of the University and the president of the board as ex officio members. In addition, President Graham B. Spanier nominated Susan J. Wiedemer as assistant treasurer of the board, effective April 1. Wiedemer replaces Joseph J. Doncsecz in the role, and will serve until the annual election in January 2008.
Read the full story at http://live.psu.edu/story/23096

Last Updated March 19, 2009

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