University Park, Pa. -- From a world-renowned Egyptologist to a finance expert to rising musicians, some of Penn State's faculty and student stars will hit the road in early 2007 to present educational and entertaining programs for alumni and friends as part of the Penn State Alumni Association's "City Lights" program.
The "City Lights" program will reach out to Penn Staters in four major east coast cities with some of the highest concentrations of alumni -- Philadelphia (75,000), the New York metro area (22,000), Pittsburgh (41,000) and Baltimore/Washington, D.C. (26,000). "City Lights" brings the best of the University to alumni through seven upcoming events that cut a wide swath in terms of interests.
"'City Lights' is our effort to bring Penn State directly to our alumni," said Roger L. Williams, executive director of the Penn State Alumni Association. "This is the third year for the program, which has proven to be incredibly popular with Penn Staters. And again this year, we have expanded the program to include more events in additional cities."
The first four "City Lights" events will take place in February and early March:
-- On Feb. 14, Penn Staters will have a special viewing of Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs exhibit at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia. Before the 8 p.m. tour, Penn State's internationally renowned Egyptologist Donald Redford will discuss ancient Egypt and King Tut at a dessert reception.
-- A week later, "City Lights" moves to Manhattan for a reception on Wall Street. During the Feb. 21 networking event at Pfizer Pharmaceuticals, J. Randall Woolridge, the Goldman Sachs and Frank B. Smeal endowed University Fellow and professor of finance, will discuss strategic investing.
-- Penn State Day at the National Aquarium in Baltimore on Feb. 24 will be the third "City Lights" event. Early entry, special family activities, resume reviews and networking events will be part of this program.
-- The Penn State President's Concert on March 3 will by hosted by President Graham B. Spanier and will feature students in several of School of Music's top performing ensembles: Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Concert Choir, Centre Dimensions jazz ensemble and the Philharmonic Orchestra.
The "City Lights" programs will continue into May and June. Three programs are scheduled for Pittsburgh and Philadelphia:
-- Penn State Stars on April 5 at the Carnegie Science Center in Pittsburgh. Distinguished members of the astronomy faculty will discuss in layman's terms the latest research on black holes, quasars, the search for extra-solar planets and the Swift satellite. A reception is included.
-- Penn State Night on May 5 at the Pittsburgh Symphony in Heinz Hall will feature a pre-concert "Penn State Insiders" program and reception. Part of the Mellon Grand Classics series, the symphony will perform Gershwin's An American in Paris conducted by Principal Guest Conductor Yan Pascal Tortelier.
-- Family Day at Longwood Gardens on June 10 in the Philadelphia area. Penn Staters can visit 40 outdoor and indoor gardens including a popular children's garden along with Penn State's Agricultural Sciences dean and faculty members.
All "City Lights" events are open to Penn State alumni and friends and vary widely in terms of ticket prices, with some "City Lights" events being free with pre-registration. For more information, including exact times and ticket prices for each event, or to register, go to http://www.alumni.psu.edu/events/ or call (800) 548-LION option 5. Registration for several of the "City Lights" events begins Jan. 2.
The Penn State Alumni Association is the largest dues-paying alumni association in the world with more than 159,000 members. Established in 1870, the Alumni Association connects alumni to the University and to each other, provides valuable benefits to members and supports the University's mission of teaching, research and service. The Penn State Alumni Association oversees hundreds of annual programs and events designed to inform, involve and inspire Penn State alumni. For more information on the Alumni Association, go to http://www.alumni.psu.edu online.