Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW) at Penn State, Nov. 13-17, will bring together student and community entrepreneurs with start-up events and workshops on 12 Penn State campuses — including University Park. GEW is an international event celebrating world-wide entrepreneurship in more than 160 countries and organized at Penn State by the Penn State Small Business Development Center.
The Penn State Small Business Development Center will conduct a free, two-part workshop for veterans and members of the United States military who want to start their own business. The training will be held from 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 12 and Nov. 9 in The 329 Building at Innovation Park. For more information or to register for the event, go to http://sbdc.psu.edu/events/vets/. Space is limited, and preregistration is required.
Penn State Outreach and Online Education will honor three outstanding leaders in education who have dedicated their time, funds and mentorship to enhance the Penn State experience for students. The awards will be presented at the Transforming Education Transforming Lives OOE Appreciation Dinner at 6 p.m. Sept. 29 at The Nittany Lion Inn.
Kelly Brugger, a Penn State World Campus student, and her husband Tom, a Penn State alumnus, wanted to establish a legacy that would support other students earning their degree online. The couple created the Thomas and Kelly Brugger Scholarship, a $50,000 endowment to provide recognition and financial assistance to outstanding undergraduate World Campus students.
Penn State has created the EdTech Network to advance the educational technology sector in State College, attract entrepreneurs and develop relationships with companies by providing opportunities for collaboration with faculty, staff and students. The EdTech Network is part of President Eric Barron’s $30 million Invent Penn State initiative. The EdTech Network will host a summit at the University Park campus Nov. 2–4. Companies, investors, alumni, entrepreneurial students and faculty who specialize in educational technology will be invited to attend.
Brothers Dan and Ryan Yosua recently launched their second game app as part of a business they built with assistance from the Penn State Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Ryan Yosua is a senior in the College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) at Penn State and Dan Yosua graduated from Penn State in 2013. The pair founded YosuaTreeGames and launched their first game app, eVubble Lite, in 2013 with help from the SBDC.
When Eric Gayle began his first semester at Penn State York after graduating from Susquehannock High School in 1989, he realized he wasn't ready for college. Gayle worked for a while and then joined the Navy, serving four years, including as a gunner's mate on the cruiser U.S.S. Dale, stationed at Naval Station Mayport in Florida. In 1996, Gayle returned to Penn State York, using his GI Bill benefits, but left again to take a job to support his growing family. Then, after working in excavation and construction for 10 years, he was laid off. Like millions of other out-of-work Americans, Gayle faced a choice: look for another job that doesn't require a college education or prepare for a new career.
Penn State Outreach honored two educational leaders who are both pioneers in online education and supporters of Outreach.
Dr. Frank Mayadas, a program director at the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, and Dr. Gary Miller, the first executive director of Penn State World Campus, were honored at a ceremony during the Penn State Outreach Appreciation Dinner on Sept. 17.
The Penn State Small Business Development Center's First Step Seminar on Sept. 30, is designed exclusively for entrepreneurial-minded students, faculty and staff who have a business idea and need help carrying it out.
Making sense of the complex issues the G-20 will tackle at their summit in Pittsburgh this month will be made a little easier thanks to a series of YouTube videos featuring Penn State educators. The list of challenges the G-20 faces is daunting: the global economic crisis, sustainable development, terrorist financing and climate change, among others.
Family physician Wei-Shin Lai invented the SleepPhone to help her fall asleep after late night calls from patients and hospitals. She wanted to listen to soothing sounds to relax, but could not find a pair of headphones that were comfortable to wear as she slept. After a consultation with the Penn State Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the company Acoustic Sheep was born. The company now employs eight people and sells SleepPhones all over the world. This is just one example of how the SBDC, which provides one-on-one consulting and seminars to small businesses and entrepreneurs in Centre and Mifflin counties, has helped a new business to start.
Most people don't think about the metal parts that make up things they use daily, from car parts to appliances to medical equipment. The manufacturing of these pieces has historically been a large, unique industry in Pennsylvania. However, like many industries, it is facing job loss and global competition. In a new report, Penn State researchers have explored what can be done to support and maintain this industry, particularly in light of weak car sales.
There are an estimated 14,500 vacant lots in Pittsburgh, and a number of organizations throughout the region are coming together to make the best use possible of these derelict spaces. A new online video, titled "The Urban Side of Green: Part Three," tells the story of Penn State's contribution to this effort.
"I had fun preparing foods that I never tried before."
"I attended the camp so I can help make lunch or dinner."
"I learned how to cook and to chop an onion without it falling apart."
No small feats for these kids ages 11 to 13, who participated in Penn State's Cook Like a Chef! camp last summer. Campers learn about the nutritional benefits of fruits and vegetables, practice basic cooking techniques, custom-design their own recipes and take part in fun physical activities.
"Salute to the Military Child" is the latest event in ongoing programming to support children of deployed military parents. This event is open to military families and will take place from 1 to 5 p.m. on April 19 at American Legion Post 245 in State College. April is the Month of the Military Child, a time to recognize the sacrifices made by children in military families.
