Maggie McDermott graduates Penn State Abington at age 68
When Maggie McDermott graduates with over 125 other students on Dec 21, she’ll hold the distinguished title of being one of the oldest graduates, at age 68.
Maggie took advantage of Penn State Abington’s GO-60 program, which offers tuition- free classes for people age 60 or over. Before starting classes in 2000, Maggie was apprehensive, wondering if she would be the oldest in class.
“I wondered if the kids would look at me as a grandmother and ignore me,” says Maggie. “My first class was Evolution of Jazz. I was definitely the oldest, but I didn’t feel funny or alone at all. I learned a lot from the younger students.”
Before starting classes at Penn State Abington, Maggie had a career with the U.S. State Department, retiring in 1998. She lived all over the world supporting U.S. ambassadors and other state department officials as an Office Management Specialist. Washington, D.C., Switzerland, Tunisia, France, Africa’s Ivory Coast, Qatar, Belgium, Jamaica, and Australia were all places she called home during her 36-year career.
Now with a Psychological and Social Sciences degree under her belt, Maggie’s moving on to career number two. With help from Abington's Career Development Center, Maggie is looking for a job in social service, hospital or hospice.
Artist Faith Ringgold visits Penn State Abington Nov 13
Ringgold, known for her painted story quilts - art that combines painting, quilted fabric and storytelling - spoke of career beginning in the '40s through the present.
Her advice for up and coming student artists: "Don't skip any steps. You need to do more work."
Her wide-ranging presentation of her more than 50 years of art included notes early 1960s political imagery and first hand accounts about the civil rights movement.
Her inspiring, humorous and very human stories illustrated her life's work as an artist, activist, author, teacher and parent.
Jim Ellis, subject of the film Pride, inspires Penn State Abington
"If you follow your passion, you never work a day in your life."
Jim Ellis entertained and inspired on campus October 18 describing how he became a nationally-recognized swimming coach and youth mentor in one of Philadelphia’s most impoverished neighborhoods from the early '70s to present.
He noted that anyone can overcome adversity and negativity with positive role models. He encouraged young people to "dare to be different in a positive way."
Ellis founded the Philadelphia Department of Recreation Swim Team in the Nicetown section of Philadelphia in 1971. Today, it is the city's nationally recognized competitive swim team, the nation's best predominately African-American team, and has become a model for urban swim programs around the country.
His first visit to Penn State Abington, Ellis mentioned "you have a nice little secret back here."
Penn State Abington art student's work displayed at Philadelphia gallery
Adam Rosenberg, a senior art major at Penn State Abington, remembers as a youngster when he and his mother went to Lancaster to see about getting a family dog, and left empty handed.
"It was a puppy mill, and we were shocked and saddened by the conditions these dogs were living in. We decided against buying a dog there," he said.
So when Rosenberg, 25, was approached by the Fostering Undergraduate Exposure on Location (FUEL) Gallery, 249 Arch Street in Philadelphia, to do a painting portraying the cruelty of puppy mills for a controversial month-long animal rights art viewing there titled, "Puppies are Biodegradable," he couldn't say no.
"I'm not an animal rights activist, but I am an animal lover and I couldn't pass up the chance to paint something this important," said Rosenberg, of Philadelphia. His painting, "The Dogs of Lancaster," will be on display through the end of July. He said it is likely the painting will be purchased and included in a traveling art show once the current showing concludes.
AccuWeather donates antique barometer to Penn State Abington
Dr. Joel Myers, founder and president of AccuWeather, Inc., donated an antique English barometer from his collection to the Penn State Abington campus June 4, 2007. Dr. Myers, a former student at the campus, received his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. in meteorology all from Penn State and is a University Trustee for the past 25 years.
Penn State Abington hires former Lady Lion star as new head women's basketball coach
Penn State Abington Director of Athletics Karen Weaver announced the hiring of Kathy Drysdale as the new head women’s basketball coach. Drysdale comes to the program after serving for the past 13 years with the Philadelphia 76ers organization, most recently as the Director of Basketball Game Operations. She also has coached at Holy Family University, Harriton High School and with the area AAU organization, the Philadelphia Comets.
Drysdale starred for Penn State in 1988-1992, a time when Penn State’s teams were ranked as high as #1 in the nation. A 1,000 point scorer, she graduated with a degree in Arts and Sciences in 1992. She played professionally for SSC KARLSRUHE in Karlsruhe, Germany in 1992.
“I’m excited to be a part of Penn State again through coaching at Penn State Abington,” Drysdale said. “It offers a great opportunity to build on the successes that Abington has already had.”
Athletics Director Karen Weaver said of the hiring, “We are excited to have Kathy join our staff. She brings passion and knowledge about the game of college basketball that will benefit our student athletes and our overall athletics program.”
Penn State Abington reached the Elite Eight of the Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference in 2007, and returns 3 starters from that team in 2008.