It wasn't that long ago that Philadelphia native Isaiah Thomas '07 was taking classes and shooting hoops at the picturesque campus of Penn State Abington. Today, he's busy knocking on doors trying to get the word out to his Olney neighbors that he's their man for City Council. If Thomas makes it to City Hall, he'll join another Penn State alumnus in city politics, Seth Williams '89, Philadelphia's district attorney. To read the full story see Karen Heller's recent column in the Philadelphia Inquirer online at http://articles.philly.com/2011-05-04/news/29508714_1_campaign-office-d….
School kids are finding themselves just a couple of short weeks away from the start of summer vacation. What will fill the long, lazy days of that teen or tween? Will they become couch potatoes and television zombies, accomplishing little more than becoming the highest scorers of their favorite video games? Or will they seek something beyond the sofa to stimulate and enrich their days? Find the answer at Penn State Abington's Kids and Teen College open house between 10 a.m. and noon on Saturday, May 14 in Lares Building. Potential participants can discover what camps are new, have their questions answered and enjoy the picturesque campus. Children are welcome to attend and participate in fun activities.
Approximately 240 students will earn their degrees at Penn State Abington's spring 2011 commencement ceremony at 10 a.m., Friday, May 13, in the Athletic Building. The keynote speaker will be Steven Korman, CEO of Korman Communities, who will deliver a speech about the definition of success. For information about Korman Communities, visit http://www.kormancommunities.com/ online.
As the weather warms, previews of the latest summer movies and an outdoor jazz concert are on the playbill at picturesque Penn State Abington. "The Summer Arts Roundup: The Must Sees and Don't Bothers" program is at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 6, in 112 Woodland Building. Then at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 19, enjoy An Evening Under the Stars with the Eric Mintel Jazz Quartet.
Approximately 175 students, faculty, staff and proud parents attended the annual Honors and Leadership Awards Ceremony on April 20 at Penn State Abington. The select group of student recipients, dressed in their business best, enjoyed an evening of much-earned recognition.
Chancellor Karen Wiley Sandler welcomed the guests and presided over the ceremony. Awards were given for academic excellence and exemplary leadership.
During the noontime hour of April 7, the officers of the student government association accepted an award recognizing the Abington campus as a "No Place For Hate" location. This is the fifth year in a row that Penn State Abington has received this coveted designation as assigned by the Anti-Defamation League. Lisa Friedlander, project director of "No Place For Hate" of Philadelphia was on hand to present the re-designation in front of a crowd of faculty, staff and students.
Penn State Abington's Spring Theater Showcase introduces "Machinal," author Sophie Treadwell's indictment of the dehumanization of the American worker. The play, loosely based on a sensational love triangle, is considered to be a high point of expressionist theater on the American stage. "Machinal" starts at 8 p.m. on April 21, 22 and 23 in 112 Woodland Building. Admission is $5 per person, payable at the door. The production is for mature audiences only.
In the early hours of Tuesday, April 5, a large group of Penn State Abington students -- dressed in their business best -- boarded a bus headed to Harrisburg, Pa. Joining hundreds of other Penn Staters from across the state, the students rallied together in the capitol rotunda to let their voices be heard in regards to Governor Corbett's proposed drastic cuts in higher education state allocations.
The Mini Grand Challenge 2011, "Suburban Challenge" -- an autonomous outdoor ground robot contest and robot exhibit -- will take place from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 16, outside of the Woodland Building on the Abington campus. This contest, inspired by the DARPA Grand Challenge, challenges mobile, ground robots to autonomously navigate paths throughout the suburban campus of Penn State Abington while avoiding obstacles and tackling off-road detours. Robots must carry a one-gallon container of water, and each robot must attempt to "entertain" spectators. To watch video from last year's event, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6nQB5JmcRk online.
The cold, dreary, damp evening of March 23 proved to be no hindrance to the 60-plus members of the audience who weathered the weather to attend the most recent event of the Penn State Abington Examines series, "Penn State Abington Examines Entrepreneurship: Taking Control of Your Career Success." Three dynamic former Penn Staters -- all entrepreneurs -- answered questions posed by moderator Ross Brinkert, assistant professor of corporate communication, and the audience. The panelists shared their entrepreneurial experiences, advice and stories.