Penn State's Board of Trustees on Jan. 18 approved the appointment of Spillman Farmer Architects of Bethlehem, Pa., for the Woodland Building renovation at Penn State Abington. Dale Hollenbach, Abington chief operating officer, said the project will be completed in phases and includes a complete renovation of three chemistry laboratories as well as upgrades and repairs to the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. The roof, windows and bathroom facilities also will be repaired or replaced.
Many executives aspire to describe their businesses as flexible, adaptable and durable. A crucial avenue toward achieving these goals is a diverse workforce. Research shows that innovative, productive and profitable businesses can trace their results to the successful partnership of workers with different backgrounds and experiences.
The Business Case for Diversity: Tactical Strategies for C-Suite Executives in Health Care and the Private Sector will be offered March 15 by the Penn State Abington Office of Continuing Education to demonstrate critical tools to maximize and capitalize on diversity.
Penn State Abington Chancellor Karen Wiley Sandler announced today (Jan. 14) that the college has named Shawne McCoy the new director of athletics, intramurals and recreation. McCoy succeeds Karen Weaver, who stepped down effective Dec. 31.
McCoy officially joins Abington on Feb. 4 and will represent the college at the 2013 NCAA Convention in Texas this week.
"I am excited and honored to be selected as the new director of athletics, intramurals and recreation at Penn State Abington," McCoy said. "I would like to thank Chancellor Sandler, Senior Director of Student Affairs Gale Siegel and the entire search committee for entrusting me with this opportunity. I look forward to working with our coaches, staff and faculty to help provide our student-athletes with the best possible experience."
Roots and wings. These seemingly contradictory terms embody Donna Coleman's life as a renowned concert pianist, recording artist and teacher.
Coleman was raised near Penn State Abington, but her passion for tracing the roots of different musical forms grew her wings that have taken her around the world. Based in Australia for almost two decades, she has returned home this month for a public performance as part of the Penn State Abington Cultural and Community Events series. The concert will take place at 3 p.m. Jan. 20 near the Abington campus at Old York Road Temple-Beth Am. Her repertoire for the concert-with-commentary will focus on pieces from her upcoming release, "The Lost Lady." Coleman will take attendees on a journey from Leipzig to Paris, Havana, New Orleans, Missouri and Michigan as she traces ragtime from Bach to the present.
The 'rumour' is true: The Penn State Abington annual Singing Showcase returns on Sunday (Dec. 9) and will include the students' interpretation of Adele's hit "Rumour Has It."
The Treblemakers, a new student choir, will make their showcase debut. The all-female group sings jazz, classical and gospel as well as the contemporary songs by girl groups and works created by women composers. The concert also will feature the AbingTones, the co-ed a cappella singers.
The student group performs regularly at campus events and for the surrounding community. They have staged a flash mob concert at the historic Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia and sung the national anthem for the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Penn State Abington Lion Ambassadors (LAs) rallied the campus community to open their kitchen cabinets, wallets and hearts in the name of hunger relief. Members of the student group loaded up their own cars and delivered 3,051 pounds of food this week to radio station 93.3 WMMR Preston & Steve's annual Camp Out for Hunger at a local shopping complex.
Karen Wiley Sandler, chancellor of Penn State Abington, recently announced a new articulation agreement between the college and the Eastern Center for Arts and Technology, the technical school serving the nine school districts in eastern Montgomery County. The pact facilitates the transition of Eastern commercial art graduates who are seeking admission to Abington's Art Program.
The Penn State Abington students - a dozen native English speakers and 12 new international undergraduates - were clearly apprehensive about being paired up for the mandatory assignment. A palpable sense of "otherness," an unseen divide, permeated the classroom at the first group meeting of the International Conversation Partners Project, according to Roxanna Senyshyn.
But six weeks made a world of difference. At their final group meeting, the boundaries had dissolved. The sounds of easy conversation permeated the classroom as the students traded stories about celebrating first Halloweens, experiencing Superstorm Sandy and discovering the pleasures of frozen yogurt.
"The students initially saw lots of differences among themselves, but now they see the similarities," said Senyshyn, senior lecturer in ESL (English as a Second Language)/English, and Communication Arts and Sciences, said.
The journal entries below are excerpts from two different students involved in the International Conversation Partners Project at Penn State Abington. The project is a requirement for Teaching English to English Language Learners (CI280), a required course for Childhood and Early Adolescent Education majors.
The Penn State Abington Office of Continuing Education will host information sessions for nurses who want to earn their bachelor of science degrees as well as other adult learners seeking to upgrade their skills in a competitive job market.
