Penn State Abington's faculty, staff, students and alumni have been busy helping Santa spread holiday cheer to those less fortunate throughout the Delaware Valley. Thanks to their efforts, there will be plenty of canned goods in the food pantry and presents under the tree for sick kids.
Member of the quiz team, editor of the school newspaper, a National Merit Semifinalist, involved in chorus, the honor society, plays and co-valedictorian of the class of 1960 -- it is clear that Karen Wiley Sandler, now chancellor of Penn State Abington, was no wallflower when a high school student at Strath Haven High School (formerly Nether Providence and Swarthmore). Located in Wallingford, the school recently inducted Sandler into the school's "Wall of Honor" as recognition of her career success in the field of higher education. During the ceremony, Sandler -- one of five 2010 inductees -- gave an inspiring speech to the senior class to share with them how she attributes much of her success today to the quality education and experiences she earned at her alma mater.
Chancellor Karen Wiley Sandler will engage in one of her favorite duties as head of the scenic, suburban Penn State Abington campus -- congratulating nearly 250 students as she shakes hands and bestows upon them their hard-earned degrees. The ceremony takes place at 10 a.m. Friday, Dec. 17, in the Athletic Building. Seth Williams, Philadelphia's District Attorney and a Penn State alumnus himself, will be the keynote speaker.
Angel Bernardy -- one of the many proud graduates to walk in Penn State Abington's fall 2010 commencement -- traveled a road of perseverance and hard work on his way to earning a business degree. After graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1995, Bernardy attended Penn State Abington for one year; he then joined the Air Force. Following his four-year stint in the military, Bernardy worked for Philadelphia Park Race Track. During his six years with Philadelphia Park, he worked his way up into management before returning to Penn State Abington nearly 10 years later in the fall of 2004.
Penn State Abington's Dec. 17 fall commencement, featuring Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams as the keynote speaker, was recently reported on by USA Today. Williams, a Penn State alumnus himself, inspired the graduates with his "It's the struggle that makes us strong," speech. To read the full story, visit http://usat.ly/gXLWQY online.
Edward J. Fitzpatrick, who spent two years at Penn State Abington and graduated from the University in 1988, recently received Penn State's most prestigious alumni award, the Alumni Fellow Award. Fitzpatrick, one of 23 recipients of the award in 2010, was honored for his outstanding professional accomplishments.
Joseph Oakes, senior lecturer of information sciences and technology (IST) at Penn State Abington, likes to encourage his students to work on constructive technological projects, especially those providing a positive impact on society. True to his reputation, Oakes issued this challenge to students during a recent introduction to an IST class: Come up with creative ways to use global positioning system (GPS) technology to simplify peoples' traveling experiences.
Take refuge from the wintry weather on Friday, Jan. 28, at Penn State Abington with "Celebrate Schumann: Song of Love," marking two centuries since the birth of the German composer Robert Schumann. Beginning at 7:30 p.m., Moylan C. Mills, professor emeritus of integrative arts, will moderate the screening of the 1947 film "Song of Love." Starring Katharine Hepburn and Paul Henreid, it explores the relationship between Schumann, his wife Clara, and Johannes Brahms. The program will be held in 112 Woodland Building. Admission is $5, payable at the door. This program is free to faculty, staff and students with a current Penn State ID.
On Tuesday, Jan. 18, professional speaker Matt Glowacki came to campus to show those in attendance how to find and practice happiness. Glowacki isn't your typical 'be positive' speaker, darting around the stage spewing run-of-the-mill how-to-be-happy jargon. Although he moved quickly from one end of the platform to the other, he did it in a wheelchair. Born without legs, Glowacki, 37, had plenty of advice to offer the audience about identifying happiness and sharing it with others.
Penn State Abington's Opera Lecture Series kicks off February -- the month dedicated to lovers -- with the passionate and universal story of Romeo and Juliet. Moylan C. Mills, professor emeritus of integrative arts, will moderate the screening of the film "Romeo et Juliette" on Sunday, Feb. 6. This acclaimed 2008 Salzburg Festival production of Gounod's sweeping and supreme opera will begin at 2:30 p.m. in 112 Woodland Building. Admission is $10, payable at the door. Light refreshments will be served at intermission.