The University Libraries will hold a presentation titled "Hinduism: Principles, Beliefs, Traditions, and Practices," from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 22, in Foster Auditorium (room 101) at Pattee Library on Penn State's University Park campus. It is being held in conjunction with the Hindu festival of Diwali, which this year falls on Oct. 17. (more)
The Rev. Millicent Hunter knows personally that success is built many times in small steps. Hunter brings her global perspective to the Sheraton Harrisburg Hershey Hotel 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 11. Her presentation is free and open to the public and is an installment in Penn State Harrisburg's yearlong Martin Luther King Jr. Commemorative Lecture Series and is being held in partnership with Kingdom Embassy. (more)
More than a year has passed since $6 million was put on the table for the expansion of Eisenhower Chapel on the University Park campus. In that time, donations have continued to come in for the $9 million project and its significance as a symbol of Penn State's commitment to the spiritual life of its students has grown exponentially. (more)
Faculty and students are reminded of Penn State's policy regarding students' requests for absence from class for the purpose of observing a religious holiday. The University Faculty Senate Policy on Class Attendance (42-27) states that instructors should provide, within reason, opportunity to make up work for students who are obliged to miss classes for legitimate reasons. (more)
When deciding on a college four years ago, Lauren Mack was concerned about how a large institution might affect her faith traditions, her ethics and morals. Graduating from Penn State this weekend, Mack looks back on her time at the University as one that, in part, enabled her to develop her own Catholic faith while enriching her knowledge and bringing her closer to a diverse student body of varied religious and spiritual beliefs. Mack joined a panel representing student affairs and Penn State's Center for Ethics and Religious Affairs (CERA) in an informational report to the University's Board of Trustees Friday (May 18) on CERA and its services to the University Park community and beyond. (more)
"Religious Freedom," the next in the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Freedom Files, will be presented at 1p.m. Monday, Feb. 21, in 150 Franco Building, Penn State Berks. This event is free to the public. The American Civil Liberties Union Web site states, "The right of every American to practice his or her own religion or no religion at all (more)
Charles S. Prebish, professor of religious studies, will retire Dec. 31 from Penn State, following more than 35 years of service. Prebish is leaving Penn State to become holder of the Charles Redd endowed chair in religious studies at Utah State University in Logan, Utah. He will assume his new position Jan. 1. (more)
As Christmas approaches, Americans begin to display differing opinions on public displays of religion. Some Americans feel that religious displays are inappropriate; while others feel that it's their right to show their holiday spirit. "World of Difference" at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 12, on WPSU-TV/FM will examine what is acceptable to say and display during the holiday season. (more)
Planning and attending the office Christmas party in December used to be relatively simple. The increasing diversity of the workplace, however, has turned party planning for the office into a potentially thorny dilemma. But a diversity specialist in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences says a few simple guidelines can keep the fun in holiday celebrations. Patreese Ingram, associate professor of diversity education, notes that while Christmas is one of the most important celebrations for Christians, a growing percentage of the nation's population is non-Christian. (more)
The ethics statement of Penn State's Center for Ethics and Religious Affairs (CERA) notes that the center is "charged with providing a venue and programs for the ethical, spiritual and character development of the University community." According to Interim Director Bob Smith, CERA will continue to facilitate the religious part of its name, while intensifying its focus on the ethics portion. "Students are at that point where for the first time, they have to make a tremendous number of decisions on their own," he said. "A lot of those decisions cause stress and anxiety. If they have a solid foundation in ethical decision making, it helps immensely." (more)
