One of the benefits students have at a major national research university like Penn State is not only learning from faculty in the classroom but also working alongside them -- in the laboratory or the library -- doing research. Undergraduate students like Christine Theberge and Josh Yeh, who are conducting their own undergraduate research, and those who hold research assistant positions have the opportunity to expand their knowledge in areas of academic interest while developing valuable research skills and relevant work experience. (more)
Mark Dyreson, associate professor of kinesiology at Penn State, is one of eight finalists in the "I Found It In the Archives Contest," a national campaign sponsored by the Society of American Archivists (SAA) to raise awareness about the importance of archives. SAA asked archives users to submit essays or videos detailing their "discoveries" in the archives. The winning entries are at www.archivists.org , and the public is urged to cast a ballot through May 15. (more)
"An entrepreneur is an undertaker. Very few are willing to press through the harder times.... The key to getting started in entrepreneurship is to read widely, learn from the experts, imitate other entrepreneurs and stop talking and start doing. To quote Nolan Bushnell, founder of Atari and Chuck E. Cheese, 'The true entrepreneur is a doer, not a dreamer.' All of the speakers participating in Start-up Week are doers. They figured out what they wanted and started taking tangible steps.... As young entrepreneurs, we have to get over the credibility gap.... Society will reward you for something of value."
-- Drew Mohoric, cofounder of Innoblue, a nonprofit, early-stage business accelerator in State College, Pa. Innoblue starts and supports innovative business, civic and social ventures. The company's vision is a community transformed by entrepreneurship, where people act on the double bottom line -- to do well while doing good. Mohoric is a Schreyer Honors College student in the Smeal College of Business at Penn State with an expected graduation date of May 2012. Mohoric spoke on Monday (April 9) at the College of Information Sciences and Technology (IST), to kick off IST's Start-up Week, a week-long celebration showcasing talented young entrepreneurs from around the country, including alumni from the College of IST and Penn State. (more)
Shruthi Baskaran, a senior majoring in civil engineering, and Rachel Dzombak, a senior majoring in bioengineering, both in the College of Engineering, have been awarded the 2012 W. LaMarr Kopp International Achievement Award. Baskaran and Dzombak are honored as co-recipients of the undergraduate award. The award recognizes undergraduate students who have contributed significantly to the advancement of the international mission of the University. It is named in honor of the late deputy vice president for international programs. (more)
Five Penn State students in their respective areas of leadership have been honored with the 2012 John W. Oswald Award. Natalie Ettl is the recipient in the field of athletics; Adam Fracassi, journalism; James Baker, creative/performing arts; Erin Collins, representing scholarship; and Peter Khoury, social services. The John W. Oswald Award, established in 1983, annually recognizes graduating seniors who have provided outstanding leadership in at least one of several areas of activity at the University. The award consists of a medallion honoring John W. Oswald, president of the University from 1970 to 1983. (more)
Ce Zhang, a senior majoring in biology in the Eberly College of Science, has been named the 2012 recipient of the Eric A. Walker Award. The award is presented annually to the student who has contributed most to enhancing the reputation of the University through extracurricular activities. Walker was president of Penn State from 1956 to 1970. (more)
Advisers and honors college students are reminded that March 19 is the deadline to submit nominations for the Penn State University Libraries Schreyer Honors College Scholars Annual Competition for the Outstanding Undergraduate Honors Thesis. The winner will receive an award of $1,000. Schreyer Scholars graduating in summer 2011, fall 2011, or spring 2012 from throughout Penn State are eligible for the spring 2012 award. Details, including submission forms, are available at: www.libraries.psu.edu/psul/admin/schreyer.html
For more information, contact Susan Walker at 814-863-4723 or slw1@psu.edu (more)
When Elaine Tanella attended her first Penn State dance marathon during her freshman year, she went to the Bryce Jordan Center to cheer on the hundreds of students who would be on their feet for 46 hours for a good cause. Thirty hours later, she was still there and still standing.
That weekend inspired the Schreyer Scholar to be more involved the next year. Her enthusiasm and determination paid off: As a sophomore, she was selected to be on THON's communications committee and chosen as one of the dancers representing Atlas, an independent fundraising organization started by students in the Schreyer Honors College. Now, she is the public face of THON 2012. This year, Tanella was selected to be the overall chair, a role that includes outlining ideas and goals for this year's dance marathon and helping some 15,000 volunteers to implement them. (more)
The GLOBE, a new special living option in honors housing, has been established in Simmons Hall for its residents to gain a global worldview. While the floor's newly renovated rooms are a plus, it is the movies, book discussions, guest speakers, special dinners and other programs that are making The GLOBE a lively corner of the world. (more)
The Presidential Leadership Academy will hold an information session at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 7, in Room C-9 of Atherton Hall on Penn State's University Park campus. Those interested in applying are encouraged to attend.
Each spring, the Academy selects 30 rising sophomores (current freshmen who will be sophomores next semester) at the University Park campus for its incoming class. The three-year leadership development program includes a one-credit honors class taught by the Penn State president, a three-credit honors course taught by the dean of the Schreyer Honors College, field trips and other activities. A minimum 3.2 grade-point average is required for selection. (more)
