Simon Pak, associate professor of finance and professor-in-charge of the master of finance program at Penn State Great Valley, was recently interviewed by Magali Serre, an investigative reporter for Channel 3 in France. Serre contacted Pak in August to interview him based on his recognized expertise on import/export trade data analysis, with particular emphasis on identifying trade mispricing and suspicious import/export transactions. During the interview, Pak provided Serre with a list of under-priced French exports to the United States and over-priced French imports from the United States. One example he cited included a French company that exported 300 clarinets at $8.28 each and 326 saxophones at $13.25 each (2008) to a U.S. importer. The list also indicated that a French importer purchased aluminum tubes (1 KG) at prices over $37,000/KG in 2008 from a U.S. exporter. The mispricing has the effect of under-reporting taxable income of French importers and exporters. The interview is schedule to be aired on French television in mid-November. (more)
From the dirt roads of Mexico to the pages of the New York Times, from The Daily Show with Jon Stewart to Penn State Brandywine? That's right. New York Times bestselling author Christopher McDougall will join the campus' free 5k Fun Run/1-Mile Walk on Saturday, Dec. 5. (more)
When news reached campus on a Saturday in October that beloved professor Arnold Markley had fallen seriously ill, faculty, staff and students at Penn State Brandywine responded with shock and concern. By Monday, the campus had mobilized into action. In an effort to make something positive out of a negative situation, Penn State Brandywine is holding a "Be the Match" drive to build up the national bone marrow registry and support those who, like Markley, need a bone marrow transplant. (more)
Thanksgiving is right around the corner. All the signs are there: the trees are bare, there's a chill in the air and grocery lists are as long as the crowded checkout lines in the food stores. Turkeys are flying off the shelves -- well, not literally -- frozen or fresh, that is. It's time to get out grandma's china. It's time for family, friends, too much turkey and afternoon naps.
So is it true that naps and turkey go together? It is commonly said that eating too much of it causes drowsiness due to the high levels of tryptophan found in the meat. However, according to Leah Devlin, division head of science and engineering and interim assistant dean of Academic Affairs at Penn State Abington, the "I-can't-do-the-dishes-because-I'm-too-tired" excuse is more myth than truth. (more)
Nov. 19 is this year's Great American Smokeout. Since the Surgeon General identified the dangers of smoking, Americans have gradually quit, yet about 1 in 5 Americans still smoke. The Centers for Disease Control estimates that about 4,000 young adolescents start smoking every day and 6 percent of middle school students are smokers. If ever there were a time to think about quitting smoking, it's now. (more)
In north Philadelphia, Penn State Abington students are participating in a program in which they work one-on-one with high school dropouts who have basic literacy issues.
"It isn't easy," said Lisa Morris, Penn State Abington senior instructor in administration of justice, who coordinates the program. "The Abington students are dealing with a challenging population--mostly from poor neighborhoods, broken families and weak school systems. They have responsibility and maturity issues, too." (more)
The Conference Center at Penn State Great Valley in collaboration with the Commission for Women presents "The Five Secrets to a Female Leader's Sustainable Success: Who Knows You and What You Do Well?" from noon to 1:30 p.m., on Friday, Dec. 4, in the Conference Center. Presenter Gerrie Dresser, president, Success Associates and founder, Unique Genius Coaching Model for Leaders, will discuss the five secrets of the "inside-out" approach to sustainable career achievements and taking strategic and focused action is one's key to success. This free event is open to the public. Registration is required. For more information, contact Katie Davis at 610-648-3294 or kjd17@psu.edu. (more)
In keeping with their focus this academic year on universal primary education, Penn State Brandywine honors students are raising money for children in Ghana, Africa to help pay for their schooling. In just four hours on Monday, Nov. 2, the students raised almost 160 dollars in quarters (360 dollars in total) for the Heritage Academy, a co-educational primary and junior high day school founded in 2004 by Kwesi Koomson, a math teacher at the Westtown School in West Chester, and his wife, Melissa. (more)
Penn State Brandywine's Gay Straight Alliance (GSA) is sponsoring a Holiday Toy Drive. The unwrapped, new toys, being collected in bright orange bins in the lounges around campus, will be given to the more than 600 children served by the Community Action Agency of Delaware County. To make a cash or gift card donation to this worthy cause, contact Deborah Erie at 610-892-1201 or drop donations in any of the bins. (more)
The Rock Ethics Institute in Penn State's College of the Liberal Arts is seeking nominations for University students who have exhibited ethical leadership. Any faculty, staff, student or community member may nominate a student for the 2010 Stand Up Award. (more)