Thanks to the unselfishness of the campus and community, Penn State New Kensington donated 32 units of blood during the semi-annual blood drive on Oct. 28. Students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends showed that the blue and white of Penn State could bleed red for the community. The donations helped increase the blood supply in the local community in the Alle-Kiski Valley. The 32 units were shy of last year's total of 50, second highest in campus history. The staff of the Alle-Kiski Medical Center attributed the drop to concerns about the H1N1. The percentage of decreased donations mirrors that of other community blood drives in the area during the past two months. Since 2006, the campus community and alumni have donated more than 400 units of blood to the Alle-Kiski Medical Center for use in the local area. The blood drive was made possible through the efforts of donors, canteen volunteers and Elaine Zarichnak, the campus nurse. The next campus blood drive is in April. Donors are eligible again in 56 days after giving, so the campus community doesn't have to wait until the spring drive to give blood. For photos of the drive, visit http://www.nk.psu.edu/Information/News/photogallery.htm#id=14IQDMAU2-0&num=14IQDMAU2-1/News/photogallery.htm#id=14IQDMAU2-0&num=14IQDMAU2-1 online. (more)
A breakfast workshop to help companies organize internship programs runs from 7:30 to 10 a.m. on Thursday, Nov. 19, in the Penn State New Kensington Conference Center. (more)
The cast and crew of "Little Shop of Horrors" are currently in rehearsal at Penn State New Kensington. The three shows performed by the campus Drama Club are set for 8 p.m. Nov. 12 to 14 in the campus' Forum Theatre. Directed by Bill Mitas, his third campus production, this dark musical comedy is about a skid-row florist shop worker who has a plant that gets its nourishment from human flesh. "The students are working hard with lines and music," said Mitas, adjunct instructor in theatre at the campus. "They will be ready for show time." (more)
A reception for local artist Eileen Kopelman is set for 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, in the Penn State New Kensington Art Gallery. Kopelman's one-woman show, "The Wyoming Massacre," is on display in the gallery through the month. The series of 28 oil paintings depicts the little-known story of Pennsylvania during the Revolutionary War, and the events in the Wyoming Valley from 1777-80 and features the Battle of Wyoming that occurred on July 3, 1778. The reception and exhibit is free to the public. The gallery is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekends. To R.S.V.P. for the reception, call 724-334-6056. For more information on the artist and photos of the exhibit, visit http://www.nk.psu.edu/43005.htm#NEWS43005
online. (more)
With distances that cater to the tastes of running enthusiasts, joggers, and casual walkers, the revamped Penn State New Kensington Turkey Trot gets under way at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at the campus Athletics Center. A 30-year tradition at the campus, the pre-Thanksgiving race has grown from an informal weekday 2-miler into a classic weekend 5K, a 3.1-mile run through Upper Burrell. Held in conjunction with the 5K is a low-key 1-mile fun run or walk that starts at 10:15 a.m. The feature race begins at the Athletics Center, crosses the upper parking lot and heads down Myers Drive to the turn around point. Participants then backtracked to the finish line at the Athletics Center. The 1-miler will stay within the parameters of the campus. (more)
In keeping with Chancellor Kevin Snider's vision of Penn State New Kensington as a student-centered campus, several new retention programs were initiated for the fall semester to enhance the collegiate experience for first-year students. Developed by the campus retention committee, composed of faculty members and administrators from the offices of academic affairs, student affairs, and enrollment management, the initiatives are geared to provide freshmen with a quality learning environment, both in and out of the classroom. The committee coordinated the program activities with current student leaders. The new programs include a mentoring program that establishes a personal connection between student mentees and faculty/staff mentors, a series of seminars on topics that complement first-year studies; and continuing activities for students who were grouped together at orientation in August. (more)
Longtime residents of the city of New Kensington shared their recollections of a half-century ago for a Penn State New Kensington project on the history of the area. Developed by a partnership between the campus' communications program and the Northern Westmoreland Foundation, the "New Kensington Is" video is a collection of interviews with older residents of the city and the surrounding areas, emphasizing the stories of the mid-century generations. The oral history of residents who worked for Alcoa in the 1940s, 1950s, or 1960s illuminates the rich cultural and social history of the American community. Allen Larson, assistant professor of communications, and Abhinav Aima, instructor in communications, headed the project. Jessalyn Oliver, a 2008 Communications graduate, served as assistant producer. (more)
The last meeting of the fall semester for the Alle-Kiski Society of the Penn State Alumni Association is set for 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16, at Dingbats Restaurant in the Galleria at Pittsburgh Mills. The top agenda items are ideas for future fundraising projects and discussion about the annual Holiday Social that is held in lieu of December's meeting. All students, alumni and friends, especially recent Penn State graduates living in the Alle-Kiski Valley, are encouraged to attend the meeting and become involved in the society's activities. AKS hosts numerous alumni events throughout the year. The annual fall alumni breakfast returns to the Route 780 corridor at 8 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18, at Phillips Respironics in the Westmoreland Business and Research Park.
To R.S.V.P. for the breakfast, e-mail uxw1@psu.edu or call (724) 334-6049.
For more on the breakfast, visit http://www.nk.psu.edu/43009.htm#NEWS43009 online. (more)
Realizing that there are many challenges associated with the decision of veterans and adult learners to start or return to college, an information session is set for 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 11, in the Conference Center at Penn State New Kensington. The Adult and Veterans Open House is geared to nontraditional students, those classified as at least 24 years old, who are looking for a career change or seeking additional education. The program provides prospective adult students with information on the various certificate, associate, baccalaureate, and master's degrees offered at Penn State New Kensington, and tips on how to finance a Penn State education. There are numerous academic options available to adult students, including: selecting from more than 200 noncredit, certificate and degree programs; choosing full- or part-time status; and scheduling day or evening classes. (more)
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders marked by impaired social interactions, restricted interests, repetitive behaviors, and communication impairment, which persist throughout a person's lifetime. The ASD prevalence rate--the number of individuals diagnosed with autism--has been steadily increasing over time. A new report from the U.S. Department of Health's Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), based on a phone survey of over 78,000 families, set the prevalence rate at nearly one in 91 children. This is an increase from the prior statistic of one in 150 children reported in 2007 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says The Medical Minute, a service of the Penn State Hershey Medical Center. (more)
