With the trend in locally raised food, the "heritage turkey" is experiencing a surge in popularity. R. Michael Hulet, associate professor of poultry science at Penn State, said many of these colorful birds (with equally colorful names such as Black Spanish, Bourbon Red, and Slate) are the commercially-bred turkeys of yesteryear. Heritage turkeys are a niche market, and "they are expensive to grow, because they don't produce as much meat per feed," said Hulet. "They allow local producers to diversify what they farm, and people say that, because they take longer to grow, there's a little more texture and 'turkey-ish' taste to the meat." (more)
Head coach Ryan Shank returns to his alma mater at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, as he guides the Penn State New Kensington men's basketball team in the feature game of the Geneva College Tornados Tip-off Tournament against the host school.
Shank played forward for Geneva and graduated with a bachelor's degree in history and secondary education. The two-year captain led the Tornados to the NAIA national tournament in 1990. (more)
More than 25 alumni and friends attended "Penn State A.M." on Nov. 18, at Philips Respironics in the Westmoreland Business and Research Park. The free alumni breakfast social was hosted by Tim Oberlin, shift operations manager for the multi-national company, whose world headquarters is located in Murrysville, Pa.
Chancellor Kevin Snider updated alumni on the progress of the campus, and Oberlin, a 2000 Penn State graduate and treasurer for the Alle-Kiski Society, gave an overview of operations at Phillips Respironics, a developer and manufacturer of products and programs that serve the global sleep and respiratory markets.
The fall semester ends and the holiday season begins with the ninth annual Blue and White Ball at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 11, at Hill Crest Country Club in Lower Burrell. Co-sponsored by the Student Government Association (SGA) and Campus Activities Board, the formal affair is open to students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents and friends. The ball features a sit-down dinner and music by a disc jockey. Tickets are $20 for students and $25 for the general public. Tables of eight are available at a discounted price. For tickets and information, contact the SGA at 724-334-6141 or the Student Activities Office at 724-334-6143. (more)
A Penn State initiative to develop prosperity across the commonwealth was the catalyst recently for a $50,000 scholarship at Penn State New Kensington. Jim and Eileen Kopleman established the Dr. N.A. Kopelman and Freda D. Kopelman Trustee Scholarship in memory of Jim Kopelman's parents after becoming involved with the Pennsylvania Prosperity Partnership. (more)
No classes are scheduled for Nov. 23 to 29, at Penn State New Kensington during the Thanksgiving break. However, the campus will be open during normal business hours, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday, except on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26. Classes resume Monday, Nov. 30. The fall semester ends on Dec. 11, and final exams run from Dec. 14 to 17. Commencement is set for 10 a.m. on Dec. 19. For the fall final exam schedule and the spring 2010 class schedules, visit http://www.nk.psu.edu/Academics/courses.htm?cn214 online. (more)
The Dave Murray era began in March at Penn State New Kensington, and the new athletic director is making his mark with the addition of soccer and wrestling to the campus sports program. Three new teams--men's soccer, women's soccer, and wrestling--begin intercollegiate competition next year. Recruiting is underway to have the soccer teams prepared for the fall 2010 season and the wrestling squad primed for the winter 2010-11 campaign. Murray was hired as the campus' first full-tome AD and charged with expanding athletic facilities; developing additional sports; and increasing the rosters of current teams. He is pursuing the challenge aggressively. Six months into the Murray era, the planning and execution of all three charges are underway, and the prospects of success look promising. In addition to adding new sports programs, Murray has overseen the construction of a multi-purpose field and expansion of the soccer field. (more)
Chancellor Kevin Snider updates Penn State New Kensington alumni and donors on the progress of the campus in the fall 2009 issue of "Campus Philanthropy," the bi-annual campus newsletter. Snider's report, "From the Chancellor's Desk," is a regular feature of the publication for benefactors of the campus. The article highlights the importance of improving the campus image, engaging the local community and developing recruiting initiatives. To read the chancellor's full report, "We are Moving Forward," visit http://www.nk.psu.edu/43021.htm#NEWS43021 online. (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)
The Penn State New Kensington men's basketball season gets under way at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, with a nonconference game at Clarion University. The New Kensington Lions open the 2009-10 campaign with four consecutive away games. Coach Ryan Shank's squad makes its home debut at 7 p.m. Dec 2, against Penn State DuBois in the Athletics Center. (more)