According to Jackie Warnick-Piatt, Penn State Wilkes-Barre Student Activities Coordinator, the Martin Luther King Jr. Day “ON” Event was started last year at Penn State Hazleton.  It is a multi-campus community service event that will be alternately hosted at one of the six Penn State campuses participating each year: Berks, Hazleton, Lehigh Valley, Schuylkill, Wilkes-Barre, and Worthington Scranton.

This year Penn State Wilkes-Barre expects approximately 75 to 100 faculty, staff, and student volunteers to join in the event, which will include music, lecture, and volunteering at a variety of community service agencies, including the Luzerne County SPCA, the Lands at Hillside Farms, Catholic Youth Center (Wilkes-Barre), and other non-profit organizations.

According to www.mlkday.gov, Congress initiated the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service in 1994, transforming the federal holiday into a national day of community service grounded in [Martin Luther King, Jr.’s] teachings of nonviolence and social justice,” and making the holiday “a day ON, where people of all ages and backgrounds improve lives, bridge social barriers, and move our nation closer to the ‘Beloved Community’ that Dr. King envisioned.”

For more information, please contact Jackie Warnick-Piatt, Penn State Wilkes-Barre Student Activities Coordinator, at 570-675-9284 or jackiewp@psu.edu.

At a recent Penn State Wilkes-Barre basketball game, the first three inductees to the Penn State Wilkes-Barre Wall of Fame were honored:

John R. Murphy served as Dean of Student Affairs at Penn State Wilkes-Barre from 1967-2003 and also coached the men's basketball team from 1968-1971.  He served as chairman of the Athletics and Recreation Building construction project and received the John Egli Award for his contributions to the Commonwealth Campus Athletic Conference.

James H. Ryan, Campus Executive Office from 1981-1990, made significant contributions to the athletic programs at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.  Under his leadership, the Athletics and Recreation Building was constructed through the securing of State funding with the assistance of numerous Congressmen, Representatives, and Senators.  The Athletics and Recreation Building officially opened in 1990.

Daniel Tucker was a two-sport athlete, spending three years on the men's basketball team and one year on the baseball team.  He earned 1st team All-Conference honors in basketball three years in a row and, at the time of his Wall of Fame induction, was the only player ever to reach the 1,000 point milestone.  Dan graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Sciences and Technology.

For more information about the Penn State Wilkes-Barre Wall of Fame, please contact Penn State Wilkes-Barre Athletic Director Jack Monick at 570-675-9262 or jxm15@psu.edu.

^{Row 1: Wall of Fame Inductees Daniel Tucker, John R. Murphy, and James H. Ryan.
Row 2: Scott Miner, Men's Basketball Coach; Tom Conti, Penn State Wilkes-Barre Alumni Constituent Society President; Dr. Charles H. Davis, Chancellor, Penn State Wilkes-Barre; Jack Monick, Penn State Wilkes-Barre Athletic Director} 

The LEED Green Associate and LEED-AP+ Building Design and Construction Exam Prep Courses are designed for anyone interested in taking either of those exams and becoming a LEED accredited professional.  The LEED Green Associate Exam Prep Course will discuss green building practices and principles; the USGBC, Green Building, and the Green Associate exam; and topics including project site factors, water management, and project systems and energy impacts.  The LEED-AP+ Building Design and Construction Exam Prep Course will review sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and innovation and design, as well as test taking strategies.

The Green Advantage® Environmental Certification program staffs your project with construction personnel who have demonstrated their knowledge in green building practices and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).  Equipping your LEED team with Green Advantage® certified personnel qualifies for one very important LEED Innovation Credit. This course will highlight core concepts of construction principles behind sustainable building as well as integration of green practices with a focus on lightening the impact on the environment and improving the health conditions of construction workers and building occupants.

For more information on these courses and other programs offered by Penn State Wilkes-Barre Continuing Education, please visit our website.

According to Jackie Warnick-Piatt, Penn State Wilkes-Barre Student Activities Coordinator, the Martin Luther King Jr. Day “ON” Event was started last year at Penn State Hazleton.  It is a multi-campus community service event that will be alternately hosted at one of the six Penn State campuses participating each year: Berks, Hazleton, Lehigh Valley, Schuylkill, Wilkes-Barre, and Worthington Scranton.

This year, students traveled to the Wilkes-Barre campus and spent the day volunteering around the Wyoming Valley.  From sorting canned goods and boxes of food at the Back Mountain Food Pantry, to cleaning animal cages at the Luzerne County SPCA, more than 50 students, faculty, and staff spent their day serving others.  Other organizations where volunteers spent time on Monday include Catholic Youth Center (Wilkes-Barre), Hoyt Library, Jewish Community Center, Lands at Hillside Farms, and Meadows Manor.

According to www.mlkday.gov , Congress initiated the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service in 1994, transforming “the federal holiday into a national day of community service grounded in [Martin Luther King, Jr.’s] teachings of nonviolence and social justice,” and making the holiday “a day ON, where people of all ages and backgrounds improve lives, bridge social barriers, and move our nation closer to the ‘Beloved Community’ that Dr. King envisioned.”

For more information, please contact Jackie Warnick-Piatt, Penn State Wilkes-Barre Student Activities Coordinator, at 570-675-9284 or jackiewp@psu.edu.

A short trip out the Pennsylvania Turnpike the next day found the Back Mountain squad in a battle with a team tied for third in the national rankings, Penn State Beaver, where the Mountain Lions dropped an 80-69 decision. The 11-point win was Penn State Beaver's closest league game of the season.

Against Penn State New Kensington, the Mountain Lions had multiple players contribute with double figure scoring, including John Sanderson with 16 points and eight assists, Jared James with 13 points and Matt Clemons with 10 points and five rebounds. Against Penn State Beaver, Sanderson had another solid performance, tossing in 17 points with another four assists, while 6’7” teammate Shawn Washington grabbed 11 rebounds.

Frank Peters recorded his 11th and 12th “double-double” of the season on the road trip, with team highs of 20 points and 15 rebounds on Friday against New Kensington and team highs of 18 points and 14 rebounds on Saturday against Beaver. Peters currently leads the league in rebounding with an 11.4 per game average and is ranked 5th nationally in that category.

Northwest Area alumni John Kelly played well as a key substitute for Penn State Wilkes-Barre, contributing 18 points and nine rebounds in the two games, including an 11-point effort against New Kensington.

The Mountain Lions will have another opportunity to take on a number three nationally ranked team on Friday, January 29 at 8:00 p.m. when they host Penn State DuBois, who is tied with Penn State Beaver for the number three slot. The Mountain Lions will then jump right back into action on Saturday, January 30 when they host Penn State Brandywine at 3:00 p.m.

^{Article by Mike Truskoloski, Penn State Wilkes-Barre Men's Basketball Assistant Coach}

    
^{Penn State Wilkes-Barre's Frank Peters (#14) goes up for a shot against Penn State Schuylkill's Ted Styka (#23) and
Paul Carey (#15) at a recent home game.  Photo by Carrie Yaple.}

A high-altitude balloon, which is filled with helium, can carry multiple payloads bearing cameras, sensors, telemetry systems, and multiple experiments.

The balloon can reach heights of 80,000 to 100,000 feet, which is about three times as high as commercial airliners and more than 20,000 feet beyond the threshold of “near space.”

Lozano said this new opportunity will allow students from all disciplines to conduct experiments that interest them and relate to their own studies.  He also said primary and secondary schools in the area will likely be able to benefit from this technology by including their own experiments in with a launch.

Each launch involves multiple steps from planning and research to instrumentation, the launch itself, tracking and recovery of the balloon and materials, analyzing the data, and then publishing the findings.  Lozano estimates the cost of one launch to be $400-$500, a cost that is mostly made up of the balloon itself, helium to fill it, and gas for the vehicle that is chasing the balloon; all other materials are reusable.

One benefit of this technology is that it provides real-time data from the balloon to the ground crew.

“Even if some of these pods in which the telemetry is placed, if something happens and they are lost, at least we have the real-time date that was sent up to that time, meaning that we don’t need to wait to recover the balloon to recover all of the data,” Lozano said.

Lozano hopes to have enough involvement from students, faculty, and staff to host a launch in May or June of this year.

For more information, please contact Dr. Albert Lozano at a-lozano@psu.edu or 570-675-9245.

The students, Sean Bovier, Mark Krofchok, and Darryl Schwarz, are designing and building a device that will be able to unlock and open doors remotely.  The mechanism is designed to both meet the needs of those with disabilities who struggle with turning locks and opening doors, as well as for the convenience of people trying to enter their home with their arms full of groceries or other things.

Bovier said the parts for the project should cost less than $1,000, the most expensive part being the DC actuator which is a component in the unlocking and opening mechanism.

“We ordered some parts already and we’re just excited to get building,” Krofchok said.

Robert Watts, vice president of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Technology Institute, said that, when deciding which projects to fund, the Institute looks for student-led projects with commercial potential and practicality that also address and answer quality of life issues.

Dr. Albert Lozano, Penn State Wilkes-Barre engineering professor and instructor of the senior project, said at the beginning of these projects, the students brainstorm, and any idea is possible.

“As discussions continue, I kind of try to guide the students as to what’s realistic and what’s not, but the final decision rests with the students,” Lozano said.

Watts added he enjoys seeing talented students working with talented faculty.

“Funding students who are ambitious is always exciting for us,” Watts said.

The goal of the PATCI program is to develop knowledge and technology in Northeastern Pennsylvania for assistive technologies and quality of life issues for teams of students advised by a faculty member.  If Bovier, Krofchok, and Schwarz are successful with their project by April, there is an opportunity for an additional $30,000 to continue working on the prototype to make it market-ready.

For more information, please contact Dr. Albert Lozano at a-lozano@psu.edu or 570-675-9245.

^{From left: Robert Watts, Northeastern Pennsylvania Technology Institute Vice President; Sean Bovier; Darryl Schwarz; Mark Krofchok; Dr. Albert Lozano, Penn State Wilkes-Barre Engineering Professor}

The Four Diamonds Fund was established in 1972 to aid families battling pediatric cancer by providing innovative cancer research and treatment as well as support for the families.  THON, a 46-hour no sitting, no sleeping dance marathon, is the culmination of a year-long fundraising effort by students at Penn State.  THON allows the students and families to come together and celebrate the victories, both large and small, that THON and the Four Diamonds Fund have achieved.

This year, two students from Penn State Wilkes-Barre will be among the more than 700 dancers on the floor of the Bryce Jordan Center in State College.

“I honestly believe it's one of the best organizations I've ever had the privilege of being a part of,” said Amy Parry, one of Penn State Wilkes-Barre’s dancers in THON 2010.

Parry, a junior at Penn State Wilkes-Barre, has been involved with THON since her freshman year, serving on both the OPPerations committee, which helps set up, tear down, and maintain the Bryce Jordan Center during THON weekend and the HOSpitality committee, which takes care of serving meals to the dancers.

Among the many activities, events, and benefits of participating in THON, perhaps the most significant is the Adopt-A-Family program which allows THON committees and organizations to partner with a Four Diamonds Family.  This partnership allows that committee to experience first-hand the story of a family the Fund has helped, and also allows the families to meet an organization and form bonds with the students prior to THON weekend.

The Penn State Wilkes-Barre THON Committee is in its second year as the adoptive organization of Tristen, a now five-year-old boy who battled a form of kidney cancer.  Though Tristen has completed chemotherapy and is doing well, Jason Oliver, also representing Penn State Wilkes-Barre as a dancer this year, finds his inspiration comes from this “little fighter.”

“To see the energy in his eyes and his adventurous spirit, but to know that his body was potentially shutting down was enough to make me want to push on, try harder, do more,” Oliver said.  “Every dollar I help raise is another dollar that can help find a cure for him and other pediatric cancer patients.”

THON 2010 will begin at 6 p.m. on Friday, February 19 and concludes at 4 p.m. on Sunday, February 21.  During THON will be numerous events to help keep the dancers motivated and entertained, including a pep rally, All-U hour, fashion shows, talent shows, Family Hour, where many families will share the stories of their own battles with cancer and how THON has helped them, and the unveiling of the final total at the end of THON weekend.

For more information, please contact Melissa Gunshannon, Penn State Wilkes-Barre Public Information Coordinator, at melissag@psu.edu or 570-675-9269.

^{Shelby Murren, Penn State Wilkes-Barre THON Chair; Amy Parry, Penn State Wilkes-Barre THON Dancer; Jason Oliver, Penn State Wilkes-Barre THON Dancer}

The seminar will review such topics as Marcellus shale geology, natural gas development, environmental concerns, economic impacts, legal implications of Marcellus leasing and gas development, and impacts on housing and real estate.

Following each presentation there will be a question and answer portion for participants to engage the presenters on a variety of Marcellus shale and natural gas development topics.

For more information, view the seminar details, or contact Ann Murtagh, Penn State Wilkes-Barre Continuing Education, at amm60@psu.edu or 570-675-9219.

Just two days after dropping a tough 5-point decision in the team’s first ever league Final Four appearance, the team learned that their season was not yet over.  Finishing strong through the end of the season, the Mountain Lions won seven of their last ten games, with five of the seven wins against nationally ranked opponents, and one of the losses at NCAA Division III Alfred University.

The strong finish propelled the squad into the top 10 national rankings in the final USCAA Coaches Poll to the number nine spot, the team’s first ever top 10 finish, and was enough to convince the USCAA Tournament Selection Committee that the Mountain Lions were worthy of a spot in the tournament.

With 10 teams from six different states selected to participate in the tournament, Head Coach Scott Miner knows that every team in the tournament will be very talented. The Mountain Lions’ first round opponent, the University of Maine-Augusta Moose, features 6'6" 270 pound center Moses Brathwaite. The talented sophomore leads the USCAA in rebounding and averages 24.4 points per game.

At this point in the season, however, Miner isn’t about to make any drastic changes. “We will continue to do what has gotten us to this point, we will play hard and we will enjoy the experience at the same time,” Miner said.  “I told the guys to bring their cameras and to cherish the opportunity. This is their reward for all the hard work they have done this year. We will make adjustments during the game as we need to, but I’m sure they [Maine-Augusta] will have to make adjustments to what we do as well.”

The Mountain Lions’ first round game against Maine-Augusta is scheduled for Wednesday, March 3 at 8:00 a.m. The game can be heard live via the USCAA Division II Championship Tournament website, (www.theuscaa.com). The winner will advance to play top-seeded Williamson University on Thursday, March 4 at 8:00 p.m.

^{Written by Mike Truskoloski
Assistant Coach
PSU Wilkes-Barre Men's Basketball}

Monday, March 8 - Junior Engineering Technical Society (JETS) Test of Engineering Aptitude, Mathematics, and Sciences (TEAMS) competition - Students will work in teams of four to eight members in this two-part competition, which consists of an 80-question multiple choice exam as well as a series of eight tasks related to this year's theme: “Water, Water Everywhere!”  Students will apply knowledge learned in the classroom to real-world engineering issues and rely on creativity, teamwork, critical thinking, and peer-to-peer cooperation in order to complete the competition.  For more information, please contact John Barnes, JETS/TEAMS Regional Coordinator, at 570-675-9229 or jsb2@psu.edu, or visit the JETS/TEAMS website.

Wednesday, March 10 - Pennsylvania Northeast Regional Science Olympiad - More than 750 students from 52 northeastern and central Pennsylvania schools will compete in events such as disease detective, egg-o-naut, junkyard challenge, and other events in the fields of anatomy, biology, chemistry, physics, problem solving, and technology.  Winners of both junior and senior high schools will advance to the state competition in April at Juniata College.  The Science Olympiad is devoted to increasing student interest in science, recognizing outstanding achievement, and improving the quality of science education.  Individual and team events will test the skills and knowledge of the students in anatomy and physiology, biology, chemistry, physics, problem solving, and technology.  For more information, please contact Daniel Blessner, Northeast Regional Science Olympiad Director, at 570-675-9162 or djb111@psu.edu or visit the Science Olympiad website.

Saturday, March 20 - National History Day Regional Competition - More than 200 students in grades 6-12 will be on campus to present their projects for this year's theme: “Innovation in History: Impact and Change.”  Students have chosen topics related to this year’s theme and conducted primary and secondary research at libraries, archives, museums, and historical sites as well as through oral history interviews.  The History Day Competition allows the students to present their work through one of five media: paper, exhibit, performance, documentary, or Web site.  The top three finishers at the Regional level will advance to the State competition.  Winners of the State competition will move on to the Kenneth E. Behring National History Day Contest at the University of Maryland at College Park in June.  For more information, please contact Dr. Christyne Berzsenyi, Regional Coordinator/Co-Chair of the History Day Regional Program, at 570-675-9275 or cab39@psu.edu, or visit the National History Day website.

Michael Buczkowski, a junior guard from Philadelphia was named to the Division 2 All-Academic Team while Frank Peters, a sophomore forward also out of Philadelphia, earned Division 2 All-American Honorable Mention recognition.

For more information, please visit the USCAA website or contact Men's Basketball Head Coach Scott Miner at 570-675-9201 or sam61@psu.edu.

            
^{Michael Buczkowski                                                                      Frank Peters}        

Dr. Jankowski’s presentation, “Looking for Lesbians: Queer Desire in the Geneva Bible’s ‘Song of Songs,’” concerned her study of the Geneva Bible, the first English translation of the Bible to be made from the original Hebrew and Koine Greek.

“Since the second person singular pronoun, ‘you,’ is not gender-marked in English,” Jankowski said, “what happens in this translation is that the reader is presented with a series of vignettes of sexual situations involving: a man and a woman; two men; two women; a group of women, etc. Thus, surprisingly, in a canonical religious text which contains prohibitions against homosexual activity, we can find much evidence of this activity.”

According to UCLA, “Although the term ‘homosexuality’ has its own problematic history, the plural version of the word focuses attention on the ways in which scholars analyze patterns of same-sex eroticism in a broad range of historical and theoretical contexts. The seminar program aims to generate dialogue between researchers whose work is based within and across many different humanities disciplines.”

For this series, which began this past October and extends until June, UCLA invited scholars in the field to share their findings in both past and present and local and global studies of same-sex desire and relationships.

For more information, please contact Dr. Theodora Jankowski at 570-675-9254 or taj12@psu.edu.

At a pre-tournament banquet March 2, Penn State Wilkes-Barre player Frank Peters was named to the UCSAA Honorable Mention All-American Team, while teammate Michael Buczkowski was named an Academic All-American.

At a skills competition prior to the banquet, Mountain Lion’s guard Jared James entertained a packed house in the slam dunk contest, narrowly missing top honors and finishing in second place.

The Mountain Lions had the honor of competing in the first game of the tournament on Wednesday, March 3 at 8 a.m., where they dropped a hard-fought 73-68 decision.  With 3:46 to go in the game against Maine-Augusta, the Mountain Lions found themselves down by 16 points. With their backs against the wall and their pride on the line, the team focused on playing Mountain Lion’s basketball.

A 21-8 Mountain Lion run cut the lead to just three points with 24 seconds to go in the game. However, the run fell short as Maine-Augusta held on for the victory. For the game, Peters matched Maine-Augusta’s All-American center Moses Braithwaite step-for-step, as both finished with 21 points and 15 rebounds. John Sanderson stepped up on the national stage to toss in a season high 23 points in the loss, while center Shawn Washington added 10 points and 8 rebounds.

Ironically, that tough first round loss to eighth ranked University of Maine-Augusta was probably the catalyst that propelled the Lions through the consolation bracket and into the consolation finals; bad new for the Mountain Lions’ next opponent, the Central Maine Mustangs, who entered the tournament as the number three team in the country.

The Mountain Lions went toe-to-toe with one of the USCAA’s best on Thursday, March 4, before they ended the Mustangs’ season with a thrilling 70-69 overtime victory, the school’s first ever victory in a national playoff game. Colin Nurse took his turn in leading the Mountain Lions against Central Maine, recording both a game and career high 26 points, while Peters turned in another solid performance with 16 points and 12 rebounds.

Friday, March 5, brought a new day and a new challenge for the Mountain Lions, as highly regarded and second-ranked Penn State Beaver found themselves in Penn State Wilkes-Barre’s sights. Penn State Beaver’s stay was short lived as well, as Penn State Wilkes-Barre put forth a strong defensive effort, holding the reigning league champion Penn State Beaver team to almost 20 points below their season scoring average. The resulting 57-55 victory by Penn State Wilkes-Barre sent Penn State Beaver home tied for seventh place, and advanced the Back Mountain team into the fifth place consolation finals.

Sanderson and Nurse were again the leading contributors against Penn State Beaver, as Sanderson scored a game high 16 points while adding five assists; Nurse was right behind with 12 points.

With the fifth and final trophy on the line against the New Hampshire Technical Institute Lynx on Saturday, March 6, the Mountain Lions came out ready to roar as they jumped to a 20-10 lead early in the game. The Lynx battled back, however, and took a six-point lead into the locker room at halftime. During the second half, the Lynx proved to be a worthy opponent as they gradually pulled away to post a 73-60 victory and retain their fifth-place ranking.

Washington led the way in a valiant effort for the Mountain Lions with a game high 16 points and 7 rebounds, while Peters put forth another strong effort, pulling down 14 rebounds.

Head Coach Scott Miner summed up the experience by expressing his gratitude to the USCAA and the Penn State Wilkes-Barre community for their support and giving the team the chance to compete in the national tournament.

“This team accepted the responsibility of representing Penn State Wilkes-Barre and the entire area with class and dignity,” Miner said.  “I received numerous compliments [at the tournament] on the way our guys conducted themselves, both as competitors on the court as well as gentlemen off the court.”

Miner added, “We went into the tournament ranked number nine, we gained some confidence and experience and earned some respect, and we finished ranked number six. I’m proud of them.”

“I didn’t want to do any ordinary internship; I wanted a Federal internship that would be memorable. I picked the right one, interning with the United States Fire Administration in Emmitsburg, Md. My internship was through the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency in conjunction with the National Fire Academy, where I evaluated several courses for the Fire/Arson Training Division.

“One course, the Fire/Arson Origin and Cause course, was co-taught by instructors from the National Fire Academy and the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agency. I learned the process of investigating a fire from the basics up and used those skills to investigate the origin and cause of a burned training cell in a group project.

“Another course I evaluated was Interview/Interrogation and Courtroom Testimony, which covered all three topics in a span of two weeks. We were taught by a retired FBI agent and learned interrogation techniques and what to look for during interviews. We were qualified by three U.S. Fire Administration Attorneys as expert witnesses, put on a stand, and testified our group’s fire investigation findings.

“In addition, I was granted access to visit the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Gaithersburg, Md. I met with a researcher in charge of the Fire Dynamic research who gave me a tour of the facility. They test everything we come across a day to make life safer.

“I have been a volunteer EMT and fire fighter for nine years and have a passion for helping people. I graduated this past December and would like to be an arson investigator, so it was an honor to learn from all these experienced people.”

^{Photos (left to right):
1- Julie Barone waiting to "mock testify" as an expert witness in the Interview and Interrogation Techniques/Courtroom Testimony class.  Her team of investigators was sequestered for three hours while their case was presented to a group of government attorneys.
2 - Based on real-life situations such as electrical fires, careless cigarette smoking, candle accident, or arson, fully furnished rooms in concrete models of homes are set on fire by highly trained administrators using one of those techniques.  Students are not allowed in this area during the fire, but once the rooms are extinguished and cooled, the Fire/Arson Cause and Origin class is brought in and asked to determine the cause and origin of the fire.
3 - Dr. Denis Onieal (right), Superintendent of the National Fire Academy, presents Julie Barone with a certificate of completion of the July 2009 Interview and Interrogation Techniques/Courtroom Testimony course at the National Fire Academy.}

This project was a partnership of the Luzerne Intermediate Unit, Penn State Wilkes-Barre and Sears Logistics Services in Hanover Township.  Approximately 25 teachers were provided with instruction on careers in this industry and the logistics of supply chain management.

Sears hosted two tours for teachers to see first-hand the work of a major local distribution center, which equipped teachers with the knowledge to develop lesson plans to instruct students on opportunities in this career field.

For more information, please contact Janet Rosenbaum, Assistant Director of Continuing Education at Penn State Wilkes-Barre, at 570-675-9102 or jqr8@psu.edu.

^{From left: Jane Ashton, Director of Continuing Education, Penn State Wilkes-Barre; Hal Bloss, Executive Director of Luzerne Intermediate Unit #18; Janet Rosenbaum, Assistant Director of Continuing Education, Penn State Wilkes-Barre; Bob Murtagh, General Manager, Sears Logistics Services; Judith Ide, Order Filling Operations Manager, Sears Logistics Services; Shawn Brislin, Shipping Operations Manager, Sears Logistics Services.}

The series is open to the public and begins with “Miracle,” the 2004 adaptation of the 1980 United States men’s hockey team and their journey to win the gold medal at the Olympic Games.  Special guest Dennis Bonvie, a former Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins hockey player, will be on campus that evening to kick-off the movie series and recount his own experiences in the world of professional hockey.

“We have a very inspirational series about real people and their triumphs in a particular sport,” said Bill Bachman, communications instructor at Penn State Wilkes-Barre and movie series developer/instructor.  “I believe they will provide teachable moments for everyone who joins us for the series.”

Other movies included in this series are: “Glory Road” (April 8,) “Jim Thorpe—All American” (April 15), “Cinderella Man” (April 22), and “A League of Their Own” (April 29).  All films will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Penn State Wilkes-Barre Science Center Auditorium.

For more information, and to register, please contact Penn State Wilkes-Barre Continuing Education at 570-675-9219 of amm60@psu.edu.

This summer, Penn State Wilkes-Barre Continuing Education is hosting a series of three Act 48 approved workshops to help area educators better understand and deal with many of these concerns while providing supportive, positive classroom environments.

“These workshops will provide information, techniques and offer innovative ideas for teachers,” said Jane Ashton, Director of Continuing Education at the campus.  “These programs not only address difficult topics but also teach skills and strategies for dealing with issues such as bullying.  We welcome the opportunity to partner with our school districts to meet their professional development needs.”

According to SafeYouth.org more than 5.7 million youth are involved in bullying each year, either as a bully, a victim, or both.  The first workshop, “Dealing with the Bullying Epidemic,” will discuss aspects of bullying, focusing on issues related to the recent increase in cyber bullying.  This workshop will also examine the perspectives of bullies and victims as well as review methods to implementing a bully prevention program and reducing antisocial behaviors.

“Keys for Effective Communication in the Classroom” will explore when and how to say things, why we choose certain linguistic options over others, cultural diversity, and slang, in an effort to better understand the connection between language, power, and gender.

The third workshop, “Classroom Interventions for Students with Emotional/Behavioral Issues,” will teach strategies related to depression, attention deficit disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, suicide, bullying, and death/grieving.

For more information, please contact Penn State Wilkes-Barre Continuing Education at 570-675-9219 or amm60@psu.edu or view the Summer Workshops for Educators flyer.

Penn State Wilkes-Barre Continuing Education is part of Penn State Outreach, the largest unified outreach organization in American higher education, serving more than 5 million people each year, delivering more than 2,000 programs to people in all 67 Pennsylvania counties, all 50 states and 80 countries worldwide.

Bonvie spoke about his hockey career and the power of persistence, noting his own struggles on the path to becoming a better hockey player and making it to the professional hockey world.

Bill Bachman, communications instructor at Penn State Wilkes-Barre, said, “We have a very inspirational series about real people and their triumphs in a particular sport.  I believe they will provide teachable moments for everyone who joins us for the series.”

Other movies included in this public offering are: “Glory Road” (April 8), “Jim Thorpe—All American” (April 15), “Cinderella Man” (April 22), and “A League of Their Own” (April 29).  All films will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Penn State Wilkes-Barre Science Center Auditorium.

For more information, and to register, please contact Penn State Wilkes-Barre Continuing Education at 570-675-9219 of amm60@psu.edu.

^{Left to right: Bill Bachman, communications instructor; Alyssa Meadows, student; Dennis Bonvie; Rhys Bonvie;
Frank Peters, student; Ellen Gregorio, Continuing Education program coordinator}

We chatted with Ryan about some of the wonderful personal enrichment programs offered through Penn State Wilkes-Barre Continuing Education, our special academic programs, especially Surveying Engineering, our great fitness options available to both campus and community members, and our incredible athletics teams.

Students for Justice President Robert Danko said, “When choosing the books, historical content, relevance to the AOJ program and the state of Pennsylvania, and the artist interpretations were all considered.  Our hope is that the students at the Wilkes-Barre campus will benefit most from this donation.”

 The club donated Crime and Punishment: the Colonial Period to the New Frontier; Eastern State Penitentiary: a History; and Hope Abandoned: Eastern State Penitentiary.

^{From left: Ashley Callaio, Treasurer; Stephen Haas, Vice President; Robert Danko, President; Marshall Davis, Club Advisor/Administration of Justice Program Coordinator; Bruce Reid, Head Librarian, Nesbitt Library; Carmen Yurek, President-elect; Richard Rachkowski, Vice President-Elect; Jennifer Gadomski, Secretary}

Withey-Carroll was the former art supervisor and head of the art department of the Dallas School District, Dallas, Pa. She has also taught in Fort Lauderdale, Broward County, Fla.  She is a graduate of G.A.R. Memorial High School (Wilkes-Barre, Pa.) and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at the Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Arts degree from New York University. Withey-Carroll also continued with graduate courses at Marywood University and Wilkes University.

The exhibit, which consists of an eclectic mix of various media, including oil and watercolor, will be on display until Friday, April 23.

For more information regarding the Friedman Art Gallery and this exhibit, please contact William Chickillo, Art Gallery Director, at wxc34@psu.edu.

Bobby Soper, President and CEO of Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs will be on hand at the breakfast series to explain the coming expansion to the casino, the employment outlook, and the financial impact for NEPA.  The program, sponsored by the Penn State Wilkes-Barre Alumni Constituent Society, will conclude with a question and answer session.

For more information, please view the event invitation or contact Ann Murtagh, Penn State Wilkes-Barre Continuing Education, at amm60@psu.edu or 570-675-9219.

After suffering two heart attacks just two months apart, Danko realized he could not continue on the path he was on, working as an explosives technician.

“I knew I had to make some dramatic changes in my career path and education was my only solution,” Danko said.

However, the cost of returning to school became the next big hurdle Danko had to conquer.

“The only job that allowed me to make the money I needed to make and not require an extraneous amount of physical effort was operating a tractor trailer,” Danko said.  “So, I drove a tractor trailer from coast to coast for three years to prepare myself financially.”

Danko returned to school full time this past fall and has not only excelled in his studies, but has also established himself as a pillar to the campus and community, serving in leadership positions for many campus clubs including Students for Justice, Lion Ambassadors, and the Blue and White Society in addition to his involvement with the Wyoming Valley AIDS Council and local volunteer fire companies.

Marshall Davis, Administration of Justice instructor at Penn State Wilkes-Barre, said Danko is not only a leader who takes charge when needed, but encourages and mentors younger, less experienced students to develop their own talents and abilities.

“Drawing on his maturity and wisdom he is always concerned about what will happen to the clubs, activities, and the campus in the future,” Davis said.

“His enthusiasm extends beyond his own person as he has done a tremendous job of encouraging other students,” added Frank Hughes, also a lecturer in Administration of Justice at the campus.

Danko, an International Politics major, plans to attend graduate school in a dual enrollment International Relations/Juris Doctor program and hopes to one day work as a research professor on a university campus.

^{Bob Danko (center) with Penn State Wilkes-Barre Administration of Justice faculty members Marshall Davis (left) and Frank Hughes.}

On Monday, April 19, Penn State Wilkes-Barre’s Honor Society will be hosting a public discussion on health care reform at 7 p.m. in the Academic Commons Barry Auditorium on campus.

Dr. Dan Kopen, a native of Northeastern Pennsylvania, will be on hand to speak with the public about the recent passage of health care reform and what this new legislation could mean for our area, as well as the country.

Author of “Common Sense Health Care Reform,” Kopen will discuss the roles played by government, health care insurance companies, individuals, medical institutions, and medical professionals.

Kopen completed medical school at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center of the Pennsylvania State University and a residency with the Barnes Hospital of Washington University, St. Louis, Mo.

Kopen is a nationally recognized surgeon and a member of the Fellow American College of Surgeons, Fellow American Society of Abdominal Surgeons, American Society for Quality, American Society of Breast Surgeons, and American Society of Breast Disease.

For more information, please contact Dr. Joseph Jumpeter, Honor Society Moderator, at 570-675-9248.

Reese, a 1978 graduate of Penn State with a B.S. in accounting, previously served as President and Chief Executive Officer of ACTV, Inc., a New York City-based digital media company and leader in the provision of technical and creative services, tools and proprietary applications for digital television, broadband media, and a number of new media initiatives undertaken by companies such as News Corporation, Motorola, AT&T, and NASCAR.  In 2003, and again in 2004, the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences recognized ACTV and Reese’s team with an Emmy Award in the category of “Outstanding Achievement in Interactive Television for a Single Program.”

Reese, a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, began his career with Deloitte, an international consulting and auditing organization, where he specialized in the consumer electronics field and served a number of industry-leading clients, including Toshiba and Panasonic.  Reese also served as Board member and Chairman of the Audit Committee of i2 Telecom, a developer of patented mobile applications and services.

Reese contributes significantly to philanthropic activities at Penn State where he was recognized as an Alumni Fellow (2000), the highest honor bestowed by the University’s Alumni Association, and Volunteer of the Year (2004).  He was the first chair of Penn State’s College of Information Sciences and Technology Advisory Board and led a team of corporate experts who devised a program whose graduates would understand the impact of technology on business, government, social services and education in a digital, global economy. He remains an active member of this committee and also sits on Penn State Wilkes-Barre’s Advisory Board.

During this year’s commencement exercise, Penn State Wilkes-Barre expects to award 76 diplomas to students who are completing 13 Associate’s and 63 Bachelor’s degrees.

For more information, please contact Penn State Wilkes-Barre Academic Affairs at 570-675-9252.

Speaking to a crowd of about 70 students and community members, Kopen recalled the nation’s first attempts at health care reforms in this country about 100 years ago.  He then spelled out the factors influencing health care now, including legislation, federal regulation, the drug industry and the medical community, as well as our own individual lifestyle habits such as overeating, not exercising, substance consumption and how all these factor work at setting the agenda for the state of our health care and the delivery of health care services.

Kopen finished his presentation by stressing that this is just the beginning on the ongoing debate and policy over health care in this country.

Author of “Common Sense Health Care Reform,” Kopen completed medical school at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center of the Pennsylvania State University and a residency with the Barnes Hospital of Washington University, St. Louis, Mo.

Kopen is a member of the Fellow American College of Surgeons, Fellow American Society of Abdominal Surgeons, American Society for Quality, American Society of Breast Surgeons, and American Society of Breast Disease.

For more information, please contact Dr. Joseph Jumpeter, Honor Society Moderator, at 570-675-9248.

After a brief introduction to Boeing and its rotorcraft division, as well as internship and employment opportunities, students were given a tour of the wind tunnel, which allows Boeing to test the performance of aircraft up to Mach 0.3.  This is an important segment of the flight, as it includes the critical phases of take off and landing.  The wind tunnel is a closed-circuit tunnel, with a quarter of a mile air path containing 42 tons of air.

Afterwards, the students were taken to the Chinook assembly line.  The Chinook CH-47D, first developed in 1967, is a multi-mission, tandem rotor, heavy-lift helicopter used by military forces around the globe and can handle loads up to 24,000 lbs.  Its tandem rotor configuration provides exceptional handling qualities, allowing for operation in climatic, altitude and crosswind conditions that typically prevent other helicopters from flying.

The students were able to see the different stations used in the manufacture of new Chinooks as well as the refurbishing of older units giving students from mechanical and electrical engineering, as well as other engineering disciplines, the opportunity to see the different parts and processes used in a complete engineering process.

For more information, please contact Dr. Albert Lozano, Penn State Wilkes-Barre Electrical Engineering Technology Program Coordinator, at axl17@psu.edu or 570-675-9245.

^{Left to right:
Dr. Jon Carson, Assoc. Professor of Engineering/Engineering Club Advisor; Jonathan Myrkalo; Joe Stevens; Mark Krofchok; Kyle Hillard; Garth Todd; Kyle Scherer; Danny Dymond; Ed Gill; Dr. Albert Lozano, Professor of Engineering; Ryan Hammond; Eric Kleist; Luc Eleazer; Tyler Barnard}

Catherine Beach - First Team All Penn State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC); averaged 14.3 points per game, 9.8 rebounds per game, and led the league in free throw percentage at 71%.

Renee Fumanti - Led the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) in assists with an average of 7.08 per game to claim the National Statistical Champion in a runaway.  Her closest competitor averaged 5.08/game.

Matthew Clemons - Made 39 of 80 (48.8%) three point field goal attempts to finish as the USCAA National Statistical Champion.  Clemons average 12 points per game.

Frank Peters - First Team All PSUAC; average 11.7 points per game; led the PSUAC with 11.29 rebounds per game (5th in USCAA); finished 3rd in PSUAC in "Double-Doubles" with 9 (7th in the USCAA); 5th in PSUAC in blocked shots with 1.17 per game (15th in the USCAA); and 13th in the PSUAC in steals (1.64/game).

John Sanderson - Honorable Mention All PSUAC; led PSUAC in assists with 5.69 per game (2nd in USCAA); 4th in PSUAC in steals with 2.17 per game; 6th in free throw percentage (73.5%)

The women's basketball team finished the season with an overall record of 10-7, league record of 9-6, including the first ever North Division Championship and first ever playoff appearance.

The men's team finished with an overall record of 17-13, league record of 12-5, including first ever playoff win, first PSUAC "Final Four" appearance, and first national championship tournament appearance, finishing 6th in the USCAA.  Six of the 13 losses were against NCAA Division II and III teams; two of those losses coming in the National Championship Tournament games.

Martin U. Dougherty Emerging Leader Award – Joshua D. Witmer
John R. Murphy Award for Excellence in Leadership and Service – Mark R. Calore
Eric A. and Josephine S. Walker Award – Robert Danko, Jr.
Hayfield Award – William Bachman, Instructor in Communications
Edward H. Kaminski Memorial Scholarship – William R. (“Ryan”) Whitmiller
The Kolesar Athletic Award – Frank A. Peters III
Lion’s Pride Award – Alex Seasock
Outstanding Student Government Association Member – Mark R. Calore
Outstanding Club Award – Lion Ambassadors.
Outstanding Club Advisor Award – Scott Miner, Lion Ambassadors.
Club Members of the Year – Andrew Olshefski, Lion Ambassadors; Bradley Calaman, Blue & White Society; Gencina Ricca, Collegian; John Ulichney, IST; Amy Parry, THON; Corey Timek, 4 Seasons; Robert Danko, Jr., Students for Justice
Intercollegiate Leadership – Andrew Olshefski, Marika Merritt, Alex Seasock, Marvee Shah, Randy Lucas
Who’s Who Among Students in American Junior Colleges – Tamara Brown, Lydia Naperkowski, Robert Danko, Jr., Marika Merritt
Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities – Mark R. Calore
Defender of the Commonwealth Award – Mark R. Calore

MVPs for each of the athletics teams were also named: Chris Iorio, baseball; Frank A. Peters III, men's basketball; Catherine Beach, women's basketball; Robert Hadvance, soccer; Eric Agomuo, men's tennis; Christina Zborovian, women's tennis; Abigail Collins, women's volleyball; Michael P. Haley, golf.

Sponsored by the Department of Academic Affairs, more than 30 students received various awards for exemplary academic performance and high achievement.  The following awards were presented at the ceremony:
2010 President Sparks Award: Shane T. Andes
2010 President’s Freshman Award: Kevin A. Bennett, Sabrina M. Bush, Timothy B. Graham, Jennifer M. Naro, Donovan W. Schwartz.

Program awards are given to students enrolled in one of the 13 degree programs offered at Penn State Wilkes-Barre who are either graduating or in their last semester of residence at the Wilkes-Barre campus before graduating:
Bachelor of Science in Administration of Justice Program Award: Michael Kocet, Daniel Spath
Bachelor of Arts in Letters, Arts, & Sciences Program Award: Lisa M. DeSando
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology Program Award: Joseph Stevens
Bachelor of Science in Surveying Engineering Program Award: Joseph Gabor
Associate in Surveying Technology Program Award: Darren Hauser
Bachelor of Science in Information Sciences & Technology Program Award: Ryan Ginocchietti, Adam Sutliff

College/Division awards are given to students who have completed the first two years of their college education at Penn State Wilkes-Barre and are changing their campus assignment to complete their degree:
College of Education Award: Jeffrey Weems
College of Engineering – Civil Engineering Award: Silvia Sutkowski
College of Information Sciences and Technology Award: John Osinski
Science and Mathematics Division Award: Eric Kleist

Major awards are given to students who have completed the first two years of their college education at Penn State Wilkes-Barre and are changing their campus assignment to complete their degree.
University College – Administration of Justice Major Award: Robert Danko, Jr.
College of Engineering – Computer Science Major Award: Shane T. Andes

The Honor Society provides co- and extracurricular enrichment for selected members of the student body qualified on the basis of scholastic aptitude, test scores, and/or high school or college grade point average (GPA):
Honor Society Members: Abigail A. Bachman, Kelly A. Bone, Jordan M. Broody, Bradley C. Calaman, Michael J. Cappos, Rachel A. Hosking, Alyssa B. Meadows, Brian A. Miller, Megan A. Millo, William M. Ritchie, Clinton P. Sorber, Sara T. Stepanski, John S. Ulichney

^{Row 1: John S. Ulichney
Row 2: Darren Hauser, Silvia Sutkowski, Jennifer M. Naro, Lisa M. DeSando, Alyssa B. Meadows
Row 3: Clinton P. Sorber, Shane T. Andes, William M. Ritchie
Row 4: Michael Kocet, Jeffrey Weems, Robert Danko, Jr.
Row 5: Michael J. Cappos, Bradley C. Calaman, Timothy B. Graham}

^{Absent from photo: Abigail A. Bachman; Kevin A. Bennett; Kelley A. Bone; Jordan M. Broody; Sabrina M. Bush; Joseph Gabor; Ryan Ginocchietti; Rachael A. Hosking; Eric Kleist; Brian A. Miller; Megan A. Millo; John Osinski; Donovan W. Schwartz; Daniel Spath; Sara T. Stepanski; Joseph Stevens; Adam Sutliff}

The students are treated to a night of great food, fun and friendship with their fellow students, staff and faculty and recognized for their achievements including first year students, returning students, those transferring to other locations, student mentors, and graduating students. The students receive certificates and a small gift for their participation in events sponsored by SSS.  

Student Support Services is a TRIO federal grant program that aims to increase college retention, graduation rates, and career options for first-generation college students, those from low-income families, the physically challenged, and students with learning disabilities.  Penn State Wilkes-Barre’s SSS program currently includes more than 160 students.

For more information, please contact the Student Support Services department at 570-675-9112.

^{Student Mentors
From left: Bryan Harding, Suxia Chen, Micah Cross, Marika Merritt}

Leandri said in the 17 years that he’s been involved with the Penn State Wilkes-Barre Advisory Board, the single biggest challenge faced was to increase the availability of nearby student housing that could accommodate the many requests from students outside the Wilkes-Barre area.

“When I became Chairman of the Advisory Board in 2007, I told Chancellor Davis that I wanted to address this issue and initially approached two different investor groups about purchasing the two existing student housing buildings and expanding their capacity,” Leandri said.

“After both of these possibilities failed to materialize, I then discovered that a former banker friend of mine named Dennis Dunn was involved with student housing at other colleges,” Leandri said.  “I contacted him and brought him and his group to our area and we founded Apple Alley Associates and purchased the two existing buildings. Within two months of our purchase, we hired Trade Eastern Inc. and completely refurbished and upgraded the older buildings and installed all new appliances and furniture.”

Since that time, Apple Alley Associates has again commissioned Trade Eastern Inc. to begin construction on the third building, which was completed in January 2010.  A fourth building is currently under construction and scheduled to be completed in August 2010.  The addition of these two building will increase the capacity from 65 beds at the time of the initial purchase to about 170 beds, a more than 160 percent increase in less than two years.

“The training is standardized, consistent and rigorous,” said Marian Vendemia, Penn State Beaver director of Continuing Education. “It is designed to ensure that residents of these facilities have a good quality of life. This is a critical societal issue that Penn State is ideally suited to help address through its statewide campus system.”

 DPW invited Penn State Beaver to be a training provider shortly after new training regulations went into effect. Vendemia rounded up experts in health care and the law and offered the first program in spring 2006. Since then, other Penn State campuses have joined the network of providers, and 272 personal care home administrators and other health care professionals have completed the training.

This spring, Penn State Schuylkill and Penn State Hazleton will offer the program, and Penn State Wilkes-Barre and Penn State Worthington Scranton will offer it this summer. Regional Continuing Education Director Ina Lubin explained that the four northeastern campuses want to offer the program to provide the more than 175 personal care facilities in their region with training options close to home. “We’re constantly working to be able to offer programs at convenient locations, to meet the education and training needs of facilities in our area,” Lubin said.

Jane Ashton, Penn State Wilkes-Barre’s Director of Continuing Education, added, “This program is required for anyone aspiring to become a Personal Care Home Administrator and also satisfies continuing education requirements for current administrators.  Offering this training in our region allows us to actively contribute to the well-being of the residents in the personal care homes in our area.”

“We’re excited to be able to offer this kind of training right here in our own communities,” said John Drake, director of continuing education at Penn State Worthington Scranton. “Having this course offered at our four local campuses will make it much more convenient, effective and cost efficient for local individuals interested in entering this field, or increasing their current knowledge level and skills.” 

According to Kimberly C. Black, director of Training for DPW's Adult Residential Licensing program, “Personal care homes serve vulnerable adults that require personal care services. Without appropriate training, personal care home administrators cannot keep up with current trends and issues related to the individuals they serve.” DPW increased training requirements for personal care home administrators and staff in 2005. Black said, “Training improves the knowledge base of the individual, which improves services provided to residents.”

Personal Care Home Administrator Training covers 19 topics ranging from resident rights to laws and regulations, fire prevention and emergency preparedness, and budgeting issues. To become an administrator, individuals must complete the training and pass a test developed for DPW by a Penn State team. Led by Matthew Kaplan, professor of intergenerational programs and aging, and Richard Fiene, associate professor of human development and family studies, a group of Penn State Extension, College of Education and College of Health and Human Development faculty and staff created the online test.

“By passing a competency-based test that reflects what they have learned, administrators are better-prepared to ensure the quality of care for residents. It's all about the quality of life of the resident,” said Kaplan, adding, “and this, in turn, contributes to the sense of comfort and reassurance that families throughout the Commonwealth can have in terms of knowing that their loved ones are well cared for.”

Personal care homes and assisted living facilities provide shelter, meals, supervision and assistance with personal care tasks for people who need assistance, but do not require nursing home or medical care.

For more information about this training program, contact: Penn State Hazleton Continuing Education (CE), 570-450-3576, lmw24@psu.edu; Penn State Schuylkill CE, 570-385-6221, zjs7@psu.edu; Penn State Wilkes-Barre CE, 570-675-9220, epg10@psu.edu; and Penn State Worthington Scranton CE, 570-963-2600, jcd15@psu.edu.

Penn State Continuing Education is part of Penn State Outreach, the largest unified outreach organization in American higher education, serving more than 5 million people each year, delivering more than 2,000 programs to people in all 67 Pennsylvania counties, all 50 states and 80 countries worldwide.

Several students graduated with honors of distinction.  Graduating with highest distinction were: Joseph B. Gabor, Saylorsburg; Michael A. Kocet, Forty Fort; and Daniel J. Spath, Kingston.

Graduating with high distinction were: Ryan A. Ginocchietti, Nanticoke; Karen L. Laskowski, Nanticoke; and Sarah J. Yarnell, Stillwater.

The 2010 graduates of Penn State Wilkes-Barre are:

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology: Sean C. Bovier, Towanda; Justin Kostelansky, Pittston; Mark T. Krofchok, Wanamie; Joseph M. Sack, Hanover Twp.; Matthew B. Smith, Shavertown; Joseph J. Stevens, Old Forge.

Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education: Jill Chocallo, Dallas.

Bachelor of Science in Surveying Engineering: Joseph B. Gabor, Saylorsburg; Joshua D. Henry, New Bethlehem; Matthew Morris, Kingston; Robert T. Nargoski, Hanover Twp.; Joseph R. Vidakovich, Latrobe.

Bachelor of Science in Information Sciences and Technology: Sandra Felichko, Mountain Top; Ryan A. Ginocchietti, Nanticoke; Brad Jumper, Mountain Top; Paul Richards, Nanticoke; Joshua D. Stadts, Nanticoke; Adam C. Sutliff, West Wyoming; Alex J. Tasco, Dallas; Andrew J. Thalmann, Great Meadows, NJ.

Bachelor of Arts in English: Molly A. Hedden, Scranton; Amanda Nolan, Throop; Richard Smith, Wyoming.

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology: Karen L. Laskowski, Nanticoke.

Bachelor of Science in Psychology: Kimberly Ide, Shickshinny.

Bachelor of Science in Crime, Law, and Justice: Calvin J. Rickey, Nanticoke.

Bachelor of Science in Recreation, Parks, & Tourism Management: Kenneth A. Young, Tunkhannock.

Bachelor of Science in Economics: Derek E. Miller, Wilkes-Barre.

Bachelor of Science in Administration of Justice: Julie A. Barone, Throop; Ashley M. Callaio, Exeter; Timothy P. Griffin, Swoyersville; Amber L. Kaminski, Mountain Top; Michael A. Kocet, Forty Fort; Michael D. Lawler, Harveys Lake; Eric W. Morgantini, Forty Fort; Raymond A. Perry, Shickshinny; Keith M. Petrochko, Nanticoke; Joseph Shock, Edwardsville; Derek J. Smarr, Tamaqua; Daniel J. Spath, Kingston; Elizabeth A. Sukaloski, Dallas; Derek J. Toole, Shavertown; John B. Zdaniewicz, Falls; Christina Zborovian, Avoca.

Bachelor of Science in Business: Salvatore A. Bernardi III, Plains; Mark R. Calore, Hanover Twp.; Arthur D. Francis, Jr., Exeter; Bailey J. Hansen Garey, Mehoopany; James D. Haggerty III, Forty Fort; Sara R. Jannuzzi, Wilkes-Barre; Edward M. Kastreva, Jr., Harveys Lake; Mary C. Kitlan, Tunkhannock; Eric J. Kurello, Lehman; Heath L. May, Pittston; Mia M. Pagnotti, West Pittston; Andrew M. Peck, Wilkes-Barre; Carla C. Reino, Shavertown; Angelo R. Rescigno, Scranton; Christopher P. Spinucci, Sugar Notch; Amanda C. Supey, Dallas; Daniel L. Valenza, Hawley; Anthony J. Vigilante, Analomink; Maxwell S. Winters, Trucksville.

Bachelor of Arts in Letters, Arts, and Sciences: Lisa M. DeSando, Dallas; Leonard P. Luba, Wilkes-Barre.

Associate in Information Sciences & Technology: John W. Singer, Plymouth

Associate in Electrical Engineering Technology: David J. Buckley, Wilkes-Barre; Andrew K. Kempinski, Hunlock Creek; William J. Ford, Wilkes-Barre Twp.; Steven R. Smith, Askam.

Associate in Surveying Technology: Eric A. Fusco, Wilkes-Barre; Darren L. Hauser, Wysox; Rebecca S. Kile, Stillwater; Robert J. Machiesky, Carbondale; Matthew C. Mendola, Dunmore; David K. Newhard, Bethlehem.

Associate in Business Administration: Sarah J. Yarnell, Stillwater.

Associate in Letters, Arts, and Sciences: Gregory B. Harris, Dallas; Michelle M. Llewellyn, Exeter.

Certificate in Logistics & Supply Chain Management: Lori Dantone, Pittston; Nicole Fisher, Nanticoke; Diane Huntley, Wilkes-Barre; Bryan Kennedy, Plymouth; Christopher Taft, Auburn; Donna Thompson, Larksville; Tony Vicaretti, Jessup.

Certificate in Information Sciences and Technology: Carolyn Corcoran, Hudson; Penelope Cundro, Drums; Kathy Donaldson, White Haven; Irene Ghezzi, Dallas; Theresa Isabella, Waymart; Robert Kologe, Avoca; Rebecca Krasson, Plymouth; Bonita Mosley, Bear Creek; Lori Ostrowski, Shavertown; Robert Stanski, Harveys Lake.

The faculty and staff of Penn State Wilkes-Barre would like to wish the best of luck to our graduating students and we hope that success and happiness follow you wherever you go!

Congratulations, Class of 2010!

For more photos from the 2010 Commencement Ceremony, please contact Melissa Gunshannon, Public Information Coordinator, at melissag@psu.edu.

~ Photos courtesy of Andy Molitoris
   Photography by Andy

This summer, Penn State Wilkes-Barre is hosting a family-friendly workshop focused on keeping families connected using social networking tools.

On Friday, June 11 from 9:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Donna Yale from the Pennsylvania Technical Assistance Program (PennTAP) will demonstrate what social networking is at the family level, how it works and applications accessed by it, and how to obtain those tools.  This workshop is ideal for the family with children off at college or grown children who have moved away and want to learn better ways to keep in touch than simply by sending e-mail.  Yale will also discuss why social networking is important to families, what else social networking can be used for, and how to create user accounts and blogs on some of the latest networking sites.

Yale is a Senior Technical Specialist with more than 25 years of computer experience and has been with PennTAP for the past eight years, providing computer technical assistance to small businesses throughout Northeastern Pennsylvania.

For more information, you can view the workshop flyer here, or contact Ann Murtagh, Penn State Wilkes-Barre Continuing Education, at amm60@psu.edu or 570-675-9219.

During this three-day program, middle school girls will be able to gain hands-on knowledge and experience with current energy issues.  Beginning with a discussion on what energy is, where it comes from, and what “renewable energy” means, participants will build solar ovens and devices for brewing tea using the sun.

Day two of the program emphasizes the importance of jobs in the energy field and how to go after those jobs.  Dr. Jon Carson, Associate Professor of Engineering, will discuss the educational aspect of engineering, engineering versus engineering technology, and keys to success such as critical thinking, math skills, what courses to take in high school, and the applications of modern science as a tool in engineering.

Gerri Wall, Career Counselor at Penn State Wilkes-Barre, will talk about getting a head start on potential engineering careers, share guidance resources on the Internet, help WISE participants get a head start on building an effective résumé, and how to explore other options in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

The final day of the program includes a field trip to Penn State Hazleton to see a photovoltaic power station, experimental wind turbine, and a full-sized solar powered car.  From the Hazleton campus, students will also be able to see a working wind farm.

Created at Penn State in 1994, the WISE Institute represents an innovative approach to cross-disciplinary interaction among engineers, humanists, scientists, and social scientists to promote the representation and diversity of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields.

The primary mission of the Wise Institute is to facilitate the entry and success of women in STEM fields in an environment promoting gender equity by: coordinating efforts throughout Penn State; creating opportunities for women of diverse backgrounds to thrive in STEM fields; mentoring individuals; and promoting institutional and cultural change.

For more information or to register, you can view the program brochure here or contact Ann Murtagh at 570-675-9219 or amm60@psu.edu.

With 13 years of office and supervisory experience in the telecommunications industry, Race has developed specialized experience in microcomputer applications in business, legal contract administration, human resources and the law, and fundamentals of personnel law for managers/supervisors.

“Sandy has many transferable skills that make her a perfect fit for this position,” said Jane Ashton, Director of Continuing Education at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.  “Her professional experience, computer knowledge, management skills, and customer service background will immediately benefit our Continuing Education operation.  We are fortunate to have Sandy join our Continuing Education team.”

A native of Dallas, Race said she is “excited to join the Penn State Continuing Education team and offer my experience and leadership skills to support the CE Department in meeting and exceeding their goals and objective.”

Race enjoys spending time with her husband Bill, children Kristyn, Jason, and Michael, and grandchild Brady and also enjoys hiking, kayaking, and outdoor amateur photography.

Penn State Wilkes-Barre provides the benefits of a world-renowned university in a smaller, more intimate setting.  Dedicated staff and teachers have helped students of all ages since the campus’ inception in 1916 and continue to provide excellent education and support.  Penn State Wilkes-Barre boasts eight Bachelor’s degrees and six Associate’s degrees available from the campus and the ability to start one of over 160 degrees at Penn State Wilkes-Barre and continue at another campus.

Penn State University is committed to equal opportunity and diversity in both its employees and students.  For more information, contact Melissa Gunshannon, Public Information Coordinator at 570-675-9269 or melissag@psu.edu.

With SL, users can establish an account, create, move, and modify an avatar, locate and join a group, and visit many educational-related “in world” SL locations while also examining how educational institutions are using SL and how SL can be used for non-educational needs.

On August 4, Penn State Wilkes-Barre Continuing Education will host a Second Life workshop as just one of the many educational options the campus provides for area educators.  Penn State Wilkes-Barre Continuing Education offers courses each summer that are delivered in condensed formats—designed to minimize impact on summer vacation plans.  For more information, please view the Second Life Workshop brochure.

Other courses for educators offered this summer include: Dealing with the Bullying Epidemic (June 23); Keys for Effective Communication in the Classroom (July 13); and Classroom Interventions for Students with Emotional/Behavioral Issues (July 15).  For more information about these workshops, please view our Summer Workshops for Educators flyer.

Penn State is an Act 48 approved provider and each of these four courses can help educators satisfy their Act 48 requirements.

For more information about these and other programs offered through Penn State Wilkes-Barre Continuing Education, or to register, please contact Ann Murtagh, Penn State Wilkes-Barre Continuing Education, at 570-675-9219 or amm60@psu.edu or visit www.wb.psu.edu/ce.

Penn State Wilkes-Barre Continuing Education is part of Penn State Outreach, the largest unified outreach organization in American higher education, serving more than 5 million people each year, delivering more than 2,000 programs to people in all 67 Pennsylvania counties, all 50 states and 80 countries worldwide.

“If college has taught me one thing, it’s to follow your passions.

“I have always been passionate about two things: performing and instilling the love of dance in others.

“I chose the Letters, Arts and Sciences degree because it allowed me to meet my career goals by studying multiple disciplines of my choosing and I could not have asked for a more well-rounded degree!

“The core of my studies was focused around the elements of business, education, and dance.  Based upon the combination of classes I selected, I am now more prepared as a well-rounded businesswoman, educator, and dancer.

“Throughout these courses I have gained essential skills such as leadership, small business management, conflict resolution, effective communication, and dance appreciation.  In addition to being physically prepared to perform, I have also developed a sound knowledge rooted in business, allowing me to evolve with both the dance and business industries.  I will be able to utilize these skills not only as an entertainer for The Walt Disney Company but also as a future businesswoman.

“Although opening a dance studio is still my main goal, I have been fortunate enough to be given an opportunity which will expand my knowledge to an even greater degree.  I believe my job with the Walt Disney Company is another stepping stone to the many goals I have set for myself and I know I will learn and grow from this process just as I did throughout my college career.

“I would not have been able to obtain this job without the interview skills I learned from Penn State.  Penn State helped me manage everything from the layout of my résumé to how to present myself effectively as a candidate in a focused and driven manner.

I cannot thank my professors enough; they have come to be some of the most respected individuals in my life.

“If you haven’t guessed it by now, my experiences at Penn State Wilkes-Barre did not prepare me just for my interview or new job, it prepared me for life.”

The annual tournament raises money to support the Penn State Wilkes-Barre Alumni Society’s Scholarship Fund, the Student Mentor Program, Academic Excellence Awards, and other initiatives which help the students of Penn State Wilkes-Barre. Last year’s tournament hosted more than 100 golfers and the tees and greens were sponsored by various community businesses and friends of the campus, raising more than $5000 for student programs at the campus.

This year’s winning flight in the “Captain and Crew” style tournament will receive Penn State Wilkes-Barre “Masters” navy blazers complete with 24k gold-plated Penn State buttons. Golfers also have a chance to win several hole-in-one prizes while on the course including a car donated by Ken Pollock Chevrolet, an Orlando Golf Vacation, $500 for Zero Restriction Apparel, and a Sea Mist vacation. Other contests during the day include closest to the pin, longest drive for men and women, and double your money by “holding the green.” Various other prizes, including a Joe Paterno signed football and gift certificates donated by local businesses will be raffled.

The day’s festivities get underway at 11:30 a.m. with registration and lunch and the tournament begins at 1 p.m. with a “shotgun start.” An awards banquet will begin at 6:30 p.m. where tournament and prize winners will be announced.

For more information, contact Karen Brace-Hodle in the Penn State Wilkes-Barre Development Office at 570-675-9228 or klb14@psu.edu.

^{Eric Schwartz (left), captain of the winning team from the 2009 golf tournament, and his teammates Dan Paley, Deric Zambino, and Lorenze Medico show off the 24k gold-plated buttons that will be attached to their Penn State Wilkes-Barre “Masters” blazers}

^{Golf Tournament Chair Mary Conti presentes Don Hendricks of Williamsport with a poster announcing hi hole-in-one prize at the 2009 tournament}

Chose from more than 30 fun activities like: Puppets and Plays; Crazy for Crafts; Pop Idol; Superheroes; Princess and Fairies; Chicks and Animals; Art Masterpieces; Body Mechanics; and Manners are Cool!

Also, due to popular demand, a second section of Lego Land® has been added for July 26-30 during the afternoon session!

For more information, please contact Ann Murtagh at 570-675-9219 or amm60@psu.edu.

Don't forget to ask about our Summer Youth Program Scholarships!

More than 130 golfers took to the greens, making this the best turnout yet for the Wilkes-Barre Alumni Society’s annual fundraiser.

“We enjoyed our biggest tournament to date,” said Tom Conti, Penn State Wilkes-Barre Alumni Constituent Society president.  “We’re very grateful for all of our golfers, volunteers, sponsors, gift donors, and Blue Ridge Trail for helping us put on such a successful event.”

Despite heavy rain late in the day, the championship flight of Ray Ostroski, Brian Bobeck, Jim Gattuso, and David Simpson won the “Captain and Crew” style tournament with a score of 57(-15) and each received a Penn State Wilkes-Barre “Masters” blazer complete with 24k gold-plated Penn State buttons.

Golfers also had the chance to win various hole-in-one prizes, including a car donated by Ken Pollock Autogroup, an Orlando Golf Vacation, $500 for Zero Restriction Apparel, and a Sea Mist vacation.  Other contests during the day included closest to the pin, longest drive for men and women, and double your money by “holding the green.”  The tournament also hosted a raffle with gift certificates and prizes donated by local businesses, as well as a silent auction for a football signed by Joe Paterno.

For more information, contact Karen Brace-Hodle in the Penn State Wilkes-Barre Development Office at (570)-675-9228 or klb14@psu.edu.

^{Members of the winning flight at the Penn State Wilkes-Barre Alumni Society “Masters” Golf Tournament take a break from golfing to post with the Nittany Lion.
From left: Jim Gattuso, Dave Simpson, Ray Ostroski, the Nittany Lion, Brian Bobeck}

The Innovation Award recognizes an outstanding member of the campus community, or a campus team, who has made a significant contribution to the campus through innovation by initiating a new program, activity, or service.

Dr. Albert Lozano, professor of engineering, received the Innovation Award for his contributions to the campus through the introduction of high-altitude balloon technology.  This past academic year, Dr. Lozano received a grant from the Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium, a member of the National Space Grant Foundation, to bring this new technology to Penn State Wilkes-Barre.

The launching of these balloons benefit not only students enrolled in math, physics, engineering, and related disciplines, but can also engage students in a variety of other areas, as well as younger students at the grade- and high school levels.

The Excellence in Service to Campus/Community Award recognizes a member of the campus family who has made a significant voluntary and unpaid contribution to the campus or the community beyond the capacity of his or her university-recognized or professional obligations.

Marshall Davis, instructor in administration of justice, was named this year’s Excellence in Service to Campus/Community Aware recipient.

Davis not only coordinates the administration of justice program on campus, he spends countless hours working with the students of this program to ensure their success both in and out of the classroom and is constantly looking for opportunities to showcase his students.

He makes himself available for nearly every Open House, Spend a Summer Evening event, and Offer Reception hosted at the campus and understands that neither the campus, nor his program, would be successful without such dedication from faculty and staff to make students feel comfortable and welcome at the campus.

Named for a former campus employee who epitomized the core values of sensitivity and concern for others, the Fran Brown Humanitarian Award recognizes an outstanding member of the campus community, or a campus team, that has fostered an environment that values civility and celebrates diversity.  This individual or team consistently builds community by appreciating each person’s uniqueness and by making everyone feel welcomed.

Athletic Director Jack Monick received the Fran Brown Humanitarian Award.  A member of the campus team for the past 26 years, Monick has significantly contributed to Penn State Wilkes-Barre beyond his job title of directing the athletic programs at the campus.

Monick actively recruits and retains students at the Wilkes-Barre campus by traveling to their high schools, networking with students and coaches, creating an interest in the campus, and then following through with these new students by helping them adjust to college life, expectations of performance, and cultural climate at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.

Monick understands and values the priority of attaining an education while also participating in healthful activities, social engagement, and working together as team.  He truly connects with the students to make sure they get the most out of their college experience, both on the playing field and in the classroom.

Monick was also presented with the University’s Robert J. Scannell Roll-of-Honor award.  This award is presented annually to an administrator, faculty, staff member, or coach who has served campus athletic, intramural, and recreational programs with distinction.

For more information, please contact Melissa Gunshannon, Public Information Coordinator at Penn State Wilkes-Barre, at 570-675-9269 or melissag@psu.edu.

The goal of the workshop is to encourage faculty members teaching senior design courses to introduce concepts of systems engineering in their courses.  In addition to presentation and networking with colleagues, attendees had the opportunity to visit several restricted areas of the launch complexes located at the Space Center.

“Being able to stand just a few feet elbow the wing of a shuttle while its thermal tiles are being inspected is a rare opportunity,” Lozano said.  “It also highlights the crucial importance of engineering to the scientific, technological, and economic future of the United States.”

Lozano plans to use several aspects from the workshop in his senior design course he teaches as part of the Baccalaureate Degree in Electrical Engineering Technology offered at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.

For more information, please contact Melissa Gunshannon, Public Information Coordinator at Penn State Wilkes-Barre, at melissag@psu.edu or 570-675-9269.

With SL, users can establish an account, create, move, and modify an avatar, locate and join a group, and visit many educational-related “in world” SL locations while also examining how educational institutions are using SL and how SL can be used for non-educational needs.

During the Penn State Wilkes-Barre SL workshop, participants created SL accounts, learned how to use SL, how SL differs from games, how educational institutions are using SL, and how SL is being used in non-educational needs.

In addition to the Second Life workshop, Penn State Wilkes-Barre Continuing Education hosts numerous other workshops and classes for educators that are Act 48 approved.

For more information about programs offered through Penn State Wilkes-Barre Continuing Education, please contact Ann Murtagh, Penn State Wilkes-Barre Continuing Education, at 570-675-9219 or amm60@psu.edu or visit www.wb.psu.edu/ce.

Penn State Wilkes-Barre Continuing Education is part of Penn State Outreach, the largest unified outreach organization in American higher education, serving more than 5 million people each year, delivering more than 2,000 programs to people in all 67 Pennsylvania counties, all 50 states and 80 countries worldwide.

Featuring blues music by Teddy Young and the Aces, folk sounds of Just Us, cultural new wave music by Tribal Waves, Irish folk music by Donegal Weavers, and belly dancer Carrey Mudlock, both local and regional performers will take to the stage starting at 11:30 a.m.

This year marks Hayfield’s Centennial and, in addition to tours of Hayfield House, a special DVD will be available for the first time for purchase at the festival.  The DVD is a walk back in time that lets the viewer stroll the pastures and home of John N. Conyngham II through photographs and interview with those who grew up with and experienced life at Hayfield Farm.  Proceeds from the sale will benefit community arts programs, a scholarship, and a restoration fund for Hayfield House.

The day’s events will also include views through the campus’ Meade telescope in the Friedman Observatory, and demonstrations including blacksmith, pottery making, painting, wood carving, wheat weaving, Wycinanki (Polish paper-cutting art), jewelry making, and children’s crafts.  In addition, Back Mountain Youth Theater/Lake-Lehman Theater Production, under the direction of Gina Major, will present hits of musical theater.

A requested $2 donation for adults supports an annual achievement award to an arts-oriented Penn State Wilkes-Barre student, donations to public performances offered by the FM Kirby Center, Misericordia University, the Fine Arts Musical Program at the Shavertown United Methodist Church and to Great Books at Penn State Wilkes-Barre as well as occasional support for arts-oriented projects at local libraries and programs at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.

In conjunction with the Summer Festival, the Third Annual Pump and Five Kilometer Run Contest will be held at the campus beginning at 9 a.m.  Participants will weigh in at 9 a.m. and begin with the bench press portion of the competition.  Depending on the amount of successful bench presses a contestant completes, time will be deducted from their running time.  Awards will be given to the overall top two male and female finishers, with additional prizes available for the top male and female runner.

For more information, contact Summer Festival Chair Janis Winter at 570-675-9232 or jrw4@psu.edu or visit the Arts at Hayfield Web site: www.artsathayfield.org.

Seven students from Penn State Wilkes-Barre were chosen to represent the campus during this three day conference which focused on developing leadership, citizenship and networking skills. Students attended workshops, participated in community service activities in the greater Altoona area, and shared experiences and “Best Practices” among the University’s campuses.  Conference participants enjoyed movies, a comedian, game rooms, geo-caching, and other recreational activities, while also showcasing their Penn State pride and participating in workshops and community service projects.

This year’s keynote speaker, Marlon Smith, is a graduate of the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering.  As a college student, Smith claimed his proudest moment came when he founded Street Academics, a high school youth mentoring program where college students provided student leadership development for younger students.  Because of his message, Smith has traveled all over the United States and abroad on numerous speaking tours.  He also worked in South Africa where he produced the “Motivational Mondays” television series and the national “Success is Your Choice” radio program.

As the academic year commences, the students who attended the Summer Leadership Conference will become role models for those on campus as they put into practice what they learned over the summer.

For more information, contact Melissa Gunshannon, Penn State Wilkes-Barre Public Information Coordinator at 570-675-9269 or melissag@psu.edu.

^{Penn State Wilkes-Barre Summer Leadership Conference participants display their Penn State pride during the three-day conference:
Kneeling: Shannon Brace; Jackie Warnick-Piatt, PSU Wilkes-Barre Student Activities Coordinator
Standing: Frank Peters; Parker Nevenglosky; Kathie Flanagan-Herstek, PSU Wilkes-Barre Director of Student Affairs; Alex Seasock; Mike Calore; Amy Parry; Kate Lewis}

Jack Chambers of Creative Educational Concepts led the Orientation Leaders and new students through a series of games and activities designed to stimulate conversation, build relationships, and welcome them to Penn State.

During one “Jack-tivity” students were given the task of physically supporting each other, while having only half of their total number of feet on the floor.  Chambers explained that the exercise was more than a physical challenge, but also a metaphor, that the people around them would become their family, the people who will support them and whom they will also support.

Orientation continued on Friday, August 20 with convocation and introduction of faculty and staff.  New students were shown around campus, participated in various discussions and workshops, me with faculty from their respective academic colleges, and enjoyed a campus-wide luncheon.

Penn State Wilkes-Barre provides the benefits of a world-renowned university in a smaller, more intimate setting.  Dedicated staff and teachers have helped students of all ages since the campus’ inception in 1916 and continue to provide excellent education and support.  Penn State Wilkes-Barre boasts eight Bachelor’s degrees and six Associate’s degrees available from the campus and the ability to start one of over 160 degrees at Penn State Wilkes-Barre and continue at another campus.

For more information, contact Melissa Gunshannon, Penn State Wilkes-Barre Public Information Coordinator at 570-675-9269 or melissag@psu.edu.

^{A group of 32 Penn State Wilkes-Barre students dedicated their time to help new incoming students feel welcome and comfortable on campus.  The 2010 Orientation Leaders were:
Row 1: Fenil Patel; Parker Nevenglosky; Frank Peters; Jessica Wrieden; Cait Akins; Marika Merritt; Alex Seasock; Brian Bunney; Eric Oshinski; Abby Bachman
Row 2: Brittany Clark; Jen Naro; Albert Levanavage; Shannon Brace; Stacy De La Cruz; Andy Olshefski; Courtney Senghaas; Bradley Calaman; Precious Hills; Amy Parry; Mistie Charney
Row 3: Shelby Murren; Robert Venesky; Kate Lewis; Kelly Mahoney; Brieana Mitchell; Corey Timek; Mike Calore; Colin Piatt; Josh Ghrist; Larry Ofcharski; Chris McMullion}

The party, scheduled for Penn State’s match-up against the University of Iowa Hawkeyes in Iowa City, Iowa, will begin at 7:30 p.m., half an hour before the 8 p.m. kickoff.  The party will last until a half hour after the game ends and boasts tailgate style food and drinks, as well a halftime raffle and a 50/50 drawing.

For more information and to RSVP, please contact Karen Brace-Hodle in the Penn State Wilkes-Barre Alumni and Development Office at 570-675-9228 or klb14@psu.edu.

This year’s symposium, “It’s Your Future… Bring Your ‘A-Game,’” will feature workshops on Distracted Driving, Thugs and Drugs, the Making of a Trooper, and Trapped in the Gang Life.  Other topics of discussion include cultural diversity, stress management, substance abuse, personal goal setting, crime prevention, healthy lifestyle choices and the importance of productive and participatory citizenship.

During the afternoon sessions of the Youth Symposium, students will have the chance to participate in more hands-on activities including a rock climbing wall and team building exercises in addition to learning what it takes to be an emergency responder and exploring the world through impairment goggles

The Youth Symposium, established in 1973, encourages higher education/vocation training and continues to promote self-supporting, self-sufficient, productive citizens.  Various social services agencies, law enforcement, community leaders, and school administrators collaborate on this annual event to provide quality education to the youth of Luzerne and Wyoming Counties.

For more information, please contact Melissa Gunshannon, Public Information Coordinator at Penn State Wilkes-Barre, at melissag@psu.edu or 570-675-9269.

Development of Marcellus shale is bringing major economic opportunities for local communities and businesses, but is creating some major challenges.  The Executive Management Breakfast Series, sponsored by the Penn State Wilkes-Barre Alumni Constituent Society, will examine what Marcellus Shale may mean for local businesses and for local governments, and what communities can do to influence what occurs.  Keynote speaker Dr. Tim Kelsey will also discuss Penn State’s new Marcellus Center for Outreach and Research, and research activities underway to better understand the impacts of Marcellus on Pennsylvania.

Kelsey is a professor and State Program Leader, Economic and Community Development, with Penn State Cooperative Extension.  His work focuses on issues such as public finance and taxation, land use, and economic impacts of Marcellus Shale, and is used by local government officials and citizens interested in community issues.  As State Program Leader, he helps provide statewide leadership for Cooperative Extension programs focused on Marcellus Shale and natural gas development, place-based economic development, leadership development, and community decision-making. 

For more information and to RSVP, please contact Sandy Race, Penn State Wilkes-Barre Continuing Education, at sxr50@psu.edu or 570-675-9253.

Penn State Wilkes-Barre’s Student Support Services helps students make the transition to college and be successful in their studies. The grant also focuses on retaining students and supporting them throughout their college experience.  Programs offered at the campus include various workshops related to academics, note-taking, test-taking, time management, financial aid, career options, and literacy skills.  SSS also hosts numerous social and cultural events, a peer mentor program, a book loan program, math and English tutors, and grant-in-aid support.

The Student Support Services program is currently housed in the recently renovated John R. Murphy Student Services Center on campus.

For more information, please contact Melissa Gunshannon, Public Information Coordinator at Penn State Wilkes-Barre, at melissag@psu.edu or 570-675-9269.

^{Members of the Penn State Wilkes-Barre Student Support Services staff:
Row 1: Gail Stevens, Academic/Career Counselor; Marilyn Olenick, English Tutor; Pat Arcangeli, Staff Assistant
Row 2: Allan Scoble, Student Support Services Coordinator; Bill Pethick, Math Tutor}

With the rapidly changing technological world, the goal of these two programs is to introduce computer users to the latest programs and software and help them navigate the many intricacies of each program.  The Windows 7 Overview will focus on the differences between Windows 7 and other operating systems; how to use the Libraries feature to manage, share, and find system data; and how to use online resources to expand your user skills and keep your PC up to date.

In Transitioning into Office 2010, participants will explore the new features in Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint; identify tools in the Backstage view; and examine enhance interface components.

Registration is open to anyone looking to learn more about current computer systems.

For more information, and to register, please contact Sandy Race, Penn State Wilkes-Barre Continuing Education, at 570-675-9253 or sxr50@psu.edu or visit www.wb.psu.edu/ce.

The Green Advantage® Training and Certification program, designed to meet ACT 25 requirements for professional engineers, land surveyors, and geologists licensed in Pennsylvania, focuses on maintaining, improving, and expanding the skills and knowledge relevant to licensee’s professional practice.  Professional engineers can earn eight professional development hours (PDHs).

The course will take place Wednesday, November 17 from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at Penn State Wilkes-Barre and will cover topics such as construction principles behind sustainable buildings; green practices and strategies; saving energy; improving the health conditions for construction workers and building occupants; and Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED).

By taking this one-day class, participants will be eligible to sit for the GA-Commercial Construction Exam and become Green Advantage® Certified.  The exam will take place Friday, November 19 from 8 a.m.-10 a.m. at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.

For more information, or to register, please contact Sandy Race, Penn State Wilkes-Barre Continuing Education, at sxr50@psu.edu or 570-675-9253.

Chin received his MFA from Columbia University and worked for a number of years as a biochemist before returning to school to earn his second Master's degree and Ph.D. in English from Binghamton University.  He is a Marion Clayton Link Creative Writing Fellow, the recipient of an Associate Writing Program INTRO Award, and recipient of a grant from the Vermont Studio Center.  Chin is the author of “Chalked in Orange” and “The China Cupboard and the Coal Furnace” and has had his poetry published in numerous reviews and anthologies.

Currently, Chin is an Associate Professor of English at Penn State Wilkes-Barre, where he teaches creative writing and rhetoric courses.  He has also received the Hayfield Innovation Award and the Clyde Birth Memorial Award from the campus.

For more information, please contact Melissa Gunshannon, Public Information Coordinator at Penn State Wilkes-Barre, at 570-675-9269 or melissag@psu.edu.

The presentation features Bill Babcock, coordinator of the Philadelphia, Pa. Community Courts and a member of the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Innocence Project.

The national Innocence Project has documented more than 250 post-conviction DNA exonerations; nine of those being wrongfully convicted Pennsylvanians.  To further the work of this organization, the Pennsylvania Innocence Project was established in April 2009 to exonerate, release, and restore to society those who are innocent and have been wrongly convicted; provide clinical training and experience for students in criminal justice and related fields; work with law enforcement and the courts to address wrongful convictions; and educate the public to improve Pennsylvania’s criminal justice system.

Babcock’s presentation will discuss the Project’s experiences and successes here in Pennsylvania.

The event is free and open to the public, but RSVPs are requested.

For more information, please contact Melissa Gunshannon, Public Information Coordinator at Penn State Wilkes-Barre, at melissag@psu.edu or 570-675-9269.  To RSVP, please contact Marshall R. Davis, Administration of Justice Program Coordinator, at mrd16@psu.edu or 570-675-9216.

Egan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering from Penn State and is a graduate of the University of Maryland with a Master’s degree in Education/Instructional Systems Design.  She has spent time working in and consulting with various industries providing training and workforce development solutions to local, national, and international corporations.  Most recently, Egan worked as an independent consultant to various state workforce areas and colleges and universities in developing career pathway models, training needs assessments, curriculum development models, and research papers focused on improving workforce performance and acquiring 21st century skills.

“I am looking forward to bringing my program management and development experience to the Penn State team in providing high-quality, customer-focused educational programming,” Egan said.

“Georgia is a great addition to our CE operation,” said Jane Ashton, Director of Continuing Education at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.  “Georgia’s primary responsibilities will be coordinating our Summer Youth Program and working with business and industry to identify their employee professional development needs.”

A native of Lehman, Pa., Egan enjoys spending time with her husband, Larry, and three children, Nick, Kaley, and Riley and volunteering for many community sports, scouts, and school programs.

Penn State Wilkes-Barre Continuing Education is part of Penn State Outreach, the largest unified outreach organization in American higher education, serving more than 5 million people each year, delivering more than 2,000 programs to people in all 67 Pennsylvania counties, all 50 states and 80 countries worldwide.

Penn State University is committed to equal opportunity and diversity in both its employees and students.  For more information, please contact Melissa Gunshannon, Public Information Coordinator, at 570-675-9269 or melissag@psu.edu.

“We’ve found that Habitat is just a natural fit for most of the members of the Surveying Society,” said Chris Jackson, Surveying Society President.  “Even though as surveyors we aren’t directly trained for the kind of build work that we’ve done at Habitat, a lot of our members have worked for contractors, roofers, and landscapers in the past so we can provide a good service to them.”

Jackson said Habitat for Humanity is also a gratifying project for the surveyors, especially when they get to see how their work helps the community.

“On our last build day there was a lady that worked with us who will be moving into the house that we worked on this past spring,” Jackson said.  “It was really rewarding to have her express her gratitude in person when she didn’t know us and we didn’t know her.  It was just coincidence that we ended up at the same site together.”

The purpose of the Surveying Society is to provide the surveying students with exposure to professionals in their field through various guest speakers and field trips. The Society also exists to familiarize fellow Penn State students to surveying skills through community projects held on or off campus.

For more information, please contact Melissa Gunshannon, Public Information Coordinator at Penn State Wilkes-Barre, at melissag@psu.edu or 570-675-9269.

^{Top photo: Surveying Society Treasurer Eric Bogumil (on ladder) working on a Habitat for Humanity house
Bottom photo: Bob Venesky, Secretary of the Surveying Society, preparing to attach plywood for an exterior wall}

Speaking on behalf of the proposed Home Rule Charter will be Dr. H. Jeremy Packard, president/headmaster emeritus of Wyoming Seminary and adjunct professor of history at Misericordia University.  Dr. Packard represents the Steering Committee for Home Rule Yes and will be accompanied by Frank Conyngham, a member of the Home Rule Charter Commission, who will be available to answer any questions.

Attorney Vito DeLuca, Luzerne County solicitor and spokesperson for the Charter No organization will be on hand to speak against the Home Rule Charter.

The forum will begin at 6:30 p.m. in Room 101 of the Bell Center for Technology at Penn State Wilkes-Barre (use Nittany Drive entrance).

For more information, please contact Frank Hughes, lecturer in administration of justice at Penn State Wilkes-Barre, at frh3@psu.edu or 570-675-9255.

Countless handcrafted items will be on sale at the event including foods, soaps, candles, pottery, furniture and wood creations, fabric creations, prints and paintings, jewelry, glassware, photographs, stained glass, gingerbread houses, and floral arrangements.

One featured item this year includes an original illustrated Christmas book by Reverend Eleanor Allen accompanied by Mouse Monk, a finger puppet.

This year also marks Hayfield’s Centennial and a special DVD will be available for purchase at the festival.  The DVD, “Hayfield Farm: A Centennial Reflection 1910-2010” travels back to the founding of the farm by Mr. John N. Conyngham, II and the building of Hayfield House, the centerpiece of the Penn State Wilkes-Barre campus, and includes footage marking the transition to the Penn State campus more than 50 years ago. Archival footage and interviews supply much of the material crafted into a fascinating story of local history by William Bachman, instructor of communications at the campus.

The cafeteria will also be open during the craft show, featuring a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings, a signature meal at Homespun Holiday.

Arts at Hayfield is an incorporated, non-profit organization seeking to support the arts Northeastern Pennsylvania.  For more information, please contact Janis Winter at 570-675-9232 or jrw4@psu.edu or visit the Arts at Hayfield Web site: www.artsathayfield.org.

Students are selected for scholarships primarily based on academic excellence, service to the campus and community, and outstanding leadership.

For more information on For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students, please contact Karen Brace-Hodle, Penn State Wilkes-Barre Development Office, at 570-675-9228 or klb14@psu.edu.

North American Surveying and Mapping Educators conferences have been held since the 1930s, but SAGES officially formed in 2010 to answer the need for a formal organization for geomatics educators.  The mission of SAGES is to promote “effective teaching and learning of surveying, mapping, geomatics, and other spatially-related education” and is also a forum for sharing ideas and opportunities to improve the teaching and learning of geomatics.

Dr. Ghilani received his Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 1989 and has been involved as an educator for nearly 40 years, with the last 21 years at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.  He has presented workshops related to statistics and least squares to surveyors across the country and has written numerous papers.  He is an ACSM Fellow and has received numerous university and professional awards including the Earle J. Fennel Award from ACSM in 2001.

For more information, please contact Melissa Gunshannon, Public Information Coordinator at Penn State Wilkes-Barre, at melissag@psu.edu or 570-675-9269.

The need exists for both healthcare professionals who must be knowledgeable in the processing, storage and retrieval of information, as well as for information technology professionals working in healthcare facilities, who should possess a working and current general knowledge of the healthcare industry.

Professionals working within these positions need to understand the complexities of digitally storing and transferring medical information to ensure that this information is accurate, protected and readily accessible when needed.

This is particularly true in Northeastern Pennsylvania where an older age demographic has created an increased need for a variety of health care facilities, as well as medical and technical professionals to staff and operate them.

To answer this growing need, Penn State Worthington Scranton’s Continuing Education department, in conjunction with three other area Penn State campuses, is offering a Healthcare Informatics Certificate program.  This 19-credit certificate program begins in January with two classes being offered  that provide the required insight into both professional areas to provide a well-rounded understanding and working knowledge of information technology use and how it pertains to the healthcare industry in particular.

This program is especially designed for individuals who would like to enter into the world of healthcare information management or those working exclusively in the information or healthcare fields that wish to broaden their education and understanding of healthcare informatics.

“This program has come about at the perfect time,” said John Drake, director of Worthington Scranton’s continuing education department.  “There has been vast growth within the information technology industry and, as the healthcare industry in our region begins to grow, use of this technology will surely increase.  As professional educators in our region, we want to make sure that we are helping the workforce in both of these industries prepare for this increased need and growing career field.”

Jane Ashton, Director of Continuing Education at Penn State Wilkes-Barre added, “This Healthcare Informatics Certificate program will give our Penn State Information Sciences and Technology graduates, current IT and health care professionals, and the general public an opportunity to acquire new skills and knowledge about the healthcare industry that will enhance their resume and opportunities for employment.”

In addition to Penn State Worthington Scranton and Penn State Wilkes-Barre, the Penn State Hazleton and Schuylkill campuses are partnering in the effort to offer these courses, making it available throughout all of Northeastern Pennsylvania.

 “Partnering with the other Penn State campuses enables faculty and students to network regionally and to gain a regional perspective during the course of study,” said Mary Sacavage, Ph.D., Penn State Schuylkill’s Director of Continuing Education.

Sally McGuire, Penn State Director of Continuing Education at Penn State Hazleton, also stressed the advantages of collaborating with other regional campuses, particularly “our ability to offer programs at multiple locations using our video learning technology as well as face-to-face programming.”

For more information about this program and how to register for classes, please contact: Penn State Hazleton Continuing Education (CE), 570-450-3053, sam34@psu.edu; Penn State Schuylkill CE, 570-385-6217, mus53@psu.edu; Penn State Wilkes-Barre CE, 570-675-9251, jua12@psu.edu; and Penn State Worthington Scranton CE, 570-963-2600, jcd15@psu.edu.

This book describes the basic fundamental principles of radio frequency identification (RFID) as an emerging wireless technology used in the automation process for tracking goods, for example, in the logistics area; supply chain for industry and retailers; and similar services. It is also used to combat the counterfeit of critical goods such as pharmaceutical products and electronic parts used in aviation and military equipment.

A native of Barcelona, Spain, Dr. Lozano-Nieto earned a Ph.D. in electrical engineering in 1994 from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, Barcelona Spain.  He joined Penn State Wilkes-Barre in 1996 and is also an RFID+ Certified Professional, awarded by the Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) in 2008.

Dr. Lozano-Nieto currently resides in Shavertown with his wife, Debra.

For more information, please contact Melissa Gunshannon, Public Information Coordinator at Penn State Wilkes-Barre, at melissag@psu.edu or 570-675-9269.

The Penn State Wilkes-Barre men’s basketball team raced out to a 47-31 halftime lead against Baptist Bible College, then finished strong to grab a 77-58 victory Monday, November 15.

Just one day after the Penn State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC) announced that the Wilkes-Barre team was one voting point away from being the top ranked team in the conference’s pre-season poll, the second ranked Mountain Lions' Pre-Season All-Conference selection Frank Peters led the game with 19 points. 

Putting forth a strong team effort, fellow Pre-Season All-Conference selection John Sanderson led a charge of Mountain Lions, including Jon Kelly, Matt Clemons, and Desmond Simms, who chipped in with 8 points each.  In all, 12 different Wilkes-Barre players scored in the victory over Baptist Bible College.  Playing unselfishly as a team, the men were awarded 24 assists while turning the ball over only 8 times.  Shawn Washington grabbed a game-high 8 rebounds, as Penn State Wilkes-Barre out-rebounded Baptist Bible, 31-21.

Despite losing the balloon’s GPS signal as it descended behind a hill, the team of students working on the recovery mission were able to calculate the possible landing point of the balloon to within a half mile of the balloon’s actual location.

“From a faculty point of view, the best result from this activity was to see students engaged in real-time problem solving, evaluating alternatives and coming out with the best decision given the partial information they had,” said Dr. Lozano-Nieto.  “They also showed a good deal of leadership skills and teamwork as they worked together to recover the balloon and payloads that contained three small video cameras to record the flight from the balloon.”

The flight lasted approximately two hours with the balloon reaching an altitude of 85,000 feet and experiencing temperatures as low as -46 degrees Fahrenheit before finally landing in the Delaware Water Gap close to the Pennsylvania-New Jersey border.

Dr. Lozano-Nieto said he hopes to plan for another launch in the spring when the weather is more favorable to such a project.

This project was supported by a grant from the Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium, Student Activity Fee funds, and the office of the Director of Academic Affairs at Penn State Wilkes-Barre.  For more information, please contact Melissa Gunshannon, Public Information Coordinator at Penn State Wilkes-Barre, at melissag@psu.edu or 570-675-9269.

^{Members of the high-altitude balloon launch team:
Front row: Daniel Dymond, Dr. Albert Lozano-Nieto, Vidur Ramlall, Kyle Casterline, Dr. Jon Carson
Back Row: Steven Lutz, Ryan Hammond, Robert Charles}

Travis Dunlap calmly nailed a three-pointer to open the scoring, and Shawn Washington answered a Bloomsburg dunk early in the game with a two handed slam-dunk of his own to set the tone for the evening.  Every time Huskies threatened, the Mountain Lions had an answer, attacking Bloomsburg’s full court pressure when they had the opportunity and executing their half-court offense with deliberate effectiveness, taking a 32-23 lead with them to the locker room after the first half.

Both teams exchanged scoring sprees in the second half, but Penn State Wilkes-Barre kept the pressure on.  Matt Clemons scored back-to-back baskets to build the lead to 61-45 at the 6:15 mark of the second half.  Freshman Desmond Simms broke free for a backboard rattling dunk to spark a 6-0 run as the Mountain Lions built their largest lead of the night, 67-48, with 3:25 left in the game.

After using their 19 point lead to run out the clock and seal the win, Keith Johnson intentionally missed a free throw with 2.4 seconds to go and a 73-67 lead.  A three-quarter-court desperation heave by Bloomsburg’s Dontahe Jordan banked in as time expired for the final margin of 73-70.  Jordan finished with a game high 18 points.

“That was fun,” said Scott Miner, Mountain Lions head coach, after the game.  For the evening, the Mountain Lions placed 11 players in the scoring column, with 13 players stepping on the court.  Desmond Simms led the Mountain Lions with 14 points and 6 rebounds, while John Sanderson handed out 10 assists.  Shawn Washington added 10 points and two blocked shots, playing strong defense under the basket.

~Written by Mike Truskoloski

Terry Bates, Emergency Services Manager for the American Red Cross, and Dan Downey, a volunteer with the American Red Cross, taught participants how to prepare for an emergency, specifically focusing on emergencies within one’s own home.

“The information presented was extremely valuable since many of us think about emergencies when we are actually faced with one,” said Allan Scoble, Penn State Wilkes-Barre Student Support Services Coordinator.  “Many people feel that such emergencies always happen to ‘the other guy,’ when, in reality, everyone needs to take more precautionary measures both to prevent emergencies as well as to deal with these unexpected events once they occur.”

For more information, please contact Melissa Gunshannon, Public Information Coordinator at Penn State Wilkes-Barre, at 570-675-9269 or melissag@psu.edu.

^{Dan Downey, Terry Bates, and Allan Scoble}

Brace is a Dean’s List student whose artistic interests include writing novel-length stories, poetry, short stories, and poetic drama.  She is also interested in photography, sewing, make-up design and artistic animation.  Brace has been involved in creating artistic and scary elements for Penn State Wilkes-Barre’s Haunted Forest and serves as president of the Lazy Artists.  She also participates in Student Government Association and the Council of Commonwealth Student Governments.

Xie holds a Bachelor’s degree in dance education from Minzu University in Beijing, China.  She previously taught dance in China and the United States and also enjoys singing, drawing, and performing and hopes to perform and teach dance to children after graduating from Penn State.

For more information, please contact Melissa Gunshannon, Penn State Wilkes-Barre Public Information Coordinator, at melissag@psu.edu or 570-675-9269.

^{Row 1: Linda Major, awards chair; Mary Ann Brace; Shannon Brace; Mark Wasilewski
Row 2: Mary Reddy, awards co-chair; Yu Wei Xie;  Kenneth Brace; Jim Burcicki}