Dr. Mike Fidanza, Professor of Plant and Soil Sciences at Penn State Berks, is lending his agronomic expertise this week at the U.S. Open at the Merion Golf Club in Ardmore, PA from June 13-16, 2013, along with two other Penn State faculty members from University Park campus (Dr. John Kaminski, Associate Professor of Turfgrass Science, and Dr. Andy McNitt, Professor of Soil Science).

There are over 150 volunteers on the grounds crew, and many are Penn State alumni from both the Berks and University Park campuses, including Matt Shaffer, Director of Grounds at Merion Golf Club, and Darin Bevard, the USGA (United States Golf Association) agronomist on hand for this tournament. 

For the grounds crew, work began on Monday, June 10, with each day starting promptly at 3 a.m., and concluding around 9 or 10 p.m. According to Fidanza, despite the rain and wet conditions, the golf course should provide a formidable challenge to the world's top golfers.

The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Business (BSB) program differs from many traditional programs in that it is based on a "systems thinking" and study approach that prepares students as workforce participants, equipped with multi-faceted skills applicable to any number of business areas and situations. The curriculum focuses on management and marketing emphasizing leadership, ethics, and strategic thinking across the curriculum. The program stresses interpersonal and technical communications skills, collaborative student-centered learning, and a high degree of faculty-student interaction. In addition, students with a GPA of 3.0 or higher may be able to apply some of the credits earned toward the MBA offered at Penn State Berks.

For more information or to register, contact Solange Israel-Mintz, Adult Student Enrollment Coordinator, at 610-396-6222 or via e-mail at BK-AdultStudent@psu.edu.

This award recognizes individuals who have made a positive impact on first-year students at Penn State Berks. Honorees were nominated by students, faculty, and staff as someone who has made a significant impact on first-year students in one or more of the following ways:

• supporting acclimation of first-year students to the University
• providing tools or support to assist first-year students
• helping students to achieve academic and/or personal success
• promoting a welcoming campus environment
• exhibiting a positive attitude that fosters a positive first-year experience

Alexa Wojciechowski, Coordinator of Placement and Internships at Penn State Berks, has been honored with the 2013 Hendrick Award for Best Practices for Adult Learners in the category of career advice and support. The award was presented by the Penn State Commission for Adult Learners at the 2013 Hendrick Conference, held at Penn State Harrisburg on May 9, 2013.

According to the nomination, while Wojciechowski provides career advice for all Berks students, she has a particularly strong impact on adult students at Penn State Berks with her open attitude and positive language. She has been described as the “go to” person for the adult learner because she shows interest in the student from the beginning and helps with pragmatic problem solving. Her encouragement of adult students needs, juggling full-time jobs, family, and school, has been described as phenomenal, and her knowledge of University administrative processes has been instrumental to students seeking solutions when they believed they were out of options. In addition, she keeps in touch with students and shows concern for the obstacles adult students face.

Dr. Maureen Dunbar, associate professor of biology, was awarded the Outstanding Full-Time Teacher Award. Dunbar teaches various levels of biology courses. The committee cited Dunbar’s breadth of courses taught, her thoughtful statement of teaching philosophy, her scholarship in teaching and learning, her commitment to and engagement with students inside and outside the classroom, and evaluations by her students. This award recognizes a full-time faculty member who has worked at the college for at least three years and has demonstrated exceptional commitment to teaching.

Part-time faculty member receives outstanding teaching award

Dan Smith, instructor of music, was awarded the Outstanding Part-Time Teaching Award. In addition to his record of excellence in teaching, his nomination is reflective of his students’ comments and feedback. In addition, Smith is extremely active in the college choir. This award recognizes a part-time faculty member who has demonstrated outstanding commitment to students and effectiveness of instruction that exceeds normal expectations.

Faculty member recognized for outstanding advising

Dr. Lolita Paff, professor of business and economics, received the Outstanding Advising Award. The review committee coincided unanimously that Paff was well deserving of the award. She is cited as being learner-centered professor who dedicates long hours to advising students and making sure that they get the proper course schedule and that they graduate on time. This award recognizes a full-time faculty member who has worked at the college for at least three years and has demonstrated exceptional commitment to students.

Faculty member recognized for outstanding research

Dr. Sadan Kulturel-Konak, professor of management information systems, has been awarded the Outstanding Research Award. In 2012, Kulturel-Konak produced significant research in top-tier journals within her field of scholarship of modeling, analysis, and optimization of business systems. Her research has attracted a total of $383,775 for three projects from the National Science Foundation. She currently serves on two graduate student committees, has presented her research at conferences and workshops, and has provided reviews to academic journals in her field of study. In addition, she was elected as president of the Transportation Science and Logistics Division within the Institute of Operations Research and Management Sciences. This award recognizes a full-time faculty member who has demonstrated excellence in academic research, creative activity, scholarship, and mastery of a special subject.

Faculty member recognized for outstanding service

Terry Speicher, assistant professor of engineering, was awarded the Outstanding Service Award. According to the committee, Speicher has gone above and beyond the call of duty to reach out to adult students and recognize their prior learning. He is now recognized as a pioneer in that field. This award recognizes a full-time faculty member who has worked at the college for at least three years and has demonstrated exceptional commitment to community service.

Residence Life staff assistant receives Outstanding Staff Award

Sue Rowley, Staff Assistant in Residence Life, received the Outstanding Staff Member Award. This year, she co-chaired a mock DUI accident, which required the coordination of emergency services from across the county, to educate students on the topic of drinking and driving. Over the past year, the department in which she works underwent major transitions, and Rowley was the “glue” that held the department together. She even took on added responsibility, including accompanying a victim to a criminal hearing, and assisting with Hurricane Sandy preparations. This award recognizes a full-time staff member who has demonstrated excellence. Individuals are nominated by the college committee and chosen by a committee.

##"Berks NSO1 is an important program for students and their families,” explains Paula Plageman, Director of the Academic Advising Center at Penn State Berks. “During this program, our first-year students receive an excellent academic orientation to Penn State University as a whole and Penn State Berks. Students are provided information and guidance as they register for their fall courses within a framework designed to help them succeed academically and develop intellectually.”

##During this series of day-long programs, academic advisers, as well as faculty and staff members, help incoming first-year students evaluate their educational plans. The day consists of informational programs, individualized academic advising, and assistance with scheduling fall semester courses.

Students and their families will be introduced to the wide range of academic degree programs available through Penn State, both at Berks and other campus locations. Each student will have an individual meeting with an academic adviser to discuss his or her educational plans.

The program provides students with an understanding of their academic abilities through the testing component, which is completed online prior to the student’s NSO1 visit. During NSO1, students learn about their placement test results, as well as how their academic preparation and abilities compare to those of other incoming Penn State students.

In addition to learning about academic programs, students learn about the college and its policies and procedures, buy their textbooks, have their photo ID taken, obtain a computer access account, tour the residence halls, and learn about life outside the classroom. Students also learn what to expect from their professors and what will be expected of them in the classroom. ##

The Student Services Fair introduces them to Athletics, Campus Life, Career Services, Financial Aid, Housing and Food Services, Learning Communities, the Boscov-Lakin Information Commons at the Thun Library, Police Services, and a variety of other student services, including off-campus housing options.

##While some of the activities are only for the students, families are invited and encouraged to come to NSO1 with their student and attend the general sessions, as well as sessions presented specifically for families.

For more information, contact the Academic Advising Office at 610-396-6280.

Students attending Penn State Berks Discovery High School Youth Camps will learn about different career fields, the world around them, and themselves. The camps are for students entering ninth through twelfth grades in fall 2013. Camps run from Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.

Discovering Theatre Camp

The Basic Theatre Camp is designed to introduce students ages 10-18 to all that is involved in putting on a live production. Participants will learn the casting/auditions process; assemble a stage crew and learn the various crew jobs; work the stage through the use of cues, stage directions, and props; learn the acting process through voice projection exercises, staging practices, and play rehearsals; and finally stage an actual production. This camp runs from June 24–28, 2013, and the cost is $275.

Computers & Cyber Security Camp

This camp will include problem-based instruction and hands-on activities with a strong emphasis on exposing students to computer security/information assurance careers, especially in the financial services industry. Participants will be involved in many activities to protect and defend personal privacy and information systems, and they will learn techniques for information system restoration by incorporating protection, detection, and recovery capabilities. The camp runs from July 8–12, 2013. The cost is $365.

Engineering Camp: Rockets, Race cars, and Robots

Students will explore engineering, technology, and applied science, and learn about the various engineering disciplines–chemical, civil, electrical/computer, mechanical, and nuclear–through hands-on activities and projects. The camp will emphasize the role of engineers as inventors and developers of new products and processes for the benefit of society. Participants will also learn how best to prepare in high school to major in engineering in college. The camp runs July 8–12, 2013. The cost is $365.

Forensics Science Camp

Participants will be introduced to the world of forensic science and will take a behind-the-scenes look at crime investigations and uncover a series of “who dunnits” using current forensic biological techniques. They will also use molecular biology to examine DNA left behind at the crime scene and ID the culprit. Students will have the chance to interact with scientists and investigators as they learn and perform experiments to help solve crimes. The camp runs from July 8–12, 2013. The cost is $385.

Veterinary Science Camp

Combining hands-on experience with live animals with scientific principles in biology, chemistry, and anatomy, students will take on the role of veterinary assistants under the watchful eye of a veterinarian. Laboratory work, such as conducting dissections, reviewing ultra sounds and x-rays, taking cultures, and suturing, will be performed. Campers will also visit a veterinary clinic and learn about careers in the field. The camp runs from July 8–12, 2013. The cost is $385.

Enrollment in High School Youth Campus camps is limited and early registration is recommended. Visit our summer camp program website to print an application or call 610-396-6225.

Penn State Berks Middle School Youth Camps provide a fun, educational experience for middle school students. Camps run from Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.

You Be the Chemist® Camp

In the You Be the Chemist® Camp, developed by the Chemical Educational Foundation (CEF), campers will have the opportunity to work with common materials and everyday situations, and find that chemistry explains much of the world in which we live. By understanding chemistry, the participants can begin to answer for themselves many of the “why” questions they pondered in the past. This camp runs from June 24–28, 2013, and the cost is $260.

Basic Theatre Camp

The Basic Theater Camp is designed to introduce students ages 10-18 to all that is involved in putting on a live production. Participants will learn the casting/auditions process; assemble a stage crew and learn the various crew jobs; work the stage through the use of cues, stage directions, and props; learn the acting process through voice projection exercises, staging practices, and play rehearsals; and finally stage an actual production. This camp runs from June 24–28, 2013, and the cost is $275.

Nittany Criminal Investigative Science Camp

This camp will students on their toes throughout the week; each day different fun scenarios will be presented to the campers. Campers will learn the science and the chemical techniques that can be used to solve puzzling crimes, such as how to analyze blood splatter, use footprints to estimate height, use Excel to analyze FBI crime data, and graph for data analysis. This camp runs from July 22–26, 2013, and the cost is $260.

Science of Technology Camp

Students will gain an understanding of “how things work” through hands-on activities that demonstrate the important principles of simple and motorized machines. They will solve challenges by building bridges with K’Nex building systems and programming robots using the LEGO Mindstorms (RCX) Robotics Invention System. Participants will learn about mechanical and software design, and gain valuable problem-solving and teamwork skills. This camp runs from July 29–August 2, 2013, and the cost is $260.

Enrollment in Middle School Youth Campus camps is limited and early registration is recommended. For more information, visit our summer camp website or call 610-396-6225.

Chris Brendel, a junior majoring in Communication Arts and Sciences at Penn State Berks, was recently awarded the prestigious Beinecke Scholarship. He was selected as Penn State University’s sole student nominee for 2013 and he is only the second Penn State student to receive the award in the 22-year history of the Beinecke Scholarship. He is the first Penn State student to receive the award from a campus outside University Park.

Each year, approximately 100 colleges and universities are invited to nominate a student for a Beinecke Scholarship, and 20 new scholarships were awarded in 2013. Each school invited to participate in the Beinecke Scholarship Program is permitted to make a single nomination each year.

Each scholar receives $4,000 immediately prior to entering graduate school and an additional $30,000 while attending graduate school.

Brendel was nominated for the Beinecke Scholarship by Dr. Ruth Mendum, Director of the University Fellowship Office at Penn State University Park. Mendum chose Brendel from the pool of Penn State student candidates based on the rigorous criteria of the scholarship.

Mendum cited Brendel’s combination of a high GPA, high level of commitment to research, and intention to pursue a Ph.D. in arts and humanities as a few of the factors that made his application rise to the top. He is also a Penn State Schreyer Scholar.

In addition, Brendel was recently awarded the highly competitive summer internship in the Research Training Program at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. He will be working with two curators at the Smithsonian to identify the influence that Spanish has had on an indigenous language called Juchitán Zapotec. They will also look at changes in the phonology of the language. 

“In addition, to his superior academics and commitment to research, Chris took extra coursework; he is currently studying abroad in Leeds. It’s really the whole package: academics, commitment to research, extracurricular activities, and intention to pursue a graduate degree in the arts and humanities,” explained Mendum, who worked closely with Dr. Michele Kirsch, Associate Dean of Student Affair at the Schreyer Honors College, as well as Dr. Sandy Feinstein, Honors Coordinator at Penn State Berks.

Mendum credits Feinstein for working with Brendel for a year before he applied for the Beinecke Scholarship, stating that it is important for students applying for these types of scholarships to develop a research plan, enroll in supplemental and study abroad programs, and get involved in extracurricular activities.
“The most important thing for students who want to apply for these types of scholarships is to start working with the University Fellowship Office early, and for students at campuses to reach out to their campus honors coordinators,” stresses Mendum.

"It's an incredible feeling to know that I already have money for graduate school,” commented Brendel. “I'm so thankful for this award and I feel truly honored to represent Penn State Berks and Penn State University as a whole. As a student at Penn State Berks, I know that simultaneously having the support of the Berks campus community and the resources of the University were fundamental to my receiving the award."

To be eligible for a Beinecke Scholarship, a student must have demonstrated superior standards of intellectual ability, scholastic achievement, and personal promise during his or her undergraduate career; be a college junior pursuing a bachelor's degree during the 2012-2013 academic year; and plan to enter a master's or doctoral program in the arts, humanities, or social sciences. In addition, nominees must be a United States citizen or a United States national from American Samoa or the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands; and they must have a documented history of receiving need-based financial aid during his or her undergraduate years.

The Beinecke Scholarship Program was established in 1971 by the Board of Directors of The Sperry and Hutchinson Company to honor Edwin, Frederick, and Walter Beinecke. The Board created an endowment to provide substantial scholarships for the graduate education of young men and women of exceptional promise. The program seeks to encourage and enable highly motivated students to pursue opportunities available to them and to be courageous in the selection of a graduate course of study in the arts, humanities and social sciences. Since 1975 the program has selected more than 500 college juniors from more than 100 different undergraduate institutions for support during graduate study at any accredited university.

It’s a long way from Sierra Leone to Penn State Berks, but that’s the journey that Foday Sheriff has taken, and he’s not finished yet.

Sheriff’s parents came to the United States from the area of Sierra Leone that was affected by the “blood diamond” wars. They fled the region, but his father returned and his mother followed a few years later, leaving Sheriff to live with an aunt in Philadelphia, who at times had more than seven other children living under the same roof.

“Southwest Philadelphia was like Sierra Leone with all the violence and guns,” Sheriff explains.

Sheriff’s aunt made a living taking care of the elderly, often working nights. But she didn’t have to worry about Sheriff or the other children in her care since she instilled the value of hard work and the importance of staying out of trouble.

“As long as you know who you are and what you want, you can say ‘no’ to anything,” Sheriff states. “I know if I work hard toward what I want, I will succeed.”

Sheriff graduated from high school in 2007, while many of his classmates dropped out–or worse–were killed as a result of gang violence. Yet when he tried to apply for financial aid to attend college, he was denied because he did not have any documentation about his parents, who had returned to Sierra Leone.

So Sheriff took a job at the Philadelphia Airport, working on the baggage ramp. There a coworker who told him about the ASPIRE program at Penn State Berks. The ASPIRE program offers admission consideration to students who demonstrate the potential to be successful, but who may require specialized and structured academic support services. The program is for Pennsylvania residents who are freshmen applicants.

Sheriff met with the Penn State Berks ASPIRE program coordinator, and he enrolled at Penn State Berks in the fall of 2009. He continued to work full-time while taking classes, and yet he still managed to make the Dean’s List and gain membership to Chi Alpha Epsilon honor society.

He comments that he has taken an interest in anatomy and physiology, due in part to one of his professors, Dr. Susan Monk, now retired.

“Dr. Monk made the class so interesting,” he explains. “She’s my motivation. Certain people make their mark on your life.”

Sheriff intends to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Life Science, and eventually, he plans to apply to medical school, but first he wants to do volunteer work in countries like the one where he was born–yet another leg on his incredible journey to success.

For Alison Rutter, graduating from Penn State Berks on May 4, 2013, will be another leg on her journey to success. She already has been offered a position where she completed her internship, VF Outlet in West Reading, PA.

Rutter has enjoyed much success during her time at the college and she is graduating with the highest grade-point average of her class–an accomplishment that has earned her the title of student marshal during Saturday’s commencement ceremony. She will graduate with a B.S. in Business with a concentration in Marketing / Management and a minor in Communication Arts and Sciences.

During an on-campus internship fair, she learned about an internship at VF Outlet. She completed an internship in their Marketing Department and was offered a position in the department upon graduation.

Among her accomplishments, she and another classmate won a business competition as part of a Project Management course. In the competition, Rutter and her teammate had to select a company, so they chose The Whoopie Pie Company, located in the food court of the VF Outlet. They focused on creating a shipping and packaging process that would allow the company to transport their product across the country without freezing. They also created an electronic order-taking process. The Whoopie Pie Company is in the process of implementing their suggestions.

In addition, Rutter recently received the Outstanding Achievement Award in Business and the Evan Pugh Scholar Award during the college’s Academic Awards Ceremony.

“During my time here at Penn State Berks, I have been prepared for the workforce,” comments Rutter. “The college has given me the foundation to succeed in business.”

Rutter is definitely on the road to success.

Eleven Penn State alumni were honored for outstanding professional accomplishment by the age of 35 or younger and presented with the Penn State Alumni Association's Alumni Achievement Award at a dinner ceremony on April 12, 2013, at The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel on the University Park campus. Among the honorees was Leon Shahabian, 2001, formerly of Wyomissing, who attended Penn State Berks.

Shahabian is the co-founder, vice president, and treasurer of Layalina Productions, Inc. a 9/11 public diplomacy initiative to inform and influence millions of television viewers in the Middle East and North Africa.

A student at Penn State University Park campus when the attacks of 9/11 occurred, he recalls that many of his fellow students wanted to get involved and help in some way; some joined the military; others found positions in government.

“One day our grandkids are going to ask us what we did after 9/11 in service of our great nation,” states Shahabian. He will have a lot to say in response to that question.

After graduating in December 2001 with a degree in International Politics, he took the skills that he acquired at Penn State, and in 2002, became one of the two founding staff members of Layalina Productions, a nonprofit television production company. Located in Washington, D.C., Layalina Productions produces documentary and “reality” TV shows that air on the leading Arab television channels. Translating to “Our Nights,” Layalina is aptly named because the company’s programs are only aired during prime time in the Middle East.

Shahabian explains that he grew with the company, which serves as an outlet for reaching the Arab people through television and media publications. Today he serves as vice president and corporate treasurer.

Generation Entrepreneur, a youth entrepreneurship reality series, that Shahabian created, wrote, and is executive producing, builds companies with current students and creates jobs for recent graduates in an area where positions are greatly needed.

“They elect officers, they issue stock, they have a business model that community leaders–especially from the business sector–have blessed, and those who win get incubation funding,” Shahabian explains.

He is the executive producer of the hit reality series On the Road in America, now in its third season, which features Arab students who discover the diversity and uniqueness of the United States on their first visit to the country. On the Road in America is carried by MBC 1, the Sundance Channel, and MBN, and distributed by Warner Brothers and New Line Television.

American Caravan, the sequel series to On the Road in America, is another popular show that features six young American students who travel for the first time to five Arab countries, on a thirteen-week journey, in the footsteps of the Arab Spring.

He was executive producer of Back from the Brink, a feature documentary on countering violent extremism; produced and executive produced the award-winning documentary Life After Death, which features family members of American, Arab, and European victims of Al-Qaeda, and is carried on Al-Arabiya and MBN; and executive produced the Sister Cities documentary, Windy City, White City.

Shahabian served from 2005 to 2011 as the senior editor of The Layalina Review on Public Diplomacy and Arab Media. Since 2008, he has served as the senior editor of Layalina’s Perspectives, an op-ed series. Shahabian is a writer, director and producer for Kuma Games, the New York-based world leader in episodic video games. He is a member of the Public Diplomacy Council.

During a recent visit to Penn State Berks, Shahabian fondly recalled that his journey began at the campus, where he was a student from 1997 through 1999. He then completed his degree in International Politics and French Language and Literature, with a minor in History, at University Park.

Initially, Shahabian decided to attend Berks because his family lives in the area. He was involved in several student organizations, and served as president of Pi Sigma Alpha (Political Science Honors Society). During his college career, Shahabian made the Dean’s List for seven semesters and completed five internships in Washington, D.C. on Capitol Hill, with trade associations, advocacy groups, and a think tank.

Shahabian emphasizes the value of a Liberal Arts education. “The skills that students learn in their liberal arts classes can be applied to many aspects of their life and career. You are taught how to think and analyze, and you are learning transferable skills. Wherever you end up, you’ll bring value to a company.”

The Alumni Achievement Award is bestowed on alumni for reaching an extraordinary level of professional accomplishment by the age of 35 or younger. Academic colleges or campuses nominate alumni who are then selected by a University-wide committee. President Rodney Erickson invites them to return to campus for several days to share their expertise with students and the University community. The Alumni Achievement Award began in 2005 and since then has honored 96 outstanding alumni.

It is incredible enough that Diana Livingston is graduating from Penn State Berks at the age of 20 with a B.S. in Elementary and Kindergarten Education, along with her twin sister, Krisandra, on May 4, 2013. It is astonishing that she was able to graduate two years before her peers despite having cerebral palsy and financial obstacles.

Livingston has not let cerebral palsy hold her back–in fact, she thinks it has motivated her to succeed. Even though she has had to endure to endure 13 surgeries for her condition, she was able to complete her education early through hard work and dedication.

She explains that she and her sister began taking night classes in eighth grade at a community college because their high school did not offer a dual enrollment program. By the time they finished tenth grade, they had 40 college credits and they took her SATs early.

After visiting Penn State Berks, Livingston fell in love with the campus and decided to change her major from Secondary Education to Elementary and Kindergarten Education, offered by Penn State Berks, and enroll in 2010. She will complete her student teaching on Friday, April 26, 2013, at 16th and Haak Elementary School in Reading.

“She has just blossomed as a teacher,” beams her teaching mentor Sandra Madeira, a fourth grade teacher at 16th and Haak Elementary School. “When we first met last May, Diana was quiet and a little shy. I knew she was very intelligent but she needed to learn to become a teacher.”

“Over the last year, she has learned to adapt her instruction to meet the differing educational needs of all the students in the classroom. But most important of all, she cares about her students, about they people they will become, and about their character, as well as their academics.”

Watching Livingston with her class makes it obvious that her students care about her as well, hanging on her every word as she energetically makes her way around the classroom.

In addition to excelling in the Penn State Berks classroom and the classroom where she is student teaching, Livingston is a Schreyer Scholar, a member of the Student Government Association, the Campus Activities Board, the Honors Club, the National Science Teachers Association, and several honors societies.

While her accomplishments at the college have been impressive, Livingston credits the college with providing the opportunities for her to excel.

“Everything I have been able to do is because of Penn State Berks,” states Livingston.

In addition, her brother, Michael, is following in her footsteps in B.S. in Childhood and Early Adolescent Education. 

Livingston explains that her mother is a single parent who suffers from a brain tumor, so she has had to rely on scholarships for her education. She just turned 20 on April 23, 2013.

Due to inclement weather, students were forced to camp inside, but the weather did not dampen their enthusiasm. The college hosted this fundraising project in conjunction with the Coalition to End Homelessness in Berks County. Members of the Coalition were in attendance to commemorate the event.

"Four years ago, national statistics showed that Berks County, specifically the Reading area, had one of the highest populations of citizens who were homeless or living below the poverty line. Students at Penn State Berks were troubled by these statistics and wanted to help," explains Student Activities Coordinator Kelli Meyer.

"In its fourth year, the Penn State Berks Camp Out for Hunger event raises awareness, along with money, and collects non-perishable goods for the Berks Coalition to End Homelessness. The Coalition consists of over 60 local businesses and organizations, including the Berks Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, and the United Way, that have joined forces to fight for this cause."

Last year, the event raised $515 from the campus community and local businesses and collected 267 pounds of nonperishable goods. This year’s event has more than tripled the amount raised and increased the food donation by more than 60 pounds. All proceeds will go to the Coalition to disburse among the associated organizations.

For more information, contact Kelli Meyer, Student Activities Coordinator, at 610-396-6068 or via e-mail at KAM67@psu.edu

Dr. Abdullah Konak, Associate Professor of Information Sciences and Technology, and Dr. Sadan Kulturel-Konak, Associate Professor of Management Information Systems, organized the first Computer Networking and Cyber Security Day in the spring of 2012, and it was well received by the students

This event is made possible by a National Science Foundation grant, the Howard O. and Jean Beaver Endowment for Community Service, and the partnership with the Penn State Educational Partnership Program (PEPP) at Penn State Berks.

The Penn State Educational Partnership Program (PEPP) is an early-intervention collaboration between Penn State Berks and the Reading School District. The mission of the program is to enhance academic preparedness and motivation levels in its Reading School District (RSD) participants to pursue higher education.

For more information on Computer Networking and Cyber Security Day, contact Dr. Sadan Kulturel-Konak at 610-396-6137 or via e-mail at sadan@psu.edu.

Noreen Cioffi, a Penn State Berks senior majoring in Business with a concentration in Finance, will complete an international internship at B. Braun’s corporate headquarters in Melsungen, Germany from June 1–August 31, 2013. Cioffi will be the first U.S. intern for B. Braun, one of the world´s leading healthcare suppliers.

According to Cioffi, the German philosophy of conducting internships–known as “apprenticeships”–is for students to learn about the whole company. During her time at B. Braun, Cioffi will learn about and work in various departments. The internship uses a holistic approach, much like the Penn State Berks Business degree program employs in providing a broad overview of business principles. The fact the Cioffi had this broad foundation in business was one of the keys to her being awarded the internship.

It all began when B. Braun’s need for an intern came to the attention of two Penn State Berks faculty members: John Guiseppe, Instructor in Economics, and Dr. Jayne Leh, Assistant Professor of Special Education who knew employees at the company through her travels to Germany. Both Guiseppe and Leh knew and admired Cioffi, so they encouraged her to apply.

The next step was for Cioffi to interview with Janet Janda, Associate Director of Talent Acquisition at B. Braun’s Bethlehem, PA location, and Susanne Hain, who works with the internship program at B. Braun’s corporate headquarters in Germany while Hain was visiting the Bethlehem location.

Cioffi gives much of the credit for finalizing the internship to the Office of Career Services at Penn State Berks, whose assistance in negotiating the terms of the internship was invaluable. She also credits the faculty at the college for their support of her goals.

“I am very interested in international business,” explains Cioffi. “The faculty and staff at the college have been unbelievably supportive of that interest and my career goals. Penn State Berks presents many great opportunities to grow your professional skills and explore career interests within and outside the classroom."

For more information or to register, call 610-396-6225 or read more about degree programs at Penn State Berks.

According to Kubeika’s abstract, the presentation will be “a brief look into the realities of working as a chemist in the DEP laboratories focusing the analytical methods used to protect our environment and coping with Emerging Contaminants. The development of a “green” method applied to the emerging contaminant 1,4-dioxane will be highlighted.”

The Science Division colloquia are of broad and general interest, accessible to a general audience. All students, faculty, and interested members of the Penn State Berks and surrounding community are welcome and encouraged attend. For more information, contact the Penn State Berks Science Colloquium Coordinator Dr. Jianbing Qi, Associate Professor of Physics, at 610-396-6132 or via e-mail at JXQ10@psu.edu.

This program was originally created and organized by Dr. Janet Winter, Senior Lecturer in Mathematics who retired from Penn State Berks in 2012.

For more information about the Careers with Math Options Conference, contact Dr. Elizabeth Wiggins-Lopez, Instructor in Engineering, at 610-396-6081 or via e-mail at EXW16@psu.edu.

Interactive workshops will aim to enlighten students on the possibilities for future studies and careers in science, technology, engineering, and math. One of Penn State Berks’ initiatives for community outreach is to offer youth programming that encourages and prepares students for science and technology degrees and to expand efforts to improve Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education in the community. Collaboration with the Reading School District to improve science education is one way in which Penn State Berks hopes to advance this initiative.

This program was originally created and organized by Dr. Janet Winter, Senior Lecturer in Mathematics who retired from Penn State Berks in 2012.

For more information about the STEM Conference, contact Dr. Elizabeth Wiggins-Lopez, Instructor in Engineering, at 610-396-6081; or via e-mail at EXW16@psu.edu

When Scott Lohin enrolled as a student at Penn State Berks, he never dreamed that his education would lead to an internship at the White House. Lohin is currently completing an internship in the Office of the Chief Information Officer, which falls under the Executive Office of the President.

Lohin is a senior completing a dual major in Information Sciences and Technology and Security and Risk Analysis at the college. During his internship, he reports directly to the Deputy Chief Information Officer, and he is working on various research projects within the Security Operations Center.

After he completes this internship, Lohin has a summer internship lined up with the Department of Defense in Maryland. When asked what he wants to do after he graduates, Lohin stated that he hopes to work in the cyber security field.

The Penn State Great Valley MBA program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International (AACSB). This MBA program prepares tomorrow's leaders in strategic thinking, effective communication, and ethical leadership while giving students an opportunity to customize their study in core market areas. Designed for professionals seeking part-time graduate study, MBA courses are offered in the late afternoon, evening, or on Saturday in both face-to-face and blended format. Courses will be offered in convenient 7-week terms, allowing students to concentrate on one course at a time, while still progressing through the program in less than 3 years on a part-time basis.

For more information, contact Ed Weckerly, Academic Program Manager at Penn State Great Valley School of Graduate Professional Studies, at 610-648-3248 or via e-mail at EJW17@psu.edu.

To RSVP for the info session, visit the web site of the School Graduate Professional Studies at Penn State Great Valley

Fiume has served as president of Opportunity House since October 1994. Opportunity House provides an array of services to homeless and low-income individuals and families. These services include an emergency shelter, which provides temporary housing and supportive services to homeless men, women, and children daily; a supportive housing program that provides transitional and permanent housing to former shelter residents; the Second Street Learning and Technology Center, which provides quality, affordable, child care to more than 200 children living in the City of Reading; and the Children’s Alliance Center, which provides services to help children and their families cope with the impact of sexual abuse.

Prior to joining Opportunity House, Fiume was employed in various capacities working with at-risk youth, ex-offenders, and the mentally ill. Fiume earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from New Jersey City University and a master’s degree in public administration from Rutgers University.

He currently serves as chair of the Berks Coalition to End Homelessness and as treasurer of Friend, Inc., a non-profit organization serving at-risk individuals and families in the greater Kutztown area.

The idea to plan for and and participate in Earth Day-related activities was initiated by the students. They have formed teams to carry out various activities, which include shooting an Earth Day awareness video, creating and distributing informational flyers, promoting “no waste” lunches, creating tye-dye t-shirts and bracelets made from recycled materials, creating t-shirts with a hashtag linked to a Twitter account, distributing cups of dirt with an “Earth Day” message, organizing campus clean-up, and utilizing Facebook and Twitter to educate family, peers, and the public about environmental issues and encourage them to participate in environmentally friendly activities.

For more information, contact Kazempour, Assistant Professor of Science Education, at 610-396-6312 or via e-mail at MUK30@psu.edu.

Initiated as a result of her involvement with the Center for Service Learning and Community-Based Research, Dr. Mahsa Kazempour, Assistant Professor of Science Education at Penn State Berks, developed the EACAP project to further enhance students' awareness of environmental issues and encourage them to become involved locally and globally to tackle such issues and educate the public.

Since early in the semester, students worked in teams on service learning projects and collaborated with members of community organizations including Berks Parks Department, Blue Marsh Lake, Hawk Mountain, Monocacy Hill, and Nolde Environmental Education Center. They were involved in various projects, such as removing invasive species, using GIS technology to map certain regions within parks, creating riparian gardens, developing lesson plans for schools and student visitors, creating websites and promotional materials, and developing promotional and informational videos for the organizations to use.

For more information, contact Kazempour at 610-396-6312 or via e-mail at MUK30@psu.edu.

Berks Women in Crisis collects the phones and recycles them for a profit through a Florida organization called Shelter Alliance. The phones will be refurbished or responsibly recycled.

Faculty, staff, and students are asked to remove the SIM card chip from the phone prior to dropping it off at Health Services, located in room 8 of the Perkins Student Center. Phone and batteries will be accepted; accessories are not needed for this collection. For more information, contact Health Services at 610-396-6075.

Brendel, a junior Schreyer Scholar majoring in Global Studies, will complete a linguistics internship in the Department of Anthropology. He will be working with two curators at the Smithsonian, Dr. Gabriela Pérez Báez and Dr. Ives Goddard. Together they will work to identify the influence that Spanish has had on an indigenous language called Juchitán Zapotec. They will also look at changes in the phonology of the language. 

“I never expected to be interning at the Smithsonian as an undergraduate,” states Brendel. “I am so grateful to all the professors I had at Berks who helped me get accepted into this internship program.”

Rutter, a sophomore Schreyer Scholar majoring in Wildlife and Fishery Science, will complete an internship in the Department of Vertebrate Zoology. She will work with Dr. Kris Helgen on researching small mammal species morphology. Rutter has completed an internship working with common terns in

Both ten-week internships are supported by the National Science Foundation. More than 590 students applied for a total of 18 positions: 161 students applied to Vertebrate Zoology; 104 applied to work in Cultural Anthropology, and only one internship in linguistics has been awarded in the last two years.

Ten tenth- and eleventh-grade Penn State Educational Partnership Program (PEPP) students will participate in the program. Each high school student will be individually matched with a college student mentor for part of the day. The students will experience a typical day on campus with their mentor from 10:00 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. During this time, the RHS students will attend classes with their mentor, have lunch in the campus cafeteria, talk with faculty and staff, and visit various locations on campus. 

In addition to the shadowing experience, the RHS students will experience a full day of activities including a continental breakfast, a Penn State Berks student presentation, a campus tour led by student Lion Ambassadors, an informal dinner, and a Bingo game with prizes. 

The RHS students were selected by Penn State Educational Partnership Program (PEPP), an early-intervention collaboration between Penn State Berks and the Reading School District. The mission of the program is to enhance academic preparedness and motivation levels in its participants to pursue higher education. Offered at no cost to participants, PEPP plans, develops, and implements education-related programs and activities for middle school and high school students. The PEPP partnership between the Reading School District and Penn State has existed for twenty-three years.

This is the first year that PEPP has operated under the Penn State Berks Office of Academic Affairs. In the past, PEPP was administered by the Penn State College of Education.#

For more information, contact Guadalupe Kasper, PEPP Program Coordinator, at 610-396-6272 or via e-mail at GUR10@psu.edu.

The efforts are a the result of interdisciplinary class projects in Electrical Engineering, taught by Dr. Henry Ansell, Assistant Professor of Engineering; Mechanical Engineering, taught by Dr. Rungun Nathan, Associate Professor of Engineering; and Occupational Therapy, taught by David Kresse, Senior Lecturer in Occupational Therapy.

On Monday, April 22, student teams will present the following projects:

• door opener/stopper device that allows user to easily move through doorways;
• mailbox that will open and lift mail with the touch of a button;
• electronic device that will easily turn wheelchair brakes on or off;
• portable detachable armrests; and
• wheelchair that allows user to reach higher areas.

On Wednesday, April 24, the following projects will be presented:

• automatic trashcan mechanism that is easy for those in wheelchairs to use;
• multi-functional access chair to accommodate user as body weight changes;
• “swirly spoon” designed for people with weak hands who have trouble stirring dishes;
• LED-based whole-house visual indicator for everyday notifications like doorbell, telephone, fire alarm, etc.; and
• “third hand” aid for the shower to dispense shampoo and conditioner for people with weak arms.

The annual event, formerly known as Devices for Disabilities, was initiated and is coordinated by Ansell, along with Nathan. For more information, contact Ansell via e-mail at HGA1@psu.edu or Nathan at rungun.nathan@psu.edu, or David Kresse at dck12@psu.edu.

The purpose of the forum is to engage the members of the Penn State community to inform the University Presidential Search and Screen Committee about the qualities they are seeking in a new leader, as well as identify the challenges and opportunities that will await the next president. The session will be facilitated by Nan Crouter, Dean of the College of Health and Human Development and Chair of the University Presidential Search and Screen Committee, and Dan Hagen, Professor of Animal Science and Vice Chair of the University Presidential Search and Screen Committee. The results of the discussion will be shared with the executive search firm, Isaacson, Miller, and will be beneficial as they establish a position profile and work on developing a robust pool of candidates.

Continued opportunity to provide thought into the process spans well beyond these open forums as input from the University community can be shared with Isaacson, Miller through a dedicated mailbox provided for this purpose, which can be found at the Presidential Search web site.

During this event, students will camp outside on campus overnight. The college is hosting a fundraising project in conjunction with the Coalition to End Homelessness in Berks County. Members of the Coalition will be in attendance to commemorate the event.

"Four years ago, national statistics showed that Berks County, specifically the Reading area, had one of the highest populations of citizens who were homeless or living below the poverty line. Students at Penn State Berks were troubled by these statistics and wanted to help," explains Student Activities Coordinator Kelli Meyer.

"In its fourth year, the Penn State Berks Camp Out for Hunger event raises awareness, along with money, and collects non-perishable goods for the Berks Coalition to End Homelessness. The Coalition consists of over 60 local businesses and organizations, including the Berks Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, and the United Way, that have joined forces to fight for this cause."

Last year, Berks Cares collected 267 pounds of nonperishable goods and collected $515 from the campus community and local businesses. This year, the committee has set a goal of raising $1,000 and collecting 500 pounds of nonperishable goods to donate to the 60 local charitable organizations that comprise the Coalition to End Homelessness. The committee, consisting of students, faculty, and staff, is collecting monetary donations and various items including nonperishable goods, personal hygiene products, and gently used clothing.

Additionally, the students are seeking the support of local businesses to help sponsor the event by donating gift certificates and other items. The business donations will be raffled at the conclusion of the Camp Out event. All proceeds will go to the Coalition to disburse among the associated organizations.

For more information or to make a donation, contact Kelli Meyer, Student Activities Coordinator, at 610-396-6068 or via e-mail at KAM67@psu.edu.

The presentation titled “Leadership and Emotional Intelligence” will introduce participants to the theoretical foundation and the relevance of emotional intelligence in their personal and professional life. The challenge of leadership and emotional intelligence is that committed and creative individuals are needed at all levels of our institutions–a group that can handle current turbulence and that has the tolerance and flexibility to manage what the future may offer. Participants will begin learning how to reflect and become conscious of the needed efforts to practice intrapersonal and interpersonal intelligence.

The EBC Research Interest Group features Penn State Berks faculty and visiting experts who conduct research on a wide variety of topics. Topics are of broad and general interest and are accessible to the non-expert.

For more information, contact either of the co-chairs for the EBC Research Interest Group: Dr. Jui-Chi Huang, assistant professor of economics, at JXH74@psu.edu; or Dr. Ada Leung, assistant professor of marketing, at CXL51@psu.edu.

Phillips will present “An overview of Argonne and the IAC.” She will discuss the interdisciplinary skills needed for infrastructure analysis and describe student career opportunities at the laboratory.

In 2011, Phillips began her work at Argonne after a 13-year career in the U.S. Air Force, serving as an operations research analyst, supervising faculty and teaching engineering courses. She holds a Ph.D. in Operations Research and her specializations include decision analysis, statistical analysis, modeling and simulation, and optimization.

An informal gathering will be held at the Cyber Café after the talk. Students are encouraged to attend and talk informally with Phillips.

For more information on the event, contact Dr. Sinan Tas, Assistant Professor of Information Sciences and Technology, at sinantas@psu.edu.

The Take Back The Night movement first appeared in Europe in 1976 and has continued throughout the world as a sign of empowerment for women, men, and children. For more than three and a half decades, Take Back the Night has become internationally known as a way to take a stand against sexual violence and speak out against crime. This is the Penn State Berks Feministic Club's inaugural event to raise awareness for sexual violence and to support survivors in the healing process.

The Penn State Berks Feministic Club promotes feminist ideas and education while fostering a sense of community on campus and in local neighborhoods through fundraising, volunteering, events, and educational workshops. For more information, contact Erika Germann at 717-673-9805 or via e-mail at EIG5106@psu.edu.

The Kenya Safari Acrobats, an awe-inspiring and dynamic dance troupe, will take acrobatics to exhilarating extremes in their performance at Penn State Berks on Wednesday, April 24, 2013, at 8 p.m. in Perkins Student Center Auditorium. This presentation is free and open to the public.

The members of this group learned their craft as children on the beaches of Kenya, as a means to break free from an impoverished country. Now they serve as artistic ambassadors for Kenya as they travel the globe, entertaining and inspiring audiences of all ages. The acrobatic show is both educational and entertaining, beginning with a brief history of Kenya. Then the Kenya Safari Acrobats take the audience on a non-stop thrill ride full of gravity-defying human pyramids, breathtaking contortions, limbo dancing, and hurling through hoops–all while clapping to a joyful Benga beat. Combining artistry with humor and playfulness, these gymnasts have designed a unique and eye-popping blend of traditional arts and circus skills in classic African style.

This presentation is part of the Penn State Berks Arts and Lecture series. For more information, contact the Office of Campus Life at 610-396-6076.

The Penn State Berks Theatre department will present “Treasure Island,” written by Ken Ludwig and directed by Associate Professor of Theatre Arts Cleo House Jr. Shows are scheduled for April 11-13 and 18-20 at 8 p.m., and Sunday matinees on April 14 and 21 at 2 p.m., in Perkins Student Center Auditorium.

Based on the adventure novel by Robert Louis Stevenson, “Treasure Island” is a stunning account of piracy on the tropical seas. It begins at an inn on the Devon coast of England in 1775 and quickly becomes an unforgettable tale of treachery and mayhem, featuring a host of legendary swashbucklers. At the center of it all are Jim Hawkins, a 14-year-old boy who longs for adventure, and the infamous Long John Silver, perhaps the most famous hero-villain of all time, who personifies both good and evil. Silver is an unscrupulous buccaneer-rogue whose greedy quest for gold—coupled with young Hawkins’ rite of passage—combine in a spine-tingling tale that captures the heart of everyone who has ever longed for treasure and adventure.

Tickets cost $10 for general admission; $7 for Penn State Berks faculty/staff; and $5 for Penn State Berks students with ID. To order tickets, call the Box Office at 610-396-6371 or e-mail BerksTheatre@psu.edu.

Three current and recent graduates of Penn State Berks will share and discuss their entrepreneurial experiences with our campus community. The panelists include Camrin Delozier, a seamstress and wedding consultant, who graduated with a B.S. in Business in the fall of 2012; Brian M. Martin, owner of a patent holding company, who graduated with B.S. in Business in May 2012; and Alan Kipping-Ruane, owner of TriGuy Multisport Coaching, LLC a junior majoring in Kinesiology.

Each semester, the Engineering Entrepreneurship program, whose mission is to provide an interdisciplinary minor that fosters entrepreneurial creativity and leadership throughout Penn State Berks and its service area, hosts a Speaker Series, featuring panel discussions and invited guests.

For more information, contact Dr. Jui-Chi Huang, Assistant Professor of Economics and Co-Chair of the Entrepreneurship Speaker Series at JXH74@psu.edu.

"Get Some" is a show about health with a human sexuality emphasis. Alice Holland, Penn State Berks Nurse Practitioner Supervisor serves as host. The show includes an interactive audience that features both college students and professionals as guests. This episode will feature representation from Planned Parenthood.

"The culmination of my past employment experiences at Blue Mountain Health System Family Planning Clinic, Lehighton Area School District, and Lehigh Valley Hospital, along with my present employment at Penn State, has prepared me with the assessment, interpersonal, and communication skills needed to host the show," explained Holland about her credentials.

In addition to her position as Health Services Supervisor at Penn State Berks, Holland also teaches courses in human sexuality, two of which have culminated with an experiential approach in Kenya. She is certified by the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) as a sexuality educator and holds masters degrees in both Nursing and Human Sexuality. She is presently a Ph.D. candidate in Human Sexuality, as well as a member of the American College Health Association (ACHA) and American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).

“Get Some” is held on the last Monday of each month from 6:00–6:45 p.m. in the Perkins Student Center Multipurpose Room. First-Year Seminar credit is available to students who qualify. For more information, contact Alice Holland at ARH16@psu.edu.

During their week, students worked in soup kitchens to prepare breakfast and/or lunch each day and then worked at an after-school program in the afternoon.

The trip was organized by Pastor David Hershey, adviser to the Berks student group and member of the Christian Student Foundation of Pennsylvania. Hershey believes the trip built a sense of community and friendship.

“Clearly one goal is to help others,” stated Hershey. “But I want the students to learn and to develop a heart to serve others throughout their lives. This may not be classroom learning, but it is part of the college learning experience. Most of all, I want them to see what we do on this trip not as separate from what happens on campus at Penn State Berks, but as a vital part of it.”

In addition, Mark Groff, Sergeant in Police Services at Penn State Berks, also accompanied the student group. Groff is also actively involved in the group's activities.

Penn State Berks student volunteers included juniors Elizabeth Boulanger from West Lawn and Hannah McConnell from Mullica Hill, NJ; sophomores Bryson Bugay from Sinking Spring, Lauren Dale from Downingtown, Samantha Kelly from New Tripoli; Anthony Lesko from Slatington, Heather Nelson from Robesonia, and first-year students Gabriella Antonio from Gilbertsville, Nathan Koehler from Whitehall, Margaret Rash from Mechanicsburg, and Brianna Turman from Birdsboro.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa., March 15, 2013 – Building on Penn State’s “One Team” inaugural year momentum, highlighting the highly successful first season under football Coach Bill O’Brien and looking ahead to 2013, the Penn State Coaches Caravan tour begins another road trip April 30 with visits to 12 locations during two weeks this spring.

Coaches Caravan registration is underway for the general public at the PSU sports web site and the alumni web site. Penn State Alumni Association and Nittany Lion Club members began signing up for the tour events on March 12. Advance registration is required for all Coaches Caravan events.

At each stop, Penn State alumni and fans will have the opportunity to hear from Coach O’Brien and at least one other head coach and ask questions about the Nittany Lions’ nationally recognized 31-sport athletic program at a lunch or evening event. Coach O’Brien is scheduled to participate in all 12 Coaches Caravan stops and will be joined by other Penn State head coaches on the tour, who also will meet with fans during the lunch or evening receptions prior to the program.

The line-up of head coaches joining O’Brien on the Penn State Coaches Caravan is currently being confirmed for each event.

Penn State Commonwealth campuses in Reading, Williamsport and DuBois will be among the locales hosting Coaches Caravan events.

The Penn State Coaches Caravan, jointly sponsored by the Penn State Alumni Association and the Nittany Lion Club, kicks off Tuesday, April 30, with a luncheon at the Penn State Berks campus and an evening reception in Philadelphia at the Hyatt at The Bellevue. On May 1, the Coaches Caravan will stop in Baltimore and Washington, D.C., and on May 2, Caravan events will be held in Lancaster and Camp Hill. During the Caravan’s first week, the luncheons will begin at 11:30 a.m and the evening receptions will start at 7:00 p.m.

The second week of the Coaches Caravan begins May 7 with a luncheon at Penn College of Technology in Williamsport and an evening reception at the Lehigh Valley Holiday Inn Conference Center. On May 8, the Caravan will visit New York City and Scranton and on May 9, Caravan events will be held at Penn State DuBois and Pittsburgh. During the second week, the New York City lunch will begin at 12:00 p.m. and the receptions in the Lehigh Valley and Pittsburgh will begin at 6:00 p.m.

For the second consecutive year, the Coaches Caravan will be a part of the Penn State Alumni Association’s Greater Scranton Chapter annual scholarship dinner at Genetti Manor. The reception on May 8 begins at 6:30 p.m. and dinner is at 7:30 p.m. Last year’s Scranton event drew a crowd of 900-plus.

“We had a great turnout of Penn State alumni and fans during the Coaches Caravan last year and I enjoyed meeting so many people who have great pride and passion for Penn State,” O’Brien stated. “It’s important for me to get around Pennsylvania and other areas where we have a lot of alumni and give them a chance to get to know me and to hear from them. They need to hear about my philosophy and vision for the future and how we are moving forward. I knew Penn State was a special place when I came here and my experiences over the past year have only made that more apparent.”

O’Brien was selected the 2012 Bear Bryant, Maxwell Football Club and ESPN National Coach of the Year and the Big Ten Coach of the Year after leading the Nittany Lions to wins in eight of their final 10 games. During each of the Coaches Caravan events, Coach O’Brien will talk about his core principles for the program, vision for moving Penn State Football to The Next Level and preparations for the 2013 season, as well as how all Penn State alumni and fans can make a difference for the program.

O’Brien and his fellow head coaches have championed Penn State’s “One Team” philosophy this year, with the 31 varsity teams, athletics, campuses, communities and constituencies all playing a role in the Nittany Lions’ academic and athletic success. Penn State has captured a school record seven Big Ten Championships thus far in 2012-13, while earning an NCAA Graduation Rate of 88 percent and a school record 100 Academic All-Big Ten honorees among the fall sport student-athletes.

Complete details and registration information for every stop on the Penn State Coaches Caravan tour are available at the PSU sports web site and the Penn State alumni web site. Advance registration is required for all Coaches Caravan events.

The 2013 Coaches Caravan stops are:

• April 30 Penn State Berks; Reading (lunch)
  Philadelphia (evening reception)
• May 1 Baltimore (lunch)
  Washington, D.C. (evening reception)
• May 2 Lancaster, Pa. (lunch)
  Harrisburg, Pa. (evening reception)
• May 7 Penn College of Technology; Williamsport (lunch)
  Allentown, Pa. (evening reception)
• May 8 New York City (lunch)
  Scranton, Pa. (evening event)
• May 9 Penn State DuBois (lunch)
  Pittsburgh (evening reception)

For the second consecutive year, Fullington Tours will provide a customized coach to transport all the Coaches Caravan participants throughout the 12-stop tour.

Karen Kihurani, Multicultural/International Counselor for Penn State Berks, is the 2013 recipient of the Susan R. Rankin Award for Leadership, Integrity, and Outstanding Contributions to Penn State University. The award is given to individuals who demonstrate leadership in supporting students who are members of LGBTQQIA communities, integrity in the promotion of a positive identity for LGBTQQIA students throughout the University and local community, and contributions to the support services for LGBTQQIA students, faculty, and staff at Penn State.

In the area of leadership, Karen is a person who does not define her professional boundaries by “what am I required to do” but rather by “what do the students need to have.” Embracing this quality, Karen has served with considerable distinction in the role of coordinator and advisor to Rainbow Alliance since 2003. She saw a need for supporting students who are members of LGBTQQIA communities and made this a part of her office on her own accord. Karen identifies as an ally with her office as a safe space.

Karen continually displays integrity in the promotion of positive identity for LGBTQQIA students within Penn State and the community. She coordinated many events, including a “gay, fine by me” campaign. Through Karen’s influence administrators, faculty, staff, and students wore t-shirts with the “gay, fine by me” logo and showed cohesiveness in making a statement of support by posing for a group photo which was advertised on campus. Through these events, Karen has offered mediation between homophobic acts and ethnocentric fallacy. In the challenges of opposition and resistance, Karen strives for acceptance through education. Educational topics that Karen has successfully coordinated include but are not limited to marriage equality, equal rights, and documentary films shown in conjunction with guest speakers who aid in processing and dialogue. Karen has also facilitated sensitivity training for students so they can help mentor their peers in learning appropriate language and behavior to foster greater inclusivity on campus.

Through creativity, Karen demonstrates outstanding contributions in her on-going efforts to add to the support services for LGBTQQIA folks at Penn State. Each of her diversity presentations on campus, in classrooms, and in the community includes LGBTQQIA information. Karen coordinated a Coming-In party with Rainbow Alliance, where the Penn State community was invited to a pizza party to share and discuss issues related to their LGBTQQIA identity. They were also welcomed to join Rainbow Alliance. Karen supports the Noise Concert and Day of Silence, which are two large annual events on campus to bring about an awareness of the LGBTQQIA community. Karen is the key person behind the “gay, fine by me” campaign, National Coming-Out Day, and the LGBT support network campaign. Karen planned and took students to an “out for work” conference in Washington, DC, where students attended a job fair, built resumes, and met LGBTQQIA friendly companies. Penn State Berks hosted the LGBTQQIA leadership retreat November 4, 2012, where Karen attended the day and evening long weekend event as chaperone. Karen coordinates transportation and travels with students to the Lavender Graduation at University Park campus. Karen also collaborates with clubs at Penn State Berks as well as high schools to promote World AIDS Day. When funding was short, Karen collaborated with faculty in writing grants to support LGBTQQIA events on campus. In2010 Karen was instrumental in bringing FagBug to campus. She also helped organize Rainbow Alliance trips to Broadway, NYC, to see La Cage Aux Folles and Priscilla Queen of the Desert.

More recently, Karen is working with The Spectrum, a local LGBTQQIA group (under the auspices of Planned Parenthood) comprised of high-school students from the Reading area. Many of these youth come from under-served populations. Karen is hoping to set up a mentoring program between The Spectrum and The Rainbow Alliance at Penn State Berks. Karen believes that the good work done at Penn State Berks should ripple through out the communities around it. She believes that her advocacy is not merely her job, but part of her identity and lifestyle.

The Dr. Susan R. Rankin Award for Leadership, Integrity and Outstanding Contributions to Penn State University was established in 2007 to be given annually to students, staff, faculty, community members or organizations who have provided leadership and service to LGBTQQIA communities and who demonstrate outstanding efforts in Leadership, Integrity, and Outstanding Contributions to Penn State University. The award will be presented to Kihurani by Dr. Susan R. Rankin on Wednesday, March 20, 2013, at noon on the steps of Old Main during Pride Rally Week.

Wired for Story: The Writer’s Guide to Using Brain Science to Hook Readers from the Very First Sentence (Ten Speed Press, July 2012) is Cron’s latest publication. In it, she describes why our brains are designed to crave stories, why stories are critical to our survival, and why it is so hard to write a good story, even though we know one as soon as we experience it.

Cron has been a consultant, agent, and story analyst for the Angela Rinaldi Literary Agency, the William Morris Agency, Warner Bros., Miramax, and Village Roadshow. She spent a decade working in publishing as an editor and publicist at W.W. Norton and John Muir Publications and currently teaches adult writing workshops with UCLA Extension.

This event is supported by The Professional Writing baccalaureate degree program and the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences Division. For more information on this event, contact Jayne Brown, Senior Lecturer in English at Penn State Berks, at 610-396-6041.

"Participation in the drive is valuable and has a direct effect on the stability of the area's blood supply," commented Penn State Berks Health Services Supervisor Alice Holland.

For information or to make an appointment, visit Health Services in room 8 of the Perkins Student Center or call 610-396-6075.

Joey Kramer, drummer for the legendary rock band Aerosmith, will discuss his memoir, “Hit Hard: A Story of Hitting Rock Bottom at the Top” on Monday, March 25, 2013, at 9 p.m. in Perkins Student Center Auditorium. This is a ticketed event, and while there is no cost for tickets, they are required.

In his memoir, “Hit Hard: A Story of Hitting Rock Bottom at the Top,” Kramer discusses his 1997 Aerosmith world tour. He reveals his ongoing struggle with depression and the response from fans battling those same overwhelming internal demons. He tells the whole story: the early days of the band and the glamorous drug-addled events leading up to eventual sobriety. He will discuss battles among band members and also the explosive internal dynamics in Aerosmith that continue to unleash endless creativity. The story of a rock star, who after years of insane wildness, became willing to accept help and finally ditch a serious alcohol and drug addiction, only to find that terrors and hard work were still ahead.

The Penn State Berks Bookstore will hold a book signing immediately following the presentation.

Community members can reserve tickets starting on Tuesday, March 19, at 10 a.m. by calling 610-396-6076. Students, faculty, and staff can reserve tickets starting Wednesday, March 13, in room 19 of the Perkins Student Center. Community tickets will be held at a "will-call" table, which will be located in the main lobby of Perkins Student Center.

This program may contain explicit language and adult content. The presentation is part of the Penn State Berks Arts and Lecture series. For more information, contact the Office of Campus Life at 610-396-6076.

In the second annual George J. Losoncy Lecture in Physics and Astronomy, Dr. Leonard Gamberg, Associate Professor of Physics at Penn State Berks, will give a lecture titled “At the Frontier of Particle Physics: The Discovery of the Higgs Particle-What Does it Mean?” on Thursday, March 21, 2013, at 5:00 p.m. in the Perkins Student Center Auditorium. This event is free and open to the public, and it will be preceded by a reception in the Freyberger Gallery at 4:30 p.m., where light refreshments will be served.

The talk is the second in the annual lecture series named in honor of George Losoncy, who was a dedicated Penn State Berks employee for 17 years, serving the college with perfect attendance, and donating 182 unused sick days when he retired in 2009. He was an enthusiastic supporter of the Science Division Colloquia and was particularly interested in physics and astronomy. Upon his retirement, he donated $50,000 to set up a research endowment in physics and astronomy at Penn State Berks.

On July 4th, 2012, the leaders of two experimental collaborations numbering more than 6,000 scientists from around the world announced the discovery of a new elementary particle resembling the so-called Higgs particle from experiments performed at the Large Hadron Collider, which is located at the European Center in Switzerland. The Higgs particle is named after Peter Higgs, a British physicist. In 1964, along with five other physicists, Higgs proposed a physical mechanism to characterize the properties of the weak nuclear force of nature. As a consequence of this theory, he predicted the existence of a new particle that explains how all other elementary particles seen in nature, such as the electron, possess mass. The consequences of this prediction led to a revolution in physics where a small number of newly predicted elementary particles were subsequently discovered over a 40-year period, except for the illusive Higgs particle.

If the recent discovery holds up under further tests, it would complete a quest of more than 50 years of exploration to verify the Standard Model of elementary particle physics. This new discovery could, on the other hand, require a modification of the theory and thus open the door to physics beyond the Standard Model. To date, the Standard Model has been the most successful physical theory in describing the visible elementary particles and fields of nature. Uncovering the full characteristics of this "Higgs-like" elementary particle will rely on carefully measuring its interactions with other particles and fields, and that may take sometime to resolve.

In this presentation, Gamberg will give an overview of what appears to be a monumental discovery at the frontiers of science, and describe the central role that the Higgs mechanism plays in Standard Model of elementary particle physics.

Recently, Gamberg has been awarded a grant for $120,000 from the Office of Science of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Division of Nuclear Theory. His research focuses on understanding how the sub-nuclear elementary particles, quarks and gluons, give rise the spin and momentum structure of composite particles that feel the strong nuclear force, such as the nucleons (proton and neutron) and mesons (pions, kaons). The grant for Gamberg's project, "Transverse Spin and Momentum Structure of Hadrons in QCD" began on Nov. 15, 2012, and will run until Nov. 14, 2015. This three-year grant includes funds to support student research assistants to work with Gamberg, a sub-atomic nuclear particle physicist.

Kazempour will  present “Developing a Reform-based Environmental Science Course for Elementary Pre-service Teachers and Non-Science Majors: components, challenges, and impact on students.” Her presentation will include a discussion of course components she has introduced into an environmental science course to align it with science education reforms as well as the preliminary findings of her study.

Drs. Jayne Leh, Dave Bender, and John Guiseppe will present  "Changing Students' Preconceptions: An International Field Experience for PSU students: German schools, German customs, German epiphanies."  They will examine the professional and personal growth of PSU students as a result of the student behavior, teacher methodologies, and cultural interactions the students observed on a 2 week study abroad in Germany.

The HASS Colloquium Series features informal presentations that serve as opportunities for HASS faculty to share their completed or in-progress research. Faculty will discuss their research in an approximately 15-minute presentation that welcomes dialogue, discussion, and questions. For more information on the HASS Colloquium Series, contact Dr. Holly Ryan, assistant professor of English and Coordinator of the Writing Center, at HLR14@psu.edu .

Festival in the Desert is a 2004 film that documents an annual event called Le Festival au Désert, which took place in the African Sahara from 2001 to 2007. This unique celebration of the music and culture of the Tuareg people also welcomed artists from other parts of Mali, Africa and the world to the most remote music festival on Earth. This presentation is the 2003 concert including bands Lo’Jo (France), Tinariwen (Mali) and Blackfire (Native American), Malian greats Ali Farka Touré and Oumou Sangare and an appearance by British guitarist Justin Adams and Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant.

The Battle for Souls is a 2003 film depicting the development of evangelical Christianity in Nigeria. It explores Muslim-Christian relations and includes an interview with University Park Professor Philip Jenkins.

The Devil Came on Horseback is a 2007 film that exposes the tragedies occurring in the western Sudanese region of Darfur as seen through the exclusive, compelling photography and firsthand testimony of an American witness, former U.S. Marine Captain Brian Steidle, who served as a United Nations observer in Sudan and has since returned to the United States to take action against the atrocities of the dictatorial regime in Khartoum.

Children of War is a 2005 Danish television special that looks at the rehabilitation of child soldiers in Uganda. There, the rebel Lord’s Resistance Army has forced abductees to commit atrocities against their own families and communities. Art and drama therapy as well as re-integration rituals are detailed in this documentary.

For more information about the African Film Series, contact Dr. Randall Fegley, assistant professor of history and co-coordinator of the Global Studies degree program, at 610-396-6092, or via e-mail at raf8@psu.edu.

“The Gay Marriage Debate” will appear at Penn State Berks on Wednesday, April 3, 2013, at 7:30 p.m. in the Perkins Student Center Auditorium. The debate features advocate Zach Wahls, the University of Iowa student and son of two lesbian mothers, who gained Internet fame in 2011 after video of his testimony before the Iowa House Judiciary Committee went viral, and opponent John H. Rogers, who is currently serving his ninth term in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. Rogers maintains that gay marriage should not be legalized; rather civil unions should be created for gay couples that incorporate the same rights afforded to married straight couples. This event is free and open to the public.

In 2004, the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts ruled that it was unconstitutional to allow only heterosexual couples to marry. Despite intense opposition, couples in other states sought the same rights, throwing the debate into the national and international arenas.

This presentation is part of the Penn State Berks Arts and Lecture series. For more information, contact the Office of Campus Life at 610-396-6076.

PEPP students will learn how to become innovative thinkers during the workshops. Throughout the self-assessment portion of the workshop, the students will learn about themselves, their passions, networking, and generating new ideas. Finally, they will be taught the basics of a writing a business plan and how to incorporate their business plan with the needs of their community. These workshops are supported by National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance (NCIIA). Dr. Abdullah Konak, Associate Professor of Information Sciences and Technology, and Dr. Sadan Kulturel-Konak, Associate Professor of Management Information Systems and Coordinator of the Entrepreneurship Minor, are faculty advisers and workshop co-coordinators.

The Penn State Educational Partnership Program (PEPP) is an early-intervention collaboration between Penn State Berks and the Reading School District. The Mission of the program is to enhance academic preparedness and motivation levels in its Reading School District (RSD) participants to pursue higher education. 

PEPP also recruits and trains students from Penn State Berks, most of whom are Childhood and Early Education majors, to act as PEPP Learning Assistants (PLAs). In this role, the Penn State Berks students serve as tutors and mentors, and are positive role models who lead and inspire the PEPP students. The PLAs must present a lesson plan in addition to tutoring, mentoring, helping with homework, planning and coordinating PEPP student ideas and projects, and learning about classroom management in a diverse urban school environment. 

For more information, contact Guadalupe Kasper, PEPP Program Coordinator, at 610-396-6272 or via e-mail at GUR10@psu.edu.

College Pre-Service Teachers Benefit from Practical Experience

Fourth-grade students in the Glenside Elementary School gymnasium are seated on their yoga mats. Although they may not realize it, they are learning more than martial arts maneuvers in the Yoga and Taekwondo after-school program. The program, developed by Penn State Berks faculty members Valerie Cholet, Instructor in Kinesiology, and Dr. Jessica Schocker, Assistant Professor of Social Studies, is actually a vehicle to teach physical education and social studies in a unique and authentic way.

Together with Penn State Berks Childhood and Early Adolescent Education majors, Cholet and Schocker visit the elementary school on select Thursdays during the spring semester and lead the children in an hour-long program with a twist; each week focuses on a different positive theme such as courage, respect, and community. In conjunction with the theme, the children are given corresponding positive affirmations to say, such as “I am courageous.” Each week’s activities are based upon meeting standards in social studies and health/physical education.

After an introduction and warm-up, the children are given the theme of the week. While practicing their yoga poses, the theme is reinforced. Then, the children learn some basic Taekwondo techniques, giving them a cardiovascular workout. At the end of each session, while cooling down, they have the opportunity to discuss the theme and share how they will continue to use it beyond the session. For example, one week the students focused on safety. While practicing yoga postures, they learned correct form and the value of paying attention to detail in all tasks. During Taekwondo, safety involves practicing self-control when demonstrating appropriate kicks and punches. This theme also required the students to listen and work together as a community of learners.

In addition to helping the children at Glenside Elementary School learn essential life skills outside the classroom, the after-school program provides valuable experience for the Penn State Berks student teachers that help facilitate the program. When reflecting on their experience, the pre-service teachers indicated a deeper sense of management skills and interdisciplinary curriculum development, while fostering a stronger sense of connectedness with fellow pre-service teachers, college faculty, and children.

When asked how the idea for the program originated, Cholet and Schocker, who both teach in the college’s Education program, explained they believe education needs to teach the “whole child.” Whole child education focuses on developing skills such as reading, math, and writing in authentic social contexts rather than in a vacuum. Using physical education serves as an appropriate platform for which to integrate academics and social skills for the development of positive, participatory citizens of the community and world. In disciplines such as Yoga and Taekwondo, practitioners are encouraged to work on developing a strong self-esteem. Further, the basic philosophical grounding of these Eastern influenced practices stresses an awareness of community and the way our actions impact others. Research has indicated that a sense of community is particularly important for children in urban schools who are subject to transience and poverty. Since the Reading School District serves an at-risk student body, it seemed to be a perfect fit. Additionally, all funding for after-school programming at Glenside had been cut, so this program offered the only opportunity for an organized after-school activity.

“A program emphasizing fun while being active created a safe and welcoming environment in which the children could interact,” explains Cholet. “Using Yoga and Taekwondo provides a one-of-a-kind way to engage students in physical activity and also exposes them to types of exercises that they may never have the chance to experience otherwise.”

Schocker adds, “As a social studies educator, I saw this as an opportunity to teach students about culture, history, and most importantly, community–one of the most important concepts the National Council for Social Studies stresses for elementary-aged children. Yoga and Taekwondo are rich with tradition, and provide a real-life example of how cultures influence one another and can bring people together in the local community and from around the world.”

The children are very enthusiastic about the program, and their teachers and guidance counselor report that the children used the affirmations they learn in the program in the classroom before tests.

This is the second year that Cholet and Schocker held the Yoga and Taekwondo program at Glenside Elementary School; in the spring of 2012 they brought the same program to third grade students at the school.

Dr. Jennifer Hillman, Professor of Psychology at Penn State Berks, recently published a book titled “Sexuality and Aging: Clinical Perspectives” by Springer Publishing. According to Hillman, “There are two primary stereotypes of sexuality and aging.  One is found in the prowling cougars and elder Romeos of TV and film. The other is lonely, ill, depressed, and above all, sexless. The truth mainly lies between these extremes, reflecting a diversity of experience and behaviors to match a growing and dynamic senior population.”

This publication assembles the most up-to-date information on the spectrum of middle-aged and older people’s sex-related concerns, from HIV to ED, from body image problems to dating after 50. This timely volume equips professionals to answer questions more accurately and help clients navigate the multiple changes and challenges that accompany aging. In-depth analysis, empirical findings, and case studies offer a clear picture of what clinicians can expect as the baby-boom population grows older. Hillman also provides helpful advice for clinicians seeking a comfort level for discussing sexual matters in practice.

Included in the book are an overview of sexuality among middle-aged and older adults, including historical issues and current research methodologies; specific chapters focusing upon men’s and women’s concerns; the impact of prescription and over-the-counter medicines on sexual function; sexuality in the contexts of disability, dementia, and long-term care; the increasing prevalence of HIV, AIDS, and other STIs among adults over 50; LGBT issues; cross-cultural perspectives; and sexuality and end-of-life issues.

In addition to holding the position of Professor of Psychology at Penn State Berks, Hillman is  a licensed psychologist in the state of Pennsylvania. Her primary research interests include HIV/AIDS and other STDs in aging, Viagra and other PDE-5 inhibitors, sexual and aggressive problem behaviors in long-term care, women’s issues in aging, and grandparents of children with autism. She has published more than two dozen peer-reviewed articles and four books, and was awarded Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America for her outstanding contributions to the field of aging. Hillman also received a Penn State University Teaching Fellow Award, and teaches courses in clinical, abnormal, health, and social psychology, as well as adult development and aging.

Student volunteers include seniors Cara DiPiazza from Hillsdale, NJ, Amanda Gonzalez-Ortiz from Philadelphia, Katelyn Harley from Delran, NJ, and Nicol Varona from West Lawn; juniors Katherine De Crescenzo from Roseto, Josh Garcia from Fleetwood, Jillian Heyman from New Providence, NJ, Brenna Lauer from Phillipsburg, NJ, Caitlin Miller from Macungie, Myrtle Richards from Bronx, NY, Melissa Sauer from Phoenixville, and Kayla Welch from Mcadoo;

Sophomores Kiernan Boone from Parsippany, NJ, Kevin Fernandez-Moralez  from Reading, Nicole Heker from Princeton, NJ, Alexandria Miller from Manheim, Emily Newman from Lititz, and Devon Rodriguez from Los Angeles, CA; and first-year students Leilani Nenadich-Gonzalez from Philadelphia and Cody Yackanicz  from Schwenksville.

The project was organized by Andrea Pfaff, Assistant Director of Campus Life, who will also join the student group, along with Kelli Meyer, Student Activities Coordinator.

As part of their service project to help complete the St. Benedict Primary School in the Toledo District of Belize, Penn State Berks students will be working to complete one classroom, installing a computer lab, and building a library. Work will include painting, installing ceiling tiles, assembling furniture installing software, teaching the students basic computer skills, building bookshelves, creating a library collection from donated books, and other projects as determined by the site team.

According to Paff, the goal of the project is to build positive relationships with the community, empower community members to continue building and developing positive changes in their community, and to assist the community in completing the construction of the primary school. A secondary goal of the program is to introduce Berks students to another culture, while sharing their culture with the host community.

The team will also have the opportunity to participate in a variety of cultural excursions and experiences. Students will fully engage with their host families for one week and reflect on their developing and expanding worldviews in a series of stimulated recall reflections led by Paff and the ProWorld staff. Many students will also keep a reflective journal, which is strongly recommended but not required.

The students will stay in Belize for seven days, four of which they will spend on the construction project. They will stay with host families, who will provide room and board for the students and staff members. Staying with the families will give the students an opportunity to learn more about the community. The host families are located in Punta Gorda, which is located just a few minutes from the school Both are located in the Toledo District.

The Toledo District has by far the highest poverty rate in Belize, and regularly ranks the lowest with regards to education, health, infant mortality, and similar measures of standards of living.

When they are not working on the school project, the students will have time to explore the region. They will also enjoy a traditional Mayan lunch and tour the Lubaantun Maya Ruin. They will enjoy a Creole dinner and take a drum lesson. They will visit a local organic Mayan chocolate factory and the Rio Blanco waterfall in Santa Cruz.

The Challenge competition aims to engage grade 5-8 students in chemistry through a dynamic event that partners members of the chemical industry with schools and organizations in the communities in which they operate.

 “The Challenge competition exposes students to the fascinating world of chemistry as it applies to their everyday lives, allowing them to gain a greater appreciation of how chemistry and chemicals will continue to shape their world,” stated CEF’s Executive Director John Rice. “Additionally, linking industry, educators, and students together not only builds stronger community relationships but also highlights the importance of chemistry education in an informal and celebratory manner,” he added.

The winner of the Berks County local Challenge will advance to the Pennsylvania State Challenge in the spring. The winner of the state competition will move on to compete in the National Challenge held in Philadelphia, PA, on June 24 at the Kimmel Center. There they will compete with state representatives from across the country for the title of 2012-2013 National You Be The Chemist Challenge® Champion.

At the national competition, each participant will receive fun prizes, such as chemistry kits, t-shirts and gift certificates to the Discovery Channel Store. The first through fourth place winners will also receive scholarships for future educational use. And, in addition to the Challenge and prizes, participants and a chaperone will also be treated to various activities in historic Philadelphia, such as a visit to The Franklin Institute, an interactive science museum, and a dinner celebration at the National Constitution Center. For more information about the competition, please visit the CEF website at www.chemed.org.

For more information about the local challenge at Penn State Berks, contact Greglynn Gibbs, Research Support Technician at Penn State Berks and adviser for the Penn State Berks Chemical Society, at 610-396-6363 or via e-mail at GDW104@psu.edu.

The class will meet with Family Promise on Friday, March 1, 2013, at 11 a.m. in room 157 of the Franco Building to discuss their progress on the PSAs.

The executive director of Family Promise visited the class and spoke with the students at the beginning of the semester to share the mission and goals of the agency. Throughout the semester, students have been working in small teams to create public service announcements for the agency. Each team is responsible for creating a print PSA, an audio PSA (to be used on the radio or on the web) and a video PSA (to be aired on TV, on the web, or during presentations).

Their instructor, Dr. Kesha Morant Williams, Assistant Professor of Communications Arts and Sciences, has been conducting health research and teaching health communication courses for quite sometime. She explains that she always had a commitment to community, and found that this project was an excellent way to honor that commitment.

The project is connected to the Penn State Berks Center for Service Learning and Community Based Research. This class uses service learning through community participatory research to create useful health messages addressing the needs of Family Promise of Berks County.

Morant Williams received funding from the Howard O. and Jean Beaver Endowment for Community Service to have the PSAs professionally printed. Throughout the project, the students became motivated to begin a drive to collect necessary items for the families the agency serves.

“Once we began the project, my class Service Learning Leader Tiffany Wesner was really moved and wanted to find an additional way to help. She asked if I was okay with her beginning a campaign to gather items that Family Promise needs for the families they serve. I said that was a great idea,” explained Morant Williams. “She contacted the agency and asked what they needed. I reached out to a few honor societies, (Lambda Pi Eta and Chi Alpha Epsilon) and Tiffany reached out to the Berks Honors Program. One of the students in my class, Quatima Spearman, is a Lion Ambassador; she reached out to the Ambassadors. They agreed to use this as their service project and have donated a lot of items, such as toiletries, socks, towels, and blankets, just to name a few.”

Family Promise of Berks County is a 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week, 365-day-a-year service agency providing temporary accommodations for homeless families. It serves as an alternative to the shelter system, which often separates family units. When families are accepted into the program, they commit to working with a case manager to achieve goals specific to their needs. Family Promise of Berks County serves families with children without regard to race, religion, or age. Families may stay in the network 45 to 90 days provided they are adhering to guest guidelines and making progress in their efforts towards self-sufficiency.

For more information, contact Morant Williams at 717-203-7740.

In “Project Brainwash: Why Reality TV is Bad for Women,” Jennifer Pozner takes a fierce, funny, and in-depth look at how reality TV affects our beliefs, our behavior, and our culture. She will give her presentation at Penn State Berks on Wednesday, March 27, 2013, at 7:30 p.m. in Perkins Student Center Auditorium. This event is free and open to the public.

Pozner, Executive Director of Women in Media and News, discusses how reality TV has erased all signs that the women’s rights, civil rights, and gay and lesbian rights movements ever occurred. She explains that the picture of America displayed through the lens of shows like “The Bachelor” and “America’s Next Top Model” is profoundly warped. The masterminds of reality TV have created a world in which women not only have no real choices–they don’t want any. Pozner reveals who is creating this pop cultural backlash against women’s rights, who is profiting from it, and why.

This presentation is part of the Penn State Berks Arts and Lecture series. For more information, contact the Office of Campus Life at 610-396-6076.

"Get Some" is a show about health with a human sexuality emphasis. Alice Holland, Penn State Berks Nurse Practitioner Supervisor serves as host.  The show includes an interactive audience that features both college students and professionals as guests. This episode will feature representation from Police Services, Student Conduct, Counseling Services, Berks Women in Crisis, and Health Services.

"The culmination of my past employment experiences at Blue Mountain Health System Family Planning Clinic, Lehighton Area School District, and Lehigh Valley Hospital, along with my present employment at Penn State, has prepared me with the assessment, interpersonal, and communication skills needed to host the show," explained Holland about her credentials.

In addition to her position as Health Services Supervisor at Penn State Berks, Holland also teaches courses in human sexuality, two of which have culminated with an experiential approach in Kenya. She is certified by the American Association of Sex Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) as a sexuality educator and holds masters degrees in both Nursing and Human Sexuality. She is presently a Ph.D. candidate in Human Sexuality, as well as a member of the American College Health Association (ACHA) and American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP).

“Get Some” is held on the last Monday of each month from 6:00–6:45 p.m. in the Perkins Student Center Multipurpose Room. First-Year Seminar credit is available to students who qualify. For more information, contact Alice Holland at ARH16@psu.edu.

Dr. Bertrand Eardly, Professor of Biology at Penn State Berks, has been awarded the Penn State Research Collaboration Fellowship for the summer of 2013. Eardly will collaborate with Dr. Mary Ann Bruns, Professor of Soil Sciences and Microbial Ecology at the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences. The title of Eardly’s project is “The Pitch Pine (Pinus rigida) microbiome in metalliferous soils of eastern Pennsylvania.”

Eardly and Bruns will study microbial populations associated with a pine tree species called the Pitch Pine. According to Eardly, this tree, which is native to Pennsylvania and the Eastern United States, is particularly well-adapted for survival on soils that contain high levels of heavy metals. Soils containing toxic levels of heavy metals are often associated with industrial barrens and abandoned mine sites. Based on previous research on a related pine species in Europe, it appears that the ability of certain pines to tolerate high metal concentrations in soils may be due in part to the beneficial effects of microbial communities associated with their roots.

Eardly and Bruns intend to use the funding from the grant to investigate whether this could help explain the ability of Pitch Pines to tolerate metalliferous soils in Eastern Pennsylvania.

The program is jointly sponsored by the Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) through the four Institutes, Vice Dean for Research at the College of Medicine, and the Office of the Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses (OVPCC). The program awards up to $10,000 to each of the five Fellows from the campuses.

According to Dr. Rider’s abstract, “Historians have increasingly revealed how the U.S. government harnessed culture as a means to defeat the Soviet Union in the ‘total’ Cold War battle for ‘hearts and minds.’’ Using “newly declassified documents and a range of archival sources, this presentation will seek to explain how the U.S. government attempted to attack and undermine the Soviet Union, and communism in general, through sport-related propaganda operations in the early Cold War years.

The Science Division colloquia are of broad and general interest, accessible to a general audience. All students, faculty, and interested members of the Penn State Berks and surrounding community are welcome and encouraged attend. For more information, contact the Penn State Berks Science Colloquium Coordinator Dr. Jianbing Qi, Associate Professor of Physics, at 610-396-6132 or via e-mail at JXQ10@psu.edu.

Penn State Berks students Jennifer Barnett, Noreen Cioffi, Lewis Colon, Jennifer Gerhard, Katelyn Harley, and Evan Hufford will participate in the panel discussion. They were among the students enrolled in the International Capital Markets course who had the rare opportunity to learn about finance in London during the Thanksgiving Break, from November 17-24, 2012. The students were accompanied by Abdou, who teaches the course and organized the trip. They were also accompanied by Dr. Paul Esqueda, Senior Associate Dean of Academic Affairs at Penn State Berks, who studied in London as an undergraduate student.

The students will discuss how the experience affected them both professionally and personally. During the excursion, the students visited several financial and investment sites such as the Bank of England Museum, where they learned about the English financial system and policy; the London Metal Exchange, where they observed commodity trading; Barclay's Capital, where they learned about investment banking; and Deloitte, where they studied mergers and acquisitions and financial consulting. They also visited Sotheby's, a well known collectibles/fine art auction house; Lloyd's of London, an insurance/reinsurance firm; DFJ Esprit, a venture capital firm; and Coller Capital, an investment firm.

It was such an eye-opening experience and it really showed me all the different things I could do with my major after I graduate,” commented Kate Harley, a junior majoring in Business with a concentration in Finance.

According to Abdou, the purpose of the trip was to expose Finance students to the real world of international finance and to offer them an opportunity to hear directly from international professionals about their experiences. The students also benefited from the opportunity to experience a different culture and to be global citizens.

The EBC Division Speaker Series features Penn State Berks faculty and visiting experts who conduct research on a wide variety of topics. Topics are of broad and general interest and are accessible to the non-expert.

For more information, contact either of the co-chairs for the EBC Division Speaker Series: Dr. Jui-Chi Huang, Assistant Professor of Economics, (JXH74@psu.edu) or Dr. Ada Leung, Assistant Professor of Marketing (CXL51@psu.edu).

The Screaming Orphans, a pop-rock band composed of four talented sisters who were raised in County Donegal, Ireland, will perform at Penn State Berks on Wednesday, March 20, 2013, at 7:30 p.m. in the Perkins Student Center Auditorium. This presentation is free and open to the public.<

As teenagers, they formed their own band and began playing at local pubs and festivals. Their big break came with an invitation to play at a St. Brigid’s Day concert in Kildare, along with great Irish artists such as Sinead O’Connor—she later asked them to be her back-up singers and the opening act for her show. The band then embarked on their first international tour with stops in Europe, Canada, and the United States, where they were featured on the “Late Show with David Letterman.” Their sound has been compared to the Bangles and the Cranberries, and their musical influences range from the Beatles to R.E.M. to traditional Irish music.

This presentation is part of the Penn State Berks Arts and Lecture series. For more information, contact the Office of Campus Life at 610-396-6076.

Dr. Oran Hesterman, a national leader in sustainable agriculture and food systems, will discuss his book “FAIR FOOD: Growing a Healthy, Sustainable Food System for All,” on Monday, March 18, 2013, at 7:30 p.m. in the Perkins Student Center Auditorium. This presentation is free and open to the public.

“Fair Food” is a guide to changing not only what we eat, but how food is grown, packaged, delivered, and sold. Hesterman’s menu for change offers the audience questions to ask at farmers’ markets, tools for starting buy-fresh/buy-local campaigns, advice for forming buyer’s clubs that purchase food directly from farmers and fishermen, and guidance about which legislation to support at the local, state, and federal levels.

Hesterman served as program director for Food Systems at the W.K. Kellogg Foundation for more than fifteen years, and he has made significant contributions to the funding of healthy food and farming through his leadership of the Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems Funders group.

This presentation is part of the Penn State Berks Arts and Lecture series. For more information, contact the Office of Campus Life at 610-396-6076.

During this lecture, Stanley will pose many theoretical questions. “We live in a time of unprecedented change. What has this change done to how we relate to objects, each other and our sense of place? How has our sense of time been affected?  What are the underlying factors that cause a person to be curious? How does spitting in a cup create insights to the powerful corporeal boundaries between inside and outside? How does throwing pots on an I-phone relate to the world of the analog and digital? And lastly why are tears important to learning?” 

According to Staley, whose work is included in collections around the world, art and life are "profoundly interrelated." Throughout his career, he says, he has come to recognize how art can have profound implications on all aspects of life. 

"It is these observations, along with provocative questions, that I wish to share with the extended Penn State community and beyond," Staley explained. "Art has the ability to build a sense of community because it can rekindle our collective sense of childhood wonder."

Named a Penn State Distinguished Professor in 2008, Staley joined the University faculty in 1990, teaching ceramics in the School of Visual Arts. Under his leadership, the Ceramics Graduate Program has been ranked No. 10 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. 

His ceramic pieces are included in the International Museum of Ceramic Art, Fuping, China; the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, England; and the Smithsonian National Museum of American Art, Washington D.C., among others. He is a member of the International Academy of Ceramics, based in Geneva, Switzerland, and serves as chair of the board of directors at Haystack Mountain School of Crafts, an international craft school in Deer Isle, Maine. In February 2012, he gave a talk at the National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad, India.

For more information visit the Penn State laureate web site.

“I encourage students, faculty, and staff to attend the health fair, visit the exhibits, some of which are interactive, and to learn the available resources in our community,” states Penn State Berks Nurse Practitioner Supervisor Alice Holland. “Stop by and see for yourself how healthy habits influence a more healthy lifestyle.”

The event will feature exhibitors from various agencies including Adventist Whole Health, American Cancer Society, Berks AIDS Network, Berks Women in Crisis, Body Zone and Wellness Complex, Caron Foundation, Co-County Wellness Services, Colonial Fitness, Council on Chemical Abuse, Kulp Chiropractic, Mary Kay Skin Care, Miller Keystone Blood Bank, Planned Parenthood, and many others. Representatives from various Penn State Berks offices will also participate.

First-year seminar credit will be available for student attendees. For more information on the event, contact Health Services at 610-396-6075.

N.O.W. at Berks is an annual one-act student play festival, which will run from Feb. 18-22, 2013, in the Perkins Student Center Auditorium, beginning at 8 p.m. each evening. The final performance will be held on Feb. 23, at the GoggleWorks Center for the Arts. The festival will showcase five, one-act plays written, performed, and produced by Penn State Berks students. Each play is approximately 10-12 minutes long. 

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is one of the nation’s leading industry-based, nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organizations. By drawing upon the talents, resources and generosity of the American theatre community, since 1988 BC/EFA has raised more than $225 million for essential services for people with AIDS and other critical illnesses across the United States.

For more information, contact Rob Napoli, Technical Theatre Coordinator, at 610-396-6421 or via e-mail at RUN2@psu.edu.

Kavky will present her work on the Dada/Surrealist artist Max Ernst. The focus will be on a series of collages Ernst produced after the first World War in which he identifies as a male hysteric, as both a therapeutic and subversive response to his experiences as a soldier.

Fox will discuss an upcoming exhibition that will explore both the art and the history of Blue Marsh. The exhibit deals with the homes and farms in and around Bernville, Mt. Pleasant, and other villages that were taken by Philadelphia District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to create the Blue Marsh Dam and Recreation Area. While homes and farms were being condemned, bought, or abandoned, artists and photographers documented the area. Families were displaced in the name of flood control, and the recreational area–now lauded–was, in fact, always considered a recreation area by the residents who lived there.

The next HASS Colloquium event will be held on March 22, 2013.

The HASS Colloquium Series features informal presentations that serve as opportunities for HASS faculty to share their completed or in-progress research. Faculty will discuss their research in an approximately 15-minute presentation that welcomes dialogue, discussion, and questions. For more information on the HASS Colloquium Series, contact Dr. Holly Ryan, assistant professor of English and Coordinator of the Writing Center, at HLR14@psu.edu.

In observation of National Engineers Week, Feb. 17–23, 2013, Penn State Berks, the premier engineering college in Berks County, has a variety of events and activities planned. The college recently added a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering to its engineering programs, which also includes a B.S. in Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology. Penn State Berks is the only college in Berks County to offer degree programs in engineering, and all programs are taught in the college’s new state-of-the-art Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building.

The following event has just been added to the roster of activities.

Wednesday, Feb. 20, 5:45–8:00 p.m.,Registration: Room 111 (Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development), Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building

Tour of the Gaige Building and Lecture: “Nature Inspired Optimization” by Dr. Abdullah Konak, Associate Professor of Information Sciences and Technology, Penn State Berks.

This event is free and open to all professional societies and the general public, but attendees must reserve their seat by contacting Konak by phone (610-396-6310) or e-mail (konak@psu.edu) by Feb. 18. Light dinner will be included.

Lecture: In many system design problems, engineers seek to determine the best values of the design parameters of a system such that the system performance is maximized under some constraints. Despite the advances in computer technologies, it is still impractical to determine the best system design in many real-world engineering problems due to prohibitively large numbers of system configurations. Ironically, Nature uses innovative and simple ways to solve some of the most complex design problems. Scientists and engineers have been increasingly looking to Nature as an inspiration to devise solution methods for complex problems in different engineering domains. This talk will present examples from Dr. Konak’s system modeling and optimization research inspired by Nature. The specific application examples include: Neural Networks in Hot Isostatic Pressing, Ant Colony Algorithms in Facilities Design and Logistics, and Swarm Algorithms in Wireless Networks.

The following is a list of previously scheduled events for Engineers Week at Penn State Berks.

Monday, Feb. 18, 12:00–2:00 p.m., Perkins Student Center Lions Den

Engineering Student Open Forum Panel Discussion

Tuesday, Feb. 19, 8:30 a.m., GoggleWorks in Reading, and Wednesday, Feb. 21, 8:30 a.m., Forest City High School, Forest City, PA

Project Lead the Way Design Challenge

Students from high schools and middle schools across the state will gather at the GoggleWorks in Reading on Feb. 19, and at Forest City High School, located in Forest City, on Feb. 21. The challenge is open to all Pennsylvania PLTW middle and high school students enrolled in PLTW courses. An awards ceremony will follow.

"This event gives PLTW students the chance to use the skills they have learned in their foundation courses to solve a real-life problem. Many schools concentrate on athletic competition; the PLTW Design Challenge gives academic students a chance for inter-scholastic competition," explains Tom Weiss, affiliate director of Project Lead the Way at Penn State Berks.

Project Lead The Way is a national non-profit organization that works in partnership with public middle and high schools to implement a curriculum that emphasizes hands-on experiences in engineering, design, and technology.

For additional information, contact Tom Weiss, PLTW PA Affiliate Director at Penn State Berks, via e-mail at TSW10@psu.edu or visit the PLTW PA web site.

Tuesday, Feb. 19, 12:00–1:30 p.m., Perkins Student Center Lion’s Den

Celebrating Women In Engineering Luncheon

The fourth annual Celebrating Women in Engineering Luncheon is sponsored by the Society of Women Engineers student chapter. Female high school students from Wilson and Berks Catholic, as well as all Penn State Berks engineering students and faculty, are invited to attend.

Wednesday, Feb. 20, 1:00 p.m., Room 5, Luerssen Building

Keynote Speaker Thomas J. Perry, P.E., “Improving Engineering Student Engagement In Industry”

Thomas Perry is the Director of Education for the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), where he is responsible for the organization’s worldwide activities in undergraduate degree program accreditation and curriculum advancement; ME/MET department leadership development via leadership summits and workshops; ASME EdResearch projects in mechanical engineering and engineering technology education; and ME education workforce development programs in pre-college education curriculum and teacher development.

Wednesday, Feb. 20, 11:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., Room 106, Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building

Lecture on Lean Manufacturing by Ron Tomasello, Instructor in Industrial Engineering Technology, Penn State Berks

Thursday, Feb. 21, 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Berks Catholic and Wilson Middle School students interested in engineering will visit Penn State Berks to learn more about the college’s engineering technology programs and careers in the field. Students will also participate in various activities and take a tour of the campus.

Friday, Feb. 22, 1:00 p.m., Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building Lobby

Spaghetti Bridge-Building Competition

Students will present their team’s entry in the spaghetti bridge-building strength competition, which is open to students of the college and Berks Catholic and Wilson high school students. The objective is to build a bridge from spaghetti capable of supporting the largest possible load. The contest will be judged by engineers from three local industries: Brentwood Industries, Reading Bakery, and Precision Medical.

Building on its roots in the field of engineering, Wyomissing Polytechnic Institute (WPI) was the forerunner of institution of Penn State Berks. WPI began as a training center for workers of Textile Machine Works in Reading and provided workers with a solid background in engineering, as well as other technical fields of study. Many leaders of local industry are graduates of WPI.

The Penn State Berks Freyberger Gallery will present “Architectural Conditions,” a collaboration of visual art by architect Larry Mitnick and poetry by Dr. Ken Fifer, Professor of English at Penn State Berks from March 14-April 18, 2013. An opening reception will be held on Thursday, March 14, at 6 p.m. This event is free and open to the public, and light refreshments will be served.

In this exhibition, visitors are asked to entertain the assumption that an identifier of the architectural conditions can be embodied within poetry, as well as in pictorial terms. Mitnick’s collages are not primarily intended to illustrate Fifer’s poetry, but to locate their architectural conditions. Likewise, Fifer’s poems do not seek to describe or illustrate Mitnick’s collages, but to locate and share their spatial relationships. The movement back and forth between different minds and mediums creates a process of reflection and discourse, and in the end, a working method. Their collaborations, large and small, began when the two men met as children growing up in the same Bronx housing project and have continued through the present day.

The Freyberger Gallery is open Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Saturday and Sunday from 12 to 4 p.m. For more information, contact Marilyn Fox, Gallery Director, at 610-396-6140 or via e-mail at MJF14@psu.edu.

In observation of National Engineers Week, Feb. 17–23, 2013, Penn State Berks, the premier engineering college in Berks County, has a variety of events and activities planned. The college recently added a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering to its engineering programs, which include a B.S. in Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology and an associate degree in Electrical Engineering Technology. Penn State Berks is the only college in Berks County to offer degree programs in engineering, and all programs are taught in the college’s new state-of-the-art Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building.

Building on its roots in the field of engineering, Wyomissing Polytechnic Institute (WPI) was the forerunner of institution of Penn State Berks. WPI began as a training center for workers of Textile Machine Works in Reading and provided workers with a solid background in engineering, as well as other technical fields of study. Many leaders of local industry are graduates of WPI.

The following is a schedule of events for Engineers Week at Penn State Berks.

Monday, Feb. 18, 12:00–2:00 p.m., Perkins Student Center Lions Den

Engineering Student Open Forum Panel Discussion

The panel discussion will provide open dialog between engineers from local companies and students. Topics such as career paths will be discussed and lunch will be provided. The panelists include Lisa Peterson, Brentwood Industries; Steve Rich, a former SAE Baja club member, and others. For more information or to register, contact Jeff Wike, Electrical Laboratory Supervisor, at 610-396-6202.

Tuesday, Feb. 19, 8:30 a.m., GoggleWorks in Reading, and Wednesday, Feb. 21, 8:30 a.m., Forest City High School, Forest City, PA

Project Lead the Way Design Challenge

Students from high schools and middle schools across the state will gather at the GoggleWorks in Reading on Feb. 19, and at Forest City High School, located in Forest City, on Feb. 21. The challenge is open to all Pennsylvania PLTW middle and high school students enrolled in PLTW courses. An awards ceremony will follow.

"This event gives PLTW students the chance to use the skills they have learned in their foundation courses to solve a real-life problem. Many schools concentrate on athletic competition; the PLTW Design Challenge gives academic students a chance for inter-scholastic competition," explains Tom Weiss, affiliate director of Project Lead the Way at Penn State Berks.

Project Lead The Way is a national non-profit organization that works in partnership with public middle and high schools to implement a curriculum that emphasizes hands-on experiences in engineering, design, and technology.

For additional information, contact Tom Weiss, PLTW PA Affiliate Director at Penn State Berks, via e-mail at TSW10@psu.edu or visit the PLTW PA web site.

Tuesday, Feb. 19, 12:00–1:30 p.m., Perkins Student Center Lion’s Den

Celebrating Women In Engineering Luncheon

The fourth annual Celebrating Women in Engineering Luncheon is sponsored by the Society of Women Engineers student chapter. Female high school students from Wilson and Berks Catholic, as well as all Penn State Berks engineering students and faculty, are invited to attend.

Wednesday, Feb. 20, 1:00 p.m., Room 5, Luerssen Building

Keynote Speaker Thomas J. Perry, P.E., “Improving Engineering Student Engagement In Industry”

Thomas Perry is the Director of Education for the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), where he is responsible for the organization’s worldwide activities in undergraduate degree program accreditation and curriculum advancement; ME/MET department leadership development via leadership summits and workshops; ASME EdResearch projects in mechanical engineering and engineering technology education; and ME education workforce development programs in pre-college education curriculum and teacher development.

Wednesday, Feb. 20, 11:00 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., Room 106, Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building

Lecture on Lean Manufacturing by Ron Tomasello, Instructor in Industrial Engineering Technology, Penn State Berks.

Thursday, Feb. 21, 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.

Berks Catholic and Wilson Middle School students interested in engineering will visit Penn State Berks to learn more about the college’s engineering technology programs and careers in the field. Students will also participate in various activities and take a tour of the campus.

Friday, Feb. 22, 1:00 p.m., Gaige Technology and Business Innovation Building Lobby

Spaghetti Bridge-Building Competition

Students will present their team’s entry in the spaghetti bridge-building strength competition, which is open to students of the college and Berks Catholic and Wilson high school students. The objective is to build a bridge from spaghetti capable of supporting the largest possible load. The contest will be judged by engineers from three local industries: Brentwood Industries, Reading Bakery, and Precision Medical.

Judith Rile, Student Aid Coordinator at Penn State Berks, will explain everything adult students need to know about financial aid and completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the 2013-2014 academic year.

For more information about this event or to confirm your attendance, contact Solange Israel-Mintz, Adult Student Recruitment Coordinator and Instructor in Management, at 610-396-6222 or via e-mail at SAI3@psu.edu. 

Wednesday, Feb. 6, 7:30 p.m., Perkins Student Center Auditorium

Michael Fosberg explores issues of race and self in “Incognito,” a one-hour, solo theatrical presentation. Imagine discovering that you are not the person you thought you were–that you have a family, a history that you never knew. Fosberg conveys his story of growing up believing he was “white,” only to discover at age 32 that he is actually “black.” The performance unfolds as a mystery, as Fosberg searches for his biological father, following the divorce of his mother and stepfather. This presentation is part of the Penn State Berks Arts and Lecture series, and it is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Office of Campus Life at 610-396-6076.

Monday, Feb. 18, 1 p.m., Perkins Student Center Multipurpose Room

Screening of “Precious Knowledge,” a documentary that tells the story of disenfranchised high school seniors who become academic warriors and community leaders in Tucson, Arizona's embattled Ethnic Studies classes while state lawmakers attempt to eliminate the program. The screening will be followed by a discussion. For more information, contact Karen Kihurani, Coordinator of Multicultural Programs, at 610-396-6080 or via e-mail KEK5@psu.edu.

Wednesday, Feb. 27, 7:30 p.m., Perkins Student Center Auditorium

Terrence Roberts delivers a lecture titled “Lessons from Little Rock.” In 1957, Roberts was 15-years-old when he joined eight other students to try to integrate Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. For the “Little Rock Nine,” the days that followed were filled with fear and uncertainty. Roberts will continue the conversation about race and segregation in schools in his presentation. Today, Roberts is CEO of Terrence J. Roberts & Associates, a management consultant firm devoted to fair and equitable practices. This presentation is part of the Penn State Berks Arts and Lecture series, and it is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Office of Campus Life at 610-396-6076.

The Berks County Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association (PSAA) will present a check for $10,000 to the Berks THON organization at their dancer send-off on Thursday, Feb. 14, 2012, from 11 a.m.–1 p.m. in the Multipurpose Room of the Perkins Student Center.

Most of the donation comes from Reading Royals Night, which was sponsored by the Berks County Chapter of the PSAA and the Reading Royals on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013. Five dollars from every ticket sold through the event website was donated and the Royals’ players all wore special Penn State football-themed jerseys that were autographed and auctioned off after the game. Members of the Schuylkill County Chapter of the PSAA joined the Berks County Chapter to support this worthwhile event. In the three-year history of the Chapter’s Reading Royals Night, they have raised over $30,000 for THON.

Shawn Hinkle, PSAA President, said, “As alumni, our Chapter is very proud to continue our support of THON, and in particular the Berks THON students and Four Diamond families. Without the continued time, efforts, and generosity of our entire Penn State family, as well as our community partners like the Reading Royals, successful THON events like this would not be possible.”

From Friday, Feb. 15 to Sunday, Feb. 17, 2013, Penn State students from every campus will gather at the Bryce Jordan Center on the University Park campus, for THON, the 46-hour dance marathon to benefit the Four Diamonds Fund supporting families battling pediatric cancer.

For more information or to make a donation to THON, contact the Campus Life Office at 610-396-6076 or visit thon.org. Go to the drop-down window labeled "Please give the following organization credit for my gift" select "Berks."

The Penn State Berks Bookstore will hold a book signing event for "Perceptions of Female Offenders: How Stereotypes and Social Norms Affect Criminal Justice Responses," edited by Dr. Brenda Russell, associate professor of psychology and coordinator for applied psychology degree program at Penn State Berks. This event will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013, at 2:30 p.m.

The publication explores how female offenders are often perceived as victims who commit crimes as a self-defense mechanism—or criminal deviants whose actions strayed from typical “womanly” behavior. These cultural norms for violence exist in our gendered society, and there has been scholarly debate about how male and female offenders are perceived, which leads to differential treatment in the criminal justice system.

"Our social norms dictate that women are not dangerous¬–that they do not commit crimes and the thought of a female offender conflicts with traditional gender roles, where women are nurturing and passive," comments Russell.

This interdisciplinary book provides an evidence-based approach of how female offenders are perceived in society, how this translates to differential treatment within the criminal justice system, and the implications of such differences. Frequently, perceptions of female offenders are at odds with research findings.

“We therefore need to question our own perceptions about females in society and in the criminal justice system, and explore whether equality in the criminal justice system would actually benefit, or harm, society and/or female offenders,” Russell explains.

Russell’s scholarly and teaching interests include psychology and law, perceptions of victims and perpetrators of domestic violence, homicide defendants, and the social psychological and cognitive aspects of jury decision making. She is particularly interested in how gender and sexual orientation play a role in evaluating defendants in cases of domestic violence, rape, sexual coercion, bullying, and sexual harassment. 

Her research on domestic violence can be seen in her book titled “Battered Woman Syndrome as a Legal Defense: History, Effectiveness, and Implications.” Russell also serves as consultant and program evaluator for various federal and state educational, law enforcement, justice, and treatment programs.

The event will begin with a dedication from Chancellor R. Keith Hillkirk beginning at 1:15 p.m. After the ribbon cutting, the program will include a video about the Writing Center created by peer tutors and some readings of short words and poetry from tutors and Professional Writing majors.

Literary-themed food will be served, including non-alcoholic mint juleps from “The Great Gatsby.” Attendees may also enter a free raffle. Word games (homemade Boggle) and supervised graffiti art on some available wall space will be featured as well.

For more information, contact Dr. Holly Ryan, assistant professor of English and writing center coordinator, at 610-396-6333, or via e-mail at HLR14@psu.edu.

A “Safe Spring Break Workshop” will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013, at 1 p.m. in the Perkins Student Center Multipurpose Room. Students will have the opportunity to enter the After Spring Break photo contest, where they choose one night to be substance-free, including tobacco. Contestants should submit a Spring Break photo of themself wearing the t-shirt from the workshop and include a short description of their experience and how they used the “Not Tonight” theme.

A complimentary prize (beach chair cell phone/iPod holder) will be awarded to all students who submit their photo and story. First-year seminar credit is available for students who attend the workshop and enter the contest. The deadline for submissions is March 13. Photos and stories should be e-mailed to Alice Holland at ARH16@psu.edu.

Finally, students can get in shape with the “Hoop Yourself Healthy” program, which consists of hula hoop exercise classes that burn fat, tone the body, improve flexibility, and elevate mood. Classes will be held from 4-5 p.m. in the Perkins Student Center Multipurpose Room on the following Thursdays: Feb. 7, 14, 28; March 14, 21, 28; and April 4 and 11. Participants should wear exercise attire and bring a hula hoop. Space is limited.

A “Sushi Etiquette” workshop will be held on Friday, Feb. 8, 2013, at 1 p.m. in the Perkins Student Center Lion’s Den. This program will cover the ways, both proper and improper, to consume this popular food. First-year seminar credit is available for attendees.

For more information on these events, contact Health Services at 610-396-6075.

Senior forward Sean Sowney recorded both an assist and a goal in the Penn State Berks Blue Lions Ice Hockey team’s game against Towson University on January 20, 2013. It might have just seemed like another instance of Sowney contributing to his squad, it was much more. It was the culmination of four stellar years on the ice as Sowney joined the prestigious 100-point club.

Over the course of his career, Sowney has tallied 47 goals and 53 assists. He has been named an assistant captain of the team and has already scored 14 goals and tallied 19 assists this season.

Sowney, a senior majoring in Kinesiology, is the fourth player in the 16-year history of Penn State Berks Ice Hockey to score 100 points over the course of his college career. He is the second player at Berks to achieve this milestone at a ACHA Division 1 level.

The Blue Lions have five regular season games remaining for Sowney to further his totals in Penn State Berks Ice Hockey history.

According to Karlinsey’s abstract, “This presentation will describe the development and application of a functionalized ß-tricalcium phosphate (TCP) system that is combined with fluoride for remineralization of incipient carious lesions and eroded enamel, as well as for the relief of hypersensitivity. Presently, the technology is found in 3M ESPE professional preventive products including Clinpro™ 5000 and Varnish™ 5% NaF White Varnish with TCP. Also discussed, will be the basic scientific underpinnings for the design of the functionalized ß-TCP system, including in vitro, in situ, and clinical case studies in support of the promising technology.”

The Science Division colloquia are of broad and general interest, accessible to a general audience. All students, faculty, and interested members of the Penn State Berks and surrounding community are encouraged to attend. For more information, contact the Penn State Berks Science Colloquium Coordinator Dr. Jianbing Qi, Associate Professor of Physics, at 610-396-6132 or via e-mail at JXQ10@psu.edu.

In his presentation titled “Student Learning in a Collaborative Virtual Computer Laboratory: Bridging Theory and Practice,” Konak will explain how information security is a growing part of the information technology function in an organization. However, higher education institutions generally do not provide much “hands-on” exposure to information security concepts due to costs, internal information security concerns, and lack of worthwhile exercises that cater to students.  

Through the creation of a collaborative virtual computer laboratory (CVCLAB), the impact of collaborative work on student learning can be established in controlled experiments. Konak describes how to best utilize virtual computers for teaching information security—debating whether learning is greater when exercises are conducted by student groups or by individuals. 

The EBC Research Interest Group features Penn State Berks faculty and visiting experts who conduct research on a wide variety of topics. Topics are of broad and general interest and are accessible to the non-expert.

For more information, contact either of the co-chairs for the EBC Research Interest Group: Dr. Jui-Chi Huang, assistant professor of Economics, at JXH74@psu.edu; or Dr. Ada Leung, assistant professor of Marketing, at CXL51@psu.edu.

Dr. Lauren Martin, assistant professor of Sociology, will present "Fertility on Ice." She will reveal the preliminary findings of her current research project, involving interviews with women without children. Martin examines how the real or imagined "biological clock" intersects, influences, or interferes with career, educational, and relationship goals as these women contemplate whether and when to have children.

Dr. Kesha Morant Williams, assistant professor of Communication Arts and Sciences, will discuss “Online Social Support and Its Impact on the Quality of Life of Those Living with Lupus.” Williams will share a case study—based on a private online social support group—that uses in-depth description and explores the self-reported experiences of African American women living with lupus. Through online group discussions, answers to questions, open-ended surveys, and participant responses, this educational communication tool provides an online support group and promotes the health and well-being of those living with lupus.

The HASS Colloquium Series features informal presentations that serve as opportunities for HASS faculty to share their completed or in-progress research. Faculty will discuss their research in an approximately 15-minute presentation that welcomes dialogue, discussion, and questions.

For more information on the HASS Colloquium Series, contact Holly Ryan, assistant professor of English and coordinator of the Writing Center, at HLR14@psu.edu

Penn State Berks Chemical Society President Kristin Kamowski was recently honored with the 2013 Student Leadership Award by the American Chemical Society’s Committee on Education (SOCED) Undergraduate Student Programs Advisory Board (UPAB).

Kamowski, a junior majoring in biology, received this award in recognition of her contributions and skills as an emerging American Chemical Society Student Chapter leader. She was one of fifteen students from across the nation to be selected to attend the 2013 ACS Leadership Institute, held from January 25-27, 2013 in Dallas, Texas.

The Penn State Berks Chemical Society is one of 1,000 student chapters of the American Chemical Society, the world’s largest scientific society, with a student membership of more than 10,000 members and a general membership of more than 160,000 members. Penn State Berks Chapter members sponsor various community outreach events throughout the year to demonstrate the importance of chemistry to everyday life.

The American Chemical Society–the world’s largest scientific society–is a nonprofit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress and a global leader in providing access to chemistry-related research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals, and scientific conferences. Additional information about the Penn State Berks Chapter can be found by visiting the Penn State Berks Chemical Society Club; information about the 2013 ACS Student Leadership Award can be found at  the American Chemical Society website. 

For additional information, contact Greglynn Gibbs, Research Support Technician and adviser for the Penn State Berks Chemical Society, at 610-396-6363 or via e-mail at GDW104@psu.edu.

Students should sign-up in the Career Services Office, room 10 of the Perkins Student Center. The deadline to register for Engineering Day is Fri., Jan. 25; deadline for the IST Fair, Mon., Jan. 28. There is a $10 registration fee to hold a seat on the van, which will be reimbursed when students arrive that morning. For the Engineering event, the van will leave Berks at 8:30 a.m. and return to campus around 6:30 p.m. For the IST Fair, the van will leave at 8 a.m. and return around 5 p.m. Attendees must wear professional attire and should have plenty of resumes to hand out to prospective employers.

Transportation will also be provided to Berks students for University Park Spring Career Days on Wed., March 20, (for non-technical majors) and Thurs., March 21, (for technical majors) on a first-come, first-served basis. This event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., both days. Students should sign-up in the Career Services Office. The deadline to register is Fri., March 15, and there is a $10 registration fee to hold a seat on the van, which will be reimbursed. The van will leave Berks at 8 a.m. and return to campus around 6 p.m.  Attendees must wear professional attire and should bring at least 30 copies of their resume.

In addition, other career-related events include the LVCCE Career Fair on Wed., Feb. 13, from 12 to 4:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn in Fogelsville; the CPEC Job and Internship Fair on Tues, Feb. 19, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Radisson Penn Harris Hotel and Convention Center; the College of Communications Job Expo on Fri., March 22, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the HUB Building, Alumni Hall, University Park; and Education Career Day on Mon., March 18, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (interviews from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) at the Penn Stater Conference Center, University Park. Attendees must wear professional attire and bring at least 30 copies of their resume. Transportation will not be provided to these events.

The Career Services Office staff is available to meet with students to discuss majors, review resumes, provide tips on interviewing, offer assistance in finding an internship and a job, and a variety of other services. For more information, contact the Career Services Office at 610-396-6317.

In 1957, Terrence Roberts was 15-years-old when he joined eight other students to try to integrate Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. For the “Little Rock Nine,” the days that followed were filled with fear and uncertainty. Roberts will continue the conversation about race and segregation in schools in his presentation titled “Lessons from Little Rock” on Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013, at 7:30 p.m. in the Perkins Student Center Auditorium.

In the fall of 1957, President Dwight D. Eisenhower ordered federal troops to Central High School, and a soldier was assigned to protect each African American student; however, Roberts recalls suffering daily physical and verbal abuse. Roberts went on to earn a master’s degree in social work from UCLA, and a Ph.D. in psychology from Southern Illinois University. Today, he is CEO of Terrence J. Roberts & Associates, a management consultant firm devoted to fair and equitable practices.

This presentation is part of the Penn State Berks Arts and Lecture series. For more information, contact the Office of Campus Life at 610-396-6076.

The fifth annual festival is produced by Dr. Radhica Ganapathy, Assistant Professor of Theatre. Ashleigh LeVan, a junior majoring in Theatre, is the assistant producer, and Julia Elberfeld, a first-year student majoring in Theatre is the stage manager.

The following is a list of the plays, student playwrights, and directors for N.O.W. 2013:

• “Primary Colors,” written by Jerrie Johnson, first-year student; directed by Nicholas Gackenbach senior, Theatre major
• “Baby,” written by Stefanie Thomas, senior, Theatre major; directed by Ashanti Acosta, junior, Theatre major 
• “Lost Hope,” written by DayDay Robinson, December 2012 graduate in Theatre; directed by Danielle Fitzgeorge, senior, Theatre major
• “Night at the Gallery,” written by Nicholas Gackenbach, senior, Theatre major; directed by Michael Williams, junior, Theatre major
• “For Better or Worse,” written by Ashanti Acosta; directed by Pat O'Neill, senior, Theatre major.

General admission is $10; admission for Penn State faculty and staff with ID is $7; admission for Penn State students with ID is $5. For more information, contact Dr. Radhica Ganapathy, at 610-396-6432 or via e-mail at RZG3@psu.edu.

The fair will showcase the college's baccalaureate degree programs. Each degree program will have a display table of information, and faculty and current students enrolled in the major will be available to discuss the various aspects of the degree program and answer students' questions.

Penn State Berks currently offers fifteen baccalaureate degree, and additional degree programs are being developed to meet the needs of the local community.

Imagine discovering that you are not the person you thought you were–that you have a family, a history that you never knew. How would this discovery impact your life, the lives of those around you, your vision of yourself and society? Michael Fosberg confronts these issues in “Incognito,” a one-hour, solo theatrical presentation, which will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013, at 7:30 p.m. in Perkins Student Center Auditorium. This presentation is free and open to the public.

Fosberg conveys his story of growing up believing he was “white,” only to discover at age 32 that he is actually “black.” The performance unfolds as a mystery, as Fosberg searches for his biological father, following the divorce of his mother and stepfather. In this often funny, deeply emotional play, the audience makes discoveries of self and is confronted by issues of race, diversity, divorce, and adoption.

This presentation is part of the Penn State Berks Arts and Lecture series. For more information, contact the Office of Campus Life at 610-396-6076.

The keynote speaker is Dr. William Davis, assistant director of clinical psychology at Weidner University and assistant professor of counseling and coordinator of the master’s of arts program at Alvernia University. In addition, the Pine Forge Academy choir and a variety of Berks student groups will perform, and two awards will be given to students who have demonstrated leadership, community involvement, and efforts towards social justice.

Students must have a ticket in order to attend. For additional information or to reserve a seat, please contact Karen Kihurani, Coordinator of Multicultural Programs at Penn State Berks, at 610-396-6080 or via e-mail at KEK5@psu.edu.

"Participation in the drive is valuable and has a direct effect on the stability of the area's blood supply," commented Penn State Berks Health Services Supervisor Alice Holland.

For information or to make an appointment, visit Health Services in room 8 of the Perkins Student Center or call 610-396-6075.