Through the Physical Therapist Assistant program, Penn State Fayette students can receive a two-year associate degree that helps prepare them to become skilled healthcare workers who assist physical therapists in patient treatment. Physical therapist assistants are employed in a variety of settings including hospitals, outpatient clinics, sports and fitness facilities, schools, home health agencies and nursing homes. Sekely says, “There is a high demand for physical therapist assistants in the workforce. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of physical therapist assistants is expected to increase 46 percent from 2010 to 2020, much faster than the average for all occupations. Moreover, helping people recover from an injury and return to optimal function is very rewarding.”

The physical therapist assistant curriculum combines general education, science, and technical courses. Specialized instruction includes anatomy, physiology, kinesiology (the study of motion of the human body), rehabilitative procedures, and the use of specialized equipment Students develop the knowledge and skills required to provide therapeutic exercise, functional training, electrotherapy, and other treatments included in the physical therapy plan of care.

In order to accommodate the clinical practicum, this major requires five semesters to satisfy graduation requirements.

This newly accredited program offers a new option for individuals to earn a physical therapist assistant degree in two years in Fayette County and prepare themselves for an exciting career.

Dr. Francis Achampong, the chancellor at the Fayette campus, says, “The Physical Therapist Assistant Program offers students an excellent opportunity to become part of a growth occupation in the healthcare industry. The accreditation of the program is a testament to the high quality programs for which Penn State is known nationally and internationally.”

For more information about the physical therapist assistant degree program at Penn State Fayette, call 724-430-4130 or visit the website at fayette.psu.edu.

The Physical Therapist Assistant Program at Penn State Fayette is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), 1111 North Fairfax Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314; telephone: 703-706-3245; e-mail: accreditation@apta.org; website: www.capteonline.org.

Individuals and businesses seeking Marcellus Shale training can get the training they need locally through a special partnership of Penn College’s Shale Training and Education Center (ShaleTEC) and Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus.

The training offered at the Fayette campus features a range of non-credit courses to meet the needs of Marcellus Shale industries in the region.

Tina Sepic, Penn State Fayette’s area representative in Outreach and Continuing Education, says, “With Marcellus Shale, it’s like the Wild West out there. These courses offer local companies the opportunity to become players and grow their businesses, but at the same time they are training their workers in safe and responsible drilling practices.”

The ShaleTEC program includes courses on employee training such as Hazard Communications, Land-Based Energy Operations Rigging, PEC Basic SafeLand Orientation, Rough Terrain Forklife Certification, and OSHA courses; Courses relating to the natural gas industry are also available, including surveying, First Aid/CPR & AED, Heavy Equipment Safety & Operations, and Shale Development & Production Overview.

In addition to the courses offered through Penn College, Penn State Fayette can develop custom courses and currently offers a certificate in Land Management that can benefit individuals who are interested in learning more about Marcellus Shale and land use.

Penn State Fayette is one of only three Penn State campuses affiliated with Penn College for this special program (The other campuses are Penn State Dubois and Penn State Wilkes-Barre). Penn College is based in Williamsport, Pa.

Joe Segilia, director of Outreach and Continuing Education at Penn State Fayette, indicated that this partnership effort is an example of how Penn State is providing outreach programming to meet the growing education and training needs of various industries. Segilia says, “This program partnership is consistent with our Outreach and Continuing Education mission. We constantly strive to identify, develop, and deliver quality education and training programs that engage individuals and organizations with the university’s resources. These kinds of efforts can help individuals enhance their personal and professional expertise while also helping to provide economic development opportunities within the communities we serve.”

For more information on courses, contact Penn State Fayette’s Continuing Education office at 724-430-4211.

Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus recognized outstanding achievement and service among its faculty and staff at a special awards banquet recently. Awards were presented in six categories after nominations were considered by the various awards committees this fall.

The excellence awards for 2012 include:

The Scholarly Excellence Award—presented to Dr. Jo Ann Jankoski, assistant professor of human development and family studies, for her accomplished level of scholarship in recent years, including publishing five articles and two book chapters related to her field of study, and for receiving numerous awards for professional excellence and civic endeavors.

Teaching Excellence Award—presented to Dr. Charles “Gib” Prettyman, associate professor of English, for his expertise in creating courses and instructional materials across disciplines, as well as for his ability to instruct maturing thinkers and writers, and mentoring students to read, think and write critically.

CE (Continuing Education) Teaching Excellence Award—presented to Charlotte Lewis, CE and adjunct instructor, for her dedication to students and excellence in the classroom.

Public Service Excellence Award—presented to Dr. John Rapano, instructor of human development and family studies, for his volunteerism and leadership in the community to improve the delivery of health and human services in Fayette County.

Administrative Excellence Award—presented to Chad Long, director of student life, who received this award for his outstanding work with students as a mentor who inspires them to succeed beyond their expectations and become leaders.

Support Services Excellence—presented to William V. “Bill” Hager Jr., webmaster and marketing/communications assistant, for his “always willing to help” attitude, his work with students, especially international students, and his work as advisor to the Diversified Student Association.

Also honored at the awards banquet were Penn State Fayette retirees Robert Crayton and Charlotte Stotelmyer, as well as faculty and staff who reached significant years of service milestones:

Five years: Susan Brimo-Cox, Dr. Susan Crampton-Frenchik, Chris Cupplo, Gina Jones, Janice Maruniak, Jeff Medvec and Joshua Trump;
Ten years: Chad Long;

Fifteen years: Dr. Richard Ball, Robert Durany, Jes Hutson, Mary Ann Walters and Dr. Brad Whitsel;
Twenty years: Tina Reed (2011);

Twenty-five years: Ted Mellors;

Thirty years: David DiPietro, Dr. Frederick Russell Filburn and Paul Mihalko; and
Thirty-five years: Dr. Prem Sattsangi.

Prospective students and their families are invited to attend the Athletic Open House at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus. The Open House will begin with an optional tour at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8 in the Community Center. The program will begin at 10:00 a.m.

The Open House is an opportunity for potential students to explore educational and athletic opportunities. Students and families can meet with faculty and coaches, take a campus tour, and learn the value of a Penn State degree.

Jason Broadwater, director of Enrollment and Student Services at Penn State Fayette, says, “This event is a great opportunity for prospective student athletes to learn about the high quality of a Penn State University degree and the athletic opportunities available to them at Penn State Fayette.”

Prospective students will also have the opportunity to meet with an admissions counselor to complete an application for fall 2013. The application fee will be waived for qualified applicants only. Students are asked to bring their official transcripts.

To R.S.V.P. for the Open House, contact Penn State Fayette Admissions at 724-430-4130.

The local community is invited to hear Zach Wahls speak on Wednesday, Nov. 28 at noon in Swimmer Hall, located in the Williams building.

In 2011, Zach Wahls addressed the Iowa House Judiciary Committee in a public hearing regarding a proposed constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage in Iowa. The then-nineteen-year-old son of a same-sex couple, Wahls proudly proclaimed, “The sexual orientation of my parents has had zero effect on the content of my character.” Hours later, his speech was posted on YouTube, where it quickly received more than two million views.

Wahls will be sharing his experiences with the campus and community. This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact the Office of Student Life at 724-430-4248.

Students will have a chance to complete their application to Penn State and may receive a decision on the spot. By applying at this workshop, the $50 application fee will be waved. Students are required to bring their official transcripts.

By attending the Application Workshop, prospective students and their families will have the opportunity to explore the campus and beat the Nov. 30 application deadline. Admissions counselors will be present to speak with students and offer assistance with the application process.

To R.S.V.P. and request a tour, call 724-430-4130.

Throughout the week, nonperishable food donations can be dropped off outside the Office of Student Life, located in the downstairs of the Williams building on campus. Penn State Fayette staff and students will be personally delivering these items to the New York City Food Bank.

Bring in items such as canned vegetables, canned fruit, dried fruit, cereals, pastas, rice, and canned soups to help those who were affected by Hurricane Sandy’s devastation of the Northeast.

For more information, contact the Office of Student Life at 724-430-4248.

The campus and community are invited to attend a service observing Veterans Day, beginning at noon in front of the Williams building on the Penn State Fayette campus. The service will feature student speakers the Veteran’s Club on campus, a performance by the campus choir, a military retirement ceremony and laying of the wreath, and a performance of “Taps” by a member of the Penn State Fayette faculty. The Laurel Highlands Air Force JROTC will also be present.

This event is free and open to the public.

The program will focus on basic training, continuing education, firearms training, and optional training for more than 650 constables across 22 counties in western Pennsylvania.

Ted A. Mellors, Director of Penn State Fayette’s Center for Community and Public Safety, says, “The training will be delivered at over 20 locations in an effort to have instruction conveniently available to constables in western Pennsylvania. In addition, all classroom-based training will be held in academic environment thus providing an ideal setting for learning.”

Penn State Fayette’s Center for Community and Public Safety, established in 2003 and offering a wide range of coursework in law enforcement, homeland security, and emergency services, will administer the training.

For more information on this program, contact Ted Mellors at 724-430-4214.

Prospective students can learn more about degrees in the following areas: nursing, liberal arts, electrical engineering technology, information sciences and technology, mining technology, building engineering technology, business, physical therapy assistance, human development and family studies, and letters, arts, and science.

Penn State faculty, admissions, and student aid counselors will be available to speak to students interested in achieving an associate degree.

Apply for admission into a Penn State Fayette associate degree program and the $50 application fee will be waived.

To R.S.V.P. and to request a tour, call 724-430-4130. 

Scholarship recipients, scholarship donors, and family and friends gathered recently for a special recognition dinner at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus. The event, now in its fifth year, provides an opportunity for scholarship recipients to get to know some of the individuals that make a Penn State education possible. This year, 270 Penn State Fayette students were awarded scholarships.

Lori Omatick, director of Development at Penn State Fayette, says, “It is very gratifying to witness the fruits of our development efforts each year as the scholars interact with those responsible for making the scholarships possible. We are truly fortunate to be part of such a generous community. Without the sincere generosity of our scholarship donors, many of our students would not be here at Penn State.”

Penn State Fayette student Emily Marchewka spoke at the event on behalf of student scholarship recipients about receiving the James M. Driscoll Scholarship and how it has helped her on her college journey.

The community is invited to gain confidence and creativity in the kitchen as the “Food Dude,” chef and writer Kevin Roberts, brings his culinary talents to Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus for a public presentation Wednesday, Nov. 7 at noon in the Community Center Bird’s Nest Café.

Host of TLC’s “BBQ Pitmasters,” Roberts has a knack for creativity and healthy eating. By focusing his college education on health, nutrition, and kinesiology, Roberts knows cooking from the inside out. His acclaimed cookbook, “Munchies,” is targeted towards those struggling to find quick, simple, and tasty alternatives to fast foods.

This event is free and open to the public. For more information on the event, call 724-430-4248.

On Thursday, Oct. 18, a meeting of the Advisory Board of Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus posthumously honored the 2012 Outstanding Alumnus of Penn State Fayette, Joseph DiNunno. This ceremony took place at the Uniontown Country Club.

Born in Uniontown, DiNunno attended Penn State Fayette from 1938 to 1940 after graduating from South Union High School. After completing two years at the Fayette campus, DiNunno transferred to University Park where he graduated with a bachelor of science in electrical engineering in 1942 and began his professional career as an electrical engineer with Westinghouse Electric Corporation. In 1954, DiNunno completed a master of science in electrical engineering from the University of Maryland.

During his lifetime, DiNunno was employed as head of Office of Environmental Affairs with the Atomic Energy Commission; vice president and general manager of the Environmental Safeguards Division; and Technical Director of the Environmental Systems Group at Nuclear Utility Services Corporation. He became an independent consultant in 1983, providing environmental and nuclear safety advisory services to both industry and the government before his retirement in 1992.

DiNunno was appointed to the Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board by President George Bush in 1992 and re-appointed in 1995 by President Clinton. He received the Secretary’s Gold Medal for Distinguished Service from the Secretary of Energy and the Administrator’s Gold Medal for Distinguished Service from the Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration. For his work in the nuclear profession, DiNunno will be remembered as the “Father” of Integrated Safety Management.

DiNunno established the DiNunno Family Memorial Scholarship to assist in making a Penn State education accessible and affordable to students from Fayette County.

Several members of the DiNunno family were in attendance for the presentation. The award was accepted by Gary DiNunno on his late father’s behalf.

The Outstanding Alumnus/Alumna of Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus, established in 1985, honors former students of the campus whose subsequent professional achievement warrants special recognition by their Alma Mater.

NBC Sports football analyst and former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Hines Ward will be the featured speaker at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 13, in the Main Arena of the Community Center building at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus.

Ward is an on-site analyst for NBC’s Football Night in America and Sunday Night Football. He owns every receiving record in Pittsburgh Steelers franchise history, is a two-time Super Bowl Champion, the Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XL, and a four-time Pro Bowler. Ward has dedicated his time off the field to the betterment of inner city and underprivileged youth in the Pittsburgh and Atlanta areas. His Helping Hands U.S. Foundation focuses on improving literacy among children and will provide programs and services to better equip them for achieving and handling success in life. Abroad, his Helping Hands Korea Foundation (formed as a tribute to his mother) has targeted biracial discrimination, especially as it occurs among the children of Korea.

Tickets are free and will be available to students, faculty, staff, and the general public beginning on October 15, on a first-come, first-served basis.

Tickets will be distributed in the Cultural Center of the Williams Building on Monday, October 15 and Tuesday October 16 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Two free tickets per adult will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information, contact the Office of Student Life at 724-430-4248.

Director of Center for Community and Public Safety Ted Mellors was recognized for 25 years of service at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus. Mellors was presented with an engraved plaque and cherry rocking chair to mark the milestone.

Joe Segilia, director of Outreach and Continuing Education on campus, says, “Ted Mellors has been a great asset to our division at Penn State Fayette. Under his leadership, the Center for Community and Public Safety has developed new programming and created statewide curricula in the areas of healthcare, law enforcement, and military training; these efforts have won state and national awards from Penn State University and from The Association of Continuing Higher Education. In addition, his programming successes have helped build strong relationships with various statewide agencies and have brought significant program funding to our campus.”

Adult students can benefit from the resources available in the new Center for Adult Learners at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus.

The Center for Adult Learners was recently established to provide a range of services for adults considering first-time college enrollment or for adults returned to the college classroom after being away for a period of time.

The center provides a number of support programs and services for non-traditional and adult learners, including the IU1 Adult Learner Program, a CLEP testing center, Student Veterans of America Chapter, a study area, and lounge. Admissions and student aid counselors are also nearby.

“We’re seeing a great turnout of students for the new adult center. It’s a place for students to come to relax and socialize, or it can be used as a resource center,” said Apryl Kadish, admissions counselor.

A non-traditional or adult student is an individual who is age 24 or older; a veteran of the Armed Services or an active duty service member; an individual who is returning to school after four or more years of absence; or an individual who assumes multiple roles such as a parent, employee and student.

The Center for Adult Learners, located in room 108 of the Eberly Building, is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and evenings by appointment.

For more information, call 724-430-4124.

Gregory A. Burton, president and CEO of BrickStreet Mutual Insurance Company, continues the fall 2012 series “CEO Conversations” at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus on Wednesday, Oct. 17. This free event is open to the public and will be held in the Penn State Fayette campus Community Center’s Bird’s Nest Café from noon to 1 p.m.

BrickStreet Mutual Insurance Company is West Virginia’s first private worker’s compensation carrier and is among the largest writers of worker’s compensation coverage in the nation.

Burton received a bachelor of science in marketing and management finance from the University of Charleston and a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Kentucky. He currently oversees policy direction, leadership, strategic plan implementation and budget development for BrickStreet.

Previously, Burton served as city manager of Charleston; chairman and former board member of the West Virginia Healthcare Authority; assistant vice president of investment banking with Ferris, Baker, Watts; vice president and head of corporate trust with Bank One; and assistant vice president of Bank of West Virginia.

CEO Conversations is designed to give students the opportunity to hear from and talk with key individuals in the local, regional, and national business communities about business, entrepreneurship and leadership. The 2012 guest speaker series is being sponsored by Joseph A. Hardy III.

John Riddle, Penn State Fayette’s head librarian and organizer of the annual film festival, says, “What better time to see how movie politicians can outshine, or out-stumble, the real candidates? If you’re tired of campaign ads on television 24/7, take a break and come watch some of the best political movies ever made.”

Films being featured at this year’s film festival include:

Oct. 16—“Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” (1939) starring James Stewart as Jefferson Smith, a new naïve senator who must learn to play hardball while staying true to his idealism. Facing down corruption and scandal, Smith’s desperate speech at the end is one of the greatest scenes in movie history.

Oct. 18— “The Best Man” (1964). From a play by recently deceased Gore Vidal and starring Henry Fonda as an honest by-the-rules presidential candidate pitted against his do-anything-to-win challenger played by Cliff Robertson, the film evokes a time when conventions were not just managed media events but fight-to-the-death political struggles.

Oct. 23— “The War Room” (1993). An award-winning documentary about Bill Clinton’s 1992 Presidential campaign with unique behind-the-scenes study of the art and craft of a campaign.

Oct. 25— “Wag the Dog” (1997), a political satire starring Dustin Hoffman as the movie producer with the biggest job of his career and Robert DeNiro as the seasoned political hand for whom inventing a war is just another spin tactic.

Oct. 30— “Election” (1999). A brilliant comedy about a vicious high school election for class president that mirrors national politics. Starring Matthew Broderick, Reese Witherspoon, and Chris Klein.

Nov. 1— “In the Loop” (2009) is a side-splitting send-up on how England and the United States leaders would like to get into a Middle East war, almost in spite of themselves. Bumbling Member of Parliament Simon Tucker makes a television remark that sets off waves of political shenanigans in London and Washington. As the dim-witted Tucker tries to “manage” the events, his higher-ups stumble over each other trying to find the political gravy in all this.

For more information call 724-430-4155 or visit the campus website http://www.fayette.psu.edu.

Prospective students will get to experience life as a Penn State student, and learn how they can get on track of an exciting career with any one of Penn State Fayette’s baccalaureate or associate degrees or take the first two years of more than 160 Penn State majors. Other activities that day will include a campus tour, informational workshops about applying to Penn State Fayette, student aid services and a look at student life and student activities.

Attendees who plan to apply to Penn State during the event should bring their official high school transcript to qualify for a $50 application fee waiver.

For more information or to register, call 724-430-4130 or visit www.fayette.psu.edu/admissions. Parents are welcome to participate.

As seen performing at Gotham Comedy Club, New York Comedy Club, Comix, and Broadway Comedy Club, these comedians are sure to entertain.

Comedian Adam Lucidi says, “I love performing in front of my hometown; it’s pretty much where all of this started for me. I’ve learned to laugh with and at a lot of stuff about Uniontown.”

This event is free and open to the public. For ticket information, contact the Office of Student Life at (724) 430-4248.

Students will have an opportunity to learn about Penn State and have questions answered on topics that are of utmost importance to them as high school students. In addition, participants will be able to tour the campus, sit in on two mock classes and mingle with current Penn State Fayette students and faculty. Admissions and Student Aid staff will be available to answer questions.

Prospective students will get to experience life as a Penn State student, and learn how they can get on track of an exciting career with any one of Penn State Fayette’s baccalaureate or associate degrees or take the first two years of more than 160 Penn State majors. Parents of high school students are welcome to participate.

Reservations are required. Register by calling 724-430-4130 or online at www.fayette.psu.edu.

“The Anatomy of Hate” reveals the shared narratives found in individual and collective ideologies of hate, and how we as a species can overcome these ideologies. For six years, filmmaker Michael Bochenek worked with unprecedented access to some of the most violent conflicts of our time.

This event is free and open to the public.

The forum will address Megan’s Law and the Adam Walsh Act in order to educate the public on the details of how each law works. The community is invited to join in on panel discussions with representatives from state and local law enforcement, the Fayette County District Attorney’s office, Fayette County Juvenile Probation, Penn State Fayette faculty, Children and Youth Services, and the Crime Victims’ Center of Fayette County.

The forum’s special guest speaker will be Herbert Hays, a certified forensic consultant and a member of the state’s Sexual Offenders Assessment Board.

This educational forum is sponsored by the Crime Victims’ Center of Fayette County, Fayette County Children and Youth Services, Penn State Cooperative Extension and Penn State Fayette.

The schedule offers a multitude of opportunities for individuals to improve career skills with classes in information technology, business skills, and grant writing, or the focus could be on personal enrichment with classes in digital photography, technology, languages, and more.

Certificate program classes are available in real estate fundamentals and real estate practice.

Healthcare providers can take emergency medical technician courses, paramedic refresher courses, and advanced cardiac life support recertification.

These subjects are just a sampling of what Penn State Fayette has to offer this fall! For a complete listing of non-credit fall classes, visit online at www.fayette.psu.edu or call the Continuing Education Department at (724) 430-4211.

The SHRM provides the most current and comprehensive knowledge of six functional areas of human resources management: strategic management; workforce planning and employment; human resource development; compensation and benefits; employee and labor relations; and occupational health, safety, and security.

Joe Segilia, director of Outreach and Continuing Education on campus, says, “The program is being offered in response to the education and training needs of business professionals in southwestern Pennsylvania and West Virginia.” We are pleased to be working with our colleagues at Penn State Lehigh Valley and the excellent faculty from SHRM organization to bring this professional development opportunity to the local community.

The SHRM Learning System is a 40-hour program designed to expand the skills and knowledge of individuals in the human resources field. The program is a blend of online and traditional classroom learning and will be held on Saturdays, Sept. 22 and 29; Oct. 6, 20, and 27; Nov. 10 and 17; and Dec. 1 and 8 from 9-11:30 a.m.

Individuals who successfully complete the course will be awarded 4.0 Continuing Education units (40 contact hours) and a Penn State certificate in Professional Human Resource Management. The cost of the course is $1149 and includes course materials.

For more information, please visit www.hrci.org or contact Tina Sepic at 724-430-4100 ext. 4516.

The PEC Basic SafeGulf/SafeLand Orientation Course will be presented Wednesday, Sept. 26 from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. This course is designed to take the place of multiple operator orientations and give each participant a general idea of life and safety issues in the oil and gas industry: upstream, downstream, onshore or offshore. This course meets API RP 75 and API RP T-1 requirements and provides a basic, awareness-level understanding of certain general safety information that an employee should know before entering a company facility and while performing assigned work duties.

The Shell Bluebook Orientation will be offered Thursday, Sept. 27 from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Participants in this course will gain an awareness of Shell’s commitment to pursue the goal of no harm to people or the environment as well as the minimum expectations for working safely on any Shell location. This course describes Shell’s systematic approach in meeting and exceeding compliance with the law, identification and management of HSE risks, and respect for our local communities. This training also describes the Shell Golden Rules and 12 Life Saving Rules.

There is a fee for the courses, which will take place at Penn State Fayette’s Corporate Training Center in the Eberly Building.

To register for the courses visit msetc.org or call 570-327-4775. Visit the website for full course descriptions and a complete list of class offerings.

The course includes strategies and techniques for taking the test and a review of verbal and math concepts. Students will also work on how to tackle the essay portion of the test. The 2012 fall SAT test dates are Oct. 6, Nov. 3, and Dec. 1.

Two sessions of the SAT Prep Course are being offered at the Fayette campus:

• Five Thursdays, Oct. 4-Nov. 1, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Five Saturdays, Oct. 6-Nov. 3, from 9:00 a.m. to noon.

The course costs $109 (the textbook is included) and will use The Official SAT Study Guide: For the New SAT. Anyone who has a copy of the text may deduct $20 from the fee. Tuition for individuals repeating the course for the second time is $69. Both sessions of the course will be taught at Penn State Fayette’s Corporate Training Center in the Eberly Building.

For more information or to register, call 724-430-4211 or visit the website at www.fayette.psu.edu/CE.

Andrew J. Diana, incoming president of Bayer Business and Technology Services (BBTS) LLC, will launch the fall 2012 series “CEO Conversations” at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus on Wednesday, Sept. 19. This free event is open to the public and will be held in the Penn State Fayette campus’ Community Center Bird’s Nest Café from noon to 1 p.m.

Bayer is a global enterprise with core competencies in the fields of health care, agriculture, and high-tech materials.

Diana has been with Bayer since May 1980 and will become president of Bayer Business and Technology Services on October 1. He has a broad level of information systems experience including applications, infrastructure, and customer relationship, currently serving as vice president of Infrastructure Global Center Americas for BBTS.

Diana’s previous roles include vice president of BBS IT Operations North America and Asia Pacific IT Operations, as well as head of NAFTA IS Communications and Command Center.

Diana is a Global IBM Tivoli Advisory Board member and a Pittsburgh Project for Freedom non-profit board member. He has also held various management roles leading development and deployment of Bayer business application software and leading outsourcing activities.

Diana holds a bachelor of science degree in mathematics and computer science and a master of business administration.

CEO Conversations is designed to give students the opportunity to hear from and talk with key individuals in the local, regional, and national business communities about business, entrepreneurship and leadership. The 2012 guest speaker series is being sponsored by Joseph A. Hardy III.

Etienne’s performances combine dramatic illusions with theatrical effects to put a new spin on classic magic tricks. Audiences can enjoy a thrilling and comedic experience complete with rock show lighting and music elements. Etienne has traveled the world developing his own original magic effects.

“I learn from and work with some of the best minds in this business so that I can provide my audience with a truly world class, one-of-a-kind, memorable experience from start to finish. I bring the best I can to the stage for every performance,” said Etienne.

Etienne is an accomplished Magical Arts Performer with over a decade of professional performing experience. His love and passion for the art of magic has taken him around the globe, performing nationally and internationally in Germany, England, Ireland, Wales, and Australia. Etienne’s performances have won him several prestigious awards, including CNY Magician of the Year and Stage Magic Champion from the Magicians’ Alliance of Eastern States.

This event is free and open to the public.

Friday, Sept. 7, is Seminar Day, and will include a number of discussion panels with industry experts on a wide range of topics beneficial to those interested in the Marcellus Shale industry. “Seizing the Opportunity: Tools to Educate Your Business,” “Thinking Outside the Box,” Navigating PA Regulations,” and “Perspectives on Health and Safety in the Natural Gas Industry” are seminars that will feature OSHA representatives, local emergency management officials and more. The cost to attend seminar day is $20. Lunch will be provided.

The Business-to-Business Trade Show Saturday, Sept. 8, will provide direct access to companies in the gas development industry. This two-day event is designed to help area businesses learn how they can be a part of this new Fayette County industry.

To get more information about the expo as a participant or an exhibitor, visit www.tricountyoilandgas.com. Inquiries can also be made by contacting the local coordinators: Fayette County Chamber of Commerce at 724-437-4571 or Fay-Penn Economic Development Council at 724-437-7913.

The August session of the program features courses in a wide variety of subjects: science and nature courses allow students the chance to go exploring on a backyard safari or become mad scientists; art and history are used to discover the world of pirates; dreams may come true for students who want to participate in their own theatrical production; sports and fitness courses challenge sports and fitness courses challenge students in baseball strategies; and many more.

“Our summer programs this year have provided great academic and social enrichment opportunities for children in our area. Led by our outstanding faculty, school age children explored new areas of learning and made new friends in a safe and welcoming environment. The classes scheduled this week will continue with that same plan. Our program outcomes are educational, but they also make learning fun,” says Joe Segilia, director of Outreach and Continuing Education at the campus.

The week-long session of this summer program will take place Monday through Friday, August 6-10. Classes are offered as a morning session, which take place from 9 a.m. to noon, and an afternoon session from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. each day. The fee for a morning session class is $89 for the week, or $159 for a morning and afternoon session course for a week. Lunch will be provided.

For more information, a complete schedule of Kids in College courses or to register, call 724-430-4211 or visit www.fayette.psu.edu and click on Continuing Education.

PennTAP is a federal, state, and Pennsylvania State University partnership providing technical assistance to businesses to improve their competitiveness in the areas of energy, environment, new product development, and advanced information technology.

Small businesses with 500 employees or less located in rural Pennsylvania (as defined by the USDA) may be eligible to participate for energy audits and renewable energy development assistance.

The program runs through September 2012. For more information, visit www.penntap.psu.edu or contact John Pletcher of PennTAP at 814-863-6393 or jep13@psu.edu.

Prospective students can get a taste of student life at Penn State Fayette by taking a campus tour, participating in a scavenger hunt, and meeting with Penn State Fayette faculty. Visitors can also learn about Penn State’s 160-plus majors. Admissions and student aid staff will be on hand to answer questions.

For more information and to register, call 724-430-4130 or register online at www.fayette.psu.edu.

Nearly 170 high school students from 14 local school districts were inducted into the Penn State Fayette and United Bank 4.0 Club on Saturday, June 23 at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus. Joined by some 300 family and friends, students from Albert Gallatin, Belle Vernon, Bethlehem Center, Brownsville, California, Carmichaels, Connellsville, Frazier, Geibel, Jefferson Morgan, Laurel Highlands, Southmoreland, Turkeyfoot Valley, and Uniontown Area High School were offered admittance to this organization by finishing the 2012 academic year with a cumulative 4.0 or better grade point average. Sponsors from United Bank, McMillan Engineering, and the Penn State Fayette Alumni Society were on hand.

Plans for the complex’s construction are in the early stages, according to Vince Capozzi, Fayette’s athletic director.

“I’m really excited to know that we will have another first-class facility to showcase not only Fayette athletics, but also our entire campus,” Capozzi said. “One of my primary goals when I arrived here at Fayette was to work toward building a baseball/softball facility on campus.”

Capozzi wasn’t alone in recognizing the benefits of an on-campus complex. State Sen. Richard Kasunic, himself a former baseball player, was instrumental in helping the campus secure half of the funding for the $1.5 million project and the campus’ chancellor, Dr. Francis Achampong, was also a strong supporter of the plan and worked diligently to help it become a reality.

“Dr. Achampong was really committed to this project from the first day. Both he and Senator Kasunic see this as an investment in our future in that it will help recruit and retain students for our campus,” Capozzi said. “We also had strong support from our Fayette students.”

Ryan Ehrie, the school’s assistant athletic director and a member of the baseball coaching staff, pointed out that construction of an on-campus facility will go beyond athletics. “It will be a way for us to build a sense of community not only on campus, but hopefully with local residents as well,” he noted. “What better way could there be to spend those first warm days of spring than sitting outside in the sunshine watching our teams play? I can really see our campus community getting behind our teams.”

For Head Men’s Baseball Coach Ray Smitley the construction of the complex is a dream come true. “I’m very, very excited to hear this news,” said Smitley, who has been with the program since its inception 12 years ago, serving as head coach for the past six. “We’ve been waiting a long time. I really appreciate the efforts of everyone who worked hard to make this a reality.”

Smitley noted that he believes that the complex will make both the baseball and softball teams more competitive. “It will definitely help us with recruiting,” he said.

Head Softball Coach Bethany Novotny sees the proposed complex as yet another example of the high level of support and commitment to athletics that exists on the Fayette campus.

“This will not only provide a wonderful place for our athletes to play, but will be inviting for students, faculty and staff to attend as well as add to the appeal of our campus for future students,” Novotny added.

While exact details about the complex’s design aren’t complete, Capozzi noted that the facility “will be to our spring sports what our Main Arena is to basketball, volleyball and wrestling.” He adds, “From the preliminary design we have seen, it’s going to be amazing.”

A timeline for the construction of the complex has yet to be finalized, however Capozzi noted that the campus is aggressively moving along in the process and that work on the complex will hopefully commence soon. It is not known when the fields will be ready.

With that in mind, the tentative plans will be for both teams to continue practicing and playing home games at the Hutchinson Field in Hopwood, as they have for the past decade.

“We’ve been happy to call Hutchinson home for these past many years,” Capozzi said. “And we need to thank the South Union Township Supervisors, especially Robert Schiffbauer, for making us feel so welcome.”

Planning Committee co-chair and Penn State Fayette kinesiology instructor, Jes Hutson, says, “The 4.0 Club was well received last year when it debuted. This year we are pleased to expand the reach of the 4.0 Club beyond Fayette County to all the high schools in the Fayette campus’ region. Because there are banquets and events in Fayette County to honor athletes, scholar-athletes and students involved in community service, it made sense to try and start something to recognize students with a 4.0 or better GPA.”

United Bank is the key sponsor of this year’s 4.0 Club. Tickets for the event are free for the inductees and $3 for guests. The event includes breakfast.

Letters containing information about the 4.0 Club were sent to 30 area high schools. However, if a qualifying student did not receive information, please contact the Penn State Fayette admissions office at 724-430-4130. All reservations must be made by June 18. No tickets will be sold at the door.

The fourth annual Blues and White Gala scholarship fundraising event hosted by Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus May 12 raised nearly $40,000 for student scholarships. This brings the total of Blues and White scholarship funds to $138,000 over the four years the gala has been held.

The theme of this year’s gala was “Blues and White with a Tuscan Twist.” More than 100 people attended the event held at Horizon Point in Nemacolin Woodlands Resort. Emcee for the gala was Larry Richert, host of the KDKA News Radio Morning News, and featured musical entertainment was vocalist Angelo Babbaro, performing in the style of Frank Sinatra.  Both silent and live auctions were successful and gala attendees went home with some noteworthy items, including sports memorabilia, travel, shopping and dining packages, and much more.

The gala is significant because all of the proceeds raised provide scholarships to students who may not otherwise afford a Penn State education. Currently, 90 percent of Penn State Fayette students qualify for student aid, and approximately 25 students benefited from last year’s gala proceeds.

Lori Omatick, gala planning chair and director of Development at the Fayette campus, says, “The significance in this effort is that 100 percent of the proceeds raised in the spring are distributed to students in the following academic year, as opposed to the various endowed scholarships, which disburse only a percentage of the principal fund balance each year.”

The gala also provided the Fayette campus an opportunity to recognize the Swimmer family as “Friends of Penn State Fayette.” This special honor was created to recognize an individual or organization that has been exceptionally supportive of Penn State Fayette throughout the years through scholarships, awards, and activities.

Some of the gala’s key sponsors this year included: Nemacolin Woodlands Resort; Joshua and Maria Swimmer; Lenore Swimmer; Gerald and Carolyn Blaney; the Penn State Fayette Advisory Board; and many others.

Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus athletic director Vince Capozzi was recently named the 2012 United States Collegiate Athletic Association Athletic Director of the Year. The award was presented at the 2012 USCAA National Convention held in Virginia Beach, Va.

Mr. Capozzi receives the honor in a year where he served as the Tournament Director for the USCAA National Basketball Championships for the fourth straight year and also captured a conference title as an assistant coach for women’s basketball.

Penn State Fayette captured two conference championships in 2011-12, as the women’s volleyball program won their fourth consecutive crown and women’s basketball won their first conference title in the program’s five-year history. In the past year, Mr. Capozzi has also overseen the addition of Fayette’s ninth intercollegiate sport, wrestling, and has helped increase student-athlete participation to record numbers in 2011-12.

Under his direction, Penn State Fayette has increased its number of Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference All-Academic honorees in each of his five years, including a record 42 in 2011-12. The Roaring Lions also earned a department best five USCAA Academic All-Americans, while 22 Fayette student-athletes were recognized locally or nationally for their academic and athletic achievements over the past year.

Mr. Capozzi has also helped facilitate the expansion of the USCAA National Basketball Championships to 34 teams in four divisions, while increasing the visibility of the tournament and the Fayette athletic programs in the local community, including a new Fayette athletics website.

For more information on Penn State Fayette athletics, go to www.goroaringlions.com or follow us on Twitter @GoRoaringLions.

The Penn State Fayette Alumni Society invites the community to participate in the 10th annual Blue & White Golf Open to be held Friday, June 29 at the Uniontown Country Club. The format of the event will be a 4-person scramble beginning with a shotgun start at 1:00 p.m.

A special tenth anniversary entry fee features golf packages begin at $100. The fee includes golf, the use of a golf cart during the event, steak dinner, a chance to win cash prizes, and more.

Interested sponsors can purchase advertising packages beginning at $25 with the option to provide promotional items to be put up for auction, raffled off, or included in golfers’ gift bags. All of these donations will be recognized in the program.

Proceeds from the event benefit the campus and community initiatives of the Penn State Fayette Alumni Society.

Please R.S.V.P. by Wednesday, June 20. For more information on signing up, visit http://fayette.psu.edu/alumni or call 724-430-4190.

The Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame will honor two Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus student-athletes at its upcoming induction ceremony and awards banquet June 23. Junior wrestler Dan Karpency and sophomore cross country runner Jennifer Naymick were selected as the 2011-12 Penn State Fayette Scholar-Athletes for their outstanding academic and athletic accomplishments.

Both Karpency and Naymick have been trailblazers of sorts for Roaring Lions’ athletic programs, as they both compete for relatively new sports at Fayette. Karpency transferred to Fayette to be a part of this year’s inaugural wrestling season, while Naymick joined a second-year cross country program when she enrolled in the fall of 2010.

“It was challenging being part of (a new) team,” says Naymick. “There weren’t many people who knew we had a team (last year), but my second year on the team showed me how much a sports program can grow in a short amount of time.”

Naymick competed in the 2010 United States Collegiate Athletic Association Cross Country Championships, where she finished 16th as a freshman. She is also two-time Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference all-academic honoree, and earned USCAA Academic All-American honors in 2011-12.

“When I heard Penn State Fayette was going to have a wrestling team, I knew that I wanted to be a part of this team,” says Karpency. “I enjoyed getting back into wrestling after being off for two years and Penn State Fayette has afforded me the opportunity to compete again.”

Karpency won Fayette’s first ever conference wrestling crown in 2012, taking the 157 lb. weight class in the PSUAC/USCAA Championships at University Park, Pa. in February. He also earned PSUAC All-Academic honors in his first year at Fayette.

Penn State Fayette’s athletic director, Vince Capozzi, nominated the pair based on excellence on the field, demonstration of leadership and previously being named to an all-academic team.

The Fayette County Sports Hall of Fame banquet and awards ceremony will be held Saturday, June 23, at 5:30 p.m. in Penn State Fayette’s Community Center Main Arena. Tickets for the Hall of Fame banquet can be purchased by calling Jes Hutson at 724-430-4100, ext. 4886.

Four summer camps will be offered in June and July:

• June 11-15—Students in grades 10 through 12 can explore advanced industry technologies in Mining Camp. Campers will learn through experiments, videos, and lectures from experts in the coal mining industry. Classes for this camp will be held off-campus at Westmoreland County Community College’s Greene County Education Center.
• June 18-21—Students in grades nine through 12 can learn about future occupations during Health Care Career Camp. Students will learn about career options through hands-on activities, tours, and visits from guest speakers from various health care organizations. Students will also learn about first aid and become certified in CPR and AED.
• June 25-29—The S.T.E.M Camp, intended for students in grades nine through 12, will help students understand how Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics concepts can be applied to the Marcellus Shale Industry. It will introduce students to the processes and issues involved as they relate to the economy, geology, environmental science, engineering, and math. This camp has been funded through a grant from Chevron.
• July 23-26—High school students in grades nine through 12 can attend SAT Prep Camp to learn how to tackle the SAT exam. This camp teaches test-taking techniques to help students realize their full potential by reviewing verbal and math concepts as well as tips on tackling the essay portion of the test.

For more information about the 2012 summer camps or to register, call 724-430-4211 or visit fayette.psu.edu and click on Continuing Education.

Not only will prospective students learn about the true value of a Penn State education, as reported in The Wall Street Journal and Smart Money Magazine, they can experience what it is like to attend Penn State Fayette by taking a campus tour, participating in a scavenger hunt and meeting with Penn State Fayette faculty. Plus, attendees can learn about Penn State’s 160-plus majors, including baccalaureate degrees and associate degrees that can be completed locally at Penn State Fayette which focus on energy, allied health, and technology. Admissions and student aid staff will be on hand to answer questions.

For more information and to register, call 724-430-4130 or register online at www.fayette.psu.edu.

Nearly 40 Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus’ students received awards honoring academic and athletic achievements at the annual awards banquet held recently. Among the evening’s top honors were:

The Eric A. and Josephine S. Walker Award, named in honor of the late Penn State President and Mrs. Eric Walker, was presented to John Peck. The award was established in 1971 to recognize a full-time undergraduate student who possesses outstanding qualities of character, scholarship, leadership and citizenship in programs and services that have positively influenced students and contributed to the campus and its prestige.

The Dennis Hippo Memorial Award, in honor of Dennis Hippo, a member of Penn State Fayette’s first graduating class who was killed in action in Vietnam, is awarded to one male and one female full-time student each year. The recipients must exemplify the attributes of Hippo in the areas of leadership, campus and community involvement, academic persistence, service and altruism. This year’s award recipients were Angela Simmons and Therman King.

The Scholastic Excellence Award recognizes students who compete in a written and oral academic research presentation. This year’s finalists were Rebecca Corvin, Shirley Rojas-Acosta, and Rachael Franks. Franks was the award recipient.

The complete list of student award winners includes:

• Leadership Awards
  • Eric A. and Josephine S. Walker Award: John Peck
  • Dennis Hippo Memorial Award: Angela Simmons and Therman King
• University Awards
  • Freshman President’s Awards: Esther Blizman, Harrision Boyd, Ian Colbert, John Cook, Amanda Domaracki, Alex Hamborsky, Moriah Kromer, Tracy Leapline, Kaycee May, Shawn Sherwood
  • President Sparks Awards: Frances Gilmore, Heather Hunchuck, Mitchell McCloskey, Samantha Molton, Jacob Phelps
• Academic Awards:
  • Administration of Justice Student of the Year Award: Andrew Stepanik
  • Associates in Business Award: Fran Gilmore
  • Bachelors of Science in Business Award: Brent Lint and Brooke Mollick
  • English and American Studies Award: John Peck
  • Human Development & Family Studies Baccalaureate Award: Kristan Miller
  • Kinesiology Award: Lori Beth Wallace (Fall), Rachael Franks (Spring), and Drexel Rothrauff (Spring)
  • Philosophy Award: Aushay Stinogle
  • Physical Therapy Award: Jamie Forys
  • Thelma Sandy Award in Nursing: Ashley Ludwig (Fall) and Nicole Denard (Spring)
• Campus Awards
  • Scholastic Excellence Award Winner: Rachael Franks
  • Port Family Public Service Award: Kristan Miller
  • Joanne Genova Sujansky Memorial Leadership Award: Brent Lint and Nicole Ardabell
  • Drozd Family Humanitarian Assistance and Community Service Award: Robert Ruggieri
  • Club of the Year Award: Human Development and Family Studies Association
• Penn State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC)
  • Men’s Basketball: David Winns—First Team; Brandon Cunningham—Newcomer of the Year, Honorable Mention; James Pratt—Honorable Mention
  • Men’s Wrestling All-Academic Team: Dan Karpency—157lb. Champion
  • Women’s Basketball Team: Jillian Guthrie—First Team, Player of the Year; Kasey Ruble—Honorable Mention; Caitlin Wontroba—First Team, Newcomer of the Year
  • Women’s Volleyball: Leah Ambrosini—Player of the Year, First Team; Janelle Cooper—Honorable Mention, Co-Newcomer of the Year; Samantha Helmantoler—Honorable Mention; Katie Sleasman—First Team; Nancy Wheeler—Coach of the Year
  • Women’s Softball: Katie Volek—First Team, Newcomer of the Year; Moriah Kromer—Honorable Mention; Shelby Dziak—Honorable Mention
  • Men’s Baseball All-Academic Team: Sam Buecher—First Team; Zach Durbin—First Team; Alex Fogle—Second Team
• United State Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA)
  • Cross Country Academic All-American: Jacynth Drumhiller, Rachael Franks, Heather Hunchuck, Jennifer Naymick
  • Men’s Basketball: David Winns—First Team All-American
  • Women’s Basketball: Jillian Guthrie—First Team All-American; Kasey Ruble—Honorable Mention; Caitlin Wontroba—Honorable Mention; Shelby Yourchik—Academic All-American
  • Women’s Volleyball: Leah Ambrosini—First Team All-American; Katie Sleasman—Honorable Mention

The Summer Youth Program features courses in a wide variety of subjects: science courses allow students to have fun with chemistry or become mad scientists; sports and fitness courses challenge students in baseball strategies and the food pyramid; arts and crafts classes include acting and photography; math becomes fun with and “Awe-Sum Math” class; and many more.

“This summer program is a great academic enrichment opportunity for children to learn, interact with children from other school districts, and have fun in a safe and friendly environment. The classes are educational, but they make learning fun,” says Joe Segilia, director of Outreach and Continuing Education at the campus.

Week One courses will take place from June 25-29; week two classes will take place from July 9-13; and week three classes will take place from August 6-10. Classes are offered as a morning session, which take place from 9 a.m. to noon, and an afternoon session from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. each day. The fee for a morning session class is $89 for the week, or $159 for a morning and afternoon session course for a week. Lunch will be provided.

For more information, a complete schedule of Kids in College courses or to register, call 724-430-4211 or visit www.fayette.psu.edu and click on Continuing Education.

Team members and coaches of the Penn State Fayette Women’s Volleyball and Women’s Basketball teams were honored with proclamations and citations from Pennsylvania state Reps. Deberah Kula and Tim Mahoney, Sen. Richard A. Kasunic, and Fayette County Commissioners Alfred F. Ambrosini, Vincent Zapotosky and Angela M. Zimmerlink. The special recognition was for the volleyball team’s win of the 2011 PSUAC championship—its fourth consecutive title—and the basketball team’s first PSUAC championship win. There were also individual proclamations for team members and coaches who received individual post-season honors. Among those in attendance for the presentations on Wednesday evening, May 16, were (from left): Rep. Deberah Kula, volleyball team member Emily Konter, basketball team captain Kasey Ruble, and Commissioner Al Ambrosini.

Freshmen Shelby Dziak (Eighty Four, Pa.), Moriah Kromer (Mount Pleasant, Pa.) and Katie Volek (Smithfield, Pa.) all earned their first PSUAC honors in softball, including Volek’s selection as the PSUAC Newcomer of the Year. Volek’s selection as the Newcomer of the Year gives the Roaring Lions their fourth such award this year. Dziak and Kromer were named to the PSUAC Honorable Mention squad, while Volek also earned PSUAC First Team honors.

Senior baseball players Sam Beucher (Connellsville, Pa.) and Zach Durbin (Carmichaels, Pa.) earned their third and second PSUAC selections, respectively, while sophomore teammate Alex Fogle (Connellsville, Pa.) received his first postseason nod. Fogle made the PSUAC Second Team, while Durbin was named to the conference’s First Team. Beucher was named to the First Team as a pitcher and the Second Team as a position player.

Volek appeared in 16 games for Fayette, batting .519 with a slugging percentage of .906 before an ankle injury in mid-April sidelined her the remainder of the season. Despite missing 12 games, Volek finished second on the team in RBIs with 20, and picked up a win on the mound for Fayette in three appearances. Of her 28 hits, 11 went for extra bases, including three home runs, good for fifth best in the PSUAC, and eight doubles.

Volek becomes the fourth Fayette female student-athlete to win a conference Newcomer of the Year award in the past two years, joining Jill Guthrie (Women's Basketball, 2010-11), Janelle Cooper (Women's Volleyball, 2011) and Caitlin Wontroba (Women's Basketball, 2011-12). Volek joins Cooper, Wontroba and Brandon Cunningham (Men’s Basketball, 2011-12) as the four conference Newcomer’s of the Year for Fayette in 2011-12.

Dziak finished fourth in doubles in the PSUAC with nine and eighth in hits with 33, primarily batting in the lead-off spot in all 28 games for Fayette. Dziak batted .347 for the Roaring Lions to finish second on the team behind Kromer, and added 15 RBIs. Not only was Dziak consistent at the plate, but she provided the Roaring Lions with strong defense behind it, committing only two errors in 167 chances as the team's primary catcher, good for a team-high .988 fielding percentage.

Kromer appeared in all 28 of the Roaring Lions' games, hitting .374 to lead Fayette and finish 13th in the PSUAC. Kromer led the PSUAC with six triples, and also added a home run and five stolen bases for the Roaring Lions. Her 26 runs scored were the sixth-most in the PSUAC, and her 34 hits led Fayette. On the mound, Kromer was fourth in the PSUAC in ERA at 3.01, while picking up a team-best six wins. In 90 2/3 innings, Kromer struck out 88 batters, and finished second in the PSUAC with 6.79 strikeouts per game.

Beucher, a United States Collegiate Athletic Association Honorable Mention and the conference's co-Player of the Year in 2011, earns his third consecutive PSUAC First Team selection. Beucher was also named to the PSUAC Second Team as an infielder in 2012, making him the only player in the conference to be recognized as both a pitcher and position player. Beucher picked up one win and two saves, tied for the most in the PSUAC, and pitched to a 2.42 ERA, while striking out 47, both good for fifth-best in the conference. As a position player, Beucher finished second in batting for Fayette, cracking 33 hits to hit .355. His four home runs tied him for the team lead with Durbin, and also placed him third in the conference. Beucher also finished second on the team with 24 RBIs, while drawing a team-high 20 walks.

Durbin earns his second PSUAC honor, being named to the Second Team in 2010 following his sophomore season. Durbin led Fayette in hitting in 2012, batting a career-high .389 to finish sixth in the PSUAC. He tied Beucher with four home runs to lead the team, and also knocked in 24 RBIs to finish second for Fayette. Durbin's 11 doubles were good enough for fourth in the PSUAC, while his career-best .644 slugging percentage in 2012 placed him third in the PSUAC. Durbin also contributed as a pitcher, earning two wins and striking out 31 in 35 1/3 innings.

Fogle's selection to the PSUAC Second Team is his first conference award, as he finished the season leading Fayette with 28 RBIs. Fogle hit .346 on the season, third best for Fayette, while adding three home runs and six doubles. His 28 RBIs were eight-best in the conference, and he led Fayette in hits (37) and at-bats (107).

Fayette baseball finished 13-19 in 2012, 7-11 in the PSUAC. The Roaring Lions return eight players for 2013, including six starters. The Roaring Lions softball team finished 13-15, 9-7 in the PSUAC, in 2012, narrowly missing the conference playoffs by one game for the third straight season. Fayette returns nine players, including eight starters, for 2013.

Families, friends, classmates, and colleagues of Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus gathered in the Main Arena in the Community Center on Saturday, May 5, for the 42nd Annual Commencement ceremony. Pennsylvania State Senator Richard A. Kasunic was the featured speaker at the ceremony. He shared a number of thoughts and insights with the graduates. In part, Kasunic said, “Up to this time, your work has been directed and made as easy and beneficial as trained minds could make it. From now on, you must rely upon your own efforts. The good you derived from your college experience will depend entirely upon you. The success you make of your life career will likewise be due to your own initiative.” He also pointed out that each graduate is an important person, “for each of you possess the dignity of human life, filled with all kinds of possibilities to make the world a better place in which to live. Always remember you can’t control the length of your life, but you can have something to say about the width and depth of it.”

The 31st annual Women’s Day will take place on Thursday, May 17 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus’ Maggie Hardy Magerko Auditorium. The featured speaker is award-winning humorist Peggy Kline. Unlike most professional speakers, Kline’s passion is devoted to nurturing the needs of women with humor and hope. Kline gets rave reviews because she really enjoys her mission of improving the quality of life for women—sharing a message of how women can take care of themselves while taking care of so much and so many.

This year’s Women’s Day workshops include: “Hypnosis: It Is Not Just a Stage Show,” presented by certified hypnotherapist Janet Ritenour; “Yoga: Everybody Can Practice,” presented by certified yoga instructor Susan Frenchik; “Nutrition Myths … the Good, Bad and the Ugly,” presented by Uniontown Hospital diabetes dietitian Pat Leyshock; and “The First Five Years Are Forever,” exploring the importance of the first five years of life, presented by Jeanine Fahnestock, PNC Grow Up Great program manager, and William Hug, Ph.D., assistant professor of education at California University of Pennsylvania.

More than 40 local agencies and businesses will take part in the Community Service and Informational Fair. Women’s Day participants can gather information about services and volunteer opportunities from the participating organizations.

Registration for Women’s Day is required and participation is limited. Registration by May 11 is $20; after May 11 is $25. The fee includes workshops, morning refreshments, the information agency fair, Chinese auction, luncheon, and presentation by the featured speaker Peggy Kline. For more information or to register, call 724-430-4144.

Graduating seniors from the Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus’ mining technology associate degree program presented their Capstone projects on Monday, April 23 on campus.

24 students conducted research on pertinent issues or problems that needed improvement within the mining industry. As a result, students received benefit by conducting helpful research, and the mining operations can capitalize on the new safety, technology, and production initiatives identified by the research projects.

Mining professionals from local coal companies and equipment manufacturers were in attendance to watch the students make their presentations. Presentation topics included proximity censors, mine drainage, transportation, wire rope vs. synthetic rope, and river operations.

Larry Hunchuck, the program coordinator, says, “This program gears students to develop leadership positions within the mining industry and gives them a well-rounded educational background to deal with issues such as safety, critical thinking, management, and communication skills.”

Penn State Fayette’s mining technology degree program is the only one of its kind in the state and trains students to attain leadership roles in the mining industry. Prospective students have the opportunity to choose a maintenance or production focus, or a combination. The maintenance-oriented track prepares students to become maintenance supervisors, while the production-oriented track educates students to become mine supervisors or engineering aids. Anyone interested in learning more about Penn State Fayette’s mining technology degree program should contact Larry Hunchuck at lah45@psu.edu.

The 2012 mining technology program student presenters and instructors. Front row, from the left: instructor Larry Hunchuck, Paul Walker, Nolan Zavora, Pat Kimutis, Bob Meyers, Tom Slowikowski, John Beneham, Steve Newnham, Bruce McConkey, Dan Barno, Tom Smith, instructor Richard Begley. Back row, from the left: Brent Whorls, Jim George, Colton Ferrari, Jeremy Faris, Scott Bobeck, Brooks Voorhies, Dan Fronczek, Matt Shaffer, Corey Raad, Demar Jackson, Brendan Kelly, Robert Griswold, Tyler Coleman, Chris Ward, Jeff Watson, Sam Stack, instructor Bob Lowery, Brenton Brown.

Three of Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus’ top students presented academic research papers at a special presentation on Tuesday, April 17. Rebecca Corvin, Rachael Franks, and Shirley Rojas Acosta are competing to win the campus’ top Scholastic Excellence Award. All three students will receive monetary awards for their work.

Business major Corvin, of Connellsville, presented “The Application of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs in Today’s Business”; Uniontown resident Franks, a human development and family studies major, discussed the “Increase of Activities on Visually Impaired Information”; and liberal arts major Rojas Acosta, of Lemont Furnace, shared her thoughts on the “Correlation between Optimism and Physical Exercise.”

The Scholastic Excellence Award winner will be determined by a combination of scores from the oral presentations and scores from the students’ 10-page papers.

To be eligible for the award, students must have at least 30 credit hours at Penn State Fayette within the past four academic years, hold a cumulative GPA of at least 3.67, and have not previously received the award. The winner will be announced at the annual Student Awards Banquet on Friday, April 27.

The panel judging the presentations includes Dr. Russell Filburn, senior instructor of communication arts and sciences; Germaine Fotta, senior instructor of computer science; Jes Hutson, instructor if kinesiology; Dr. Lindsey Jones, assistant professor of English; and Dr. Joshua Marvit, instructor of biology.

The fourth annual Blues and White Gala scholarship fundraiser is scheduled for May 12 at Horizon Point in Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa in Farmington, Pa. The theme of this year’s gala is “Blues and White Gala with a Tuscan Twist.”

Lori Omatick, director of development at the Fayette campus and gala chair, commented that, “The gala planning committee has been working hard for months to bring the sights, sounds, and tastes of Italy to our guests for the evening.”

One highlight of the evening will be the recognition of the annual “Friends of Penn State.” This year’s honoree will be the Swimmer family in appreciation of their campus support throughout the years through scholarships, awards, and activities.

Emcee for the gala will be Larry Richert, host of the KDKA News Radio Morning News. The feature activities of the Blues and White Gala are the silent and live auctions, which helped raise the $100,000 over the past three years of the event.

This year sports fans will again be interested in several of the auction packages. Items at this year’s auction include: four Pittsburgh Steelers luxury box tickets to a 2012 home game with pre-game sideline passes; a Mike Wallace autographed Steelers helmet; a Joe Paterno autographed football; a Zybnek Michalek autographed Penguins jersey; a weekend package for two at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa; an original piece of artwork by David DiPietro; a round of golf at Nemacolin Woodlands’ Mystic Rock golf course, complete with a golf lesson for four; four tickets to the Penn State vs. Ohio University football game at University Park on September 1; assorted fine jewelry, and much more. The “grand prize” auction highlight is a weekend trip for two to Little Italy in New York City including hotel accommodations.

The gala will feature dining and dancing. Musical entertainment will be by vocalist Angelo Babbaro (pictured left), performing in the style of Frank Sinatra. Babbaro has been performing for 20 years in major cities all over the country. He has recently begun performing in the Pittsburgh area.

“The gala is significant in that 100 percent of the proceeds raised are awarded in the following academic year as scholarships to students who may not otherwise afford a quality Penn State education in these difficult economic times,” said Lori Omatick. Currently, 90 percent of Penn State Fayette students qualify for financial aid.

The gala begins at 5:30 p.m. with a cocktail hour and dinner at 6:30 p.m. R.S.V.P.s for the Blues and White Gala are being taken through May 4. For more information, to receive an invitation or make reservations, call 724-430-4190.

Blues and White Gala invitation in PDF Format.

Richard A. Kasunic, Pennsylvania State Senator, will share thoughts and insights with the 2012 graduating class of Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus on Saturday, May 5 as the featured speaker at the campus’ commencement ceremony.

A 1964 graduate of Dunbar Township High School, Sen. Kasunic earned an associate’s degree in business administration from Robert Morris Junior College in 1967 and a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Youngstown State University in 1970. He then served with the Pennsylvania National Guard from 1970 -1976.

Kasunic was elected to the Pennsylvania Senate in November 1994, highlighting a public service career that began in 1982, when he was elected to represent the 52nd Legislative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. In January 1995, Kasunic began a four-year term representing the 32nd Senatorial District and is now serving his fifth term.

Commencement will take place in Penn State Fayette’s Main Arena in the Community Center beginning at 10 a.m.

The 31st annual Women’s Day will take place on Thursday, May 17 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus’ Maggie Hardy Magerko Auditorium. “Celebrating Women 2012” will feature keynote speaker Peggy Kline, a leader in women’s health and wellbeing. Also taking place that day will be workshop presentations covering a variety of topics including health, nutrition, and family. Some of the Women’s Day Committee members, which include community and campus representatives, are seen here at a recent planning meeting. To receive a mailer about the event, call 724-430-4144. Women's Day mailer in PDF Format.

Students must bring their 2011 tax return or most recent 2011 pay stub in order to complete a FAFSA application. For more information or to register for the FAFSA workshop, call 724-430-4130.

Sophomore Jill Guthrie (Uniontown, Pa.) was named a USCAA First Team All-American and was the Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference’s (PSUAC) Player of the Year on the women's side, while junior David Winns (Washington, D.C.) of the men's squad earned United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) First Team All-American honors. Guthrie and Winns were also named to their respective First Team All-Conference squads in the PSUAC.

Junior Kasey Ruble (Fairchance, Pa.) and freshman Caitlin Wontroba (Uniontown, Pa.) earned USCAA All-American Honorable Mention awards for the women’s team, and sophomore Shelby Yourchik (Clarksville, Pa.) was named a 2012 USCAA Academic All-American. Wontroba was also named the PSUAC’s Newcomer of the Year and also a PSUAC First Team member, while Ruble was named PSUAC Honorable Mention.

Junior James Pratt (Uniontown, Pa.) and freshman Brandon Cunningham (Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.) earned PSUAC Honorable Mention honors on the men’s side. Cunningham was also named the PSUAC Newcomer of the Year, given to the conference's most outstanding freshman.

Yourchik's honor is awarded to those student-athletes who are upperclassmen and have achieved a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 or higher. A business major, Yourchik becomes the third women's basketball player to earn an Academic All-American honor in the last three years.

Guthrie is Fayette's first women's basketball USCAA First Team All-American. Guthrie finished her standout season 12th in the USCAA in scoring, averaging 19.7 points per game, also good for second in the PSUAC. Guthrie averaged 21.6 points and 10.5 rebounds per game in conference play alone. She finished the season with 12 double-doubles, including seven in her last eight games. Guthrie averaged 9.9 rebounds per game on the season to lead Fayette, and collected a conference-best 3.8 steals per game.

Wontroba's Newcomer of the Year award is the second in a row for Fayette, after Guthrie’s award last season. Wontroba finished the season averaging 16.6 points per game and grabbing 3.4 steals per game. She was also one of the nation's best shooters, finishing in the top 21 in the USCAA in field goal, three-point and free throw percentage.

Ruble, a PSUAC First Team selection in 2010-11, gained her third overall conference honor (also named to PSUAC First Team in softball in 2011). Ruble averaged 11.7 points per game and dished out a program-record 4.7 assists per game, good for sixth in the USCAA. She also finished second on the team in rebounding with 6.5 boards per game.

Winns, who notched the 1,000th point of his career against Penn State Scranton on Feb. 18, is Fayette's first men's basketball USCAA First Team All-American, and earned the honor after finishing the season seventh in the nation in scoring, sixth in field goal percentage, and 13th in rebounding. Winns led the Roaring Lions with 19.7 points per game and shot an impressive 56.4 percent from the floor, both good for second-best in the conference to lead Fayette to the playoffs for the first time in five seasons. Winns also finished second on the team with nearly eight rebounds per game in 25 games for Fayette this season.

Pratt orchestrated the Roaring Lions offense and added 9.5 points per game as well as 3.3 assists per contest, good for 25th in the USCAA. Pratt also grabbed 1.5 steals per game to earn the second Honorable Mention nod of his career. His first came after his freshman campaign in 2009-10.

Cunningham is Fayette's first men's basketball player to earn Newcomer of the Year honors, and joins Pratt on the Honorable Mention squad. Cunningham averaged 14.2 points per game while grabbing a team-high 2.1 steals per game, good for seventh in the PSUAC. He also led the team with 47 three-pointers on the season. Cunningham shot 44 percent from the field and finished second on the team in scoring.

The open house will offer high school students and adults the opportunity to tour campus, meet faculty, and speak with current Penn State Fayette students. Admissions counselors will discuss Penn State’s more than 160 degree programs as well as student aid and admission processes. Anyone who applies to Penn State Fayette during the open house will have the $50 application fee waived. Applicants must bring their high school transcript and SAT or ACT score to qualify for the waiver. Admission counselors will be available to assist prospective students in completing the application.

For more information and to register, call 724-430-4130 or register online at www.fayette.psu.edu.

Alan Armstrong, president and CEO of Williams, will close the spring 2012 series “CEO Conversations” at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus on Wednesday, April 18. This free event is open to the public and will be held in the Penn State Fayette campus’ Community Center from noon to 1 p.m.

Williams traces its roots to 1908 with the construction projects of Miller and David Williams in Fort Smith, Ark., when the brothers began building cross-country natural gas and petroleum pipelines. Today, Williams is one of the leading infrastructure companies in North America. Recent additions to the company’s profile include expanding their presence in the Marcellus Shale basin in the northeast.

For over two decades, Armstrong has held supported the Williams company through various positions, guiding him to the role of president and CEO in 2011. His dedication to the company dates back to his academic years. A year after graduating from the University of Oklahoma in 1985 with a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering, Armstrong joined the Williams company as an engineer.

CEO Conversations is designed to give students the opportunity to hear from and talk with key individuals in the local, regional, and national business communities about business, entrepreneurship and leadership. The 2012 guest speaker series is being sponsored by Joseph A. Hardy III.

Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage month with the Japanese drums of Taikoza, performing at noon on Wednesday, April 11, at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus’ Maggie Hardy Magerko Auditorium. This event is free and open to the public.

Taikoza uses powerful rhythms of the ancestral Taiko drums to create music of the Japanese culture. Roughly translated, “Taiko” means big drums—and that’s exactly what Taikoza provides. The large, barrel-like drum can fill the air with the sounds of rolling thunder. The group draws from Japan’s rich tradition of music and performance to create a highly visual performance. In addition to drums of assorted sizes, Taikoza incorporates the shakuhachi, the fue (both bamboo flutes), and the Koto (a 13 string instrument).

Chad Long, assistant director of student affairs at Penn State Fayette, says, “This performance is a great way for the community to experience a musical culture most of us are not familiar with.”

Taikoza has toured internationally and has appeared on ESPN, NBC, History Channel, Russian national television, and many other programs around the world. Taikoza’s music is featured on the Nintendo Wii games Red Steel 1 and 2.

Kathy Iannamorelli, campus nurse at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus, is the 2012 recipient of the Penn State University Achieving Women Award.

The award was announced by the University’s Commission for Women, which serves as an advisory group to the President of the University on the status of women at Penn State, advocates for women's concerns, and recommends solutions.

The Commission recognizes Penn State women who have shown notable leadership and accomplishment in their fields, and who have gone beyond the requirements of employment duties and responsibilities in their support of the University’s diversity efforts, promotion of equal opportunity, or contribution to public service activities.

“It is a wonderful honor for Kurt, who in just five year has taken our team from six players to conference champions,” explains Vince Capozzi, athletic director and assistant women’s basketball coach at Penn State Fayette.

This year, the team set a program record of 15 wins, finishing above .500 for the first time and winning both the regular season and playoff titles. Mattern is the second Penn State Fayette coach to receive this honor during the athletic year, following Nancy Wheeler who was named PSUAC’s Volleyball Coach of the year in the fall.

Penn State Fayette students who were recognized and inducted into Pi Sigma Phi this year were (name and degree program indicated):

• Noah Abbas, Washington, Pa. – Engineering
• Fadi Al-Khoury Perez, Lemont Furnace, Pa. – Engineering
• Paige Antoon, Uniontown, Pa. – Science (Common Year)
• Shannon Ardabell, Fairchance, Pa. – Administration of Justice
• Trudy Baker, Dickerson Run, Pa. – Nursing
• Daniel Barno, Rices Landing, Pa. – Mining Technology
• John Benham, Carnegie, Pa. – Mining Technology
• Kristen Bishop, Mount Pleasant, Pa. – Nursing
• Nathan Boal, Dunbar, Pa. – Business
• Tania Bosley, Uniontown, Pa. – Letters, Arts, and Sciences
• Jenna Brewer, Indian Head, Pa. – Business
• Brenton Brown, Coal Center, Pa. – Mining Technology
• Mary Brown, Normalville, Pa. – Nursing
• Tyler Burd, Connellsville, Pa. – Administration of Justice
• Behtany Christopher, Belle Vernon, Pa. – Nursing
• Katie Coburn, New Salem, Pa. – Nursing
• Christine Collier, Uniontown, Pa. – Administration of Justice
• Melissa Collum, Fairchance, Pa. – Nursing
• Mary Conn, Connellsville, Pa. – Business
• Jessica Corvin, Connellsville, Pa. – Division of Undergraduate Studies
• Rebecca Corvin, Connellsville, Pa. – Business
• Lauren Danko, Connellsville, Pa. – Human Development and Family Studies
• Jacynth Drumhiller, Vanderbilt, Pa. – Education (Common Year)
• Jessica Ewing, Fredericktown, Pa. – Engineering Science
• Samantha Fabian, Acme, Pa. – Agriculture (Common Year)
• Ashley Fiano, Connellsville, Pa. – Human Development and Family Studies
• Caitlin Fike, Uniontown, Pa. – Education (Common Year)
• Jayme Forsythe, Republic, Pa. – Nursing
• Jamie Forys, White, Pa. – Physical Therapy Assistant
• Rachael Franks, Uniontown, Pa. – Human Development and Family Studies
• Daniel Fronczek, Masontown, Pa. – Mining Technology
• Susan Fyock, Masontown, Pa. – Physical Therapy Assistant
• Robin Georgiana, Uniontown, Pa. – Nursing
• Maria Gialone, Rices Landing, Pa. – Division of Undergraduate Studies
• Brett Gibson, Uniontown, Pa. – Information Sciences and Technology
• Pamela Glasgow, Uniontown, Pa. – Information Sciences and Technology
• Brett Greene, Smock, Pa. – Information Sciences and Technology (Common Year)
• Robert Griswold, Shadyside, Ohio – Mining Technology
• Sul Gi (Athena) Han, Lemont Furnace, Pa. – Business
• Kimberly Heisterman, Connellsville, Pa. – Nursing
• Courtney Howell, Fairchance, Pa. – Human Development and Family Studies
• Heather Hunchuck, Uniontown, Pa. – Animal Sciences
• Andrew Hydak, Perryopolis, Pa. – Business
• William Jackson, Cadiz, Ohio – Mining Technology
• Megan Jacobs, Connellsville, Pa. – Business
• Jordan Johnston, Marianna, Pa. – Division of Undergraduate Studies
• Brenda Kelley, West Leisenring, Pa. – Nursing
• Patrick Kimutis, Washington, Pa. – Mining Technology
• Alan King, Farmington, Pa. – Nursing
• Ashley Knauer, Salisbury, Pa. – Health and Human Development
• Christina Larrabee, Dunbar, Pa. – Human Development and Family Studies
• Brent Lint, Vanderbilt, Pa. – Business
• Elizabeth Liptak, Uniontown, Pa. – Human Development and Family Studies
• Benjamin Livengood, Dunbar, Pa. – Nursing
• Taylor Lux, Belle Vernon, Pa. – Nursing
• Kathleen Maas, Connellsville, Pa. – Human Development and Family Studies
• Emily Marchewka, Connellsville, Pa. – Human Development and Family Studies
• Mitchell McCloskey, Belle Vernon, Pa. – Engineering (Common Year)
• Bruce McConkey, Uniontown, Pa. – Mining Technology
• Melissa McFadden, New Salem, Pa. – Nursing
• Erin McIntire, Greensboro, Pa. – Nursing
• Janine McIntire, Connellsville, Pa. – Nursing
• Tammy McMichael, Smithfield, Pa. – Business
• Robert Meyers, Richeyville, Pa. – Mining Technology
• Vincent Micoli, Masontown, Pa. – Engineering (Common Year)
• Marcia Miller, Normalville, Pa. – Letters, Arts, and Sciences
• Kristan Miller, Charleroi, Pa. – Human Development and Family Studies
• Jill Miscovich, Uniontown, Pa. – Nursing
• Brandon Mitchell, Masontown, Pa. – Human Development and Family Studies
• Brooke Mollick, Greensburg, Pa. – Business
• Brian Moore, New Castle, Pa. – Nursing
• Brittany Myers, Uniontown, Pa. – Nursing
• Anisha Nayak, Lemont Furnace, Pa. – Business
• Jennifer Naymick, Uniontown, Pa. – Engineering (Common Year)
• Steven Newnham, Graysville, Pa. – Mining Technology
• Chioma Ojini, Uniontown, Pa. – Business
• Mary Orlando, Washington, Pa. – Nursing
• John Peck, Fort Hill, Pa. – English
• Ashley Pennington, Uniontown, Pa. – Human Development and Family Studies
• Wendy Pennington, Uniontown, Pa. – Administration of Justice
• Jacob Phelps, Acme, Pa. – Nursing
• Rebecca Plummer, Bolivar, Pa. – Nursing
• Jarrett Porterfield, Dilliner, Pa. – Science (Common Year)
• Brittney Ravenscraft, Markleysburg, Pa. – Intended to Nursing Program
• Alison Reagan, Hopwood, Pa. – Division of Undergraduate Studies
• Leanne Reagan, Connellsville, Pa. – Nursing
• Amanda Redmond, Scottdale, Pa. – Human Development and Family Studies
• Sharee Rogers, Uniontown, Pa. – Information Sciences and Technology
• Shirley Rojas Acosta, Lemont Furnace, Pa. – Liberal Arts
• Robert Ruggieri, Connellsville, Pa. – Human Development and Family Studies
• Aaron Sabatula, Smock, Pa. – Business
• Megan Sanders, McClellandtown, Pa. – Letters, Arts, and Sciences
• Thomas Slowikowski, Rices Landing, Pa. – Mining Technology
• Katie Smaniotto, Smithfield, Pa. – Human Development and Family Studies
• Kristi Soisson, Connellsville, Pa. – Nursing
• Jody Sproul, Ohiopyle, Pa. – Nursing
• Samuel Stack, Washington, Pa. – Mining Technology
• Andrew Stepanik, Vanderbilt, Pa. – Administration of Justice
• Kathleen Stout, Dickerson Run, Pa. – Nursing
• Molly Stuvek, Carmichaels, Pa. – Nursing
• Mark Szymkiewicz, West Newton, Pa. – Electrical Engineering Technology
• Eryn Thomas, Brownsville, Pa. – Nursing
• Jamie Thoresen, Smithfield, Pa. – Administration of Justice
• Jamie Ulery, Connellsville, Pa. – Human Development and Family Studies
• Megan Vennum, Mount Pleasant, Pa. – English
• Brooks Voorhies, Brentwood, Pa. – Mining Technology
• Lindsay Walt, Ruffs Dale, Pa. – Business
• Mingxun Wang, Lemont Furnace, Pa. – Business
• Jeffrey Watson, Core, Wva. – Mining Technology
• Megan Wesolowsky, Uniontown, Pa. – Nursing
• Glenn Wilson, Fairchance, Pa. – Administration of Justice
• Garrett Wingrove, Dunbar, Pa. – Administration of Justice
• Noelle Winkler, McClellandtown, Pa. – Human Development and Family Studies
• Brent Worls, Wheeling, Wva. – Mining Technology
• Michaeline Yates, Smithfield, Pa. – Geosciences
• Shelby Yourchik, Clarksville, Pa. – Business
• Billie Jo Yuhaniak, Mount Braddock, Pa. – English
• Cassandra Zinn, Uniontown, Pa. – Physical Therapy Assistance
• Lacy Zitney, Vanderbilt, Pa. – Building Engineering Technology

Among the Penn State Fayette students inducted into the Pi Sigma Phi Honor Society March 22 were: (front row, from left) Ashley Knauer, Kathleen Stout, Rebecca Plummer, Janine McIntire, Shirley Rojas Acosta, Paige Antoon, Ashley Fiano, Jessica Ewing, Jennifer Naymick, Emily Marchewka. (second row, from left) Tyler Burd, Bethany Christopher, Mary Brown, Robin Georgiana, Rachael Franks, Sul Gi (Athena) Han, Anisha Nayak, Samantha Fabian, Mary Orlando, Marcia Miller, Alison Reagan, Caitlin Fike. (third row, from left) Jacynth Drumhiller, Chioma Ojini, Mitchell McCloskey, Brett Greene, Jenna Brewer, Nathan Boal, Christine Collier, Sharee Rogers, Mingxun Wang (Photo by Bill Hager)

The course consists of instructional and skills training and meets the requirements set forth by the Department of Transportation. Upon successful completion of the course, students will receive a certificate from Penn State and will be eligible to set for the Pennsylvania state EMT practical and written tests.

The EMT classes will take place on Sundays from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. and on Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Hiller Volunteer Fire Department in Brownsville, Pa. The classes will run from April 15 through August 5.

The cost of the course is $375 plus textbook costs. Interested applicants should contact 724-430-4217 or visit www.fayette.psu.edu.

Gormley’s book provides an account of the wide-ranging investigation of President Bill Clinton that divided the nation and nearly toppled Clinton’s presidency. Drawing on never-before released material, Gormley illuminates this battle with a wealth of detail in exclusive interviews with former president Clinton, Ken Starr, Monica Lewinsky and her family, Paula Jones and her lawyers, Linda Tripp, and many others.

Gormley is dean and professor at Duquesne University School of Law. Gormey earned a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1977 and received a juris doctor degree from Harvard Law School in 1980.

In 2010, Gormley published “The Death of an American Virtue: Clinton vs. Starr,” a New York Times bestseller that received the Bruce K. Gould Book Award, as well as critical acclaim in publications including “The New York Times Book Review,” “Washington Post Book World,” The Wall Street Journal, Los Angeles Times, and more. As a result of national and international praise for the book, Gormley has appeared on NBC’s “Today Show,” “The Charlie Rose Show,” “Hardball with Chris Matthews,” NPR’s “Fresh Air,” and hundreds of television and radio shows worldwide.

Program attendees will have the opportunity to meet with the author for autographs.

Jonestown was the informal name for the Peoples Temple Agricultural Project, a community led by Jim Jones. It became internationally notorious when nearly 1,000 people died on November 18, 1978 in the settlement and in Georgetown, Guyana’s capital. In an event termed “revolutionary suicide,” a total of 909 Temple members died in Jonestown, all but two from apparent cyanide poisoning.

As an idealist and activity for civil and human rights, Kohl met Jim Jones and moved into Peoples Temple in 1970, not knowing that she would barely escape the fate of the others who would die there.

In the past year, Kohl has received several awards, including the National Association of Professional Women award as a 2011-12 Woman of the Year and a nomination for Teacher of the Year 2011-12 at her middle school.

Kohl’s book, “Jonestown Survivor: An Insider’s Look,” was published in March 2010.

Local area high school students recently participated in the 13th annual Pi Day competition at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus. Fourteen teams of ninth and tenth grade students from Belle Vernon Area, Laurel Highlands, Ringgold, and Uniontown Area High Schools competed to win their choice of apple, cherry, or berry pies.

“This is a critical age for students. The math and science concepts they’re exposed to now will affect their career path in the future. These tests prepare students for the real world by allowing them to solve the sort of problems they would face as engineers,” said David Meredith, associate professor of engineering at Penn State Fayette and proctor of the Pi Day exam.

Students were encouraged to work in teams to complete 20 math problems within a 60-minute time period. This year, Uniontown Area High School won first place, Laurel Highlands Senior High School came in second place, and Ringgold High School took home third place.

The gala will be held at Horizon Point at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and will feature Angelo Babbaro, a vocalist in the style of Frank Sinatra.

This year’s Friends of Penn State honoree is the Swimmer family, in appreciation of the family’s campus support throughout the years.

The event’s silent and live auctions will include sports memorabilia, travel and recreation packages, fine art and crafts items, and more.

To receive an invitation to the Blues and White Gala, call 724-430-4190.

SandStory consists of art images created by Joe Castillo as he uses his hands to draw in sand on a light table. The performance is scored and choreographed to recorded music, and it is performed live on stage with Castillo’s work projected on the screen.

Castillo’s love for stories moved him to the realm of becoming a motivational performing artist and storyteller where he developed SandStory, ArtStory, and WordStory presentations in both English and Spanish. His art has been sold worldwide and his presentations have been seen by hundreds of thousands of people. Castillo has performed across the United States as well as in Dubai and Beijing, China.

Chad Long, assistant director of student affairs at Penn State Fayette, said “This is not your typical performance. SandStory is a unique opportunity for the campus and the community to experience art and music in unexpected ways.”

Bacharach took on the role of president and CEO of the Uniontown Hospital and the Fayette Regional Health System in 1992. He has overall administrative responsibility for both organizations, and their related subsidiaries include a home health and hospice agency and an extensive network of physicians.

In 1976, Bacharach received a bachelor of science degree in zoology from Ohio University. Then in 1983 he received a master’s degree in health administration from the University of Pittsburgh.

CEO Conversations is an initiative of the late Dr. Emmanuel I. Osagie, chancellor of Penn State Fayette from 2007 to March 2010. The program is designed to give students the opportunity to hear from and talk with key individuals in the local, regional, and national business communities about business, entrepreneurship and leadership. The 2012 guest speaker series is being sponsored by Joseph A. Hardy III.

This year’s ice cream flavor selection includes: Bittersweet Mint, Butter Pecan, Chocolate, Coconut Chip, Death by Chocolate, Peachy Paterno, Peanut Butter Cup, Raspberry Parfait, Strawberry, and Vanilla. Black Raspberry frozen yogurt is also available. All ice cream will be delivered directly from the Berkey Creamery to Penn State Fayette courtesy of Jackson Farms, who provides the use of a freezer truck and driver.

Orders and payment must be received by the Penn State Fayette Development office no later than Monday, April 9. Ice cream pick-up day is scheduled for Saturday, April 28, from 9–11 a.m. inside the Community Center snack bar area. All ice cream orders must be placed in advance. No ice cream will be for sale the day of pick-up. For an order form, call 724-430-4190. 

The Lady Roaring Lions (15-7), champions of the Pennsylvania State University Athletic Conference, received the No. 13 seed and will face No.4 Selma University, Selma, Ala. at 5:30 p.m. in the Community Center Main Arena.

Fayette’s men’s team (11-14) is the No. 10 seed and will face the No. 7 St. Joseph’s College, Rutland, Vt., at 7:30 p.m.

A total of 34 teams will compete for championships in three divisions: Men’s Division I, Men’s Division II and Womens. A total of 43 games will be played on the Fayette Campus in the Community Center Main Arena and the Maltho Athletic Center.

The tournament kicks off on Tuesday, March 6 with the skills competition at 2 p.m. in the Main Arena. Championship play begins on Wednesday, March 7 and will continue through March 10. For the most complete schedule check the USCAA’s Website at theuscaa.com.

Admission to the skills competition is free. Daily admission for championship play is $7.

Defending Men’s Division I champion Southern Virginia University, Buena Vista, Va., returns to defend its title as the No. 2 seed. Also in the field are (with seeds in parenthesis): Rochester College, Rochester, Mich. (1), Lindenwood-Belleville College, Belleville, Ill. (3), Washington Adventist University, Washington, D.C. (4), Ave Maria University, Ave Maria, Fla. (5), Apprentice School, Hampton, Va. (6), Oakwood University, Huntsville, Ala. (7) and The University of Maine-Fort Kent, Fort Kent, Maine (8).

Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Mich. (1) returns to defend its Men’s Division II title. In addition to Fayette, the Men’s Division II field features two other Penn State Schools—Penn State Beaver (2) and 2012 PSUAC Champions Penn State DuBois (4). Other schools include Central Pennsylvania College, Summerdale, Pa. (3), Vermont Technical College, Randolph Center, Vt. (5), Eastern Maine Community College, Bangor, Maine (6), St. Joseph’s College (7), Berkeley College, New York, N.Y. (8) and the University of Maine-Machias, Machias, Maine (9).

Total of 16 teams received bids to the Women’s Division championship. In addition to Fayette, the others are Rochester College, Rochester, Mich. (1), Apprentice School (2), Briarcliffe College, Bethpage, N.Y. (3), Selma (4), Southern Virginia (5), University of Cincinnati-Clermont, Batavia, Ohio (6), Concordia-Selma University, Selma, Ala. (7) and Robert Morris-Springfield, Springfield, Ill. (8).

Carlow College, Pittsburgh (9), Lindenwood-Belleville College (10), Spalding University, Louisville, Ky. (11), Berkeley College (12), Marygrove College, Detroit, Mich. (14), St. Mary of the Woods, St. Mary of the Woods, Ind. (15) and Central Maine Community College, Auburn, Maine (16) round out the women’s field.

For 2012, the USCAA has opted not to hold a complete consolation round. Instead teams are guaranteed a minimum of two games. Teams losing in the first round will play a single consolation game. Teams losing in quarterfinal round will not compete in a consolation game. Semifinal loser will play a third-place game.

Country music duo Love and Theft will perform on Wednesday, March 14, at 7:00 p.m. in the Maggie Hardy Margerko Auditorium in the Community Center at Penn State Fayette, the Eberly Campus. The show is free of charge and open to the public.

Chad Long, assistant director of student affairs at Penn State Fayette, said “This concert is a great opportunity for the community to hear and enjoy a nationally-known band.”

As seen on the American County Awards, Love and Theft is comprised of members Stephen Barker Liles and Eric Gunderson, both of whom sing lead vocals and play guitar. Both men were raised as pastors’ children and their respective fathers fed them a steady diet of gospel, oldies, and country music. “Our parents didn’t want us listening to secular music that much, but they’d let us listen to Elvis, Roy Rogers, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band,” said Gunderson. “It was cool to grow up that way, and that’s still my favorite kind of music.”

Love and Theft made its first Grand Ole Opry performance in March 2009 shortly before the release of their first single “Runaway” from their debut album “World Wide Open.” In 2011, the duo signed with RCA Records in Nashville, Tenn. The lead-off single to their second studio album “Angel Eyes” was released in November 2011.

A back-and-forth contest saw the score tied six times and the lead change hands 14 times, including sophomore Jill Guthrie's (Uniontown, Pa.) 14-foot jumper with 0:21 seconds remaining that gave the Roaring Lions the final lead change at 76-75.

The no. 1-seed Roaring Lions used the late surge to take the lead after trailing for nearly five minutes, and Brandywine's final shot bounced off the back of the rim and junior Kaitlyn Novak (Bobtown, Pa.) grabbed the rebound to run out the clock as her teammates rushed to the middle of the floor as the horn sounded.

Guthrie finished with a career-high 20 rebounds, and led all scorers with 26 points on 11-for-28 shooting, including the game winner. Freshman Caitlin Wontroba (Uniontown, Pa.) added 16 points while senior Jennifer Thomas (Uniontown, Pa.) added 13 points on 6-for-11 shooting.

For more details: http://www.goroaringlions.com/sports/wbkb/2011-12/releases/20120225crpez5.

The USCAA Tournament activities kick off Tuesday, March 6, with skills competitions. Action in the in Men’s Division I, Men’s Division II and the Women’s Division championships begins with a full slate on Wednesday, March 7, and continues daily through Saturday, March 10. The 2012 tournament will feature 34 teams playing 43 games over the four-days of play.

Tickets cost $7 per day at the gate. For more information, visit www.theuscaa.com.

Nursing students at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus are working on “Smile for Life,” a service-learning project with the mission of educating parents and their children about the importance of dental health. The project originates from Cornerstone Care, Inc., a non-profit network of community health centers and practices serving communities throughout southwestern Pennsylvania.

Nursing students at Penn State Fayette conducted approximately 37 presentations in Fayette County Head Start classrooms this spring. This school-based program focused on pre- and post-assessments of children’s knowledge of good dental health. Presentations included readings of children’s stories on dental care and demonstrating proper brushing and flossing techniques with stuffed animals. Each child received a light-up tooth brush, tooth paste, and dental floss.

Melissa Miner, campus coordinator of nursing at Penn State Fayette, said, “This is a great opportunity for our nursing students to apply theory learned in their nursing courses in a community setting. Dental tooth decay is preventable with the correct knowledge provided at an early age.”

The Penn State Dance MaraTHON is a yearlong fundraising event contributing to The Four Diamonds Fund, which strives to beat childhood cancer by helping children and their families, treating them at Penn State Children’s Hospital in Hershey, Pa.

Since the organization of the Fayette campus THON team 15 years ago, the team has raised over $735,000 for the Four Diamonds Fund charity.

Among Penn State’s 19 Commonwealth Campuses, the Fayette THON Team has been the No. 1 fundraising campus 12 of the past 15 years; the team placed second in 2005, 2006 and 2011.

Student dancers, student volunteers, faculty, staff, alumni and family members from throughout the University system packed the Bryce Jordan Center at University Park for the concluding THON weekend Feb. 17–19. About 40 team members from Penn State Fayette were present in support of the campus’ six dancers, who participated in the exhausting 46 hour no-sitting, no-sleeping event.

Penn State Fayette THON Team advisor Chad Long says, “I’m very proud to be a part of the Fayette THON team. Our students work extremely hard to help further pediatric cancer research and financially assist families with the physical and emotional support they need. With a tough economy and the recent events at Penn State, our students have overcome difficult challenges. They should be an inspiration to everyone!”

For more information about THON, visit www.THON.org.

MATHCOUNTS is a national enrichment, club and competition program that promotes middle school mathematics achievement through grassroots involvement in every U.S. state and territory. The annual event challenges students with various mathematical problems and equations.

Kevin Maxwell, mathematics instructor at Penn State Fayette, said, “We had one of the largest groups of competitors we’ve ever had, and the students worked hard to prepare for this day. The students really seem to enjoy a day where they get to show off their math skills.”

MATHCOUNTS is comprised of three individual rounds and one team round. The top four students will compete in the state competition in Harrisburg—Daniel Salai from West Greene Middle School in Waynesburg (4th place); Emma Holt from A.J. McMullen Middle School in Markleysburg (3rd place); Lillian Behm from Margaret Bell Miller Middle School in Waynesburg (2nd place); and Jack Fudala from Margaret Bell Miller Middle School (1st place). Fudala was awarded a $1,000 Penn State Fayette Scholarship.

Also going to Harrisburg will be the students from Margaret Bell Middle School, who won the team competition. The team is comprised of Jack Fudala, Lillian Behm, Cole Rush, Nick Fox, and coaches Rick Layton and Lisa Durbin.

Clockwise from the left: Julie Seliga, Kayla Lukaesko, and Mikela Fitzpatrick, 7th graders at Lafayette Middle School.

Clockwise from the left: Jake Rittenour, Brandon Pastorius, Courtney Crider, and Noah Allison, 8th graders at Connellsville Junior High East.

Buehler is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame, where he received a bachelor of science degree in business administration. Buehler joined Scheider Downs in 1975 and became chief executive officer in 1985. Buehler is a board member of the American and Pennsylvania Institutes of Certified Public Accountants and the Ohio Society of Certified Public Accountants, the Vincentian Collaborative System Foundation, and the Pittsburgh Chapter of Neighbors in the Strip, a non-profit organization promoting economic development opportunities.

CEO Conversations is an initiative of the late Dr. Emmanuel I. Osagie, chancellor of Penn State Fayette from 2007 to March 2010. The program is designed to give students the opportunity to hear from and talk with key individuals in the local, regional, and national business communities about business, entrepreneurship and leadership. The 2012 guest speaker series is being sponsored by Joseph A. Hardy III.

The course is being offered as a 2-credit course, or for non-credit. Classes will meet at the Fayette campus on Monday evenings, 6-9 p.m., from Feb. 20-April 16.

For more information or to register, call Jan Jordan at the Fayette campus at: 724-430-4211.

Penn State’s Sustainable Landscape Technology Certificate program is not only designed for the beginning landscaper, but as a refresher course for established landscape contractors.  It is a six-course, 17-credit program that can be completed in as little as 15 months. After completion of the certificate program, students are prepared to work in the green industry, using appropriate sustainable methods—from the identification of native plant material versus invasive and exotic plants to the implementation of integrated pest management and weed management strategies.

The goal of the meeting is to solicit comments and ideas concerning the plan from students, faculty, staff, administrators and community partners. Presenters will meet with members of the campus, share the draft of the plan and hear about Penn State Fayette’s sustainability initiatives and future plans. Meeting participants will watch an eight-minute video, “Sustainability at Penn State: We are just getting started,” and participate in group brainstorming and open discussion about the plan.

Penn State already has a number of sustainability initiatives in teaching, research, operations and outreach; there are classes, a new minor in sustainability leadership, workshops on incorporating sustainability across the curriculum, student clubs, “green teams,” recycling programs, energy conservation efforts and community engagement efforts, such as Farmers Markets and mass transit initiatives. The Penn State Sustainability Strategic Plan will recognize, support and expand these efforts.

For further information on this initiative, please refer to the following online resources:

• To read the article about the Sustainability Strategic Plan, visit http://live.psu.edu/story/54760.
• For FAQ about the Strategic Plan for Sustainability, visit http://live.psu.edu/story/54759.
• For a list of some sustainability initiatives already underway, visit http://green.psu.edu/psudoing.
• For Penn State sustainability teaching and research, visit http://www.cfs.psu.edu/ and http://green.psu.edu/research.
• For more about the University Sustainability Council and the sustainability plan’s progress, visit http://green.psu.edu/SustPlan/committee.asp.

Galen is a flautist from Montclair, New Jersey who has performed both domestically and internationally for over 30 years. A former student of the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts and a graduate of Rutgers University in New Brunswick, Galen holds a master's degree in fine arts and education. He is an arranger, composer, director, educator, and writer.

Because of his intellectually stimulating lectures and powerful jazz performances, Galen is considered one of the most popular artists on university and college campuses in the country.

This performance is sponsored by the Coalition for Equity, a group that invites those on campus and in the community to participate in activities that explore social differences and cultivate respect for diversity.

Eight members of the faculty and staff at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus have been recognized for excellence in 2011. The Advisory Board of Penn State Fayette funds these awards annually to recognize individuals for their outstanding accomplishments and to acknowledge the contributions of those who have served the University well.

Dr. Francis Achampong, Chancellor, says “We are proud to honor the hard-working and dedicated individuals who help make Penn State Fayette the wonderful place that it is.”

Those honored for their excellence in 2011 include:

Administrative Excellence – Rita Gumbert, assistant to the financial officer, for her professionalism and personal investment in the campus, including her participation with the campus’ Emergency Management Team, her assistance with international students and her support of the Fayette campus’ athletic teams.

Scholarly Excellence – Joseph Shostell, associate professor of biology, was recognized for the scope, quality, and consistency of his publications, as well as the collaborative nature of his work as professor and researcher. He routinely involves his students in his important research, and he served as the faculty advisor for the first place winner of the spring 2011 Learning Fair.

Support Services Excellence – The Financial Assistants Team of Earla Knoyer and Sharon Rendine were recognized for their dedicated professionalism in working with faculty, staff, and students to enforce the financial policy and procedures of the university.

Teaching Excellence – Janet Knott, nursing instructor, was honored for her consistent and effective performance as a teacher and for her contributions to her profession. Through a grant, she was able to obtain needed equipment for the nursing department to enhance the teaching environment.

Adjunct Teaching Excellence – Shirley Dempsey, a lecturer in psychology, was recognized for her vested interest in her students and their abilities to achieve academic success within the classroom. As a licensed psychological counselor, she uses life experiences and employment off-campus to educate and relate to her students.

The Ellen M. Laun Advising Excellence Award – Lawrence Hunchuck, instructor and program coordinator for mining technology, was honored for his recognizable passion for teaching and his ability to clear the way to help students perform at a high level. He is always available to his students, but most especially at critical times of need during the year.

The Barbara B. Solesky Staff Assistant Excellence Award – Michelle Henrish, for exceptional service in improving communication for the Nursing Program coordinator, eight full-time faculty, six part-time faculty and approximately 100 nursing students.

The Uniontown Hospital Auxiliary recently contributed $10,000 to the Nursing Scholarship Program at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus. The donation resulted from proceeds of the volunteer corps Festival of Trees Holiday Event held annually at Uniontown Hospital. The scholarship provides financial assistance to area students pursuing degrees in nursing at Penn State Fayette.

The Roaring Lions women's team hosts their rival at 6:00 p.m. in the Community Center Main Arena, with the men's game scheduled for an 8:00 p.m. tip-off.

All proceeds from the event will be donated to the Greater Pittsburgh chapter of the American Cancer Society, and will directly benefit local cancer programs, services and research. Proceeds will be split between breast cancer awareness through the "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" initiative and general cancer research through the "Coaches vs. Cancer" fund. Currently, the American Cancer Society funds more than $14 million in research grants to Penn State University, Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh.

During the women's game, and in honor of those currently battling breast cancer, breast cancer survivors and those we have lost, the women's game will be played with a pink and white paneled basketball, and players will wear pink socks, shoelaces and apparel. The men's game will feature a commemorative "Coaches vs. Cancer" basketball, blue and orange shoelaces, and other apparel to celebrate the lives of everyone who cancer has affected through the years.

Admission for the event will be $5 for adults. Children under the age of 14 will be admitted free. Fans will receive a pink ribbon and a donation card to complete upon entry. Also available will be official "Coaches vs. Cancer" and "Think Pink" apparel, 50/50 drawings, and various raffles, including two free tickets to a Pittsburgh Pirates game.

In conjunction with the games, Penn State Fayette students are invited to join Student Activities in an '80's themed pre-game tailgate with free food, music and giveaways. Students dressed in '80's style clothing will automatically be given a mini-ball which will be used to determine the winner of a $250 student giveaway. Penn State Fayette students who are not dressed in '80's apparel can enter the contest by purchasing a $1 donation card and making a $1 donation to THON. Admission to the games for Penn State Fayette students is free.

Both games will be broadcast live on radio station 590 AM WMBS. Armstrong Cable will televise both games on a tape delay. Check your local listings for more information.

Follow Roaring Lions athletics at www.goroaringlions.com or on Twitter @GoRoaringLions

Prospective students and their families are invited to attend the Winter Open House at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus. The Open House will take place on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. to noon in Room 110 in the Eberly Building.

The Open House is an opportunity for potential students to become acquainted with the campus and Penn State’s academic programs. Jason Broadwater, director of Enrollment and Student Services at Penn State Fayette, says, “This open house event is a great way for prospective students to begin preparing for their academic future, and it’s a great opportunity to learn more about what the university has to offer.”

Options for the day include a campus tour, student panel, admissions and financial aid presentation, and a chance to learn more about Penn State’s 200-plus majors from Penn State faculty.

The Open House is available for current and prospective college students, as well as high school students. Students may apply on the spot and receive a $50 fee waiver. Interested high school students should bring their official transcripts and SAT/ACT test scores.

To R.S.V.P. for the Open House, contact Penn State Fayette Admissions at 724-430-4130. Walk-ins are welcome.

The course includes strategies and techniques for taking the test and a review of verbal and math concepts. Students will also work on how to tackle the essay portion of the test. The 2012 spring SAT test dates are March 10, May 5 and June 2.

Two sessions of the SAT Prep Course are being offered at the Fayette campus:

• Five Thursdays, Feb. 2-March 1, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Five Thursdays, March 29-April 26, from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The course costs $99 (the textbook is included) and will use The Official SAT Study Guide: For the New SAT. Anyone who has a copy of the text may deduct $20 from the fee. Tuition for individuals repeating the course for the second time is $49. Both sessions of the course will be taught at Penn State Fayette’s Corporate Training Center in the Eberly Building.

Registration deadline for the Thursday, Feb 2.-March 1, course is Tuesday, Jan. 31. Registration deadline for the Thursday, March 29-April 26, course is Tuesday, March 27.

For more information or to register, call 724-430-4211 or visit the website at www.fayette.psu.edu/CE.

This year’s festival will include two different workshops that will help students hone their Shakespearean acting skills.

The first workshop will be led by the National Players, who have performed at the White House in addition to touring 40 states and 10 countries. The workshop titled “Actors’ Journey Through Shakespeare,” will be held at noon on Jan. 30.

The National Players will also perform “The Taming of the Shrew” at 7 p.m. Jan. 31.

Shakespeare-in-the-Schools will lead an acting workshop that will focus on one of the bard’s most famous works, “Macbeth” and will perform “Shakespeare’s Lovers and Fighters” at noon on Feb. 2.

In addition to the special events taking place in the Community Center, there will also be various exhibits in the Penn State Fayette, Eberly Library featuring “Shakespeare and Popular Culture” items from Jeffrey Martin’s collection.

For more information about these upcoming events, contact Festival Chairman Dr. Dennis F. Brestensky at 724-438-7294.

Starting at 10:30 a.m. a special ceremony recognizing high school students for their achievements in academic scholarship, community service, athletics and performing arts will be held.

Following the high school presentations, “Road to Freedom,” a multimedia program, will be held presented by Key Arts Productions.

“Road to Freedom” will highlight the work of people who came together to defy inequality and injustices.

According to Key Arts Productions’ website, “Information and thought provoking live commentary, brings to life the story of the efforts of Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Booker T. Washington, Frederick Douglas, W.E.B. Du Bois, the Freedom Fighters, MLK and many others. Rousing musical performance and captivating big screen video images make this powerful program an entertaining educational experience for all.”

On Jan. 16, the actual Martin Luther King Day holiday, Penn State Fayette students (who have the day off from classes) will gather to have a “Day On” to perform community service with fellow students from several Penn State branch campuses including Beaver, Dubois, Greater Allegheny, New Kensington and Shenango.

Prospective students and their families are invited to explore opportunities available at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus during a Winter Open House on Jan. 16 from 9 a.m. to noon at the Eberly Building.

Current high school students, recent high school graduates and adults are invited to participate in a campus tour, student panel, admissions and financial aid presentation and a chance to learn more about Penn State’s 160 majors from Penn state faculty.

The event is designed to share information about Penn State Fayette and provide prospective students and their families the opportunity to explore all that the campus has to offer.

Students are invited to apply to Penn State Fayette the day of the event and receive a $50 fee waiver. Those students interested in applying should bring their official high school transcripts and SAT/ACT test scores. To RSVP, call Penn State Fayette Admissions at 724-430-4130. Walk-ins are welcome.