Students from six local school districts were recently honored for their progress in kinesiology. A ceremony was held on Wednesday, May 8 at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus.

Students from Albert Gallatin North, A.J. McMullen, Brownsville, Connellsville, Geibel, and Laurel Highlands middle schools gathered with friends and family to receive certificates recognizing their physical achievements as Penn State Fayette Kinesiology Students of the Month.

The following students were recognized:

• Justine Brown – Brownsville Middle School
• Lindsay Coville – Albert Gallatin North Middle School
• Luke Kuhns – Connellsville Middle School
• Anthony Marsiglia – Brownsville Middle School
• Grace Nowicki – Geibel Middle School
• Ellen Sepesy – Ben Franklin Middle School
• Haley Sutton – Laurel Highlands Middle School
• Jacob Swartz – Laurel Highlands Middle School
• John-Luke Tlumack – Geibel Middle School
• Madison Wiltrout – Connellsville Middle School
• Madison Yankulik – A.J. McMullen Middle School

Jes Hutson, instructor in kinesiology, says, “Our committee was very happy to get this new program up and running, where middle school students are recognized and honored for physical activity and wellness.”

Front row, from the left: human development and family studies professor and committee member Jo Ann Jankoski, Justine Brown, Haley Sutton, Lindsay Coville, Ellen Sepesy, and committee member Dawn Walker; second row, from the left: kinesiology instructor and committee member Jes Hutson, Madison Wiltrout, Luke Kuhns, Madison Yankulik, Anthony Marsiglia, Jacob Swartz, and committee member Katie Semans; third row, from the left: Grace Nowicki, John-Luke Tlumack.

Achampong has served as chancellor at Fayette since November 2010 after being appointed interim chancellor in March of the same year following the unexpected death of former chancellor Emmanuel Osagie. From 2002-10, he was director of academic affairs at Mont Alto, where he also held the rank of tenured professor of business law.

"It has been an honor to serve Penn State Fayette,” Achampong said. "It is a difficult decision to leave this campus and the wonderful students, faculty, staff and local community. We have accomplished many great things here. But I am excited to return to Penn State Mont Alto, where I spent eight years working with so many others to strengthen the campus' academic profile. Dr. Gnage has set Mont Alto on a great course, and I look forward to leading the campus community through new opportunities and challenges. This is truly a joyous homecoming."

An interim chancellor for Penn State Fayette will be announced in the near future.

During Achampong's time at Fayette, the campus made significant progress towards its $3.5 million goal in For the Future: The Campaign for Penn State Students, with $3 million raised to date.

To tackle enrollment challenges facing western Pennsylvania campuses, Fayette adopted a strategic approach under his leadership by focusing and increasing recruitment efforts, enhancing its web presences, strengthening student support services and partnering with database vendors.

Fayette increased its profile as a community resource under Achampong's direction, hosting numerous large events drawing thousands of visitors to campus and the region. The campus also served as a forum for discussion of pressing societal issues such as crime and child abuse.

In his previous role at Mont Alto, Achampong was the Franklin County campus' chief academic officer, overseeing programming, including program planning, development, assessment and accreditation, faculty recruitment, mentoring, evaluation, promotion and tenure and other wide-ranging areas of academic responsibilities.

"Dr. Achampong is an outstanding leader with broad knowledge of the University and the Commonwealth Campuses," said Madlyn Hanes, vice president for Commonwealth Campuses. "His experience in higher education and strategic planning has been critical in guiding Penn State Fayette during the past several years. He is successful at building external relationships and has been well received by the broader community. His proven leadership and deep familiarity with Penn State Mont Alto make him an excellent choice to oversee the campus and lead it into the future."

Before his position at Mont Alto, Achampong served as interim dean of the School of Business at Norfolk State University from 2001-02. For three years from 1998 to 2001, he was head of the Department of Entrepreneurship, Finance and Marketing at Norfolk State and from 1992 to 2002 was professor of business law and insurance at that institution. Before 1992, he was an associate professor at Norfolk State for seven years.

Achampong holds a doctorate in law from the University of London and a master of laws degree from Georgetown University.

He was admitted to the New York Bar in 1986 and the Virginia Bar in 1988, and was admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1990. He completed Harvard Graduate School of Education's program in Management and Leadership in Education in 2008 and was selected as an American Council on Education (ACE) Fellow in 2008-09.

At Fayette he has been actively involved in the local community as a member of the Westmoreland-Fayette Workforce Investment Board, the Fay-Penn Economic Development Council Board and the Fayette County Chamber of Commerce Board. He serves on multiple University-wide committees, including the Campus Academic Review Coordinating Committee, University Budget Planning Task Force, Middle States Steering Committee, Standing Joint Committee on Tenure and the University Access Committee.

One of his final duties as Fayette chancellor will be to host the Penn State Board of Trustees' meeting July 11-12.

William K. Jackson was honored as the recipient of the 27th “Outstanding Fellow of Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus” award on May 9 at the Uniontown Country Club. The award was presented by Penn State Fayette Chancellor Dr. Francis K. Achampong at a special meeting and ceremony of the Advisory Board of Penn State Fayette.

The “Outstanding Fellow of Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus” was established in 1985 by two local businessmen. Their intent was to honor a community leader whose support of the campus had been so exemplary as to warrant special recognition by the advisory board and the campus’ administration, faculty, staff and students. Penn State Fayette does not grant honorary degrees, so the Outstanding Fellow Award is the highest honor the campus can bestow. The recipients of this award possess the qualities that truly epitomize the phrase, “Penn State proud.”

“It is a pleasure to recognize Bill Jackson, who has been a long-time friend of the campus and an Advisory Board member since 1992. His generosity of time and resources has been greatly appreciated over the years. I want to personally extend my congratulations and best wishes to Bill on this much-deserved award,” said Achampong.

A 1973 graduate of Brownsville Area High School, Jackson continued his education at Penn State University, spending two years at Penn State Fayette before transferring to the University Park campus. Jackson graduated with a bachelor of science in agricultural business management in 1977.

After earning his degree, Jackson joined his father, uncle, and cousin in the family business, Jackson Farms, which was established in 1955 and is located in New Salem, Pa. Today, Jackson is in partnership with his brother-in-law, Kerry Harvey, in the business which has grown and evolved over time to include nearly 900 acres in Redstone and Menallen Townships.

Jackson is an active member of the community. He has been president of the Fayette County Fair Board since 1996 and is a board member of the Fay-Penn Economic Development Council and the Fayette Chamber of Commerce, we well as a member of the Advisory Board of Penn State Fayette. In addition, he serves on the boards of AgChoice Farm Credit ACA based in Mechanicsburg, Pa., which he chaired from 2009 through 2012, and the AgFirst Farm Credit Bank headquartered in Columbia, South Carolina.

Families, friends, classmates, and colleagues of Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus gathered in the Main Arena in the Community Center on Saturday, May 4, for the 43rd Annual Commencement ceremony. Robert E. Eberly, Jr. was the featured speaker at the ceremony. He shared a number of thoughts and insights with the graduates. In part, Eberly said, “Never be afraid to have a dream, and to nurture it and work towards its fulfillment.” He also noted the importance of loved ones when embarking on a lifelong journey: “Never forget to make time for your own families. Your careers are vital, of course, and giving of your spare time to charitable endeavors and your community is commendable, but in the grand scheme of things, family is paramount. It is what endures and gives the deepest meaning to our lives. I am reminded of that every time I return to this campus.”

On Friday, April 26, the 47th annual Student Awards Banquet was held at the Uniontown Holiday Inn. Over 225 students, staff, faculty, and guests joined to recognize the achievements made by students at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus over the 2012-13 academic year.

The Eric A. and Josephine S. Walker Award, named in honor of the late Penn State President and Mrs. Eric Walker, was presented to Matt Spaw. 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 Ryan Hart and Alicia Williams.

The Scholastic Excellence Award recognizes students who compete in a written and oral academic research presentation. This year’s finalists were Kelsey Conn, Troy Hellen, and Ronald Simon. Hellen was the award recipient.

The complete list of student award winners includes:

• Leadership Awards
  • Eric A. and Josephine S. Walker Award: Matt Spaw
  • Dennis Hippo Memorial Award: Ryan Hart and Alicia Williams
• University Awards
  • Freshman President’s Awards: Hang Cheng, Tara Cope, Crystal Fordyce, Carly Gruss, Laura Marinos, Tanner McFarland
  • President Sparks Award: George Haggerty
  • Evan Pugh Scholar Award: Emily Marchewka
• Academic Awards:
  • Administration of Justice Award: Wendy Pennington
  • Associates in Business Award: Ellen Jean McCloy
  • Bachelors of Science in Business Award: Aaron Sabatula and Lindsay Walt
  • English and American Studies Award: Brittany Gallagher
  • Human Development & Family Studies Award: Noelle Winkler
  • Kinesiology Award: Nathan Kiliany (Fall), Joe Belan (Spring), Rebecca Henckel (Spring)
  • Philosophy Award: William Addis
  • Physical Therapy Award: Esther Blizman
  • Thelma Sandy Award in Nursing: Christopher Ohmer (Fall), Moriah Kromer (Spring), Anna Sparks (Spring)
• Campus Awards
  • Scholastic Excellence Award Winner: Troy Hellen
  • Port Family Public Service Award: Darrin Hogue
  • Joanne Genova Sujansky Memorial Leadership Award: Rachael Franks, Matt Spaw
  • Drozd Family Humanitarian Assistance and Community Service Award: Emily Marchewka
  • Club of the Year Award: The Lion Players
  • David J. Leone Memorial Leadership Award: Matt Spaw

On Wednesday, April 24, a memorial service and plaque ceremony were held for the late Lawrence A. Hunchuck, mining instructor at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus. The ceremony was held in the Coal and Coke Heritage Center in the lower level of the library at Penn State Fayette.

Lawrence “Larry” Hunchuck graduated from West Virginia University with a bachelor of science in Mining Engineering, and later from the University of Pittsburgh with a master’s degree in Mining Engineering. Upon retirement after 30 years in the mining industry, he decided to share his knowledge by becoming an instructor at Penn State Fayette.

Members of the campus and community joined together to share memories and stories of Hunchuck’s impact on their lives. Speeches were given by Dr. Francis Achampong, Chancellor; Robert Lowery, mining instructor; and Joseph Hann; lecturer in business.

The memorial plaque was presented by mining student Darrin Hogue and was accepted by Elaine H. DeFrank, oral historian of the Coal and Coke Heritage Center. Closing remarks were made by Lawrence’s wife Mary Hunchuck and his brother John Hunchuck.

“Teaching the mining classes kept Larry busy and happy. He thrived on interaction with the coal companies, Dr. Achampong, and the faculty, staff, and students here at the Fayette campus. He truly made every day count,” said DeFrank during her acceptance of the plaque.

Hunchuck passed away January 10, 2013 of injuries resulting from an automobile accident.

In honor of the 44th anniversary of Earth Day, students at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus engaged in a cleanup project along a local highway.

A group of 16 Penn State Fayette students enrolled in an “Energy Conservation for Environmental Protection” course spent their class time walking along Route 119 next to the campus. In 45 minutes, the group collected 30 bags of litter in just two-tenths of a mile. The effort was led by professor David Meredith, program head from Building Environmental Systems Technology.

“I’ve been celebrating Earth Day since the first event in 1970,” said Meredith. “Since my class was scheduled to meet on that day, we wanted to do a service project to help the community and have some fun in the process.” Meredith’s course is an overview of energy and its environmental effects for non-technical majors like business and liberal arts.

“This course allows students to get a feel for what they can do to save energy and improve their local environment,” said Meredith. Dr. Meredith teaches in the associate degree program in building engineering technology that prepares graduates for careers in green building design and construction, and the energy and sustainability industries.

The 32nd annual Women’s Day will take place on Thursday, May 16 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus’ Maggie Hardy Magerko Auditorium.

“Celebrating Women 2013” will feature keynote speaker LaDonna Gatlin, who reaches out to others through storytelling and song. Born into a family of entertainers, Gatlin has spent her career empowering people to “sing their own song” through their words, their deeds, and their actions.

This year’s Women’s Day workshops include: “Protecting Yourself and Your Identity,” presented by Pennsylvania Trooper Stefani A. Plume; “The Past, the Present and (maybe) the Future,” presented by Dave Meredith, associate professor of engineering at Penn State Fayette; and “Value Added Ventures for Women,” presented by Susan Lynn of Greendance Winery at Sand Hill.

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 10 is $20; after May 10 is $25. The fee includes workshops, morning refreshments, the information agency fair, Chinese auction, luncheon, and presentation by the featured speaker LaDonna Gatlin. For more information or to register, call 724-430-4144.

The fifth annual Blues and White Gala scholarship fundraiser is scheduled for May 11 at Horizon Point in Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington, Pa. The theme of this year’s gala is “Blues and White Gala: Tropical Style."

Lori Omatick, director of Development at the Fayette campus and gala chair, commented that, “The planning committee, comprised of volunteers from the campus and greater community, has been working hard to make this year’s fifth anniversary event extra special. Guests can look forward to being ‘carried away’ with the sights, sounds, and taste of a tropical paradise in the beautiful indoor/outdoor setting of Horizon Point.”

One highlight of the evening will be the recognition of the annual “Friends of Penn State.” This year’s honorees will be Terry and Denise McMillen in appreciation of their campus support and involvement throughout the years. Terry McMillen is co-chair for the Future Capital Campaign committee and a member of the campus advisory board. He has also been honored as a past recipient of the outstanding alumnus award as well as a former commencement speaker. Terry McMillen is a former engineering instructor of the Penn State Fayette campus. Terry and Denise are credited with the creation of both an award in engineering and a trustee scholarship.

Mistress of Ceremonies for the gala will be Sally Wiggin, WTAE-TV anchor. The feature activities of the Blues and White Gala are the silent and live auctions, which, along with sponsorships and ticket-sales, helped to raise $140,000 over the past four years of the event.

Offerings at this year’s auction include some unique items, such as a one-of-a-kind Penn State “Paws” handmade quilt and an adventure package from Nemacolin Woodlands Resort. Other items include four Pittsburgh Steelers luxury box tickets to a 2013 home game with pre-game sideline passes; a Brett Keisel autographed Steelers football jersey; a Matt Cooke autographed Penguins hockey jersey; a Nemacolin Woodlands Resort Weekend Getaway for two; original artwork by local artist David DiPietro; a Hines Ward autographed miniature football helmet; a five autographed album set including Fabian, Lou Christie, Paul Revere and the Raiders, and Pure Gold and the Drifters; a one-of-a-kind poster signed by Larry the Cable Guy and Reno Collier; Pirates tickets and basket; Penn State fan basket; and gift certificates for restaurants, golf and more.

The gala will feature dining and dancing. Cocktail hour musical entertainment will feature steel drum music by "Island Sounds by Phil." The evening continues with a tropical-inspired menu, with items including smoky island-style fish dip, shrimp scampi pizza, spice roasted mahi mahi, spicy grilled Jamaican jerk chicken, and an array of options at the island dessert station. Following dinner, guests will have the opportunity to dance to the music of local rock band Abacus Jones, who will perform an array of crowd favorites with a tropical twist.

Major sponsors for the gala include: W. Gerald and Carolyn Blaney, Penn State Fayette Advisory Board; CRH Catering; Nemacolin Woodlands Resort; CONSOL Energy, Inc.; Ford Business Machines, Inc.; and United Bank.

“The significance of the event is that one-hundred percent of the proceeds is awarded directly to students in need for the coming academic year. The gala’s guests and sponsors can take great satisfaction in knowing that their support helps to make possible a quality Penn State education for those who might otherwise not be able to afford it,” said Omatick. Currently, 90 percent of Penn State Fayette students qualify for financial aid.

The gala begins at 5:00 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 3. For more information, to receive an invitation or make reservations, call 724-430-4190.

Abacus Jones members (from the left) Tony Materkowski, Jason Cursi, and Joe Materkowski.

Three of Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus’ top students presented academic research papers at a special presentation on Wednesday, April 10. Troy Hellen, Kelsey Conn, and Ronald Simon are competing to win the campus’ top Scholastic Excellence Award. All three students will receive monetary awards for their work.

Hellen of Jefferson, Pa. presented “Selection and Installation of a Quad Drive Belt Conveyor”; Connellsville resident Conn discussed “Female Serial Killers: A Rare Phenomenon”; and Simon, of Massillon, Ohio, shared his thoughts on “The Missing Link: The Memristor.”

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 26.

The panel judging the presentations includes Dr. Russell Filburn, senior instructor of communication arts and sciences; Dr. Elaine Barry, associate professor of human development and family studies; Jes Hutson, instructor in kinesiology; Dr. Janet Knott, instructor in nursing; and Janet Ritenour, instructor in nursing.

This program is designed for professionals who are preparing to become personal care home administrators and for health care workers who need to meet their continuing education requirements.

These courses will address topics surrounding personal care homes as well as those issues related to patients who need home care assistance. Participants have the option of completing all 100 hours of the course, or selecting from a variety of available courses on topics such as nutrition and food sanitation, cultural competency, resident rights, budgeting and financial record keeping, CPR certification, and many more.

For more information or a registration form, call Penn State Fayette's Continuing Education department at 724-430-4211. 

Extreme Action Artist Tom Varano will perform on Tuesday, April 23 at noon in the Maggie Hardy Magerko Auditorium in the campus’ Community Center at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus. This event is free and open to the public.

Varano's craft features a live performance of creating paintings through non-traditional manners. His performance is set to music and his paintings are created in front of a live audience.

Chad Long, assistant director of student affairs at Penn State Fayette, said “This event is a great opportunity for the community to see a one-of-a-kind performance by a truly talented individual. I'm excited to see what Varano has in store for us.”

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

Robert E. Eberly Jr. will share thoughts and insights with the 2013 graduating class of Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus on Saturday, May 4 as the featured speaker at the campus’ commencement ceremony.

Originally from Uniontown, Eberly earned his undergraduate degree in economics from Cornell University and a juris doctorate degree, cum laude, from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. Following his retirement from the United States Navy General Counsel's Office, Eberly began a second career as an historian. He is the author of "Bouquets from the Cannon's Mouth," a history of Fayette County soldiers in the Civil War. Eberly is active in battlefield preservation, having served on the board of the Friends of the National Parks at Gettysburg. He serves currently as president of The Eberly Foundation.

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

A special ceremony was held March 28 at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus to induct 55 students into Pi Sigma Phi scholastic honor society. These students were chosen based on academic achievement and the completion of 30 credits and at least a 3.5 GPA. The mission of Pi Sigma Phi is to promote higher standards of learning and high scholastic attainment.

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

• William Addis, Uniontown, Pa. – Nursing
• Colvin Adey, Connellsville, Pa. – Engineering (Common Year)
• Valerie Baker, Champion, Pa. – Physical Therapy Assistant
• Robert Barton, Brownsville, Pa. – Information Sciences and Technology
• Jared Bigham, Mill Run, Pa. – Engineering (Common Year)
• William Binns, Brownsville, Pa. – Mining Technology
• Esther Blizman, Hunker, Pa. – Physical Therapy Assistant
• Amber Bowlen, Smithfield, Pa. – Human Development and Family Studies
• Harrison Boyd, Vanderbilt, Pa. – Information Sciences and Technology (Pre-Major)
• Nicholas Cicio, Acme, Pa. – Electrical Engineering Technology
• Steven Ciez, Uniontown, Pa. – Engineering (Common Year)
• John Clawges, Morgantown, Wv. – Mining Technology
• Kelsey Conn, Connellsville, Pa. – Administration of Justice
• Jessica Corvin, Connellsville, Pa. – Business
• Tracie Delestienne, Fayette City, Pa. – Nursing
• Kevin Diamond, Waltersburg, Pa. – Liberal Arts
• Amanda Domaracki, Belle Vernon, Pa. – Business
• Timothy Domico, Monongah, Wv. – Mining Technology
• Jason Donaldson, Uniontown, Pa. – Mining Technology
• Tara Hall, Mount Pleasant, Pa. – Nursing
• Alex Hamborsky, Uniontown, Pa. – Engineering (Common Year)
• Beau Handley, Enterprise, Pa. – Mining Technology
• Kaycee Hart, Uniontown, Pa.– Administration of Justice (Common Year)
• Troy Hellen Jefferson, Pa. – Mining Technology
• Rebecca Henckel, Uniontown, Pa. – Liberal Arts
• Lucy Hlatky, Smithfield, Pa. – Business
• Kaitlyn Holmes, Farmington, Pa. – Physical Therapy Assistant
• Ethan Knopsider, White, Pa. – Building Engineering Technology
• Moriah Kromer, Mount Pleasant, Pa. – Nursing
• Tracy Leapline, Smock, Pa. – Nursing
• Heather Lehman, Lewistown, Pa. – Nursing
• Jeremiah McGee,, Uniontown, Pa. – Business
• Timothy Moore, West Newton, Pa. – Engineering (Common Year)
• Daniel Oppman, Connellsville, Pa. – Administration of Justice
• Joseph Patula, Mount Pleasant, Pa. – Mining Technology
• Mario Piccolomini, Waltersburg, Pa. – Business
• Amber Pincavitch, Dilliner, Pa. – Nursing
• Brittany Queer, Dunbar, Pa. – Administration of Justice
• David Quiles Gonzalez, Uniontown, Pa. – Administration of Justice
• Justin Radford, Ruffs Dale, Pa. – Physical Therapy Assistant
• Heather Rattay,Fairchance, Pa. – Letters, Arts, and Sciences
• Jarret Repnik, Herminie, Pa. – Mining Technology
• Justin Repnik, Herminie, Pa. – Mining Technology
• Megan Sanders, McClellandtown, Pa. – Business
• James Schooley, Carmichaels, Pa. – Mining Technology
• Colton Seigfried, Avella, Pa. – Civil Engineering
• Shawn Sherwood, South Connellsville, Pa. – Nursing
• Ronald Simon, Smithton, Pa. – Electrical Engineering Technology
• Heather Smitley, Mount Pleasant, Pa. – Business
• Anna Sparks, Indian Head, Pa. – Nursing
• Matthew Spaw, Farmington, Pa. – Building Engineering Technology
• Glenn Wilson, Fairchance, Pa. – Administration of Justice
• Caitlin Wontroba, Uniontown, Pa. – Nursing
• Cassandra Zinn, Uniontown, Pa. – Human Development and Family Studies
• Lacey Zitney, Vanderbilt, Pa. – Non-Degree

Among the Penn State Fayette students inducted into the Pi Sigma Phi Honor Society March 28 were: (front row, from left) Amber Pincavitch, Moriah Kromer, Amber Bowlen, Heather Rattay, Cassandra Zinn, (second row, from left) David Quiles Gonzalez, Tracy Leapline, Brittany Queer, Anna Sparks, Alex Hamborsky, Harrison Boyd, Jeremiah McGee, (third row, from left) Colton Seigfried, Kevin Diamond, Steven Ciez, Ethan Knopsider, Kelsey Conn, Matthew Spaw, Robert Barton, Daniel Oppman, Lacy Zitney, Glenn Wilson (Photo by Bill Hager).

The 32nd annual Women’s Day will take place on Thursday, May 16 from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus’ Maggie Hardy Magerko Auditorium. “Celebrating Women 2013” will feature keynote speaker LaDonna Gatlin, who reaches out to others through storytelling and song. Also taking place that day will be workshop presentations covering a variety of topics including safety, technology, and business. Some of the Women’s Day Committee members, which include community and campus representatives, are seen here at a recent planning meeting: (seated, from left) Janet Ritenour, Tina Reed, and Collette Ridgeway, (standing, from the left) Dee Lindsey, Jessica Davis, Earla Knoyer, and Janet Kowalczyk. To receive a mailer about the event, call 724-430-4144. (Photo by Ellen Rogers.)

Current high school seniors and adults who are deciding where to attend college or want to learn how a college education can advance their career are invited to participate in the “Why Penn State” Open House Saturday, April 13, from 9 a.m. to noon. This special open house will give prospective students the opportunity to discover why they should consider Penn State Fayette.

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 200 majors 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. 

Sokolin LLC is a leading luxury retailer and direct marketer of fine wine to high net worth individuals internationally. The company is primarily known for offering a selection of premium back vintage European wine and white glove customer service.

Smydo holds a bachelor of arts degree from Washington and Jefferson College. In addition to his duties at Sokolin LLC, Smydo has taken on additional roles as the managing director of four separate land investment companies that specialize in location-strategic properties and investing in land with valuable oil, gas, and mineral rights in the United States.

Smydo is an invited participant in Yale School of Management's Leadership Institute's CEO Summit in New York. He also holds advisory positions with several companies, including a global manufacturing business, and remains active at his alma mater through mentoring programs and lectures on wine etiquette.

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 CEO Conversations series has been running annually since 2008 and is sponsored by Joseph A. Hardy III. 

The change will take place in fall 2014, when the final class of associate degree students will be admitted. The first class of four-year students will also begin class at that time. Fayette currently has both the A.S. and R.N. to B.S. programs. The decision to offer only a bachelor’s degree was made after several levels of internal approval and with the endorsement of the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing. “The Institute of Medicine recommends in its Future of Nursing Report that 80 percent of all nurses be prepared minimally at the baccalaureate level by 2020,” says Paula Milone-Nuzzo, dean of the Penn State School of Nursing. “We’re responding to these changes for the benefit of our patients and our profession.”

For additional information about Penn State Fayette’s new four-year program, contact Melissa Miner, campus coordinator for nursing, at 724-430-4221 or mbm12@psu.edu. 

The Spirit of Internationalization Award was recently presented to six women within the Penn State and Center Country communities by the University Office of Global Programs (UOGP). Among the recipients was Gina Jones, instructor at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus.

The award celebrates women with international interests who have shown extraordinary strength of character and commitment to the cause of internationalization and women's empowerment. A ceremony was held on Tuesday, March 12 in the ballroom of the Nittany Lion Inn in State College, Pa. The awards coincide with International Women’s Day, which is celebrated worldwide to bring attention to global women’s issues.

Jones was chosen for the award for her efforts as coordinator of the Center for Experiential and Developmental Education and also as an instructor in the Human Development and Family Studies program on campus. Jones is also co-chair of MyOWN Campaign, a grant-funded project run by the Pennsylvania Business and Professional Women Foundation (BPW) that advocates opportunity for equal pay.

“It is truly an honor to receive this award,” said Jones. “The work of MyOWN Campaign and BPW must continue until a change is made.” On Tuesday, April 9, MyOWN will host its second Equal Pay Day rally, which will begin at noon on the steps of the Fayette County Courthouse in Uniontown, Pa.

The presentation will provide an overview of various aspects of immigration systems in need of reform. Topics will include an overview of immigration laws and policies, up-to-date information on the current immigration debate in Washington, D.C., and a question and answer session following the presentation.

Jacki Esposito is a graduate of New York Law School, cum laude, where she served on the New York Law School Review. She has been a leading advocate in support of fair and humane immigration reform and has served as a media spokesperson on a broad array of immigration policy and legislation issues. She currently serves on the steering committees of national and state organizations focused on immigrant rights. As director of immigration advocacy, she directs the Coalition's immigration policy and agenda on the federal, state, and local level while developing policy recommendations to promote a more fair immigration system.

Esposito has appeared on regional television and radio stations. She has been quoted extensively in national and local publications and has presented at national conferences and universities.

This event is sponsored by Penn State Fayette's Coalition for Equity, a group that invites faculty, staff, students and community members to participate in activities that explore social differences, cultivate respect, and celebrate the many diverse values, people, practices, and traditions that exist in the world.

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. This is the 19th year the Uniontown Hospital Auxiliary has made a generous gift. The scholarship provides financial assistance to area students pursuing degrees in nursing at Penn State Fayette.

Dr. Francis Achampong, Chancellor at Penn State Fayette, says, “The support that the Uniontown Hospital Auxiliary gives to the campus helps us provide our nursing students with an exceptional educational opportunity that prepares them for an engaging career and good citizenship.”

This year’s ice cream flavor selection includes: Bittersweet Mint, Butter Pecan, Chocolate, Coconut Chip, Death by Chocolate, Heath Bar Candy, Peachy Paterno, Peanut Butter Swirl, 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 8. Ice cream pick-up day is scheduled for Saturday, April 27, 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. 

Celtic rock band Barleyjuice will perform on Tuesday, March 12 at 6:30 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 campus and community to experience a truly unique take on rock music. The Celtic sound Barleyjuice is known for is a great way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.”

Formed in 1998, Barleyjuice is comprised of Kyf Brewer, Keith Swanson, Shelley Weiss, Eric Worthington, and Gregor Schroeder, Barleyjuice is currently one of the most beloved Celtic rock bands in the United States. Their music has been featured in television episodes of “The Office” and “King of the Hill” as well as feature films such as “Driven.” With five studio albums and a double CD collection to date, Barleyjuice’s blend of rock and Celtic music creates a memorable sound that appeals to all.

Teams of ninth and tenth grade students from local school districts including Laurel Highlands and Uniontown Area High Schools will compete. Students will have an opportunity to win their choice of apple, cherry, or berry pies by completing problems focusing on STEM areas of science, technology, engineering and math.

“We started this event because there are very few STEM-related competitions for this critical age group. We wanted students in our region to have an opportunity to have fun using math,” said David Meredith, associate professor of engineering at Penn State Fayette and proctor of the Pi Day exam. “Local companies tell me that they struggle to find people with technical skills. This competition is another way to better prepare students for what comes next.”

The gala will be held at Horizon Point at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and will feature steel drum duo Island Sounds by Phil Webster during cocktail hour. Following dinner, local favorites Abacus Jones will perform a set list of crowd favorites with a tropical twist.

Mistress of ceremonies for the evening will be WTAE-TV news anchor Sally Wiggin.

This year’s Friends of Penn State Fayette honorees are Terry and Denise McMillen, in appreciation of the couple’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.

Electronic Blues and White Gala Invitation

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 16 years ago, the team has raised over $825,000 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 16 years; the team placed second in 2005, 2006, 2011, and 2013.

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. 15–17. Team members from Penn State Fayette traveled to the Byrce Jordan Center in University Part, Pa. to join a crowd of 15,000. Fayette’s six allotted dancers completed the exhausting 46 hour no-sitting, no-sleeping event.

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

On Monday, Feb. 18, engineering instructor Joe Kalaski will present “Ethics in the Cyberworld of the 21st Century” at 3:00 p.m. in room 102 Eberly. This event is free and open to the public.

On Thursday, Feb. 21, Academic students from five regional high schools will be competing in the 25th annual TEAMS competition at Penn State Fayette, the Eberly Campus. The competition will begin at 9:00 a.m. in the lower level of the library.

In this competition, 12 student teams from Connellsville Area, Jefferson Morgan, Peters Township, Ringgold and Somerset Area High Schools will compete to solve real world problems. The TEAMS exam will have questions based around this year’s theme, “Engineering a Secure Cyberspace.”

David Meredith, associate professor of engineering, explained that this competition gives students a positive experience about using math and science to solve in the engineering profession. “Working as a team emphasizes the importance of communication skills,” said Meredith. “No one individual can know all the answers, so it is the synergism of the team that makes the difference.”

Also on Thursday, Feb. 21, Penn State Fayette alumna Kelly (Stacek) Campitell will return to speak at 6:30 p.m. in 103 Eberly. Campitell will discuss her experiences designing ice rinks around the world from her home office in Johnstown. Attending will be local high school students who have applied to Penn State and have expressed an interest in Engineering as well as local middle school females participating in the Girrl Power! program, a STEM initiative to encourage young women to consider careers related to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. The program was initiated by a Penn State-Fayette female engineering student in 2000 and continues today to introduce young female minds to the world of STEM.

Meredith says, “It is always exciting to hear about what our Penn State Fayette alumnae have accomplished after graduation. To establish a career in the global market with a two-year degree is certainly a personal accomplishment. For her to return to share her knowledge with our current students and the next generation of college students shows her Penn State pride.”

O’Brien is a graduate of Robert Morris University with a bachelor of science degree in business administration and a master of science degree in taxation. In February 2010, O’Brien was named president and CEO of Peoples Natural Gas Company, LLC, a natural gas company that provides service to individual homes and businesses in 16 western Pennsylvania counties.

O’Brien is active in civic organizations throughout the region, including the Board of Trustees of his alma mater and of the University of Pittsburgh. He also serves on many boards including the Pennsylvania Energy Association, the United Way of Allegheny County, the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, The Pittsburgh Opera, and the western Pennsylvania chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

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. CEO Conversations has been running annually since 2008 and is sponsored by Joseph A. Hardy III.

“Bully” is a 2011 documentary about bullying in U.S. schools. Directed by Lee Hirsch, the film follows the lives of five students who face bullying on a daily basis. “Bully” follows a year-in-the-life of America’s bullying crisis and offers an intimate look at how bullying has touched the lives of five children and their families. The documentary highlights solutions that address immediate needs and lea to systemic changes.

Immediately following the screening will be a candid discussion about the documentary. The community is invited to join in and share their opinions on the film and the subject of bullying.

Students will have a chance to complete their application to Penn State Fayette. The $50 fee will be waived. Students are required to bring their official high school transcripts as well as SAT or ACT scores.

By attending the Penn State Student for a Day Open House, prospective students will attend a mock class, explore the campus, and have lunch with current Penn State students. Admissions counselors will be present to speak with students and offer assistance with the application process.

To R.S.V.P., call 724-430-4130.

CONSOL Energy recently presented a gift of $25,000 to Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus. The gift is part of CONSOL Energy’s “Financial Aid to Education” initiative which supports the campus’ Mining Technology Associate Degree Program. This program at Penn State Fayette offers students the education they need to fast-track into supervisory positions in mining production and maintenance. Penn State Fayette Chancellor Dr. Francis Achampong (center) was presented the check from CONSOL Energy by CONSOL employees Alex Huffman, Supervisor of Talent Acquisition (far left) and Brent Losee, Recruiter for Talent Acquisition.

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.

Students from the following schools will be participating in this year’s competition: A.J. McMullen Middle School, Albert Gallatin North Middle School, Albert Gallatin South Middle School, Benjamin Franklin School, Connellsville Junior High School, Frazier Middle School, Lafayette School, and Margaret Bell Miller Middle School.

Kevin Maxwell, mathematics instructor at Penn State Fayette, said, “The MATHCOUNTS competition is always a fun day for the students and volunteers, and we are so happy to have the continuing support of the schools in the area.”

Please note: This event was originally scheduled for tomorrow, Feb 5. It has been moved to Tuesday, Feb 12 due to inclement weather.

This year’s festival will include two 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 Monday, Jan. 28.

The National Players will also perform “Romeo and Juliet” at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 29.

Shakespeare-in-the-Schools will perform “Her Hamlet” at noon on Thursday, Jan. 31 and will present an acting demonstration on “Taking Shakespeare from Page to Stage” at noon on Friday, Feb. 1.

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 items pertaining to Shakespeare’s work.

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

A ceremony will be held at 10:30 a.m. in the Maggie Hardy Magerko Auditorium in the campus’ Community Center honoring local middle school and high school students for their achievement in the following areas: academics, athletics, community service, and performing arts.

At noon, a special performance of “1,001 Black Inventions” will take place. “1,001 Black Inventions” is a play that features the lives of brilliant men and women who have made an impact on todays’ society. A typical American family attempts to survive in a world without inventions created by Africans and African Americans. This performance balances comedic moments with the realization that Black ingenuity is an integral part of our everyday lives.

The Open House is an opportunity for potential students and those interested in collegiate athletics to become acquainted with the campus and Penn State’s academic and athletic programs.

Agenda for the day includes a campus tour, a chance to learn more about Penn State’s 200-plus majors, and a light lunch with faculty, coaches, and staff.

The Open House is available for current and prospective college students, as well as high school students. 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 2013 spring SAT test dates are March 9, May 4, and June 1.

Three sessions of the SAT Prep Course are being offered at the Fayette campus. Each five-week session will cover all three test areas:

• Five Saturdays, Feb. 2-March 2, from 9:00 a.m. to noon.
• Five Saturdays, March 16-April 13, from 9:00 a.m. to noon.
• Five Saturdays, April 27-May 25, 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 Penn State Fayette course for the second time is $69. Each session 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.