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Penn State Alumni Association News
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12/19/2005—Penn State Fans to Rally In Miami on Jan. 2
12/19/2005—Bowl-Bound Penn Staters Invited to Spend New Year's Eve With President Spanier at Blue-and-White Celebration
11/28/2005—Musical Theatre Students to Perform for Alumni, Fans In Five-City Tour Throughout Northeast
11/28/2005—Penn Staters to Get Together for Alumni Pre-Game Mixers in Pittsburgh and Fairfax, Va.
11/09/2005—“Official Penn State Bowl Tour” Planned, Registrations Now Underway
11/08/2005—Twenty-five Individuals and Groups Honored with 2005 Volunteer Awards from Penn State Alumni Association
10/24/2005—Penn State's Faculty Astronaut to Discuss Space Travel at Homecoming "Huddle with the Faculty"
10/17/2005—Penn State Events at Illinois
09/30/2005—LA Women's Group to Gather Oct. 22
09/27/2005—Penn State Fans to “Rally In the Valley” on Oct. 7
09/27/2005—Twenty-three Penn Staters to be Honored with Alumni Fellow Award
09/27/2005—Penn State Pep Rallies to be Held in Michigan and Illinois; Special Event at Michigan State
09/16/2005—Katrina Help
09/12/2005—Eberly College Professor to Discuss Genetically Modified Foods
09/02/2005—Equine Science Professor to Discuss Mustangs
08/19/2005—First-Year Students are Invited to "Be A Part From the Start"
08/18/2005—Penn State Faculty to Kick Off Popular Home Football Lecture Series on Sept. 3
08/16/2005—Nittany Lion Football Team Meets The Press
08/16/2005—Huddle With the Faculty
08/12/2005—Gold Appoints Board, Chairs
08/12/2005—Get Ready to Rally
08/10/2005—Alumni Invited to Concert at Winery
07/28/2005—We Want Your Blood
07/14/2005—Penn State Intercollegiate Athletic Luncheon
07/14/2005—Penn State Football Eve Celebration
07/06/2005—Penn State Alumni Association Grows by Nearly 3,500 Members; Total Membership Surpasses 156,000
07/05/2005—Penn Stater Editor Posts Travelogue Dispatches from Alumni Tour through British Isles
06/30/2005—Ten Alumni Elected, Three Appointed to Serve on Alumni Council
06/13/2005—Adam Taliaferro Foundation Benefit Dinner
06/1/2005—Cruise Vermont's Lake Champlain
05/19/2005—Association Names 2005 Honorary Alumni
05/17/2005—Alumni Association Voting Deadline is May 31
05/09/2005—Penn State Alumni Association to give $300,000 for Education Abroad scholarships
04/26/2005—Special Offer to Watch Golfing History
04/21/2005—Penn State Day of Service - Help Us Adopt-A-Building in Valley Forge Park
04/4/2005—Alumni Association to recognize 13 young alumni with new award
02/24/2005—Sesquicentennial Games T-shirts now available at the online Alumni Store
02/14/05—Ambassadors to hold Founders’ Day Celebration on Feb. 22
02/14/05—Call for Honorary Degree Nominations
01/20/05—New Pa. license plate available
01/12/05—THON Blood Drive

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Penn State Fans to Rally In Miami on Jan. 2
Pep Rally to feature Joe Paterno, Players, the Lion, and more

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (Dec. 19, 2005)—The Penn State Alumni Association and Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics will pump up and prime the Nittany Lion faithful gathered in Miami for the FedEx Orange Bowl when they host the Penn State Pep Rally at 2 p.m., Monday, Jan. 2 at the Miami Beach Convention Center, 1901 Convention Center Drive.

Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno and the Nittany Lion football team, University President Graham Spanier, Alumni Association Executive Director Roger Williams, Penn State cheerleaders, the Blue Band, and the Nittany Lion mascot will all participate in the pep rally and help ready students, alumni and friends for the next day's FedEx Orange Bowl game.

The Penn State Pep Rally is free and open to all Penn Staters and fans. The pep rally program will begin at 2 p.m., and the doors will open at 1 p.m. The Penn State Pep Rally is presented by the Penn State Alumni Association and the Nittany Lion Club with support from MBNA and Liberty Mutual Insurance.

The FedEx Orange Bowl features No. 3 Penn State and No. 22 Florida State in the nationally televised game to be broadcast by ABC-TV beginning at 8 p.m. The Penn State Sports Network will broadcast the game, which can also be heard at http://www.GoPSUsports.com.

More information on the Penn State Pep Rally and other Penn State events can be found at the Penn State Alumni Association's Web site at www.alumni.psu.edu/events. More information about other FedEx Orange Bowl events can be found at www.orangebowl.org.

Bowl-Bound Penn Staters Invited to Spend New Year's Eve With President Spanier at Blue-and-White Celebration

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (Dec. 19, 2005)—Penn Staters headed to Miami for the Orange Bowl can still have a blue-and-white New Year's Eve by attending Penn State's New Year's Eve Celebration with President Graham Spanier, sponsored by the Penn State Alumni Association.

The Penn State New Year's Eve Celebration will begin at 8 p.m., December 31 in the grand ballroom of the InterContinental Miami at 100 Chopin Plaza. The evening will feature a cocktail reception with heavy hors d'ouevres, a performance by the renowned Penn State musical theatre students, dancing and a dessert buffet before ending at 1 a.m. on January 1.

Tickets to Penn State's New Year's Eve Celebration are $150 per person and are available online at www.doddsathletictours.com/pennstate/bowl or by calling 866-373-7370. Tickets may also be purchased at the door, the evening of the event.

Musical Theatre Students to Perform for Alumni, Fans In Five-City Tour Throughout Northeast

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (Nov. 28, 2005)—Students from Penn State's internationally acclaimed musical theatre program will perform a show of popular Broadway musical numbers during a five-city tour January 4-8, 2006.

The Penn State Musical Theatre Tour, sponsored by the Penn State Alumni Association, will include performances at the Hershey (Pa.) Lodge (Jan. 4), Washington, D.C. Marriott (Jan. 5), Philadelphia Franklin Institute Science Museum (Jan. 6), Allentown (Pa.) Crowne Plaza (Jan. 7) and Wilkes-Barre (Pa.) Woodlands Resort (Jan. 8). The Penn State show involves 16 standout junior and senior students, selected from the musical theatre program in the College of Arts and Architecture. Graham B. Spanier, Penn State's president and accomplished magician, will open the show by performing some close-up magic.

Students in the show are: Rachel Barthmaier, State College, Pa.; Justin Buchs, Sunnyvale, Calif.; Melissa Carlile, Glen Carbon, Ill.; Carol Feiger, Lake Hiawatha, N.J.; Addi McDaniel, St. Augustine, Fla.; Rebecca Miller, Long Island, N.Y.; Emily Peterson, St. Louis, Mo.; Lisa Rohinsky, Blakeslee, Pa.; Anthony Romeo, Hawley, Pa.; Steve Schepis, Center Valley, Pa.; Matt Schmidt, Downingtown, Pa.; Kendall Thornburgh, Wexford, Pa.; Casey Tuma, Marlton, N.J.; Tommy Wehry, Rough and Ready, Pa.; and Natalie Weiss, Manalapan, N.J. The Musical Theatre Tour is directed by Cary Libkin, head of the Musical Theatre Program, and choreographed by Michelle Dunleavy, an assistant professor of dance. Mollye Otis, musical theatre accompanist and instructor of music theory, is the musical director.

All tickets for each show must be ordered by Dec. 14. Tickets are free to members of the Penn State Alumni Association and all children under 18, and $20 per person for all others. Tickets for the musical theatre shows also include a pre-show reception with other Penn Staters and President Spanier.

For more information on specific show locations and times, to place ticket orders and make reservations, go to www.alumni.psu.edu/events or phone 800-548-LION, option 4.

The Musical Theatre Tour is part of the Penn State Alumni Association's outreach to alumni. As the world's largest dues-paying alumni association with more than 156,000 members, the Penn State Alumni Association connects alumni to the University and to each other, provides valuable benefits to members and supports the University's mission of teaching, research and service. The Penn State Alumni Association oversees hundreds of annual programs and events designed to inform, involve and inspire Penn State alumni. For more information on the Alumni Association, go to alumni.psu.edu.

Penn Staters to Get Together for Alumni Pre-Game Mixers in Pittsburgh and Fairfax, Va.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (Nov. 28, 2005)—When the Penn State men's and women's basketball teams hit the road in early December, the Penn State Alumni Association will join them with two alumni pre-game mixers on Dec. 6 in Fairfax, Va., and Dec. 10 in Pittsburgh.

The social events will bring area alumni, including those from local Penn State Alumni Association affiliate groups, and Penn State basketball fans together to warm-up before the tip-off of each basketball game and will include complimentary hors d'oeuvres. Alumni Association Executive Director Roger L. Williams will also be on hand for both events.

The first alumni pre-game mixer will take place 4-6 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 6, at Rene's Supper Club at 3251 Old Lee Highway in Fairfax, Va., just blocks from the George Mason Patriot Center where the Lady Lions will take on the Patriots beginning at 7 p.m.

Four days later, the Nittany Nation will gather for the second alumni pre-game mixer prior to the 2 p.m. men's basketball game against rival Pitt. The mixer will be 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 10 at Peter's Pub at 116 Oakland Avenue.

All alumni and Penn State fans are invited, and no reservations are required. For more information about the alumni pre-game mixers, go to alumni.psu.edu/events or phone 800-548-LION, option 4.

“Official Penn State Bowl Tour” Planned,
Registrations Now Underway

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (Nov. 9, 2005)—As the Nittany Lions near the end of their amazing comeback season, the Penn State Alumni Association is busy planning the “Official Penn State Bowl Tour”—the first bowl trip for the Nittany Nation since a Jan. 1, 2003 trip to the Capital One Bowl in Orlando, Fla.

The “Official Penn State Bowl Tour” is being organized by the Penn State Alumni Association and will feature a number of different packages and departure cities depending on which bowl Penn State is selected to attend. Air and land options will be available, as well game day only packages and a student package, to allow for a variety of package price ranges. Packages and options will include transportation, hotel, a pep rally with the Penn State coaches and players, and other special events. The Penn State Alumni Association is partnering on the bowl tour with Dodds Athletic Tours, a recognized national leader in athletic travel.

To date, more than 1,000 Penn State households have called the toll-free number of 866-373-7370 to register their interest in a bowl travel package. Once BCS bowl selections are announced on Dec. 4, 2005, each registered fan on the “Official Penn State Bowl Tour” list will be contacted about specific package options. Penn Staters can make their reservations for the “Official Penn State Bowl Tour” at that time.

For more information or to fill out the Official Penn State Bowl Tour interest form, visit the Dodds Athletics Tours homepage or call 866-373-7370. More information about the "Official Penn State Bowl Tour" is available online at www.alumni.psu.edu/bowl.

Penn State's Faculty Astronaut to Discuss Space Travel at Homecoming "Huddle with the Faculty"

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (October 24, 2005)—SNASA-funded investigator and former astronaut James Pawelczyk will be the featured speaker during the Homecoming weekend "Huddle with the Faculty" lecture at 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 29 at The Nittany Lion Inn.

An associate professor of physiology, kinesiology and medicine in the College of Health and Human Development, Pawelczyk will discuss some of the major risks associated with interplanetary space travel and how humans can successfully explore Mars in a lecture titled "Ready, Set ... Go? Are We Ready for a Human Trip to Mars?"

This free "Huddle with the Faculty" lecture is open to the public and also includes a complimentary continental breakfast beginning at 9:30 a.m. Free parking is available at the Nittany Lion Parking Deck, adjacent to The Nittany Lion Inn.

After Pawelczyk's lecture, one "Huddle with the Faculty" lecture remains on Nov. 5: "Music and Identity: For the Glory of Old State, Raise the Song" featuring Penn State Glee Club members with Christopher Kiver, assistant professor of music and director of the Penn State Glee Club, College of Arts and Architecture.

"Huddle with the Faculty" is an outreach service of the Penn State Alumni Association and is co-sponsored by The Nittany Lion Inn, Penn State Bookstore and Penn State Press. For more detailed descriptions of each "Huddle with the Faculty" and specific start times go to http://www.alumni.psu.edu/events/ or call the Alumni Association at 800-548-LION.

Twenty-five Individuals and Groups Honored with 2005 Volunteer Awards from Penn State Alumni Association UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (Nov. 8, 2005)—The Penn State Alumni Association honored four individuals and 21 groups for their outstanding work the past year by giving them one of 14 Volunteer Awards at a Nov. 4 ceremony held in the atrium of the new Business Building. The Volunteer Awards, part of the Alumni Association's comprehensive recognition program, acknowledge outstanding individuals and groups for service to their communities, the University, and the Alumni Association. Each affiliate group recognized for a group award received a certificate recognizing their organization's achievement and a $500 grant to be used for future programming. Each individual award winner received a crystal Nittany Lion.The 2005 individual award winners were: Jack Beiter '52 of Radnor, Pa., Philip Philip Mitchell Volunteer Service Award; Dr. Dan Kopen '74 of Shaverton, Pa., Volunteer of the Year Award; Marguerite Sharp '50 of Kettering, Ohio, Diversity Award; and Sally Hornick Anderson '98 of Chicago, Recent Alumna Award.

Group award winners were:

Annapolis (Maryland) Chapter-New/Innovative Event or Program Award;Capital District (Albany, New York) Chapter-Web Site Award;Centre County (Pennsylvania) Chapter-Communications Award; College of Education Alumni Society-National Service Project Award;College of Health and Human Development Alumni Society-Student Interaction Award;Colorado Chapter-Communications Award;Crime, Law and Justice Affiliate Program Group-Student Interaction Award;Dance Marathon Alumni Interest Group-PRIDE Award;Delaware County (Pennsylvania) Chapter-Membership Award;Emerald Coast (Florida) Chapter-National Service Project Award;Greater Scranton (Pennsylvania) Chapter-Fellowship/Networking Award;Hotel and Restaurant Society Affiliate Program Group-Fellowship/Networking Award;Lion Ambassador Alumni Interest Group-PRIDE Award;Metro Washington (D.C.) Chapter-PRIDE Award and Web Site Award;Montgomery County (Pennsylvania) Chapter-Fellowship/Networking Award;New York City Chapter-Professional Development Award Orange County (California) Chapter-National Service Project Award;Parmi Nous Alumni Interest Group-Scholarship/Fundraising Award;Penn State Altoona Alumni Society-Student Interaction Award;Penn State College of Medicine Alumni Society-Scholarship/Fundraising Award;
Penn State McKeesport Alumni Society-National Service Project Award.

Below are details of each award winner. Additional information about the Penn State Alumni Association's recognition program is available at www.alumni.psu.edu/awards.Individual Awards:
Philip Philip Mitchell Volunteer Service Award
This year the Philip Philip Mitchell Volunteer Service Award recognizes Jack Beiter '52. Six years ago, Jack formed a cycle team to help raise funds to find a cure for Multiple Sclerosis. Jack's team of 35 cyclists rides 160 miles from Cherry Hill to Ocean City, N.J. and back in this annual fund-raising ride. Together, the team has raised more than $100,000 with Jack personally raising more than half of that. Jack is also involved in other charitable endeavors such as arranging funding for polio immunizations for all children in Madagascar and helping to establish numerous scholarships to Penn State. He is a member of the Nittany Lion Club and a life member of the Penn State Alumni Association. Volunteer of the Year Award
Dr. Dan Kopen '74 has contributed greatly to the Penn State College of Medicine. Not only did he serve as an integral part of the Grand Destiny campaign, but he has also been instrumental in reconnecting alumni to the campus. These alumni, who before had never been involved with Hershey, have now become mentors, Career Day participants, and donors. Dan is a member of the Northeastern Pennsylvania Red Cross Board of Directors, the AIDS Awareness Committee of Luzerne County, and the Physicians Division of the United Way of Wyoming Valley. Diversity Award
Marguerite Sharp '50 has generously supported local philanthropic initiatives within the greater Dayton area, including Habitat for Humanity, Kettering YMCA, and the Dayton Woman's Club. Within each of these organizations, Marguerite has taken the lead to identify new ways to help and gone above and beyond the role of "just a volunteer." She has also created new connections between the Dayton Chapter and the greater community, leading to increased publicity for the group and a greater awareness of Penn State in the area. Marguerite uses each project to serve those less fortunate and to show others that outreach and community service know no boundaries. Recent Alumna Award
Sally Hornick Anderson '98, the current president of the Greater Chicago Chapter, has also served in a variety of roles with the chapter including vice president and social chair-a position she also held with the Metro Washington Chapter before relocating to Chicago. Sally serves as the Chicago Chairperson of the American Cancer Society's Daffodil Days and plans monthly professional development events for the Chicago chapter of the Society of Human Resource Managers. She is involved with Step-Up For Kids, City of Hope Breast Cancer Walk, the American Heart Association, and the Ron Santo Walk for juvenile diabetes. Sally is always identifying and welcoming Penn Staters new to Chicago. Sally is a member of the alumni interest groups for the Blue Band, Skull and Bones, Lion's Paw, and Theta Kappa Pi. She is also a life member of the Penn State Alumni Association. Group Awards:
Communications Award
Centre County (Pennsylvania) Chapter
The Centre County Chapter compiled a historical scrapbook of its many activities, with the intended goal of making it a permanent addition to the University archives. By compiling this scrapbook, the chapter has created a historical record for future leaders of the organization. In addition, the Centre County Chapter hopes to share this scrapbook with other groups who are looking for new ideas and events. Colorado Chapter
The Colorado Chapter made it a priority to reach as many alumni in their area as possible with an emphasis on repeat contact. E-mails about football kickoffs, University information, and updates on chapter events are sent to 1,500 Colorado-area alumni. This has resulted in increased attendance at events, a more diverse audience, and increased chapter membership. Fellowship/Networking Award
The Hotel and Restaurant Society Affiliate Program Group
The Hotel and Restaurant Society Affiliate Program Group hosted two awards receptions in New York City at the largest annual event in the hospitality industry. The first of these was the presentation of the "Alumnus of the Year Award" to Jim Purdum, general manager of Penn State Hospitality Services. The second was the annual "Hospitality Executive of the Year Award" dinner honoring Robert F. Cotter, president and chief operating officer for Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide. By honoring these captains of industry, the group received significant recognition and offered its alumni and students an excellent networking opportunity at the same time. The Scranton (Pennsylvania) Chapter
The Scranton Chapter hosts an annual Penn State night featuring athletic notables. This year's event, featuring coaches Joe Paterno and Rene Portland, was attended by more than 1,000 alumni and raised money for two scholarships for students at University Park and three endowed scholarships for students at the Penn State Worthington-Scranton campus. This event also brought together a variety of groups, including the Worthington-Scranton Society, the Wayne-Pike Chapter, the Binghamton Chapter, and the Central Virginia Chapter. The Montgomery County (Pennsylvania) Chapter
The Montgomery County Chapter leaders found that many alumni wanted to network with each other while giving back to the community. So the chapter developed a schedule of monthly community service projects. By making the service projects a monthly activity, the chapter was not only able to help more agencies in the area, but also allow smaller groups of alumni a chance to interact while doing something good for the community. Families were encouraged to volunteer together, and the events were attended by members of all demographic groups. Membership Award
Delaware County (Pennsylvania) Chapter
The Delaware County Chapter nearly tripled its membership from 67 in 2004 to 162 in 2005. This remarkable increase can be attributed to the chapter's focus on increasing the value of membership and on marketing the importance of membership in both the local group and the Penn State Alumni Association. They strengthened their chapter offerings by adding networking events, community service, and educational opportunities. This increase in membership has had other benefits including more interest in serving on the Chapter's Board of Directors, greater awareness of the Delaware County Campus and its activities, and the completion of a $20,000 endowment two years ahead of schedule. National Service Project Award
College of Education Alumni Society
The College of Education Alumni Society conducted a children's book drive in 2004, which collected and distributed more than 17,000 books. Elementary and middle school children donated books that were then distributed to needy children and schools in the United States and in Africa, the West Indies, and India. By providing these educational materials, the society engaged alumni across the country and accomplished its goals of education and service while increasing the visibility of Penn State around the world. Emerald Coast (Florida) Chapter
After Hurricane Ivan hit the Florida panhandle in September of 2004, the Emerald Coast Chapter collected clothing, supplies, and money for victims of the Hurricane. At a time when many of the chapter members were themselves displaced by the hurricane, alumni mobilized to insure that young children received needed basics. As a result, the chapter entered into a partnership with a local school to provide other volunteer services. That same school, in fact, still has a "Penn State Room" where clothing and other supplies are available for families that need them. Penn State McKeesport Alumni Society
For the past 18 years, the Penn State McKeesport Society has sponsored "Breakfast with Santa," an annual pancake breakfast and holiday celebration on campus. The Society partners with local non-profit organizations and the housing authority to invite 100 disadvantaged children to this special breakfast. In addition to breakfast, children received a photo with Santa, a stocking filled with goodies, and a toy purchased by the Society. The Society also meets two other goals through this project: young alumni help with the event, while current students provide entertainment through a theatrical performance. Orange County (California) Chapter
The Orange County Chapter has made it service projects a priority year round. In 2004, chapter members have collected cell phones for a battered women's shelter, soup labels for local schools, and eyeglasses for the Lion's Club. This past winter, the chapter took on a larger service project by adopting a family for the Christmas holidays, providing them with carloads of presents and other holiday essentials. These efforts have raised the visibility of Penn State out West, drawn new members, and added to the chapter's scholarship fund. New/Innovative Event or Program Award
Annapolis (Maryland) Chapter
The Annapolis Chapter's care package program collected, packaged, and sent 600 items to the U.S. Army's 335 Theatre Signal Command in Iraq. In September and October, the chapter collected items at numerous events, including cash donations to pay for the shipping charges. Chapter members also wrote personal notes to the service men and women on Nittany Lion Shrine postcards. For this program, the Chapter was recognized with a certificate of appreciate from Major General Lowell Detamore, received coverage in the The Annapolis Capital and received many letters from soldiers who were deeply touched by the chapter's care packages. PRIDE Award
Dance Marathon Alumni Interest Group
Lion Ambassadors Alumni Interest Group
Metro Washington, D.C. Chapter
These three groups joined forces for a fundraiser in the greater Washington D.C. area to benefit Thon. More than 250 people attended this event featuring live music and prizes donated by Penn State and the Washington Wizards professional basketball team. The event raised $7,000 for Thon and the Four Diamonds Fund. Professional Development Award
New York City Chapter
The New York City Chapter developed a quarterly professional development series of events where members attended sessions on personal and professional goals, effective resumes, real estate, and a Big Ten business-card exchange. Each session, as well as the overall series, was designed to facilitate professional networking among alumni in the metropolitan area. The series was also an outreach and recruitment opportunity since information about both Alumni Association membership and chapter activities was distributed. Through this series, the chapter has seen an increase in membership and attendance at other social events. Scholarship/Fundraising Award
Penn State College of Medicine Alumni Society
The Penn State College of Medicine Alumni Society Board of Directors established the Alumni Society Endowed Scholarship to provide assistance to medical and graduate students. After careful analysis of its alumni base, the board decided that each class should have its own scholarship, believing that more alumni would donate to a fund in their own class name. This strategy paid off, going from one general alumni scholarship to more than 34 class scholarships with its own a fund. This year the College of Medicine awarded more than $47,000 in scholarships-compared to the $1,000 awarded in 1995. In addition to relieving a financial burden, the scholarships can also be listed on a student's residency application, making them more competitive when interviewing for residency and research positions. Parmi Nous Alumni Interest Group
The Parmi Nous Alumni Interest Group made a pledge to construct the Obelisk Garden adjacent to the Hintz Family Alumni Center to honor the group's 100th anniversary. This project allowed Parmi Nous alumni to give back to the University in a way that is immediately recognizable and long lasting. Additionally, current Parmi Nous student members see the importance that alumni place on the Alumni Association and are inspired to remain involved after graduation. Alumni members of Parmi Nous have been motivated to be involved with other Parmni Nous events, and new volunteers have emerged with ideas for future projects and fundraisers. Student Interaction Award
The Penn State Altoona Alumni Society
The Penn State Altoona Alumni Society created a new Student Award for Outstanding Service to recognize a student who has significantly contributed to Penn State Altoona by volunteering his or her time on behalf of the University. This award is distributed at graduation so that all soon-to-be alumni learn of the importance the Society places on giving back to the campus. Realizing that there was a need to reach out to a larger population even earlier, the Society also sponsored a Graduate Fair on campus and a Final Week social. These events gave graduating seniors an opportunity to meet alumni volunteers and learn more about how they can remain connected to Penn State Altoona and the University overall. The Crime, Law and Justice Affiliate Program Group
The Crime, Law and Justice Affiliate Program Group has established a mentoring program which reaches 250 students each year; more than one-third of all those in the major. Participants are required to complete a special course that includes a professional development component not found elsewhere. Students meet individually or in small groups with mentors who provide information about their occupation and professional expertise. In addition, members of the group allow the College of the Liberal Arts to enhance its curriculum by rounding out a small number of faculty devoted to this area. College of Health and Human Development Alumni Society
The HH&D Alumni Society created a mentoring program that pairs junior-year students with alumni working in the student's field of interest. This pairing starts in the fall and the mentoring pairs last 15 months until the student's graduation. Each pair must meet in person at the kick-off dinner and workshop where they collaborate on a goal-setting document outlining action steps and progress each student is expected to achieve with support from the mentor. In the past four years, this program has grown from 30 pairs to more than 450 student and alumni participants. Web Site Award
Capital District Chapter
The Capital District Chapter has designed its Web site to connect members, parents, current and potential students, and alumni to each other and to the University. On their Web site, users can learn about chapter events, join the chapter, sign up for the chapter's student bus service, and more. By converting to an electronic-based method of outreach, the chapter has been able to use the money saved on printing and postage to sponsor more member events and increase its scholarship fund. In addition, the chapter has been able to more easily share information with media outlets to increase overall visibility for the chapter and the Alumni Association.

Metro Washington D.C. Chapter
The Metro Washington Chapter revamped its entire Web site in 2004 to create a product that was fresher, easier to navigate, and more technically enhanced. Members can now update information online, download PDF versions of the newsletter and event fliers, and register for events. There is also a message board where members can connect with each other for social offerings, tickets sales and exchanges, and jobs. This instant access to information has led to increased membership and renewals, and demonstrates to alumni that their local Penn State connection is genuinely interested in meeting their needs.

Penn State's Faculty Astronaut to Discuss Space Travel at Homecoming "Huddle with the Faculty" UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (October 24, 2005)—SNASA-funded investigator and former astronaut James Pawelczyk will be the featured speaker during the Homecoming weekend "Huddle with the Faculty" lecture at 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 29 at The Nittany Lion Inn.An associate professor of physiology, kinesiology and medicine in the College of Health and Human Development, Pawelczyk will discuss some of the major risks associated with interplanetary space travel and how humans can successfully explore Mars in a lecture titled "Ready, Set ... Go? Are We Ready for a Human Trip to Mars?"This free "Huddle with the Faculty" lecture is open to the public and also includes a complimentary continental breakfast beginning at 9:30 a.m. Free parking is available at the Nittany Lion Parking Deck, adjacent to The Nittany Lion Inn.After Pawelczyk's lecture, one "Huddle with the Faculty" lecture remains on Nov. 5: "Music and Identity: For the Glory of Old State, Raise the Song" featuring Penn State Glee Club members with Christopher Kiver, assistant professor of music and director of the Penn State Glee Club, College of Arts and Architecture.

Nittany Lion Football Team Meets The Press

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (August 16, 2005)—The team returns 18 starters from last year's squad, as well as one of the nation's top defenses. "I feel like this year we're so comfortable knowing what we have to do," said senior cornerback and tri-captain Alan Zemaitis. "Everyone knows their positions, and doing that is bringing the pieces of the puzzle together and it's going to make us execute even better this year." Added Paterno, "We have the ingredients to have a really good football team... I think we are anxious to get to practice and anxious to get better. We have some good, young kids and some good senior leadership. I am very upbeat about where we are." For photos from Media Day, go to http://live.psu.edu/still_life/2005_08_15_media_day/index.html.

Huddle With The Faculty

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (August 12, 2005)—Alumni, parents, students, and friends can get food for thought and a complimentary continental breakfast at "Huddle with the Faculty" at The Nittany Lion Inn before heading off to the game starting at 8:30 a.m. for breakfast, 9 a.m. for the lecture on each home football Saturday (one hour later if game time is after 3 p.m.).The Huddle with the Faculty schedule is:

*Sept. 3 Denise St. Pierre, "How You Learn and the Process of Mastering Skills in Sport"Sept. 10 Nancy Diehl, "The Mustang-Part of the American Heritage or Rangeland Burden?"*Sept. 17 Nina Fedoroff, "Genetically Modified Foods: Monsters or Miracles?"Oct. 1 Charles Dumas, "Non-Traditional Casting: Behind the Scenes in Film and Television"*Oct. 8 J. Randall Woodridge, "Investor Psychology and The Value of Investment Advice" (Note: Lecture is followed by a tour of Penn State's new trading floor.)Oct. 29 Jim Pawelczyk, "Ready, Set … Go? Are We Ready for a Human Trip to Mars?"
Nov. 5 Christopher Kiver, "Music and Identity: For the Glory of Old State, Raise the Song" (Note: Lecture features Glee Club members.)

*Breakfast at 9:30 a.m., lecture at 10 a.m.

Gold Appoints Board, Chairs

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (August 12, 2005)—Penn State Alumni Association President Lewis H. Gold '59 recently announced the 18-member Executive Board of Alumni Council and the Alumni Council standing committees that they will chair.The Executive Board, according to the bylaws of the Alumni Association, works with the professional staff to transact the business of the Association between Alumni Council meetings and is responsible for financial oversight of the Association. The Executive Board's first meeting will be Sept. 29 at University Park. The 2005-06 Executive Board is:

President: Lewis H. Gold '59 Lib, Jenkintown, Pa. Gold is president and shareholder of the Philadelphia law firm Adelman Lavine Gold and Levin. Vice President: David C. Han, M.D., '88 Sci, '05 MS Med, Hummelstown, Pa. Han is a vascular surgeon at the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, as well as an assistant professor of surgery and radiology, director of vascular research, and program director of the vascular surgery fellowship at the Penn State College of Medicine. He will chair the Margin of Excellence Committee.Immediate Past President: Marianne Ellis Alexander '62 Lib, Ellicott City, Md. Alexander, the president emerita of the Washington, D.C.-based Public Leadership Conference, will chair the Nominating Committee.Executive Director/Treasurer: Roger L. Williams '73 Lib, '75 MA Com, '88 DEd Edu, State College, Pa. Williams is the Executive Director of the Penn State Alumni Association.
Members:
K. David Boyer Jr., '73 Lib, '82 MS H&HD, Oakton, Va. Boyer is chair & CEO of MacKenzie Associates and will chair the Awards Committee
Diane Y. Delozier '74 Cap, York, Pa. Delozier is the owner of Delozier & Associates.
Galen T. Foulke, University Park, Pa. As the president of Penn State's Undergraduate Student Government, Foulke is the student liaison on the Executive Board.
Cynthia A. Hamlin '95 Bus, Washington, D.C. Hamlin, an auditor at Howard University, will chair the Diversity Committee.
Tommy C. Hogan, '77 MPA Lib, '83 MRP IDF, Hackettstown, N.J. Hogan, a talent acquisition leader at AT&T, will chair the Communications Committee.
Saundra D. Johnson '86 Eng, South Bend, Ind. Johnson will chair the Volunteer Support Committee.
David R. Jones '54 Com, Montclair, N.J. Jones is a retired assistant managing editor at The New York Times and is the Board of Trustees Liaison.
Arlene Shapiro Kaplan '67 Lib, New York, N.Y. Kaplan is president of ASK Advisory Group LLC. She will chair the Budget & Finance Committee
Pamela D. Loughner '78 Edu, '97 MA Edu, '02 PhD Edu, Huntingdon Valley, Pa. Loughner is the president of Loughner and Associates.
Charles H. Lutz '67 Lib, Reston, Va. Lutz is a senior executive of the Transportation Security Administration. He will chair the Grassroots Committee.
Jamie M. Myers, State College, Pa. Myers, an associate professor of education, represents the Penn State Faculty Senate on the Executive Board.
Barry K. Robinson '67 Lib, Bethesda, Md. Robinson is senior counsel for corporate affairs at the Recording Industry Association of America. He will chair the Program Development Committee.
Barry M. Simpson '69 Bus, Harrisburg, Pa. Simpson, executive director of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, will chair the Membership Committee.
Kirsten L. Vensel '90 Com, Los Angeles, Calif. Vensel, the product manager at Final Draft, Inc., will co-chair the Communications Committee.

Get Ready to Rally

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (August 12, 2005)—Penn Staters will get a chance to rally the Nittany Lions when they take on four tough Big Ten teams in their own backyards. Join other fans who bleed blue and white for these free away game pep rallies:

Sept. 24 - Northwestern University's Peter N. Jans Community Golf Course in Evanston, Ill.Oct. 15 - University of Michigan's Golf Course in Ann Arbor, Mich.Oct. 22 - University of Illinois; corner of Kirby Avenue and First Street in Champaign, Ill.
Nov. 19 - Michigan State's "Autumn Fest" Pep Rally in East Lansing, Mich.

Pep rallies start three hours before kickoff and usually feature the Pep Band, the Nittany Lion, cheerleaders, and some rallying words from Penn State President Graham Spanier and Alumni Association Executive Director Roger Williams. No reservations are needed. Just show up at the blue-and-white striped tent and join in the fun.

For more info on away game pep rallies, including exact tent location, visit http://www.alumni.psu.edu/events/pep/default.htm or call 800-548-LION.

Alumni Invited to Concert at Winery

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (August 10, 2005)—The Chester, Delaware, and Montgomery County Chapters of the Penn State Alumni Association are inviting you to attend a summer evening of music, wine, and other Penn Staters at the Chaddsford Winery. Bring your dinner and eat under the stars while listening to the music of "Been There Done That," which plays rock and roll to classic soul. Wine will be available to purchase by the glass or by the bottle.

The cost for the evening is $18 per person, payable at the door, and includes the concert and a souvenir wine glass (a special gift for all Penn Staters). For reservations, directions and additional information contact Sandy, at president@psumontco.com. For more info about the winery, go to http://www.chaddsford.com/website/index.asp.

We Want Your Blood

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (July 28, 2005)—The Penn State Alumni Association, in conjunction with the American Red Cross, will host a blood drive 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday, Aug. 8 at the Hintz Family Alumni Center on Penn State's University Park campus.The blood drive at the Hintz Family Alumni Center is especially urgent as blood supplies this summer are critically low. This effort is part of the American Red Cross' summer campaign called "Highway of Life." All donors will receive a chance to win a 2005 Chevy Equinox or a $500 gas card.

Appointments are encouraged, but not necessary. To schedule an appointment, visit www.psuredcross.org. For additional information, contact Megan Miller at the Penn State Alumni Association by calling 814-863-6136.

Penn State Intercollegiate Athletic Luncheon

MONROEVILLE, Pa. (July 14, 2005)—The Monroeville Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to present the 2005 Penn State Intercollegiate Athletics Luncheon presented by the Pittsburgh Business Times to be held Friday, August 5, 2005 from noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Omni William Penn located at 530 William Penn Place in downtown Pittsburgh. Special guests include Penn State Football Coach Joe Paterno; Mens Basketball Coach Ed DeChellis; Lady Lion Basketball Coach Rene Portland and Director of Athletics Tim Curley. The event will begin with a silent auction at 11:00 a.m. prior to the noon luncheon and program. Luncheon fees are $35 per person and $350 for a table of 10. Tickets for young adults age 12-18 are available at a cost of $25. Reservations are required by July 29. Seating is limited. No tickets will be mailed. Charge by phone at 412-856-0622 or 888-753-5522 or make your reservation online at www.monroevillechamber.com.

2005 luncheon sponsors include: Pittsburgh Business Times; Citizens Bank; Eat 'n Park, Forbes Regional Hospital; Oxford Athletic Club North; Dave & Busters; ESPN 1250AM; and Altany Lloyd & Lundquist.

Penn State Football Eve Celebration

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (July 14, 2005)—Thousands of loyal Blue and White fans will once again get the opportunity to rally inside Beaver Stadium the night before the Nittany Lions' first game as the second edition of "Penn State Football Eve," presented by Sheetz, will kick off festivities for the Nittany Lions' season opener against South Florida on Sept. 3. The celebration of Penn State Football, its legions of loyal and enthusiastic fans and the start of the 2005 season is set for Friday, September 2 in Beaver Stadium. More than 20,000 fans attended last year's event, and, with new entertainment and added attractions for Eve '05, even more people are expected this year. Penn State fans are invited to attend the free event, which will include a pep rally with Coach Joe Paterno, the squad, a Blue Band concert, cheerleaders, dance team, and the Nittany Lion. Friday night's celebration will also feature jugglers, balloon twisters, and stilt-walkers strolling along Curtin Road and provide the community with the opportunity to meet the 2005 Nittany Lion football team. The night will be capped off once again with a spectacular display of Zambelli's fireworks. There is no admission or parking fee for "Penn State Football Eve," presented by Sheetz. Everyone attending the event will receive a 2005 Penn State Football poster. Festivities outside the stadium will start at 6:30 p.m. Events inside the stadium are scheduled to begin at 8:00 p.m. Fans are directed to use Stadium Gates A & B to enter the stadium. Entering his 40th season as head coach, Paterno's squad returns 18 starters and 34 letter winners for the 2005 season. Penn State will play six bowl teams this season, including five at home: Ohio State, Purdue, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Cincinnati. The Nittany Lions' season opener with South Florida is set for 3:30 p.m. in Beaver Stadium.

Tickets are still available for the season opener against South Florida and other Penn State contests by calling 814-865-5555 or 800-863-3336 weekdays from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Tickets also can be purchased at www.GoPSUsports.com, the official Web site of Penn State Athletics.

Penn State Alumni Association Grows by Nearly 3,500 Members; Total Membership Surpasses 156,000

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (July 6, 2005)—The largest dues-paying alumni association in the world, the Penn State Alumni Association, gained nearly 3,500 members to reach a record high of 156,142 members in the latest numbers just released.The Alumni Association grew by 3,421 members or 2.2 percent for the year ending June 30, 2005 - the second year of a three-year membership campaign. Over the last two years, the Alumni Association has seen a gain of 9,523 members - an increase of 6.5 percent."During our campaign, we've surpassed our goal of averaging 3 percent growth per year," said Marianne E. Alexander '62, immediate past president of the Alumni Association, whose two-year term as president (2003-05) coincided with this growth. "We're very happy with our growth, especially in view of the fact that many other alumni associations and non-profit associations have had to work very hard in the post 9/11 environment just to stay even, much less grow. Indeed, many have lost membership."In addition to the overall gain in membership, life memberships grew substantially, swelling by 2,734 Penn Staters to a record 82,658 - a 3.4 percent gain. Students as well have joined the Alumni Association in record numbers through the Blue & White Society, the student membership contingent of the Penn State Alumni Association. Blue & White Society now has members on every Penn State campus with a total membership of 4,695, up from 2,941 last year at this time - a 60 percent increase. During the last two years, student membership has surged 98 percent, from 2,371."Recruiting Penn State students while they are on campus is one of the new strategic goals of the Alumni Association, and our efforts are paying off," said new Alumni Association President Lewis H. Gold '59. "This year's overall performance sets the stage for further robust growth, which is important since nearly half of the Association's income derives from membership dues. But the real importance of focusing on membership is that it gives us the opportunity to engage more Penn State alumni in the life of the University."Reasons for growth were attributed to strategically growing the student memberships, as well as targeted appeals, use of e-mails to gain the attention of younger alumni, and a sharp increase in membership solicitations, said Roger L. Williams '73, '75g, '88g, executive director of the Alumni Association.

"The staff of the Penn State Alumni Association did a tremendous job again this year," Williams said. "We launched 85 recruitment efforts this year, compared to 35 last year, and worked harder and smarter than ever."

Established in 1870, and celebrating its 135th anniversary on July 28, the Penn State Alumni Association is the largest dues-paying alumni association in the world. Its mission is to connect alumni to the University and to each other, to provide valuable benefits to members and to support the University's mission of teaching, research and service. For more information about the Alumni Association, visit www.alumni.psu.edu.

Penn Stater Editor Posts Travelogue Dispatches from Alumni Tour through British Isles

Join in the fun of a Penn State Alumni Association group tour through the historic and picturesque British Isles by reading the daily, real-time dispatches from the land and sea cruise written by Tina Hay, editor of The Penn Stater magazine, now through July 11.

Tina Hay has joined 15 other Penn Staters on a tour of the British Isles. Hay left State College, Pa., on June 30 and has now visited Edinburgh, Belfast, and Dublin, Ireland and is cruising aboard the elegant Minerva II toward Falmouth, England. Each day, Hay has posted her daily dispatches, filled with the trip's happenings with a bit of history thrown in. For more information on this and other Penn State Alumni Association Alumni Tours, including the new active and adventurous tours for the young and young-at-heart, go to http://www.alumni.psu.edu/travel/.

Ten Alumni Elected, Three Appointed to Serve on Alumni Council

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. (June 30, 2005)—Ten Penn State alumni have been elected and three appointed to Alumni Council, the governing body of the Penn State Alumni Association.

Elected to Alumni Council for three-year terms from July 1, 2005-June 30, 2008 are incumbents Leslie N. Firth, Mercer, Pa.; Tommy C. Hogan, Hackettstown, N.J.; Alain E. Hunter, Washington, D.C.; Pamela D. Loughner, Huntingdon Valley, Pa.; Cindy Mable, Rockville, Md.; Johanna M. Ramos, Herndon, Va.; and Barry M. Simpson, Harrisburg, Pa. Newly elected to Alumni Council are Cara Caruso, Pittsburgh; CarolAnn Gentry, State College, Pa.; and Nelson Loftus Jr., State College, Pa.

Incoming Alumni Association President Lewis H. Gold filled three appointed positions on Alumni Council. The appointees are Saundra D. Johnson, South Bend, Ind.; Michelle Kramer Fitzgerald, Wilmington, Del.; and Thomas E. Range, Levittown, Pa.

Alumni Council is an all-volunteer governing body that guides and directs policy for the Penn State Alumni Association. The council determines strategies and programs to be carried out by the Alumni Association staff and is also responsible for electing the Alumni Association president and vice president.

In this year’s election, which ended May 31, nearly 14,000 Alumni Association members cast ballots—a 10.4 percent participation rate among eligible voters, which is a slight increase over last year’s 10 percent participation rate. Thirty-seven percent of those alumni ballots were submitted via the Internet, compared to 30 percent last year, continuing a trend of increased online voting.

Following is a brief biography about each newly named council member:

Cara Caruso , a 1999 Penn State business graduate, is a financial advisor for Legg Mason in Pittsburgh. She currently serves as president of the Pittsburgh chapter of the Penn State Smeal Business Club. As a student, Caruso was president of the Penn State Marketing Association and won the Dorothy M. Kelley Memorial Award in 1999.

Leslie N. Firth has served on Alumni Council since 2003 as the president of the College of Agricultural Sciences Alumni Society. A retired Penn State senior extension agent, Firth holds bachelor’s (’58) and master’s degrees (’61) from Penn State in agriculture. He currently lives in Mercer, Pa., and is the owner of Firth Farms.

CarolAnn Gentry , of State College, Pa., is new to the Alumni Council. A 1969 Penn State graduate in education, Gentry taught English for more than 30 years and has been active as an alumni volunteer on the University Park campus as a FastStart mentor, admissions volunteer and tour guide at the Hintz Family Alumni Center.

Tommy C. Hogan of Hackettstown, N.J., holds two Penn State degrees: 1977 bachelor’s in Liberal Arts and a 1983 master’s in regional planning. Hogan has served on Alumni Council since 1999 and on the 18-member Executive Board since 2003. He is a talent acquisition leader at AT&T.

Alain E. Hunter is a five-year veteran of Alumni Council. He holds two degrees in education from Penn State (’73 and ‘74g) and has served more than 12 years with the College of Education Alumni Society. He is a program manager/assistant director with the U.S. Air Force and lives in Washington, D.C.

Saundra D. Johnson of South Bend, Ind., has been appointed to Alumni Council after previously serving on council and the 18-member Executive Board. A 1986 engineering graduate, Johnson is a member of the African American Alumni Organization, a FastStart mentor and a volunteer in Penn State’s minority student recruitment.

Michelle Kramer Fitzgerald has been appointed to Alumni Council after serving on council for two years. She is president of both the Penn State Delaware Chapter and the Penn State Beaver Alumni Society. A 1992 communications graduate, Kramer-Fitzgerald is owner and principal of Arts In Media in Wilmington, Del.

Nelson Loftus Jr. is new to Alumni Council, but has long been an alumni volunteer within the Penn State community. He has served on the boards of the College of Agricultural Sciences Alumni Society, Graduate School Alumni Society and School of Forest Resources Alumni Group. Loftus holds bachelor's, master's and PhD degrees in agriculture ('58, ‘62g and ‘66g). He is retired and lives in State College, Pa.

Pamela D. Loughner holds three degrees in education from Penn State (’78, ‘97g and ‘02g). She has previously served on Alumni Council for two years and is the president of the Penn State Great Valley Alumni Society. Loughner is president of Loughner and Associates and lives in Huntingdon Valley, Pa.

Cindy Mable served the last three years on Alumni Council as the representative of the Graduate School Alumni Society. She holds a bachelor’s in mathematics (’69) and a master’s (‘71g) from the Eberly College of Science. Mable has served on the boards of the College of Science Alumni Society and the Philadelphia Chapter of the Alumni Association and is currently on the board of the Penn State Women’s Professional Network of Washington, D.C. She is a principal with SunGlobal, LLC and lives in Rockville, Md.

Johanna M. Ramos , a senior aerospace engineer with the Scitor Corporation, is returning for her second term on Alumni Council. She is a FastStart mentor, Alumni Admissions volunteer and active in the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. Ramos holds Penn State bachelor’s and master’s degrees (’92 and ‘99g) in aerospace engineering and lives in Herndon, Va.

Thomas E. Range , appointed to his first term on Alumni Council, is a past president and current board member of the Alumni Blue Band and a co-author of the book “The Penn State Blue Band: A Century of Pride and Precision.” He is an active volunteer with the Bucks County Chapter and the Parmi Nous Alumni Interest Group and was awarded the 2003 Philip Philip Mitchell Alumni Service Award. A 1989 mathematics graduate, Range is currently an educational technology coordinator and lives in Levittown, Pa.

Barry M. Simpson , returning for his second term on Alumni Council, served on both the Budget and Finance and Membership committees. He is a 1969 graduate of the Smeal College of Business and a current member of the Nittany Lion Club. Simpson is the executive director of the Pennsylvania Bar Association and lives in Harrisburg, Pa.

The Penn State Alumni Association is the largest dues-paying alumni association in the world with more than 152,000 members. Established in 1870, the Alumni Association’s mission is to connect alumni to the University and to each other, to provide valuable benefits to members and to support the University’s mission of teaching, research and service. For more information about the Alumni Association, or its governing board, Alumni Council, visit www.alumni.psu.edu/groups/council/.

Adam Taliaferro Foundation Benefit Dinner

Penn State alumni and friends are invited to the second annual Adam Taliaferro Foundation benefit dinner and silent auction on Thursday, June 23 at the Hibachi Grill in Center City Philadelphia. The $35-per-person evening, sponsored by the Philadelphia Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association, benefits the foundation started by former Penn State football player Taliaferro, who recovered from a spinal cord injury suffered in 2000.

The second annual Adam Taliaferro Foundation benefit dinner is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., Thursday, June 23. Sponsored by the Philadelphia Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association, the evening will include a 50/50 raffle and a silent auction of autographed sports merchandise, and a book signing by Taliaferro, who wrote "Miracle in the Making" following his recovery from a spinal cord injury during the Sept. 23, 2000 Ohio State game. Other special guests at the fund-raising dinner are expected to include Olympic wrestler and Penn State alum Kerry McCoy, Penn State Alumni Association Executive Director Roger Williams, and local Philadelphia sports anchor Don Tollefson.

Tickets to the benefit dinner are $35. For more information, visit the Philadelphia Chapter's Web site at http://www.psualum.com/chapter/philadelphia/default.asp

Penn Staters Invited to Cruise Vermont's Lake Champlain

Penn Staters are invited to celebrate a "Mid-Summer's Penn State Weekend" with the Vermont Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association on July 23-24 featuring a Saturday night dinner cruise on beautiful Lake Champlain followed by a Sunday picnic.

Experience the beauty and grandeur of Vermont from the deck of the "Spirit of Ethan Allen." Join Penn Staters from Vermont, New England, New York, and beyond for a two-and-one-half hour sunset Captain's Dinner Cruise, which sails from the Burlington Boat House on Lake Champlain in Burlington, Vt. The cost is just $40 and includes dinner and dancing. The Vermont Chapter will also host its annual picnic on Sunday and would love a chance to share their Vermont hospitality. For more information, go to the Vermont Chapter Web site at http://www.psualum.com/chapter/vermont or call Joelyn Niggel at 802-658-6672.

Association Names 2005 Honorary Alumni

Two longtime champions and benefactors of Penn State will be named Honorary Alumni by the Penn State Alumni Association in a ceremony June 3 at The Nittany Lion Inn.

William J. Rossman of Altoona, Pa., and Dr. Graham Spanier, the 16th President of Penn State, will be officially recognized by the Penn State Alumni Association for their significant contributions to Penn State's welfare, reputation and prestige. Rossman and Spanier will be inducted into the Penn State Alumni Association at the June 3rd ceremony, which also features the presentation of the 2005 Distinguished Alumni Awards and the 2005 Philanthropist of the Year Awards.

"It is a privilege for the Penn State Alumni Association to add 'Penn State alumnus' to the accolades and accomplishments of these two exceptional leaders and champions of Penn State," said Alumni Association President Marianne Alexander '62. "Rossman and Spanier have made a tremendous difference in the life of the University, and they richly deserve to be recognized as full-fledged members of the Penn State family."

The Penn State Alumni Association has given the Honorary Alumni award annually since 1973 to recognize individuals who, while not graduates of Penn State, have significantly worked toward bettering the University. Since the award was established in 1973, 78 individuals have been given Honorary Alumni status. President Spanier was singled out this year by the Alumni Association's Awards Committee as a way to celebrate his tenth anniversary at Penn State's helm.

"Dr. Spanier's tenure as Penn State's President has been remarkable," Alexander said. "He set an ambitious agenda when he arrived 10 years ago, and he has accomplished it and much more, significantly improving campuses and programs throughout the entire University. Penn State marks its sesquicentennial year as one of the world's leading research universities, and much of that stature is due to Spanier's leadership."

Spanier has been the guiding force behind several historic academic initiatives since his appointment, including the creation of the Schreyer Honors College, the Penn State World Campus and the School of Information Sciences and Technology. He has promoted increased internationalization of the University. President Spanier reoriented the University's system of campuses to provide greater flexibility in meeting local community needs, elevated Penn State Cooperative Extension to expand outreach to citizens of Pennsylvania, and oversaw the increase of total research expenditures from $344.3 million in 1995 to $606.5 million in 2004. He helped guide Penn State's recently completed Grand Destiny Campaign, which raised nearly $1.4 billion. A national leader in higher education, Dr. Spanier served as chair of the Board of Directors of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges, was chair of the Big Ten Conference Council of Presidents/Chancellors, and is vice chair of the Worldwide Universities Network. He served as chair of the NCAA Division I Board of Directors, led the Kellogg Commission on the Future of State and Land-Grant Universities, served on the Board of Trustees of the National 4-H Council, is on the Board of Trustees of the Universities Research Association, and was a founding member of the Internet2 board. He was president of the National Council of Family Relations, chairman of the Board of Directors of the Christian Children's Fund, and serves on the board of Junior Achievement.

While Spanier's impact has been far-reaching, Rossman's has been deep at the Penn State Altoona campus. Rossman, a retired regional president of M&T Bank, is a tireless advocate for Penn State Altoona and was recently honored at the Penn State Altoona Renaissance Scholarship Fund Dinner, which raised nearly $100,000 for student scholarships. Rossman has served on the Penn State Altoona Advisory Board since 1994 and is the former chairperson of the College's Steering Committee for the Grand Destiny Campaign and Development Council. He is also a member of Penn State's National Council on Philanthropy and is active in the Altoona community, serving on the board of directors of Altoona Hospital, Saint Francis University and Central Pennsylvania Health Services. His ongoing support of Penn State Altoona as a benefactor, board member and development council chair reflects the tremendous pride that he has for Penn State.

The Honorary Alumni award is part of the recognition program of the Penn State Alumni Association. The program acknowledges outstanding individuals who have distinguished themselves through volunteer service to the University or through success in their personal and professional lives. Honorary Alumni are given a life membership in the Penn State Alumni Association, as well as a commemorative award.

The Penn State Alumni Association is the largest dues-paying alumni association in the world with more than 152,000 members. Established in 1870, the Alumni Association's mission is to connect alumni to the University and to each other, to provide valuable benefits to members and to support the University's mission of teaching, research and service. To that end, the Penn State Alumni Association has contributed more than $12 million to Penn State to support student scholarships, programs and university priorities since 1988.

For more information about the Penn State Alumni Association, visit http://www.alumni.psu.edu or call 800-548-5466.

Alumni Association Voting Deadline is May 31

As many people across the United States head to the polls to vote in local elections this month, so too should you vote online - for your Penn State Alumni Association Alumni Council. The deadline is midnight, Wednesday, May 31.

Online voting is fast and easy. Go to https://www.escvote.com/psaa2005. To get on to this site to vote, you must have your election validation number and your 10-digit Penn State Alumni Association member ID, both of which can be found on your ballot. Election ballots can be mailed and must be received by the May 31 deadline.

Penn State Alumni Association to give $300,000 for Education Abroad scholarships—Gift continues a level of philanthropy unmatched in American higher education

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa., April 28, 2005—The Penn State Alumni Association has announced that it will contribute $300,000 to establish scholarships for undergraduates who plan to study abroad as part of Penn State's education abroad program.

The Alumni Association's gift provides scholarships for this popular program, which began in the 1960s, and continues a tradition of philanthropy unmatched in American higher education.

The Association's contribution comes from its Margin of Excellence fund, created in 2000 as a permanent endowment to support annual gifts to the University. "We're proud to be providing this gift for this exciting program," said Lewis Gold '59, chair of the Margin of Excellence committee and vice president of the Alumni Association. "This program has often been described as life-altering by the students who have participated in the past."

The $300,000 commitment will be used to endow the Penn State Alumni Association Education Abroad Scholarship to support students while they enhance their knowledge of other cultures and enrich their total overall educational experience. The scholarships will be available to students at all Penn State undergraduate campuses and will be based on financial need, assuming all academic qualifications are met.

With access to 130 programs in 49 counties, Education Abroad serves more than 1000 students a year.

"Education Abroad plays an important part in internationalizing the Penn State learning experience. Participating in study abroad helps students develop international cultural competencies essential for leaders in the workforce of the twenty-first century" said John M. Keller, director of the Education Abroad program.

"While other scholarships do exist for students who want to study abroad, the current funds do not come close to meeting the needs of our students," said Jan Jacobs, vice provost for Undergraduate Education and International Programs. "I thank the Penn State Alumni Association for this generous gift which will make it possible for more students to take advantage of this valuable experience."

The Alumni Association's gift is just the latest in a long tradition of philanthropy to the University. Since 1988, the Association has contributed nearly $12 million to Penn State. In an unprecedented event in American higher education, the Association established its own endowment, called the Margin of Excellence fund, with the earnings earmarked for annual philanthropy to the University. Since the initial gift in 2001, the Association has donated $1.75 million to the University from the fund.

"Cross-cultural understanding is no longer a luxury in the business world," said Alumni Association President Marianne Alexander '62. "This gift also allows us to realize with our vision to be the national exemplar of how an alumni association constantly contributes to the betterment of its alma mater and succeeding generations of students."

With more than 152,000 members, the Penn State Alumni Association is the world's largest dues-paying alumni association. The organization is committed to a mission of connecting alumni to the University and to each other; providing valued services to members; and supporting the University's mission of teaching, research, and service. Through the collective power of its members, the Alumni Association is making Penn State an even better place for current and future generations.

For more information about the Alumni Association, or to join this powerful network of Penn State alumni and friends, please visit http://www.alumni.psu.edu or call 800-548-5466.

Special Offer to Watch Golfing History

Enjoy a chance to become part of golfing history with other Penn State alums May 23-29 at the 66th Senior PGA Championship at Pennsylvania's own Laurel Valley Golf Club in Ligonier, Pa. Penn State alumni will receive a $10 discount off general public pricing when tickets are purchased in advance through the PGA Web site. Various ticket plans are offered, for both practice and competition rounds. Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Hale Irwin, Tom Watson, Gary Player, Fuzzy Zoeller and Greg Norman are among the 156 professional players competing for major championship title and a more than $2 million purse. Golf fans know that Palmer, one of Pennsylvania's favorite sons, may be walking off the green for good and this may be one of the last times to see him play.

Join other Penn Staters for this moment in golf history. To purchase tickets, visit http://www.pga.com/srtix, and enter login name pennstate and password nittanylions. Penn Staters must take advantage of this offer before May 23. The Special Ticket Offer will expire May 22 at 11:59 p.m.

For more Senior PGA Championship information or to learn how you can be a tournament volunteer, please visit http://www.pga.com/seniorpga/2005/.

Penn State Day of Service - Help Us Adopt-A-Building in Valley Forge Park

On Saturday, May 14, the Chester County Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association will again Adopt-A-Building in Valley Forge National Park--but we need your help.

Volunteers are asked to join in the effort by painting and helping to clean up the Knox Corn Shed--located on Knox Quarters/John Brown Farm in the park.

You don't have to be a Penn State Graduate--alumni, friends, and family of Penn State are all welcome to attend.

Date: Saturday, May 14
Raindate: May 21
Time: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. (if you can only work part of the day, no problem.)
Location: Near the Valley Forge Farm

If you are able to attend, please RSVP by calling the hotline: 610-889-2165 or by e-mailing info@psuchesco.com.

Directions to Knox Quarters/John Brown Farm, from Route 252:

Follow Rt. 252 North through the park Take the second driveway--labeled Valley Forge Farm. If you pass the covered bridge you went too far.
From Rt. 252 South, it's the first right after the covered bridge

Alumni Association to recognize 13 young alumni with new award

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa., April 4, 2005—The Penn State Alumni Association has announced the recipients of the Alumni Achievement Award—a new award created to honor outstanding professional accomplishments by alumni 35 years of age or younger. Thirteen high-achieving Penn State alumni were recognized at the April 8 awards dinner.

Created by Alumni Council and approved last spring by the Board of Trustees, the Alumni Achievement Award is intended to recognize young alumni for outstanding personal and professional accomplishments and to engage those alumni in the life of the University. As leaders in their professional fields, alumni are nominated by an academic college and accept an invitation from the President of the University to return to campus to share their expertise with students, faculty, and administrators.

“We are delighted to see this new recognition program come to fruition, taking its place with the Alumni Fellow program and Honorary Alumni program,” said Marianne E. Alexander ’62 Lib, Alumni Association president. “We believe the Alumni Achievement Award vividly demonstrates that young Penn State alumni do great things in the world. We think our students will be thrilled to interact with Alumni Achievement Award recipients who are not too much older than they are.”

This year’s Alumni Achievement Award recipients are:

Theodore T. Blackmon ’92 Eng, president and chief technology officer, Common Point, Inc.; Mountain View, Calif.
Bruce L. Booth ’96 Sci, principal, Caxton Health Holdings L.L.C.; New York, N.Y.
M. Christopher Brown II ’97 PhD Edu, director, social justice and professional development, American Educational Research Association; Washington, D.C.
Stephen C. Burkholder ’94 Cap, president and sole member, S&R Enterprises, L.L.C., and S&R Stud Welding, L.L.C.; Lewistown, Pa.
Barton P. Cahir ’94 EMS, regional planning advisor, ExxonMobil Production Company; Houston, Texas
Colleen Meade Claps ’94 A&A, associate creative director, Vanity Fair magazine; New York, N.Y.
Jill L. Cordes ’92 Com, on-air television host, The Best Of on Food Network; New York, N.Y.
Kerry Golden ’91, ’93 MEd Agr,executive director, Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, Pennsylvania House of Representatives; Harrisburg, Pa.
Sherri A. Lombra ’90 Bus, director of finance and business planning, Global Softlines, Disney Consumer Products; Burbank, Calif.
Susan Gerberg Pac ’95 H&HD, manager of regulatory affairs, Gerber Products Company; Parsippany, N.J.
Alex Plotkin ’91 Lib, co-founder and president, PhillySwirl, Inc.; Tampa, Fla.
Marc L. Rigas ’94 MS, ’98 PhD IDF, scientific review administrator, National Institutes of Health, Center for Scientific Review; Bethesda, Md.
Brad Sinrod ’03 MBA GrtVly, president, Spring Mill Group, L.L.C.; Paoli, Pa.

To read more about each of the award recipients, please visit the Alumni Association’s Web site at : http://alumni.psu.edu/achievement.htm

The Alumni Achievement Award, presented by the Alumni Association, is administered in cooperation with the academic units. Each award recipient was given a commemorative medal commissioned by the Association and designed by internationally recognized artist Jeanne Stevens-Sollman, a 1971 graduate of Penn State’s master of fine arts program. The award is part of the Association’s comprehensive alumni recognition program. Information about the program is available online at www.alumni.psu.edu/awards/.

Founded in 1870, the Penn State Alumni Association is committed to a mission of connecting alumni to the University and to each other; providing valued services to members; and supporting the University’s mission of teaching, research, and service. For more information, or to join America’s largest dues-paying alumni association, visit www.alumni.psu.edu or call 800-548-5466.

Sesquicentennial Games T-shirts now available at the online Alumni Store

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa., February 24, 2005—Alumni and friends can now own a piece of Penn State history. T-shirts from the official Sesquicentennial Games celebration are now available for purchase on Penn State’s official online Alumni Store.

Four different shirts—including the very popular “Grow Old With Me” shirt—are available for purchase by visiting the Alumni Store @ Penn State at http://www.psualumnistore.com/. Each shirt costs $15, which includes shipping and handling fees. To avoid paying shipping fees, shirts may be ordered online and picked up at the Hintz Family Alumni Center for a total cost of $11.

The Sesquicentennial T-shirts were first produced for the Penn State Sesquicentennial Games, which took place Oct. 1-3, 2004, on the University Park campus. The highly successful event brought together Penn State students from across the Commonwealth, along with alumni, for a weekend of competitive activities designed to celebrate Penn State’s 150th anniversary.

A recap of the Sesquicentennial Games, along with event photos, is available on Penn State Live at http://live.psu.edu/story/8727.

With more than 152,000 members, the Penn State Alumni Association is the world’s largest dues-paying alumni organization. Founded in 1870, the Alumni Association connects alumni to the University and to each other, provides valued services to members, and supports the University’s mission of teaching, research, and service.

Ambassadors to hold Founders’ Day Celebration on Feb. 22

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa., Feb. 14, 2004—In continuation of the 150th anniversary celebration of Penn State, the Lion Ambassadors and the Penn State Alumni Association will host the Founders’ Day Celebration on Feb. 22 from 7 to 10 p.m., at the Hintz Family Alumni Center.

The evening will feature the return of horse drawn carriage rides through campus. In addition, there will be tours of University House, which will include a history of Penn State. Live Jazz music will be featured in Robb Hall throughout the evening. Light refreshments will also be provided.

Carriage rides are free to everyone. Reservations can be made by calling 814-863-3752. A limited number of walk-up reservations will be available the evening of the event. For more information, contact the Lion Ambassador office at 814-863-3752 or Andy Enders at ame155@psu.edu.

Sponsored by the Penn State Alumni Association, the Lion Ambassadors—Penn State’s student alumni corps—serve Penn State by communicating the history and personality of the University; strengthening its traditions; and instilling Penn State pride in current and future students, alumni, and friends. Information is available online at http://www.alumni.psu.edu/ambassadors.

Call for Honorary Degree Nominations

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa., February 14, 2005—Penn State is seeking your help in its quest to honor some of the world's most eminent scholars, performers, artists, and professionals.

Since 1995, Penn State has recognized a large number of individuals with an honorary doctoral degree, signifying their outstanding achievements and extraordinary service to society. This public celebration of a recipient's distinguished reputation is a way to honor men and women who might serve as an example to our students. It is also a way for Penn State to reinforce the value of scholarship, service, leadership, and artistic achievement that is the foundation of our University.

Once again, the Committee on Honorary Degrees, a group composed of a broad representation of our community, is seeking assistance in developing a list of potential recipients of an honorary degree from Penn State. Your help in identifying possible candidates is critical. All nominations are welcome.

The guidelines, developed and approved by Penn State's Board of Trustees, include the following criteria for eligibility for an honorary degree:

Sustained achievement and distinction of national or international significance in an activity consonant with the mission of the University.

Individuals whose achievements and distinction have not been similarly recognized by a number of other institutions is encouraged.

Alumni of the University are eligible.
Persons serving as adm