Martin Zied, a 1974 graduate of Penn State and successful television producer/director/writer was at Penn State Abington on March 2, sharing stories of success in the television field which he attributes to his Penn State connection. Zied told of hard-work, perseverance, focus, the perils of travel, meeting deadlines, dealing with celebrities and taking risks. With five Emmy Award statuettes decorating his Chestnut Hill home, success is definitely his reward.
Although Penn State Abington's wooded campus is still partially snow covered at the moment, in four short months the walking paths will be bustling with kids, 'tweens and teens as the Summer 2010 Kids and Teen College gets under way beginning the week of June 28.
Shoniqua Roach, an English major at Penn State Abington expected to graduate this spring, gained experience in the art of advocacy when the United Nations held sessions from Feb. 26 to March 6, in conjunction with meetings of the Commission on the Status of Women at United Nations headquarters in New York City, N.Y. Roach is one of 20 women students chosen from across the nation to participate in the practicum, which offers an opportunity to observe how the United Nations works to address issues requiring multilateral engagement and coordinated action.
A contingent of over 30 Penn State Abington students made their way to University Park, Pa., on Feb. 19, to take part in the largest student run philanthropy in the world--the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon (THON), which raises money to fight the battle of childhood cancer. The four dancers from Abington remained on their feet for all 46 hours, joining approximately 700 other dancers from Penn State at the Bryce Jordon Center.The students of Penn State Abington raised over $21,000 "For The Kids." THON 2010 raised over $7.8 million -- approximately $400,000 more than last year's efforts.
Penn State Abington is offering a free business seminar tailored to area employers. "Leading in Turbulent Times" -- a seminar that delivers contemporary, pertinent and thought-provoking ideas on leadership -- will take place from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on March 10, in the Lares Building on the Penn State Abington campus.
At 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 20, in the banquet room in Lares Building on campus, Penn State Abington will get a covert look at what it takes to compete at the renowned Philadelphia International Flower Show. Join Diana K. Weiner, horticulture consultant at Meadowbrook Farm, as she discusses the well-orchestrated details -- including the timing, lighting, plants and plans -- of what it takes to compete in this world-renowned flower show.
On Jan. 27, unemployment was the topic at hand for the "Penn State Abington Examines" series. Following a rocky year in the economy and job market, Abington brought in a distinguished panel of individuals who gave their insight regarding the effects of unemployment.
According to Ron Mallett, professor of physics at University of Connecticut, the question isn't whether time travel is possible, but instead when it will happen. On Jan. 28, at Penn State Abington, Mallett spoke to a standing-room-only crowd and captivated the audience with the story of his life-long quest to build a time machine -- a science-fiction tale based completely on physics and even proven in theory.
As many Americans across the country want to offer assistance in some way to the devastated country of Haiti, so do the students of Penn State Abington. Unlike most Americans, though, the students of Abington have a personal connection to the tragedy. One of their own, first-year student Joezer Antoine, lost his grandparents in the earthquake. Antoine's grandparents helped to run a church/orphanage in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The church was heavily damaged and the orphanage was demolished. Luckily, all 38 orphans survived, but with no place to call home, they are sleeping outside in a field. Little aid has reached them.
Unemployment will be the next topic of discussion for Penn State Abington's ongoing series, titled "Penn State Abington Examines." The event starts at 6 p.m. on Jan. 27, in room 108 of the Lares Building. The discussion will be moderated by Judith Newman, associate professor of human development and family studies at Penn State Abington. Panelists will discuss the effects of unemployment on individuals and on society as a whole. The panel will include professionals from human resources, career development, psychology and business and economics backgrounds.