On Friday, Dec. 18, in the Athletic Building on the wooded campus of Penn State Abington, 173 graduates will receive their college degrees. Whether receiving an associate or bachelor's degree, hard work, perseverance and an "I-can-do-it" attitude were certainly involved in the quest. In no group is this more evident than with adult learners, as many have overcome mountainous obstacles to walk in that coveted cap and gown. Of the 173 Abington graduates, over 30 are adult learners. Georgia Christogianni and Lester Johnson are two such Abington graduates with inspiring stories to tell.
In the first year as a provisional member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III and the first year as a member of the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC), Penn State Abington men's soccer team has made it known not to mess with the newcomer. The Nittany Lions started their season off 2-3 with their three losses coming against Swarthmore College, Penn College and Neumann University. After their loss against Neumann University on Sept. 23, the Nittany Lions found themselves on a nine-game winning streak.
Is it true that naps and turkey go together? It is commonly said that eating too much turkey causes drowsiness due to the high levels of tryptophan found in the meat. However, according to Leah Devlin, division head of science and engineering and interim assistant dean of Academic Affairs at Penn State Abington, the "I-can't-do-the-dishes-because-I'm-too-tired" excuse is more myth than truth.
In north Philadelphia, Penn State Abington students are participating in a program in which they work one-on-one with high school dropouts who have basic literacy issues.
"It isn't easy," said Lisa Morris, Penn State Abington senior instructor in administration of justice, who coordinates the program. "The Abington students are dealing with a challenging population--mostly from poor neighborhoods, broken families and weak school systems. They have responsibility and maturity issues, too."
Penn State Abington is celebrating the 10th annual International Education Week (IEW) on campus, Monday, Nov. 9 through Friday, Nov. 13. IEW is a joint initiative of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Education highlighting the benefits of international education and exchange. The theme for IEW 2009 is "Creating a Vision for a Better Tomorrow."
Penn State Abington's Cultural Arts Series will present the 1927 silent horror film classic, "The Cat and the Canary," at 2:30 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 15, in Sutherland Auditorium. The movie will be accompanied by eerie organ music played by renowned organist, Wayne C. Zimmerman.
Penn State Abington, formerly the Ogontz School for Young Ladies, was home to world famous aviator Amelia Earhart during the 1916/1917 school year. At 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 8, in room 112 of the Woodland Building on the Abington campus, Moylan Mills, professor emeritus of integrative arts, and Lillian Hansberry, library staff assistant, will enlighten the audience with the ties that bind Abington to Earhart and her worldwide fame.
To most people in the Philadelphia area, the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 28 was the night to watch the first game of the World Series; to watch the athletic prowess of the Phillies as they beat the Yankees 6 to 1 on Yankee turf. But to this roomful of people, the chilly, damp night was an opportunity for intellectual discourse as part of the "Penn State Abington Examines" program titled "The Middle East: Hopes and Challenges."
Penn State Abington is teaming up with Briar Bush Nature Center to offer the community an afternoon of educational fun at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1, in the Athletic Building on the Abington campus. Join Kristen Facente, director of public programs at Briar Bush Nature Center, as she discusses the "nature" of Pennsylvania.
Penn State Abington recognized National Coming Out Month in October by inviting internationally known gay rights advocate Brian Sims to speak with students about LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender)issues. Sims, who visited the Abington campus on Oct. 8, entertained and educated the audience with his quick wit and self-deprecating humor about coming out in 2000 during his senior year at Bloomsburg University while he was the captain of Bloomsburg's nationally-ranked Division II football team. Sims remains the only openly gay college football captain in NCAA history.