According to Carranda Barkdoll, MS, CRNP, and nursing program coordinator at Mont Alto, caring mentors who provide encouragement and support can help student nurses navigate the challenges of working in a hospital or a sub-acute care setting. She says it is not only mentees who benefit from the mentoring, but mentors are often surprised by how much they benefit from the mentoring relationship.

For more information or to register for the mentoring workshop, call Charlene at 717-749-6137 or email her at cms50@psu.edu.

In the collegiate division, Penn State Mont Alto placed second behind Haywood Community College from Clyde, N.C. ESPN2 will air event coverage on Sunday, December 11 at 2:30 p.m. EST. For a complete ESPN2 TV schedule and full results, visit STIHL Timbersports online.

The exercise utilized iStan, Mont Alto's high-fidelity human simulation patient, and included collaborative efforts with the Penn State Hershey LifeLion helicopter, Blue Ridge Summit Rescue, Mont Alto EMS,  the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry Lifelion, Franklin County EMA and the Mont Alto Fire Department assisted in the exercise.

Ketterman's video has been entered into a contest through METI, the maker of iStan. To vote for the Penn State Mont Alto entry, view the video here and "like it."

The cast and crew of The Mont Alto Film Project gathered onstage following the premiere of their feature film, TWO DAYS BACK.

Registration is closed.  Thank you! 

The Mont Alto Film Project will premiere its student-run, low-budget motion picture, TWO DAYS BACK (IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2083385/), on November 18 and 19 at the Capitol Theatre Center at 159 S. Main Street in Chambersburg. The film was written and made in its entirety by a handful of undergraduate students and their faculty advisor, Dr. Kevin Boon, at Penn State Mont Alto as part of a four-semester practicum in filmmaking.  “It was designed to provide students with hands-on experience to result in real-world achievement,” says Boon, associate professor of English. “In this case, a legitimate, independent low-budget film was completed and will have its debut.”

TWO DAYS BACK is described as a mystery with traces of horror. The story centers on Emma, a young woman who had been lost for two days in the woods as a child. She remembered nothing of the ordeal until years later when accompanying a group of environmental students to catch forestry students suspected of illegal foresting. After people go missing, the groups join forces and Emma comes face-to-face with the dark mystery of her past.

Tickets are available for two showings at the Capitol Theatre box office. The first showing is set for Friday, November 18 at 7:30 pm; the second for Saturday, November 19 at 8 pm. Tickets are $10 per person with panel discussions immediately following both showings where audience members may interact with the actors and filmmakers. Additionally, the filmmakers and actors will meet and greet attendees at a pre-showing reception (November 18 only); the reception and show price is $25. Proceeds will benefit the Cumberland Valley Film Club and the Capitol Theatre.

Additional materials and photographs are available at http://twodaysback.com/press.php. For an event press pass or additional information, please contact Kristie Fry at kfry@psu.edu. Dr. Boon and Mont Film Project participants are available to interview by request.

The 2011 fall ice cream sale is currently underway at Penn State Mont Alto. Organized by the Penn State Mont Alto Lion Ambassadors, offers an opportunity for the community to enjoy the famous Penn State Berkey Creamery’s favorite ice cream flavors without a trip to State College. All of the proceeds benefit Penn State Mont Alto Lion Ambassador club programming and community outreach initiatives.

The ice cream flavor selection includes:

• Bittersweet Mint -- Mint Flavored Ice Cream with Chocolate Chips
• Butter Pecan -- Butter Almond Flavored Ice Cream with Pecans
• Chocolate -- Chocolate ice cream
• Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough -- Cookie Dough Flavored Ice Cream with Cookie Dough and Chocolate Chips
• Coconut Chip -- Coconut Flavored Ice Cream with Chocolate Chips
• Cookies and Cream -- Vanilla ice cream with Oreo cookies
• Death By Chocolate -- Chocolate Ice Cream with Chocolate Flakes, Fudge Pieces and Chocolate Swirl
• Peachy Paterno -- Peach Flavored Ice Cream with Peach Slices
• Peanut Butter Swirl -- Vanilla ice cream with peanut butter swirl
• Strawberry -- Vanilla Ice Cream with Strawberries
• Vanilla -- Vanilla ice cream
• WPSU Coffee Break -- Coffee Flavored Ice Cream with Chocolate Chips

With the help of Penn State Mont Alto's Housing and Food Services, all ice cream will be delivered directly from the Berkey Creamery to Penn State Mont Alto. However, due to anticipated freezer storage limitations, all ice cream must be picked up at the Mont Alto Fire Department.

Orders and payment must be received by the Penn State Mont Alto admissions office no later than Tuesday, November 15, 2011. Ice cream pick-up day is scheduled for Wednesday, December 7, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the Mont Alto Fire Department. All ice cream orders must be placed in advance. No ice cream will be for sale the day of pick-up.

Questions about this program can be directed to the Penn State Mont Alto Admissions Office at 717-749-6130 or by email at psuma@psu.edu. No order will be taken via email. You can obtain an order form directly from the Admissions Office in Conklin Hall OR you can download and print a form below:

We recommend that you right click on the link below and then choose "Save Link As..." then open the file from your computer.

2011 MONT ALTO ICE CREAM ORDER FORM (blank form - great for photocopying)

2011 MONT ALTO ICE CREAM ORDER FORM (fillable form that calcutes prices automatically)

Annie Byrne is a local artist from Gettysburg. She has taught children’s art lessons, both privately and in schools.  Byrne has worked for the last three years with the Adams County Heritage Festival planning children’s activities centered on artistic expressions of various cultures. As an adult with learning disabilities, she says that creating art increases learning capacity and focuses attention. Byrne states that is art is her “therapy” and “my inspiration and my friend.” 

An Artist’s Reception is planned for Thursday, October 27 from 2-3pm.  For additional details, please contact Marla Minnich, coordinator of Learning Support services, at mum30@psu.edu or 717-749-6024.

If you are a high school junior or senior interested in becoming a Penn State student, or an adult learner looking to improve your skills, change careers, or earn that degree you’ve always wanted, you won’t want to miss this exciting event at Penn State Mont Alto! Tour the campus, talk to current students, meet our faculty, learn about the admission process, investigate financial aid options and even enjoy a complimentary lunch provided by the Mill Cafe!

Explore the degree programs offered at Penn State Mont Alto as well as our University-wide 2 + 2 program, which affords students the opportunity to begin their college education at Mont Alto and finish at another Penn State campus. WE ARE PENN STATE! Are you? Join us on October 22 and find out! This event is free and open to the public.

To register for the event, please contact the Penn State Mont Alto admissions office at 1-800-392-6173 or 717-749-6130.

Annually, Penn State Mont Alto awards approximately $350,000 in scholarships to students based upon merit and financial need. These funds have provided assistance to more than 250 students at Mont Alto in the 2011/12 academic year.

In an ongoing effort to assist students with the rising costs of higher education, Penn State has been seeking monetary gifts as part of the "For the Future" fundraising campaign - announced publicly in 2010. At its heart, this is a campaign for Penn State students—to enable the next generation and all succeeding generations of graduates to realize their full potential as individuals—to sustain their families, advance their professions, and contribute to our country’s strength. Monies raised as part of the "For the Future" campaign will directly support scholarships, capital projects, student research, and the out of class experience at Penn State Mont Alto. For more information about the campaign click here.

Penn State Mont Alto has approximately 1200 students. The campus offers seven baccalaureate and eight associate degree programs, as well as the first two years of more than 160 Penn State degrees.

Penn State Mont Alto will host the Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation and the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources for its dedication of an historical marker commemorating Maurice K. Goddard  (1912-1995), Champion of Pennsylvania’s Natural Resources, on Saturday, September 17th, 2011 at 9:30 a.m. 

A Penn State Mont Alto Centennial Fellow, Goddard served as the director of the Pennsylvania State Forest Academy, now Penn State Mont Alto, before serving in the same position at the University Park campus.

Additionally, the campus is hosting the 125th anniversary of the Pennsylvania Forestry Association for their annual meeting on the same day. Eight current Forest Technology students from Mont Alto are assisting PFA meeting.

In addition, the campus will hold a Memorial Service for faculty, staff, students and the community at 7 p.m. on Sunday, September 11, 2011 in the General Studies Building Auditorium. A candle-light walk around campus will follow the service.

Members of the media are welcomed to attend. Please contact Assistant Director of Student Affairs Kim Hoover at 717-749-6150 or Kristie Fry at 717-749-6112 or kfry@psu.edu for more information.

UPDATE 8/25/11: Engineers from the University Park campus visited Mont Alto this morning to survey suspected damages to buildings following the earthquake earlier this week. They determined the campus did not suffer any structural damages to any buildings. The gynasium will reopen for regular use. There are no closures or restriction of access to any buildings at Penn State Mont Alto.

The Eastern earthquake felt up and down the East Coast on Tuesday rattled the campus at Penn State Mont Alto. Immediately following the tremors, students, faculty and staff evacuated buildings to assemble in common areas. The campus was advised to return indoors after the Physical Plant Office had done a preliminary check of all buildings for damages. 

During further structural examinations today, the campus temporarily closed the gymnasium in the Multipurpose Activities Center (MAC) as a precautionary measure due to some visible damage to ceiling welds. It will remain closed until the structure is examined by engineering and cleared as safe to return to use. The MAC is otherwise open for regular use. No other buildings have been closed and no injuries were reported on campus.

Members of the media are welcomed to attend. Please contact Kristie Fry at 717-749-6112 or kfry@psu.edu for a detailed schedule or more information.

Zipcar at Penn State Mont Alto

Fast. Convenient. Affordable. Environmentally friendly.

With Zipcar on campus, it just got easier to live without a car.

Need a car? Borrow a Zipcar! Penn State Mont Alto has partnered with Zipcar to bring self-service, on-demand car sharing to the area. To use Zipcars, simply register as a member, reserve a car online or by phone, use your Zipcard to enter the car, and drive away. Return the car to the same location where you picked it up.
As a member you get:

• Access to Zipcars 24/7.
• Discounted hourly rates for PSUMA faculty, staff and students age 18 and older: rates start at just $8 per hour.
• Gas, insurance and maintenance are included for free!
• Join for only $35 a year, and receive $35 in driving credit your first month.

Learn more at http://www.zipcar.com/psuma

Need more information?

• Find out more about Zipcar
• What is car sharing?
• Is car sharing for me?
• Zipcar on Facebook
• Zipcar at Penn State Mont Alto

The seminar, held at Lake Raystown Resort June 23, focused on evidence-based trends in wound care, legal aspects and documentation of wound management, challenges in wound care, and pain management with the introduction of high-fidelity human simulation. Attendees could earn four continuing education units (CEU’s) provided by the Pennsylvania State University School of Nursing; funding for this in-demand program was provided by the SAWIB.

For more information about this seminar and other workforce training programs, please contact Penn State Mont Alto Continuing Education Office at 717-709-0778.

ESPNU has announced the air dates for its coverage of the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS events held at Mont Alto. The campus hosted the Collegiate and Professional Mid-Atlantic Qualifiers in April. To view the broadcasts, tune into ESPNU as follows:

• Friday, July 8, 2011--6:30-7:00 p.m.
• Friday, July 8, 2011--11:30 p.m.-12:00 a.m.
• Sunday, July 10, 2011--10:30-11:00 a.m.
• Sunday, July 17, 2011--9:30-10:00 a.m.
• Sunday, July 31, 2011--8:30-9:00 a.m.

Get the latest information and up-to-date news and video on all the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Series competitions by going to STIHLTIMBERSPORTS.US. Access behind-the-scenes photos and video on www.Facebook.com/STIHLTIMBERSPORTS and http://www.youtube.com/STIHLTIMBERSPORTSfan.

For more information, contact Penn State Mont Alto Continuing Education Office at 717-709-0778.

A new group of seventh graders will tour the Mont Alto campus including the residence halls each day. Their visit includes hands-on learning sessions led by Penn State faculty. They are:

Phun with Physics – Students receive hands-on demonstration of various aspects of physic/chemistry including but not limited to:  air and air pressure, electricity and magnetism (including a Van de Graff generator), rotational motion, and fun science that can be done in your own kitchen. Physical Therapy – Students will be given the opportunity to experience physical therapy activities in a hands-on session with a physical therapist.  Wheelchairs, crutches, walkers, paraffin, bone models, and muscle models will be used in the session.  Wonders of the Human Body – Introduction to the world of nursing where students will be aged before their very own eyes, listen to their heart beat, hear their lungs breathe, and experience other wonders of the human body. All About Art – This interactive session introduced students on “How to Look at Art” by giving them a list of objective terms that they will apply to a painting and a sculpture.  If time permits the students will be given an activity that will have them do comparison of practical architecture to other forms of architecture.  Active Learning through Observation Skills –Students view a short film screen “Lifted” which was shown prior to “Ratatouille.”  They are asked to explain the story and why they are saying it.  This should result in a list along the lines of facial expressions, body motions, posture, gestures, etc.   The professor will point out at the end that not one word was ever spoken during the entire film and that the details they mentioned comes completely from non-verbal communication. A Shakespeare’s Scene – This drama-based activity will allow students to participate in a discuss as well as act out a scene from the play A Midsummer Night’s Dream by using props and costumes.  Introduction to Animated Movie Making – The students will log onto the Penn State computers in a computer lab and participate in the steps that it takes to create a live web page.  The students may work in pairs or individually depending on the number of students per group.

Lunch is provided. The students arrive daily at 9:15 am. Sessions begin at 9:30 am, 10:30 am and 12:10 pm. Penn State Mont Alto will host middle school students from Waynesboro May 31-June 2.

Members of the media are invited to attend.  Interviews with Penn State faculty and Principal Kurt Widmann of CAMS can be arranged.

Interesting stories from the graduating class follow.

Jennifer Hutsler is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Nursing. A Chambersburg High School alumnus (’95), Hutsler earned her associate’s degree in Nursing  from Penn State at the Mont Alto campus in 2004. She worked as a nurse for Summit Health at Chambersburg Hospital until suffering a serious illness in 2007. After her recovery, Hutsler returned to Mont Alto to purse the bachelor’s degree she will be recognized for at commencement. Additionally, Hutsler is one of only six students accepted into the master’s degree program from the Penn State School of Nursing to be offered for the first time at Mont Alto next fall. She has maintained position on the Dean’s List each semester during her baccalaureate pursuit, and she was recently inducted into the national honor society, Alpha Sigma Lambda, for adult learners. Hutsler also received two scholarships while a student at Mont Alto.

Sharita Statum is graduating with an associate’s degree from our Occupational Therapy Assistant program; like all graduating students in that program she will start clinical work soon, and she will officially graduate later. Also a 1995 graduate of CASHS, Statum has successfully juggled the role of a university student with her role as a busy mom. In fact, Statum carried and gave birth to her third child during the Spring semester. Born during the third week of April, baby girl Lyric did not keep Statum from completing all of her OTA courses. She also completed her final presentation and did not miss her final exams. Statum will begin full-time fieldwork on August 1, 2011. Her official Penn State graduation date is expected in December. Statum is also mom to Jayden, 7, and Ja’Nye, 4.

Allegra Nittany Heebner of Fairfield in neighboring Adams County will be recognized at Commencement for earning her third Penn State degree. She completed her bachelor’s of science in Human Development and Family Studies in Fall 2010, but will be recognized this Saturday. In addition, Heebner completed an associate’s degree in Human Development and Family Studies in Spring 2008, and an associate’s degree in Occupational Therapy in Fall 2009.

Penn State Mont Alto has approximately 1200 students. The campus offers seven baccalaureate and eight associate degree programs, as well as the first two years of more than 160 Penn State degrees.

###

The students profiled above are available to interview.  Members of the media are invited to attend the commencement ceremony on May 14. Please contact Kristie Fry at 717.749.6112 or kfry@psu.edu to confirm attendance.

After an exhaustive search that included 45 highly qualified applicants, Penn State Mont Alto announces the appointment of Dr. Michael Doncheski, professor of physics, to the position of Director of Academic Affairs (DAA) effective immediately. Doncheski had served as the campus’ interim DAA since early last year when Dr. Francis Achampong left the post to go to Penn State Fayette where he is now chancellor.  “Mike has served us well both as a faculty member and as our interim chief academic officer,” says Chancellor Dr. David Gnage. “We congratulate and commend him on his new post.”

Doncheski obtained both his bachelor’s degree in physics and his doctorate in theoretical physics from Penn State. His primary areas of research have included elementary particle theory (the study of particles and interactions in “atom smashers”) and the visualization of quantum mechanical phenomena. Doncheski has authored more than 50 referred journal articles; he been a member of the Penn State Mont Alto faculty since 1996. 

Brandi and Brittani Timmons are recent  graduates of Penn State Mont Alto’s Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) program (December 2010). They returned to the campus last week during the final week of classes this semester to help celebrate OT Month and to encourage current students as they prepare for field work.
 
Alumni of Chambersburg Area High School (2008) and residents of Orrstown, the Timmons twins chose Occupational Therapy for the creative aspects it provides in therapy. Both will sit for the national exams this month, and they have both received several offers for employment. Brandi would like to work in behavioral health while Brittani would like to work with pediatrics.
 
April was Occupational Therapy Month.  According to the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. (AOTA), occupational therapy services typically include:

• Customized treatment programs to improve one’s ability to perform daily activities
• Comprehensive home and job site evaluations with adaption recommendations
• Performance skills assessments and treatment
• Adaptive equipment recommendations and usage training
• Guidance to family members and caregivers

Career opportunities for a graduate of Penn State Mont Alto’s associate degree program in occupational therapy may include working in public and private schools, early intervention programs, general, psychiatric, and pediatric hospitals, day treatment centers, hospices and home health agencies, rehabilitation hospitals and centers, skilled and intermediate care facilities, community living programs, community wellness centers, work hardening and adjustment programs, and/or hand therapy clinics.
 
Penn State Mont Alto recently upgraded its OTA classroom with a state-of-the-art “smart cart” teaching station. The smart cart allows faculty members to integrate innovative teaching methods.
 
For more information about the Timmons twins or the OTA program, please contact Dr. Angela Hissong at anh1@psu.edu or 717-749-6233.

Penn State Mont Alto’s freshman forest technology students, associate degree (RN) nursing students, and RN-to-BS nursing students were afforded hands-on training responding to a trauma scenario in the woods adjacent to the campus as well as how it is to work with a trauma patient in a simulated Emergency Department. In addition, Penn State Mont Alto’s nursing faculty facilitated the use of iStan in the exercise; he is the department’s mobile human simulation patient. iStan was treated from “injuries” by forestry, nursing and paramedic students.

To view photos from the exercise, please click "photos" above under the story headline.

In front of ESPNU cameras, Daniel Jones of Haywood Community College claimed the top spot in the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Qualifier hosted by Penn State Mont Alto April 17. A mere two points behind Jones was last year’s Mid-Atlantic champion Tim Benedict of Penn State University Park and a Mont Alto alumnus. Zach Brouse of Allegany College of Maryland finished in third place with local favorite Seth Morris of Penn State Mont Alto took fourth, only a point behind Brouse.

With this win, Jones receives a $1,000 scholarship from STIHL for his school and advances to the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Collegiate Championship at the Oregon State Fair Aug. 26-28. At the Collegiate Championship, Jones will compete against four other qualifier winners and one wildcard pick to determine the nation’s top collegiate lumberjack. The collegiate champion earns an automatic spot in the 2010 Professional Series.

Full results are below.

In the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Professional Qualifier, 10 of the region’s top lumberjacks competed for one of four spots to advance to the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS U.S. Championships also at the Oregon State Fair. The Pro Series airs on ESPN2.

2009 U.S. champion Arden Cogar Jr. from West Hamlin, W.Va. sealed the top spot with Mike Eash from Coatesville, Pa. only one point behind him. Will Roberts of Cortland, NY took the third place with Harry Burnsworth of Mill Run, Pa. rounding out the top four.

Full results are below. Photos and interviews are available upon request.

STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Collegiate Mid-Atlantic Qualifier Results
Rank Competitor School Points
1 Daniel Jones, Haywood Community College - 25
2 Tim Benedict, Penn State University Park - 23
3 Zach Brouse,  Allegany College of Maryland - 19
4 Seth Morris, Penn State Mont Alto - 18
5 Anthony Juser, West Virginia University - 11
6 Joshua Hussey, Montgomery Community College - 10
7 JP Gildea, Penn College of Technology - 0

STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Professional Mid-Atlantic Qualifier Results
Rank Competitor Hometown Points
1 Arden Cogar Jr., West Hamlin, W.Va. -  51
2 Mike Eash, Coatesville, Pa. - 50
3 Will Roberts, Cortland, NY - 47
4 Harry Burnsworth, Mill Run, Pa. - 43
5 Mike Koers, Hawk Run, Pa. - 32
6 Paul Pfenninger, Scottsville, NY - 29
7 Matt Marks, Middlesex, NY - 27
8 Andrew Mattison, Brockport, NY- 23
9 Kyle Friend, Kearneysville, W.Va. 15
10 Tom Oliver, Palmyra, Pa. - 10

The Collegiate and Professional Series air on ESPNU and ESPN2, respectively. In addition to the Mid-Atlantic Qualifier, the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Series consists of four other regional Collegiate and Professional Series Qualifiers and the U.S. Championships:

• Southern Qualifier hosted by the University of Georgia in Athens, Ga., March 18
• Western Qualifier hosted at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, Calif., March 25
• Midwest Qualifier hosted at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Ind., April 9
• Mid-Atlantic Qualifier hosted at Penn State-Mont Alto in Mont Alto, Pa., April 17
• Northeast Qualifier hosted at SUNY-Cobleskill in Cobleskill, NY, April 30
• Collegiate and U.S. Championship at the Oregon State Fair in Salem, Ore., Aug. 26-28

For the second consecutive year, the Oregon State Fair will host the Collegiate and Professional Championships. In the Collegiate Series, the five regional competitors and one wildcard pick face off in the single buck, standing block chop, stock saw and underhand chop to determine the nation’s top collegiate lumberjack. The collegiate champion wins a buy in to the 2012 Professional Series.

In the Professional Series, the top four pros from each qualifier advance to the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS U.S. Championship, where they will compete for a slice of the coveted U.S. title and the opportunity to advance to the World Championship in Holland Sept. 3-4. Additional pros will be selected by officials to represent the U.S. in the World Championship Relay Competition.

Established in 1985 by STIHL Inc., manufacturer of the number-one selling brand of gasoline-powered handheld outdoor power equipment in America*, the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Series, billed as the Original Extreme Sport, attracts the world’s top lumberjack athletes in a competition based on historic logging techniques. The Series is seen by more than 20 million viewers annually in more than 62 countries on networks such as Eurosport and ESPN, where it is one of the longest running shows.

Since 2003, the Collegiate Series has traveled to college campuses across the country to seek out the best amateur athletes and give them the opportunity to advance in the sport. More than 50 universities and colleges presently compete in the Series. The STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Collegiate Series grooms student athletes to one day take their place among the professional elite. Additionally, ESPNU provides a national platform to not only highlight the competition and the sport, but also spotlight the hosting schools and their forestry programs in the Collegiate Series competition shows.

Get the latest information and up-to-date news and video on all the STIHL TIMBERSPORTS Series competitions by going to STIHLTIMBERSPORTS.US. Access behind-the-scenes photos and video on www.Facebook.com/STIHLTIMBERSPORTS and http://www.youtube.com/STIHLTIMBERSPORTSfan.

The Sixth Annual Penn State Mont Alto Academic Festival was held on campus April 13, 2011. Sponsored by F&M Trust Company, this exciting event displayed academic highlights that have been researched, developed, and created by Penn State Mont Alto students throughout the 2010-11 academic year. Click on "photos" above to view photos from the festival.

2011 Academic Festival Winners

Posters

First Place
Tyler Wakefield
Hope for the Eastern Hemlock?

Second Place
Scott Grimm & Derek Furry
Establishing GIS-based permanent forest inventory plots on the Waynesboro Watershed

Third Place
Zachary Hetrick & Seth Morris
Comparing Past Land use to Current Forest Cover Types

Exhibits

First Place
Kimberly Conrad
Eating the right way, the right size, the right times

Second Place (tie)
Jared Fisher
ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI)

Deanna Burke, Rachel Barrett, Sharita Statum
Autism Spectrum Disorder

Third Place
Melissa S. Rogina
Sexual Health Decisions for the Adolescent

Penn State Mont Alto Continuing Education and F&M Trust have partnered to deliver a customized professional development and supervisory skills training program for the bank’s supervisors.  Sixteen new and future supervisors for the bank completed the first 16-hour program provided by Penn State in March 2011; the program will  be offered on an annual basis.

After the final session, F&M Trust President and CEO William E. Snell, Jr., reminded his employees that despite the use of new technologies in the banking industry, they are “still in a people business where personal attention and relationships are key.” The program had focused on listening, coaching, understanding, providing feedback, and performance management. Karen Carmack, senior vice president and human resources manager at F&M, said the program “was a productive training. We look forward to a long and fruitful partnership with Penn State.”

F&M Trust has been a leading provider of premier financial solutions of community banking for more than a century.  The largest local community bank headquartered in Franklin County, the bank has 25 community banking offices throughout Franklin, Cumberland, Fulton, and Huntingdon Counties. Their mission is to create long-term shareholder value by delivering the right "financial solutions . . . from people you know."

Penn State is dedicated to providing superior workforce development programs tailored to the needs of each company and its employees.  From information technology courses to leadership training seminars, educational resources are available to Franklin, Adams and Fulton County businesses at any time, any place and in a variety of formats.

Photo Caption: F&M Trust new and future supervisors pictured completed a 16-hour professional development and supervisory skill training program delivered by Penn State Continuing Education.

Penn State Mont Alto will welcome back to campus esteemed alumnus Shaun B. Keister, associate vice president for development for Penn State, to be its Spring 2011 Commencement speaker. Like nearly 60 percent of Mont Alto’s students choose, Keister completed the first two years of his Penn State degree at Mont Alto (’88-’89) before completing his B.A. in political science at University Park.

“Our students will enjoy hearing from a successful alumnus who once walked these same halls,” said Dr. David C. Gnage, Penn State Mont Alto chancellor. “They will no doubt be inspired by Shaun’s accomplishments realized after the strong foundation he first obtained here at Mont Alto.”

Keister graduated magna cum laude as a member of Penn State’s University Scholars Program, the forerunner to the Schreyer Honors College. He went on to earn both a master’s degree and doctorate in sociology from Iowa State University. Prior to his current position, Keister spent 13 years at the Iowa State University Foundation where he served as vice president for development outreach. His career has also taken him to the Florida State University Foundation, and Keister has served as a fundraising consultant to more than 75 non-profit organizations and universities nationwide. 

“I look forward to returning to Mont Alto,” said Keister. “I learned many important life lessons and leaderships skills there that have served a lifetime and created important friendships and bonds.” He currently maintains supervisory responsibility at Penn State for several central development areas, including annual giving, development communications, corporate and foundation relations, donor relations, gift planning, leadership gifts, and research/prospect development.

The Penn State Mont Alto 2011 Spring Commencement ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, May 14 at 10 a.m. in the Multipurpose Activities Center on campus. Mont Alto is the oldest Penn State campus outside of University Park and has been graduating students for more than 100 years. 

Photo Caption: Shaun Keister, associate vice president for development for Penn State and a Mont Alto alum, will return to campus as our Spring 2011 Commencement speaker.

For the last 10 years, tens of thousands of men across America have Walk(ed) a Mile in Her Shoes®, high-heeled shoes, that is, to take a stand against sexual violence and to raise money in support of local rape crisis services and domestic violence shelters. The event came to Mont Alto for the second year in a row on March 23 as a group of Penn State Mont Alto students—both male and female—walked a mile around campus in high heels in support of the International Men’s Walk to Stop Rape, Sexual Assault & Gender Violence.

"This is something that affects everyone. Everyone has a mom, an aunt or a grandmother. With one in six women being sexually assaulted in their lifetime, everyone knows someone that's a victim, or as I like to refer to them, a survivor," said event coordinator Amanda Blaugher, an assistant coordinator of residence life at Penn State Mont Alto.  She said the campus expects to raise about $150 from the event that drew a couple of dozen students.

IN OUR FAMILY travels nationwide to schools (K-12), colleges, public libraries, workplaces, places of worship, conferences, museums, and communities nationwide. The exhibit is championed by diversity professionals, families, educators, parents, and all people interested in educating the public about diversity. 

With photographs by Gigi Kaeser and interviews edited by Peggy Gillespie and Rebekah Boyd, the exhibit celebrates the diversity of family life in 21st century America, introducing viewers to single-parent families, families living with physical or mental challenges, immigrant families, adoptive families, foster families, divorced families, gay and lesbian-parented families, stepfamilies, multiracial families, multi-generational families, and others in the family circle.

Family Diversity Projects (FDP) is a non-profit educational organization founded to help eliminate prejudice, stereotyping, and harassment of people discriminated against due to race, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, gender, class, and disability. The exhibit is sponsored by the Penn State Mont Alto Faculty Diversity Committee.

The goal of the program is to introduce local families and individuals to health and safety issues and to community resources available in this region.   “It provides Penn State students practical, hands-on opportunities for learning,” says Carranda Barkdoll, the coordinator of nursing program at Penn State Mont Alto. “We are excited to once again offer this free service to the community.” 

Popular activities returning from previous years’ events include visits by the Nittany Lion and Crackers the Clown, the Teddy Bear Clinic, and exploration of Penn State’s Life Lion helicopter, ambulances and fire engines. Children of all ages can be in the Kazoo Parade, see horses, parachutes, puppet shows, and more.  The event will also help children and families to learn about childhood obesity, firearm safety, allergies, asthma, poison control, and helmet safety. Individuals can learn about health promotion and listen to their heart and lungs as well.

Penn State Mont Alto student participants as well as their faculty advisors are available to interview.  For more information, contact Kristie Fry at kfry@psu.edu or 717-979-4010.

Penn State Mont Alto is pleased to announce the launch of its Nittany Lion Reads program to promote reading among area children through the local library. Children will be treated to a story reading, a meet-and-greet session and picture-taking time with the Penn State Nittany Lion. Each participant will also have the opportunity to create a picture frame for their photo and to participate in games offerings. A highlight of the program for the children may be the story of Ben and Jerry's ice cream at Penn State, along with free ice cream.

The program is free of charge and will visit the following Franklin County libraries as follows soon:

• March 5th, 10 a.m., Fort Loudon Library
• March 12th, 10 a.m., Grove Family Library
• March 19th, 11 a.m., Coyle Free Library
• April 9th, 11 a.m., Lilian S. Besore Memorial Library

Each program will be approximately one hour in length. "Reading as a child can be the first step to expanding vocabulary and comprehension," says Sarah Sultzbaugh, student director of the Nittany Lion Reads program. "It also strengthens skills necessary to one day succeed in college."

For more information, please contact Ms. Sultzbaugh by email at sns5156@psu.edu.

February 22 marked the date that Penn State was founded in 1855 as a publicly supported agricultural college. In 1863, Penn State was designated as Pennsylvania’s land-grant college -- a distinction that only Penn State holds and a designation that created a university to educate large segments of society that had not yet been served by higher education. To underscore Penn State’s important relationship with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Penn State Outreach created a video that highlights the many successes of the University and the individuals whose lives have been touched by Penn State.

As one of the nation’s first land-grant institutions, Penn State has been in a partnership with Pennsylvania for nearly 150 years. Through this partnership, Penn State has provided both access to education and expertise to help solve some of society’s most pressing problems. “It’s a designation that meant Penn State would work to improve the well-being of farmers and industrial workers,” said Penn State President Graham Spanier. “It meant that Penn State was one of the ‘people’s universities,’ created to make a difference in the lives of citizens.” Today, Penn State plays a significant role in education, research and service that supports the development of the Commonwealth and its residents. “Penn State is proud of its partnership with Pennsylvania and remains committed to the Commonwealth as we move forward in the 21st Century,” said Spanier.

Penn State Mont Alto was founded as the Pennsylvania State Forest Academy in 1903. It became a campus of the Pennsylvania State University in 1929. Penn State Mont Alto now offers seven baccalaureate degrees, eight associate degrees, and the first two years of nearly all of Penn State's 160+ degree programs.

To learn more about the unique partnership between the Commonwealth and Penn State, click on the video link: http://thepartnership.psu.edu.

Penn State Mont Alto sent two students and 20+ supporters last weekend to the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, affectionately referred to as THON, at University Park.  The Mont Alto THON group raised pledges totaling $25,580.06, a record by more than $10,000 over last year. The Chambersburg community at large contributed the most ($19,054) via collection cans at area businesses and to students canning on foot in the community. The Potomac Valley Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association sponsored the team and contributed $350.

The students—Kaitlyn Shifflet and Jennifer Szalay—began dancing at 6 pm Friday and remained on their feet for 46 hours. THON is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world and has raised more than $69 Million for The Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Children's Hospital to fight against childhood cancer. Penn State students raised a total of $9,563,016.09 at THON this year alone.

Mont Alto students collected community donations on weekends between October and January in Chambersburg. “We are thankful for the outpouring of support from individuals in our community,” commented Michele Coletta, Mont Alto’s campus nurse and THON advisor. “Our team worked hard and ended up with the sixth highest total raised among Penn State’s Commonwealth campuses.”

In 1972, a small group of dedicated Penn State students held their first Dance Marathon. That year, 34 dancers participated and raised $2,000. Since then, THON’s presence in the Penn State community has grown exponentially. THON now has 15,000 student volunteers, 700 dancers, and has raised more than $69 million, benefiting The Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Children’s Hospital.  Visit www.thon.org for more information.

Nursing faculty member Dr. Stephanie Unger participated in Shippensburg High School's Diversity Day events on February 3, 2011. A native of Thailand, Dr. Unger shared with students about Thai culture.

Dr. Unger also advises Mont Alto's first-ever class of true international students this year. Having once been an international student herself, she is intricately aware of the unique challenges faced by students whose first language is something other than English. In addition, international students adjust to differences in educational structures and expectations, foods, and everyday customs. Mont Alto's international students (here on student visas) hail from China, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, Tawian, Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirites.

Employers and business leaders who have committed to participate to date include:

• Abraxas Youth and Family Services
• COPT (Corporate Office Properties Trust) Property Management Services
• Franklin County Treasurer’s Office (County Government/Law Enforcement)
• Letterkenny Army Depot
• Physical Therapy, Etc.

This program will be valuable for students from every academic discipline. For more information, please contact Summer Irvin, career services coordinator, at 717-749-6104 or sdm211@psu.edu

Members of the Penn State Mont Alto admissions and financial aid staff will be present to share about the many academic opportunities that are available at Penn State.  With over 160 baccalaureate degrees, Penn State offers many opportunities to pursue a degree that fits most every students' needs. The event also features a series of financial aid sessions to provide parents and families an overview of the financial aid process at Penn State. This session is will outline what types of aid may be available and how to apply for aid at Penn State. Financial Aid Sessions will be presented at: 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., and 3:00 p.m.

Interestted students and parents can to drop in anytime from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to complete an application or to attend one of the financial aid sessions mentioned above.  We do, however, encourage you to register in advance by calling the admissions office at 717-749-6130 or 800-392-6173. Click here for more information.

A steady stream of Penn State Mont Alto students visited the campus Four-Year Degree Fair this week on Tuesday and Wednesday in the Heritage Room in the Mill. The fair gave students the opportunity to learn how they can pursue their goals and finish their Penn State degrees right here at Mont Alto. Students met faculty members from each academic department, enjoyed free food and registered for door prizes at the first-ever academic fair for current students.

Mont Alto offers seven baccalaureate programs: Business, English, Nursing, Information Sciences and Technology, Human Development and Family Studies, Letters, Arts, and Sciences, and Organizational Leadership (for adult learners). While many students choose to complete four-year degrees at Mont Alto, the majority of our students participate in Penn State's 2+2 program which affords them two years at Mont Alto and two years at University Park or another campus. Staying at Mont Alto can benefit students in more ways than one.

Students can save money, live on campus or off, have professors who know them by name, participate in intercollegiate athletics -- all while earning their Penn State degree.

Official Inclement Weather Notifications
Announcements will be posted by 6:00 a.m. on the day in question via the following channels.

1. GET A TEXT MESSAGE. Register your cell number at http://live.psu.edu/psutxt and select “Mont Alto Alerts”
2. CALL the Inclement Weather Hotline at 717-749-6090
3. CHECK the campus homepage at www.ma.psu.edu

Penn State Mont Alto’s complete Inclement Weather Plan is available online at www.ma.psu.edu/weather.htm.

During this full-day program, visiting students receive an overview of Penn State from our admissions staff before spending the remainder of the day with a current Penn State Mont Alto student. That includes the opportunity to sit in on several classes, eat lunch in the Mill Café, and take a tour of campus.

The program is from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Family members are encouraged to visit some of the many local attractions while the student participates in the “Lion for a Day” program.

Upcoming “Lion for a Day” programs

• Wednesday, January 26th
• Wednesday, February 23rd
• Wednesday, March 23rd
• Wednesday, April 13th

Prospective students may register online for any of these by visiting events at www.visitmontalto.com or by calling 1-800-392-6173 to speak with a member of our staff.

Our sessions are designed to provide prospective students and their families with an overview of the Penn State Mont Alto college experience. Attendees will also learn more about Penn State's 160 academic programs, research opportunities, 1,200+ clubs and organizations, athletics, and more.

All information sessions begin at 10:00 a.m. with an optional tour of campus guided by a Penn State Mont Alto student at 11:00 a.m.

Upcoming Weekday Information Sessions:

• Monday, January 17th
• Friday, February 11th
• Monday, February 21st
• Friday, March 25th
• Friday, April 22nd

Upcoming Weekend Information Sessions:

• Saturday, January 29th
• Saturday, February 19th
• Saturday, March 19th
• Saturday, April 30th

Prospective students may register online for any of these by visiting events at www.visitmontalto.com or by calling 1-800-392-6173 to speak with a member of our admissions staff.