U.S. Army Major William H. Lloyd addressed the graduating class at Penn State Mont Alto’s 2013 Spring Commencement ceremony on May 4, 2013. Following are his remarks.
 
Dr. Gnage, distinguished guests, Penn State faculty, family members, friends and the graduating class of 2013, good morning.  It is truly an honor to be speaking to you on such an important day.  This is a great day, not only for the men and women who are graduating and their families, but also for me. I will cherish this moment the rest of my life.  In fact, never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine that I would have an opportunity like this.
 
Today I want to talk to you about your dreams. Having the determination, drive, perseverance, the desire to work hard, the will to make sacrifices and never giving up along the way to make those dreams come true. I’d like to share a few personal stories with you regarding the characteristics that I just mentioned that have affected my life to this very day. The first story takes place right here on campus.

I’d like to take you back to the year 1978--my senior year in high school.  I applied to Penn State University to persue a degree in forestry. Penn State sent me an acceptance letter telling me I was going to be a freshman at Mont Alto.  I thought to myself, "Where the heck is Mont Alto?"  I grew up outside of Philly; I had no idea where the Mont Alto campus was located. 

I’ll never forget the day my parents drove me out here for freshman orientation.  I remember thinking to myself after we got off of Interstate 81, "My parents are lost."  I was sitting in the back of the family station wagon getting car sick because of the ride on Route 997.  I was nervous and worried about being late. Well, we made it. I finally had my one-on-one with my advisor, "Mr. Encouragement."  Still pretty nervous, I met with him in Weisling Hall.  The first words out of his mouth after we sat down were: “You probably won’t graduate from Penn State.”
 
My first words were (nothing).  What do you say in that situation? Soon after leaving his office, I told myself if it takes me four years or 10 years I would graduate from Penn State with a degree.
 
Well, Mr. Encouragement:
1. I graduated from Penn State in just a little more than four years, and I was student teacher my last trimester.
2. I received a Masters Degree in Education from Wilkes University.
3. I’m a graduate of the U.S. Amy Command and General Staff College.
So "Mr. Encouragement," if you are in attendance today, please do not take this personal.  Thank you for telling me that I wasn’t going to graduate from Penn State. And look at me now.
 
The second story centers on my current profession, the Army.
 
I was a First Lieutenant at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, going through my Advanced Field Artillery Officer Course.  Toward the end of the five month course, I had the opportunity to sit down with a Captain, "Captain Positive," who was a career counselor.  He asked me what I wanted to do while in the Army.  I told him one of my aspirations was to teach ROTC at a college or university. And he told me that “there was no way I was going to be able to teach ROTC." He said, "There aren’t many positions out there, and it is very competitive.”
 
I said to myself, "I will see about that!"
 
I started applying for ROTC positions after returning from Fort Sill.  At the time, I was a school teacher and could take a leave of absence from teaching high school if given the opportunity to teach ROTC.  So when the opportunity presented itself, I applied.  I had my first interview with Temple University.  I was a First Lieutenant at the time, and they told me they were looking for a Captain.  I didn’t get the job. 

About a year later, a position opened up at Valley Forge Military Academy.  I interviewed; they were looking for a Senior Captain.  I didn’t get the job. About six months went by, and the positioned opened up at Shippensburg University. I interviewed, but they were looking for a Major. I didn’t get the job.  I was starting to see a pattern. Well, I was promoted to Captain.  My next interview, after about three years of persuing my dream, was with Penn State.  I got the job!
 
Hey Captain Positive -- After three years of not giving up on my dreams of becoming an assistant professor of military science, I not only taught ROTC once, not twice, but I’m currently on my third tour, teaching at Shippensburg University. But reaching your goals comes with making decisions and making sacrifices. I gave up my dream of becoming a Lieutenant Colonel by taking the position at Shippensburg University.  I have four years to go before retiring from the military; and I hope I can spend those years at Shippensburg. I hope to instill the Army values and the warrior ethos into every cadet in the battalion.  I will refer to these in a moment.
 
But, if there something that our future officers can glean from me being at there that saves the life of someone’s son, daughter, brother, sister, nephew, niece, grandson or granddaughter--then I have done my job, and making Lieutenant Colonel is not so important. So, thank you Captain Positive.  My career has been very rewarding, and if I had to do it all over again I wouldn’t change a thing. I have been very blessed.
 
So dream your dreams and never let go. Look around. Four years ago there were over 500 students who started this journey with you.  There are only 146 getting their diplomas today.  To have gotten to where you are today is commendable. But, as you move on from here, you will undoubtedly suffer some setbacks along the way. Even if you fail and fall many times, that's OK - just get up, dust yourself off and move on!
 
In the final analysis, the strength of your character comes not from how you react to your successes--of which I know there will be many. The strength of your character comes from how you react to your failures--of which there also will be many. So, always believe in yourself, persevere, but be willing to adapt. Today you will close a chapter in your book of life.  Tomorrow you will start a new one. As you get older, that book will continue to grow.  You will finish chapters and start new ones.
 
As an Army Officer, I take great pride in putting this uniform on every day.  I tell my students that if they live the rest of their lives by following the Seven Army Values, whether they are in the uniform or not, they will have a very self fulfilling life. I’d like to share them with you today. Please take these with you today, and take a moment later on to embrace them.
 
1. Loyalty – Be loyal to your family, yourself, this nation and its heritage.
2. Duty – Fulfill your obligations.  Take responsibility for your own actions. Find opportunities to improve yourself.
3. Respect – Treat people how you would like to be treated at all times.
4. Selfless Service – Put the needs of your family and friends before your own.
5. Integrity – Do what is right, legally and morally.  Be willing to do what is right even when no one is looking.
6. Personal Courage – your ability to face fear, danger or adversity, both physical and moral courage.
7. Honor – Uphold these values and live by them in all you do.
 
Savor this moment. Look around at your classmates. This is a day you will always remember. There will only be one just like this. After the ceremony, look into the eyes of your parents, or your grandparents, or whoever helped you here this day. Thank them. Tell them you love them. Savor the moment. Enjoy it all. So dream those dreams and make them a reality with hard work, enthusiasm and desire. Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live life as you’ve always imagined.
 
I would like to thank my wife Suzanne, who unfortunately could not be in attendance on this special day.  Her support in the last 30 years has helped me become the person I am today. Thirty years ago she gave me a little orange card while we were dating, and I have carried it with me ever since.   I took it to Iraq with me and had it pinned up to my wall locker. I would see it in the morning and in the evening when I got back to my barracks.  It helped me get thru some challenging times, and I’m a better person for it.

The title is Don’t Quit.  Here’s the first stanza of the poem:
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road your climbing seems all up hill,
When funds are low and debts are high,
When you want to smile but you have to sigh,
When care is getting you down a bit,
Rest if you must - but don't you quit.
 
And, for that, you have my heartiest encouragement and congratulations.
Thank you. And God Speed.

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Francis K. Achampong, currently the chancellor at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus, has been named the next chancellor of Penn State Mont Alto, effective Aug. 1, 2013. Achampong succeeds David Gnage, who announced last fall that he would retire at the end of the 2012-13 academic year following more than 10 years in the position.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He was admitted to the New York Bar in 1986 and the Virginia Bar in 1988, and was admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court in 1990.

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

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

Penn State Mont Alto held its fourth annual trauma-scenario training exercise for forest technology and nursing students on April 26 at the campus. The Penn State Hershey LifeLion helicopter, Blue Ridge Summit Rescue, Mont Alto EMS,  the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry, Franklin County EMA and the Mont Alto Fire Department assisted in the exercise.

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 trauma patients 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 here to visit our album on facebook.

All Forest Technology alumni, from 1963 through 2013, are invited to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Forest Technology Program at Penn State Mont Alto, sponsored by Bartlett Tree Experts and Cumberland Valley Tree Service.

In addition to the Forest Technology 50th Anniversary, the following Penn State University graduating classes are invited to celebrate their anniversaries:

• 1958: 55-year reunion
• 1963: 50-year reunion
• 1968: 45-year reunion
• 1973: 40-year reunion

Click here for registration forms and more information.

The Penn State Mont Alto Woodsmen Team captured first place at the STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS Collegiate Series Mid-Atlanic team event held last weekend at Haywood Community College in Clyde, NC. Our team of 10 was led by Alex Storm who placed sixth in the  STIHL® TIMBERSPORTS qualifier. Storm is an exceptional student-athlete as well having made Dean's List in the fall semester.

U.S. Army Major William H. Lloyd will address the graduating class at Penn State Mont Alto’s 2013 Spring Commencement ceremony. MAJ Lloyd is presently an Assistant Professor of Military Science at Shippensburg University. Commissioned into the Army through Officer Candidate School, Lloyd has more than 30 years of service to our nation. He successfully completed numerous military schools including Command and General Staff College, Field Artillery Officer Advanced Course, Armor Officer Basic Course, and Airborne School. MAJ Lloyd has also earned the United States’ Meritorious Service Medal three times, the U.S. Army Commendation Medal five times, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the National Defense Service Ribbon (Bronze Star), the Parachutist Badge, and the Pennsylvania Commendation Medal, among other awards. His military career has also included a post as Commander of the Pennsylvania Officer Candidate School.

MAJ Lloyd taught in the Shippensburg Area School District prior to the terrorist attacks on America on September 11, 2001. In response to those tragic events, he returned to active duty and participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2009. He has also taught for the Army at Penn State and Harrisburg Area Community College.

Born and raised in Levittown, PA, MAJ Lloyd began his Penn State degree at Mont Alto before graduating from University Park in 1982 with a B.S. in Health and Human Development. While at Mont Alto, he played varsity soccer and was the team MVP in 1979. He returned as the campus’ varsity soccer coach in 1991. MAJ Lloyd also obtained an M.S. in Education from Wilkes University in 1989. He currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Penn State Mont Alto Alumni Society, and he was named a Distinguished Fellow by the campus in 2008. MAJ Lloyd and his wife Suzanne, a 1983 Penn State graduate, met at University Park. They have been married 25 years and have three sons.

The Penn State Mont Alto 2013 Spring Commencement ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, May 4 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.

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

For additional information about Penn State Mont Alto’s new four-year program, contact Carranda Barkdoll, campus coordinator for nursing, at 717-749-6205 or cmb207@psu.edu.

The top three finishers in each category will receive a medal; the winner will also earn a $100 VISA Gift Card. The second place finisher will receive $75, and the third place finisher will receive $50. Registration for the 5K varies from $15-30 and includes a T-Shirt (while supplies last); the Little Lion Run is free and does not include a T-Shirt, but they can be purchased for $5 each (while supplies last).

On the day of the event, walk-up registration will open at 7:00 a.m. The Little Lion Run will start at 8:00 a.m., followed by the Blue and White 5k at 8:30 a.m. Visit www.blueandwhite5k.org for registration forms, directions, maps, and more information. Registration forms are also available at the Waynesboro YMCA, Chambersburg YMCA, the Chambers of Commerce offices in Waynesboro, Chambersburg, and Greencastle, and Gold’s Gym locations in Franklin County.

This event benefits student scholarships, outreach initiatives, and club programming. The Lion Ambassadors are student volunteers who assist the University with campus tours and other recruitment initiatives.

Registration forms and additional information are available at www.blueandwhite5k.org.

The program, known as MedCamp, will give students who will be entering the ninth and tenth grade the opportunity to visit local hospitals and healthcare facilities. In addition, students will learn about healthcare careers including physical medicine and surgery, nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, radiology, pathology, and more.

MedCamp will run from Monday, June 24, 2013 through Friday, June 28, 2013 beginning at 8:00 a.m. and ending at 4:00 p.m. each day. The “home base” for the camp will be Penn State Mont Alto, and transportation will be provided to the various hospitals and field trip locations throughout the week.

One of the highlights of the camp includes a trip to Penn State Hershey Medical Center. The students will also be given the opportunity to become first-aid certified. This program is sure to be an outstanding opportunity for students with an interest in science and careers in healthcare.

Interested students should fill out, download, sign and return the attached application form. The application deadline is April 30, 2013. Admission decisions will be made on May 3, 2013 and tuition will be due by May 17, 2013.

Contact the Penn State Mont Alto Continuing Education Office for more information or with questions at 717-263-9033 x227.

The Mont Alto Woodsmen will compete next at the Mid-Atlantic Woodsmen’s Meet at Haywood Community College in Clyde, NC, on April 13-14, 2013.

The students—Kyle Kirkpatrick from Hanover (Junior) and Zeb Thorson from Carlisle (Junior)—will begin dancing at 6 p.m. Friday and must remain on their feet for 46 hours. THON is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world and has raised more than $89 Million for The Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Children's Hospital to fight against childhood cancer.  

The Mont Alto participants are sponsored by the Potomac Valley Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association. Additionally, the Penn State Mont Alto benefitting THON team has raised more than $2,760.04 through alternative fundraising efforts.

Mont Alto students collected community donations on three weekends between October and December in various local communities in the area. “We appreciate and are grateful for all of the community support,” says Donna Rhodes, Mont Alto’s THON adviser. “THON truly is a community effort led by our Mont Alto students.”

THON may be viewed live via webcast during the event at www.thon.org.  Mont Alto’s THON team and dancers are available for interview this week with the exception of Friday, February 15, 2013. Please contact Kristie Fry at kfry@psu.edu to schedule interviews.

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 $89 million, benefiting The Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Children’s Hospital.  Visit www.thon.org for more information.

Penn State Mont Alto is offering a Supply Chain Inventory Control workshop series throughout the month of March 2013. These workshops present the fundamentals of inventory control and are appropriate for any business environment, including manufacturing, distribution, retail, health care, non-profit or the service sector.  

The Supply Chain Workshop series is delivered by Penn State experts. Inventory Control basics are covered in a small group/highly interactive half-day workshop format:

• March 7 – Basics of Inventory Management
• March 14 – Physical Inventory
• March 28 – Distribution Inventory Management

Lunch is included. Click here for more information and to register. Seating is limited. 

Penn State Mont Alto will offer two versions of the contest on February 5:

• The AMC 10, which is designed for students in a program leading to a high school diploma, under 17.5 years of age on the day of the contest, and not enrolled in grades 11 or 12 or equivalent.
• The AMC 12, which is designed for students in a program leading to a high school diploma, under 19.5 years of age on the day of the contest.

According to the MAA, “the main purpose of [the contests] is to spur interest in mathematics and to develop talent through solving challenging problems in a timed, multiple-choice format.” The contest was made open to all students, including home-schooled students, who meet the MAA age and grade equivalency requirements (see amc.maa.org for details).  Information was distributed to area schools through guidance offices. Registration is now closed, but members of the media are welcomed to attend. For specific questions about the AMC at Mont Alto, please contact Mathematics Instructor Kira Hamman at kira@psu.edu.

The Mont Alto Film Project is currently seeking actors for GHOSTING, a full-length independent feature film. GHOSTING is a micro-budget, non-union production of the Mont Alto Film Project in conjunction with Third Child Productions under the auspices of Penn State Mont Alto. Auditions are open to all actors. They will be held on two Saturdays at the campus.

WHEN: Saturday, February 23 and Saturday, March 16, 2013 from 12 to 4 p.m. both days

WHERE: Penn State Mont Alto, General Studies Building, One Campus Drive, Mont Alto, PA 17237

Check-in is in Room 110 on the first floor of the General Studies Building; Auditions will be held in the building's auditorium. Actors with headshots and resumes should email them to Casting@thirdchildproductions.com or bring them to the audition. Others should send or bring a current photo and contact information.

The Mont Alto Film Project's production blog can be found at: mafilmproject.wordpress.com.

GHOSTING is the second motion picture to be produced by Mont Alto students and their faculty advisor Dr. Kevin Boon. The Project's first motion picture, TWO DAYS BACK (IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2083385/), released in Fall 2011. It was awarded Best Picture in the Horror/Sci-Fi category at the Bare Bones International Film Festival in April 2012. The festival, which screens feature films with budgets of less than $1 million, featured 100 entries in five categories.

The modified schedule can be found online here.