Penn State Mont Alto is pleased to announce the appointment of its newest faculty member, Hanafiah Harvey, Ph.D., as Assistant Professor of Economics. Harvey, who is Malaysian, adds to the growing number of Penn State Mont Alto’s international faculty, and comes to Penn State most recently from the University of Wisconsin-Richland.

“It is a pleasure to welcome Dr. Harvey to our campus,” said Dr. Francis Achampong, chief academic officer. “Our students will benefit greatly from his academic expertise as well as the global experiences he brings.”

About 20 percent of Penn State Mont Alto’s 60 full-time faculty members hail from nations around the globe. “We value the richness of the multiple cultures represented on campus by our international faculty members,” says Chancellor Gnage. “Our students not only benefit from a quality education but also from the opportunity to broaden their awareness and understanding of the world at large.”

Dr. Harvey names his research interests as open-economy macroeconomics and international finance. He is the author of several journal articles.  “I am enjoying this new journey at Penn State Mont Alto,” he said. “Small class sizes are beneficial, and the campus is beautiful.” He has also found the campus’ close proximity to quality hiking trails, camping sites and major cities to be added bonuses.

Dr. Harvey joins the 60 full-time faculty members at Mont Alto who are actively engaged in research and scholarship. In 2008 alone, they collectively published eight books, wrote chapters for five others, authored a dozen articles in refereed journals (the gold standard in higher education), and presented papers at academic conferences across the United States and internationally in China, Ukraine and Canada.

As students prepare to go home for the Thanksgiving holiday, it is important to remember to continue practicing good hygiene as described above. Also, since this is a time of feasting and sharing, it is important to be careful not to share utensils and cups.

If anyone is experiencing flu-like symptoms at the time they are scheduled to return to the campus after the Thanksgiving holiday, they should stay home until they are fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medication before returning to the campus. This will help to ensure our campus continues to stay healthy for the rest of the fall semester.

For more information about H1N1, visit www.flu.psu.edu.

For more information about the Franklin County Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association, contact Christina Yoder, its acting president, at christinayoder@comcast.net.  

Penn State's University Health Services encourages Penn State students to get vaccinated against H1N1 before returning home for the Thanksgiving holiday break. Vaccination against both seasonal and H1N1 influenza is recommended for college students. It is possible to contract both the seasonal flu and H1N1 flu since exposure to one does not give immunity to the other. The CDC provides information that can help students make informed decisions about vaccination at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm and http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/public/vaccination_qa_pub.htm online.

Continued hand hygiene and cough etiquette are important tools for flu prevention. Students who contract the flu despite these efforts should exclude themselves from the public until they are fever-free for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medication.

Find additional information about the flu and H1N1 here.

The Penn State Mont Alto Flu Hotline is available now at 1-866-721-7872.

Penn State Mont Alto announced receipt of three major gifts totaling more than $1.1 Million to benefit its students at its 14th annual Scholarship Reception held on October 30. The event, sponsored by Waste Management, gives students the opportunity to meet and thank the benefactors of their private scholarships. It was attended by more than 300 people.

The campus announced creation of the new Paul E. and Rachel W. White Fund from a generous estate gift of $764,000 from the Paul and Rachel White estate.  Paul graduated from Penn State in 1930 with a degree in Civil Engineering. He was the co-owner of Brown, David & White Contractors, and later served as the CEO of Valley Quarries. Paul was also a member of the Penn State Mont Alto Advisory Board. Paul and Rachel passed away in 1999 and 2008, respectively. The fund is purposed to provide recognition and financial assistance to outstanding undergraduate students who are enrolled or planning to enroll at Penn State Mont Alto and who have a demonstrated need for funds to meet their necessary college expenses. Seventeen Mont Alto students are currently receiving scholarships from this endowment fund.

Another new scholarship, the Kendig Renaissance Scholarship, was also announced.  It was established with a $330,000 gift from the Dr. Thomas E. Kendig estate. Kendig attended Penn State Mont Alto from 1938-1939, and this scholarship will provide financial assistance to students at Mont Alto who have a demonstrated need for funds to meet their necessary college expenses. Dr. Kendig himself benefited from two similar scholarships when he was an undergraduate student at Penn State from 1938 to 1942.

To date for the 2009-10 academic year, the campus has awarded 221 students more than $354,000 in scholarships and awards.  This year’s new endowments combined will benefit more than 34 undergraduate students attending Penn State Mont Alto.

Penn State Mont Alto is now home to a one-of-a-kind collection thanks to a priceless gift from Penn State football enthusiast and Mont Alto friend John Miner.

During the 1972 football season, Citizens Bank of Pennsylvania (then known as Central Counties Bank) first issued a unique booster button for every Nittany Lion football game. A tradition was born that inaugural season and continues today. This fall marks the 37th year for the booster buttons, and Miner has collected them all with the exception of two missing buttons from 1973. He is seeking to acquire them to complete the collection.  Miner has also documented the final game scores to accompany each button. The collection is on display in Conklin Hall in a custom-built cabinet fashioned by local craftsman Michael Emory from a 262-year-old black oak tree that once stood in front of the Wiestling Student Center on campus. 

“We are truly honored to receive this unique collection exemplifying Penn State Pride,” says Development Director Randall Ackerman. “It is the most comprehensive athletics memorabilia collection on our campus and the only collection of its kind in the Penn State system.”

Miner and his wife Kate are the benefactors of the John A. and Kathryn S. Miner Scholarship for Outstanding Academic Achievement benefitting deserving Penn State Mont Alto students. He is the Broker of Record for Penn National’s real estate company, White Rock, Inc., and an avid supporter of Penn State Football and Penn State Mont Alto.

Members of the public are welcomed to view the collection weekdays between 8am-5pm except holidays. It is located on the first floor of Conklin Hall next to the campus’ Admissions Office.

Dr. Mike Doncheski has taken on new responsibilities this semester at Penn State Mont Alto. A professor of physics and the campus’ head coach of Cross Country, Doncheski was also recently named its Assistant Chief Academic Officer.

In his 13th year at Mont Alto, Doncheski will continue to teach courses while managing his new duties. Those primarily involve working alongside Chief Academic Officer Francis Achampong to provide administrative oversight for the campus’ adjunct faculty members and its academic budgets. He first worked in an administrative role while filling in for Dr. Achampong during his sabbatical last fall.  “It was challenging, but also rewarding,” Doncheski says.

He has taught a variety of courses at Mont Alto, and he regularly serves the community at large. The “Physics Road Show” is a popular program he delivers to school and community groups several times each year. Doncheski also provides interesting physics demonstrations at campus events including Med Camp and Adventures in Learning, annual programs that bring middle- and high school students to campus. Additionally, Doncheski brought the annual conference of the American Association of Physics Teachers (Central PA Section) to Penn State Mont Alto last spring.

“Mike adds great value to the Academic Affairs administrative team beyond his well-established role as a member of our distinguished faculty,” says Achampong.

A team of 10 faculty, staff, students and friends of the campus joined together to raise $1,000 to save lives in the 16th annual Mason-Dixon Start! Heart Walk in Greencastle on September 27. The Penn State Mont Alto contingent was one of 60 teams making up approximately 750 walkers at the event. The participants walked either 1.2 or 4 miles.

According to the American Heart Association website (www.heart.org), more than 1 million walkers will participate in more than 450 events this year, raising funds to save lives from this nation's No. 1 and No. 3 killers -- heart disease and stroke. 

Sessions include: Best Clinical Practice in Mental Health, Geriatric Pyschiatry: An Interface of Mind and Body, NBCOT Certification Updates and Changes, Behavioral Health Services: A Whole Person Appraisal, Coping Through the Senses, and What Fashion Does TO Us. Presenters include Penn State Mont Alto faculty and distinguished guests. For more information, download the OTA Workshop Registration Form.

The Penn State Mont Alto OTA Program admitted its first full-time cohort in 1992 and has granted degrees to more than 300 OTAs since then.  To meet the needs of current students, admission may be possible in any semester. The Penn State OTA Program is accredited by the ACOTE through 2014-15.

Activities include an opening reception, casino night, forestry day (see our outstanding Woodsmen Team in action), a Penn State Football tailgate party in Wiestling, a murder mystery theater, arboretum walk and more. Download a schedule for more information or call our Student Life Office at 717-749-6156.

For USCAA Championship results and news, click here. 

Space is available for our next session on Saturday, December 12 (click on the date to register online). Prospective students may also register by call our admissions office at 1-800-392-6173.    

Penn State Mont Alto also offers weekday visitation programs, full-day and overnight visits, and 1-on-1 personal appointments with an admissions counselor, coach, or faculty member. Visit our Admissions Events page here.

Penn State is an internationally recognized comprehensive university, offering more than 160 undergraduate majors plus hundreds of possibilities for double majors, minors, options, and other ways to tailor your education to your interests. 

Penn State Mont Alto can offer you the best of both worlds, a small campus atmosphere with all the opportunities of a major research institution. Students at Mont Alto have many different academic goals. Some choose to start one of over 160 degree programs here and then complete their program at another Penn State campus, while other pursue both two- and four-year programs that can be completed right at Mont Alto. Whatever academic goals you may have, Penn State Mont Alto can provide you with many options to help you achieve those goals.  It's Your Time!

Penn State Day is a great opportunity to learn about all that Penn State Mont Alto has to offer! Information sessions include discussions about how to apply to Penn State and Financial Aid, student life, residential life, food services and more. Other events of the day include demonstrations by our Woodsmen Team and Fall Fest, an opportunity to learn about the many club offerings at Mont Alto. Attendees are invited to stay for the Penn State Football tailgate party on the big screen in the Wiestling Student Center.

Lunch will be provided. Click here for more information and to register online, or call our Admissions Office at 717-749-6130.

Labalokie’s collections vary from shots of the scenic Penn State Mont Alto campus to a unique collection of images of professional baseball parks. The Museum of Temporary Art is located in the Academic Support Center (ASC) on the first floor of the General Studies Building. It is open whenever the ASC is open (7:30am – 9:00pm Monday – Thursday, and 7:30am – 4:00pm on Friday). Labalokie’s exhibit will run until December 11, 2009.

Click here to view a photo gallery.

Click here to view a photo gallery.

The goal of the project is for students to produce a full-length documentary or feature film. “In a best case scenario,” says Boon, “the end result will be a watchable film suitable for film festivals. In a worst-case scenario, students learn a great deal about the difficulties inherent in producing a full-length film. In either case, students get a hands-on educational experience.” Boon says he knows of no other college or university that provides this type of opportunity to students. “It’s the fact that the students get to make a full-length film of their own design that is unique,” says Boon.

Thirteen students are enrolled in the project, but Boon says he has already begun to hear from Penn State staff and alumni who want to be involved. “I originally saw the Film Project as a way of not only involving students, but involving the campus, the university, and the local community,” says Boon.

The Mont Alto Film Project is divided into four parts: During the first semester, students decide on a documentary or a feature film and hash out creative ideas until they have a workable script. During the second semester, they will engage in pre-production activities, such as location scouting, casting and storyboarding. During the third semester, they will complete principle photography.  During the final semester, they will be involved in post-production activities, such as editing, looping, and sound engineering.

Students in the Mont Alto Film Project will gain hands-on experience in all elements of filmmaking while earning 12 credits toward their education. 

Students from any major are welcome, and all those interested are encouraged to apply. Contact Dr. Boon for more information at kab25@psu.edu or 749-6096.

The campus’ three residence halls can house 438 students.  They filled to capacity during the summer months though the University did not have to turn students away in part to the availability of new off-campus housing. The Apex at Mont Alto apartment complex is privately owned and managed and located off of Slabtown Road on Danny Brook Drive. 

“With a record incoming class and demand for student housing beyond our capacity, we are pleased Apex has opened,” says Chancellor David C. Gnage. “The additional student housing afforded by Apex provides the opportunity for our campus to accommodate more students than ever before.”

An increasing number of students are choosing to start their Penn State career at Mont Alto recognizing the value of spending the first two years at Mont Alto before moving to the University Park campus to complete their degrees. The campus has also been proactive in reaching out to the community to determine its educational needs and to develop programs to meet those needs.

The combined SAT scores and GPA’s of the incoming class ranks fourth among all Penn State campuses outside of University Park. Additionally, 14 new students enter with perfect grades (4.0 GPA or higher). The most popular programs this fall include the Division of Undergraduate Studies (enrollment is up 66 percent from fall 2008), and Occupational Therapy and Engineering which have both realized 50-percent increases in enrollment from a year ago.

Penn State Mont Alto will hold its Convocation ceremony on Saturday at 10:25 a.m. in the Multipurpose Recreation Center (gymnasium) on campus to mark the opening of the new academic year.  Members of the press are welcomed to attend.

Fall classes begin on Monday, August 24th.

Several displaced workers have turned to the Franklin County Career and Technology Center and Penn State Continuing Education for training they need to obtain work. Most of the ten members of the Nurse Aide class currently in session say they are looking for work a more secure career field. Several have been laid off at their jobs.

Chad Futrell worked for several distribution centers before he was affected by the recessed economy. “When I was laid off, I went to Careerlink to find a new career,” he says. “Since I was interested in the healthcare field, this class seemed like a perfect fit.” He shared that Careerlink also found state funding to pay for the program so that he could enroll. 

Student Lori Wolfe was also laid off from a local company and enrolled in the Nurse Aide class “to find a career that would allow me to help people and also has better job security,” she says. Classmate Sharon Skipper added, “There (are) always jobs being advertised for healthcare workers.”

The Nurse Aide class is an FCCTC program managed by Penn State Continuing Education. “We are happy to provide this class during tough economic times,” says Theresa Shank, director of Continuing Education at Penn State Mont Alto. “The Nurse Aide class will prepare students to take the licensing exam to become Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs).”

The instructor of the Nurse Aide class is Donna Sollenberger.

This past June, H1N1 (or swine flu) became a household name as reports of the unusual flu popped up all around the world. Several cases were reported at Penn State over the summer and officials are predicting a rise in cases beginning in September or early October. The virus is most likely to affect individuals between the ages of 6 months and 25 years old, making Penn State a prime location for a high number of cases. Those who contract the illness can still get the seasonal flu, and although a large percentage of Penn State employees are not in the primary target age for the H1N1 virus, this disease is highly contagious and can still be easily transmitted. The spread of this illness also can reach younger children at home or in school, and they will need to be cared for, as well.

Public officials are aiming to reduce the spread of H1N1 so that the effects of the disease on the general population will be lessened. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has released recommendations on who should receive the H1N1 flu vaccine this fall based on susceptibility to the virus. The H1N1 vaccine will be distributed by the federal government (FEMA) through state health departments. It is not yet known when the vaccine will be available but it will likely not arrive before mid-October. A listing of those prioritized for vaccination can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/vaccination/acip.htm.

It is possible to contract both the seasonal flu and H1N1 flu since exposure to one does not result in immunity to the other. Therefore it is very important to get the seasonal flu vaccine.

Fighting both strains of flu (seasonal and H1N1) begins with hand washing, proper cold etiquette (by coughing or sneezing into your sleeve), and/or obtaining a flu shot. It is recommended that ill individuals exclude themselves from the public until after 24 fever-free hours — a process that takes five to seven days. The illness may greatly affect the University at many levels, so it is important that our community stays informed. For University and federal information on H1N1, visit the below web sites:

• Penn State Flu Web Site: http://flu.psu.edu
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention: www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/
• University Health Services: www.sa.psu.edu/uhs/index.cfm
• Office of Human Resources: www.ohr.psu.edu/h1n1

Each Jump Start participant has been paired with a trained peer mentor who will support them in their transition to college and help them to better know the campus and its many services. During their extended orientation next week, students will participate in Math and English preparatory modules and other sessions to prepare them for the classroom experience including practical study tips, time management, understanding syllabi, classroom etiquette and professor politics, financial aid, and more.
 
During the academic year, the students will be enrolled in key courses with fellow Jump Start students, meet regularly with their peer mentors and receive individualized academic support with a Learning Specialist. 
 
“The overall goal of the program is to raise their academic preparedness,” says Kendra Wolgast, director of Mont Alto’s Academic Support Center. “We also want to increase the retention rate of our at-risk student population.” The program is funded by University grants.
 
The new academic year will commence at Penn State Mont Alto on Monday, August 24.

Andrea Christopher, director of student affairs at Penn State Mont Alto, has been honored for her longtime service to students. Christopher was this year's recipient of the University’s John W. Beatty Award for Outstanding Chief Student Affairs Officer. Penn State presents the award annually to recognize one individual from the University’s campuses who has demonstrated a commitment to students as a mentor, adviser and counselor over a period of years.

Christopher joined Penn State Mont Alto in 1975 as the assistant to the dean of student programs and services and previously served as assistant director of student affairs. She assumed directorship of the department in 1996. In that role, she provides administrative leadership for the campus division of student affairs and oversees many initiatives and campus-life projects that enhance the experience for Penn State Mont Alto’s 1,200 students. Christopher supervises a staff of 14, several of whom nominated her for the prestigious award. They noted that her availability and visibility to students by way of an open-door policy is a great benefit to our students.  Among the many student initiatives she has led, Christopher was instrumental in establishing the campus’s Early Intervention Team, which she chairs, and which focuses on identifying and helping at-risk students and responding with appropriate interventions. She also currently chairs Mont Alto’s Campus Climate Committee which is responsible for developing and implementing Penn State’s Framework for Diversity on campus. Christopher is the advisor to Mont Alto’s Student Government Association.

Penn State’s Vice President for Student Affairs, Dr. Damon Sims, presented Christopher with the John W. Beatty Award at the University’s professional development and awards day at University Park in May.  She holds a masters degree in counselor education/student personnel services from Penn State (1975), and a sociology degree from the State University of New York at Cortland (1974). Christopher and her husband Michael, reside in Waynesboro, PA.

Zhong is working as part of an interdisciplinary team that includes plant and molecular biologists, physicists, material scientists, computational modelers, engineers and chemists. Over the next five years, they will conduct investigations to increase understanding of the physical structure of biopolymers in plant cell walls and improve methods for converting plant biomass into fuel. “The research employs computational methods to understand what happens inside a plant,” says Zhong. “Specifically, how plants make certain kinds of chemicals, cellulose, which can be used for fuel.”

The Center for Lignocellulose Structure and Formation is one of 46 EFRC centers formed nationwide by the DOE to address fundamental issues in fields ranging from solar energy and electric storage to materials sciences, biofuels and carbon capture and sequestration. It is collaborating with researchers at North Carolina State University and Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. DOE funding for the Center is being provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

Penn State Mont Alto is pleased to announce the appointment of Stephen J. Holoviak, Ph.D., as Professor of Management. Holoviak comes to Penn State from the Grove College of Business at Shippensburg University where he has served as its dean since 1999.

“It is an honor to welcome Dr. Holoviak to our campus,” said Dr. David C. Gnage, chancellor. “Our students will benefit greatly from the depth of research and wealth of knowledge Dr. Holoviak brings to Mont Alto.”

Dr. Holoviak devoted a number of years to the corporate world in banking and other fields before joining Shippensburg University in 1980 where he served in many capacities including Director of the H.R. Frehn Center for Management and Dean of the Grove College of Business. He is acknowledged as an expert in the fields of labor relations, compensation, employment law, small business management and organizational behavior. He is also the author of three books, co-author of numerous others, writer of various training manuals and more than 20 refereed-journal articles.  Dr. Holoviak is also a member of numerous professional and civic organizations.

“I am looking forward to embarking on a new journey at Penn State Mont Alto,” Dr. Holoviak said, “I also look forward to returning to the classroom experience and a more focused concentration on scholarship.”

Dr. Holoviak joins the 60 full-time faculty members at Mont Alto who are actively engaged in research and scholarship. In 2008 alone, they have collectively published eight books, written chapters for five others, authored a dozen articles in refereed journals (the highest standard in higher education), and presented papers at academic conferences across the United States and internationally in China, Ukraine and Canada.

The students and their advisor have been working together for nearly two years to provide the canister that will house their own experiment as well as experiments from teams at Boston University and Virginia Tech.  Mont Alto’s contingent will leave for Wallops Island on June 18 after which NASA will inspect and test the canister and their experiment to determine if they are probable to survive the flight. The rocket is a two-stage rocket, 30 feet high and about a foot in diameter.  

The Mont Alto students’ experiment involves testing material stresses on a circular aluminum plate similar to the those commonly used in rockets to carry experiments, batteries and other items.  Their data will be recorded on a SD Card.  After the rocket’s launch, it will return to earth about 50 miles off shore where it will be pulled by NASA recovery ships.  The students will be returned their canister and should it have survived flight, they will evaluate and analyze the data collected.

“This experience will determine the rest of their lives,” commented Zig about the opportunity this project has afforded his students.  “It has been a fantastic learning experience—for me too.” 

Penn State Mont Alto’s Student Team are:
Kylie Flickinger (Gettysburg)
Harshad Kappor (Shippensburg)
Adam Kuhlman (Chambersburg)
Robert Stottlemyer (Paradise, PA)
Tim Svirbly (Gardners, PA)

Penn State Mont Alto recently hosted 320 seventh-grade students from Waynesboro Area Middle School this week to introduce them to collegiate campus life.  Adventures in Learning is sponsored by the Waynesboro Area Business Education Community Foundation (WABEC) in collaboration with the middle school. 

The seventh graders toured the Mont Alto campus including the residence halls, attended one of three 50-minute sessions led by Penn State faculty and concluded their visit with lunch in The Mill. The sessions were titled Phun with Physics with Dr. Michael Doncheski, Can You KenKen? (a new mathematics game) with mathematics instructor Kathryn Geesaman, and Wonders of the Human Body led by physical therapy instructor Renee Borromero and Elisa Kendall, instructor of nursing.

Penn State Mont Alto held its 2009 Spring Commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 16.

In his opening remarks, Chancellor David C. Gnage noted, “Our founders would be pleased by the way the campus has grown in size and number of majors.”  The first graduate of Mont Alto’s four-year degree program in Letter, Arts, and Sciences received his diploma at the commencement ceremony. Penn State Mont Alto currently offers associate degrees in eight areas and bachelor’s degrees in six majors.

Pennsylvania State Representative and a member of the campus’ Advisory Board, Todd A. Rock, provided the welcome to graduates.  The commencement speaker was C. Gregory Hoover, an alumnus, member of Mont Alto’s Advisory Board and superintendent of the Greencastle-Antrim School District.

Dr. Gnage charged the graduates “to continue to dream, continue to learn, and go out there and do something remarkable.”  Director of Academic Affairs Dr. Francis Achampong officially declared the academic year to be completed to conclude the Penn State Mont Alto 2009 Spring Commencement Ceremony.

Penn State Mont Alto named the recipient its 2009 Staff Service Award, an annual award recognizing a full-time staff member for exceptional service to the University.  Marla Minnich, Coordinator of the Learning Support Services, was recognized at Mont Alto’s end-of-year luncheon today. 

In his comments, Chancellor David C. Gnage highlighed Minnich's implemention work to make the Academic Support Center welcoming and warm.  In the past year, she recruited more peer tutors and increased tutoring appointments while providing more structured training and resources for the tutors.  Her nomination listed her best asset as being her magnificent listening skills.  Dr. Gnage also shared she hears the students’ stories and learns about their lives and, as a result, builds trust with students.  She also helped to raise the ASC’s profile on campus by posting on bulletin boards, creating an ASC newsletter, reorganizing the webpage and speaking in classrooms and meetings about the benefits and services of ASC.  Marla was also recognized for coming to work early and staying late to accommodate student schedules.  She began coming in early in the morning when she discovered students with 8:00 a.m. classes wanted to use the ASC computer lab before their classes began. 

In addition, Penn Stater Awards, exceptional service honors for the Spring semester, were awarded to Lauraine Hawkins (faculty award), associate professor of Biology; Rhonda Everett (tech services award), maintenance worker utility; and, Peggy Angelovich (staff services award), library supervisor.  

Photo caption: (L-R) Marla Minnich holding the parking sign she will get to place at any legal parking space on campus for the exclusive right to park there for the next year; Lauraine Hawkins; Rhonda Everett; and, Peggy Angelovich.

Penn State Mont Alto’s 60 full-time faculty members are actively engaged in research and scholarship. In the past year alone they have published six books, written eight book chapters, had 16 refereed journal articles published, and they made 13 presentations at academic conferences in the United States and abroad.

Dr. Peter Dendle, associate professor of English, has been awarded the Penn State Mont Alto 2009 Faculty of the Year Award. He will carry the ceremonial mace and the lead the academic procession at the University's 2009 Spring Commencement ceremony on May 16. 

During 2008, Dendle was co-editor, with Dr. Alain Touwaide, of a collection of essays entitled Health and Healing from the Medieval Garden, published by Boydell Press (2008) for which he wrote the “Introduction” and contributed a chapter.  He had a paper published in the Journal of British Studies, had a co-authored paper accepted in the Journal of Early Medicine (both leading journals in his field), submitted a book review to the journal Envoi, and presented three papers at professional meetings.  He also organized a major international academic conference held at the University of Toronto in October 2008 on the Devil in Pre-Modern Society.  Lastly, his book-length manuscript entitled Demon Possession in Anglo-Saxon England was accepted for publication by Western Michigan University Press’s Medieval Institute Publications and will appear in May 2010.

“Both the quantity and the quality of Dendle’s scholarly achievements make it an honor to grant him our most prestigious research/scholarship award,” says Chancellor David C. Gnage.

“I’ve learned the difference between a job and a career,” says Jodi. She and Ed graduated from Waynesboro High School in 1999 with no desire to pursue a college degree. But after six years in the working world, she and her brother realized they needed to go back to school in order to obtain their dreams. At age 24, they enrolled at Penn State Mont Alto together and both siblings have made the Dean’s List in every semester they have been students at Penn State.  Jodi will graduate this week with a bachelor’s degree with distinction in English and hopes to be a college professor someday. Ed spent his first two years at Mont Alto before transitioning to University Park where he completed a bachelor’s degree with high distinction in Film. He has his sight set on Hollywood and a career in the film industry. Ed chose to return to Mont Alto where it all began to walk alongside his sister for commencement. 

A self-described “C” student in high school, Jodi says she feels “like a completely different person now.”  Ed has taken to saying “go big or go home.” Years ago, he created an 'Impossible List' to record all the things he believed would never happen for him.  The purpose of the list was to keep him aware of his goals.  With graduation, he will check "number 4" off his list.  Ed says, "I can't quite express how lucky I feel to have begun my education at Mont Alto. First, being on a smaller campus just makes the entire transition so much simpler. It was great preparation for UP. Second, the teachers at Mont Alto remember me when I come back to visit and that just reinforces [its] home-like quality."

Both graduates plan to take a year off before beginning master’s degree programs.

---

Kevin Braun will be walking in the footsteps of his father at commencement.  Braun will accept an associate’s degree in Forestry Technology just as his father Dennis Braun did at Mont Alto in 1975. He plans to transition to University Park in the fall to complete a bachelor’s degree in Urban Forestry.

Father and son are from Lewisburg, PA. “I was always interested in what my dad did,” says Kevin, an Eagle Scout. “I’m used to being outside and I don’t regret it.” Dennis says he was surprised at first to learn his son would follow in his footsteps but he added, “it is real neat when we are together. We talk about trees wherever we are. This has bonded us together. I feel real close to my son.” Dennis and his graduating class in 1975 built a log cabin which stands to this day near the saw mill behind Mont Alto Hall on campus. 

The commencement ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. in the Multipurpose Activities Center. Mont Alto’s keynote speaker is C. Gregory Hoover, superintendent of the Greencastle-Antrim School District and a former Mont Alto student. The campus will award its first baccalaureate degrees in Letter Arts and Sciences (LASCC), and eight students who began their education at Mont Alto will return from University Park to participate in Mont Alto’s commencement ceremony.

University Health Services (UHS) recommends that students, faculty and staff participate in voluntary social distancing, if possible, to protect themselves and others from the potential spread of the H1N1 flu.

Social distancing is the reduction in frequency, duration and proximity of contact with other individuals. It is recommended that you:

• Avoid large crowds if possible.
• Stay away from people who are coughing, sneezing or otherwise appear sick (the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendation is a distance of 6 feet)
• Seek advice from your health care provider and limit your contact with others to keep from infecting them if you are sick.

There are currently more than 100 laboratory confirmed cases of swine flu in the U.S. and additional cases worldwide. The number of cases is expected to continue to grow.

Shelley Haffner, UHS infection control nurse manager, advises following these basic guidelines to stay healthy:
•    Wash your hands thoroughly and often—especially after coughing or sneezing.
•    Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
•    Do not share utensils, drinks, cigarettes, or personal care items.
•    Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth as cross-contamination can occur.
•    Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing and dispose of tissues properly.
•    If tissues are not available, cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow or into your shoulder.

Individuals who are experiencing flu-like symptoms should make an appointment with their health care provider. Students should contact Health Services at their Penn State Mont Alto. If diagnosed in time, infected individuals may be treated with an antiviral medication.

Additional information about the H1N1 influenza visu is available at www.cdc.gov/swineflu/general_info.htm.

Individuals traveling internationally may visit http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/ for updated information concerning their travel destination.
 
Symptoms of swine flu in humans are similar to seasonal flu. These symptoms include fever, tiredness, body aches and coughing. Runny nose, sore throat, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting also been reported.
 
Shelley Haffner, infection control nurse manager for University Health Services, advises following these basic guidelines to stay healthy:

— Wash your hands thoroughly and often — especially after coughing or sneezing. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.

— Do not share utensils, drinks, cigarettes, or personal care items; avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth as cross-contamination can occur.

— Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Always dispose of tissues properly.
 
The seasonal flu vaccine does not protect against swine flu. Individuals who are experiencing flu-like symptoms should make an appointment with their health provider. If diagnosed in time, infected individuals may be treated with an antiviral medication.
 
Additional information about swine flu is available at www.cdc.gov/swineflu/general_info.htm.

"These data are a testament to the excellence of each and every Penn State campus," said David C. Gnage, chancellor at Penn State Mont Alto. "Penn State Mont Alto is a strong partner in this region, working to benefit the citizens of Adams, Cumberland, Franklin and Fulton counties and all of Pennsylvania."
 
In 2008, Penn State Mont Alto spent more than $2.5 million for capital improvements, goods, services and supplies. In addition to the nearly $8.4 million spent by Penn State Mont Alto students, out-of-state visitors also contributed almost $8 million to the region's economy.
 
Penn State contributes in a variety of ways to the vitality of Pennsylvania's economy. According to the report, the University generated more than 2 percent of the state's business volume or more than $1 out of every $50 dollars in the state's total economy. In addition, Penn State leverages its state funding. For every dollar invested in 2008 by the Commonwealth to support the operations of Penn State, the University returned $25.06 in economic impact to Pennsylvania.

The four-month study by Pittsburgh-based Tripp Umbach indicates that Penn State's impact far outweighs other industries in the state. With the total direct, indirect and induced annual economic impact equaling more than $17 billion, the University currently creates more impact than the combined total impact of all of the state's airport hubs, professional sports teams, and arts and cultural organizations, by attracting nearly 1 million visitors and channeling more than $1.73 billion annually into Pennsylvania's economy.

Additional key findings in the 2009 Tripp Umbach report include:

The University annually expends more than $700 million through its research activities. Research at Penn State supports more than 18,000 additional jobs in Pennsylvania, which generates more than $1.9 billion in additional economic impact and more than $61 million in additional revenue for the Commonwealth annually.
An additional $4.8 million was contributed to the region’s economy by the spending habits of Penn State Mont Alto faculty, staff and technical services employees in 2008.

To view the report in its entirety, visit http://econimpact.psu.edu.

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The preschoolers will arrive on campus at 11:15 a.m. for lunch on the lawn.  Penn State Mont Alto Academic Affairs Director Dr. Francis Achampong will read one of his stories to the children before the shows begin at 12 p.m. in the auditorium (General Studies Building).
 
“I think it’s very good for children to see older kids set a good example,” says Mont Alto student Molly Stewart whose puppet show will focus on manners and sharing.  Student Miracle Reese added, “It’s nice to be able to reach out to children.”  In addition to this event, theatre professor Dr. Nancy Funk says her students will also present puppet shows and skits at the Pediatric Health Fair this Saturday, April 25th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on campus.

Ray Soderburg of GreenMax Turf, based in Haymarket, VA, says he, “sent sod last week to the CIA Headquarters in Virginia and a few truck loads are going around the United States Court of Appeals Judiciary Square this week.” The same field also provided sod to the Baltimore Ravens and Washington Redskins practice facilities as well as several premier golf courses.

The new baseball field at Penn State Mont Alto will get its rich sod laid by the first part of May though it will not be played upon until next spring to allow the turf sufficient time to take hold.  Intercollegiate baseball will return to Penn State Mont Alto for the Spring 2010 season. The team will compete in the Penn State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC).

The Franklin County Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association will host its Annual Golf Tournament on May 21 at Penn National Golf Club.  All golfers are welcome and all proceeds of this event benefit scholarships for Penn State Mont Alto students.  Dinner will feature Nittany Lion Football Assistant Coach Tom Bradley (in charge of defense and cornerbacks) and tickets are available for purchase aside from the golf tournament.

The golf tournament will be held on May 21 at 1:30pm (rain or shine) at Penn National’s Founders Course.  Foursomes can register for $300 per team (includes greens fees, golf cart, dinner and prizes).   Tickets for dinner only are available for purchase for $25 each.

For more information or to register, please contact Christina Yoder, chapter president, at 717-830-1223 or by email at christinayoder@comcast.net. 

The Mont Alto squad also qualified to attend the U.S. Finals ‘Final Destination’ competition, an end-of-the year event aimed at crowning true champions in all divisions and levels of cheer and dance.  The U.S. Finals journey begins on the west coast and travels to the east coast over a three-week period.   The Penn State Mont Alto cheerleaders will compete in the Small Co-Ed Collegiate Division on May 1-3 in Virginia Beach, VA. 

"I'm so proud of this year's squad," says Coach Christina Yoder. "We have worked very hard to raise funds for competition by hosting cheerleading clinics for girls in the surrounding communities.  We choreograph our own routine and some of our cheerleaders joined our team with no cheering experience but are now able to execute advanced stunts and other skills at the collegiate level.” She added, “For our squad to receive a bid to U.S. Finals is a great accomplishment and we look forward to representing Penn State Mont Alto in a nationwide competition."

The announcement of the U.S. Champions and final overall rankings will be made in late May via webcast. 

(Mont Alto, PA)—Penn State Mont Alto wants area farmers to know that the AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians program that helps farmers and their family members regain independence following an injury or long-term health condition is here and it’s a free resource available to them. AgrAbility helps farmers and farm family members who are coping with many different kinds of physical challenges including arthritis, stroke, knee and back problems, amputations, vision and hearing disabilities, and many others.  The project is funded through a grant of the United States Department of Agriculture. In Pennsylvania, the project partners include Penn State University Cooperative Extension, Easter Seals Central Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania Assistive Technology Foundation.

Dr. Angela Hissong, a professor of Occupational Therapy (OT) at Penn State Mont Alto, is the AgrAbility OT Training Program Coordinator for the region and state. She coordinates an educationally-related goal of the program to provide students with a guided academic agenda that will assist them in understanding and employing alternative/progressive strategies to increase effectiveness as rehabilitation professionals.  She is also available to assist farmers and their family members in finding out how AgrAbility for Pennsylvania can help them.

Penn State Mont Alto offers an associate-degree program in Occupational Therapy. This degree prepares graduates to be occupational therapy assistants who are qualified to be employed by agencies that provide occupational therapy services.  OTs are a critical part of the recovery and growth process for millions of people each day.

Additionally, April is nationally recognized as Occupational Therapy Month.  More information about AgrAbility for Pennsylvanians may also be found online at http://AgExtEd.cas.psu.edu/agrab/.  To visit Penn State Mont Alto and learn more about our OT program, please call 717-479-6000.

Local farmers, organizations and agencies can contact Dr. Angela Hissong at Penn State Mont Alto at 717-597-2594 or ahn1@psu.edu.

The students— Travis Barrick from Carlisle (Soph.), Megan Curtis of Carlisle (Frosh.), Erin Diehl of Baltimore, MD (Soph.), and Aileen Thompson of Allentown (Frosh.)—began dancing at 6:00pm Friday, February 20th and remained on their feet for 46 hours.  The Mont Alto participants were sponsored by the Potomac Valley Chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association.  Mont Alto students also collected community donations on four weekends between October and January at Starbucks and Walmart on Lincoln Way and on location in downtown Chambersburg.  “We are thankful for the outpouring of support from individuals in our community,” commented Michele Coletta, Mont Alto’s THON advisor.

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 $59 million, benefiting The Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Children’s Hospital.  Visit www.thon.org for more information.

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Penn State Mont Alto also recently hired Tara E. Blomvall as Admissions Counselor.  Blomvall is primarily responsible for recruitment and campus visitation programs and she assists potential students through the application process.  Her recruitment area includes the following high schools: Chambersburg, Waynesboro, Shippensburg, McConnellsburg, Big Spring, Southern Fulton, James Buchanan and Washington County (MD) Public Schools.  “Tara brings valuable experience to our department and recruitment efforts,” said Director of Admissions Michael Harp. “We are pleased to welcome her to Penn State.”  A graduate of Temple University with a Bachelor of Business Administration Degree from the Fox School of Business & Management, Blomvall joins Mont Alto from Central Pennsylvania College in Summerdale, PA.  She previously served there as an Admissions Counselor and Assistant Director of Admissions.

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Lewis Sweigart was also recently hired as the campus’ newest full-time Police Services Officer (PSO).  Sweigart joined Mont Alto from Penn State Harrisburg where he served as a PSO for the past five years. He was first commissioned by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission in 1999 as a Deputy Waterways Conservation Officer and later as a Waterways Conservation Officer.  He was with the Fish and Boat Commission for 10 years.  Sweigart also spent two years with the Capitol Police in Harrisburg.  “We are pleased to welcome Officer Sweigart to Penn State Mont Alto,” said campus Police Services Supervisor James Sourbier. “His depth of experience will be an asset to our department.”  Sweigart graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biblical Studies in 1995 from Eastern College (St. Davids, PA) where he was a Dean’s List scholar.  He obtained his Act 120 Municipal Police Certification in 1998 from Allentown, PA.  A native of New Jersey, Sweigart is also an Eagle Scout.

“Coming from a small high school, Penn State Mont Alto was the perfect place for me to start my college education,” says Hoover.  “I'm not sure without the personalization I received here that I would have continued my education."  Mont Alto Chancellor David C. Gnage adds, “It is an honor to welcome back one of our own and one of our distinguished alums.” 

A lifelong resident of Greencastle, Hoover graduated from Greencastle-Antrim High School in 1973.  He received his Bachelor’s degree from Shepherd College in 1978 after spending his first two years at Penn State Mont Alto.  Hoover received his Master’s degree from Shippensburg University in 1986.   He has served as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, director of elementary education and is currently the superintendent of the district.  Hoover is also active in many community activities such as Greencastle’s Old Home Week Association and the Rescue Hose Company, along with numerous youth sports organizations.

Mont Alto is the second oldest Penn State campus outside of University Park and has been graduating students for more than 100 years.