Four Penn State McKeesport faculty members were awarded Research Development Grants for Spring 2006.
"The Cosmopolitan Roots of Senegalese Cinema," was the proposal submitted by Assistant Professor of English, Dr. MaryEllen Higgins. The proposal connects Senegalese cinema to African cosmopolitan movements in the 1930's and earlier. Previous research on Senegalese cinema led Dr. Higgins to the premise that several Senegalese films trace their artistic cosmopolitan roots to the Negritude poets in France and the African diaspora in the United States. Dr.
Dr. Jay Breckenridge's and Coni Koepfinger's Honors Theatre 208 and the Theatre 282 classes will present Sundiata: Legendary "Lion" King of Mali.
The play dramatizes elements of the famous legend. The production is part of the campus focus on Africa.
The Penn State Commission for Women celebrated the accomplishments of women throughout the University's history, and honored some of the University's notable achieving women at its annual spring banquet, held Monday, April 3, at The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel on the University Park campus. Penn State President Graham B. Spanier commended the commission for its work over the years. "Twenty-five years ago, those path-breaking women could not have known where their work would lead. They were simply trying to find their voice, and change minds and attitudes. But their work, and yours subsequently, has forever altered the face of our University," he said. In addition to honoring the 2006 Achieving Women Award winners and the Rosemary Schraer Mentor Award recipient, the commission recalled the women of Penn State's past through a program titled "A Legacy of Women's Voices," which was produced and directed by Jo Dumas, lecturer in communications, and performed by Helen Manfull, professor emeritus of theatre arts; graduate student Crystal Endsley; and Sherrin McKenzie, group and program sales coordinator with the Center for Performing Arts at Penn State. The Essence of Joy choir provided music for the program, which featured highlights from the commemorative book, "We are a Strong, Articulate Voice: A History of Women at Penn State," written by Carol Sonenklar. For photos from the event, visit http://live.psu.edu/still_life/2006_04_03_cfw/index.html online.
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Penn State McKeesport student, John Harkins, is fulfilling the internship requirements for his major by working at the Blueroof Technologies' Smart House in McKeesport. John, a senior who majors in Information Sciences and Technology (IST), has been a "valuable" asset to Blueroof, according to Penn State Professor of Engineering and Blueroof Director of Technology, Robert Walters.
Registrations still are being accepted from new and newly tenured faculty for the 11th annual Road Scholars Tour. The tour, scheduled for May 8-10, is designed to give new and newly tenured faculty the opportunity to visit several Penn State locations and Pennsylvania businesses to learn how the University is making a difference. The bus will depart from University Park, and over the course of the three days, will visit Penn State campuses, Pennsylvania businesses and popular historic sites, and learn about the University and the state along the way.
From astronomers to a curator to a foodie, several of Penn State's faculty stars are hitting the road to present fun and educational programs for alumni and friends, part of the Penn State Alumni Association's "City Lights" program. The Penn State McKeesport Alumni Society is a group sponsor of the "City Lights" program.