Penn State McKeesport, having received official international designation by the University, has included Africa as a focus of its curriculum. The following events for February include:
-- Feb. 7: 4 p.m., Jackie Jones, professional storyteller;
-- Feb. 28: 12:15 p.m., workshop on African drumming and dance; and
-- Feb. 28: 7 p.m., Pittsburgh Dance Ensemble. As one of Pittsburgh's earliest modern dance companies, it combines modern dance, ballet, jazz, hip-hop and ethnic dance styles.
Penn State received $42.9 million in gifts from alumni and friends in December 2005 -- the highest total ever for a single month, President Graham B. Spanier reported to the Board of Trustees last week. The previous record was $35.3 million in December 1999. "Several factors converged to allow us to accomplish such a feat," Spanier said. "For example, improvements in the financial markets have made securities a more attractive gift vehicle for donors. We ended the first six months of fiscal year 2006 with about $12.8 million in securities gifts, the highest total we've had at this point in the last five years." Philanthropic support typically is directed to scholarships and graduate fellowships, faculty endowments, library and laboratory acquisitions, equipment upgrades and many other purposes for which state and federal funds are inadequate or unavailable. For the six months ending Dec. 31, 2005, giving to the University totaled about $98 million.
Penn State McKeesport held its fall commencement at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, in Wunderley Gymnasium. Chancellor Curtiss E. Porter presided as diplomas were conferred to 35 individuals receiving baccalaureate and associate degrees.