Dr. Robert Szymczak, associate professor of history at Penn State Beaver, will be the first speaker in this year's Globalization and Sustainability series, focusing on Eastern Europe and human rights. The presentation wil provide some historical perspectives on Eastern Europe.
Katyn, the first film for this year's Globalization and Sustainability Film Series, focusing on Eastern Europe and human rights, was presented on September 16. The Polish film, which was nominated for an Oscar, focuses on a World War II tragedy, in which the Soviet Union massacred tens of thousands of Polish officers and highly educated citizens. Katyn refers to the location of the killings and mass graves where the victims were buried.
Robin Becker, the 2010-11 Penn State laureate and professor of English and women's studies at the University, will be at Penn State Greater Allegheny for a poetry reading on Wednesday, September 29, 2010 at 7 p.m. in the Ostermayer Room of the Student Community Center. This event is free and open to the public.
In case you missed all the publicity and news stories during the summer months with the Vietnam Train-the-Trainer session, here is a recap of all the activities. Starting with the Nittany Lion mascot greeting at the Pittsburgh International Airport, enjoying a baseball game at PNC Park, to the final celebration on Mount Washington, this video highlights the great partnership that was developed.
This year, Teaching International is highlighting Eastern Europe and human rights. Instructors can focus on any of the listed countries or human rights as it may relate to their teaching. A web page has been developed that lists the countries included in Eastern Europe and provides news on speakers, films, and other activities.
This summer, Penn State Greater Allegheny officially launched its partnership with Duy Tan University, located in Da Nang, Vietnam, with a ceremony on campus in the Student Community Center.
The start of Fall 2010 also brought the reopening of the main entrance to Kelly Library. During the summer, the work to replace the walkway into the library required students, faculty, and staff to use the lower entrance exclusively. The new entrance includes new railings lining the sidewalk and a power assist door.
These improvements will make the library more accessible and welcoming for all library visitors.
The former Housing and Food Services Building at Penn State Greater Allegheny received a new name and function: the Fitness and Cultural Center. The fitness center side was completed in 2005 but was closed for a short time as the building received its next phase of renovation on the cultural center side to the tune of $1.75 million.
With funding from the Heinz Endowments of Pittsburgh, Penn State Greater Allegheny Continuing Education presented technology education classes for area school teachers. This was the second year classes were being offered. "Technology in the Classroom: Best Practices for the Classroom Teacher Series II" was held in early August 2010. The first training session was offered to elementary teachers and the second session was offered to secondary teachers. Both of these sessions were ACT 48 approved programs.
Incoming freshman will have an opportunity to hone their academic skills in engineering, mathematics, English composition, and physics. The Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) program began at Penn State Greater Allegheny on July 6, and runs through July 30. Twenty-four openings were available to students who applied to the program by submitting essays about their academic and career goals and describing how participation in the program will benefit them. During the four-week session, students stay on campus to experience firsthand th