February 2011 Archives

Wednesday, March 2
7:30-9:00 p.m.
101 Thomas Building

A public forum on unfolding events in the Middle East, titled "Tunisia, Egypt, now Libya?" will feature at panel of Penn State faculty and students, from 7:30 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, March 2, in 101 Thomas Building, on the University Park campus. The event is free to the public.

The panelists include: Jonathan Brockopp, associate professor of religious studies and history; Arthur Goldschmidt, professor emeritus of Middle Eastern history; James Piazza, associate professor of political science and Fellow, International Center for the Study of Terrorism; Riadh Bounatirou, graduate student in comparative literature; and Andy Gabriel, a senior in journalism and religious studies.

The moderator will be Christian Brady, dean of Schreyer Honors College and associate professor of classical studies and Jewish Studies.   

This event is supported by the Schreyer Honors College, Rock Ethics Institute, Center for Ethics and Religious Affairs, Middle Eastern Studies Program, Center for Global Studies, and the Department of History and Religious Studies.

For more information, contact Jonathan Brockopp, associate professor of religious studies and history, at brockopp@psu.edu by email.

Paalam in the Tamil language means "bridge". The Paalam Project bridges Penn State with nine schools in war-torn Sri Lanka. It allows war-affected Sri Lankan school youth to use the rehabilitative tool of playwriting to communicate their experiences and hopes. Of the 120 plays that were received, the Paalam project will perform the top pieces that were judged and ranked by various students and professionals all over the world. The top plays will be performed here on campus. Be a part of the exciting project by lending your creativity and acting skills. Check out The Paalam Project website for more information.

Auditions will be held Monday, February 28 and Thursday, March 3 in 102 Chambers from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.  Arrive early to fill out paperwork; you will then perform the monologue that you can obtain by contacting Ruth Canagarajah at rlc272@psu.edu. Prepare a one-minute monologue of your own just in case. Paalam will then chose the participants and send a confirmation to selected participants before Spring Break. There will be no callbacks.

Additionally, this project is looking for people to assist in the publicizing and fundraising teams. For questions and the monologue audition piece, please contact Ruth Canagarajah at rlc272@psu.edu.

Deadline: March 2 at 5 p.m.

Scholarship. Leadership. Service. Do you possess these qualities?

Then think about applying to become a part of  Mortar Board a senior-only national honor society. Since Mortar Board's founding in 1918, nearly a quarter of a million members have held the honor of being initiated at 228 chartered around the country. It's a great way to give back to the community while networking with alumni from Penn State and across the nation.

Visit the Mortar Board National Honor Society website to learn more.

Applications are due to psumobo@gmail.com along with a copy of your unofficial transcripts and Spring 2011 class schedule by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, March 2, 2011.

Questions? Contact Brittany Thomas at psumobo@gmail.com.

The Senior Class Gift Committee is asking all Seniors to make their first gift to Penn State by donating to their class gift.

The 2011 Senior Class Gift is the Lt. Michael P Murphy/Penn State Veterans Plaza. Lt. The plaza will recognize Lt. Murphy, a 1998 Liberal Arts alumnus who is the only Penn Stater to receive the prestigious Medal of Honor, and all other Penn State veterans for their commitment and service to our country.

Seniors can make their gift to the campaign at any time before their graduation by visiting the senior class gift website. Questions can be directed to the Senior Class Gift advisor, Jordan Ford, at jaf378@psu.edu.

February 25, 2011
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.

Alumni Hall, HUB-Robeson Center

Co-sponsored by Career Services; various College of the Liberal Arts departments, including Sociology, CLJ, Psychology, CAS, English, Political Science, and Women's Studies; and various departments from the College of Health and Human Development

Are you looking for a summer internship or a full-time or summer job?  Interested in gaining experience impacting the well-being and development of others?  Consider attending Penn State's People-to-People Fair, happening this Friday at the HUB.  Participating agencies include a variety of summer camps, Arc of Centre County, the FBI, Girl Scouts, Grassroots Campaigns, Meadows Psychiatric Center, PA Board of Probation and Parole, The Second Mile, the US Secret Service, Teach for America, the PA Department of Corrections, and the John Hopkins' Center for Talented Youth.

Dress is business casual.  For more information, including a full list of employers attending, visit the People-to-People Fair website.

Wednesday, February 23
6:30 p.m.
104 Chambers

Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society and The Political Science Association will be presenting a faculty panel discussion on the Polarization of Politics, how it is affecting society, and how it will affect the nation's progress.

The faculty panel includes:Dr. David Lowery, Dr. Zachary Baumann, and Dr. Paul Hallacher.

If you have questions about this event, contact Sadie Bertier at sdb5091@psu.edu.

Sunday, February 27
3:30 - 5:00 p.m. 
Pasquerilla Spiritual Center

New York Business Correspondent of the Los Angeles Times Nathaniel Popper will be speaking on campus Sunday, February 27 at 3:30 p.m. at the Pasquerilla Spiritual Center. 

As a young reporter for the largest Jewish newspaper in the United States, the Forward, Nathaniel Popper broke the story of Agriprocessors in Postville, Iowa, at that time the largest producer of kosher meat in the world. Through months of careful coverage, Popper detailed mistreatment of the plant's workers and illegal practices in the slaughter of animals. His reports stunned the American Jewish community--kosher slaughter is supposed to be practiced so as to cause minimal pain and suffering--and prompted an ongoing re-evaluation of what 'Kosher' should mean in food production.

An event in the series, Tend and Sustain It Forever, sponsored by the Penn State Jewish Studies Program with support from the Association for Jewish Studies Legacy Heritage Program.

Further information: contact Brian Hesse (bch11@psu.edu), Paula Wapnish (pch13@psu.edu), or Margaret Cohen (mec243@psu.edu)

February 24, 2011 (Thursday)
102 Business Building
7:00 p.m.

Students and faculty across Penn State are invited to an hour-long Leadership Series event held by the United States Marine Corps.  The event will cover the challenges inherent in becoming a USMC Officer through addresses from a current Marine Officer, guest speakers who are former Marines now in the civilian world, a short film, and a Q & A / networking session at the conclusion of the event.  USMC will also discuss internship and employment opportunities with USMC.

USMC welcomes all students, but (among liberal arts majors) is particularly interested in meeting students majoring in history; political science; and crime, law and justice.

Friday, February 25, 2011
11:00a.m.  - 2:00 p.m.
Around the corner from Alumni Hall in the HUB (look for the signs!)

The Department of Sociology and Crime, Law and Justice will be hosting a Professional Development Workshop. This is a great opportunity for students to connect with alumni to gain valuable insights about career options.

Workshop Benefits:

• career networking
• one-to-one mentoring
• resume review and suggestions 
• mock interviews
  

Please contact Erin Murtha at 863-4907 or via email to emurtha@psu.edu with any questions.  Take a look at what Professor Sam Richards has to say about the event:

We are pleased to announce that Drew Yingling has recently joined the Liberal Arts Advising Team. Drew will be advising Political Science and International Politics majors. Drew spent the past 11 years as a school counselor at the Altoona Area High School, the last three of which he served as the School Counseling Department chair person. Drew received his undergraduate degree in Psychology from Penn State in 1992.  He also received his Masters of Education in School Counseling from Penn State in 1997. He was a member of the Penn State Marching Blue Band and still enjoys playing the trombone. He enjoy movies, trivia and traveling with his wife.

Drew is excited about joining the advising team in Liberal Arts and is looking forward to working with our PL SC and INTPL majors as well as students preparing to enter these majors. Drew is now available to meet with students. Please join us in welcoming him to the College! 

As we continue to develop a strategy that supports the College of the Liberal Arts' commitment to incorporating technology into our teaching and scholarship, we would like to ask your cooperation in completing a brief survey to help inform the process. It should take no more than a few minutes to complete because there are only four questions.  

Thank you very much for your participation in this survey. Your input is critical in our efforts to position the College as a leader in the use of technology in teaching and learning at Penn State.

Survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/G68JG7Z

Tuesday,February 22
6:00-8:00 p.m.
026 Hosler

The Penn State University Phi Alpha Delta, Pre-Law Fraternity is hosting a Road Map to Law School event ON February 22, 2011 from 6:00 to 8:00 in 026 Hosler. If you are even remotely interested in pursuing a legal education, this informative session will give you valuable insight into the application process and will address common mistakes that applicants make.

Event Agenda:

• Edward Wangler, JD. Senior Undergraduate Studies, Pre-Law Advisor:  Intro to LSAC & suggested courses
• Intro to the Law School Admissions Test
• Professor Robert Richards, Phi Alpha Delta Advisor: Recommendation letters
• Career Services:  Tailoring your resume to law schools
• Donald D. Pritchett, Jr., Director of Recruitment, Associate Director of Admissions, Penn State Dickinson School of Law:  Common mistakes
  

Deadline: March 7

Eligible Liberal Arts Undergraduates can now begin to submit their 2011-12 Scholarship Applications online.  The application deadline for 2011-12 CLA scholarships is Monday, March 7, 2011.

While on scholarship, students must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• complete a full-time course load at University Park campus (12 or more credits per semester with a requirement of 24 credits per year)declare a major in the College of the Liberal Arts
• maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0
• continue to meet the specific requirements of the scholarship, which may include but are not limited to: county/state and country residency; desire to pursue public/community or government services; leadership; internship; study abroad; outstanding academics; or proof of financial need based on the filing of a FAFSA form.
  

For more information and to apply for a 2011-12 College of the Liberal Arts Scholarship online, visit our website.

Deadline: March 1, 2011

The Confucius Institute announces a competition for scholarships to study at Dalian University of Technology in China. The Institute will award several scholarships of no less than $1,000 to students who study at DUT during the 2011-12 academic year.

To apply, please fill out and submit the attached form (CI Scholarship Competition Application Form.pdf), along with a 500-word essay, or a link to a 1-minute YouTube video, in which you describe (or show) how your studying in China will help make you a better person, or the world a better place. Also ask one teacher to submit a brief letter of recommendation on your behalf. Please send all material as email attachments to confucius@psu.edu. Submission deadline is March 1, 2011. Winners will be announced by March 15.

Winners will be expected to study abroad at DUT for one semester or for the full academic year. Tuition for one semester of study of Chinese at DUT is 8,500 RMB (approximately $1,300); for one year, 16,000 RMB (approximately $2,450). Single rooms in the International Student dorm cost approximately $230/month. DUT also charges an application fee of 500 RMB (approximately $77). All costs are for 2010-11, and may change. Some further scholarship support, granted by DUT, may be available.

Dalian University of Technology is located in the coastal city of Dalian, which has a population of approximately 4 million. DUT offers five levels of Chinese courses, with class sizes averaging 20 students; students study for 22-24 hours a week, and may take a variety of elective courses, including Business Chinese, classical Chinese, and calligraphy. The Confucius Institute will help scholarship winners complete their applications.

Unfortunately, due to restrictions imposed by the granting agency, students who are citizens of the People's Republic of China are not eligible for this scholarship.

Wednesday, February 16
12:00-2:00 p.m.
430 Burrowes

The Comparative Literature Open House will take place on February 16, from noon to 2:00 p.m. in Burrowes 430. Faculty and current CMLIT majors will be present to talk to students about the major. There will be free pizza and free "Get Comp Lit" t-shirts for the first hundred students who show up!

To find out more about the Comparative Literature Department visit their website and check out the attached flyer: CMLIT Open House Flyer

Monday, February 21
7:00 p.m.
112 Borland

Interested in getting an internship or job in Washington, DC?

Find out how from a panel of Penn State alumni who work in the nation's capital & students who have recently interned in DC.

Panelists include:

• Matt Brennan, Legislative Director for Congressman Glenn Thompson (PA-5)
• John Richter, Legislative Correspondent for Senator Robert Casey, Jr. (PA)
• Sharon Werner, Chief of Staff for Congressman Jason Altmire (PA-4)
• Zack Moore, Director of Federal Relations for Penn State
• Maggie Sheely, Federal Relations Associate for Penn State
• Melinda Stellachio and Tamar Brill, Penn State Seniors & Washington Semester Program Alumna
  

A Question and Answer Session Will Follow the Panel Discussion

Have you participated in the National Survey of Student Engagement yet? If not, what are you waiting for? If you are a first-year or senior student in a bachelor's degree program, this is your chance to provide valuable feedback to improve the student experience in the College of the Liberal Arts for all and to be entered to win an iPad, one of two iPod nanos, or one of forty-eight $25 Target gift card.

If you think you should have received an invitation to participate, but haven't seen one, please check your Penn State email account (including your junk mail). You can also complete the survey online.

Students who complete the survey could win the following prizes:

• 1 of 45 $25 dollar Target gift cards
• An iPad
• 1 of 2 iPod nanos
  

All participants will be entered in the prize drawing, so check you PSU email and take the survey!

You can contact Student Affairs Research and Assesment at saraoffice@psu.edu for questions.

Please note that NSSE invitations were sent to a select number of first-year and senior students.  

As previously announced to Psychology students, adviser Maureen Mulenga's last day with the College of the Liberal Arts was on Friday, February 4, 2011. If Maureen was previously your adviser, your advising assignment on eLion is currently listed as "Psychology Advising". Please note that all of Maureen's students are able to see Courtney Orr or Sarah Krupp for advising issues until a new adviser is hired. As always, you can schedule appointments by visiting the Liberal Arts Advising website.

Students are also able to meet with an adviser during walk-in hours in 111 Moore to discuss items that will take no longer than 10-15 minutes. (Please note: we will not process change of major or concurrent major paperwork during walk-ins.)  Psychology walk-in advising times are as follows:

Mondays: 1:30-4:00 p.m.
Wednesdays: 9:30-11:30 a.m.
Thursdays: 1:30-4:00 p.m.  

Please keep in mind that waiting times for appointments and walk-ins will likely be longer during this transition, and please plan accordingly. Thank you for your patience during this transition.

Deadline:  Friday, February 11, 2011 at 5 p.m.

Students interested in submitting a Discovery Grant application should keep their eye on the upcoming deadline.  Discovery Grants, offered by the Office of Undergraduate Education, are $2500 awards for independent research to be completed during the summer of 2011.
 
Undergraduate students in the College of the Liberal Arts looking to receive funding for research should know that we will be reviewing Discovery Grant applications not selected for funding by the university-wide selection committee and considering them for support from our own Liberal Arts funds.  We will not be accepting other proposals for funds for independent research projects (aside from support forms for thesis research and conference travel requests), so this is your chance!

The Office of Undergraduate Education will be notifying winners by March 31, 2011; our office will notify additional winners in April.

Good luck with your applications! 

February 9, 2011
6:00 to 7:30 p.m.
Foster Auditorium (First floor, Paterno Library)

Dr. Ronald G. Johnson, a faculty member in the Smeal College of Business and the College of Engineering, will present "Extreme Career Fair Preparation:  Learn What Recruiters Won't Tell You and Achieve Maximum Career Fair Success" on February 9.  The event is free and open to the public.

Johnson's presentation will offer valuable information that will help students maximize their success during Spring Career Days.  He will focus on resume success keys, interviewing skills, how students should present themselves to recruiters and much more.  He will also distribute various relevant handouts.

If you can't make this presentation, don't forget about the other Spring Career Days workshops -- and note that the Spring Career Days website also has great tips about how to prepare for the fair!

Need a unique, cheap, nifty Valentine's Day gift for someone special in your life? How about a poem to charm that girl, guy, roommate, or friend? Problem Child Literary Magazine will be selling original hand-crafted poems and candy February 7-11 at the HUB. Drop by their table to pick up a lovely limerick, a handsome haiku, an anti-Valentine's anthem, or even a customized poem tailored just right to woo the object of your affection. Poems alone will be $0.25, poems with candy $0.75, and customized poems $1. Don't miss this chance to add a little poetry to your Valentine's Day! For more information about Problem Child, check out their website at www.problemchildmag.com.

The purpose of this research is to learn about the academic and social experiences of Latino male achievers (LMA) at the Pennsylvania State University. In particular, this study seeks to identify the challenges LMA encounter during college and understand how they overcome these obstacles. Finally, this research will be used to identify strategies to support Latino college students at predominantly white colleges and universities.

Latino males who participate in this study will be asked to meet with David Perez for a 2 - 3 hour confidential interview. Additionally, participants will be asked to complete a brief demographic survey and will also be asked to provide verification of their grade point average by submitting a degree audit or academic transcript.

To participate in this research project, Latino males must:

1. Be born in the United States
2. Have parents who are both Latino
3. Be traditional age college students (i.e., under 24 years of age)
4. Be enrolled full-time in college (i.e., completing 12 or more academic credit hours)
5. Entered as freshmen at this institution (i.e., did not transfer from another campus, college, or university)
6. Have junior or senior class-standing (i.e., earned 59 or more academic credit hours)
7. Maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher
   

If you are interested in participating in this research project, please contact David Perez via e-mail at perez@psu.edu or call (917) 684-6571.

Thursday, February 3
7:00-8:30 p.m.
101 Chambers Building

Free and Open to the Public

Panelists include:

• Arthur Goldschmidt, emeritus professor of history
• Jonathan Brockopp, associate professor of religious studies and history 

Additional panelists will be listed on the Rock Ethics Institute web site. Christian Brady, dean of Schreyer Honors College, will be the moderator for this event.

This event is supported by the Schreyer Honors College, the Rock Ethics Institute, the Center for Ethics and Religious Affairs, the Middle East Studies program, and the Department of History and Religious Studies.