September 2011 Archives

At our September 20 meeting, members of the Paterno Fellows Student Advisory Board and I agreed on a list of Paterno Fellows Events for the year.  There will be some additions and minor tweaks to come, but essentially you have these things to anticipate this year.  Make note of them now, and watch for further information to come:

August 30:  Food Ethics Forum (for first-year students only)

October 21 (Friday), 12-1:15:  Joan Mandel, executive director of "Democracy Matters" will lead an informal discussion over lunch concerning ways that students can get involved in political and social reform efforts. Democracy Matters has generated internships and other opportunities for students at hundreds of colleges and universities. This event is limited to two dozen Fellows and aspirants and should especially (but not only) appeal to people in political science.

November 2 or 3:  The PF Program is a cosponsor of the visit to Penn State of writer John Edgar Wideman.  A Pittsburgh native and now a professor at Brown, Wideman has been honored for his 1990 novel Philadelphia Fire, his 1997 historical novel The Cattle Killing, his nonfiction book Brothers and Keepers, and his memoir Fatheralong. Paterno Fellows will have a chance for one-on-one interaction with Mr. Wideman. Stay tuned for particulars.

November 8 or 9 or 10:  For a bargain price, Fellows can attend the musical theatre production of Kiss Me, Kate, a production inspired by Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew.

Early January (date TBA):  The second annual Recognition Event for new Paterno Fellows will be scheduled to accommodate the schedules of Joe and Sue Paterno.

January 15-16:  Paterno Fellows can support the Martin Luther King, Jr., Day of Service by participating in a blood drive.

February 29:  For a modest charge, Paterno Fellows can enjoy the amazing production of American Idiot in Eisenhower Auditorium--complete with a reception beforehand with some of the performers.

April 9:  The PF Program is a cosponsor of Sarah Vowell's visit to Penn State.  Ms. Vowell, a frequent participant in NPR's "This American Life" and the author of many books, is a social commentator and documentarian.  (She was also the voice of Violet in the animated movie The Incredibles.)

April 22:  Paterno Fellows support and participate in Sue Paterno's favorite charity, Special Olympics, through the 5K Beaver Stadium Run.

Again, watch for more details, prepare for an enjoyable year, and let me know if you have ideas for other events.

Holy smoke, it's late September and I've not yet welcomed everyone for the new school year.  I'm late!  (I guess this proves once again that faculty members get behind in their work, just as top students do.)

But welcome indeed. I wish a great year to all Paterno Fellows (i.e., those 250+ Liberal Arts students in the Schreyer Honors College who also have committed to the PF Program) and aspirants (i.e., aspirants are first-and second-year students who are not yet in the Schreyer Honors College but who are working to become Paterno Fellows and Schreyer Scholars). 

And I'm writing to see if any of you are looking for opportunities to get involved.

How might you get involved in or through the Paterno Fellows Program?  Ten of you are members of the Paterno Fellows Student Advisory Board--seniors Caitlin Ogram and Christine Theberge; juniors Laura Dzwonczyk (studying abroad in Germany this term), Danielle Macintosh, and Nathan Hollister; sophomores Brian Prewitt, Olivia Hoover, and Doug Smith; and freshmen Sean Dooling, Keith Taylor, Coral Flanagan, Ben Stewart, and Sami Yuhas. So that's in place and you'll be hearing about Advisory Board matters throughout the year.  Send your concerns to those people because their job is to represent you.

Would you like to serve as Paterno Fellows Envoys?  These are students who help out in carrying the Paterno Fellows message to others--they meet with interested prospective students, meet with alumni and friends who might wish to contribute to the program, and otherwise serve as the equivalent of "Lion Ambassadors."  Let me know if you'd like to be involved.  (Among those already on the list are Brandon Betts, Laura Dzwonczyk, Sandra Fung, Eydsa La Paz, Jessica McGovern, Kelsey Miller, Erin Morton, Rachel Nestor, Lauren Perrotti, Jake Plevelich, Lydia Scott, Nimarjet Singh, Rachel Steinberg, Leila Wu.)

Or would you like to help out with the 5K Race for Special Olympics that takes place every April, in support of Sue Paterno's favorite charity?  Lauren Perrotti, Lydia Scott, Erin Morton, and Megan Naude are already involved in leadership roles, and they are collecting names of others who would like to help.  (Much of the work takes place after Christmas break.)  Let me know of your interest and I'll forward your names; if you were involved last year, Lauren, Lydia, Erin, and Megan probably have your name, but send it to me anyway just to be sure.

Lauren Perrotti is also involved (as president of Liberal Arts Undergraduate Council) in organizing a mentoring program.  Mentors (as I understand it) basically offer informal support and advice to newcomers to Penn State:  if you'd like to be a mentor or if you're interested in being mentored, let me know and I'll forward your names to Lauren.

Finally, let me know if you enjoy blogging.  There are opportunities for you to write about various Paterno Fellows activities, so let me know of your interest and I'll get you started.  We had a half-dozen bloggers last year--I'm not sure I have a complete list--and we've sure got room for bloggers this year as well.

There will be other opportunities to get involved as the year develops, and shortly I'll let you know about PF special events.  I look forward to meeting you as the year develops and wish you every success.  (And don't forget to email me if you have any questions about the Paterno Fellows!)