HEARD ON CAMPUS AT ABINGTON -- Jigmi Thinley, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Bhutan, an independent nation between China and India, spoke to faculty and students on Tuesday, Sept. 12.

On Bhutan's relationships with India and China, which he says are amicable, he said:"It's not a comfortable place to be. I often liken it to a potato that is trying to grow as large as possible, but is sandwiched between two rocks. By adopting a positive attitude, we have found ourselves in a happy situation." He also said that he acquired many useful tools in shaping his career, as well as the destiny of his country during the time he spent at Penn State, where he earned a master’s degree in public administration. "It was one of the most useful periods of my educational career." 

INNOVATION PARK RECEIVES SELECTTECH-SITE DESIGNATION
Innovation Park at Penn State, the University’s research park, has been designated a PA SelectTech-Site under a collaborative initiative designed to help communities attract new businesses and jobs. Sam McCullough, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, made the announcement of the park’s selection today (Sept. 14) at Innovation Park. Penn State was the first stop on a statewide tour for McCullough and other key members of the state’s economic-development team to announce the 102 designations, which are in 77 sites in 26 counties. Penn State President Graham Spanier; David Carver, president, Pennsylvania Economic Development Association; and Karen Dickinson, director, Innovation Park at Penn State, also participated in the Penn State event marking the announcement. For the full story, go to http://www.psu.edu/ur/2000/selectsite.html 

CHILDHOOD BEHAVIOR PREDICT BEHAVIOR IN YOUNG ADULTS
Childhood behavior problems such as temper tantrums, bullying or destructiveness increase the risk of emotional trouble for the young adult, a Penn State expert says. "Compared to their better adjusted peers, children with a history of behavior disorders, once they entered adulthood, achieved significantly lower levels of overall happiness, life satisfaction and self-esteem," says Chris Knoester, doctoral student in sociology. "They also report weaker rapport with relatives, poorer relations with their parents and in general more difficulty in establishing intimacy. Knoester analyzed data from the longitudinal Marital Instability over the Life Course Study, initiated in 1980 by Dr. Alan Booth and Dr. Paul R. Amato, then at the University of Nebraska and both now at Penn State. For the complete story by Paul Blaum, go to: http://www.psu.edu/ur/2000/childhoodbehavior.html 

FORMER ASTRONAUT RICH CLIFFORD TO SPEAK SEPT. 29
Michael Richard "Rich" Clifford, Space Station Flight Operations Manager for Boeing Defense and Space Group and former astronaut, will address "Bringing the International Space Station Down to Earth: Opportunities for the Earthbound" on Friday, Sept. 29, at 4:30 pm. The presentation will be held in 114 Earth-Engineering Sciences Building (on Pollock Road Extension west of Atherton Street adjacent to the Nittany Golf Course) with a reception immediately following the presentation. This event is sponsored by The Pennsylvania Space Grant Consortium and The Penn State Geographic Information Science Community. Rich is a veteran of three space flights. He first flew on the crew of the Space Shuttle Discovery in 1992. He next served aboard the Endeavour on the Space Radar Laboratory (SRL) mission, which launched in 1994. SRL consisted of three large radars and a carbon monoxide sensor that were used to enhance studies of the Earth's surface and atmosphere. He next served on the third docking mission to the Russian space station Mir, which launched in 1996. For more information, see URL http://www.psu.edu/spacegrant/ or phone 863-5957. 

SHAFFER PROFESSOR OF CHEMISTRY NAMED
Sharon Hammes-Schiffer, associate professor of chemistry, has been appointed as the Shaffer Professor of Chemistry. She has been an assistant professor of chemistry and biochemistry at the University of Notre Dame since 1995. According to Andrew Ewing, head of the Department of Chemistry, she an outstanding theoretical chemist and has made significant contributions to chemical and molecular problems. For the full story, go to http://www.science.psu.edu/alert/Schiffer8-2000.htm 

SCHOOL OF THEATRE OFFERS MUSICAL COMEDY, LUCKY STIFF
Lucky Stiff, a musical comedy full of gangsters, gambling and French floozies, will play Sept, 22 through Sept, 30 at the Pavilion Theatre. In the play, Uncle Anthony always wanted to go gambling in Monte Carlo, and how he finally has some free time. The problem is he's dead. But that doesn't mean he can't still have a good time. He's the title character in Lucky Stiff, with book and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and music by Stephen Flahtery. Lucky Stiff at the Pavilion Theatre, is scheduled for 8 p.m., Sept. 22, 23, and Sept. 25 through 30. Preview performances will play Sept. 20 and 21, and there will be a matinee performance Sept. 30, at 2 p.m. Tickets are available at Eisenhower Auditorium, the Bryce Jordan center, or call (814) 863-0255 or toll free (800) ARTS-TIX. 

N’SYNC WILL APPEAR AT BJC, SUNDAY, NOV. 5
N’SYNC will appear Sunday, November 5 at 7:30 p.m. at the Bryce Jordan Center. Ticket go on sale Saturday, September 16 at 1:00 p.m. at the Bryce Jordan Center, Eisenhower Auditorium, selected Uni-Mart ticket outlets, Commonwealth Campus ticket outlets, or charge by phone at (800) 863-3336, locally at (814) 865-5555, or on-line at http://www.bjc.psu.edu. Wristbands will be made available Friday, Sept. 15, from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Saturday, Sept. 16, from 6 a.m. until 12 p.m. For more information, go to http://www.bjc.psu.edu