RESEARCHERS IDENTIFY SENSATION SEEKING IN BABIES
Penn State researchers have identified "sensation seeking" characteristics in children as young as 2 years of age and found that babies who are quicker to reach for and react to new toys and sounds were more likely to be highly positive, exploratory and risk-taking a year later as toddlers, too. Dr. Cynthia Stifter, professor of human development and family studies, says, "These kids appear to be very positive and have an intense interest and zest for life. Parents should be thrilled that their child shows that much happiness and interest in life. On the other hand, the parenting role is necessarily bigger in making sure that the child’s environment is as safe as it possibly can be. " For the complete story by Barbara Hale, go to: http://www.psu.edu/ur/2000/sensationseekers.html 

DISPATCH FROM SYDNEY: WORKING WITH THE BEST
By Sydney Program Leaders John M. Keller and Thomas I. Wortman -- "It’s overwhelming to be with the best and most talented athletes in the world," says Theresa Hrzic about her work in the Olympic Village food services. "The athletes are really nice and always thank us for what we do for them." Theresa’s fellow participant in the Sydney2000 program, Kelly Morgan, a nutrition major, who also is serving athletes from all over the world, commented that athletes usually sit together in teams and with people from their own country. She also said the atmosphere was very cordial and pleasant." Theresa and Kelly have noticed that the athletes are particularly fond of Australian specialities, like chicken schnitzel, rib-eye steak and desserts like Pavolova , a meringue tart with passion fruit sauce, ANZAC biscuits, a cookie dating to the World War I era, and lamingtons, a coconut topped sponge cake. For photos and more on the program, go to http://www.international.psu.edu/ieps/sydney2000_photogallery.htm 

PROFESSOR ORGANIZES TWO EUROPEAN EXHIBITIONS
Two traveling art exhibitions curated by George Mauner, distinguished professor emeritus of art history and a fellow emeritus and former director of the Institute for the Arts and Humanistic Studies, are currently on display in Europe. He is a specialist in the Modernist era. "Cuno Amiet: From Pont-Aven to Brücke" originally opened in Bern, Switzerland, at the Kunstmuseum Bern. Cuno Amiet is one of the precursors of modernism in Switzerland. The exhibition has nearly 150 pieces that date from 1892 to 1920, and demonstrate Amiet’s evolution as a painter spanning French and German modernism. A large catalog from the exhibition with both French and German editions includes essays by Mauner and others. The exhibition is now at the Musée Rath in Geneva through Jan. 7, 2001. The second exhibition, "Manet: The Still Life Paintings," opens Oct. 11 at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris and will run through Jan. 7.. It will then move to the Walters Art Gallery in Baltimore, Maryland to run from Jan. 30 to April 22. Manet attached great importance to still-life, which he considered to be the "touchstone of the painter." For the full story by Suzanne Wayne and Web addresses for the exhibits, go to http://www.psu.edu/ur/2000/mauner.html 

IF WEATHER STAYS COOL, FALL FOLIAGE WILL BE SUPERB
If temperatures cool over the next four weeks and combine with a mild drought, fall foliage watchers in Pennsylvania should have a superior display of color this year, says an expert in Penn State's College of Agricultural Sciences. "It's been a wet and somewhat cool summer, so most of the trees have been under no stress and have had a vigorous growing season, which sets the stage for colorful fall foliage," says Marc Abrams, professor of forest ecology and physiology. "If we cross our fingers and Mother Nature cooperates, we should have good color by the middle of October. However, the weather in the next four weeks is critical. Abrams says we need to have cool temperatures falling into the 30s and 40s at night, as well as bright sunny days with no rain. For 14 years, Abrams has studied how seasonal precipitation and temperature influence timing and intensity of fall colors in central Pennsylvania. For specifics on how the leaves change, go to http://www.aginfo.psu.edu/News/september00/foliage.html 

LIBERAL ARTS LAUNCHES BUSINESS PLAN CONTEST
The College of the Liberal Arts will launch the first-ever University-wide business plan contest on Sept. 28, at 7 p.m. in the HUB Auditorium. The contest is being held to engage in entrepreneurship, from conceptualization and planning through launching a new company. Sponsored by Liberal Arts and a gift from 1993 economics alumnus Ken Fox, the business plan contest is open to all full-time undergraduate and graduate students. Fox is awarding up to $250,000 to teams to fund new business ventures. Teams of faculty, graduate, and undergraduate students are encouraged to enter. The contest will run in three stages. The first is the initial summary of service or product and its marketing strategy, due Nov. 17. The second phase will be available to up to 12 winners of phase one, who will prepare more detailed plans, due March 16. And finally, winners of phase two will present final plans to a panel of judges on April 6. Cash awards will be made at each phase. The public is invited to the kick-off. For more information and instructions on how to enter, go to http://www.u2b.psu.edu.