GRAD RATE FOR STUDENT-ATHLETES 20 % ABOVE AVERAGE
Based on the graduation rate report released yesterday by the National Collegiate Athletic Association, Penn State student-athletes continue to significantly outperform their peers at Division 1 institutions nationwide. The NCAA document, which reports on the freshman class that entered in 1993-94 and graduated within six years, reveals that Penn State had a rate of 78 percent for student-athletes as compared with a 58 percent figure for all Division 1 institutions. The student-athlete rate was just two percentage points below the graduation figure for the undergraduate student population at University Park (80 percent). "We are once again pleased and encouraged by the academic accomplishment of our student-athletes," Athletic Director Tim Curley said. "The most important mission we have as a department is to see that the young people who participate in our intercollegiate program have not only a satisfying athletic experience but also reach their most ambitious academic goals and earn their degree." For more, go to http://www.gopsusports.com/pressreleases/pressrelease.cfm?anncid=707.
MCQUAIDE BLASKO LAW FIRM ENDOWS PERFORMING ARTS
The State College-based law firm of McQuaide Blasko has pledged $300,000 to fund the McQuaide Blasko Performing Arts Series at Penn State’s Center for the Performing Arts. The endowment, which will support programming devoted to children and families, will be merged with a previous endowment from the firm to create a new program called Cultural Learning Initiative with McQuaide Blasko (CLIMB). "We strongly believe that artistic programs designed to capture the imaginations of children promote enrichment of our youth, education and the future of our community," said April Chamberlain Simpson, a McQuaide Blasko attorney who serves as the firm’s liaison to the Center concerning the endowment. "We believe that the CLIMB acronym nicely describes the integrated program we support–specifically, a program which funds artistic performances targeted for families and children, and which includes an artist-in-residence component associated with each performance." For more, go to http://www.psu.edu/ur/2000/climb.html
MEDICAL CENTER RECEIVES 2000 CONSUMER CHOICE AWARD
The National Research Corporation (NRC) has announced that the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center is a 2000 Consumer Choice Award winner. This marks the second consecutive year that the Hershey Medical Center has been ranked the top-rated hospital in the Harrisburg metropolitan statistical area, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau. The Medical Center was named Harrisburg's Most Preferred Hospital for Overall Quality and Image in NRC's 200 Healthcare Market Guide. This year, NRC publicly recognizes the nation's top 122 hospitals as Consumer Choice Award winners, the hospitals consumers choose as having the highest quality and image in 103 statistical markets throughout the United States. For more medical news, go to http://www.hmc.psu.edu/news/pr/index.htm
MOST ANGIOPLASTY COMPLICATIONS OCCUR IN FIRST 18 HOURS
Researchers at Penn State College of Medicine in collaboration with several other universities have found that more than 80 percent of complications from angioplasty procedures occur within 18 hours of treatment. "This is important information for hospitals that keep patients several days. They may not need to keep patients this long," says Ian Gilchrist, M.D., associate professor of medicine with the College of Medicine and a cardiologist at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. "For years physicians would say there is about a 10 percent complication rate for angioplasty or stenting. We wanted to find out exactly when in those 30 days the problems occurred," he adds. For more on this story, go to http://www.hmc.psu.edu/news/pr/nov/111400.htm
PENN STATE COLLABORATES ON PEST MANAGEMENT CENTER
The College of Agricultural Sciences, in collaboration with Cornell University, will administer the Northeastern Pest Management Center, an initiative by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to bring together specialists from 12 states and the District of Columbia. Their goal is to develop and deliver safer pest management strategies on farms in community settings, such as schools and parks. "Each center will act as a connection among agricultural producers, university researchers, extension specialists and other agricultural professionals," says John Ayers, Penn State professor of plant pathology and center director. Jim VanKirk, facilitator for IPM activities, Cornell University, is center coordinator. "This is a center without walls," says VanKirk. "We hope to involve many kinds of people -- from farmers, government regulators, and homemakers to environmental advocates." For more on this story, go to http://aginfo.psu.edu/News/november00/pest.html.
RANGASWAMY RECEIVES IBM FACULTY AWARD
IBM is recognizing Arvind Rangaswamy for his teaching of e-commerce by naming him as a recipient of a Faculty Partnership Award. .Rangaswamy is the Jonas H. Anchel Professor of Marketing in the Smeal College of Business Administration and research director of the eBusiness Research Center. Rangaswamy is also spearheading the new eBusiness Incubator Laboratory in the Center, which will facilitate research of emerging e-business models. The $40,000 award recognizes creative work and strengthens the relationships between leading universities and the IBM research and development community. It will be applied to the Laboratory project. Rangaswamy is recognized for his research exploring the interface between marketing and information technology. For more, go to http://www.smeal.psu.edu/news/depth/nov00/ibmfaculty.html.
CENTER FOR ARTS AND CRAFTS AWARDED GRANT
Penn State's Center for Arts and Crafts has been awarded a $2,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Rural Art Alliance for a visiting artist program to be held this spring. According to Stephanie Gush, coordinator for the Center, awards went to cultural artists and organizations that serve an unmet need within the community. The Center, a division of Unions and Student Activities, is now selecting an artist. It conducts non-credit art classes and workshops for students, faculty, staff and members of the community, including programs in visual, performing, literary and ceramic arts. It also offers children's art camps during the summer months. For more on the Center, go to http://www.sa.psu.edu/craftcenter/.
SAFE TURKEY HANDLING TIPS FROM AGRICULTURE
Low in fat and cholesterol, turkey is a healthful food choice for the holidays. But if improperly handled, it can become a breeding ground for bacteria that cause food-borne illness. "Salmonella bacteria sometimes are present in small numbers in all raw animal products, such as poultry, eggs, meat and dairy products," says Catherine Cutter, assistant professor of food science in the College of Agricultural Sciences. "If properly handled and prepared, these foods are safe to eat. "Illness due to Salmonella and other microorganisms found on raw poultry can be prevented since the bacteria can be killed easily by heat," she says. "To prepare turkey safely, follow a few common-sense procedures. "Always thaw a frozen turkey in the refrigerator, not on the countertop. Harmful bacteria can multiply once the exterior of the bird reaches 45 degrees F. "Plan ahead to thaw the turkey in the refrigerator, allowing about 24 hours for each five pounds," Cutter says. "For example, a10-pound bird will take about two days. "Stuff the turkey immediately before cooking. "If you put warm stuffing inside the turkey, then put the bird back into the refrigerator, you give bacteria a chance to grow," Cutter says. "Avoid buying a refrigerated, fully cooked and stuffed turkey." For more tips, go to http://www.aginfo.psu.edu/News/november00/turkey.html