UNIVERSITY TO HOLD FALL COMMENCEMENT ON DEC. 15
Penn State’s University Park campus will hold its Fall 2001 commencement ceremonies for approximately 3,300 associate, baccalaureate and graduate degree students on Saturday, Dec. 15. Undergraduate baccalaureate and associate degrees will be awarded at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the Bryce Jordan Center. Graduate degrees will be awarded at 3:30 p.m. in Eisenhower Auditorium. As of mid-November, 3,304 students are scheduled to receive degrees at the University Park ceremonies. That figure includes 21 associate, 2,616 baccalaureate, 474 master’s, and 193 doctoral degree students. Systemwide, Penn State will graduate a total of 4,695 students – approximately 375 with associate degrees, 3,384 baccalaureate degrees, 932 graduate degrees, and four juris doctorate degrees. For the full story and commencement information, visit http://www.psu.edu/ur/2001/15deccommindex.html and http://psu.edu/ur/grads.
HISTORIAN, GENETICIST TO RECEIVE HONORARY DEGREES
Renowned historian Arthur M. Schlesigner, Jr. and prominent scientist Leroy Hood will be awarded honorary degrees during fall commencement ceremonies at University Park on Saturday, Dec. 15. Hood will receive an honorary doctor of science degree and will be the speaker at the undergraduate commencement at 10 a.m. in the Bryce Jordan Center. Schlesinger will receive an honorary doctor of humane letters degree and will speak at the undergraduate commencement at 1 p.m.at the Bryce Jordan Center. For full story, go to http://www.psu.edu/ur/2001/dec15honordegr.html.
DEEP-OCEAN RESEARCH PROGRAM FINDS HOME AT PSU
A program designed to study the mid-ocean ridge system and enhance understanding of the relationship between the geological processes that lead to planetary renewal in the deep ocean and life forms that thrive in the absence of sunlight has found a home at Penn State. The RIDGE 2000 Program, created with the input of more than 200 U.S. scientists and funded by the National Science Foundation, has elected Charles Fisher, professor of biology at Penn State, as chair of its 15-member steering committee. His three-year term coincides with the creation of the program office at Penn State, with support from the National Science Foundation, the Eberly College of Science, and the Department of Biology. For full story by Steve Sampsell, go to http://www.science.psu.edu/alert/Fisher11-2001.htm.
BROKERS UP SALE PRICE, TIME TO REACH AGREEMENT
When consumers are looking to buy or sell a house, they usually start looking for a broker, but a recent study co-authored by Abdullah Yavas of Penn State's Smeal College of Business finds that brokers increase the sale price, reduce the likelihood of an agreement, and increase the time to reach an agreement. The paper, “An Experimental Analysis of the Impact of Intermediaries on the Outcome of Bargaining Games,” appeared in a recent issue of Real Estate Economics. In the study, the researchers conduct an experimental analysis of the bargaining between a buyer and seller of the exchange of a single good by means of an intermediary or broker. The researchers focus on how the presence of a broker affects the likelihood of a successful negotiation, the time it takes until a negotiation is completed and the determination of the sales prices. For full story by Steve Infanti, go to http://www.smeal.psu.edu/news/depth/november01/brokers.html.
LAND GRANT TROPHY BATTLE SET FOR 3:30 P.M. KICKOFF
Penn State's Big Ten finale at Michigan State on Saturday, Nov. 24, will begin at 3:30 p.m. and be televised by ESPN. The Nittany Lions and Spartans will be playing for the Land Grant Trophy for the ninth time. Penn State defeated Michigan State last season, 42-23, but the Spartans lead the series, 10-7-1. The Lions are 2-2 in East Lansing since starting Big Ten play in 1993. For more information on Nittany Lion football, go to http://www.GoPSUSports.com/football/.
NEIL DIAMOND COMING TO JORDAN CENTER ON FEB. 26
America's top touring solo artist, Neil Diamond, will bring his electrifying show to the Bryce Jordan Center on Tuesday, Feb. 26, at 8 p.m. Diamond, one of the most dynamic live performers in the history of popular music, will highlight material from his CD, “Three Chord Opera,” as well as selections from his vast catalog of hits and popular favorites. Tickets go on sale Monday, Dec. 3 at 8 a.m. and will be available at the Bryce Jordan Center, Eisenhower Auditorium, selected Uni-Mart ticket outlets, Commonwealth Campus ticket outlets, or by calling (800) 863-3336 or (814) 865-5555 or online at http://www.bjc.psu.edu.