CAVANAGH REAPPOINTED TO USRA SCIENCE COUNCIL
Peter R. Cavanagh, distinguished professor of kinesiology, medicine, orthopedics and rehabilitation and biobehavioral health and director of the Center for Locomotion Studies in Penn State’s College of Health and Human Development, has been selected to serve a second two-year term on the Science Council of the Universities Space Research Association’s (USRA) Division of Space Life Sciences. The Division of Space Life Sciences, based at the Center for Advanced Space Studies in Houston, Texas, supports the National Aeronautics and Space Association’s needs for understanding and counteracting the physiological changes that accompany space flight. For the full story by William Hessert, visit http://www.psu.edu/ur/2001/cavanaghusra.htmlFor more information on the College of Health and Human Development, visit http://www.hhdev.psu.edu/.
SUE PATERNO TO BE FEATURED ON ESPN'S GAMEDAY
Sue Paterno, wife of Penn State football coach Joe Paterno, will be featured on ESPN's Gameday program on Saturday, Nov. 24. The taped interview with ESPN's Beano Cook is scheduled to air at approximately 10:45 a.m. EST. Joe and Sue Paterno have been married since 1962, and have five children and nine grandchildren. The Paternos have volunteered countless hours on behalf of Penn State and contributed more than $4 million to the University to endow faculty positions and scholarships, and support the Paterno Libraries Endowment and building projects on the University Park campus. For the full story, visit http://www.GoPSUsports.com/pressreleases/pressrelease.cfm?anncid=1892.
REWARD EMPLOYEES WITHOUT CREATING CLASS SYSTEM
Managers should reward high performance employees with higher pay but without creating or reinforcing a visible class system of favored employees, a Penn State expert says. While no one in industry argues against rewarding merit, allocating special privileges to upper echelon employees, even if well deserved, means establishing a company culture that is fundamentally undemocratic and injurious to morale, says David A. Morand, associate professor of management at Penn State Harrisburg. The Penn State researcher presented his findings in the paper, “The Processes and Effects of Programs of Status-Leveling in Organizations,” at a recent Academy of Management annual meeting in Washington, D.C. For the full story by Paul Blaum, visit http://www.psu.edu/ur/2001/managersreward.html.
SECURITY CONCERNS MAY BOOST ONLINE HOLIDAY SALES
The heightened state of security and fears of terror attacks may boost online sales this holiday shopping season, according to an assistant professor of business logistics in Penn State's Smeal College of Business. “Indicators show that people are staying home more since the attack. Consumers may be reluctant to head out to the mall, meaning Internet sales could go up this holiday season,” explains Doug Thomas. Reports of anthrax in the mail should not impact online retailers, notes William “Skip” Grenoble, director of the Center for Supply Chain Research in the Smeal College of Business.“So far the attacks have been aimed at businesses or office locations, not homes, so there is still not much public identification with packages mailed to the home,” says Grenoble. For the full story by Steve Infanti, visit http://www.smeal.psu.edu/news/depth/november01/security.html.
GRADUATING SCHOLARS TO RECEIVE MEDALS AT CEREMONY
Penn State will hold a medals commencement ceremony for the Fall 2001 graduating class of the Schreyer Honors College at 4 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 14, at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel. Cheryl Achterberg, dean of the Schreyer Honors College, will speak. Penn State President Graham Spanier will present the medals, which were designed by John A. Cook, professor emeritus of art, to the approximately 60 graduating scholars. The Honors College was named for its benefactors, William A. and Joan Schreyer, and has been recognized as one of the top honors programs in the country. Its mission is to promote academic excellence with integrity, to build a global perspective and to create opportunities for leadership and civic and social engagement. For commencement information, visit http://www.psu.edu/ur/2001/15deccommindex.html and http://psu.edu/ur/grads.
ROTC COMMISSIONING CEREMONY TO BE HELD DEC. 14
The Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) commissioning ceremony will be held Friday, Dec. 14, at 7:30 p.m. in the Music Recital Hall in Music Building at Penn State's University Park campus. Colonel Steven Paladini, professor of aerospace studies and ROTC tri-service coordinator, will preside over the ceremony. John Cahir, vice provost and dean for undergraduate education, will also speak. Diane M. Disney, professor of management and Commonwealth College dean, will be the guest speaker and will swear in 25 students as new officers in the armed forces. For the full story visit http://www.psu.edu/ur/2001/dec14rotc.html. For more commencement information visit http://psu.edu/ur/grads.