INSIDE OF MICKEY MOUSE IS A LION
M-I-C-K-E-Y. Why? Because of Penn State’s World Campus. Excitement overwhelmed Jessica Sechler when she learned that she would play the coveted role of Mickey Mouse at Disney World during the 2001 fall semester. Sechler, a Penn State Lehigh Valley student and spring 2001 Walt Disney World College alumna, beat more than 200 other people to play Mickey Mouse. But her parents’ reaction to another semester away from classes was not as enthusiastic as she had hoped. “My parents would have preferred that I go to school and finish my education,” said Sechler, a resident of Slatington. “They told me that I needed to see what I could do about classes.” As a result, this Mickey-Mouse-to-be inquired about online courses offered at Penn State. Now, to her parents’ relief, Sechler is enrolled in Penn State’s World Campus. She plans to take one course at a time and hopes to have finished four classes by the end of the fall 2001 semester. “The whole magic of it all is just so perfect,” Sechler said. For the full story by Allison Kessler, go to http://www.psu.edu/ur/2001/mickey.html
RESEARCHER RECEIVES NAVY CIVILIAN SERVICE AWARD
William Mark, a senior scientist with the Applied Research Laboratory’s (ARL) Institute for Manufacturing and Sustainment Technologies at Penn State, recently received the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award – the U.S. Navy’s second highest civilian service award--in recognition of his work in developing modifications that resulted in the improved operational performance of a naval vessel. “Dr. Mark is a true American hero, and he is without peer,” says Robert Cook, the institute’s director. “For an investment of approximately $800,000, Dr. Mark’s modifications met a critical performance goal that will save approximately $26 million dollars for the U.S. Navy over a five-year period.” For the full story, go to http://www.psu.edu/ur/2001/civilianaward.html
TAKEOVER DEFENSE DURING IPO AIDS MANAGERS
Many firms deploy takeover defenses when they go public, but a study co-authored by a researcher in Penn State’s Smeal College of Business suggests that managers use these takeover defenses to ensure the continuation of their personal benefits of control-not to help in the eventual sale of the firm by increasing expected takeover premiums. “IPO managers are more likely to deploy takeover defenses when their compensation is high, shareholdings are small, and the oversight from non-managerial shareholders is weak. Basically, firm insiders take actions at the time of the IPO to protect their control benefits,” explains Laura Casares Field, assistant professor of finance in Penn State’s Smeal College of Business. She co-authored the study, “Takeover Defenses of IPO Firms,” with Jonathan Karpoff of the University of Washington and Emory University. For the full story by Steve Infanti, go to http://www.smeal.psu.edu/news/depth/august01/takeover.html.
BROADWAY STAR GREGORY HINES TO OPEN CPA SEASON
Tony Award winner Gregory Hines – star of stage, screen, TV, and recordings – will open the 2001-02 season at Penn State’s Center for the Performing Arts with a song-and-dance show on Saturday, September 15, at 7:45 p.m. in Eisenhower Auditorium on the University Park campus. The evening also includes special guest Mary Cleere Haran, New York City’s hottest cabaret singer. For ticket information, call the Arts Ticket Center at (814) 863-0255 or (800) 278-7849, Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or visit http://www.cpa.psu.edu.
FOOTBALL 101 HELPS FANS LEARN THE BASICS
Penn State Continuing Education is offering “Football 101: FUNdamentals for Fans” this fall to help new fans gain a better understanding of what is happening on the field and get more enjoyment out of the game. Coaches, officials, and special guest speakers will share their football expertise. Video highlights of past seasons will be used to demonstrate rules of the game, defensive/offensive formations, game-week preparations, defensive pass coverages and other finer points of the game. For more information, call the Penn State Continuing Education at (814) 863-0685 or visit http://www.psu4you.org/title.html.