McKeesport honors its staff
John W. Beatty, director of student affairs at Penn State McKeesport, was recently recognized with a Leadership Award for dynamic coordination of activities under his supervision, including residence life, health services, student activities, sports program and the Learning Center. He regularly solves student-related problems as well as interdepartmental questions.
Beatty was recognized not only for his creative problem solving, but also for his interactive approach to planning campus activities
Judy Bruney, staff assistant to the campus executive officer, received the Service Award for her many contributions "above and beyond" her regular duties. She consistently goes the extra mile to help others and serves in a variety of capacities. She assists with many special events including advisory board functions, Alumni Society programs and departmental projects. In addition, she serves as an important communications link and coordinator with all campus staff, students, faculty and community.
Accounting manager
wins Libraries award
Torsten Bjalme, accounting manager, has received the 1998
University Libraries Award.
Bjalme was chosen by his colleagues on the faculty and staff of the Libraries in recognition of his professionalism, integrity, creativity, dedicated leadership and outstanding work in innovation and training, as well as his broad job knowledge, organizational sense and enthusiasm for the advancement of the University Libraries. Bjalme has worked for Penn State and the University Libraries since February 1963.
Penn College major
named best in Pa.
Pennsylvania College of Technology's two-year automotive technology major has finished first in the state. The Industry Planning Council has presented Penn College with the Excellence in Post-Secondary Vocational Automotive Education Award.
The Industry Planning Council is composed of the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, the American Vocational Association, and the American Automobile Manufacturers Association Inc., and is administered by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation Inc.
In determining the award, the Industry Planning Council assesses all automotive programs in the country, particularly state by state, to determine the best schools. In Pennsylvania, Penn College was selected from about 12 others as the best non-affiliated automotive training program, which means a program that is not directly sponsored or financed by a manufacturer.
John K. Hammond, automotive department head and professor of automotive technology, accepted the award. There are currently about 70 students enrolled in Penn College's automotive technology major and about 150 students in all Penn College automotive majors.
Penn College will receive another automotive honor in July by being the host site for the 25th annual conference of the North American Council of Automotive Teachers (NACAT).
Associate professor earns fellowship with National Geographic magazine
Jock Lauterer, associate professor of journalism in
the College of Communications, has been awarded the 1998 National Geographic
Faculty Fellowship for 10 weeks of study this summer in Washington, D.C.
The fellowship will allow Lauterer to observe the inner workings of what is arguably the world's foremost photography magazine.
Each year, the photographic division of the magazine selects one college or university journalism professor for a summer of study and observation. At National Geographic headquarters, Lauterer will be allowed to sit in on the planning, editing, layout, design and production stages of the magazine's visual coverage.
Lauterer, who spent 14 years as co-founder and editor-publisher of two community newspapers in North Carolina, also is the author of six books, the majority of which also contain his photography. At Penn State, he created the visual communications sequence, including photojournalism and print graphics classes, and launched a community journalism class. He also is on the board of directors of the Daily Collegian and serves as faculty co-adviser to The Forum, the college's online student newspaper.
Associate professor at Delaware County named outstanding adviser
Arya Ebrahimpour, associate professor of engineering at Penn State Delaware County, has been selected as a recipient of the 1998 Penn State Engineering Society Outstanding Adviser Award. The award recognizes outstanding advisers of undergraduate and graduate engineering students.
Ebrahimpour received his doctoral, master's and bachelor's degrees in civil engineering from the University of Idaho. His scholarly and research interests include engineering mechanics (statics, dynamics and strength of materials), engineering methods and graphics, and structural engineering.
Since joining the Penn State faculty in 1990, Ebrahimpour has received numerous research grants and awards, and has had articles published in several journals and trade publications.
Hazleton educator given Teaching Excellence Award
Carl S. Frankel, assistant professor of biology at Penn State Hazleton, was given the Teaching Excellence Award. Established in 1994 by the Hazleton Education Council (HEC), the campus advisory board, the citation recognizes outstanding teaching. Candidates can be nominated by students, faculty, staff and friends of the campus.
Penn State Hazleton students voted Frankel "Teacher of the Year" in 1988, 1990 and 1992.
ARL receives safety award
The Applied Research Laboratory, a Navy-sponsored research facility at University Park, has accumulated 2.75 million workforce hours without a lost-time accident. Joe Armstrong, safety inspector for the Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association, the University's third-party insurance administrator, cited the facility's focused commitment to safety with an award for remaining accident-free for nearly two years.
Armstrong said laboratory employees gained greater safety awareness through in-house training programs for first-aid and handling hazardous materials and equipment.
This award marks the largest total amount of time recognized by the association, which provides risk control and claims management services for the University.
Eberly College chosen for inaugural scholarships
The Eberly College of Science has been selected to receive one of the first Beckman Scholars Program Institutional Awards for the 1998-99 academic year. Of the 172 institutions invited to submit applications to the Arnold and Mabel Beckman Foundation, Penn State is one of only 20 chosen.
The Eberly College of Science will receive three student awards totaling $52,800, with the possibility of continued funding for an additional year. The undergraduate researchers will each receive $11,000 for two, 10-week summers of full-time research and $3,600 for 10 hours per week of research during the academic year. The students also participate in the Beckman Scholars Annual Research Symposium. Awardees will be named in the fall.