Students
in plant physiology and the College of Health and Human Development will receive
significant financial benefits as a result of the generosity and vision of two
former faculty members.
Students
in plant physiology and the College of Health and Human Development will receive
significant financial benefits as a result of the generosity and vision of two
former faculty members.
Barbara Shannon, who retired as dean emerita of the College of Health and Human Development in 1999, and her husband, Jack Shannon, professor emeritus of plant physiology, have committed $150,000 to endow two scholarship funds -- one in each of their academic areas.
The Jack C. and Barbara M. Shannon Graduate Scholarship in plant physiology, endowed with a $50,000 gift, will support outstanding graduate students in the Intercollege Graduate Program in plant physiology who are advised by faculty in the Department of Horticulture, College of Agricultural Sciences. An additional gift of $5,000 from the Shannons will make this scholarship available immediately.
The remainder of the Shannons' gift will establish four honors scholarships for outstanding students in the College of Health and Human Development. These "recruitment" scholarships are designed to attract and retain students who manifest high academic promise. The first honors scholarship in the college was established in 1999 with an initial gift from the Shannons.
The University has named the four Barbara Shannon Honors Scholarships to recognize her service to the college, where she was dean from 1995 through 1999, and the leadership and dedication she has shown as both a faculty member and administrator. As dean, Shannon led the college in numerous development initiatives, including the creation of a Student Professional Development Endowment, the Honors Scholarship Initiative and a mentoring program for students. Currently, she is professor emerita of nutrition.
Barbara Shannon earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee, a master's degree from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and a Ph.D. from Purdue University.
Jack Shannon was chair of the Intercollege Graduate Program in plant physiology, established in 1985, for 13 years. The program brought together faculty from the College of Agricultural Sciences, The Eberly College of Science and the College of Engineering. Under his leadership, the program became nationally and internationally recognized. He initiated and led the International Plant Physiology Symposium series at the University.
Jack Shannon received his bachelor's degree from the University of Tennessee and his master's and doctorate from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. His research focused primarily on the physiological processes of maize.
Residents of State College, Jack and Barbara Shannon joined the faculty in 1971.