In the News
March 6, 2003

Theatre complex to benefit
University, region
In the next few months, the Penn State Downtown Theatre center will come to life. Drywall will be painted over and covered with artwork and colorful images, and the sounds of drills and hammers will be replaced with monologue coming from the main stage or the strains of a violin playing in the gallery.

Students turn break
into service week
Spring break is just days away, and though many students are packing their bathing suits and beach towels for a week of relaxation, hundreds of Penn Staters are filling their suitcases with tools and textbooks, in preparation for a week of service and learning during the week of March 10.

Political climate has an
impact on international students
In today's post-Sept. 11 environment, Shauna Brace, genetics program administrator, makes sure any offer she sends to potential international students is sent out many months in advance.

Burke to be named
dean, CEO of Erie
John D. "Jack" Burke, senior associate dean, has been recommended for appointment as dean and campus executive officer of Penn State Erie. The board of trustees will act on the recommendation at its March 21 meeting.

Vice president named
for Outreach
Craig D. Weidemann, vice provost and executive assistant to the president at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County (UMBC), has been appointed vice president for outreach at Penn State, effective July 1. He will succeed James Ryan, who will retire after 22 years with the University, including 13 years in his current post.

Mortensen named
director of CERA
Sharon Mortensen, interim director of the Center for Ethics and Religious Affairs, has been named director, effective March 1. The center is a unit of Student Affairs charged with providing a venue and programs for ethical, spiritual and character development of the University community.

Senate backs payroll
deductions for library fines
The Faculty Senate will for ward to President Graham B. Spanier a recommendation that the University institute a payroll deduction plan as the required manner for the collection of University Libraries fines and fees from current faculty and staff who give permission for such deductions.

Class of 2003 seeking
HUB-Robeson mural artist
Members of Penn State's Class of 2003 are seeking an artist to bring the past 50 years of the University's history to life in a mural on the walls inside the HUB-Robeson Center on the University Park campus.

Smeal College of Business Administration
MBA programs climb in rankings
In the Financial Times' global rankings of the best MBA programs for 2003, The Smeal College of Business Administration is ranked sixth in the United States in the category of value for the money and 18th in the nation for placement success.

Libraries to play host to
Russian library managers
Penn State University Libraries will play host to five Russian library managers March 13-20, enabling them to examine the role of libraries in a democracy with their Penn State counterparts.

Shaver's Creek sets new hours
and announces improvements
Shaver's Creek Environmental Center has made several improvements. A bay window with bench seating was installed to overlook a new deck behind the "discovery" room. New animals include a barn owl and red-tailed hawk.

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