UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — During the Board of Trustees meetings, Feb. 15-16, at the University Park campus, the board formally approved naming the Chemistry Building as the “Benkovic Building” and the renovation of Osmond Laboratory, among other business.
During the meeting, the board also:
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Approved compensation terms for Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi based on Bendapudi’s performance goals and objectives; and implemented a rolling contract as incentive to retain her leadership. The president declined any increase in her annual base salary;
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Accepted the sale of a residential property at 505 E. Wopsononock Ave. in Altoona, which was originally acquired by Penn State in 2014. The property has never been used and Penn State Altoona has no plans for its use;
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Approved changing the name of the University Park Airport to “State College Regional Airport”;
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Set its meetings dates for the 2025 calendar year; and
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Approved moving forward with Penn State’s annual liquor license renewal application with the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.
In his remarks as chair of the board, Matt Schulyer welcomed Will Vincent, executive director of THON, and Kelly Altland, chief development officer for Penn State Health and the College of Medicine. Vincent and Altland provided an overview of THON and the efforts of volunteers to help support the families of children diagnosed with pediatric cancer ahead of the start of the 2024 event at 6 p.m. on Feb. 16.
“We are very proud of the work we’ve been able to put together, but continued work, continued growth and our efforts and continued expansion on our research that is one day going to find a cure for childhood cancer needs every single person’s help that’s interested,” Vincent said. “So a big part of our mission is spreading our mission and letting people know what’s happening at Penn State.”
In her report to the board, President Bendapudi:
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Provided an update to the trustees on the University’s road map, which aims to define a long-term, sustainable business model for Penn State.
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Bendapudi reiterated the road map’s focus on creation of a new University business model, investment in people, enrollment, academic excellence, research and operational excellence.
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She stressed the road map work is an ongoing conversation and a collaborative process across the institution.
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Highlighted the impactful work of a number of faculty across Penn State, including Joyce Jose, assistant professor of biochemistry and molecular biology; Bonnie Collura, professor of art and sculpture; Daniel Mallinson, associate professor of public policy and administration at Penn State Harrisburg; and Shyam Sundar, the James P. Jimirro Professor of Media Effects; and
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Showcased the research of Robert Sainburg, the Dorothy F. and Lloyd Huck Distiguished Chair in Kinesiology and director of the Center for Movement and Technology, and Candice Maenza, manager of the Neurorehabilitation Laboratory in the College of Medicine. Their work focuses on developing an innovative form of treatment for stroke patients.