Currents - Spring 2015

Features

Knowing the code to help others

Armed with a crisp new suit and a wheelchair, electrical engineering graduate students Darshan Karnawat and Tapan Khilnani set off for the LeadingAge Hackfest competition last October in Nashville, Tennessee. 

Supply chain research studies ways to keep things moving

Every day, thousands of items – from clothing to heavy equipment – arrive at U.S. ports, destined for retail shelves, warehouses and other locations across the country.

Internships: A career test drive

For college students, an internship is a major rite of passage during their studies. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers, 61 percent of the class of 2014 participated in at least one internship or co-op during college.

News

• Attacks foster public unity for freedom of expression

• For career help, students can go to their Peers

• Kyle Maynard makes no excuses

• Students use spring vacation to "Break a Difference"

• Nursing alums make global impact

• New academic leaders named

• Fulbright focus: violence against women

• Cigler named distinguished professor

• New building will house student services                                                  

• College receives gift of 3D printers

• College awarded funding to support entrepreneurial activities

Around Campus

• Penn State Harrisburg graduate student Tam Nguyen, of Vietnam, is featured in the documentary film, “Red Over The Rainbow,” detailing the rise of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender community in Vietnam, which had its U.S. premiere at Penn State Harrisburg in April.

• U.S. federal judge C. Darnell Jones II visited Penn State Harrisburg to discuss the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and its implications 50 years later.

• More than 550 students received their degrees at the college’s spring 2015 commencement on May 10. James R. Hoehn, regional president of the Central Pennsylvania region for PNC Bank, delivered the keynote address.

• Penn State Harrisburg Benefiting THON participated in THON Weekend at the Bryce Jordan Center, February 20 through 22, raising over $37,000 of the 2015 THON total of $13,026,653.23.

• The new Penn State Harrisburg Educators Award will provide financial assistance – $500 per semester – and recognition to outstanding students enrolled or planning to enroll in the college’s teacher education master’s programs.

• In memory of the late Barry Uber, a 1969 Penn State Harrisburg graduate, 59 donors from throughout the United States collectively contributed more than $15,000 to the college’s Student Emergency Assistance Fund.

• The Capital Area Writing Project at Penn State Harrisburg recently began the 2014-16 National Writing Project Fellowship program whose graduate candidates and mentors represent 21 Pennsylvania schools and span all levels of elementary and secondary education and multiple disciplines.

Sports Highlights 

• Penn State Harrisburg Athletic Director Rahsaan Carlton was inducted into the Capital Area Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame.

• The Penn State Harrisburg golf team finished second in the Capital Athletic Conference (CAC) Championship for the second straight year. Four players were named to the All-Conference team: Tyler Shank and Keith Miller, first team; Collin Hagenbuch and Tyler Massar, second team. Miller was also named CAC Rookie of the Year, the second straight Lion to claim the honor.

• Joseph Phifer, men’s track and field, is the first male athlete to score points at the CAC Championship with his fourth place finish in the men’s 800 meter. He is also Penn State Harrisburg’s first track and field athlete to qualify for the Eastern Capital Athletic Conference Championship.