Positively Penn State
There
are many benefits to living in a community that is home to a
major University. Penn State Schuylkill provides many
opportunities and services to Schuylkill Haven. Residents of
the borough are invited and encouraged to visit the campus
to enjoy what the campus has to offer. Each quarter,
“Positively Penn State” will highlight the positive impact
the University has on Schuylkill Haven and the surrounding
county. Events that are open to the public will also be
highlighted here. A majority of these events are free.
Schuylkill Haven, PA (Penn State) November 20, 2009 – This
year, Penn State Schuylkill is celebrating a “Diversity
within Community” teaching theme. As part of this theme, the
campus is embracing the local community on a variety of
levels. Schuylkill Haven residents are encouraged to visit
the campus for the Cultural Event Series, Midday Music
performances, athletic competitions and many other special
events. Additionally, the campus is orchestrating an
increase in community service efforts throughout the borough
and county.
Community Service
– Each year Penn State Schuylkill does a significant amount
of community service in Schuylkill Haven borough and the
neighboring areas. Since the beginning of the Fall semester,
the campus has contributed over 250 hours of service to the
community. That total does not include the 900 hours of
service that three of our students will contribute over the
course of this academic year as part of their AmeriCorps
scholarship program.
The
campus has contributed to the community through blood drives
and volunteering at local churches. Furthermore, several PSU
Schuylkill students are participating in the Big Brothers
and Big Sisters’ school-based program with Schuylkill Haven
Middle School.
Many
hours have been contributed to the Rest Haven Nursing Home.
Students made and delivered over 100 bracelets. They had
purchased puzzle books for the residents as well. Staff and
students also hosted a Bingo night at Rest Haven.
Students and staff participated in the Make A Difference Day
program where they assembled goodie bags for Schuylkill
Health Systems Emergency Room. These bags will be handed out
to children that come through the emergency room.
The
PSU
Schuylkill Campus Commission for Women and Health Services,
made up of staff, faculty and students, hosted a Breast
Cancer Awareness Walk on October 13. Walkers were asked to
donate $1.00. A total of $87 was raised for the American
Cancer Society. Participants carried pink balloons while
they walked around the track on campus. At a separate
meeting, the Commission accepted donations of canned goods
that were delivered to the soup kitchen in Schuylkill Haven.
The
Commission for Women is also planning a "You and PSU
Safe" program for November. Police services will talk about
safety in parking lots, at gas stations, in malls and in the
home. Additionally, they are working on a “Safe Holidays"
program. At this event, a member of a local fire department
will talk about holiday safety and the Hidden Stream Cafe
chef, Penny Shade, will talk about safe cooking and eating
for the holidays. For information on these events, contact
Michelle Hosler at mqh5@psu.edu or 570-38520.
The
Nittany Players theatre club volunteered at the Haunted
Trail in Pottsville which was free for children. They also
assisted in the public readings of Edgar Allen Poe’s
literature.
PSU
Schuylkill’s THON committee raised nearly $3000 last year
for children with pediatric cancer. They are on track to
surpass that benchmark by a significant margin this year.
Students raising money for THON will be visible throughout
the county over the next few months.
Cultural Events Series
– Throughout the academic year, Penn State Schuylkill offers
a Cultural Event Series that features unique performances.
These events are free and open to the public. During the
fall semester, attendees enjoyed performances by
Palestinian-born comedian Mo Amer, eating disorder expert
Elaine Williams, local musician Soji, spoken-word poet
Gabriella Garcia-Medina, the Piscataway Indian National
Dancers, and the steel drum band Ewabo. Please don’t miss
out on future events. If you would like to be included on
the Cultural Events mailing list, contact Jeff Fazio at
jmf31@psu.edu or 570-385-6246.
Midday
Music Series
– The Midday Music series showcases live musicians during
lunchtime, from noon to 1:00 p.m. in the Hidden Stream Café.
These events happen once or twice per month during the
academic year. The next Midday Music event takes place on
Thursday, December 3. The featured performer is Nelly’s
Echo. A list of Midday Music performers for the spring
semester is not currently available, but you can receive
information on these events by contacting Jeff Fazio in
early December.
Special Events
– On October 21, there was a special showing of the
documentary Tiny Tears on campus. The film sheds
light on the international epidemic of AIDS/HIV Orphans. The
movie was narrated by Danny Glover and covered
Uganda, Thailand, Brazil and the United States.
On
October 28, from 4:00–6:00 p.m. on the Mall Walk, Penn
State’s Adult Learners Organization, along with many other
student clubs and organizations, hosted a Safe
Trick-or-Treat for the families of Schuylkill Haven and
surrounding areas. There was a variety of activities taking
place during the event and there was plenty of free candy.
This was the inaugural event for what is anticipated to be
an annual event.
There
will be showing of Adam Sandler’s movie Bedtime Stories
on December 6 at 7:30 p.m. in the Morgan Auditorium. This
movie is free and open to the public so please bring your
family out to enjoy this PG-rated film.
The Penn State University Laureate, Dr. Anthony Leach, and
the Essence of Joy Choir, will be performing in concert at
Penn State Schuylkill in the Morgan Auditorium on Saturday,
Jan. 23 at 7:30 p.m. The concert is $5 for adults and $3 for
students and seniors. The following day, Sunday, Jan. 24
will feature a church service at 10:00 a.m. in the Morgan
Auditorium. There is no charge for this service. To order
tickets or get more information, contact Patty Shoener at
pts11@psu.edu or 570-385-6262.
The Bloodmobile will be on campus on February 17 from 10:00
a.m.-4:00 p.m. in the gymnasium. Please consider donating
blood.
Athletic Competitions
– Schuylkill Haven residents are always welcome and invited
to join Penn State Schuylkill for our athletic competitions.
The campus enjoys a large variety of athletic competitions
throughout the year. Basketball games are $4 and free with a
student I.D. Below is a list of upcoming home games:
·
Basketball (men & women) vs. PSU Fayette, Dec. 5, 6:00 p.m.
·
Basketball (men & women) vs. PSU Beaver, Dec. 12, 1:00 p.m.
·
Basketball (men & women) vs. PSU York, Jan. 18, 6:00 p.m.
·
Basketball (men & women) vs. PSU Brandywine, Jan. 20, 6:00
p.m.
·
Basketball (men & women) vs. Penn College, Jan. 28, 6:00
p.m.
·
Basketball (men & women) vs. PSU Worthington Scranton, Jan.
30, 1:00 p.m.
·
Basketball (men & women) vs. PSU Mon Alto, Feb. 9, 6:00 p.m.
·
Softball vs. Penn College, Apr. 6, 2:00 p.m.
·
Softball vs. PSU Mont Alto, Apr. 13, 2:00 p.m.
·
Softball vs. PSU Greater Allegheny, Apr. 24, 2:00 p.m.
·
Softball vs. PSU New Kensington, Apr. 25, 2:00 p.m.
Penn
State is a valuable part of the Schuylkill Haven community.
As such, borough residents are welcome to join the campus
for many exciting events taking place this academic year.
There is a beautiful University campus right here in
Schuylkill Haven waiting for you to visit and explore your
own “Diversity within Community.”
Penn
State Schuylkill:
Penn
State encourages qualified persons with disabilities to
participate in its programs and activities. If you
anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have
questions about the physical access provided, please contact
Jeff Fazio, Assistant Director of Student Affairs,
570-385-6246 in advance of your participation or visit. Penn
State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity,
and the diversity of its workforce.
Contact:
Jeff
Fazio, Assistant Director of Student affairs
Penn State Schuylkill
570-385-6246
www.sl.psu.edu |