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HPANews
Message from APG President Chris Gada We may not know each other personally, but we all share something very special in common, our love of Penn State. As I reflect on my days as a student, I recognize that one of the most positive experiences to help me develop personally and professionally came from fellow alumni. And now I have the pleasure to begin my journey to give back as an alumnus. I have been a Lifetime Alumni Member since Chris Gada ’92 1992, a member of the HPA APG for the past three years, and am now honored to serve as president of the HPA APG. With all of the changes we have encountered over the years, we continue to demonstrate that we are strong and have risen above the challenges. With that said, the HPA APG is one of the fastest growing alumni families due to each committee chair and his or her members. The success shared involves bringing alumni and students together at social events on and off campus with support of local Penn State alumni chapters. This commitment increases awareness and paves the path
Alumni tailgate offers chances to connect and reconnect Penn State unfortunately met defeat in a not-so-memorable nail biter against the Cornhuskers of Nebraska on November 23. However, the Senior Day football matchup did provide more than two dozen alumni a memorable opportunity to catch up and meet one another at the first Health Policy and Administration Affiliate Program Group (HPA APG) tailgate. For more than three hours, fellow alumni shared stories and reminisced while enjoying hot food on a cold autumn day. The tailgate was perfectly located opposite to where the players arrive for the game, so lots of energy and excitement led up to kickoff. The APG group plans to make the tailgate an annual event, but perhaps earlier in the season when temperatures are milder. The APG group extends its thanks to all who helped with organizing and setting up the tailgate.
to strengthen our recurring events, such as Professionals in the Classroom, the Mentoring Program, and most recently the Alumni Tailgate at the Penn State vs. Nebraska football game (Nov. 23), which was a huge success. As we look to the future, 2014 is already filled with a number of great events. We encourage alumni and students to join us on our LinkedIn and Facebook pages, as well as visit www.hhdev.psu.edu/hpa/alumnu to stay up to date with exciting events and to also be in touch with other HPA Alumni. Getting involved with the APG is a great way to network professionally and personally throughout the country and, as always, provide an opportunity to bring everyone back together where many of us began our journey ...WE ARE PENN STATE! The College of Health and Human Development alumni group is over 50,000 strong and the staff, faculty, and APG has made this possible. We want to hear from you! We welcome all suggestions and support to further grow our family. Lastly, don’t forget to join one of the largest alumni networks in the world—The Penn State Alumni Association Lifetime Membership, the ultimate next step in staying engaged (www.alumni.psu.edu). Please know that I am here and committed to provide support and guidance to the HPA APG. Please feel free to email me at ctgada@yahoo.com.