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INSIDE THIS EDITION FALL 2014
END OF AN ERA
FOR THE FUTURE
4 The chancellor retires. Dr. Gary B. Keefer, who served the campus for 18 years, retired in June. We look back at his legacy. 7 One student’s view. Dr. Keefer influenced not only the campus as a whole but also students individually. In an editorial originally published in the student newspaper The Roar, a communications major recalls one memorable moment. 8 Up in the clouds. Flying has always been one of Dr. Keefer’s passions, one he’s been known to share with the campus community.
9 It’s personal. Alumni, faculty, and staff stepped up to honor two special people with scholarships in their names. 14 Raise a glass. The Advisory Board’s first Wine, Ale, and Food Pairing event raised $17,500 for scholarships. 10 Over the top. Penn State Beaver’s seven-year campaign raised more than $3 million for scholarships and campus improvements.
7 Retirement dinner
OUR ALUMNI
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23 Alumni Chapter news 27 Alumni update 29 Alumni Society news
ON CAMPUS 16 Student stories. Our students are everything to us. Meet three of them and see what Penn State Beaver means to them. 23 Renovations. If you visit campus right now, you’ll see many changes, but one thing is pretty much the same: the Michael Baker Building. That will change with a major renovation beginning next year. 32 Spanish holiday. Five information sciences and technology students spent their spring break in Spain presenting a project at an IT conference and eating brains. 18 Retirements 19 Faculty and staff awards 20 New faculty 21 New staff 22 Faculty publications and honors 30 Athletics news
ON THE COVER FAX 724.773.3578
DESIGNER Cathy Benscoter
EMAIL amk6@psu.edu
PHONE 724.773.3816
FACEBOOK PSUBeaver
beaver.psu.edu
© 2014 Penn State Beaver
FALL 2014
CATHY BENSCOTER/PENN STATE BEAVER
EDITOR Amy M. Krebs
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Chancellor Gary Keefer laughs at a story told by a speaker at his retirement dinner. Members of the campus and community gathered in May to celebrate his contributions to Penn State Beaver and the surrounding area. In the background is a photo of the lobby of the wellness center, which was named in Keefer’s honor.
The Nittany News is a publication of the Penn State Beaver Office of Campus and Community Relations, 100 University Drive, Monaca, PA 15061. Please direct all inquiries about this newsletter to 724.773.3816 or amk6@ psu.edu. This publication is available in alternative media upon request. U.Ed. BR 15-6
Penn State Beaver Nittany News
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15 Paying it forward. Thomas Day Jr. has a message for his fellow alumni: It’s time to give back. He’s spent a lot of time doing just that, earning the 2013 Penn State Beaver Outstanding Alumni Award. 24 Dynamic duo. Taylor Voss never thought she’d work in victims services for a non-profit. Now she and her silent partner are happy helping victims of domestic violence navigate the court system.
14 Development update
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