The Eberly Campus Magazine 2022

EBERLY CAMPUS MAGAZINE T H E

In a historic appointment, Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi began her tenure May 9 as the nineteenth leader of Pennsylvania’s 167-year-old landgrant university. President Bendapudi has succeeded President Eric J. Barron, who retired after thirty years of collective service to the University as president, dean, and professor. President Bendapudi visited Penn State Fayette on October 20 to meet with community leaders, faculty and staff, and students,

A Message from Chancellor Patrick

Hello and good cheers from Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus. We’re fully into the holiday season and wish happiness and health to you and your family. We are so pleased to present to you the latest edition of The Eberly Campus Magazine. As is said, change is inevitable, and I have some exciting news about changes in the magazine. The content will continue to tell stories about our students, faculty, staff, and community partners. The change is to shift from an annual to semi-annual magazine. We always have more stories to tell in our annual version plus we want to share more current news with you. So the magazine will be produced twice yearly to provide you more news of engaged activities and events at the campus. This version covers an eighteen-month window to help us make the adjustment to a semi-annual edition, so it is very full of many great stories for you to enjoy. We hope you like the new approach and look forward to bringing you news twice annually from Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus. All the best.

Charles Patrick, Chancellor/ Chief Academic Officer

Class Notes

Dr. Jeff Bevan (Electrical Engineering ‘84) of Murphy, NC., is the president of Phase1Acoustics LLC and an adjunct instructor for the School of Engineering and Technology at Western Carolina University.

Mike Brnich (Mining Engineering ‘80) of Perryopolis, Pa., retired as a senior mining engineer at NIOSH Pittsburgh Mining Research Division.

Bradley Frankhouser (Architectural Engineering Technology ‘02) of Adah, Pa., serves as principal for Desmone Architects.

Anthony Gelotti (Petroleum and Natural Gas Engineering) of Fulshear, Tx., retired in 2017, as chief development officer at Liquefied Natural Gas Limited, after 42 years in the global oil & gas industry.

Robert J. Hollis (Community Development ‘75) of York, Pa., retired as the associate director of Crispus Attucks Association Inc. He is a U.S. Army veteran of the Vietnam War.

Kathryn Kalp (Human Development and Family Studies ‘05) has obtained her clinical social work license and works at UPMC Hillman Cancer Centers.

Michelle Korona Koon (B.A. ‘02) of Masontown, Pa., is a senior provider data analyst for United Health Group.

Kellie McKevitt (Administration of Justice ‘90) of Somerset, Pa., was named the executive vice president and CEO of Southwestern Pennsylvania Human Services, Inc in 2021.

David D. Parmelee (Architecture ‘93) of Boonsboro, Md., is the program director of Black & Veatch.

Dr. Philip Savini Jr. (‘82) of Uniontown, Pa., retired in 2017 as the superintendent of the Brownsville Area School District. He is a consultant for the Entrepreneurship Center at PennWest California.

Daniel Schiffbauer (Mechanical Engineering ‘92) of Uniontown, Pa., is a 2022 PhD candidate in mechanical and aerospace

engineering from West Virginia University. He is a technology executive at Toshiba International Corporation.

Bailey Stapleton (Business ‘21) of Scottdale, Pa., works as a safety coordinator for Levin Furniture and Mattress LLC.

Allison Thomas (Nursing ‘18) of Perryopolis, Pa., is a registered nurse at Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital.

Stephanie Dunaway Strimel (‘74) of Point Marion, Pa., is a secretary for Zebley Mehalov & White.

Loann Ward (Nursing ‘14) of Greensburg, Pa., is a registered nurse assessment coordinator for Pennwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

Edward F. Zeglen Jr. (Mining Engineering ‘83) of Clarksville, Pa., is a chief mine engineer for GMS Mine Repair and Maintenance. He founded the PSU Student Mine Rescue in 2010, for which he serves as coach and mentor.

without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. U.Ed. FEO 23-086

The Eberly Campus Magazine is published annually by Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus for alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends. Subscriptions are free of charge. Editor: Shannon Sankey. Design: Bill Hager. Contributors: Deborah Black, Chad Long, Danielle Mitchell, Stephen Oberly, Lori Omatick, Charles Patrick, Dan Pinchot, Joshua R. Simon, Lindsey Simon-Jones, Billie Jo Yuhaniak. Send letters to the editorial board to: Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus, 2201 University Drive, Lemont Furnace, PA 15456, fayettemarketing@psu.edu, 724-4304199. This publication is available in alternative media on request or online at issuu.com/pennstatefayette. Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants

Above and Beyond

Fayette remembers Professor Jay Precht

James “Jay” Precht, associate professor of history at Penn State Fayette, died suddenly on October 1 at the age of 53.

Born in Jennings, Louisiana, he obtained a bachelor of arts in history from McNeese State University before joining the United States Army, receiving an honorable discharge after three years of service.

He went on to achieve a master of arts in history from Central Missouri State University and, shortly thereafter, his doctorate of philosophy in history at Arizona State University in 2007. He was especially interested in 20th and 21st century American Indian history, completing his dissertation on the Coushatta people who occupied territory in present-day Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama.

He continued this work as a research associate at his undergraduate alma mater before joining Penn State Fayette, in 2010, as assistant professor of history.

Here, he taught courses in western heritage, American civilization, pop culture and folklife, indigenous peoples, and more.

“Dr. Precht was a true academic scholar and a faculty leader at Penn State,” said Charles Patrick, chancellor and chief academic officer. “His efforts were always focused on student learning and he was known for his intelligence, hard work, and kindness. We will surely miss him at Penn State Fayette.”

At Fayette, he served as chair of the faculty development committee, the academic and curricular affairs committee and, previously, the faculty senate and the student excellence awards committee. He represented Fayette as a University Faculty senator and a member of the University College Faculty Council. He also contributed to a number of committees and initiatives to increase diversity, equity, and inclusion across Penn State.

Jay received tenure in 2017 as associate professor of history. He was instrumental in the recent development of the bachelor of arts in Humanities program at Fayette, alongside Lindsey Simon-Jones, associate professor of English.

“Jay’s enthusiasm for the study of Humanities on our campus was unmatched,” said Simon-Jones, who arranged an improvised memorial on the campus quad to help the community grieve. “But, his generosity of spirit was probably his greatest gift to our community. He was always willing to give his time and energy to students and colleagues. I knew any time spent working with Jay would be filled with laughter, intellectual discussion, and more than a few good dinner suggestions. I know he had

an immeasurable impact on students both in and outside of the classroom. His loss will be felt for years to come.”

Julio Palma, associate professor of chemistry, was a close friend of Jay’s. “He loved his job and wanted to make the campus and the University a better place for everyone,” said Palma. “He was a mentor to students and junior faculty. Those of us who met him were fortunate to have the opportunity to work, share lunch, and laugh with an extraordinary person. Some of the things that will be missed the most are his strong advocacy for equity and inclusion, his humor, his intellectual contributions, and his service. But, above all, we will miss his unconditional friendship.”

Aris Karagiorgakis, assistant teaching professor of psychology, benefitted from Jay’s advocacy, too. “I always viewed him as a vocal leader for faculty on this campus,” said Karagiorgakis. “He always supported me and made me feel welcome, especially when I was new at Fayette. He was charming and had a great sense of humor and a sharp wit. This is such a loss to the campus.”

Jay was responsible for the installation of a Native American section of the campus garden, which he used to introduce students to the Three Sisters method—a strategic grouping of beans, corn, and squash. The day after Jay’s funeral, a class led by Ginett Pineda, assistant teaching professor of Spanish, set a temporary plaque in the garden to commemorate his contribution. A permanent plaque will be installed later this academic year.

“He was a mentor that became a friend,” said Lauren Esteban, a graduate of Penn State Fayette and U.S. Army veteran. “He always went above and beyond for his students. I will forever be grateful for his guidance.” n

Introducing Humanities (B.A.)

New program expands academic and programming opportunities

Penn State Fayette has added a bachelor of arts in Humanities to its degree program offerings.

The Humanities program helps students appreciate, understand, and interpret relationships among the arts, ideas, media, and values that have shaped Western and world cultures. Students are taught to become active learners who can synthesize, interpret, and communicate knowledge and experience through writing, speaking, and creative expression in a variety of media.

The program features interdisciplinary and discipline-based courses in the arts, communication studies, English, history, literature, philosophy, theater, and writing. Coursework enhances crossdisciplinary critical thinking and analysis and prepares students for work in an increasingly interdisciplinary world.

“The Humanities program is filling a large gap in the campus profile in terms of academics and student engagement and activities. The diversity of options will be great for our students,” said Lindsey Simon-Jones, associate professor of English, who coordinates the program.

Students enrolled in the program will select two subfields to investigate in greater depth. Options include

history and global cultures, the visual and performing arts, philosophy and religious studies, and literature and writing. Students are also encouraged to pursue a minor in such fields as business administration, writing, and corporate communication.

The Humanities major prepares students for careers in the arts, arts administration, business, corporate communications, government, teaching, museum work, and law, as well as providing a foundation for graduate study in a liberal-arts field. To fulfill the degree requirements, students must complete a research project or an internship.

Humanities students will have the opportunity to join a variety of existing co-curricular activities on campus, as well as establish new clubs and traditions. Students can hold editorial or staff positions on the student newspaper, The Roaring Lion. The campus hosts an annual Shakespeare Festival, now in its 50th year, that features classic productions and workshops by visiting professionals. Students can also contribute to The Lion Players, a theater group of students and staff, which performs each semester.

Additionally, students majoring in Humanities may be interested in leadership opportunities in the Student

Government Association, the Fayette LaunchBox, the biannual Learning Fair, the Coal and Coke Heritage Center, and more. A number of campus internships, work-study positions, and undergraduate research opportunities are also available to students.

The program uniquely prepares students for the volume and intensity of reading and writing in graduate school—however, graduates who plan to enter the job market will be highly competitive.

“Humanities graduates have many opportunities in the job market because the degree provides students marketable knowledge and skills including writing, critical thinking, human interaction, communication, and emotional intelligence,” said Charles Patrick, chancellor and chief academic officer. “With people typically changing jobs several times in a career, Humanities graduates retain durable skills allowing flexibility and adaptability.” n

The Humanities program is currently enrolling students. Call 724-430-4130 to schedule an appointment to speak with an admissions counselor.

Bridges to Life

Fayette students facilitate restorative justice program

The Penn State Fayette Criminal Justice program has partnered with the Fayette State Correctional Institution (SCI Fayette) to facilitate Bridges to Life, a program that engages students, incarcerated individuals, and victims of crime in restorative conversations.

Bridges to Life is a 14-week, faithbased program developed to reduce recidivism, or the rate at which released offenders return to prison. Since its establishment in Texas, the program has reduced recidivism in participants by 62 percent, serving more than 63,000 offenders across hundreds of facilities.

LaVarr McBride, associate teaching professor of criminal justice, has previously brought the Bridges to Life curriculum to several universities, including Penn State New Kensington, where he received a grant from Penn State’s Schreyer Institute for Teaching Excellence.

“Restorative justice is a threefold objective—to repair harm done to the victim, the offender, and the community,” said McBride. “Bridges to Life provides opportunities for students to see restorative justice in its purest form—by involving the community in helping inmates be accountable for crime and helping victims to share their stories,” said McBride.

How it works

For two hours each week, fourteen student-volunteers guide supervised conversations among small groups of inmates deemed appropriate for participation at SCI Fayette.

Students work from the Bridges to Life workbook curriculum, which provides weekly inspirational quotes, Bible passages, and open-ended questions to stimulate conversation.

Inmates are also responsible for weekly reading assignments from “Restoring Peace” by Kirk Blackard, along with journal prompts on themes of conflict, faith, responsibility, accountability, confession, repentance, forgiveness, reconciliation, and more.

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Bridges to Life, while particularly beneficial for students majoring in Criminal Justice, Psychology, and Human Development and Family Studies, is open to students from all academic programs. McBride hopes to expand Bridges to Life to other regional institutions.

“Ninety-five percent of all prisoners are released,” said McBride. “By connecting these individuals with the community, we help humanize them and give them a fresh start. It’s a powerful movement toward transition and healing.”

Students prepare for a lifechanging experience

Five weeks of the program feature virtual and in-person visits from victims of crime from across the country, who share their stories of trauma and healing. At the end of the program, inmates are given a certificate of completion and the opportunity to share their feelings about the experience.

“The Bridges to Life program benefits all of the stakeholders,” said Eric Armel, superintendent at SCI Fayette, who graduated from Penn State Fayette in 1992. “Victims are given the opportunity to tell their story, which resonates with inmates. Students get to be involved in experiential learning outside of the classroom, which connects dots and exposes them to opportunities in the field of corrections. The program also allows the community to see the great work of our staff at SCI Fayette.”

The inaugural student cohort has been selected through an application and interview process. Participants complete extensive training at Penn State Fayette and at SCI Fayette, along with weekly check-ins.

Hayley White, a Criminal Justice major from Cumberland, Maryland, said, “What I am most looking forward to about participating in the Bridges to Life program is being able to watch people from all walks of life come together and make positive growth and change in their lives. I am excited to work with a group of individuals that most of society has lost hope in and help them regain hope once again.”

Hallie Rusko, a Criminal Justice major from Uniontown, said, “Not many college students can say that they have sat in a circle with incarcerated people once a week and facilitated a conversation with them on a theme, like accountability. The tools that I learn from Bridges to Life will be beneficial in anything that I decide to do in my life. Everyone has a story, and all stories deserve to be heard.” n

For more information about the Criminal Justice (bachelor of arts or bachelor of science) program, visit fayette.psu.edu/criminal-justice or call 724-430-4130 to schedule a campus visit.

“EVERYONE

STORY, AND ALL STORIES DESERVE TO BE HEARD.”

Legacy of Hope Fayette celebrates 25 years of THON

Each year, thousands of Penn State students lead a fundraising and awareness campaign in hopes of conquering childhood cancer. These student-led efforts culminate in February with a 46-hour, no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon, better known as THON—the largest studentrun philanthropy in the world.

Since 1977, THON has raised more than $201 million for its sole beneficiary, the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Children’s Hospital. These donations enable the Four Diamonds Fund to provide outstanding care and comprehensive support to children undergoing treatment. Additionally, with the help of THON, Penn State Children’s Hospital is able to lead initiatives for innovative and collaborative cancer research.

Since the Fayette THON team’s inception in 1998, more than $1.5 million has been raised for pediatric cancer research, more than any of the 19 Commonwealth Campuses and

Colleges. Fayette THON continues to lead the Commonwealth in funds raised. In its 25-year history, the team has had 1 third place, 6 second places, and 18 first places.

Chad Long, now director of student affairs, established the Fayette chapter while he was a student. Less than a dozen students set out to raise just $5,000, but were quickly re-energized by a donation of $5,000 from Robert Eberly, Sr.

“Mr. Eberly had helped us meet our goal, but we wanted to show him that we would work hard, so we kept going. We raised almost $15,000 that year and won first place in fundraising,” said Long.

The following year, Long returned to assemble a team of thirty. Eberly doubled his support with a donation of $10,000, and the team responded by raising a total of $30,000. In the chapter’s third year, the team raised $60,000, tripling Eberly’s donation of $20,000.

“You could hear an audible gasp from the crowd when they announced the total. It was significant for a small campus from an economically challenged community to raise that amount. I’ll remember that forever,” said Long.

Current Fayette THON Chair Hayley White has worked to continue the campus tradition for the last three years. She will graduate in Spring 2022 but plans to remain an active mentor and contributor to the Fayette team.

“THON has always been a place of belonging for me, and I’d like to make it a place of belonging for everyone else,” said White. “We’re a group of people together from different backgrounds for one cause. It’s an honor to say that I represent Penn State Fayette because at University Park, on THON Weekend, they know who we are.” n

Good Vibes Students create Outdoor Student Lounge

In October, the campus community dedicated Penn State Fayette’s new Outdoor Student Lounge — a project led by the Student Government Association (SGA) and funded by Penn State’s Student Initiated Fee.

The Outdoor Student Lounge, which is adjacent to the Student Center in the Williams Building, is designed to serve as both a functional and recreational space for students. The space features steel pergolas; ample seating for relaxing or studying; a ten-foot concrete gas fire pit with decorative fire glass, string lighting and charging stations; and indigenous Pennsylvania plants.

“This was a major project that went through a lengthy planning process, but it is an amazing feeling to see the completed product,” said Maria Catalina, president of SGA. She worked closely with the Office of Student Affairs and the Office of Finance and Business to execute the project.

“That this space was fully funded through contributed student fees makes it even more special and significant. Future Penn Staters can enjoy this space for many years, and it was all because of the teamwork between students, staff and administration,” she said.

The project cost roughly $175,000 and came in under budget. Many stakeholders were involved, including Ron Kobelenske, Penn State western region project coordinator; Marcus Marasco, Penn State Office of Physical Plant project manager; Derek Kalp, Penn State Office of Physical Plant landscape architect; Dan McDowell of LaQuatra Bonci Associates Landscape Architecture; and Mike Vento of Vento Landscaping and Construction Inc.

“Our students are already enjoying the space, and they are excited about future programming opportunities,” said Chad Long, director of student affairs. “The Student Initiated Fee

strives to enhance the out-of-class experience for all students by supporting facilities, recreation, services and activities. The Outdoor Student Lounge is a perfect example of how student life is enhanced by the fee. I commend the student leadership for wisely utilizing fee dollars.” n

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1. Students are given the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to speak with Dr. Bernice A. King, daughter of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., during a virtual University-wide event.

2. Charlotte Fullem, student affairs chair of the Student Government Association, partners with Aunt Flow, a certified and woman-owned company, to provide free menstrual products in Fayette restrooms.

3. The Eberly Music Performance Organization (TEMPO), a new student organization for musicians, provides a live performance of the National Anthem and Taps at the annual Veterans Day service.

4. Fayette travels to Pittsburgh for the Immersive Van Gogh Experience at Lighthouse Art Space.

5. Students work together to harvest the last vegetables from the campus garden.

6. Carissa Cyphert and Police Services organize “Random Acts of Kindness,” a supply drive for homeless individuals in memory of late

7. Students give facilities at Domestic Violence Services of Southwestern Pennsylvania a fresh coat of paint in honor of Women’s History Month.

8. Twenty students travel to Washington D.C. for an alternative spring break trip, volunteering at The Salvation Army and packing 1,600 boxes at Capital Food Bank to feed several thousand people.

9. The Lion Players theater group treats Spring Fling goers to a Renaissance Faire performance.

10. Students help out furry neighbors at Fayette Friends of Animals on Penn State’s Day of Service.

11. The Student Government Association plant a tree in memory of student Nicholas Flowers, of Uniontown, who died on May 20.

12. Pride Alliance Working for Students (PAWS) celebrates Penn State’s Pride Month with a fun and informational booth.

student Trevor Thomas, who died in September of 2019.

Fayette Nittany Lions

2021–22 Season Highlights

Fayette Athletics Network broadcasts games

Penn State Fayette has launched the Fayette Athletics Network, or “The FAN,” a digital network that connects sports fans to live and on-demand events for free on desktop computers and mobile devices. The new applications were developed in a partnership between the Penn State University Athletic Conference and Blueframe Technologies.

“In a pandemic era when we can’t always be together, we need to take sports to the fans, the community, to friends and family,” said Stephen Oberly, athletic director.

Live streaming and on-demand videos are available to access for free directly through www.psfatheltics.com or via the PSU Campus Athletics Network app, available with compatible devices.

Student-athletes demonstrate academic excellence

One third of the student-athlete population compete in multiple sports, a significant commitment. Out of ninety student-athletes, forty-nine earned at least a 3.0 GPA, twenty-seven earned a 3.5 GPA or better, and seven earned a 4.0 GPA. The average student-athlete GPA for the academic year was 3.1. Fayette was recognized as twelfth in the National President’s Cup Standings, out of seventy other campuses, for highest academic point total.

JoAnn Jankoski recognized for dedication to studentathletes

The Scannell award is presented annually to an administrator, faculty, staff member, or coach who has served campus athletic, intramural, and recreational programs with distinction.

Jankoski is widely known as an exemplary member of the Fayette campus and local community, providing passion and commitment to both her teaching in the Human Development and Family Studies and her role as the PSUAC Faculty Athletics Representative (FAR), a position she’s held for ten years. On campus, she serves student-athletes through the SAGE program (Student-Athletes Graduate and Excel) as a faculty liaison for both the men’s and women’s basketball programs. n

Don’t miss the action! Follow Fayette Athletics on Instagram and TikTok @fayetteathletics.

Men’s and women’s cross country win PSUAC Invitational championships

Fayette soccer kicks off its inaugural year

Kristina Aeschbacher named USCAA/ PSUAC Volleyball Player of the Year

Taylor McCormick named PSUAC West Player of the Year

Building Success Stories

Fayette Athletics names new leadership

P

enn State Fayette has appointed Stephen Oberly as athletic director and Samantha Swetz as assistant athletic director.

Oberly joined Fayette in 2013 as an administrative support assistant in the athletics department before accepting a hybrid position as kinesiology instructor and assistant athletic director in 2014. He briefly served as interim athletic director in 2015.

A first-generation college graduate, Oberly holds a bachelor of arts in history and a master of science in sports management from PennWest California, where he was a graduate assistant of sports clubs and student-athlete on the hockey club team.

“With my immersive experience as a student-athlete, an administrator, and an instructor, I consider myself a liaison between those worlds,” said Oberly. “My time as assistant director was extremely valuable in learning to assess student-athlete eligibility, provide academic support, and work with staff who oversee on-court and on-field experiences.”

At the peak of the pandemic, Oberly served as the Faculty Senate chairperson for the 2020–21 academic year and played an integral role in

developing and implementing COVID-19 mitigation strategies for the athletic department.

“I learned about individual and team resilience. I learned that we will be okay. We will work together and get through it. We haven’t stopped moving forward,” he said. “This experience has reminded us how special game day is—the energy, the environment, the culture. We are reinvigorated.”

Oberly has helped to shape StudentAthletes Graduate and Excel (SAGE), Fayette’s signature support program for student-athletes who fall below Penn State’s academic standards for athletic participation. Since SAGE was implemented in 2015, eligibility has soared to over 90 percent.

He and a group of Fayette staff presented “SAGE Coaching: Re-Defining Student Success During a Pandemic” for the National Organization for Student Success (NOSS) Ohio Chapter Virtual Conference in November.

Swetz, who graduated from Fayette’s Criminal Justice program in 2015 before accepting the position of head volleyball coach, led the Fayette Women’s Volleyball team to a first-place finish in the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) in 2019. She holds a master’s degree in sports management with a focus in intercollegiate athletics administration from PennWest California.

“My new role is special because it not only serves the student athletes, but the student body as a whole,” she said. “It is such an immersive experience with student life on campus, with not only game-day operations and the celebration of student-athletes, but also intramurals serving the overall student population. I hope that within this role I will be able to create more opportunities to showcase our student-athletes in the local community and invite them into our den to roar with us.”

Plans for the program’s future include a women’s soccer team, in the short-term, and state-of-the-art facility upgrades— such as a soccer field, track complex, and golf practice area—in the longterm. Oberly said he also hopes to start a co-ed esports program, a form of competitive video gaming that colleges have been adopting since 2009.

“[Esports] is one of the fastest growing collegiate sports programs in the country and the kind of direction we should consider with the expansion of virtual competitive platforms, streaming and accessibility,” he said.

Oberly is beginning work on his dissertation in fulfillment of a doctorate of philosophy in health and human performance.

“I love this campus and this county. It’s my backyard. It’s always been part of my aspirations to make a difference in this community, to leave my own stamp. These are my people,” he said. “I want to continue working with our athletics staff and campus supporters in offering opportunities for our student-athletes to stay in this area. I hope to holistically support our students’ overall academic, social, and emotional wellness to empower them to achieve their own success story.” n

Honoring a local Civil Rights icon Campus commissions sculpture of

Reverend James Lawson, Jr.

The Eberly Foundation has committed funds to commission a sculpture of Reverend James Lawson, Jr., renowned tactician of nonviolence within the Civil Rights Movement, to be installed in the campus library at Penn State Fayette. University and campus sources have matched the Eberly Foundation’s contribution.

Vinnie Bagwell, an award-winning American representational-figurative artist, has been selected to design and construct the sculpture from bronze. Bagwell uses traditional bas-relief techniques as visual narratives. She is credited with reframing public art to include historic Black images.

Reverend Lawson (pictured below) was born in Uniontown in 1928. The son of a minister, he grew up in Massillon, Ohio, and received his ministry license while still in high school. Following parole from prison in 1952 for refusing to register with the armed forces, he traveled to India for missionary work with the Methodist Church. There,

he became a practitioner of Gandhi’s methods of nonviolent resistance to affect change.

He returned to the United States in 1956 to continue his studies, and he met Dr. Martin Luther King, who encouraged him to lend his nonviolent activism to the burgeoning civil rights movement in the south. His nonviolent workshops empowered prominent activists to conduct sit-ins and demonstrations for desegregation across the country—including the Freedom Rides, the March on Washington, Freedom Summer, and others.

He was expelled from Vanderbilt University in 1960 for his involvement in the movement, but would be awarded a bachelor of sacred theology degree by Boston College that same year. He moved to Los Angeles in 1974 and served as pastor of Holman United Methodist Church until his retirement in 1999. He continued his activism in support of the labor movement, reproductive and LGTBQ+ rights, immigrants’ rights, and more. In 2004, he received the Community of Christ International Peace Award. He has served as a visiting scholar at California State University Northridge since 2010.

“Penn State Fayette is grateful to the Eberly Foundation for their commitment and support in bringing this tribute to the Fayette campus and to Penn State,” said Charles Patrick, chancellor and chief academic officer. “It is a true privilege

to partner with the Eberly Foundation to honor the legacy of the civil rights icon Reverend James Lawson. For the campus and region, this legacy tribute is an opportunity to share a vision of peaceful activism and to incorporate Reverend Lawson’s story into the academic and co-curricular elements of the campus and community.”

The Eberly Foundation has supported higher education with scholarships, endowments, and charitable giving at twenty-eight colleges and universities, beginning with Penn State Fayette in 1965, which was named The Eberly Campus in 2004 to honor the family’s legacy of philanthropic support to Penn State and the region.

“We at the Eberly Foundation are honored and excited to support the project to pay tribute to Reverend Lawson, a pioneer of the civil rights era in the United States,” said Robert E. Eberly, Jr., president.

He added, “A colleague of Dr. Martin Luther King, Reverend Lawson was instrumental in advancing the cause of equality for all during one of the defining moments of our nation’s history. It is particularly fitting that Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus, leads the effort to recognize this esteemed Uniontown native and to acknowledge the magnitude of his achievements. The citizens of Uniontown, Fayette County, Pennsylvania and, indeed, the entire country are indebted to him for the freedoms that all Americans enjoy today.”

The campus plans to invite Reverend Lawson to visit the campus for an official unveiling and celebration of the sculpture in 2023. Visit fayette.psu. edu/lawson-sculpture to learn more. n

Artist Vinnie Bagwell’s maquette, pictured here, serves as a model of the life-sized bronze sculpture to be completed in 2023. It features the young Reverend Lawson in a suit emblazoned, in bas relief, with the faces of dozens of key Civil Rights leaders, including Martin Luther King, Jr., and the founding members of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC). Additionally, Lawson’s iconic quote, “I am a man,” is depicted on the picket signs of protestors.

Rebecca Corvin, ‘12

Successful alum shares her story at Fayette Launchbox

Alumna Rebecca Corvin has leveraged personal challenges into successful business ventures for herself and her community. In April, she returned to Penn State Fayette as a guest speaker at Fayette Launchbox during Penn State Startup Week powered by PNC to share her story.

Corvin grew up in Connellsville and graduated from Connellsville Area High School in 2007. A first-generation college student, she worked as a waitress while in school and graduated from Penn State Fayette in 2012 with a bachelor of science degree in Business Management and Marketing.

Her final research project at Fayette examined real-world, organizational applications of Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs—a popular theory in psychology to explain human motivation. When our most essential physiological needs are fulfilled, humans can transcend to more complex motivations like love and belonging. This early work would become a kind of guiding principle in her future pursuits.

“Based on this hierarchy of needs, If we’re not feeling safe, we’ll never selfactualize and, in turn, be able to help others,” she said.

When Corvin was pregnant with her first child, she found herself frustrated with the lack of resources, education, and community available for first-time mothers.

“I went through what many women experience,” said Corvin. “It can be devastating mentally, emotionally, spiritually, and financially when you don’t have someone to support you through vulnerable transitions like pregnancy and childbirth.”

It occurred to her that nobody should have to spend as much money and

time as she did to find adequate resources. If she was struggling, how were less privileged people managing?

So, in 2015, she started The Village, a local mommy group that quickly became a kind of healing circle. The group leased a space to have weekly meetings to hold space for each other.

“I was craving more depth and connection from like-minded people,” she said. “We don’t apologize, we don’t censor ourselves, and we don’t bash people. We fully accept people where they are, however they show up.”

This community cultivated a transformative confidence in participants. Group members have since branched out to facilitate their own meetings with the core values of The Village, and some have started business ventures. All the while, Corvin has kept thinking bigger.

“I’m working on developing a non-profit to provide quality childbirth education and advocacy free of charge to local families,” she said. “What they’re receiving in the majority of hospitals is not education, not choices—it’s hospital policy. We want to provide doula services, postpartum packages, counseling, group therapy, retreats, and more to help people through these transitions.”

Corvin plans to establish Purpose and Potential by the end of 2022. The non-profit will also work to help families develop their own businesses to contribute to their communities. Her advocacy work is managed under her company Lady BEC, Inc., through which she hosts retreats, provides personal

and business consulting, and works with others in the local community.

“I don’t believe that women should have to give up what they love to be a mother,” she said. “I want mothers to take themselves and their goals seriously. Within our community, anything is possible.”

By day, Corvin works as a health, safety, and environmental (HSE) regional manager for Vault Pressure Control, overseeing operations across six states. She’s also CEO of Cole B’s in Connellsville, a fast-casual restaurant serving juices, smoothies, and paninis, with a focus on hosting community events for local families. She serves as the wellness chair for the Women’s Energy Network Greater Pittsburgh Chapter, as well as the chapter relations chair for the Foundation for the Women’s Energy Network.

“My success didn’t happen the way you’d read it in a textbook. I feel like I’m on this long stretch of highway, and others are zipping past me while I’m cruising—which used to make me want to pull over—but in the long haul I’m making it to where I need to be,” she said. “I’ll keep going at a pace that feels good and follow my intuition to go in whatever direction I feel pulled.”

Corvin is at work on a book. She lives in Fayette County with her two young children, Arlyn and Eva Lee White, whom she considers her greatest teachers. n

Steve Strange, ‘06 Steve Strange named director of local non-profit

Fayette alumnus Steve Strange has been named the executive director of the East End United Community Center (EEUCC) in Uniontown.

Strange grew up in Hopwood, Pennsylvania and attended Laurel Highlands High School. He graduated from Penn State in 2006 with a bachelor of science degree in sports journalism after completing the first two years of his degree at the Fayette campus.

“I recommend Penn State’s 2+2 plan to everyone,” said Strange. “The Fayette campus is a perfect bridge from high school to the larger university experience. Without Fayette, the transition would have been difficult for me.”

Strange worked at Nemacolin Resort before relocating to Florida, where, he said, he discovered a passion for teaching.

“When I taught physical education in elementary school, I learned how to talk to children, how to form a bond and speak the language of an eight-year-

old,” said Strange.

Missing friends and family, he returned to Pennsylvania in 2012 and spent four years working in the coal mines, like his father.

“I became mentally and physically burnt out, so I had to swallow my pride and start fresh in my mid-thirties to try and carve out a route in education again,” he said. “Penn State taught me resilience— to build back stronger.”

In 2019, he was working as a substitute teacher when he found an opening at East End United Community Center for an after-school teacher. He was promoted to director of the after-school program, which serves Margaret Bell Miller, Albert Gallatin North, and Albert Gallatin South middle schools.

The East End United Community Center serves the East End neighborhoods of Uniontown, where 45 percent of residents are people of color and nearly 40 percent live well below federal poverty guidelines. The center provides after-school programming, childcare

and family services, truancy prevention, nutrition programming, diaper and clothing banks, and more.

Strange served as interim executive director before accepting the role permanently in September of 2021. Under his direction, EEUCC started a partnership with Fayette County Behavioral Health to provide mental health services to community members. Additionally, Strange secured funding to provide continuity for after-school programming. He said he hopes to continue to expand services and facilities in the future.

“The mission of EEUCC is to serve the community,” he said. “There are so many in our community who need help in tangible ways—like with housing, food, transportation—as well as with mental health, or even ways to socialize. The most vulnerable populations among us are no different from anyone else.”

Strange lives in Hopwood with his wife, Katie; stepson, Jackson; and son, Stevie. For more information on the East End United Community Center, visit EEUCC. org or call 724-437-1660. n

Penn State Fayette Advisory Board presents annual awards

2022 Outstanding Alumnus: Carlos Rodriguez

Established in 1985, this Outstanding Alumnus award honors former students of the campus whose subsequent professional achievement warrants special recognition by their alma mater.

Carlos Rodriguez earned a bachelor of science degree in business administration from Penn State Fayette in 2002. He went on to earn an MBA in project management from Grantham University.

In his position in Penn State’s Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) Distributed Engineering Center, Rodriguez worked with Fayette County manufacturers to identify capabilities in manufacturing engineering components for use in ARL’s design of the U.S. Navy’s Countermeasure Anti-Torpedo Torpedo, part of a defense system that can find and destroy a wake-homing torpedo.

In 2009, Rodriguez went to Washington, D.C. to pursue a career in the federal government in budget and finance, holding positions with multiple federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Personnel Management, and Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Rodriguez retired from the United States Army in April 2020 after 21 years of distinguished service as an engineering officer. He served overseas in multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan in support of the Global War on Terrorism, earning him numerous decorations, including the NATO medal for service, numerous commendation medals, and the Department of State Superior Honor Award, to mention a few.

In 2021, Rodriguez returned to Penn State and is currently serving as assistant vice president and executive director of budget and planning for Penn State’s

Commonwealth Campuses. He and his husband, Josh, live in Port Matilda, Pennsylvania.

2022 Outstanding Fellow: Linda Work Rooker

Established in 1985, the Outstanding Fellow award honors a community leader whose support of the campus had been so exemplary as to warrant special recognition. In lieu of an honorary degree, this award is the highest honor the campus bestows.

Linda Work Rooker graduated from Laurel Highlands High School in 1969 and earned a bachelor of science degree in animal industries from Penn State in 1973. After graduation, Rooker moved to Kansas City, Missouri, to work as registrar for the American Chianina Association. While there, she met her husband of 45 years, Keith Rooker.

Rooker recently completed her 39th tax season with H&R Block. She is an enrolled agent with the IRS and, through the years, has been an instructor, office manager, and tax professional. For the past 30 years, she has also worked as a bookkeeper and office manager for Radcliffe Law, DeHaas Law and Monaghan & Monaghan.

Rooker is part owner, with her brothers Bill and Bob, of Work Land & Cattle Co. and Work Enterprises Inc. She is a member of Asbury United Methodist Church where she has served on the Finance Committee. She has served as president, vice president, and secretary of Uniontown College Club.

Rooker has had a lifelong involvement with 4-H and the Fayette County Fair. She has been a 4-H leader for over 25 years and is currently the organizational leader for the Fayette County 4-H Beef Club. She has served as president of the Fayette County Extension Advisory Board, treasurer and secretary of the Fayette County 4-H Advisory Board, co-chair of the Fayette County Livestock Sale Committee, and a member of the Fayette County 4-H Livestock Scholarship Committee. She has been a member of the Fayette County Fair Board for 19 years.

Rooker is a lifetime member of the Penn State Alumni Association and the Penn State Stockmen’s Club. She has served on the Advisory Board of Penn State Fayette since 2010. In 2015, she and her husband established the James E. Work Memorial Award to be presented annually to a student who is pursuing an education in agriculture. n

Field Notes

Highlights in Undergraduate Research

Adriana Gebe, from Connellsville, will graduated in May 2022 with a bachelor of science degree in psychology. She was recognized for her undergraduate research project, “How is Perceived Sense of Control Related to Student Stress and Academic Performance,” completed under the supervision of Aris Karagiorgakis, assistant teaching professor of psychology.

“What was remarkable about this project is that Adriana used herself as motivation to better understand why some students persevere in school and why others don’t,” said Karagiorgakis. “What she found in the literature didn’t capture her experience, so she looked at sense of control as a potential interesting variable for research because that better fit with her personal experience.”

Her research was recognized by the University Libraries with third-place in the 2022 Excellence in Information Literacy Awards, and she also received third place in the Spring Learning Fair for an additional research project, “Can Virtual Reality Be Used to Successfully Treat Agoraphobia?” n

Kenadi Erdely presented “Advertising Health Warnings Successfully to Smokers: Using Habituation to Guide Message Reception,” for which she received second place in Fayette’s Spring 2022 Learning Fair.

Kerstin Nutt presented “Comparing Treatment Methods for Childhood Sexual Abuse,” for which she also received second place in the Spring 2022 Learning Fair.

Adriana Gebe presented “How is

Perceived Sense of Control Related to Student Stress and Academic Performance?” and “Can Virtual Reality be Used to Successfully Treat Agoraphobia?”

Students Mary Byers, Tyler Miller and Ashley Stangroom presented “Student Attitudes about Cheating.” Students Pasepa Driso, Brooke Parvin and Serenity Robinson presented “Student Evaluations of Male and Female Professors.”

Fayette LaunchBox Summer Mentorship Program

The Fayette LaunchBox offered its third-annual Summer Mentorship program. Charles Patrick, chancellor and chief academic officer, visited the Fayette LaunchBox for the program kickoff. He is pictured right with students Jacob Levendosky, Matthew D’Annolfo, Brandy Sickles, Joshua Krause, Joshua Heller, and Salanieta Waqanivalu, along with Rachel Kaplan, assistant teaching professor of corporate communication, and Barbara Koffler, director of outreach and continuing education. The students were selected for promising entrepreneurial projects, built prototypes, attended training, completed research papers, and recorded pitch videos. The cohort learned about how to fund a business through crowdfunding, how to market a business on social media, and about the lean start-up method. n

“In addition to learning to talk to others about their research work and interests, the conference experience allows students to meet like-minded peers from other universities and learn from them,” said Aris Karagiorgakis, assistant teaching professor of psychology. “But, to me, the big picture is that the students get to see how conferences are used to make progress in science.” n

Students present at Laurel Highlands Undergraduate Psychology Conference

Adriana Gebe wins 2022 Student Excellence Award

News of Record

CAMPUS AWARDS 2021

Staff Excellence Award: Sandra Quarrick, financial manager

Faculty Teaching Excellence Award: Pamela Pologruto, associate teaching professor of physical therapist assistant and academic coordinator of clinical education Faculty Research Excellence Award: Julio Palma, associate professor of chemistry Ellen M. Laun Advising Excellence Award: Kati Porter, associate teaching professor of biology Barbara B. Solesky Support Staff Service Excellence Award: Dan Bowers, information technology support specialist

FACULTY AWARDS

Peter Eberle, assistant teaching professor of business, received the Distinguished Service Award from Penn State Teaching and Learning with Technology.

Wendy Forrest Edgar, instructor in nursing, received the 2022 Paula Milone-Nuzzo Alumni Volunteer of the Year award from the Penn State Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing.

Istiaq Hossain, assistant teaching professor of mathematics, won an MAA Project NExT Fellowship.

Andy Royston, assistant professor of physics, received a $135,000 grant from the National Science Foundation.

Valerie Vanderhoff, assistant teaching professor of nursing, was selected for the 2021 Nurses Touch Award from ATI.

RETIREMENTS

Janet Kowalczyk, administrative support assistant in the Office of Development, has retired after 19 years of service.

Janet Ritenour, instructor in the Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, has retired after 28 years of service.

PROMOTIONS

LaVarr McBride has been promoted to associate teaching professor of criminal justice.

CAMPUS AWARDS 2022

Staff Excellence Award: Brandy Burke, administrative support assistant Faculty Teaching Excellence Award: Aris Karagiorgakis, assistant teaching professor of psychology Faculty Service Excellence Award: Nathaniel Bohna, associate teaching professor of engineering Ellen M. Laun Advising Excellence Award: Jo Ann Jankoski, associate professor of human development and family studies Barbara B. Solesky Support Staff Service Excellence Award: Brandy Burke, administrative support assistant

Julio Palma has been promoted to associate professor of chemistry.

Kati Porter has been promoted to associate teaching professor of science.

BOOKS

The late Jay Precht was a contributing author of U.S. History, an OpenStax textbook.

University-wide Awards

Carol Evans, instructor in biology, has received the 2022 George W. Atherton Award for Excellence in Teaching.

Nominators said Evans is a driving force behind diversity and inclusion initiatives on campus. She organized the campus diversity forum and diversity movie series; advises the Multicultural Student Association; organized and planned professional development workshops around diversity, inclusion, and equity; and initiated a professional development workshop series for the entire campus community.

News of Record

Evans said she wants her students to be successful in the classroom but also lifelong learners who use what they learn at Penn State to approach all they do with a fresh perspective. That’s why she encourages them to be active on campus by attending various cultural and diversity events. She wants her students to be more aware of the world around them and less shy about sharing their voice.

“I personally model that learning is a continuous process by engaging in ongoing professional learning, encouraging peer reviews and critical self-reflection,” Evans said. “Additionally, I work collaboratively with colleagues to learn, share and develop new teaching strategies. Taken altogether, I am dedicated to the development of all students and the college community. My enthusiasm and commitment to teaching continues to grow as I adapt and use best practices to facilitate student learning and achievement.”

Chad Long, director of student affairs, has been honored with the 2022 Award for Administrative Excellence. For nearly twenty years, nominators said, Long has been dedicated to improving the student experience at a campus that’s home to many first-generation students in the least wealthy county in the state.

Long leads all non-academic elements of student orientation, advises the Student Government Association, oversees all campus student organizations, publicizes and arranges all student activities and cultural events and personally leads student groups on most trips or outings.

Behind the scenes, Long is responsible for many duties including student conduct, Title IX and Clery Act compliance, educating students on University policy, working with Risk Management and interacting with parents. He also oversees health services, counseling and psychological services and off-campus housing services.

Long secured counseling services, medical services, and wellness education when these safety nets did not previously exist on campus. He works behind the scenes to provide emergency funds to students in need, helps students find emergency housing and helps students who suffer from food insecurity. He’s even been known to help students find rides to campus in the event of transportation troubles.

He currently services as the campus liaison to the Coalition on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

Learning Fair Winners

Spring 2022 Undergraduate Research Awards

• First Place: Matthew D’Annolfo, Brandy Sickles, and Jacob Levendosky for “Regio and Stereo Selectivity of Photocycloadditions of Naphthalene Derivatives with Maleric Acid Derivatives” (Faculty Mentor: Ajay Warrier)

• Second Place (tie): Kenadi Erdely for “Advertising Health Warning Successfully to Smokers” and Kerstin Nutt “Comparing Treatment Methods for Childhood Sexual Abuse” (Faculty Mentor: Aris Karagiorgakis)

• Third place: Adriana Gebe for “Can Virtual Reality Be Used to Successfully Treat Agoraphobia” (Faculty Mentor: Aris Karagiorgakis)

Spring 2022 Class Project Awards

• First Place: Jonathan Taylor, Dylan Sance, and Mitch Minda for “Autonomous Lawn Mower” (Faculty Mentor: Rasoul Milasi)

• Second Place: Alexis McDonald for “The Alabama Apportionment Paradox” (Faculty Mentor: Kevin Maxwell)

• Third Place (tie): Jacob Levendosky and Alexis Hull for “Butterfly Activity Towards Light Wavelength” (Faculty Mentor: Kati Porter)

• Third Place (tie): Tristin Szabo for “Medicinal Treatment vs. Non-Medicinal Treatment for Patients with PTSD” (Faculty Mentor: Janet Ritenour)

Fall 2022 Undergraduate Research Category

• First Place: Maggi Bubonovich, “Development of Titanium Dioxide-Curcumin Analogs for Photocatalysis” (Faculty Mentor: Ajay Warrier)

• Second Place: Kerstin Nutt, “How Family Experiences in Childhood are Related to Individual Development of Self-Esteem” (Faculty Mentor: Aris Karagiorgakis)

• Third Place (tie): Salanieta Waqanivalu, “Pool Sensor” (Faculty Mentor: Rasoul Milasi)

• Third Place (tie): Zachary Allamon and Erica Yozie, “Numerical Analysis of Nonlinear Wave Equations” (Faculty Mentor: Andy Royston)

Fall 2022 Class Project Category

• First Place: Mattie Perkins and Nathan Spaugy, “Water and Sunlight Monitor for Plants” (Faculty Mentor: Rasoul Milasi)

• Second Place: Abigail Bradley-Rash and Josue Phillips, “Immigration” (Faculty Mentor: Valerie Vanderhoff)

• Third Place: Dylan Wilson and Jacob Brigode, “Text to Morse Code” (Faculty Mentor: Rasoul Milasi)

Benefit Fayette returns

This spring, Penn State Fayette’s Benefit Fayette returned to an in-person celebration at the campus Community Center for the first time since 2019. The event raised $33,000 in support of the general scholarship and student emergency funds.

Benefit Fayette has raised more than $500,000 since 2016. One-hundred percent of the proceeds will go directly

to student aid. Ninety percent of Fayette students are eligible for financial aid, nearly half of which are first-generation college students.

Chapter One, a tribute to Motown, treated guests to an evening of entertainment. Dinner was provided by The Historic Stone House. n

Community enjoys Concert on the Lawn

Penn State Fayette held an alumni barbecue reunion on Saturday, August 27, preceding the seventh-annual Concert on the Lawn, with headliner tribute band Foreigners Journey, featuring Constantine Maroulis. An estimated 3,000 guests visited campus for the festivities, which concluded with a fireworks show.

The Gift of Opportunity Donors establish new scholarships at Fayette

Charles E. Hunnell establishes the Florence Vernon Hunnell Scholarship

The scholarship, worth $200,000 and named for Hunnell’s late mother, will benefit full-time students at the campus, with preference given to Greene County residents.

Hunnell has established multiple Penn State scholarship endowments for the College of Education since the 1980s in response to increases in the cost of postsecondary education. In 2018, he contributed $50,000 for the Charles E. Hunnell Open Doors Scholarship at Penn State Fayette, earning a 2:1 match from a concluded Penn State program, creating a total endowment of $150,000.

Hunnell served as an officer aboard the destroyer USS Beale. He achieved the rank of lieutenant commander, U.S. Navy (retired). He taught history at Upper St. Clair High School for 29 years before retiring in 1997. He is a member of the Penn State Fayette Advisory Board.

“My mother went to Waynesburg High School. She was a good student and wanted to become a nurse, but she came from a poor family and never got the opportunity,” said Hunnell, who graduated from Penn State in 1965.

“When I was growing up, she wanted me to go as far as I could. There was never any question that I would get an education at Penn State. She was always proud to be a Penn State parent,” he said. “Anyone who has the ability and desire should have the opportunity to further their education.”

Renata (King) and Leland Engel establish Open Doors Scholarship

The Renata (King) and Leland Engel Open Doors Scholarship, worth $50,000, will benefit students enrolled in the Open Doors Scholarship family of programs.

graduated from Geibel Catholic High School and attended Penn State Fayette in 1978, where she would meet her husband, Leland, a U.S. Navy veteran. To pay for classes, she worked several jobs on and off campus.

“One day, I went to pay my tuition bill and I was told that there was no balance. Someone, through some channel, had awarded me a scholarship,” she said. “It was a vote of confidence from a person who believed that their investment was going to be a good one.”

Renata and Leland transitioned to University Park to study engineering science and mechanical engineering, respectively. The couple graduated and were married in 1982 and, in 2022, celebrated their fortieth wedding anniversary in State College. For them, the foundation and friends they established at Fayette were integral to their college experience.

“Penn State Fayette is the place I began my engineering studies. The faculty and staff—I can still name them—impressed upon me not only what I was learning from them, but how I had to learn at the college level,” said Renata. “This gift, in part, is our way of saying thank you to the campus and to those people who preceded us.”

Renata began her career at Penn State in 1990 as a faculty member, holding the title of professor of engineering mechanics and engineering design. Since 2018, she has served as Penn State’s vice provost for Online Education. Her office administers Penn State World Campus, which offers more than 175 degree and certificate programs online for distance learners across the globe. As the co-chair of the committee for access and affordability, she helped to develop Open Doors Scholarship programming.

Leland has held numerous positions in the field of aerospace engineering. In

1989, he received a master’s degree in engineering management from the University of South Florida. In 1991, he joined the Penn State astrophysics department as a design engineer and, later, an instructor of mechanical engineering. He retired in 2014.

David B. Meredith, retired associate professor of engineering, establishes Legacy Scholarship

Meredith and his wife, Linda, have pledged $50,000 toward the endowment, which will support fulltime undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need who are majoring in or planning to major in an engineering or engineering technology degree at Penn State Fayette.

In his 41 years at the campus, Meredith established the regional MathCOUNTS competition for middle school students and, since 1989, he has hosted and contributed exercises for the regional JETS/TEAMS competition for high school students. Meredith also developed the E-Days program for gifted middle school students and the local Pi Day competition for ninth- and tenth-grade students. For 14 years, he ran Girrl Power!, a nationally recognized program that encouraged young girls to consider technical careers.

Meredith is the recipient of the 2019 Outstanding Fellow award, the highest honor bestowed by Penn State Fayette. Before his retirement, he led the development of a campus vegetable garden.

Linda Meredith, from Defiance, Ohio, attended the University of St. Francis in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and holds a bachelor of science in elementary education and a master of science in special education. She is active in Christian Women’s Club, as well as Cub Scouts, for which she completed Wood Badge national training and received the Silver Beaver service award. n

Born in Connellsville, Renata Engel

Penn State Fayette celebrates success of “A Greater Penn State” campaign

Penn State Fayette has raised $4,181,642 and helped the University to achieve record-breaking success in its recently concluded campaign, “A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence.” June 30 marked the end of both the most successful campaign and the most successful fundraising year in the institution’s history. The Penn State Fayette total represents a transformative investment by 1,020 alumni, friends, corporate partners, and others in its mission to prepare students for lifelong learning and productive citizenship within an increasingly diverse and global society.

“We are deeply grateful for the generous support from our donors throughout the campus history and especially during this most recent campaign. The regional community is very willing to support our students and their success. In this campaign, nearly $3.5 million was given in undergraduate scholarships for Penn State Fayette students, of whom about 90 percent receive financial assistance. The additional gifts for the Fayette LaunchBox provide funds for

generous donors who have supported these and other priorities,” according to Charles Patrick, chancellor and chief academic officer.

The campaign, which began in 2016, was focused on the three key imperatives of a 21st-century public university: keeping the doors to higher education open to hardworking students regardless of financial well-being; creating transformative experiences that go beyond the classroom; and impacting the world by serving communities and fueling discovery, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Within Penn State Fayette, top campaign achievements included:

• $3,432,849 raised for undergraduate scholarships. Donors have secured additional funds for Penn State Fayette from the campaign’s scholarship matching programs, including $420,000 through the Open Doors Matching Program and $550,000 through the First-Time Endowed Scholarship Donor Matching Program. $225,000 raised to support the

necessary for growth. Donors have secured additional funds for the Fayette LaunchBox of $225,000 through Penn State’s LaunchBox Matching Program.

“We are thankful to Phil Savini, Penn State Fayette campaign chair, and to members of the volunteer committee for their support and service over the past six years. Collectively, our volunteers committed nearly $400,000 to the campaign effort,” said Lori Omatick, director of development at Fayette.

With the record-breaking success of “A Greater Penn State for 21st Century Excellence,” which raised $2.2 billion from 2016 to 2022, philanthropy is helping to sustain the University’s tradition of education, research and service to communities across the Commonwealth and around the globe. Scholarships enable our institution to open doors and welcome students from every background, support for transformative experiences allows our students and faculty to fulfill their vast potential for leadership, and gifts toward discovery and excellence help us to serve and impact the world we

Renata Engel, ‘82, The Renata (King) and Leland Engel Open Doors Scholarship

Donor Honor Roll 2020/2021

July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021

President’s Club

$2,500+

• Alfred F. and Rebecca Ambrosini

• The Casteel Family Advised Fund held at the Community Foundation of Fayette County

• Carmen E. and Paula Genova Congelio

• C R H Catering Co., Inc./Pete Cordaro

• Jeffrey D. and Jennifer E. Erdely

• FirstEnergy Foundation

• Ford Office Technologies/Johnathan and Kelli Garlow

• Barbara B. Franklin

• Estate of Janet S. Hall

• Charles E. Hunnell

• Mark R. Kempic

• J. Blair and Kathy Mickey McGill

• Mucci Construction, Walter Mucci Inc./Marco Mucci

• Estate of Charles R. Shanaberger

• Joshua and Maria Swimmer

• United Bankshares, Inc.

Chancellor’s Club

$1,000–$2,499

• Robert E. and Joyce A. Barnhart

• Bailey Lane LLC/Brian Boyle

• Community Fdn. of Fayette Co./Fay-Penn Economic Dev. Council

• Barbara B. Franklin

• Jonathan Hoza

• Joann Jankoski

• Joseph & Anna Gartner Fdn.

• Michael D. Mellinger

• Robert L. Mocniak and Donna J. Myers

• North Carolina Coal Institute, Inc.

• Henry J. and Beverly J. Oppermann

• Stephen A. and Rita Peperak Peters

• Percy Road Housing/Raymond G. Carolla

• Wm. Rittenhouse Agency Inc./J. W. and Deborah S. Rittenhouse

• P. Keith and Linda Work Rooker

• Philip J. and Joanne Savini

• Specialty Conduit and Mfg, LLC/Daniel Gearing

• Thrivent Charitable Impact & Investing/Esther Greene Miller

Director’s Club

$500–$999

• James R. Driscoll and Katheryn Z. Driscoll

• William S. Gardner

• William L. and Peggy Jo Hoover

• Sylvia E. O’Donovan

• W. Charles and Martha Patrick

Fayette Ambassadors

$100–$499

• Joseph J. and Terri L. Baker

• Edwin C. and Susan Balis

• Maurice T. and Francisca Balling

• Ralph K. and Frances Shimko Barclay

• James E. and Michelle L. Barnish

• David L. Rabel and Elaine S. Barry

• Emily H. Burchfield

• Jerome W. and Arlene Canton Peterson

• Jack C. and Kay Gilbert Cernuska

• Chestnut Ridge Counseling Service, Inc.

• John Cognac

• Amanda L. Collins

• Christina C. Craighead

• Alan B. Crawford

• Anette M. Denardo

• James D. Detweiler

• Fred Dorey and Joanne D. Dorey

• James A. and Maryanne Kostura Filippone

• Michael J. Fogarty

• Paul A. and Elaine Chandler Frieberg

• David M. and Lori A. Omatick

• Andrzej J. Gapinski and Ewa A. Rudnicka

• George R. Smalley Co., Inc./George R. Smalley

• Paul Gergen

• Timothy Gow

• Charles E. Grove

• Kevin C. Herbein

• James A. Hercik

• Barbara J. Herring

• James E. and Roberta L. Higinbotham

• John L. Hott

• Susan S. Johnson

• Michael A. Jordan and Tamera J. Kooser-Jordan

• Terence R. and Joan P. Kiliany

• Kisiel & Associates, PC/Bryan S. Kisiel

• Roger L. Klein

• Charles S. Kovach

• Gerald L. and Janet R. Kowalczyk

• Bernard K. Linner

• Michael and Joanne M. Marinich

• Elena Matijevich

• Floyd S. and Christine L. McKeag

• David and Linda M. Meredith

• Melissa B. Miner

• Donald I. and Karen A. Moore

• Ohiopyle Prints Inc./Fred and Kimberly Wright

• Orchid Island Golf & Beach Club

• Peter E. and Polly Sweitzer Ostrander

• Wayne H. and Nancy Bransdorf Port

• Carmine W. and Elaine R. Prestia

• Charles and Karen M. Prettyman

• James T. and Barbara L. Rhoades

• Anthony R. and Margaret Ripepi

• David E. and Betsy Sams

• Prem D. Sattsangi

• Thomas Z. and Pamela Kubacka Seighman

• Stacy A. Sekely

• Mabel J. Shaner

• Gwen Shoaf

• John D. and Sharon Sink

• Stephen L. Soltis

• Joseph and Karen L. Stromick

• Richard M. Takac

• Edwardo Leon and Norma D. Thomas

• Robert J. and Karen M. Watson

• William S. Watts

• Stephen W. Wharton and Rosemary Ferrara

• Eugene P. and Gale H. Whetzel

• Billie Jo Yuhaniak

• Louis Zadecky