Connections - Winter 2011
Note:
In addition to the articles published in this issue of Connections, you may view all recent news releases on the College of Education's News Release Web site.
Dean's Message
Making Sense of the Evidence Surrounding the Preparation of Teachers
College News
CarbonEARTH Program Facilitates Science Education, Teaching
The Center for Science in the Schools has launched an initiative aimed at strengthening the communicating and teaching of science to elementary and middle school students.
Alumna, Husband Endow Scholarship Supporting Most Needy Students
Sandy and Glenn Sapa have endowed the Sandy Sapa Trustee Scholarship in Penn State's College of Education.
Alumna to Endow Undergraduate Scholarship
Penn State College of Education alumna Kathleen L. Spicher has pledged to create a scholarship to support outstanding undergraduate students in the College.
College of Education Alumnus, Wife to Leave Lasting Legacy
Robert E. and Barbara Bennett Byrd have pledged $182,000 to the College of Education's General Fund.
Recent Grad Thrives in Challenging Position
College of Education alumna Leslie Potter is enjoying success in a challenging school in one of the largest school districts in the nation.
A Master's Program with Personality
Former and current students of Penn State's College Student Affairs graduate program discuss their experiences and how the program affects their careers.
Faculty and Staff News
Faircloth Named Director of American Indian Leadership Program
Susan Faircloth has been appointed director of the American Indian Leadership Program, succeeding John Tippeconnic.
Mellin Supports Collaborative Project to Integrate Schools and Mental Health Systems
The project aims to decrease nonacademic barriers to learning and improve access by local high school students to mental health services.
Study Identifies Tensions Between Teacher Preparation Programs
A survey of teacher education programs in 38 states reveals difficulties and successes related to preparing teachers to educate the nation's youngest students.
Weiss Interdisciplinary Humanities Seminar Series Begins
The Consuming Child is the topic of a unique series of public lectures and seminars that is set to begin Jan. 19 on Penn State’s University Park campus.
Recent Staff Changes
Keep up with other staff comings and goings in the College.
Congratulations Faculty and Staff
Recent achievements of Ali Carr-Chellman, Susan Faircloth, Jim Herbert, Linda Mason, Michael Moore, Kai Schafft, and Pat Terenzini.
Faculty Research
Review the latest faculty/staff presentations, publications, grants, and grant proposals.
Student News
Students with Interest in Rehabilitation Do International Volunteering
International volunteerism has been an important service of at least five students taking courses in Penn State's Rehabilitation and Human Services program.
Student Organization Creates Award Recognizing Student Leadership
College of Education students in Penn State's chapter of the Student Pennsylvania State Education Association worked for more than twenty years to establish an award that recognizes student leadership in that pre-professional organization. This academic year, the first recipients of the SPSEA Leadership Award will be named.
Mentors Help a Student Find Success and a Career
Alexa Hodge never really wanted to go to college for any degree. Four years, and a number of mentors later, she is a Penn State Ronald E. McNair scholar with plans to, one day, earn a doctorate degree.
Student Helped Raise 21,000 Books for Children in Africa
Penn State sophomore Michael Gottfried was recently honored in San Francisco at the headquarters of the African Library Project for his fundraising efforts.
Stefan Wisniewski: Ambition on the Football Field and in the Classroom
The Nittany Lion offensive lineman, Schreyer honors scholar, and senior in secondary education attributes each aspect of his well-rounded success at Penn State to maintaining a steadfast perseverance.
Guided by the Stars
Brittany Foreman switched her major from aerospace engineering to education in order to share her interests with elementary school students.
The Importance of Knowing One's Self
Doctoral candidate Astrid Edens is ever-vigilant about the importance of re-examining one’s own life from other angles.
Student Congratulations
Recent achievements of Shawn Datchuk and Hongli Li, doctoral candidates in the College.
Undergraduate Research Opportunities
Penn State's Office of Undergraduate Education is pleased to announce opportunities for undergraduate research, open to students at all Penn State campuses.
Connections is published by the Penn State College of Education five times a year.
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College of Education Home Page: http://www.ed.psu.edu
College of Education Faculty and Staff Page: http://www.ed.psu.edu/educ/for-current-faculty-and-staff
Penn State Home Page: http://www.psu.edu
Editor: Suzanne Wayne, jxs59@psu.edu
Associate Editor: Joe Savrock, jts14@psu.edu
Writers: David Price, dap101@psu.edu; Marilyn Perez; Adam Hauptman
This publication is available in alternative media on request. Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce.
U.Ed. EDU 11-32