Connections - May 2008
Dean's Message
Differences Between Interesting and Hard Problems
College News
Lee Shulman to be Honorary Degree Recipient and Speaker at Commencement
Shulman has had a long and distinguished career as an educator. His informal essay on the necessary complexities that make up education was broadcast on National Public Radio.
2008 Outstanding Faculty, Staff, and Students Honored
Seven members of the college community were honored at a reception on April 30.
2008 Cycle-thon and Picnic Attracts Record Number of Participants
Some 80 bikers, nearly double the number from the previous year, took advantage of ideal weather and an expanded program of activities.
Office Profile: Pennsylvania School Study Council
The quality of public schools is a genuine concern of the PSSC faculty and staff.
Update from the Development and Alumni Relations Office, May 2008
Ellie Deitrich, director of development and alumni relations, recaps a weekend of events held April 25-27 that honored donors to the College.
Monica Patterson, Dan Marshall Receive 2008 Awards from Presidential Commission
Patterson and Marshall were honored at the CLGBTE’s awards reception on April 18.
Alumni of Penn State’s Educational Leadership Program Head Some of “America’s Best High Schools”
Twenty-four EDLDR alumni have held leadership positions at fifteen Pennsylvania schools that were recognized by U.S. News & World Report.
Law and Education Institute Announced for Summer 2008
Prominent professors and attorneys will conduct workshops on educational law to administrators and teachers.
New Program Addresses Need for Differentiating Instruction in Classrooms
The five-course, 9-credit series has been designed to help teachers work with students with special needs.
Growing Problem of At-Risk Youth Addressed With Counseling Summer Institute
The summer series, which starts on May 19, is aimed at counselors, social workers, psychologists and others seeking to earn continuing education units to renew their licenses, as well as foster parents and group home directors.
Join the College Community at a Spikes Game
The College of Education Alumni Society invites all alumni, faculty, and staff to a Spikes game on July 10. Discounted tickets are available with a section reserved for the College.
Faculty and Staff News
Paul Morgan Named Recipient of Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship Award
Morgan received the fellowship for his project titled “Children’s psychopathology: Trajectories, risk factors, and effects of services."
Scott McDonald Wins Knowles Foundation Young Scholars Research Fellowship
The two-year, $110,000 award is designated to support McDonald's research into understanding expertise in science teaching through video analysis.
Penn State Berks Faculty Provide Leadership for Science Education Initiative
David Bender and Amy Marsch are coordinating a partnership aimed at improving science education at elementary schools in the Reading (Pa.) School District.
Lee Upcraft and Susan Rankin Win ACPA Awards
The American College Personnel Association named Upcraft winner of its Contribution to Knowledge Award, while Rankin received the Voice of Inclusion Medallion.
Kyle Peck Wins 2008 Cotterill Leadership Award
Peck was formally acknowledged April 25 at the College’s annual Donor Appreciation Dinner.
Three Faculty Members Set to Retire
Murry Nelson, Syedur Rahman, and Bob Slaney bring their careers to a close at the end of this semester.
Elementary School Counselors Who Form Home-School-Community Partnerships Can Close Student Achievement Gaps
Researchers Jerry Trusty, Elizabeth Mellin, and James Herbert recommend four leadership and advocacy tasks for counselors.
Three New Books Published This Year by College of Education Professor William Rothwell
An author on numerous books, Rothwell is the lead author on two new books that have been published this year with a third in press.
New Book Discusses Urban Public Education
William Lowe Boyd collaborated with two other researchers to examine changes in urban education reform by analyzing five case studies.
Embodiment Seen as an Important Element of Arts in Education
Researcher Kimberly Powell says children are more engaged when involved in artistic activities than when involved in other types of curricular activities.
Congratulations Faculty and Staff
Recent achievements of Guadalupe Kasper and Tineke Cunning.
Faculty/Staff Research
Review the latest faculty/staff presentations, publications, grants, and grant proposals.
Student News
Catherine Chuba Named Spring 2008 Student Marshal
Chuba, who has a perfect 4.0 cumulative grade-point average, will lead the procession during the College's commencement ceremonies on May 17, 2008, in Eisenhower Auditorium.
Keyairra Wright Becomes First SCOPE Student to Begin a Career in Education
Wright has accepted a teaching position with Teach for America in Jacksonville, Fla.
Adult Learner Inspired by Her Daughters to Complete Her College Degree
After eight years in pursuit of a degree in elementary education, while waiting on tables to support herself and two young daughters, Stacy Baptiste prepares to graduate.
Graduate Students Publish Fifth Volume of Higher Education in Review
The journal's purpose is to provide students with experience in publishing scholarly works.
Lehigh Valley Student Teachers Collect 10,000 Books for a School in Africa
Eight student teachers and their advisor teamed up with a Peace Corps volunteer to collect books from local elementary schools to send to a primary school in Namibia, Africa.
Student Congratulations
Recent achievements of David Perez, Alex Yin, Wil Del Pilar, Sharon Melincavage, Monica Patterson, Benta Abuya, and Min-Jong Youn.
Student Research
Review the latest student conference presentations.
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U.Ed. EDU 08-56