Rosenberger will speak on “Leadership and Ethics” in the gym starting at 7:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Born and raised on a horse farm in Ambridge, Pennsylvania, Ian Rosenberger attended Quigley Catholic High School in Baden. While there, he lettered in soccer and spent his summers as a camp counselor. He also volunteered his time with the McGuire Home, an organization that helps children with mental and physical disabilities.

Rosenberger will soon graduate from Penn State, where he is majoring in agricultural extension and educational leadership. Last year, he served as the president of the University’s Undergraduate Student Government Association, and was Penn State’s Homecoming King. According to Rosenberger, he is most proud of participating in Penn State's Dance Marathon, THON, the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, where he did not sit or sleep for 48 hours and helped raise $4 million for children with cancer.

Before joining the cast of Survivor Palau, he worked as a dolphin trainer and dolphin-assisted therapist for children with disabilities in Key Largo, Florida. He was previously employed as an outdoor adventure group dynamics facilitator, wedding disc jockey, street performer at a major amusement park, and was also a construction worker.

For more information on this event, contact the public information office at 570-450-3180.

Washington is a spiritual writer and disability advocate residing in Harrisburg with her husband and son, John, who inspired her to write her first poem “Invisible” in 1997. She has written over 300 poems about spirituality, her closeness to God, positive thinking, her inspirations, autism awareness, social issues, and sincere greetings to loved ones and friends. She has two poetry CDs – “A Blessing, Caring and Sharing” and “They are Someone’s Child.”

She uses her poetry as a tool to increase awareness of autism and spread God’s word through presentations at churches, community events, nursing homes, and residential home facilities. As she reads her poetry throughout various communities, Washington hopes her work will be an inspiration to many around the world.

For more information on the event, contact the campus bookstore at 570-450-3100.

After a highly successful summer film series, Penn State Hazleton’s Faculty Lecture and Film Committee recently announced the schedule of classic movies which will be shown and followed by informal discussions. The community is invited to attend this free series. Popcorn and refreshments will be provided. All films start at 7 p.m. in the locations noted.

Dates, locations, films, and include:

• Wed., Nov. 16, 7 p.m. in Kostos 1 - Roger and Me (1989) A documentary of director Michael Moore’s pursuit of an interview with General Motors CEO Roger Smith to confront him about the harm he did to Flint, Michigan, with his massive downsizing.

• Tues., Dec. 6, 7 p.m. in Graham 115 - The Producers (1968) Oscar-winning comedy (and current Broadway play) about producers Max Bialystock and Leo Bloom’s attempt to make money by producing a sure-fire flop. Written and directed by Mel Brooks. Starring Zero Mostel and Gene Wilder.

For more information on events at Penn State Hazleton, contact the public information office at (570) 450-3180 or visit the campus calendar accessible from http://www.hn.psu.edu/.

Dr. Thomas M. Caccese, who holds the positions of assistant professor of kinesiology, director of athletics and men's basketball coach at Penn State Hazleton, was recently named to the Robert J. Scannell Roll of Honor for his distinguished service and contributions to Penn State’s Commonwealth Athletic Programs. This award is named in honor of the former dean of the College of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation, and later vice president and dean of the Commonwealth Education System.
 
A veteran Penn State employee with more than 30 years of service, Dr. Caccese began his affiliation with Penn State Hazleton as an engineering student in 1968 after serving in the Navy. He went on to earn undergraduate degrees in engineering and health and physical education, his master’s degree in physical education, and a doctoral degree in sports administration. His doctoral dissertation produced definitive research on the psychological burnout of college athletic coaches, with several articles published in national and international journals. His other areas of expertise include basketball, ballroom dance, badminton, and sports history. Dr. Caccese was the 2004 badminton Silver Medalist at the Pennsylvania Senior Games and participated in the 2005 National Senior Olympic Games.

In his 27 year role as director of athletics, Dr. Caccese has overseen the development of Penn State Hazleton’s varsity athletic program which has grown from three sports in 1978 to seven in 2005. Since 1990, Penn State Hazleton teams have won seventeen conference state titles in soccer, tennis, softball, and basketball.

Importantly, he developed a scholar/athlete monitoring program in 1991 which, with the assistance of faculty members, evaluates the classroom performance of each student athlete. Penn State Hazleton athletes have consistently ranked at the top of the conference in the number and percentage of Academic All-Conference honors. In the 2004-2005 academic year, 65 of 94 Penn State Hazleton athletes (69%) achieved a grade point average of 3.0 or higher in their season of participation.

As head coach of the men’s basketball team for 28 years, Dr. Caccese’s teams have made him the “winningest” Penn State men’s basketball coach on record with 388 wins. Under his tutelage, the teams have amassed such impressive statistics as:
• five Eastern Conference Championships
• one Conference State Championship in 1995
• qualifying for CCAC playoffs in 16 of last 24 seasons
• and a 62% conference winning percentage over last 28 years

On an individual level, Dr. Caccese has been named “coach of the year” three times and was honored by the Pennsylvania Senate and Pennsylvania House of Representatives for “his exceptional coaching achievements and outstanding contributions to men’s basketball” in 2001.

In 1983, Dr. Caccese extended his coaching experience and expertise to the community by starting summer basketball camps for boys and girls in grades 5 through nine. Each summer, more than 300 youths spend a week at the campus developing and improving their basketball skills, as well as their academic skills through a scholar/athlete seminar.  More than 5,000 students have attended the Penn State Hazleton basketball camp.

Campus mourns professor

The campus community is mourning the loss of George K. Y. Tseo, Ph.D., assistant professor of earth sciences. Dr. Tseo, 47, of Upper Macungie Township, died Friday, October 21, at home after a long battle with brain cancer. He is survived by his wife, Hui Fu, a son, Yi-Tong, and a daughter, Yi-Lan.

Dr. Monica Gregory, director of Academic Affairs, said, “We join in mourning, and at the same time, in celebrating George’s life. We will always remember his vitality, student advocacy and curiosity about all things as it permeated our campus spirit.”

Born in Utica, NY, George was the son of the late Cheng Se and Janhua (Lee) Tseo. He grew up in State College and earned his undergraduate degree in meteorology from Penn State in 1980. In 1986, he earned his doctoral degree in geophysics from the University of Adelaide in Australia.

George joined Penn State Hazleton in 1988 as a meteorology instructor and was granted tenure in 1995. Before coming to Penn State, he was a postdoctoral fellow of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Western China. He continued his research in China during the summers and developed an intense interest in the Chinese economy, leading him to become an expert on helping to privatize Chinese companies through employee ownership. He was the author of numerous publications in a variety of forums on the Chinese economy and served as a Chinese policy consultant.

George, his wife, and children informed and updated family and friends on his illness at a Web site - http://www3.caringbridge.org/pa/tseo/  - where you are invited to read more on this family’s courageous battle.

We miss you greatly, George.

According to Major Grinstead, “This ceremony will help to pay honor to veterans of all services, both male and female, that are living among us today and those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country.”

Guest speaker for the event is Command Sergeant Major Russell G. Schimelfenig of the 2nd Battalion 103rd Armor Battalion 28th Infantry Division (Mechanized) of the Pennsylvania National Guard.

CSM Schimelfenig, a native of Scranton, entered the Army in June 1970 and attended basic training and advanced infantry training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He has four years of active duty and 31 years of National Guard service.

He has served in a variety of assignments beginning with squad leader, platoon sergeant, Pennsylvania National Guard recruiter, operations sergeant, first sergeant, logistics coordinator, operations sergeant major, battalion command sergeant major, mobilization training team coordinator for National Guard bureau, and senior small group leader for the United States Army First Sergeant course.

CSM Schimelfenig’s schools have included the United States Army Recruiter course, battle focused instructor trainer course, total Army instructor course, Small Group instructor trainer course, Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, Advanced Noncommissioned Officer Course, the United States Army First Sergeant course, the United States Army Sergeant Majors Academy, Class #31, and the Command Sergeant Major Academy.

Among his awards and decorations are the Armed Forces Reserve Medal 3rd Award, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal 8th Award, Army Achievement Medal 4th Award, Army Service Ribbon, Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon 4th Award, National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal 4th Award, Meritorious Service Medal 2nd Award, Pennsylvania Twenty Year Service Medal 4th, Pennsylvania Service Ribbon 4th Award, MG Thomas R. White Jr. Medal, and the General Thomas J. Stewart Medal.

For more information on this event, please contact Major Steve Grinstead at 450-3191.

Sponsors include the Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania, Northeastern Pennsylvania Industrial Resource Center (NEPIRC), the Northeastern Pennsylvania Technology Institute, and Penn State.

Innovation Day will begin at 7:30 a.m. with a continental breakfast in the exhibit area, followed by a keynote address on the importance of innovation in business from Joseph Roman, plant manager for Baby Care Manufacturing Operations, Procter & Gamble, Mehoopany.

Four concurrent panel discussions will be held to explore future trends in information technology and network security; advanced manufacturing and automation; advanced materials and nanotechnology; and innovation and product design. Success stories of area businesses will be related by company representatives, along with the economic and educational partners who assisted them.

During lunch, the keynote address will be given by Dennis Yablonsky, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development.

For more information on the Northeastern Pennsylvania Innovation Day, contact Ina Lubin at Penn State Wilkes-Barre at 570-675-9253 or visit www.outreach.psu.edu/innovationday.

Penn State Hazleton THON Committee has announced plans for fundraising efforts for the 2006 Penn State Dance Marathon. The committee’s goal is to raise as much money as possible for the event, which is held for 48 hours, February 17-19, 2006. THON, as it is commonly called, benefits the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State’s Children’s Hospital in Hershey, PA.

The mission of Penn State Dance Marathon is to conquer pediatric cancer by providing outstanding emotional and financial support to the children, families, researchers, and staff of the Four Diamonds Fund.

THON involves Penn State students from around the state raising money through various events. The most visible to the community is when students “can” outside local businesses in all types of weather.  The committee will “can” on the weekends of Nov. 11-13, Dec. 2-4, Jan. 20-22, and Feb. 10-12 at Hazleton Wal-Mart, Gould’s, Country Junction in Lehighton, and Shop-Rite in Brodheadsville. 

Penn State students raised $4.1 million for the fund last year. Penn State Hazleton raised $61,176 setting a new fundraising record for a campus outside University Park. This year, students are planning on surpassing this mark.

“We made a promise to the kids that we would help,” said Lauren Webb, Penn State Hazleton THON Chair. “We want them to know they are not alone in this fight and that they never will be.”

The Hazleton THON committee will also hold their annual “THON Rally” on Wed., Nov. 16, at 9 p.m. in the Physical Education Building. The rally is a chance to let the students and the Hazleton community know what THON is all about. 

“With Creamery ice cream, special guests, and the showing of the 2005 Line Dance, it should be an entertaining and fun night,” said Webb. 

Those interested in donating any amount of money to THON may make a check payable to Penn State Dance Marathon and mail the donation to THON, 76 University Drive, Hazleton PA 18202 by February 1, 2006.  Remember it’s…For the Kids!

For more information, contact Karen Chorney, alumni and development specialist, at 570-450-3016.

The Penn State Alumni Chapter of Greater Hazleton will host two upcoming events for area alumni.

In celebration of the holidays, the Chapter will host photos for children with Santa and the Nittany Lion on Wed., Dec. 7, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Harlam Lounge of the Administration Building at Penn State Hazleton. The Alumni Chapter is asking that parents and children attending the event bring a new, unwrapped toy in exchange for the photo. The toys will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House at Geisinger Medical Center.

On Fri., Jan. 20, the Chapter will hold an Alumni Reception in the new Charles T. Butler Teaching and Learning Resource Center. All area alums are invited to tour the building and meet with other alums and Chapter members. More details will be released.

For more information on the Penn State Alumni Chapter of Greater Hazleton or these events, please call Karen Chorney, alumni and development specialist, at 570-450-3016.

Alcoa KAMA in Hazleton, through a grant from the Alcoa Foundation, recently presented $1,000 to Penn State Hazleton in continued support of the "Realigning Pathways in Engineering Technology Program," an effort to contribute to the development of local industry and school districts, and to establish a more robust, contemporized engineering program available to the students of the region. This is the second year that Alcoa KAMA has invested in the program. Kevin Salaway, director of Development at the Hazleton campus, said, “Alcoa KAMA has been a tremendous help to the campus and this project through their generosity in terms of both time and money.” This is the second gift from Alcoa KAMA toward this initiative and it is greatly appreciated.”

Blair Bell, operations manager at Alcoa KAMA, added, “Alcoa KAMA recognizes the value of partnering with Penn State Hazleton for this effort to improve the engineering and science skills of our workforce. We applaud the progress that has been made to date and encourage the continuation of this program.”

Over the past year, significant progress has been made in the following areas:
• Partnerships with local schools and Penn State faculty and students have been established and include the use of education modules for K-12 educators, in-service training (Act 48 approved); joint student projects, such as a solar-powered car project, with Hazleton Area High School and the Hazleton Area Career Center; mentoring, and summer camps. These programs are all centered on engendering an understanding and appreciation of engineering concepts and career opportunities presented through an engineering discipline.
• Engineering and engineering technology curriculum at many Penn State campuses has been evaluated and realigned to reflect the needs of local industry, to create a broader range of career opportunities for graduates and to improve the overall appeal of the engineering discipline.
• Increasingly collaborated with local industry through program advising, mentoring, internships and career placement to facilitate transfer of knowledge and technology, provide practical learning experiences and to create career placement opportunities for graduates.
• Development of regional Web pages to support educators, students, and parents in their efforts to increase awareness and understanding of engineering concepts.
• Initiated fundraising efforts to upgrade and maintain state-of-the-art laboratory and classroom equipment to ensure the effectiveness of the program.

Alcoa KAMA is the world’s leading producer of extruded plastic sheet and film for the thermoforming industry and provides solutions for food packaging, envelope window film, graphic arts and specialty uses, consumer packaging, bakery and deli packaging, medical packaging, and industrial and agricultural packaging. Headquartered in Hazleton, Alcoa KAMA’s other facilities are located in Avenel, NJ; Elyria, OH; Manteno, IL; Rogers, MN; Laval (Quebec), Canada; Sedgefield, England; and Raamsdonskveer, Netherlands.