Penn State Schuylkill Foundations

Y O U R C O N N E C T I O N T O P E N N S T A T E S C H U Y L K I L L

H I G H L I G H T S

PAGE 4 Building a Better Penn State Schuylkill PAGE 7 The Schuylkill Campus Advisory Board PAGE 13 Richard “Dick” Yuengling, Jr.

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Cover The iconic Administration Building once housed offices for the county almshouse before becoming a part of the Penn State Schuylkill campus.

3 A message from the chancellor

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4 Building a better Penn State Schuylkill

7 The Schuylkill Campus Advisory Board

11 Penn State Schuylkill Honors students learn through experiences inside and outside the classroom

12 Penn State Schuylkill to become a ‘living laboratory for sustainability’

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13 Richard “Dick” Yuengling, Jr.

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16 Penn State Schuylkill alumna selected to receive the 2014 Penn State University Alumni Achievement Award

17 The road to becoming Penn State Schuylkill alumni is not always easy

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18 Penn State Schuylkill 2014 Women’s Wellness Conference

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19 Penn State Schuylkill students receive recognition for their community service efforts

Back Cover An all-female dormitory was developed in 1968 that housed fifty-nine students. In 1984, the capacity was increased to eighty-five beds, and in 1985, it was switched to a co-ed dormitory.

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We are in the final stretch of celebrating our 80th anniversary at Penn State Schuylkill, and I am pleased to announce that it has been a very productive and exciting year.

Our year-long celebration kicked-off on January 30 during an event with students, faculty, staff, alumni, advisory board, and community members. Everyone snacked on commemorative blue cupcakes and cookies, fittingly nicknamed Skookie Dough Cupcakes and Skookie Cookies. State Senator David Argall, R-29, presented a proclamation from the State Senate, and State Representatives Michael Tobash, R-125, and Jerry Knowles, R-124, presented a proclamation on behalf of the State House. Everyone was excited about the upcoming year, and the planned celebratory festivities.

Our most popular program this year with the local community was our Speaker Series. On April 22, the first presenter was Richard L. “Dick” Yuengling, Jr., president and owner of Dick Yuengling and Son, Inc. of Pottsville, PA. Mr. Yuengling first attended a reception with several of our Honors students and members of the Community Engagement Committee. The students very much enjoyed talking with Mr. Yuengling and asking him questions about his family-owned business and his professional path in life.

He then went to the auditorium where he spoke to a crowd of almost 200 people from the campus and local community. You will get to read more about Mr. Yuengling later in this publication.

The next two speakers in the series, Mr. Thomas F. Twardzik, president of Mrs. T’s Pierogies, and Dr. Joe Jurgielewicz, veterinarian and owner of Joe Jurgielewicz and Sons, Inc., a local duck farm, also spent time with our Honors students and addressed sizeable crowds. Both speakers were very engaging and offered excellent advice to our students that will assist them as they prepare for life after college.

Another event this summer was the visit of the Penn State Board of Trustees for their quarterly meeting. Although this was not a part of the 80th anniversary celebration, it certainly brought a lot of excitement to our campus. Each summer, the Trustees hold their July meeting at a campus, and the last time they visited Penn State Schuylkill was in 1992. There was a flurry of activity as all departments were busy preparing: physical plant was working overtime preparing the grounds and facilities; faculty and staff were coordinating activities for the board members that included student and faculty presentations, campus tours, evening activities, and personalized gifts that included mementos from local businesses

and organizations; the department of Food Services was planning extensive menus with locally grown ingredients; and students were making travel arrangements to return to campus to assist with the events. As the chancellor of the host campus, I was able to address the board and deliver a report and slide presentation on the history of our campus . . . how it originated, how it has evolved, and how we operate today. It was a very successful event, and I am proud of how well our campus was represented.

In August we had over 100 women attend the Women’s Wellness Conference where five professional women spoke on pertinent women’s issues. As a result of the positive feedback received from the attendees, we are developing an ongoing women’s speaker series in cooperation with local community organizations.

Our campus Homecoming was held the week of October 5-11 and events included a Golf Tournament, the annual Parent and Family Picnic, and the second annual Alumni Basketball game. Students, families, and alumni all had an enjoyable time interacting and reminiscing.

We closed out a successful year with a Gala that was held at the Schuylkill County Club on November 6. The featured speaker for the evening was Tom Verducci, sports writer for Sports Illustrated.

I am proud to say that after eighty years, the campus continues to be a source of pride to the surrounding community and to Penn State University. I am confident that with our dedicated and talented faculty, staff, and student population, Penn State Schuylkill will continue to grow and flourish. w

Kelly M. Austin, Ph.D. Chancellor

A M E S S A G E F R O M T H E C H A N C E L L O R

A year full of celebration

Kelly M. Austin, Ph.D. Chancellor Penn State Schuylkill

4 Foundations Penn State Schuylkill

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What was once the county-run almshouse is now a state-of-the-art facility for higher education; however, it certainly did not start out that way, and the campus is no stranger to renovation and constant change. When the land in Schuylkill Haven was acquired in 1962 to move the campus from its Pottsville location, it took over five years to complete renovations on the original Administration and Classroom buildings. Since then, renovations and upgrades are constant, with a continual goal to remain current with technology and the needs of our students.

Recent changes have focused on upgrading and modernizing our current facilities. Upgrades range from small projects like wall painting and landscaping, to large undertakings such as the life science lab expansion and the addition to the Health and Wellness Building.

The Student Community Center has been a place of gathering since it was built in 1983. The building was designed to house the campus bookstore, cafeteria, auditorium, student government office, and a student lounge and game room. Within the last five years, all of these areas have been upgraded or renovated.

The campus bookstore underwent a complete renovation in 2010, and the John E. Morgan Auditorium in 2013. The bookstore was given a modern look and new floor plan, meant to entice visitors to browse through all of the Penn State clothing and memorabilia. A viewing window, customer service counter, alarm system, and wall coverings were added. New flooring and carpeting

completed the new look. The auditorium, with the assistance of a grant from the John E. Morgan Foundation, received new state-of-the art sound and lighting systems, technology enhancements, new flooring, seating, and sound panels. Upgrades were completed with stage repairs, a fresh coat of paint, and electrical system improvements. The auditorium now accommodates 255 people and the new seating includes larger, more comfortable seating that is now handicap accessible.

The lobby and the cafeteria were both modernized with new booth style seating, lounge furniture, big screen televisions, and carpeting, making the space a comfortable and relaxing area for students, faculty, staff, and the general public.

The classroom building, one of the original buildings to be utilized for the campus, has also undergone extensive renovations over the last several years. A much needed elevator was installed that allows the second floor classrooms to be fully accessible. A new life sciences research laboratory,

Building a better Penn State Schuylkill

A photo taken of the Administration Building on the campus’s opening day in 1967 (left), and as it is today (right).

The Multi-Purpose Building, originally built in 1978, underwent a $1.9 million renovation in 2008 and was renamed The Health and Wellness Building. The building now houses the Student Affairs offices, the Health Center, Fitness Center, gymnasium, and recently upgraded conference facilities.

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From left to right: The Student Community Center; the Cotler Computer Center, located in the Classroom Building; the Ciletti Memorial Library; the campus fountain located in the center of campus.

Left: The Classroom Building as it looks today; Top inlay: The Classroom Building after the completion of renovations in 1967; Bottom inlay: The “porch” of the Classroom Building prior to renovations when the campus was purchased in 1962.


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now known as the Cotler Life Sciences Lab, was created and now boasts an updated greenhouse, a modernized animal research room where students and faculty conduct research, and updated furnishings equipped with the latest technological features.

In addition, the physics lab, chemistry lab, Information Sciences Technology lab, and several general classrooms were updated with new instructional technology equipment, new white boards, dimmable lighting, and room finishes. Two of the general purpose classrooms were restructured to include collaboration suites that enable students and faculty to work together on group projects. A new networking lab was also created in the IST lab that includes new Smart Board technology and enhanced wireless capabilities.

General improvements to the physical appearance of the campus are constantly in progress. New concrete pathways, a bricked courtyard, lighting, and landscaping have enhanced the beauty of the campus. A new lighted walkway was installed behind the Ciletti Library that connects the campus to the nearest shopping center. The pathway is also used by the campus community and the general public as a scenic walking trail.

In 2008, the Penn State Schuylkill Campus Advisory Board purchased county property that included the 1912 Building and its caretaker’s home. This sale resulted in an additional thirty-four acres of land and an opportunity for growth and expansion of the campus.

In order to increase our availability of on-campus housing, the Nittany V apartment building was constructed. Nittany V was completed by the start of classes in August 2010 and allowed the campus to accommodate

an additional 72 students, bringing the total residential capacity to 320. The new building received a Silver LEED Certification and includes a large programming space on the ground level.

In November 2010, the 1912 Building was demolished. Many pieces of the building were recycled and/or preserved, including stone, wood, and the 193 year-old cupola that stood atop of the building. The cupola was donated to the borough of Orwigsburg, where it had been originally located before being installed on the 1912 Building.

The caretaker’s home, located on top of the hill behind the Classroom Building, was renovated in 2012. Significant renovations, including the installation of new electrical and telecommunications wiring, central air conditioning, an elevator, and new flooring were included in the upgrades. In July 2012, the building was dedicated as the Kiefer-Jones Building and several administrative offices, including the Chancellor’s office, now occupy the building.

Although many changes have occurred at the campus over the last eighty years, changes will be ongoing as the campus strives to address the needs of future generations. Additional plans are already underway that include the expansion of the dining facilities and improvements to student recreation spaces. Penn State Schuylkill is a constant work-in-progress, and will continue its tradition of offering a superior learning environment for its students, while serving as the center of academic excellence, cultural opportunities, and resources of a world-class research university for the Schuylkill region. w

The Schuylkill Campus Advisory Board built five student apartment housing complexes that can house up to 320 students.

The Classroom Building originally housed the campus library (top) in what is now the R. Michael Fryer Conference Center. The bottom photo is the center as it looked when the building was originally purchased in 1962.


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Anniversaries provide the perfect opportunity for reflection on the past, celebration of the present, and vision for the future. This year marks the 80th Anniversary of Penn State Schuylkill, thus it seems timely to interview several members of the Schuylkill Campus Advisory Board to discover the role it has played over the years. Through the insight provided by Attorney Fred J. Wiest, Mr. Allen Kiefer, Dr. Wayne Lammie, and Attorney Joseph H. Jones, Sr., it is apparent that the history of the campus and the role that the advisory board has played in that history are inextricably interwoven.

Attorney Fred J. Wiest first joined the board sixty years ago in 1954. Mr. Allen E. Kiefer, joined the board in 1974, and has been the president since 1987. Dr. Wayne D. Lammie was the former campus executive officer from 1978 to his retirement in 2000, and then joined the board following his retirement. Attorney Joseph H. Jones, Sr. first joined the board in 1982.

The four were asked about the role that the advisory board has played throughout the years. They explained that the board traces its origins to the 1930s when a group of citizens from the Pottsville area recognized the need for post-secondary

education. They petitioned Penn State to set up a center in Pottsville. At the same time, Penn State was considering such outreach and thus, the Pottsville Center was born, offering classes for the first time in 1934 in space rented from the Pottsville School District. In 1941, Dr. R. Wallace Brewster, chief operating officer, sought to establish an advisory board, and in 1944, the Schuylkill Education Foundation was incorporated to provide scholarships for students to attend the local campus. Over the years, the Schuylkill Education Foundation transitioned to the Schuylkill Campus Advisory Board. As Dr. Lammie explained, “Advisory boards at all Penn State campuses serve

The Schuylkill Campus Advisory Board

Attorney Fred J. Wiest was named 2013 Penn State Alumni Association Honorary Alumnus for his sixty years of service to Penn State Schuylkill as a member of the Schuylkill Campus Advisory Board.

First row: Attorney Joseph Jones, Sr.; Dr. Diane Niederriter; Dr. Stanley Rakowsky; David Gonzalez; Steven Cotler; Commissioner Gary Hess; Thomas Cara; Courtney Dixon (proxy for Representative Michael Tobash); and Darlene Dolzani.

Middle row: Senator David Argall; Carol Field; Kevin Fanelli; Helene Zuber Slocum; Dr. Jack Dolbin; Frank Zukas; Allen Kiefer; and Burton Hetherington.

Top row: Attorney Joseph Jones, Jr.; M. Joseph Brady; Carl McBreen; Dr. Andrew Smarkanic; Commissioner George Halcovage, Jr.; Richard Fehr; Dr. Thomas Wylonis; The Honorable Charles Miller; Dr. Kelly Austin; and Ralph Heffner.


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as a contact point with the community, providing input on the wants of the community in terms of programming direction. Additionally, they provide support and serve as the liaison between the campus and the local community.”

In the mid-1960s, the campus had outgrown its Pottsville location. At the same time, the county-owned almshouse was inactive, so the county donated the land and buildings to the University to provide it with a much needed home. Mr. Kiefer shared, “This was just another example of the strong support that the campus has received from the county government. The advisory board raised $60,000 to assist with renovations of the administration and classroom buildings.”

Attorney Jones and Mr. Kiefer both stated that the board was not very active until the 1980s when there was a resurgence of interest when the campus was under the direction of Dr. Lammie. “It really took off from 1980 to 1990.” Both Attorney Jones and Dr. Lammie shared that Edward Fox was the president at the time and he was extremely effective in convincing local leaders to join the board. He was successful in finding sources for financial support from the community. “The focus was primarily on strengthening the physical plant, enlarging the facilities, and adding new buildings. It was a revitalization of the board in the best sense of the word,” Attorney Jones said. It started with a public fundraising campaign. The goal was to raise $500,000 and then the University would match it. They exceeded their goal, raising $680,000 for the construction of the Student Community Center. Attorney Jones shared, “This was a tremendous accomplishment, given the times. Attorney Jones was instrumental in securing a $50,000 donation from John E. Morgan, and thus the auditorium was named the John E. Morgan Auditorium. The banks were also extremely supportive,” said Dr. Lammie. Also imperative to the fund raising initiatives, some leaders of the Berks Campus Advisory Board met with members from the Schuylkill Campus Advisory Board. They related the successes achieved at the Berks campus, which was a great incentive in energizing the Schuylkill leaders.

As support from the community continued, and enrollments increased, Dr. Lammie explained there were two big issues for the campus. “The first was the need for baccalaureate degrees that could be completed locally, and second was the need for housing.” Penn State Schuylkill was always on the list for housing, but wasn’t selected because of the lack of food service. “If the campus was to grow, housing for students from out of the area was a necessity,” he elaborated.

The center was initially a non-residential campus, primarily serving males who commuted to classes. In 1968, the University developed a fifty-nine bed, all-female dormitory. In 1984 the capacity was increased to eighty-five beds, and then in 1985 it was switched to a co-ed dormitory. The dorms were located across a busy highway, and food services were not offered to the students. The board wanted it to be a “live in” or “cottage campus” where students could remain both day and night and enjoy the full college experience. Since the University could not provide housing, they recommended that the advisory board provide it. Unfortunately, the board had neither land, nor money with which to build.

The proposal for the apartments was developed by Dick Higgins, a real estate broker and county commissioner. Contractors submitted plans and bids, but there still wasn’t any land. The commissioners were willing to donate land as a site, but needed to give it to a non-profit. Thus the board served as the developer and adviser. The commissioners agreed to finance it with a bond issue, thus keeping the interest rate low. Attorney Jones’s efforts were essential to implementing this project, making sure that all was in order to proceed. The Schuylkill Economic Development Corporation accepted the initial gift and then transferred it to the board. Again, the board was involved with fund raising as additional apartments were built, and within two years from design, the housing was completed. Over the next twelve years, three additional residential apartments were added. Dr. Lammie emphasized, “Housing extended the opportunities for non-local, economically disadvantaged, first-generation students to improve their lives through an education at Penn State Schuylkill. This was an extremely valuable effort.”

Expansion of academics also occurred during this time. In 1997, the campus merged with Penn State Harrisburg to become a part of the Capital College. This allowed Schuylkill the ability to offer baccalaureate degrees in business, criminal justice, and psychology, and a master’s degree in education, thus increasing the percentage of full-time students enrolled to 78 by the year 1998.

Another major project was the library campaign. Allen Kiefer and Jim Stine were instrumental in raising $1 million for the project, and the Pennsylvania State legislature had committed $1.6 million in matching funds. The banks and Cressona Aluminum were significant contributors. Unfortunately, securing the state funds turned into a multi-year process. Meanwhile, Fred Ciletti, who had been an employee at Penn State Schuylkill, was

Attorney Joseph H. Jones, Sr. is the chair of the Schuylkill Campus Advisory Board Development Committee.


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the University lobbyist in the state capitol. He was instrumental in finally securing the state funds and thus the library was named the Ciletti Memorial Library in his honor.

Along with support from the advisory board, support from county government continues as most recently, the county sold additional acreage to the board to build a fifth apartment complex, renovate the newly acquired 1912 Building Caretaker’s Home, and demolish the 1912 building. The board borrowed the funds to finance these projects. Out of the 850 students that currently attend classes at Penn State Schuylkill, 320 are residential students living in the Nittany Apartments.

To elaborate on the role of the board, Attorney Jones indicated, “Advisory board is actually a misnomer. The board does not try to advise nor direct in academic areas. Rather its role, both then and now, has been to concentrate on the physical facilities, to enlarge them, and make them more adaptable to the learning experience. In addition, we want to make the campus a work-friendly environment for faculty, and to provide what is needed to increase enrollment and accommodate more students, like adding a new library, a student center, and residence halls.” He also sees the board as a resource to help to ease the financial burden for students. They look to the chancellor and provost for advice on what the board can do to enhance the lives of the students and the campus.

Attorney Wiest explained, “The board is a really important part of what the campus is today. Members see the importance of the availability of education beyond high school in our local area. They recognize the financial hardships that many face locally, and they provide scholarships from their own resources so that individuals are able to attend.”

“The advisory board also provides funds for faculty research grants and other things as identified by the administration,” Mr. Kiefer added. When asked about his role with the board he said, “My job is easy. We have many influential people who are willing to work. These are people who are connected and know how to get things accomplished.”

Each was asked about their roles on the board and their commitment to the campus. Attorney Wiest explained, “My role initially was to serve as the attorney for the board.” He has remained on the board since 1954, serving now as the chair of the academic affairs committee. He is extremely supportive of faculty and student research, and established a fund to provide financial support

for research. He recently had the honor of being named an Honorary Alumnus of Penn State. While Attorney Wiest did not expand on his role on the board, others indicated that he has been a strong supporter throughout his sixty years of service.

Attorney Wiest explained that a friend initially asked him to serve on the board, and his commitment to the campus continues because of the vital role it plays for the local community. He is pleased with the high standards that the campus has been committed to throughout its eighty-year history, and the close connection with University Park. This has provided good results for the local campus.

In terms of his strong pledge to Penn State Schuylkill, Mr. Kiefer shared, “I’m not sure that I would have received an education without the Pottsville Center. I was more of a homebody and wanted to stay local. My education provided great opportunities and opened many doors. I went on to complete my baccalaureate degree at University Park, but I was happy to return to Schuylkill County. I’m happy to help others have the same opportunities that I was given.” He added, “I realize the reputation and accreditation of Penn State. Having the campus here in Schuylkill County is a great resource. Not everyone realizes what we have, or the significance of a Penn State degree.” Mr. Kiefer would like to see enrollment levels grow along with additional programs. He is extremely proud of the excellence of the education provided here.

Dr. Lammie explained that his commitment to the campus started with his appointment as the CEO. He had been the academic officer at Penn State Shenango prior to being promoted. When he first arrived, he really liked the area, and recognized the strong community support for the campus. Throughout the years, he has been impressed with the number of first-generation college students who are able to complete their education at Penn State Schuylkill. He appreciates the strong commitment from the faculty to work with the students to help them be successful, and sees the need to keep education affordable for local students.

When asked about his vision and dream for the future of the campus, Dr. Lammie indicated that he would like to see additional baccalaureate programs added. “The campus is vital to the community and it should remain so,” he said. “It provides the opportunity for local students to complete their education close to home and thus make it more affordable.” In closing he added, “The board is extremely important to the success of the campus. Some members are alumni and some are

Dr. Wayne D. Lammie was the campus executive office for Penn State Schuylkill from 1978 to 2000.


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not, but they all see the value of the campus, and do extraordinary things to make it a success. The efforts of individuals like Fred Wiest and Steve and Marjorie Cotler are just two examples of this amazing support.”

Attorney Jones related that his role with the board is primarily fund raising. He was the co-chair, with Lou Koch, on the first fund raising campaign. They did this with the guidance and advice of Dr. Lammie. “Currently, I work closely with Jane Zintak, director of Development, in my role as the chair of the board’s Development Committee,” he said.

Attorney Jones’ commitment to Penn State Schuylkill dates back to his first years in the county. He explained, “When I first came to Schuylkill County in the early 1950s, unemployment was at twenty-two percent. I joined others in the community to attract industries through the Greater Pottsville Industrial Development Corporation (GPIDC), now the Schuylkill Economic Development Corporation (SEDCO). The goal at the time was to attract industry and people to live here. It was important to appeal to the wives of the corporate executives they hoped to attract.” He felt, as did others, that availability of good education was fundamental to this initiative. Penn State played a key role. It provided the necessary inducement, given the educational opportunities and national reputation of the University. So it was important to assist the campus and to nurture what the campus had to offer. It was part of the plan to promote the county.

“In terms of the future for Penn State Schuylkill, we should do all that we can to appeal to high- tech companies. We would like to see local companies use Penn State students as interns, such as Extol. We need to educate students to prepare them for leadership positions with these companies,” Attorney Jones said. “I’d like to see the campus offer more baccalaureate degrees.” He also suggested that we need to find ways to utilize the additional acreage owned by the board that would be beneficial to both the campus and the county. “One idea,” he said, “would be the development of a Schuylkill County ethnic center and a cultural center for the arts. However, such a project would require additional study to determine the availability of public support.” In closing, he said that he would like to see the campus increase enrollment, particularly with Schuylkill County students.

Echoing the voices of all, Attorney Wiest said, “My hope is that the campus will continue to grow and prosper to serve the needs of the local community.”

Thus we see the fine ‘tapestry’ of Penn State Schuylkill that has been woven by Penn State University working collaboratively with local business, community, and governmental leaders…providing the strong foundation for a future of academic excellence, world-class resources, community engagement, and state-of-the-art campus facilities for generations to come. w

Allen E. Kiefer looks out over the campus from the Kiefer-Jones Building as he talks about how the advisory board has supported Penn State Schuylkill throughout the years.


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Penn State Schuylkill currently has thirty-four students in the campus Honors Program. These students explored New York City in the fall 2013 and Massachusetts and Harrisburg during 2014 spring break. They have been involved in activities both on and off campus, including: a kick-off reception in September, an Honors led symposium, a campus debate, and a trip to Philadelphia to see the Phantom of the Opera.

The fall 2013 trip to New York City provided the opportunity for students to visit the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. This experience allowed students to get to know each other, appreciate art together, and bond in a way that only travel and exposure to great cultural monuments can provide. Rather than following a strict agenda, students were encouraged to browse on their own, allowing their intellectual curiosity and personal preferences to guide them along. The goal was to experience the art first—freshly, innocently, and intensely—and only secondarily to consider preconceived critical notions like Egyptian art being necessarily religious, medieval art being devoted to God and unity, and Renaissance art stressing individualism. Similarly, students were encouraged to explore Manhattan to discover on their own terms the wonders of one of the greatest cities of the world.

During spring break, the Honors students participated in a tri-campus trip to Massachusetts along with faculty and students from the Abington and Lehigh Valley campuses. Faculty members, Darcy Medica (Schuylkill), Jacqueline McLaughlin (Lehigh Valley), and Kathy Fadigan (Abington) travelled with thirteen Honors students from Schuylkill, 2 students from Abington, and 3 students from Lehigh Valley to experience Boston and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute (WHOi) in Woods Hole, Mass. The students learned about historic Boston and visited the New England Aquarium. They also attended a performance by the Boston Symphony Orchestra that included works by Mozart. At Woods Hole, students toured the Marine Biological Laboratory and WHOi. As part of the tour, they were given a presentation on the effects of global climate change on

the arctic by WHOi researchers. On return to Pennsylvania, the students attended an “Undergraduate Research at the Capitol – PA” event in Harrisburg, where they were able to speak to students from all over the state who were presenting research posters. Penn State Schuylkill Honors students also met their state representatives, and two of the students presented a poster at the Capitol on research that they conducted with faculty at Penn State Schuylkill. One of the Honors students described the spring break trip as “a wonderful learning experience that provided a unique opportunity to broaden my knowledge outside the traditional classroom. I was actively engaged throughout the trip as we visited Boston, Woods Hole, and Harrisburg”. The trip was funded through a grant provided by Wells Fargo.

Students enrolled in the Honors speech class taught by Valerie Schrader, assistant professor of communications, attended a performance of the Phantom of the Opera at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia. They learned about the musical during the spring semester, and their assignment after the performance was to conduct a rhetorical analysis, resulting in a written report on the performance. Funding for this trip was provided by a grant from Wells Fargo.

In April, the Honors students held a debate on the legalization of illegal drugs. Faculty, students, staff, and the local community were invited to the event. The initiative was entirely student generated and directed.

The Honors Program and the Undergraduate Research and Scholarship Program co-sponsored the Second Annual Penn State Schuylkill Student Research and Creative Accomplishments Symposium in April. Students presented research that they conducted

with faculty as well as Honors projects that they conducted in their courses.

To qualify for the Honors program, students must have a minimum of 1700 on the three-part combined SAT, a score of four or more on any AP test, or a Penn State GPA of 3.5 or higher. Each year, students take seven credits of Honors courses and Honors option courses, where they work closely with faculty to explore a topic in more depth than would normally be covered in the course. All members of the Honors program are also members of the Honors Society, which coordinates many of the activities of the organization. The co-presidents of the Honors Society for 2014-2015 are Stacy Koperna and Caitlin Mroz. The Honors co-coordinators are Penn State faculty, Michael Gallis and Valerie Schrader.

For details on the Penn State Schuylkill Honors Program, visit http://www.sl.psu.edu/ Academics/honors.htm

For additional information from the Massachusetts spring break trip, visit the student blog entries: https://sites.psu.edu/honorsschuylkill/ w

Penn State Schuylkill Honors students learn through experiences inside and outside the classroom

Three students from Penn State Schuylkill, Kaitlyn Bandholz, Stacy Koperna, and Gabriel Rohrberg presented at the PERC Sustainability Symposium at Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA.


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Penn State’s Sustainability Institute recently announced the recipients of the Reinvention Fund grants. Penn State Schuylkill was awarded over $52,000, including support from the Office of the Vice President for Commonwealth Campuses, to fund a ‘living laboratory for sustainability.’ This project, known as EPICS (Envision, Plan, Implement, Change, Sustain), will allow the entire campus to become a ‘living laboratory for sustainability’.

According to Stephen R. Couch, Ph.D.,“This is an exciting opportunity for the Penn State Schuylkill campus. The proposal involves all sectors of the campus in all aspects. It will also involve local community partners. Once fully instituted, EPICS will ensure that all Penn State Schuylkill students will have had the opportunity to learn about and practice sustainability.”

This grant will allow the campus to explore several new initiatives including the addition of a sustainability leadership minor, a credit certificate in sustainability, and the inclusion of sustainability issues in the First Year Seminar. Faculty will have the opportunity to participate in two workshops related to the inclusion of sustainability into coursework. Students will have the opportunity to participate in several field trips related to sustainability. Several campus and community related initiatives may be included, such as a one day symposium to explore the county’s social, environmental, and economic concerns in an effort to seek collaborative approaches to sustainability.

Over $875,000 was awarded university-wide to faculty, staff, and student proposals. Penn State Schuylkill was one of four Commonwealth campuses to receive funding. The purpose of the Reinvention Fund is to provide resources to innovative teams seeking to pursue interdisciplinary and holistic solutions to sustainability challenges in a way that fosters cross functional integration of Penn State’s teaching, research, outreach, operation, and administration expertise, so that our University community can link and leverage our depth and build our collective capacity in pursuit of sustainability.

The Reinvention Fund portfolio composition is based on a strategy of relatively strong investment in teaching and learning focused projects and the exploration of transformational efforts at department, college, and campus scales. Funded projects also represent a tactical approach to explore the Living Laboratory theme of Penn State’s Sustainability Strategic Plan.

The fund invested most heavily in projects that will utilize both campus and community resources to dissolve the traditional boundaries of classrooms and operational programs to create experiential learning opportunities. This strategy also recognizes that the Living Lab includes all Penn State’s colleges and campuses. The portfolio strives to represent this diversity of campus locations, communities, and place-based approaches.

The portfolio of investment provides the tools for innovation across the functions of education, research, outreach, operations, and governance to support our continued transformation into a Living Lab for sustainability at an aggressive pace. w

Penn State Schuylkill to become a ‘living laboratory for sustainability’

Students who participated in the national Take your daughters and sons to work day enjoyed learning about sustainability from retired Penn State instructor Thomas Cleary at the annual Eco Fair.


B U S I N E S S L E A D E R I N S I G H T:

Richard “Dick” Yuengling, Jr.


As part of Penn State Schuylkill’s year-long 80th Anniversary celebration, several area business leaders were invited to share their stories on campus in a Speaker Series. The first speaker was Richard “Dick” Yuengling, Jr. Subsequently, Dick agreed to be interviewed for this article.

D. G. Yuengling & Son, Inc. has been family-operated since 1829, and is America’s oldest brewery. Richard “Dick” Yuengling, Jr. is the fifth generation to own the brewery and in a recent interview, he shared his story and provided some insight on their success.

Dick is very down-to-earth, and has the hands of a working man. He is deeply involved with the day-to-day operations of the brewery, and even at the age of 71, he still enjoys working. He is able to step into most of the jobs, working side-by-side with his employees.

Please share the story of your journey to where you are today.Dick started with the brewery in 1958, at the age of 15. He began working with the carpenters in the summers, and did that for two years. He slowly moved into other departments, learning all aspects of the business.

He tried college for one year, but realized he was happiest when he was working, so he decided to quit college and return to work in the brewery. He recognized some inefficiencies in how the business was currently operating. His father and grandfather primarily wanted to make affordable beer and sell it in the local region and Maryland. Dick wanted the opportunity to implement changes and make the operation more efficient.

In the 60s, there was strong competition in the industry. Many brewers were going out of business, their equipment sold for scrap and the buildings left to deteriorate. Dick learned that his father was in the process of selling the brewery and that the new owner had plans to close it and sell the equipment for scrap. Dick convinced his father to retain the business and let him help with turning things around by brewing a quality

beer that was more expensive, but also more profitable. The brewmaster at the time was N. Ray Norbert.

In the early 70s, most breweries were modernizing, such as using forklifts to load the beer instead of by hand. Unfortunately, the brewery didn’t have the resources to modernize. Yuengling continued to do things the “old way,” actually employing more personnel then as compared to the current operation. Dick saw the need to modernize if they were to survive and thrive, but his father disagreed. In 1973, Dick left the brewery and opened a beer distribution center in New Philadelphia. Eleven years later his father became ill, and Dick convinced his father to sell the brewery to him. In 1985, he sold his beer distribution center and became the owner of the D.G. Yuengling & Son Brewery.

Dick quickly implemented changes and production was increased by 50% from when he left the brewery in 1973. In current production, they now brew five times as much beer with fewer employees than they had in the 1970s. Timing was right as craft beers were just beginning to flourish. Sam Adams and other microbreweries were gaining popularity. Yuengling began its Black and Tan and Lager in 1987-88, and they were a big hit.

Things really took off when Dick met Tony Casinelli who challenged him to take the operation to the next level. Working with Tony, Dick was able to take over the Philadelphia market in just five years. Production went from 50 kegs a month to over 10,000 kegs a month. Tony convinced Dick that he needed a sales manager and he hired Tony’s son, David, in 1990. David was instrumental in setting up a wholesaler network in Harrisburg, Reading, Wilkes-Barre, Scranton, and other locations throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware.

Richard “Dick” Yuengling, Jr. was the first in a series of three local business leaders scheduled to speak for Schuylkill’s 80th anniversary.

“Pottsville and the Schuylkill County area are very important to us,” Yuengling said to an almost capacity crowd in the John E. Morgan Auditorium at Penn State Schuylkill on April 22.

Given the popularity of the brew, Yuengling had some challenges in keeping up with demand. They expanded the old brewery in Pottsville, but sold out again.

“In the beer industry, your customers are quick to forget your brand if you don’t keep up with the demand,” Dick shared. So they made the decision to keep the beer ‘regional’ until they could expand

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capacity. In 1998, they announced plans to build a second brewery in Mill Creek, just a few miles from the historic Pottsville brewery. The brewery at Mill Creek took three years to complete, and production began in 2001. In the meantime, he purchased the Stroh’s Brewery in Tampa, Florida in 1999 and started production there that summer.

By 2009, they were producing 2 million barrels. Stock was flying off the shelves, and in 2011, they expanded the Mill Creek facility.

In pausing to reflect, Dick said, “It’s not important to be the biggest, or sell the most beer, or to grow the most. It’s about employing many, providing good wages, and good benefits. That’s what makes you feel good.” It is also obvious that Dick is proud of the Yuengling brand and quality of the beer that they produce.

What do you see as the key to the success of the Yuengling Brewery?

“Hiring David Casinelli as the sales manager in 1990 was key,” Dick said. He then added, “We make a good, clean-tasting beer. Our beer is not bland or mass marketed. It has taste and character. It is a good product and David helped to make it the beer of choice, especially in the coal region. He improved the packaging, recommended the long neck bottle because it is attractive, even though it is more expensive to produce, and we improved the labeling. We’ve been lucky, and we’re still growing.”

He went on to discuss Bud, Coors, and Miller light beers, and how Yuengling is competing with them. Yuengling light is distinctive in both color and flavor and they have worked to promote that difference.

What is your role in the business?Dick is the president of D.G. Yuengling & Son. but he admits that he is very “hands on.” He works most days from 5:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. with a break from 1:30 to 5:00 p.m. The brewery runs 24 hours a day. When asked about his philosophy on work, he said, “You must enjoy what you are doing. I keep healthy. I’m not one to sit around. I’m not content with paperwork. I like to be involved with all decisions.” He added, “ I tell my employees to let me in on it; don’t surprise me, especially since some of their ideas are expensive.” He spoke with pride about how one project was to have cost $25,000 but his employees were able to fix it much less expensively.

Dick talked about his thoughts on sustainability. He believes in doing as much as he can to be environmentally friendly, while at the same time maximizing economic sustainability. The spent grain is sold to a farmer as food for his livestock; the extra yeast is sold to another business that needs yeast; some of the by-products of production include CO2, they make their own, compress it and pump it back in at the appropriate time in the brewing process; they recycle the cardboard; they use a heat exchange system to take advantage of the hot and cold water exchanges at the various stages of the process; they bail the plastic wrap and the green strapping and recycle it; and they encourage employees to recycle aluminum cans. His viewpoint, “You shouldn’t need to be told to clean up the environment.”

Penn State Honors students meet with Richard “Dick” Yuengling Jr., president and owner of D.G. Yuengling & Son Inc., during a reception prior to his speaking engagement for Penn State Schuylkill’s 80th anniversary.


Do you have any advice for your daughters?“Watch what the brewmaster is doing and learn everything about the business,” he said. He mentioned although he is not a brewer, he does know the process and he stays out of the brewmaster’s way. His daughter, Jennifer, went to brewer’s school.

Packaging is a different story. He is comfortable with getting involved with that process and his advice there is to “manage your inventory and sell what you produce.” Jennifer is primarily involved with the logistics of the operation: order services, wholesale, and production. Another daughter, Wendy, is in administration. “She’s a good thinker,” he said.

What sets you apart from the competition?“One thing,” he said, “is taste.” He went on to explain that the large companies, Budweiser, Miller, and Coors, have 85% of the market. Imports have 10%, and the remaining brewers, like Sam Adams, Yuengling, and other craft beers enjoy 5%. Yuengling’s share is approximately 1%, but they aren’t in all states.

“Additionally, our good employees. They all have a strong work ethic, and we’re able to operate efficiently, 24 hours a day,” he said. He went on to explain that he treats everyone differently, giving some employees a break when it is needed. He feels that he is able to earn their respect because of this.

You mentioned in your speech that the Schuylkill community is really important to you and the Yuengling Brewery. Can you elaborate on that?He explained that the success of Yuengling and the success of Pottsville go hand-in-hand. Tourists come to the area to tour the brewery, visit the gift shop, and look to sample the beer in area restaurants and tap rooms. “With Yuengling as ‘Pottsville’s beer,’ we can capitalize on brand recognition and enhance tourism to the area,” he said. He also mentioned the recent 5K and the impact that had on the local economy. He does try to offer support locally and to give everybody something. It works best when the partnership is reciprocal.

Your thoughts on the U.S. economy, the future of Schuylkill County, and where should we be concentrating our efforts?

“I’d like to see government support for the clean use of coal. We’re sitting on a great resource, and instead of fighting the use of coal, the government should be working with the coal industry to find a way to use it with clean exhaust,” he said.

“We would benefit from becoming a ‘right to work’ state. This would encourage businesses to come to our state, as would a change in Pennsylvania taxes. Other states do not have the capital stock tax. Workman’s compensation needs to be improved, as well,” he said.

Yuengling currently has two plants, Mill Creek and Florida, in addition to the historic brewery in Pottsville. Any plans for the future?

“As for future plans, we may expand Mill Creek and we just upgraded the Tampa plant. I don’t have any plans to be the biggest,” he said. “We are renovating the ice cream store so that we can move and expand the gift shop, museum, and tasting room. This building was an eye sore, and it’s the right thing to do,” he said. The museum and gift shop currently have over 70 thousand visitors.

Some of the items on display in the museum are from his father’s diary. His father was a waist gunner on a B-24 in World War II and flew 34 missions. There was a high mortality rate among waist gunners so this was an exceptional feat. Dick was amazed to learn of this since his father had never mentioned it. Yuengling is a strong supporter of the military, and has many memorabilia on display in the museum.

If you could have the opportunity for one “do over,” what would it be?

“I’m content, there’s really nothing that I’d want to change,” he said. He went on to add that he was able to learn from his mistakes, and he was able to live through the difficult times during the 60s and 70s.

Is there anything else that you’d like to share?“I hope that people appreciate American-owned businesses, and I try to buy as much as I can from them, such as glass, and aluminum cans. It is possible to support them and still sell at a reasonable price.” He also said he appreciates the support that he receives from businesses, including The Nittany Lion Inn at University Park. w


Penn State Schuylkill Chancellor Dr. Kelly M. Austin and Richard “Dick” Yuengling, Jr. at the welcome reception prior to the Speaker Series.

We would also like to recognize our other distinguished presenters in the Speaker Series

who shared their business expertise with students, faculty, staff, and the local community.

Thomas F. Twardzik

Ateeco, Inc./Mrs. T’s Pierogies

Dr. Joseph Jurgielewicz Joe Jurgielewicz & Sons, Inc.


A L U M N I

Emily R. Bear, a former Penn State Schuylkill student, is the recipient of the 2014 Penn State University Alumni Achievement Award.

The Alumni Achievement Award is open to all graduates of the University who are thirty-five years of age or younger, and have shown extraordinary professional accomplishment. These prominent young alumni are nominated by an academic college and invited by the president of the University to return to campus to share their expertise with students, faculty, and administrators. They demonstrate to students that Penn State alumni succeed in exceptional fashion at an early age.

Ms. Bear is a 2006 graduate of the Pottsville Hospital School of Nursing, Pottsville, Pennsylvania. She completed pre-medical requisites at the Penn State Schuylkill and Berks campuses, and then earned her bachelor of science degree in Nursing from the Penn State World Campus in 2010. She is a staff nurse at Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network in the Transitional Trauma Unit.

During 2012 and 2013, Bear took a leave of absence from her staff nurse position and spent eight weeks in Conakry, Guinea Africa volunteering as a vesicovaginal and rectovaginal fistula nurse aboard the Africa Mercy Ship. She learned transcultural nursing firsthand and was able to share her experiences with her former school of nursing at an all-day seminar.

She has been a trauma nurse for over seven years, and has been an active member on the unit’s Performance Improvement and Practice Committee. She has recently joined the Nightshift Nurse Council representing medical-surgical nurses, and has spent numerous hours as a nurse preceptor to senior nursing students and nursing graduates. In 2008, she presented at the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurse’s Conference on Insulin Infusion Protocol.

In 2013, Bear and fellow laboratory partners were published e-Version in the International Journal of Chemistry for their research in organic chemistry. She is a member of the American Nurses Association, Society of Trauma Nurses, the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses, the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and Alpha Sigma Lambda, Phi Delta Chi member, and the Penn State Alumni Association. In 2004, she was the winner of Penn State Schuylkill’s first collegiate public speaking competition.

The Penn State Schuylkill Alumni Society recognized Ms. Bear at a Mentor Luncheon at the campus in March and she was recognized with eight other Alumni Achievement Award recipients at a ceremony at University Park in April. w

Penn State Schuylkill alumnae selected to receive the 2014 Penn State University Alumni Achievement Award

Emily R. Bear


A L U M N I

A total of eighty-five students completed their degrees in fall 2013 or spring 2014 at Penn State Schuylkill, joining the ranks of over 11,000 alumni. These students are to be commended for their efforts. Completion of a college degree requires a great deal of determination and persistence.

Some students face additional challenges when working on completing their college education, as exemplified by two students. Edward A. Breiner and Rose Snowell both completed their degrees while overcoming additional obstacles.

Edward A. Breiner, an Honors student at Penn State Schuylkill, left Schuylkill County during his sophomore year in high school. After graduating from Science Hill High School in Johnson City, Tennessee in 2010, he returned to Schuylkill County to attend Penn State Schuylkill. Breiner completed his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration in 3 ½ years, maintaining a 4.0 GPA while completing the rigorous coursework required for the Schuylkill Honors Program. He served as a campus peer tutor, and participated in many clubs and organizations, serving as the president of the Business Society.

Breiner’s challenges were not only academic. For the first three years, he walked the five miles from his residence in Pottsville to attend classes at Penn State Schuylkill. While this was a challenge, he has grown to value the exercise and the determination that he developed as a result of this. He used this experience to look at the world differently.

Breiner completed his internship with Hexcel, Corp. in Saint Clair, PA and accepted a full-time position with the company upon completion of his degree. When asked about his advice for others who may enroll in college he said, “College is more than just a progression of classes to gain a ‘paper’ indicating what you have done. College is the greatest time of your life. It is an opportunity for freedom...you have the ability to change your entire world-view. Choose wisely.”

Another recent graduate, Rose Snowell, is an adult learner. She graduated in 1975 from Pottsville Area High School, and attended another university for three years. She decided to put her own education on hold so that she could focus on raising her daughter. She is very proud that her daughter has completed her college education and has gone on to be successful in her own life and career.

With this goal accomplished, Snowell re-focused her energies on completing her own education and enrolled at Penn State Schuylkill. She completed an associate degree in Human Development and Family Studies and immediately re-enrolled to continue on for a bachelor’s degree with a dual major in Sociology and Behavioral Science through Penn State Harrisburg. Fortunately, she was able to complete many of her courses at Penn State Schuylkill. Her dream of completing her bachelor’s degree was realized in December 2013.

Snowell believes that her dedication to her family, and her perseverance in completing her degree will serve as a great role model for her seven year old grandson and the foster children that she has in her care, as well as other adult learners.

Snowell is currently employed at Penn State Schuylkill as an administrative support assistant for the Financial Aid and Registrar offices. She enjoys working with the students on campus, especially mentoring minority students and assisting them with the transition from metropolitan life to life in a small community. She has served as the adviser for several student clubs on campus, and also participates in many African American cultural events in Pottsville. Her previous work experience includes serving as a therapeutic staff support.

Snowell said, “My greatest challenge was finding the time to do everything that I needed to do.” Now that she is finished, she sometimes can’t believe that she weathered the storm. She was able to do so by just moving ahead, realizing that time moves so fast.

When asked about her advice for others who may enroll she said, “Don’t be afraid to ask for help, and don’t wait until it is too late. Seek assistance from the professionals to help you navigate the system. Go to the official source so you can make informed decisions.” w

The road to becoming a Penn State Schuylkill alum is not always easy

Rose Snowell

C O N F E R E N C E

Penn State Schuylkill 2014 Women’s Wellness Conference


As part of the 80th Anniversary celebration, a Women’s Wellness Conference was held Saturday, August 16 at Penn State Schuylkill. The event featured five outstanding female speakers that presented on topics that educated the attendees on the most pressing issues concerning their mind, body, and spirit. The cost to attend was $25 and it included a continental breakfast, buffet lunch, and door prizes. w

Featured speakers and their topics:

Dr. Gail Eiceman, Ph.D. in Naturopathy, RN, CCN, has been in the health care profession for over twenty-five years. She began her career as a

pediatric nurse after receiving her nursing diploma from Chester County Hospital. She served as head nurse in ICCU, the emergency room, and other various disciplines of nursing. A personal illness led Dr. Eiceman to investigate the integration of her medical experience with the benefits of natural medicine. She obtained numerous certifications and degrees, including her doctorate in Naturopathy. She also received advanced nursing degrees and is board certified as a clinical nutritionist and Legal Nurse Consultant. Dr. Eiceman established her practice, Nutrition Works Educational Services, in 1983 in Womelsdorf, Pennsylvania. She specializes in nutrition, bio-identical hormone therapy, weight loss, and other women’s issues.

“Contemporary Nutrition: What you need to know about vitamin D and diabetes.”

Ms. Judy Grant, LSW, CEAP, M.S.W., M.B.A., is the regional vice president of EAP+ Work/Life Operations for Health Advocate, Inc., headquartered in Plymouth

Meeting, Pennsylvania. She has over twenty-four years of experience in clinical settings, as well as leadership roles with employee assistance programs (EAP) in the behavioral health field. Ms. Grant is a Licensed Social Worker. She earned her master’s degree in Social Work from Rutgers University, and an M.B.A. with a concentration in marketing and international business from the University of Delaware. Her combined experience in behavioral health and business has made her a premier consultant and trainer in the employee assistance field.

“Managing stress and anxiety on a daily basis.”

Dr. Stacey June, D.O. and Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, is in private practice at Spring Ridge Plastic Surgery in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania. She graduated from the

New York College of Osteopathic Medicine before accepting the challenge of a rigorous general surgery residency at Lutheran Medical Center, a Level 1 trauma center in Brooklyn, New York. It was there that she developed a passion for plastic and reconstructive surgery. She completed a fellowship in plastic and reconstructive surgery at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.

“Cosmetic Surgery: The latest techniques and procedures.”

Ms. Ginger M. McLean, Director of Spa Operations, Walt Disney World Resorts and former director of “The Chocolate Spa” at the Hotel Hershey, brings a lifelong commitment to wellness

with experience managing some of the country’s top resort spas. She began her spa career as part of the opening team with the Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa in Asheville, North Carolina. Ms. McLean also held positions as the senior vice president, Spa Division for WTS International; the spa director of “The Chocolate Spa” at Hershey Entertainment and Resorts, Hershey, Pennsylvania; the corporate director of Spas and Tarpon Club, Gulfbay Companies, Marco Beach Ocean Resort, Marco Island, Florida; and the director of Revenue Management and Spa Operations Manager, Ojai Valley Inn and Spa, Ojai, California.

“The meaning of spa and how it promotes a wellness life-style.”

Dr. Susan Probst, M.D. is an Obstetrician and Gynecologist in Reading, Pennsylvania with more than thirty-seven years of experience in her field. She is affiliated with the

Reading Hospital and Medical Center. Dr. Probst received her medical degree from Temple University. She is one of thirty-five physicians at the Reading Hospital and Medical Center that specializes in obstetrics and gynecology.

“Roadmap to health for the 21st Century woman.”


C O M M U N I T Y S E R V I C E

Penn State Schuylkill has been named to the 2014 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll by the Corporation for National and Community Service. The Honor Roll recognizes higher education institutions that reflect the values of exemplary community service and achieve meaningful outcomes in their communities. Selection to the Honor Roll is recognition from the highest levels of the federal government of the commitment to service and civic engagement at Penn State Schuylkill.

Penn State Schuylkill students were involved with a multitude of community service projects, completing well over 10,000 hours of service this year. Some specific examples of their service projects this past year include the following:

During National Volunteer Week, students volunteered and participated in the following activities in the local community:

• Dog walking and general cleaning duties at the Hillside Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

• Assisted with the distribution of registration materials to people participating in the Yuengling Lager Jogger on April 12

• Completed a clean-up in collaboration with the Schuylkill Headwaters Association

• Attended an information session on an alternative spring break trip to Honduras

In collaboration with the athletic department, students volunteered to go to the Intermediate Unit 29 in Marlin, Pennsylvania, and play basketball in the annual Special Olympics game. We lost, but the students truly enjoy seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces. This is the third year our students have participated in the event.

Thirty-five students from the Criminal Justice Club participated in the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event for Schuylkill Women in Crisis. They won the award for largest group represented!

Students also went to Rest Haven to play BINGO with the residents, completed a clean-up at the Bartrum Trail, and collected sweats and pajamas for Schuylkill Women in Crisis.

Additionally, Schuylkill THON had a tremendous year, raising over $56,000 for the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon that benefits the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Milton Hershey Medical Center and the fight against pediatric cancer. The campus ranked 5th out of the Commonwealth campuses. Three Schuylkill students participated as dancers in the 46-hour no-sitting event, and dozens of students from the campus also attended in support of the event and campus dancers.

In the past three years, the Schuylkill THON committee has raised more than $80,000 from the local community. Winn Allen, a junior business student, is the chair for the 2014-15 academic year.

The Penn State Schuylkill community is very proud of our students and the commitment that they have made to serving the local community. w

Penn State Schuylkill students receive recognition for their community service efforts

Left: Penn State Schuylkill Men’s and Women’s Basketball team members travel to the Schuylkill Intermediate Unit 29 to participate in their Special Olympics; Right: The Criminal Justice Club participated in the Walk A Mile in Her Shoes event to bring awareness to domestic violence.

PENN STATE SCHUYLKILL THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY 200 UNIVERSITY DRIVE SCHUYLKILL HAVEN, PA 17929

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Center: Female students hang out in a bedroom from the all-female dormitory that was developed in 1968. Top inlay: An outside shot of the all-female dormitory that was located across a busy highway from the campus. The dormitory was converted to co-ed dorms in 1985. The dorms were officially closed in 1991, as apartment-style housing continued to be built next to the campus.

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