November 2018: What's happening at Shenango?
In the edition, read a special welcome message from our Campus Director, Dr. Jo Anne Carrick, and meet our campus community members Ariane Wagler, Sam Bernstine, Matt Goral.
Vol 1, Issue 1
A special message from the Campus Director,
Dr. Jo Anne Carrick...
It has been a while since our last newsletter was published, but we have not forgotten our loyal alumni and friends. Actually, we have been working on many exciting initiatives which we are very happy to share with all of you today, through our new electronic newsletter!
This inaugural electronic newsletter commences our new approach to staying connected with you more often to keep you up-to-date on all the great things that our students, faculty, and staff are doing at Penn State Shenango.
Each month, you will receive a newsletter which will include feature articles about the unique things our faculty are doing to engage students in their classes; our highly motivated new staff, as well as those who have given years of service to the campus; and our amazing students. Through this new venue, we will also be taking an opportunity to recognize our generous benefactors, whose monetary gifts continue to increase our scholarship endowments and have a direct impact on making a Penn State education affordable.
One of our feature articles this month includes additional stories on the re-instatement of our Athletics Program after a 20 year “time out.” We were glad to see many of you at our first home opener on November 10 in the newly, renovated gymnasium at the Buhl Community Recreation Center.
In closing, I extend well wishes to all of our alumni and friends of Penn State Shenango as we begin to prepare for the holiday season that is rapidly approaching. We share a common bond among us and have much to be thankful for. . . our families, our friends, and the Penn State community in downtown Sharon.
Meet Ariane
Name: Ariane Wagler
Major: Business Management and Marketing and a Certificate in International Studies
Graduation Date: May 2019
Do you plan to finish your degree at another campus? No
Why did you choose the Shenango campus? The overall atmosphere of Shenango is very welcoming; I think that had a lot to do with my decision to become a PSU Shenango student. I was also drawn in by the amount of opportunities Shenango offered, like the New York City, Pirates baseball and Alternative Spring Break trips.
What are you involved in on the campus? Former President of Student Government, Business Club, International Cultures Club, Alternative Spring Break, Lion Ambassadors, Lion Leaders.
What are you involved in outside of campus? Outside of campus I work as a licensed cosmetologist. I serve on the Mercer County Career Center Cosmetology Advisory Board. I enjoy spending time with friends and family, going on adventures and taking pictures.
Why do you love Penn State Shenango? I love PSU Shenango because the atmosphere is welcoming and the people are wonderful!
What is your favorite Penn State memory? My favorite Penn State memory is when I carried the PSU Shenango flag on the field with Sabrina [Breese] during the ALL-U Day football game.
Who has made an impact on your life personally or on campus? Why? So many people have had an impact on my life during my time at PSU Shenango. Too many to name!
Have you benefitted from Philanthropy? Yes
Where do you see yourself after graduating from Penn State? I am not sure where I see myself after graduation. Hopefully, I will find a career that I love and will be able to travel the world!
One surprising fact about yourself: I had never flown until I was 20 years old! My first time flying was on the ASB trip to Belize in March 2017.
Would you recommend Penn State Shenango to future students? Yes!
Any advice to future students? Take full advantage of all the opportunities PSU offers.
Meet Sam
Name: Samuel M. Bernstine
When did you graduate? May 1978
What was your major? College of Health and Human Development/Individual and Family Studies.
What campus(es) did you attend? PENN STATE Shenango from September of 1974 through May of 1976 and University Park from September of 1976 through May of 1978.
What were you involved in on campus during your time at Penn State? Numerous clubs and organizations, including Student Government and a player on the PENN STATE men’s Shenango basketball team. I also had a work/study job on campus.
What is your favorite Penn State memory? Receiving the Eric A. & Josephine R. Walker Award, Bayard Kunkle Scholarship Award and being a Renaissance Scholar, along with coming back to PENN STATE Shenango to receive my PENN STATE diploma on graduation day on a Sunday afternoon in May of 1978.
Why did you choose Penn State? My sister Carol went there before me and PENN STATE seemed to provide a broad range of future potential positive opportunities which definitely happened for me over time.
Who has made an impact on your life? Several PENN STATER’s including Joe Paterno because he taught me how to achieve “SUCCESS with HONOR.” Graham Spanier because he taught me how to exhibit a strong work ethic and to “defend the truth even when others don’t believe you.” Roger Williams because he taught me how to “collaborate with others” and Ron Fulton because he taught me how to always “project a positive attitude in life.”
One surprising fact about yourself: I have worked for the same company, a management consulting firm by the name of Kepner-Tregoe, for the past 32 years.
Where are you now? New Castle, PA
Family life: wife Pam, son Aaron, daughter-in-Law Ilia, grandson Dierks
Location, Career, etc.: I work for Kepner-Tregoe, a management consulting firm located in Princeton, NJ. I work with clients in the automotive, manufacturing, and power generation industries helping them focus on productivity improvements, quality enhancements, and cost reductions…
What is your proudest professional accomplishment? Helping my clients solve problems, make decisions, and implement plans in their place of business and in their personal lives daily.
Why would you recommend Penn State to future students? It is a top 50 world class university that provides a huge range of academic, athletic, and social experiences. The PENN STATE brand has an enormous network and global reach that can open many doors to help you achieve future success
Any advice to current/future students? Take full advantage of everyday you are at PENN STATE to listen, learn, and experience the PENN STATE WAY. When you leave PENN STATE be prepared to give back financially, socially, and academically so others in the future can enjoy what you have experienced in the past
Anything else you would like to share? I have been extremely fortunate to have served as a prior member of The PSAA Executive Board, a current member of The University Park Renaissance Scholarship Board, The College of Health and Human Development Alumni Society Board, The PENN STATE Shenango Advisory Board, The PENN STATE Shenango Alumni Society Board, and The Lawrence County PENN STATE Chapter Board. I also received the PENN STATE Volunteer of the Year Award twice this decade.
Meet Matt
Name: Matthew Goral
What is your role on the Shenango campus? Campus Registrar
How long have you been at Penn State? 28 years
What are you involved in on campus? In addition to creating the course schedule on campus, I also assign all classrooms. I am the graduation coordinator and I am responsible for the commencement ceremonies each fall and spring. I create all final exams and handle Senate petitions for students. I am also a member of the Library Advisory Board and the Campus Retention Committee.
Tell us about your education: I received a B.A. in Communications from Youngstown State University, and a double minor in Education and Political Science.
What is your favorite Penn State memory? When I received my rocking chair for completing 25 years of service. A great day!
Why do you love the Shenango campus? I have been associated with Penn State Shenango since 1983, directly out of high school. I was a work-study student in the library and enjoyed the campus from day one. The campus was always a great place to learn, and the small campus environment was so inviting and comfortable, it was a place where I knew I would enjoy working if ever given the opportunity. It was a way to experience a large university without being another number in the crowd. The smaller classes and personal touch given by the faculty and staff made one feel at home. You don't get that at a larger campus.
Who has made an impact on your life? Why? The person who made a significant impact on me was Shirley Snyder, the first librarian at Penn State Shenango. As a work study student, Shirley was the first staff/faculty member to take me under her wing. She was also the person who offered me my first job at Penn State. She was a true mentor and the greatest conversationalist that I've ever met. She had quiet manner about her, but carried a big stick, having chaired the campus Faculty Senate for a long tenure. She was the only person that I can remember who was loved and adored by all faculty and staff. She was compassionate in her convictions and treated all with equal respect. When she passed in 1993, the entire campus turned out for her funeral. That gesture alone showed how wide her impact was on people.
One surprising fact about yourself: I hate the water. Could never be a beach bum.
What do you enjoy outside of the classroom? Hobbies, interests, etc.: I am an avid collector. Some may say a "hoarder" - I have a huge comic book collection. I also collect movies, music, books and die-cast cars. I am also a HUGE GODZILLA fan and have gone to many conventions over the years.
What is your proudest professional accomplishment? Becoming the Campus Registrar. I didn't start out in that role. Like many, I was a staff assistant on campus in in the Library in 1990. I worked hard, learned as much as I could under many people at the campus, and made myself available for anything that I could. In 1993, an opportunity arose in the Registrar's Office and I moved into Academic Affairs. I worked hard to learn what I could over time and was often in situations where I had to manage that office with very little assistance or oversight. Over time, I became Assistant Registrar, and finally rose to Campus Registrar.
Why would you recommend Penn State Shenango to future students? Not everybody wants to be a number in college. If you want a big time university with a small town feel, then Penn State Shenango is your choice. There is a reason why Shenango is called "the small campus with a big heart." There is a personal touch given to students from faculty and staff that is hard to find elsewhere. The faculty and staff care about the students at this campus. The educational instruction is top-notch and you are never made to feel limited. The opportunities that are provided both in and outside of the classroom can and have made a tremendous impact on students lives. Students are made to feel that this is their home away from home.
Why would you recommend Penn State Shenango to a future colleague/employee? I've had a wonderful career at Penn State Shenango. I am so grateful for my years at this campus and for getting to know the faculty, staff and students over the years. It has been very awarding to learn and grow here. It's still a great place to work after all these years.
If you weren’t working in higher education, what would you be doing? Chasing Tornadoes....LOL. Seriously, I have always been fascinated by extreme weather. I never wanted to forecast weather in general, but extreme weather was something different. Growing up watching The Wizard of OZ, my favorite part was always the tornado. It looked so real and terrifying, but at the same time, I couldn't look away. Although they can be deadly and destructive, in some strange way, they are beautiful. They are a part of nature that 'til this day remain mysterious in many ways.
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Our monthly newsletter includes articles about the unique things our faculty are doing to engage students in their classes; our highly motivated staff, as well as those who have given years of service to the campus; and our amazing students. We will also be taking an opportunity to recognize our generous benefactors, whose monetary gifts continue to increase our scholarship endowments and have a direct impact on making a Penn State education affordable.
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