Category: News || By Staff and Submitted Reports

Penn State students and alumni from the McKeesport campus will head to Harrisburg Tuesday to lobby legislators and ask them not to cut support for higher education.

A spokeswoman for the Greater Allegheny Campus says the Penn State Grassroots Network has joined forces with three student government groups to organize this year's Penn State Capital Day.

Small teams of students, alumni and friends of Penn State will meet with state legislators and provide updates on the university's programs.

According to a Penn State press release, the university is trying to emphasize that it provides education, training and research that directly benefits taxpayers by improving the state's business climate, creating jobs, supporting agriculture and boosting quality of life.

In addition, alumni and students will rally at 12 noon Tuesday in the main rotunda of the state Capitol.

Gov. Tom Corbett's proposed 2011-12 state budget, unveiled March 10, would slash Pennsylvania's support to Penn State University by more than 50 percent --- from $334 million to $165 million. Other state-related universities, including the University of Pittsburgh, and the 14 state-owned universities, including those in California and Indiana boroughs, would see cuts of similar magnitude.

During a press conference March 11 in University Park, Penn State President Graham Spanier called the proposal "devastating" and said that state subsidies are used to support the cost of tuition for in-state Pennsylvania residents, as well as to operate the statewide network of county agriculture extension offices.

"It will undoubtedly push the cost of a Penn State education out of reach for many Pennsylvania families who are already at the maximum level of loans and grants," he said.

Spanier added that cutting the subsidy so drastically would lead to tuition increases, furloughs of many employees and the "distinct possibility" of closure of some of the university's branch, or "Commonwealth," campuses. He called it the "single largest appropriation cut in the history of American higher education."

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Adult Ed Administrator Honored: An administrator at Penn State's McKeesport campus is this year's winner of an award that recognizes "visionary accomplishments" towards educating adult learners.

JeanMarie Jacob of Forest Hills was chosen from among nominees across the state to receive the Shirley Hendrick Award. Named for a former associate dean for continuing education in Penn State's Smeal College of Business Administration, the Hendrick Award is presented each year by Penn State Outreach.

The award includes a $1,000 stipend. Jacob was recognized at a faculty-staff luncheon March 23.

"JeanMarie is committed to researching, developing and implementing innovative adult programming that culminates in employment opportunities for Penn State Greater Allegheny students in our region's growing job sectors," said Rosemarie Picconi, director of continuing education for the Greater Allegheny Campus,

A graduate of Penn State, Jacob has served as area representative for education and training at Penn State Greater Allegheny for two years and has worked in the campus' continuing education department for six years. She is currently pursuing a master's degree in adult education, a spokeswoman said.

"As a returning adult student, I can sympathize with the many challenges adults face when making the decision to return to higher education," Jacob said in a prepared statement. "This award is especially meaningful to me because the nomination came from my co-workers and clients. I am grateful to have such great people to work with and I truly appreciate their support."

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New Textbook Fund Established: A new textbook support fund will help students at the McKeesport campus to pay for those items, as well as instructional supplies and other material.

The fund --- created with $20,000 in proceeds from last year's "All That's Jazz" fundraiser, as well as private donations --- the money will be offered to eligible students at the Greater Allegheny Campus who show a "high financial need," a spokeswoman says.

Books obtained from the program will be considered loaned and will be returned after use so that other students can obtain them. There is no limit to the amount of support a student can receive if they qualify, and no limit to the number of times a student can get assistance if they remain eligible, a spokeswoman says.

For more information, call the Penn State Center for Academic Excellence and Career Program office at (412) 675-9491 or the Learning Center at (412) 675-9454.