Penn State Alumni Newswire - Tuesday, February 22, 2005

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

1. THON BREAKS RECORD, RAISES $4.1 MILLION FOR FOUR DIAMONDS

Thon, Penn State's IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon, reached an all-time high this year, raising $4.1 million -- more than half a million more than last year -- for The Four Diamonds Fund at the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center. The grand total for this year was $4,122,483.65. Roughly 700 dancers filled Rec Hall and danced from 7 p.m. Friday through 7 p.m. Sunday in the largest student-run philanthropic event in the nation. The mission of The Four Diamonds Fund is to conquer childhood cancer by assisting children treated at Penn State Children's Hospital and their families through superior care, comprehensive support and innovative research. More than 90 percent of Thon's proceeds go straight to patients and each year, and 90 new families receive help from The Four Diamonds Fund.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

2. PENN STATE 'SURVIVOR' UPDATE: ALUMNUS SURVIVES FIRST EPISODE

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

3. THIS MONTH IN PENN STATE HISTORY: THE FOUNDING OF A WORLD-CLASS UNIVERSITY

It began in 1855; just 80 years after the United States became an independent nation. On Feb. 22 of that year, Pennsylvania Governor William Pollock signed a bill chartering The Farmers' High School as a baccalaureate institution, creating what is today The Pennsylvania State University. Governor Pollock's action not only laid the foundation for public higher education in Pennsylvania, but also created an institution of higher learning that was one of the first of its kind in the nation-an institution dedicated to teaching the scientific principles of farming and educating the working class.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

4. WOMEN'S SWIMMING AND DIVING CAPTURES SECOND BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP

The Penn State women's swimming and diving team wasn't a favorite heading into the Big Ten Championships this weekend, but the Nittany Lions put on one of the most dominating performances in recent history to win their second Big Ten Championship with 693 points. The Nittany Lions' point total was the most by any team in the Big Ten Championships since Michigan had 788.5 in 1998, and it was the most ever recorded by a Penn State team.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

5. LADY LIONS CLOSE OUT PERFECT HOME SEASON WITH 83-56 WIN OVER NORTHWESTERN

Tanisha Wright (West Mifflin, Pa.) and Jennifer Harris (Harrisburg,

Pa.) each scored 20 points and the No. 24 Penn State women's basketball team pulled away from Northwestern for an 83-56 win in front of 15,177 on Sunday (Feb. 20). The game was the Lady Lions' home season finale, and the win gave Penn State its second perfect home season in two years, as it finished the year 12-0 at the Bryce Jordan Center. Before the game the Lady Lions honored the five seniors who finished their four-year careers with 50 wins at home. The Lady Lions now head on the road to play No. 2/3 Ohio State on Feb. 27 with at least a share of the Big Ten regular season title on the line. The Lady Lions defeated the Buckeyes, 69-62, earlier this season in University Park.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

6. ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT CALENDAR: FEBRUARY 23 TO MARCH 9 MUSIC Thursday, February 24

-- Bach's Lunch HiLos, Penn State Glee Club, 12:10 p.m., Eisenhower Chapel.

-- Jazz@the HUB, Inner Dimensions, Rick Hirsch, director, 6:45 p.m., first floor, HUB-Robeson Center.

-- Penn State Philharmonic, 8 p.m., Eisenhower Auditorium. For tickets, call (814) 863-0255.

Friday, February 25

-- African-American Spirituals Weekend, Esber Recital Hall, through Feb. 27.

Saturday, February 26

-- The Gershwins' "Porgy and Bess," 8 p.m., Eisenhower Auditorium. For tickets, call (814) 863-0255.

Sunday, February 27

-- Inner Dimensions and Outer Dimensions, 7:30 p.m., Esber Recital Hall. Tickets required.

Tuesday, March 1

-- Symphonic Band and Concert Band, Dennis Glocke and Richard Bundy, conductors, 8 p.m., Eisenhower Auditorium. For tickets, call (814) 863-0255.

-- Sinfonietta, 8 p.m., Esber Recital Hall.

Thursday, March 3

-- Bach's Lunch, Baroque Ensemble, 12:10 p.m., Eisenhower Chapel.

-- Jazz @ the HUB, featuring Inner Dimension, first floor lounge, HUB-Robeson Center.

FILMS

Wednesday, February 23

-- "Americano as Apple Pie: The Blending of Culture," 12:15 p.m., 105 Deike.

Thursday, February 24

-- "Footlight Parade," 7 p.m. Feb. 24, 1 p.m. Feb. 27, Lipcon Auditorium, Palmer Museum of Art.

EXHIBITS

HUB-Robeson Center

-- "Calculations for the Perfect Woman," by Donnamaria Bruton, through March 16.

Palmer Museum of Art

-- "An Intimate Eye: Selections from the Collection of James and Barbara Palmer," through May 15.

-- "Henry Varnum Poor: Studies for the Land Grant Frescoes," through June 5.

Pattee and Paterno Libraries

-- "Changing the Joke/Slipping the Yoke: Humor in African-American Fiction," by Pia Deas, 109 Pattee Library, through March 11.

-- "Endangered Peoples: Struggling to Survive in a Global World," 109 Pattee Library, through March 11.

-- "Celebrating Martin Luther King Jr. and Black History Month," featuring posters designed by Penn State students, Pattee Library exhibit area, through March 11.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

7. DID YOU KNOW: PENN STATERS GIVE GENEROUSLY TO CHARITIES

Did you know...that Penn State's 35,000 full- and part-time employees are estimated to donate more than $116 million annually in charitable donations and volunteer services within the commonwealth. Penn State's more than 83,000 students donate more than $88 million annually in charitable donations and volunteer services within the commonwealth. On average, each Penn State alumnus volunteers more than 13.8 hours annually with charitable organizations throughout Pennsylvania. It is estimated that the value of such services from all to be $235 million annually, according to an alumni survey. Penn State alumni donate more than $103.3 million annually to charitable organizations throughout Pennsylvania, according to the same alumni survey.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

The Penn State Alumni Newswire is a benefit of membership in the Penn State Alumni Association. Part of the Penn State Alumni Association's mission is to strengthen the connection of alumni to the University and to provide valued services to members. Members of the Penn State Alumni Association are automatically subscribed to the Penn State Alumni Newswire. We want to hear from you! Send your comments or questions to: webmaster@alumni.psu.edu

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

** To subscribe or unsubscribe to any of the Penn State Newswires:

** For information on the Penn State Alumni Association:

** For the latest Penn State news, information, photos and video clips:

** For information on noteworthy Penn State calendar events:

**** Penn State -- Making Life Better ****