Recently in Events Category

Our newest honors scholars have done it again, cutting coupons for our military troops and their families overseas.  In under an hour, before the honors orientation began, the students cut $1,680.61 worth of coupons for the U.S. Navy base in Sigonella, Sicily.

On January 22, the Honors Scholars were treated to a private tour of the photography exhibit created by CEO and Founder of Traveling Mercies, Aldo Magazzeni.  Aldo was born in Italy yet began his undergraduate career at Penn State Brandywine (then Penn State Delaware County).  In October 2007 he founded Traveling Mercies, a non-profit 501(c) (3) foundation "dedicated to helping others, while creating a vehicle to remove barriers between cultures so that individuals can share their strengths, assets and blessings with each other.  Human equality is most important and can only be achieved through compassion, love and sharing our life experiences."

Aldo is currently exhibiting his photographs from the people he has met and his work in Kenya and Afghanistan.  Aldo led two discussion for the scholars on the use of photography to communicate a message and how one can help others and have a global impact.

Thank you, Aldo, for your inspirational discussion!

On December 4, 2008, honors scholars and their faculty research advisers gathered together for the Socratic Symposium. The Symposium is an event that occurs every semester to allow students to share the classwork and research in which they have been engaged. The Symposium celebrated the significant accomplishments of the Brandywine honors scholars for Fall 2008, including the National Collegiate Honors Council's Honors Service Day. Below are the titles of the honors option poster presentations at the Symposium.

Advanced Math Topics

Daniel Sprik, MATH 230H

Small-scale Agriculture: How it functions, How it Survives

Risa Stacey Lisle,  STS 296H

"Rescue Mission" Robotics Project

Tuan Ngo, CMPEN 271H

(no title provided)

Si Cong Wang, CMPEN 271H

Fair Trade to Fully Organic: L'e Bella Natural Kisses

Emily Robb and Lindley Jones, SCM 301H

 

Released in 2006, the documentary "Hacking Democracy" details the holes that exist in America's electronic voting system.  Scholars gathered on Election Day to view what one woman discovered when all she wanted to learn is what happens to her vote after she pushes the voting button.  Despite the inconsistencies and questions raised in this Emmy-nominated documentary about what happens to a vote, all scholars agreed that they were proud to have engaged in a historic presidential election and will continue to engage in the democratic practices allowed by the Constitution.

In keeping with the honors mission of civic and community engagement, the scholars decided to do what they could to help the victims of the 2008 hurricanes. What better way to raise funds than through a bake sale! The scholars baked a wide variety of food and sold their delicious desserts at the Great Media Garage Sale. In total, the scholars raised $324 for the American Red Cross.

The newest honors scholars took the lead in arranging a campus celebration for Constitution Day.  The campus gathered together for an open mic session to celebrate this important day.  There was quite a lively discussion where the topics ranged from gun control to sustainable agricultural practices.

The Honors Program presents a seminar series connected to our theme of "leadership and civic engagement." We have invited to campus organizations that have moved beyond simple volunteering and using a "Band-Aid" fix for community concerns. Honors Scholars, along with the entire campus community, came together to how these organizations are implementing innovative ideas and strategies for creating and maintaining sustained change for populations with an identified need. The Fall 2008 seminar series focused on the theme of hunger/poverty.

Friday, September 12 -- StandUp For Kids Philadelphia, Laurie Regester, Street Outreach. Their on-the-streets outreach efforts will find, stabilize and assist homeless and street kids in their efforts to improve their lives.

Monday, October 13 -- Dress for Success Philadelphia, Marjorie Nightengale, Executive Director. Through job preparation and employment retention programs and services, Dress for Success Philadelphia offers opportunities to disadvantaged women.

Friday, November 14 -- Back on My Feet Philadelphia, Andrew Marr, Director of Operations and Outreach. This organization promotes the self-sufficiency of Philadelphia's homeless population by engaging them in running as a means to build confidence, strength and self-esteem.

What are the newest honors scholars doing cutting coupons? They are participating in their first honors volunteering project! Before our honors orientation began on August 18, students jumped in with scissors and began cutting away at coupon flyers collected by local senior citizens from the Sunday papers. The local seniors help the campus with our efforts in the Overseas Coupon Program.

In January 2008, the campus adopted the U.S. Naval base in Yokohama, Japan. We send the coupons to the military men and women and their families to use for purchases at the PX and Commissary on the base. These small coupons add up to significant savings for those serving our country. In a short amount of time, the scholars cut $1,549.34 worth of coupons! What a wonderful way for the new scholars to become engaged in one of the honors missions of "leadership and civic engagement."

Schreyer Scholar Dana Gibson was moved by the stories and reports coming out in the summer of 2008 pertaining to hunger. She was shocked and surprised to learn the facts about the number of people, especially school children, that are in need of food in the Philadelphia region. Being true to the honors mission of "leadership and civic engagement," Dana decided to take it upon herself to organize a food drive in July. This was the first summer service project for our honors program.

Dana contacted local grocery stores for donations and got Penn State alumni involved. Congratulations to Dana on coordinating the delivery of 12 boxes of food to Philabundance! Dana Gibson is pictured on the left, with honors alum on the right helping to pack the boxes.

On March 20, 2008, honors scholars in CAS 100H and YFE 211H traveled to Washington DC and received a tour of Capitol Hill, courtesy of Congressman Joe Sestak's office. To show appreciation for the tour, honors scholars posed for a photo at our Nittany Lion statue and signed a frame for the photo. Dr. Susan Fredericks, instructor for CAS 100H, presented the Congressman with the photo when he visited the Brandywine campus to present Dr. Guertin a Congressional Citation (see story).

Below is the group photo taken at the Lion shrine, Dr. Fredericks presenting the signed photo, and Congressman Sestak accepting the gift.