Ivan A. Esparragoza, associate professor of engineering at Penn State Brandywine; Sherry Roush, associate professor of Italian in the College of the Liberal Arts, and Rebecca A. Strzelec, associate professor of visual arts at Penn State Altoona, have received the Alumni/Student Award for Excellence in Teaching and have been named 2009 Penn State Teaching Fellows. The Penn State Alumni Association, in conjunction with undergraduate and graduate governing bodies, established the award in 1985. It honors distinguished teaching and provides encouragement and incentive for excellence in teaching. Recipients are expected to share their talents and expertise with others throughout the University system during the year following the award presentation.
Penn State Altoona held its fall commencement ceremonies Saturday, December 20, in the Adler Athletic Complex. The commencement speaker was Dr. Ronald L. Mallett, a celebrated author, professor, and Penn State Altoona alum.
Penn State Altoona held its spring commencement ceremonies Saturday, May 10, in the Adler Athletic Complex. The commencement speaker was George F. Gardner. A Hollidaysburg native, Penn State graduate and Army veteran, Gardner formed the first products distribution company to sell all of the materials required to build and operate a cable television system. That company, TVC Communications LLC, is presently located in Annville.
Former President Bill Clinton visited Penn State Altoona on Thursday, April 3, 2008, in support of Senator Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign. President Clinton delivered an address to a capacity crowd of 1900 people in the gymnasium of the Steven A. Adler Athletic Complex. After his speech, the president signed autographs for fans and greeted a crowd of enthusiastic onlookers gathered outside his motorcade.
