Smeal Update: August 1, 2022

Staff honored in annual recognition luncheon

Smeal staff were honored recently at the 2022 Staff Recognition Luncheon, which was held in the Business Building Atrium. Five staff awards were presented, as well as recognition for years of service. The staff award honorees were as follows:

  • Customer Service Award, Sue Ayers, special events program coordinator in undergraduate education
  • Leadership Award, Ashley Rippey, director of the Business Career Center
  • Outstanding Staff Award, Lara Jackson, administrative support coordinator in the Department of Risk Management
  • RISE Above Staff Award, Emily Baxter, instructional designer in the eLearning Design and Innovation Group
  • Staff Sustainability Award, Jennifer Nicholas, assistant director of Alumni Career Services.

The following staff were recognized for years of service: 20 years, Darren Conner; 15 years, Jonathan Beightol; 10 years, Chad Fuller; five years, Susan Bosak, Jen Neal, Kelly Swigert, and Jennifer Tarbay.

Reeds create fund at Smeal to address pressing social issues

Smeal alumnus and Board of Visitors member Greg Reed and his wife, Melissa, have made a $250,000 commitment to create the Greg and Melissa Reed Global Social Impact Fund at Smeal. Read the story.

Penn State Smeal team wins Paragon 50/50 Challenge

A team of Smeal undergraduate students collaborated to win the Third Annual Paragon 50/50 Challenge. Read the story.

Smeal introduces master’s degree program in accounting analytics

Smeal has announced the addition of a new one-year master’s program aimed at undergraduate juniors and seniors who are seeking a career in corporate accounting or business and have strong quantitative skills typically found in STEM-related disciplines. Read the story.

Summer issue of Smeal Magazine now available

The summer 2022 issue of Smeal Magazine is now available in print and online. This issue includes features on Smeal alumnus Brandon Lyons, research by Aydin Alptekinoglu and Sergey Naumov and much, much more. A digital version of Smeal Magazine is available online.

Smeal in the News

Dommer interviewed for Quikly.com blog story

Sara Dommer, assistant professor of marketing, was quoted extensively in a Quikly.com blog story titled “How social identity impacts consumer behavior.” Read the story.

Know someone who rocks? Nominate them!

Each month the Smeal Staff Advisory Committee names a You Rock! Award recipient. You can nominate a co-worker for the You Rock! Award online.

The Smeal Community Weekly Poll


Click this link to participate in this week’s survey. Results will be shared during the next Smeal Community Zoom, which is scheduled for 1 p.m. Aug. 8.