Smeal Update: December 18, 2020

Final Smeal Update of 2020


This will be the final issue of the Smeal Update for 2020. My wish for all of the Smeal Community is a joyful holiday season, a relaxing winter break, and a happy and productive new year in 2021!

Congratulations to all the graduates — you persevered, and you accomplished much. And thanks to all of the Smeal faculty and staff who helped our graduates across the finish line in a uniquely challenging semester.

Wanda Bryant Hope 2020 fall commencement speaker

Johnson & Johnson Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer Wanda Bryant Hope, a Smeal marketing alumna and member of the college’s Board of Visitors, was Penn State’s fall 2020 commencement speaker during its virtual ceremony via livestream on Saturday. Read the story. Wanda’s address comes at the 12:25 mark in the following link.

Penn State announces spring 2021 wellness day themes and formats

The University-wide team charged with developing programs for spring 2021 wellness days has announced more details about wellness day programs, including program themes for each of three wellness days and different formats for participating in programs. Read the story.

Reminder to Smeal staff: check personal holiday balance

Smeal staff members are reminded to check their personal holiday bank of hours in Workday. One personal holiday (8 hours) is earned each calendar year on Jan. 1. If not used, the personal holiday will be carried over into the next calendar year, but not thereafter. You can carry over 8 hours, but no more. If you have more than 8 hours of personal holiday in your bank, please remember to use some of that time by Dec. 31 so that you can accrue the full 8 hours on Jan. 1, 2021.

Smeal in the News

Six Smeal PGP students recognized by Poets & Quants

Six graduate students from the Penn State Smeal College of Business have earned recognition from Poets & Quants, one of the top business education media outlets in the country. Read the story.

Smeal, GoChain agreement building blockchain, supply chain connections

Penn State is an early adopter and one of 50 organizations that will help power a project to bring the potential of a reputable blockchain to supply chain management. It’s a move that project backers say could take the University a step toward offering its researchers not just a new field to study, but possibly even offering a new way to fund research itself. Read the story.

Brent Moritz featured on Harvard Business Publishing audio series

Brent Moritz, associate professor of supply chain management, is featured in an episode of the Harvard Business Publishing Education How I Teach audio series. It is  titled “Supply Chain Management in a Pandemic.” A recording of the conversation, as well as a transcript, can be found online.

Do you know someone who rocks? Nominate them!

Each month the Smeal Staff Advisory Committee names a You Rock! Award recipient. For December, a collaborative group of RIIT Group and Marketing and Communications staff members — Chad Fuller, Matthew Ross, Heather Baruch-Bueter, and Andy Elder — were recognized for their help with Smeal’s recent Giving Tuesday campaign. You can nominate a co-worker for the You Rock! Award online.

The Smeal Community Weekly Poll

The Staff Advisory Committee, in an effort to engage the Smeal community, is conducting a weekly poll. This week's survey should tickle your taste buds. Click this link to participate. Results will be shared during next week's Smeal Community Zoom.

QUESTION FROM FACULTY

What resources are available to help me with my course preparations for the spring semester?

Be sure to check the new Spring 2021 Planning page on the Keep Teaching website for resources to assist you in your course preparations. On the page, you will find:

A new Instructor Guide for Upcoming Semester Course Planning, including a checklist of tasks to complete prior to teaching, and a list of “Instructor to Instructor” best online resources.

Virtual office hours with technology experts and practice opportunities with teaching consultants.

Recorded and live webinars on the topics most requested by instructors.