Smeal Update: January 9, 2023

Happy New Year and best wishes for a great semester

I hope all of you had the opportunity to rest and recharge over winter break. As we greet a new year and a new semester, let’s hope for a semester full of promise and progress for our students, the college, and all who work to create our vibrant, inspiring, and welcoming community.

Pierce named TLT Faculty Fellow for 2022-24

Greg Pierce, an associate teaching professor in finance, has been named to Penn State’s Teaching and Learning with Technology Faculty Fellows cohort for 2022-24. Read the story.

Inform students about START Essay Contest

Faculty are encouraged to tell students about the START Essay Contest. This year’s question is: How can you leverage your knowledge of diversity and inclusion to create a platform or program that promotes a long-lasting impact within your community? The deadline to submit entries is Jan. 27. Submission form.

CBoS accepting proposals for sustainability research grants

The Smeal Center for the Business of Sustainability is requesting proposals for its 2023 Sustainability Research Grants Program. The grants are intended to address sustainability topics within and across our college disciplines, including management and organization, entrepreneurship, accounting, supply chain, information systems, marketing, finance, risk management, international business, business law, and real estate. Proposals are due by Feb. 4. More information.

Smeal comings and goings

  • Francesca Saldan, a multimedia specialist 2 with the eLearning Design and Innovation Group, joined the college on Dec. 5.
  • Whitney Chirdon, an instruction designer 3 with eLDIG, joined Smeal on Dec. 12.
  • Fred Hurvitz, Kohl’s Professor of Practice for Retail Studies, retired at the end of December.
  • Dawn Corman, an administrative support coordinator in the Department of Supply Chain and Information Systems, left the college at the end of last month.
  • Charlene Zietsma, associate professor of management and John and Becky Surma Dean’s Research Fellow, departed Smeal on Dec. 31.

Consider nominating a great Smeal teacher

The college is seeking nominations for the following teaching awards:

  • Teaching excellence (separate awards for undergraduate, master’s and Ph.D. levels)
  • Excellence in online teaching
  • Excellence in teaching by an early career faculty member
  • Excellence in teaching by a Ph.D. student
  • Innovation in teaching tools and methods

Nominations for the 2022-23 academic year (Summer 2022-Spring 2023) will be accepted until May 5, and recipients will be selected by the Smeal Teaching Awards Committee over the summer. The recipients will be announced and celebrated in September. Nominate someone today.

Smeal in the News

Lesser quoted in Penn State News story

Travis Lesser, instructor in management and organization and program director with the Farrell Center for Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship, was quoted in a story titled "Penn State’s entrepreneurship educators gather for annual conference." Read the story.

This week at Smeal

  • Today: Spring semester begins

Know someone who rocks?

Each month the Smeal Staff Advisory Committee names a You Rock! Award recipient. Michael Hayward, a programmer/analyst 2 in the RIIT Group, has been named the SAC YouRock! Award recipient for October 2022. Kathleen Rickley, a financial assistant in the Smeal Finance Office, has been named the SAC YouRock! recipient for November 2022. You can nominate a co-worker for the You Rock! Award online. Nominate them.

The Smeal Community Weekly Poll

Participate in this week’s survey. Results will be shared during the next Smeal Community Zoom, which is scheduled for 1 p.m. Jan. 23. Take the poll.