What I saw on Saturday at the Teaching and Learning with Technology Symposium made it clear that Onward State's success at Penn State has been no anomaly. Whether it's for THON, the football team, or even Penn State itself, social media is being used across the university to connect and inform in ways that are truly innovative.
Hundreds of faculty and staff gathered this weekend at the Penn Stater Conference Center to talk about how technology can help the university educate students more effectively. Over the next week, we will be writing about some of the cooler initiatives discussed at Saturday's event. Until then, you can read our recap and join the ongoing conversation by using #psutlt on Twitter.
Does this tickle your fancy? Read more after the jump!
After two years of hard work, the University Park Undergraduate Association Office of Student Legal Services is set to open in 135 Boucke Building today. UPUA President Gavin Keirans said, "Last year, we went through a year long process with the student activity fee board to establish funding for this service. This year I have co-chaired the search committee for the selection of the director."
Under the guidance of Attorney Carolyn M. Larrabee, the office will be able to mount a legal defense for students on a variety of issues, including landlord-tenant complaints and minor criminal offenses. Interestingly enough, the office will not be able to represent students in cases against other students or against the University.
When asked about the best part of the new office, Keirans noted, "The great thing about legal services is that it will not just be advice, but rather actual legal representation. You are going to have an advocate and attorney in your corner."
After the jump: Thoughts on the Office of Legal Services from the UPUA presidential candidates.
In case you haven't heard, UPUA is holding its presidential elections this week. Debates were held last week between the two presidential candidates, Ragland and Adewumi, which UPUA taped and posted to Youtube. This is a far cry from last year, when the debates were streamed live. This change is actually quite beneficial, as now interested voters may watch the debates at their leisure to learn more about the candidates and their platforms.
More on the fusion of UPUA and YouTube after the jump.
The Alumni Hall in the HUB hosted Kierra Darshell's 8th Annual Professional Drag Show this past Friday night. The show was the kicker to this year's Pride Week at Penn State and drew an impressive turnout, filling nearly every seat and leaving crowds of students standing in the wings.
Following the event, Joe Pratchenko, a junior-theater major, said:
It was lesbians, gays, transsexuals, all together and all accepting and no issues. It was perfect.
Yesterday afternoon, President Gavin Keirans and Vice-President Hillary Gupta announced their unequivocal endorsement of Christian Ragland for UPUA President and Colleen Smith for Vice-President. Citing Christian's relationships with both student leaders and the administration, as well as Colleen's work on advancing student interests in local and state government, Keirans called the duo "the best choice to lead".
The endorsement went on to compliment David Adewumi on his charisma and passion, but noted his lack of experience as a distinct disadvantage. Ragland said, "It is an honor to have both Gavin and Hilary endorse us as together they have accomplished a lot." In addition to Keirans and Gupta, the campaign has also received the endorsement of numerous other individuals and organizations.
Read on after the jump for Adewumi's heated response to Keirans's endorsement of Ragland.
In the final round of the women's portion of the NCAA Fencing Championship, Penn State's freshman Margherita Guzzi Vincenti claimed her first National Title in the epee this past Friday.
After transferring to Penn State in January, Guzzi Vincenti accumulated twelve wins prior to the start of the championship. Entering in second place, she added an additional seven victories to her record and earned a spot in the semifinals, where Guzzi Vincenti defeated Notre Dame's Courtney Hurley.
She then went on to defeat Harvard's Olympic Noam Mills for the National Title in the final epee dual.
Read on for more about Vincenti's triumph and Penn State's winning fencing program.