Smeal Update: December 11, 2020
Karen Winterich named inaugural Susman Professor
Karen Winterich, a professor in the Department of Marketing, has been appointed as the inaugural Gerald I. Susman Professor in Sustainability. Winterich conducts research in the area of consumer behavior, with much of her work examining how consumers’ social identities influence charitable giving as well as (im)moral and sustainable behavior. 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.
Faculty can record Zoom video from exam/presentation sessions
There is pertinent guidance on the keepteaching.psu.edu web page for faculty who want to record sessions for dissemination to students who are absent.
Make-up final exams for students in other times zones can be scheduled
Instructors can offer exams for students in other time zones, on a case-by-case basis, at a time that works for the student and the instructor. Faculty should consult the student to prevent conflicts with other scheduled exams or scheduling too many exams on the same day. Faculty cannot move an exam for an entire class to a different time/day as that could create conflicts for students.
Smeal in the News
Saurabh Bansal recognized with Wagner Prize
Saurabh Bansal, an associate professor of supply chain management in the Penn State Smeal College of Business, has been awarded the 2020 Daniel H. Wagner Prize for Excellence in the Practice of Advanced Analytics and Operations Research by the Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences. Read the story.
Smeal sets record on Giving Tuesday
Smeal received a record number of gifts during this year’s Giving Tuesday campaign. The college partnered with Penn State’s Office of Annual Giving to raise funds to support the Office of Diversity Enhancement Programs. The college received more than 100 unique gifts, more than twice as many as any previous campaign, raising more than $13,000. Read the story.
Army veteran finds new career opportunities with Smeal EMBA
Steven Cummings has transitioned from a commissioned Army officer to a full-time position with Johnson & Johnson. He is enhancing his business skills in the Penn State Smeal EMBA program. Read the story.
Steve Tracey cited in Business Insider story
Observations by Steve Tracey, executive director of the Center for Supply Chain Research®️, are cited in this article that explores what supply chain management lessons the pandemic has taught companies. https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-build-resilient-supply-chain-shifting-customer-demands-disruptions-2020-12
Ryan Hess quoted in Wall Street Journal story
Ryan Hess, assistant director of employer relations and recruiting in the Office of Professional Graduate Programs, is quoted in a story that discusses how competitive it might be to be accepted into an MBA program in 2021. (Subscription required) https://www.wsj.com/articles/m-b-a-applicants-brace-for-most-competitive-year-ever-11606924882
Do you 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
The Staff Advisory Committee, in an effort to engage the Smeal community, is conducting a weekly poll. This week's survey takes a look at perceptions. Click this link to participate. Results will be shared during next week's Smeal Community Zoom.
University-wide Faculty Coffee Break planned
The toughest semester ever is coming to an end. Let’s get together for a much-deserved break from 12:15-1:30 p.m. on Dec. 18. The Penn State Faculty Advisory Group invites all Penn State Faculty to relax, debrief and most importantly, connect. Grab a cup of coffee or a mug of hot cocoa and feel free to share your pandemic teaching experiences at this low-key discussion.
After we get together as a group, we will have the opportunity to divide into smaller groups to meet, discuss and exchange ideas with faculty from across the university, focusing on things that worked this semester, no matter how big or small (around topics like building community, tools discovered, student engagement, assessment, new ideas for spring, things I would do differently). We would love for you to join us…and bring along a colleague!
Zoom link: https://psu.zoom.us/j/98221490005