Smeal Update: December 4, 2020
Smeal mourns passing of former Dean J.D. Hammond
J.D. Hammond’s tenure as dean of the Smeal College of Business lasted 10 years. What Hammond accomplished during that decade is considered by many to be immeasurable. Hammond, dean emeritus of Smeal and the William Elliott Professor Emeritus, passed away in late November. Read the story.
Annual Smeal Holiday Reception scheduled for Thursday
While we can’t gather in the Atrium to celebrate the holidays, we can still come together to celebrate virtually. This year’s celebration is planned for 3:30-5 p.m. Thursday via Zoom: https://psu.zoom.us/j/590100562?pwd=c2F3MnRGS0Q3ZEp5a1dyQXdLRXVpZz09
After a brief period to socialize in breakout rooms, RE Farm Café will visit and show us how to make hors d’oeuvres for two, along with a cocktail.
Reminder: Submit your video for the Smeal holiday message
In case you missed it, an email went out to the Smeal community on Dec. 1 asking you to share your proudest achievement or most memorable moment of 2020 to include in this year’s Smeal holiday message. In 5-10 seconds, just a few sentences, share your personal highlight with us, recorded on Zoom, or on your phone. Email it to holiday-message@smeal.psu.edu. Please submit your video by Dec. 9. Good luck and have fun!
Mister Rogers Calls: Won’t you be my neighbor?
In a continued effort to increase a sense of community during these remote times, we are re-inviting you to participate in the December edition of Mister Rogers Calls. More than 40 people participated in November. By clicking this link, you will be asked to select your affiliation within Smeal. You will be randomly matched with another member of the Smeal Community and you both will receive a notification via email. The team members will then schedule a Zoom call for sometime within the following week, based on their availability. The only guideline is that it should last about 30 minutes, and it is suggested you do not talk about work (other than a brief introduction). After this meeting, you may meet as often as you like, or participate in the next round of calls, in an effort to connect with additional members of our community. Please respond by Tuesday to participate in this round of calls.
Utilities project ongoing outside of East Parking Deck
An underground utilities project is under way between the East Parking Deck and the Forest Resources Building. The Office of Physical Plant is doing site excavation and utility piping work to support a new fire pump room in the northwest corner of the parking deck. The first phase of the project is scheduled to last through the end of January 2021, weather permitting. Be alert for alterations to pedestrian walking patterns.
Smeal in the News
Quintos make $1 million commitment to support Smeal diversity programs
Penn State Smeal College of Business graduate and Board of Visitors member Karen Hughes-Quintos and her husband, Tony, recently made a $1 million commitment to create the Hughes-Quintos Educational Equity Scholarship and the Hughes-Quintos Diversity Enhancement Program Fund in the Smeal College of Business. Read the story.
Prime Branding Panel addresses variety of topics
Penn State Prime, in partnership with the Penn State AD/PR Club and LevLane advertising agency, held its annual Penn State Prime Branding Panel earlier this semester. The event was held virtually for the first time. Read the story.
Diversity Enhancement Programs helps students make most of college experience
Smeal's Office of Diversity Enhancement Programs is a deciding factor in some students' decisions to attend Penn State, and a reassuring source of support for those who do. Read the story.
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 asks about home office attire. Click this link to participate. Results will be shared during next week's Smeal Community Zoom.
Frequently-asked question from faculty
How will measures of teaching effectiveness be included in annual reviews and promotion and/or tenure reviews?
A new document summarizes the University’s approach to the assessment of teaching effectiveness for calendar year 2020. The guidance, which applies to faculty members, instructors, and graduate students serving as the instructor-of-record or as a graduate teaching assistant, outlines how faculty may include assessments of teaching effectiveness, including SRTEs and alternative assessments, in both annual reviews and promotion and/or tenure reviews.