Smeal Update: May 6, 2022

Thanks for a successful conclusion to another challenging year

Saturday’s commencement provides an opportunity to reflect on the recently completed academic year. Despite slowly emerging from the pandemic and resuming a sense of normalcy, the year still presented its share of challenges. I am thankful for our collective ability to navigate those challenges with humor, grace, and strong support for each other and our students. I am proud of the entire Smeal community. Thank you for your hard work and commitment to excellence. We have proven once again that we are a greater Penn State because of you.

Smeal a sponsor of this year’s “The Investment”

Smeal is an official sponsor of the 2022 “The Investment,” which is scheduled to premier at 9 p.m. May 16 and will be rebroadcast at 6 p.m. May 21. “The Investment” is a WPSU Shark Tank-like television production of the Inc.U Competition undergraduate pitch competition. MarRosa’s Old World Cuisine, which was founded by Marcella Marino, a Smeal fourth-year student studying corporate innovation and entrepreneurship and international business, was one of two startups awarded $15,000 in funding.

Solo appointed next faculty director of Sapphire

Chris Solo, clinical assistant professor of supply chain and analytics, has been appointed as the next faculty director of the Sapphire Leadership Academic Program. He will assume the role that Bob Novack has held for the past nine years. A Penn State News story announcing the impending leadership transition is forthcoming. Please join me in congratulating Chris on this appointment.

Smeal Ph.D. student wins award at Haring Symposium

Nate Allred, a Penn State Smeal College of Business marketing Ph.D. student, won Best Presenter recently at the Albert Haring Symposium for Doctoral Research in Marketing. Read the story

Smeal student marshal reflects on embracing opportunities

Maria Howe, who will graduate Saturday with a 4.0 GPA in finance, said that exploring and taking advantage of Smeal’s diverse array of experiences helped her learn and develop her skillset. Read the story

Smeal announces Senior Award recipients

Each spring, Smeal recognizes graduating seniors with four named awards. Seniors who are graduating in spring, summer or fall of the same year are eligible. Read the story to see the complete list of recipients.

Know someone who rocks? Nominate them!

Each month the Smeal Staff Advisory Committee names a You Rock! Award recipient. The honoree for April is Mike Gilpatrick, director of planning and instructional assessment in the Office of the Dean. Congratulations, Mike. You rock! You can nominate a co-worker for the You Rock! Award online.

The Smeal Community Weekly Poll


Click this link to participate in this week’s survey. Results will be shared during the next Smeal Community Zoom, which is scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday.