Smeal Update: November 5, 2021

Smeal Brand Anthem 60-second video debuts

This month, Smeal will introduce its Better Business Partners campaign with a :60 video that expresses the college’s refreshed brand position. The video, and a few shorter versions, will be shared with stakeholders over the next several months via the online version of Smeal Magazine, social media, digital advertising and other communication channels. Be sure to check it out.

United Way remains a critical resource for our community

As it does every year, Penn State has named the Centre County United Way its charity of choice. The University is encouraging all employees and members of our community to take part in helping to support the many vital services provided through the United Way. The campaign officially began last week, with a mass email to all University Park employees and the publication of this letter from University leadership in both the Centre Daily Times and Penn State Today.

Kinneys changing students’ lives one gift at a time

Memories of food and housing struggles as a college student provided the motivation for Smeal alumnus Patrick Kinney and his wife, Patricia, to make a financial commitment to The Lion’s Pantry, an on-campus food pantry that provides groceries to students, free of charge, and the University’s Student Care & Advocacy Student Emergency Fund, a fund that helps students facing unexpected hardships as they work to complete their college degree. Read the story.

Poets&Quants shines spotlight on six Smeal MBA students

In recognition of their leadership and accomplishments, six graduates from the Penn State Smeal College of Business have been spotlighted by Poets & Quants, one of the top business education media outlets in the country. Read the story.

Smeal students learn about business by launching their own

In just six short years, Smeal's corporate innovation and entrepreneurship major has evolved and grown, as demonstrated by student ventures that have emerged. Read the story.

Reminder: All University Park employees subject to vaccine mandate

Penn State has determined that all University Park faculty and staff, regardless of whether or not they work on federal contracts, must submit proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Dec. 8. The mandate brings Penn State into compliance with President Joe Biden’s Sept. 9 executive order requiring COVID-19 vaccination for all federal employees, contractors and others. Additional information can be found in this Penn State News story.

Registration open for Executive Insights with JT Marino

JT Marino, co-founder of Tuft & Needle and chief disruption officer at Serta Simmons Bedding, will be our final Executive Insights guest of the fall semester. He will join us from 11:15 a.m. to 12:05 p.m. Nov. 12. Registration is now open online.

Smeal in the News

Winterich audio interview featured online by Financial Times

An audio interview with Karen Winterich, Gerald I. Susman Professor in Sustainability, titled “Consumer choice evens the playing field for brand sustainability” was featured on ft.com. Listen to the interview.

Briscoe quoted in Miami Herald story on worker protests

Forrest Briscoe, professor of management and Frank and Mary Jean Smeal Research Fellow, was quoted in a Miami Herald story titled “Facebook, Netflix protests show tech workers aren’t afraid to take complaints public.” Read the story.

Next week at Smeal

For faculty: Building Inclusion in Academia One Hallway Conversation at a Time (2 p.m. Thursday)

The Smeal Diversity Task Force has planned a conversation designed for faculty members. Aparna Joshi will provide content and lead a conversation at 2 p.m. Thursday on more inclusive mentoring for doctoral students and junior faculty. Check your inbox for an email dated Oct. 1 for registration information.

Know someone who rocks? Nominate them!

Each month the Smeal Staff Advisory Committee names a You Rock! Award recipient. The honoree for October is Tara Banerjee, student services manager of the Executive MBA program. Congratulations, Tara. 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, at 1 p.m. Monday.