Penn State Behrend's free webinar series, Rise & Shine, is for our alumni, retirees, and friends. Rise & Shine will share exciting updates and provide educational information about programs and initiatives happening at the college.
2020-21 Rise & Shine Schedule
- September 3: Wintergreen Gorge's Sustainability Project
- October 2: The Electoral College: Past, Present, and Future
- November 5: Behrend Collaborates for Women's Health
- December 3: Financial Health: Wrapping Up and Looking Ahead
- January 7: State of the College
- February 4: Innovation Commons: What's the Buzz
- March 4: Plastics: Research to Recycling
- April 1: Virtual Reality - More Than Fun and Games
- May 13: Gardening 101
Penn State encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact Andrea Myers at [email protected] or call 814-898-6089 at least two weeks prior to the start of the program to allow sufficient time to effectively meet your access needs.
Wintergreen Gorge's Sustainability Project
Thursday, September 3, 2020
9:00–9:45 a.m.
Behrend's treasured landmark serves as a community asset. Sherri A. “Sam” Mason, Ph.D., sustainability coordinator at Penn State Behrend, provides an update on the improvements that have been made at Wintergreen Gorge and the next phases of the project.
The Electoral College: Past, Present, and Future
Friday, October 2, 2020
9:00–9:45 a.m.
Dr. Robert Speel, associate professor of political science, discusses the origins and creation of the Electoral College method of choosing presidents in the United States; the history of the Electoral College process, controversies over its use, arguments for continued use of the Electoral College and the inaccuracies of some of those arguments; and potential future changes to the American presidential election process.
This webinar was not recorded.
Behrend Collaborates for Women's Health
Thursday, November 5, 2020
9:00–9:45 a.m.
As the largest research institute in the country devoted exclusively to women’s health and reproductive biology, Magee-Womens Research Institute (MWRI) will bring locally-focused clinical trials to northwestern Pennsylvania. As the region’s research university and academic partner in this initiative, Penn State Behrend will provide the academic programs, pipeline of talent, and commercialization support to sustain the Erie institute. Dr. Ivor Knight, associate dean for research and graduate studies and professor of biology, and Dr. Halina Zyczynski, medical director, Magee-Womens Research Institute in Erie, discuss the tremendous potential this initiative offers to transform the Erie region.
Financial Health: Wrapping Up and Looking Ahead
Thursday, December 3, 2020
9:00–9:45 a.m.
Pat Roenigk, senior director of gift planning for Penn State University, provides helpful tips and suggestions for financially concluding the year, with special attention to the CARES Act. Dr. Greg Filbeck, director, Black School of Business, and Aaron Filbeck, associate director of content development at the CAIA Association, discuss investment strategies beyond 2020, focusing on a broad overview of what to expect in the new year and beyond.
State of the College
Thursday, January 7, 2021
9:00–9:45 a.m.
As chancellor of Penn State Behrend, Dr. Ralph Ford has responsibility for all teaching, research, and outreach activities of the college as well as overall campus operations, including planning, human resources, enrollment management, strategic communications, development and alumni relations, and intercollegiate athletics. During this webinar, Dr. Ford will provide an update on the latest programs and initiatives taking place at Behrend, as well as the return-to-campus plan for the spring semester.
This webinar was not recorded.
Innovation Commons: What's the Buzz
Thursday, February 4, 2021
9:00–9:45 a.m.
Jake Marsh, industry relations coordinator, discusses the successes of Innovation Commons and our collaborations with industry, the community, and regional universities. He also highlights the value of the work to students and the community and explains the process of guiding innovators and entrepreneurs through the early stages of product and business development.
Plastics: Research to Recycling
Thursday, March 4, 2021
9:00–9:45 a.m.
With the convenience of plastic, our use has increased significantly, while the opportunities to recycle or properly dispose of our waste have drastically decreased. In this session of Rise & Shine, we will discuss the reality of plastics pollution, the complex problem with plastics, and the solutions needed to make impactful changes. Though the focus of this pollution can be on the consumer, the plastics industry’s end-of-life strategies and businesses evaluating their production and packaging solutions at the beginning of the product’s life cycle are key to solving the problem. Penn State Behrend is able to contribute to the changes needed by implementing new technologies, curriculums, sustainability programs, and an interdisciplinary effort to improve freshwater quality—an opportunity that is unique to Erie but making an impact on the global level.
Virtual Reality: More Than Fun and Games
Thursday, April 1, 2021
9:00–9:45 a.m.
Virtual and augmented reality are no longer futuristic technologies. They are becoming common tools in various industries for multiple, everyday purposes. In this session of Rise & Shine, we will focus on the Virtual/Augmented Reality (VAR) lab at Penn State Behrend and how it is leading the way in collaborative projects in our community, providing real-world experiences for our students, regardless of their field of study. The VAR lab works with students, the community, and industry partners to implement immersive augmented and virtual reality solutions. They are currently working on a variety of projects like the creation of a digital history for the Fort LeBoeuf and Fort Presque Isle sites, equipment installation renderings for a local manufacturer, and a COVID-19 mental health application.
Gardening 101
Thursday, May 13, 2021
9:00–9:45 a.m.
A Penn State Master Gardener will provide some easy tips for managing a vegetable garden, as well as discuss how the Master Gardener members are supporting initiatives in Erie County. Whether you want to exercise your creativity or lead a healthier lifestyle, starting a garden from scratch is a fun way to accomplish these goals. Even if you don’t have a green thumb, our experts will show you how easy vegetable gardening can be.
Led by Penn State Behrend’s Sustainable Food Systems Program, we also will focus on the numerous projects in place that are helping to reduce food insecurity on and off-campus.