Dean Bruce McPheron's Blog
An Emerging Compromise on Rockview
Last Thursday evening, I joined a number of other speakers at a public meeting hosted by our local state representatives and senator. The topic was the transfer of about 2,000 acres of land – currently owned by the state prison at Rockview and deemed surplus land by the state government – to various landowners, Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences included.
Master Gardeners - a Farm Show Success Story
The 2010 Pennsylvania Farm Show closed its doors on Saturday following a very successful week. This is a Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture event, but the College of Agricultural Sciences plays a central role. Our faculty, educators, staff, students, and volunteers provide immeasurable support behind the scenes for many of the events that attract the public. This is a perfect example of the “outside the classroom” teaching we do in our College.
Governor Signs Penn State Appropriation Bill
Thursday the Governor signed the state non-preferred appropriation bills that fund the four state-related universities -- including Penn State -- as well as museums, art associations, hospitals and other state-related entities. These bills were delayed due to the Governor’s initial requirement that the legislature first pass the table games revenue bill before passing the non-preferred bills.
Fall Commencement Day
Seems like yesterday that I was here on a September Saturday, looking out my window at that new crop of Penn State students and their families prior to a football game.
Getting to the Root (Biology) of a Problem
We had driven two hours north from Johannesburg’s O.R. Tambo International Airport on an excellent highway when a left turn onto a red dirt washboard refocused my attention.
Greetings from Lilongwe - Half Way Around a Flat World
Christopher Columbus demonstrated an important principle more than 500 years ago – that the world is round. In those ensuing 500 years, changes in society have changed that globe. Author Tom Friedman has stated the case clearly: the world is flat.
On the Road Again - Dean's Tour
What do honey, hydroponics, biofuels, veterinarians, and ketchup have in common? Sure, they are all components of agriculture, but more specifically they were the focus of tour stops on our most recent two-day Dean’s Industry Tour into southwestern Pennsylvania.
Think AGain - Our Students Are!
There are many ways to measure the quality of offerings in the College of Ag Sciences, but few are as significant as the number of students who are drawn to our academic programs. And the picture that's emerging this fall is encouraging indeed.
Hatching New Scientists
I still have a circular slide rule in my desk drawer; the plastic case is embossed with the motto “Physics is Phun.”
Research on Tour
Each year, shortly after the state budget passes – well, usually the state budget has passed – the Penn State Ag Council, an external advisory and advocacy group for the college, hosts a college research tour to highlight to our stakeholders some of our key research projects.
