Student, Scientist and Dictionary Ads
When Penn State Agriculture magazine became Penn State Ag Science magazine in 2010 we started producing a series of college messages on the inside of the front and back covers that we have come to refer to as the dictionary ads. Each one highlights a term and defines it through the experience of someone connected to the College of Agricultural Sciences.
Like so many things related to producing the magazine there is an element of serendipity -- sometimes in how stories are identified or the way in which something comes to life.
Enter Dana James, a junior majoring in Environmental Resource Management (ERM) and Community, Environment and Development. She's also enrolled as a student in the Schreyer Honors College. I was busy setting up the background and lights for one of the ads for the magazine but found a step ladder doesn't really give you an idea of how the light will look on a person. The ERM program office is across the hall so I poked my head in to find someone who might be willing to stand in front of the camera for a minute. ERM provides students with a place to work or hang out, computers, sometimes there's food and snacks, and it's generally a quiet and relaxed place. And someone there might be willing to help with the ad shoot.
Dana James just came in from the cold and was willing to stand in.
The student.
Dana waited patiently for me to zero in the lights doing her part to produce the magazine before returning to the ERM office. ERM students looking for a quiet place to study might want to stop by 119 Ag Administration Building. Students looking for more information about the program might want to say hello to academic advisor Tarrah Geszvain.
The Winter/Spring 2012 issue of the magazine is nearing completion and readers should see it arrive in their mailboxes in mid February. One last detail was to complete a dictionary looking at "profit". At least that's where things stand right now.
The scientist.
Sadhat Walusimbi is a Ph.D. student working with Joy Pate, professor of reproductive physiology, in the Department of Dairy and Animal Science, and the subject of our dictionary ad.
Both are also part of the Center for Reproductive Biology and Health.
Sadhat's research focuses on how to ensure successful pregnancies in dairy cows.
This picture, or one like it, will most likely appear in the next issue.
Steve Williams
Managing Editor
Penn State Ag Science