Under the Arch     July 20, 2009     Volume X, Number 40

 

MORE ORGANIZATIONS HIRING GANNON INTERNS AND CO-OPS, REPORT SHOWS

GE Transportation, Erie and Grove City.

Erie Insurance.

Giant Eagle’s corporate headquarters.

Spike TV-MTV Network and overstock.com

Those are just some of the sites at which some 179 Gannon University students, from the fall of 2007 through the summer of 2008, strengthened their skill sets and enhanced their resumes by participating in internships and co-ops. The 117 sites locally, regionally, and nationally hiring Gannon students represents a 13 percent increase compared to the same time period from the prior year.

The statistics were generated by the University’s Center for Experiential Education, which produces an annual placement report related to Gannon students’ participation in internships and co-ops. In addition to working with the Center for Experiential Education, students also secure internships and co-ops through other avenues, including faculty members and personal contacts.

Other key findings from the report:

·        Other placement sites/organizations included the Erie Times-News, Buffalo News, Saint Vincent Health System, HealthSouth, Community Blood Bank of Northwestern Pennsylvania, Community Shelter Services, Erie Center on Health & Aging, Erie Community Foundation, Erie County Controller’s Office, Erie County Detectives Office, Erie Historical Society, Erie Police Department, Millcreek Police Department, Erie River Rats, Erie BayHawks, Erie Waterworks, Erie Zoo, Family First Sports Park, FedEx, FirstEnergy, Ohio Edison, Penelec, Lockheed Martin, Lord Corporation, Marquette Savings, New York Life Insurance, Northwest Savings Bank, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, Presque Isle Downs & Casino, The Bank of New York Mellon, Tom Ridge Environmental Center, Veterans Administration Hospital, and Zurn Industries.

·        Nearly 75 percent of the placements were compensated. Some graduate students earned more than $21 per hour, and some undergraduate students more than $17 per hour.

·        Students worked an average of 15-20 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters.

·        The report notes that more than one-third, or 35 percent, of the students continued working at their respective sites during the spring and/or summer. The report also notes that five students secured internships at more than one site.

·        During the fall of 2007, two students completed internships in Washington, D.C., through participation with The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars.

·        During summer 2008, nearly 100 students secured internships and co-ops.

·        A mechanical engineering student began placement with Raytheon Missile Systems in Tucson, Ariz., in the summer of 2007 and continued his placement during the summers of 2008 and 2009.

·        Also in the summer of 2007, an environmental engineering student participated in the National Science Foundation’s Research Experience for Undergraduates Program at the University of Colorado in Boulder.

 

 

NEWS AND NOTES

News of interest on and around campus...

  • Russ Combs, Kurt Hersch, and Debra Steiner all will be speaking at the next Eggs ‘N’ Issues session hosted by the Manufacturer and Business Association. The breakfast will begin at 8 a.m. tomorrow, July 21 at the Association, 2171 West 38th St. Combs, Hersch, and Steiner will address the subject of entrepreneurship. The cost of the event is $30 for MBA members and $60 for non-members. For more information, contact the Manufacturer and Business Association at 814-833-3200.

  • Last week was a busy one for camps on campus. High school students were on campus for Gannon’s Engineering Summer Camp (see below for more information), Regional Summer School of Excellence, and the annual Shakexperience Camp. The Regional Summer School of Excellence was the subject of a feature article in last Thursday’s (July 16) Erie Times-News. On the day the camp was covered, the participants were checking brown bullheads for tumors. The bullheads were evaluated so as to measure the health of the waters of Presque Isle Bay.

  • Gannon alumnus Robert H. Phelps on Saturday signed copies of his book, “God and the Editor: My Search for Meaning at the New York Times,” at Barnes & Noble. The 272-page book was published in April by Syracuse University Press. Phelps is a 1939 grad.

  • Twitter, anyone? Gannon has expanded its online presence and is now on Twitter! You can sign up as a follower at http://twitter.com/GannonUniv. Also, you can send “tweet” ideas to Karla Wludyga at wludyga001@gannon.edu. Happy tweeting!

 

EVENTS ON CAMPUS

  • Tuesday, July 21 – Employee Bible Study: 12-1 in the Deaner Room of the Waldron Center.

  • Wednesday, July 22 – Nash Library Picnic: 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Library’s South Gardens. Hamburgers, hot dogs, and punch provided; please bring your favorite dish to share. The picnic is sponsored by the GEEKs (Gannon Employee Events Kommittee).

  • Wednesday, July 22 – Graduate Open House: The Open House will run from 3:30-6 p.m. in room 219 of the University’s Waldron Campus Center. Normal application fees will be waived for all attendees. Attendees also will be able to meet with faculty members and representatives from Admissions and Financial Aid. Call ext. 7474 for more information.

  • “Our Events” is intended to serve as a random sample of campus events. For a more complete listing, refer to Eventcal.

 

PRAYER REQUESTS

Please remember all in your prayers as regretfully we announce the deaths of:

  • William Drabina, grandfather of Garrick Drabina, junior biology major, and alumni Ryan Drabina ’08 and Valerie Dombrowski ’05, and father-in-law of Adam Dombrowski, MBA student.

  • Joseph Pochatko, father of Melissa Lesniewski, secretary, New Student Services, and husband of retiree Beverly Pochatko, Admissions, and grandfather of Timothy Lesniewski, ’07, and Mark Lesniewski, incoming freshman.

 

LIGHT THE CANDLES:

Tiffany Stewart. Richard Schauer. Jeannie Kloecker. Mark Jubulis. Sr. Charlotte Zalot. Margaret Juang. Matthew Heerboth. Stephen Frezza. Joseph Walker. Ken Gamble. Richard Moodey. Bob Brooker. Evelyn Henson. Krista Yoder. Rev. Michael Kesicki. Jim Miller. John Snyder. Pamela Whitmore. Jan Nolf Ward. Kory Stauffer. Anne Bolash. Thomas Conklin. Joshua Jacobsen. Michele Potter. Joanne Bucceri. Bridget Hammar. Richard Samoros. Catherine Marsters. Mary Beth Danowski. Joseph Martone. Melissa Peterson. Leighann Forbes. Max Alwens. Michael Dolecki. Maxine Blakeslee. Larry Kessler. Pamela Duffin. Richard Mentz. Cindy Benovic. Connie Peterson-Miller.

 

 

LAUNCHING ENGINEERING CAREERS

Garrett Burgwardt of Orchard Park, N.Y. adjusts the weight on his team’s trebuchet during last week’s ninth annual Engineering Summer Camp, held on Campus. Nearly 30 high school juniors and seniors, like Burgwardt, participated in the camp, which is designed for students interested in pursuing a career in engineering or a related field. The students gained hands-on experience in mechanical and electrical engineering, computer and information science, and environmental engineering. The trebuchets are like slingshots.