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Ford's Focus
It's that time of year again! We are swiftly approaching the annual OPP Spring Celebration. This year marks the 20th year of the event. This year's celebration is set for Monday, May 16 at the Bryce Jordan Center. The lunch will begin at 11 a.m., while our 2nd/3rd shift celebration will take place at 8 p.m. I look forward to seeing all of you there. It should be another memorable event.
Please don't forget we're also accepting nominations for the Spirit of Physical Plant Awards. These awards cover three categories: custodial, technical service, and staff. If you know an employee who exhibits the qualities listed on the form, please be sure to nominate them. More information is available on the OPP website.
One final thing I'd like to mention is that today is National Night Shift Workers Day (Night). This day was created to honor all the workers who work hard through the night, including those that keep places, such as Penn State, running without a hitch. Thank you for all you do, often under cover of darkness, to keep Penn State moving.
Best,
Ford
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Welcomes
 Chris Brown began working as an incinerator operator and mechanic on May 2. Hometown: Gatesburg Hobbies: Hunting
 Ramina Deroee accepted a position as a facilities designer. Her first day was May 9. Hometown: State College Hobbies: Mountain biking, tennis Hometown: Dubois Hobbies: Golf, hunting, fishing
Patrick Hillard accepted a position as an incinerator control operator. His first day was May 2. Hometown: Port Matilda Hobbies: Hunting, horses (training and riding), traveling
 Dale Hoover accepted a position as a systems administrator. His first day was April 18. Hometown: Warriors Mark Hobbies: Hunting, fishing, gardening, softball
 John Isabella III accepted a position as an electronic technician, fire and safety. His first day was April 18. Hometown: State College Hobbies: Music
 Hometown: State College Hobbies: Spending time with family
 Lan Wei accepted a position as a data analyst. Her first day was April 25. Hometown: Hangzhou, China Hobbies: Cooking, traveling, spending time with family
**If your picture was not included, we would be glad to include it in a future edition. Please contact Susan Bedsworth to set up a time to have your photo taken.
Farewells
Jacqueline Anders, administrative assistant, is leaving the University. Her last day is May 12.
Angela Duckett, data analyst, resigned from the University. Her last day was April 22.
Deborah Hawn, custodial worker, retired from the University. Her last day was April 29.
Allan Mister, chilled water operator, left the University. His last day was April 11.
Kyle Nolf, equipment operator, utilities construction, left the University. His last day was May 6.
Dave Roberts, water analyst, is leaving the University. His last day is May 26.
Ben Walstrom, heat & vent tech, is leaving the University. His last day is May 13.
Mark Yetter, custodial worker, left the University. His last day was April 8. |
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Morgan Center Tours
Michelle Davidson, director of Stewardship and Events with the Nittany Lion Club, wrote in to OPP regarding tours of the Morgan Center. "Thank you and all involved with helping us host the tour of the Morgan Center. Our guests thoroughly enjoyed it."
Emergency Asbestos Roof Drain Debris Cleanup
Michael Burke wrote in regarding the asbestos crew's work at the Natatorium. "Thank you and the crew for your quick response and handling of the incident. We're glad to have this team when these issues come up. A contractor would take a long time to mobilize, but instead the debris was cleaned and the facility was reopened ASAP."
Building Walkthroughs
Mark Stutman, demonstration project manager at the Consortium for Building Energy Innovation with Penn State at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, wrote in regarding assistance provided by Sean Mclaughlin and Corey Runkle. "I'd like to extend my appreciation for the assistance provided by Sean and Cory. They were both very helpful in showing me the subject buildings on the mornings of the scheduled walkthroughs, so that we could conduct the class through an organized walkthrough in the afternoons. Sean is obviously very knowledgeable about building systems and HVAC technologies, and readily contributed to each walkthrough in which he participated. If the opportunity arises, I would much enjoy working with them in the future."
Resolving a Burning Odor
Steve Triebold, from Fire Safety in EHS, wrote in to OPP to express his thanks for assisting in resolving a burning odor at Career Services. The techs involved included Wade Harpster, Larry Gmerek, John Horgas, Howard McGonigal and Bob Johnstonbaugh and supervisor Pat Kasper. "Thank you for your expertise and assistance in investigating and hopefully resolving the burning odor that occurred. From the fire safety perspective, having people on scene such as you and the others who are familiar with the systems and have the ability to investigate and control them is a great asset to the University."
Playground Improvements
Kim Brown, assistant director at The Bennett Family Center, wrote to OPP regarding work down at the playground. "Wow! The playgrounds looks great! Thanks for all your help!"
The team involved with the mulching, pruning, weeding, spraying, seeding, fertilizing and broadleaf spraying at both daycare facilities included Greg Andrews, Jason McCloskey, Gary Shilcosky, Gerald Houck, Tom Leigey, Matt Graham, Jeff Korman, John Davis and Matt Wolf.
Household Hazardous Waste Collection
The Centre County Recycling & Refuse Authority held its annual Household Hazardous Waste Collection event on April 29-30. In addition to the CCRRA employees working the event, staff from Penn State's Environmental Health and Safety Office were on-site assisting. Nearly 1,200 households took advantage of the event disposing of about 79,000 pounds of material. In addition to the pesticides and other household hazardous waste, more than one mile of linear feet of fluorescent tubes and 1,000 pounds of cardboard were also accepted for recycling.
Kudos to a "World-Class" OPP Staff
Patrick Powers, a parent of three Penn State students and a 1985 Penn State graduate, wrote in to President Barron regarding the campus's beauty. "I just want to comment on what a great job the 'World-Class' OPP staff is doing this spring as they place mulch, trim bushes, plant flowers, paint railings, etc. on campus.
"The campus is looking fantastic! I know it costs money and can be labor intensive, but Penn State has one of the most beautiful campuses in the country. I believe its actions, large and small, such as the hard work OPP is doing this spring, help make Penn State the 'World-Class' educational and research institution it is.
"I believe that to attract and keep the best students and researchers in the world, part of that attraction is the physical appearance of the facilities, grounds, landscaping, etc. It is this attention to detail that separates Penn State from the rest of the universities across the country."
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Smells of Sustainability Across Campus as OPP Prepares for the Spring
Many students may only look at the compost and mulch as merely a nuisance to their nose, but in reality, the process of producing the compost and mulch is a length, complicated process that directly affects nearly every student at University Park.
Uptime Magazine Announces Certified Reliability Leaders
Several members of OPP were recognized for becoming Certified Reliability Leaders. Their names were announced in the April/May edition of Uptime Magazine.
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The item in the April 13 issue of News & Views was a steel case panel lifter for cubicle walls. They are used on cubicle panels to move them and set them in place. The teeth on the tool fit into the grooves on the edges of the panels.
Item from the April 13 edition:
The next "Tools of the Trade" item is below. What do you think this is and/or what is it used to do? Email your guess to newsviews@psu.edu.
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We have many long-tenured employees here in OPP, individuals who have been a part of Penn State and/or the organization for 20, 30 and sometimes 35 or more years. Whenever possible, we are going to include a Q&A with those individuals to learn more about their memories, what they'll miss and what they're most looking forward to heading into retirement.
 Prior to his retirement in late April, we sat down with Kevin Potter, a locksmith, to hear more about his time at Penn State and what retirement holds for him.
How long have you been at Penn State?
I started in wage/payroll September 2, 1980 and got hired full-time in October of 1980.
Have you worked in the same position during your entire tenure?
I started at Findlay Dining Hall and I was there until April of 1983. Then I moved into OPP with third shift custodial. I spent three years on third shift then moved to first shift. In July of 1988 I got the locksmith apprenticeship. I worked with Gary Green daily for more than a year and then we worked together for more than 23 years.
What made you decide to pursue the locksmith path?
I didn't really know what I wanted to do. I just wanted to better myself and get one of the apprenticeships. I bid on several. I do remember when I worked in the dining hall, I was out on break out in the dining room and a guy came in and pulled a chair over to the door. The lock wasn't working. He sat down and took the lock apart. I thought that would be a neat job.
What are your favorite parts about your job?
It's been the people I work with. A lot of people have come and gone, but there are a lot of people out on campus that I've known for years. There are a number whom when they have a problem, they know they can call me directly. I appreciate that they trusted me and think I can help them with what they need. When I had my retirement party, I invited 75 people and many of them were from out on campus.
What will you miss the most?
There are certain things with my job that I very much enjoy. The work isn't bad at all. Some things I've done so many times they aren't a challenge anymore. Every once in awhile you get a call for a safe, and that excites me. It's a challenge. Otherwise, I've worked with Christie Kocher for the last three years. I tried to do everything I could to help her learn the trade. The group in the shop can rely on each other.
Are there any special memories you have from your time here?
I got a call for a girl locked in her room early one Sunday morning. The type of lock had springs in it that can break and jam the lock. If you can't get it by working at it for a bit, you can take the hammer and hit the lock to jolt things out of the way. This was 5 a.m. on a Sunday morning. The RA was there and I said, "I really hate to do this." I took my hammer and hit it twice. I got the door open. The girl was in there sound asleep. She never heard a thing despite me pounding on the door with a hammer.
I like working with the students when I do housing core changes. A lot of times they're not really happy because they've just forgotten to take the key back and it is now going to cost them money. If they're locked out or in, or have lost their key and are worried about it, they're happy to see you.
What plans do you have for your retirement?
I'm going to get caught up with work around the house for the time being. I have an outdoor furnace that takes quite a bit of wood. Last year we worked so much overtime I didn't get a chance to cut wood. I'll use it more this year.
We go camping quite a bit. My wife is going to continue working for a bit. I like to shoot and go hunting. I might start fishing again.
When I started, I set my sights on working for 35 years and being able to retire. I was 19 years old when I started. I'm thankful I was able to stick it out. It's been a good paying job with great benefits and it's been interesting work.
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 What's in a Name?Did you know that the more than 80 University Park residence halls were named for people who worked to make the University what it is today? One such example is in South Halls where the residences were named for prominent women in Penn State's history. Two of these women included Ellen Cross and Rebecca Ewing, the first two women admitted to Penn State in 1871.
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The end of the semester and the warmer temperatures mean the local farmers markets are back up and running. The markets are a great way to purchase and incorporate a number of healthy foods into your diet, all the while supporting your local farmers and business owners.
Below is a list of the local farmers markets and their hours. Some maybe be convenient for you to visit on a break at work or on your way home thanks to a wide variety of hours and days of the week. Each one also offers different vendors so check them all out and find your favorites. For more information, visit the Central Pennsylvania Convention & Visitors Bureau. 
Bellefonte Farmers Market Saturdays, 8 a.m. - Noon (Year round) Gamble Mill Parking Lot
 Boalsburg Farmers Market Tuesdays, 2 - 6 p.m. (Late May - October) PA Military Museum Parking Lot
Downtown State College Farmers Market  Fridays, 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. (May - November) Locust Lane
Lemont Farmers Market Wednesdays, 2 - 6 p.m. (May - October) Granary
Millheim Farmers Market Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. American Legion
 North Atherton Farmers Market Saturdays, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. (May - November) Home Depot Parking Lot
Tuesday State College Farmers Market Tuesdays, 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Locust Lane (Different vendors than Fridays)
Philipsburg Farmers Market Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m (May - September) Moshannon Building Parking Lot
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It's that time of year again to start thinking about preparations for Trash to Treasure 2016. This is the 15th annual Trash to Treasure Sale, which benefits the 35 Centre County United Way Partner Agencies.
The sale is scheduled for June 4, 2016, at Beaver Stadium. Each year more than 60 tons of donated goods from Penn State students moving out of the residence halls are collected and sorted to be resold at a discounted price. It is the largest recycling event in the area and allows community members to get great deals on a variety of items while supporting local health and human service agencies.
The Trash to Treasure set-up and sorting process began on May 7 and continues until the day of the sale. Volunteers are needed to help get the event ready for the more than 1,000 shoppers who attend the sale. Consider volunteering as an individual or as a group. There are many flexible shifts available and no previous experience is necessary.
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 In each edition, we are including information and links to retirement information found both on the web and from Penn State's Office of Human Resources. Remember, regardless of your age, it's always important to plan ahead for retirement.
If you're thinking about retiring, especially prior to the end of this fiscal year, it's important to start checking out all the resources available to you and the various steps in the retirement process. The Penn State Office of Human Resources has a Guide to Retirement page to help make the process as simple as possible. One of the biggest concerns you may have when it comes to retiring is healthcare. Be sure to check out the following resources:
In addition, if you're local to the area, you can participate in all Health Matters programs at the same cost as active employees. Be sure to register for classes in advance so you can choose a program that fits your schedule. Silver Sneakers, a nationwide exercise program for older adults, is also an option available to retirees.
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Healthy, non-smoking men and women are needed for a research study examining the effects of walnuts on cardiovascular disease risk factors.
We are seeking participants ages 30-65 with a BMI of 26-40. Subjects must be healthy, non-smoking, not allergic to any nuts, and not taking medications for high cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, or inflammatory conditions.
Participants will be provided with all food and drinks for 20 weeks. There will be one 2-week run-in diet and three 6-week feeding periods with two 2-week compliance breaks in between, for a total time commitment of 24 weeks. At the completion of the study, participants will receive lab results and compensation of $450.
If you are interested in learning more about the study, please call toll free 1-866-PSU-DIET (1-866-778-3438) or email psudiet@gmail.com, mention the walnut study, and leave your name and contact information. This study is being conducted by Dr. Kris-Etherton, Distinguished Professor of Nutrition at Penn State.
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Philipsburg CATA Vanpool
The Philipsburg CATA Vanpool is looking for new riders. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. The average cost is $59-67/month. Email cms324@psu.edu or call 814-360-2764 for more information.
Lewistown CATA Vanpool
The Lewistown CATA Vanpool has immediate openings for full and part-time riders. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday. The average cost is $80-90/month. Part-time riders pay $5 per day. For more information call Gene at 717-953-6189 or email erg4@psu.edu.
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Have something to sell? Let us know! E-mail Susan Bedsworth with your item(s), details, contact information
 and photos. We will include it in the next edition of News & Views. And don't forget about OPP's Yammer Group "Up for Grabs." Just sign in with your University ID and password to post your item.
Lion Surplus
Lion Surplus handles the removal of University-owned equipment in environmentally responsible ways, such as sales, bids and auctions. Their store, located at the corner of Services Rd. and Big Hollow Rd., is open to students, faculty, staff and the public. The inventory changes daily, but the store routinely has gently used furniture, computers and other electronics, scientific equipment, and much more.
Follow Lion Surplus on Facebook to keep up to date on inventory and special events.
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Below are a few photos from Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day. The groups were treated to a tour of the shops and even got to participate in a few hands-on activities. |
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Contact Us
If you have any comments or suggestions for News & Views, contact Susan Bedsworth by e-mail or at 863-9620.
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You can find a list of carpoolers and regional bus services through the 
