Media Mentions

The scent of mimosa trees is a vivid part of reporter Diane McCormick’s memories of growing up in northern Virginia. She was recently delighted to find a mimosa tree growing in her backyard here in central Pennsylvania and spoke with David Foster, associate professor of biology and environmental science, about how the southern species migrated north for her July 31 column in the Harrisburg Patriot-News.

Read “Intrusive or not, mimosa is graceful.”

Central PA magazine, the publication of local public television station WITF, devotes much of its August issue to the arts in the capital region. In the feature story, the magazine profiles five talented creators and performers under the age of 25. Included in this prestigious group is David O’Donnell, a 2008 graduate, who is performing his sixth operatic role in Belgium as John Brook in “Little Women.”

Read “Reaching for the stars.”

In addition, a story about how arts and culture programs are faring at colleges and universities in light of the recession extensively quotes both Richard Roberson, dean of the School of the Arts, and Jeff Rioux, director of the Larsen Student Union. Both contributed to the conversation about the need for the arts, especially during times of national economic turmoil.

“A college is incomplete without the arts,” says Roberson. “The arts are part of what it is to be human. They’re part of the way we understand and interpret he world that’s around us. To not have them on the college campus, it wouldn’t be a real college any more.”

The article, “A commitment to culture,” is not available online.

Craig Dalen, program manager of the College’s Harrisburg Institute, and Susan Hasseler, dean of the School of Education and Social Sciences and Community Engagement, consider the compelling research that mentoring programs for youth provide important connections to adults that can prevent a child from faltering or hanging out on the street. The two examine the benefits of mentoring in light of a recent rash of homicides in the city of Harrisburg in an August 2 Harrisburg Patriot-News op-ed.

Read “We can curb violence on city streets by providing mentors for our youth.”