In the 1980s, Penn State was brimming with ambition.

Joe Paterno was in the process of winning two national titles. The campus and the nation were convinced his grand experiment had worked. Interest in the school was up. Those who ran the university decided Penn State could no longer just be another good state school.

Everything had to be bigger. And better.

Penn State wanted to become a world leader in research. It needed to hire the best professors, teach more students, erect buildings and, for the first time, establish a serious endowment.

That transformation required two things: money and contacts.

The people most able to proved those two crucial ingredients just happened to be members of the board of trustees representing business and industry.

As Penn State moved up the national rankings, and a Penn State degree grew more prestigious, those trustees and their allies acquired the dominant voice on the 32-member board.

By the nature of their positions, they have the contacts, the wealth and the connections so that when its necessary to do things they have leverage in many ways, said Ben Novak, a former alumni trustee now attempting to return to the board.

Before Jerry Sandusky, Tim Curley and Gary Schultz were arrested in November, few questioned the trustees stewardship, either inside or outside the board room.

Since then, alumni factions have demanded broad-based reform and more influence in decision-making. Eighty-six alumni are campaigning for the three alumni seats up for election this spring, promising to reclaim control of the university.

Read more:
Penn State board of trustees has long been led by businesspeople

Even for a laconic personality like George Norcross, the message was cryptic. Simply the letters "FYI" attached to an e-mail statement written by someone else. Norcross has declined to elaborate, but it was clear the South Jersey political boss was endorsing some or all of the message from Wendell Pritchett, the chancellor of the Camden campus of Rutgers University.

Pritchett opposes the plan, pushed by both Norcross, a Democrat, and Republican Gov. Chris Christie, to allow Rowan University, a former state teachers college now saddled with a very expensive medical school, to swallow the Camden assets of what has been New Jerseys only real state university Rutgers.

Pritchett sent out a note to the Rutgers-Camden alumni explaining his opposition to the Rowan takeover. In it, he cites comments made by Norcross in a radio interview "that many of the concerns over the elimination of RutgersCamden were 100 percent correct. It also quotes Georges brother Donald, a state senator, about the need to keep the Rutgers brand" in Camden.

In an interview, Pritchett concedes he doesnt know "whats going on in the minds" of the powerful Norcross brothers, but he hopes these were signs the execution of Rutgers-Camden would be commuted to a life sentence of "partnership" with Rowan, an arrangement that would allow it to remain part of a major, national research university: Rutgers.

George Norcross sent Pritchetts email here with his cryptic "FYI." He declined an interview. Gov. Christies spokesman also did not respond to a request for comment.

Perhaps the Norcross-Christie partnership is having second thoughts about the wisdom of eliminating Rutgers-Camden by fiat. If so, there is a good chance one reason is the work of a Camden finance professor who is raising serious questions about the financial implications of the proposed takeover.

Eugene Pilotte, unlike other Rutgers professors and opponents of the takeover, doesnt argue against the merger for sentimental or "branding" reasons. Hes talking serious stuff money.

Pilotte starts with the irrefutable position that medical schools cost money: "Medical schools are costly enterprises that require large subsidies from their hosting academic institutions and states," Pilotte said in a presentation to the Rutgers trustees.

Rowan took over medical education in South Jersey and is about to open a medical school. The head of the new schools trustee board is George Norcross. Its a Norcross achievement boosted by his former friend in the governors office, Jon Corzine. The existence of the Rowan medical school was cited by Christie as a reason for pushing Rowans digestion of Rutgers-Camden.

But Pilottes report notes that, since trying to run a medical school, Rowans debt has skyrocketed and its bond rating was downgraded by Moodys Investment Services in November, 2010. That downgrading was reaffirmed last May. Moodys shows that Rowans debt per full-time student is $51,704 versus $22, 986 for Rutgers.

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Braun: South Jersey political boss Norcross mum about Rowan University merger plan

Wii needed for Senior Care program

Senior Care of Vineland, an adult medical daycare program on Lincoln Avenue, seeks the donation of a Wii gaming system. Besides providing fun and exercise, Wii virtual sports and exercise programs are often used by health professionals in nursing facilities to improve balance, endurance, range of motion, hand-eye co-ordination, and sequencing abilities. Senior Care also seeks volunteers to help teach its seniors how to play the games. To donate or volunteer, call Katie Smith at (856) 691-3756 or email sewingseniors@gmail.com.

Members of Cumberland County Colleges female athletic teams are hosting a Belle of the Ball prom dress drive to help high school girls in Cumberland County enjoy the upcoming 2012 prom season. The Lady Dukes seek donations of new and gently-used prom gowns, formal wear and fancy event dresses, and stylish accessories such as shoes, purses, jewelry, wraps and shawls.

Donation guidelines:

Formal gowns or fancy party dresses from 2006 or later, in excellent condition in all sizes, colors and lengths.

Garments must be dry cleaned and on hangers or neatly folded.

Accessories should be clean and in excellent condition.

Make-up, casual clothing, wedding dresses, tuxedos, and/or unclean garments will not be accepted.

Donations will be accepted through March 21 in the athletic training office in the Cunningham Gymnasium on the colleges campus at Sherman Avenue and College Drive in Vineland.

For information, call Kaitlin Caviston, athletic trainer, at (856) 696-8600, ext. 446, or email kcaviston@cccnj.edu.

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Helping Hand

Ray Kuehl has been selected as the 2012 Beaver Dam Unified School District Wall of Fame recipient.

He will be honored at the 16th annual wall of fame banquet on April 1 at Beaver Dam High School.

The outstanding alumni award which Kuehl will receive is given annually to a graduate of the Beaver Dam district in recognition of exceptional accomplishments.

Kuehl is a 1952 graduate of Beaver Dam High School and has worked in the dairy industry for 60 years.

He has been a leader for dairy producers in Dodge County, the state of Wisconsin, and around the world. After graduating from high school, Kuehl worked on his family dairy farm and attended UW-Madison for a year while farming.

In 1970, he went to work for the U.S. Holstein-Friesian Cattle Breeders Association in Vermont as a cattle classifier, field representative and an international marketer of dairy cows. He returned to Wisconsin in 1979 to start his own dairy cattle consulting business. This led him to become a partner of American Genetics, where he served as a farm manager and marketed cow embryos around the world. Due to an agriculture related medical condition, Kuehl had to make a career change so he began selling real estate, eventually beginning his own business. He is also started an auctioneer business.

Kuehl was instrumental in the creation of the World Dairy Expo, which is held annually in Madison. When it was announced that the U.S. National Dairy Cattle Show would be discontinued, Kuehl and a few other cattle breeders developed a plan to hold the show in Wisconsin. The Expo is now the largest dairy industry exposition in the nation. Kuehl brought state-wide focus on Dodge Countys dairy industry when he chaired the Alice in Dairyland competition, held in Beaver Dam in 1964. He was appointed by Governor Tommy Thompson to the World Dairy Center Authority, which chose sites for the new State Department of Agriculture and the World Dairy Center buildings in Madison.

Kuehl served on numerous local and state dairy and farming organizations and has received many awards and other recognition. He has also helped thousands of dairy farmers become successful dairy animal producers. Kuehl is dedicated to the youth in the dairy cattle industry and has been instrumental in raising money to promote agriculture education in schools. He also willingly gives of his time and returns to Beaver Dam High School to encourage, inspire and challenge young FFA members to set their goals high and respect others.

Excerpt from:
Wall of Fame recipient announced

Posted: Thursday, March 1, 2012 12:15 am | Updated: 12:16 am, Wed Feb 29, 2012.

NORTH SEWICKLEY TWP. -- U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Merle Duane Hart will be visiting the Riverside School District on Friday.

Hart, a 1973 graduate of Riverside, will lead assemblies in the high school, middle school and primary center. He will be available to speak with students throughout the day. Local and state government officials are also to be on hand, said David Anney, school superintendent.

"It's nice to see one of our own achieve great things," Anney said during Monday night's school board meeting.

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The four finalists in a "Future Chefs: Healthy Breakfast Challenge" will participate in a districwide event on March 30 in the Riverside Middle School.

The competition, sponsored by the district's food service provider, Sodexo, was for middle school pupils, and is under the direction of Diane Bucknum, food services coordinator.

Thirty-eight students submitted healthy breakfast recipes for the competition.

Riverside joins with 90 other school districts nationwide that hosted Future Chefs competitions. The winning student from each participating district will be considered for the national finals, and the public can vote for their favor recipe on a special Future Chefs YouTube channel.

---

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Air Force general, Riverside alumni to visit on Friday

Twitter hashtag: #MrPenny

Mr. Penny remains in critical condition at East Alabama Medical Center on Tuesday, a day after he was found at his home with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

EAMC public relations manager John Atkinson said Johnny Richmond, the Auburn City Schools employee and crossing guard known as Mr. Penny, remained in critical condition at the hospital a day after undergoing surgery for the injuries.

Auburn police, responding to a request from a concerned relative, found Richmond at his Boykin Street home with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head Monday morning.

On Monday, well-wishers began stopping at the corner of Samford Avenue and Dean Road to leave handmade signs, flowers, candles and pennies where Richmond spent his mornings and afternoons escorting children across the road.

Among the people leaving trinkets and messages for Richmond Tuesday morning were school system employees Jan Swiderski and Holly Beck, who walked to the corner from the nearby ACS main office to leave Auburn University shakers.

“He’s just a great guy — this is his corner. He puts a smile on your face no matter what,” Swiderski said.

Beck said children and adults would wave to Richmond as they passed the crossing.

“It’s just sad driving by this corner this morning and not seeing his hand go up — and maybe never again,” Beck said.

Original story
Last update: 11:23 p.m. Monday

Parents and school staff spent the Monday struggling to explain to students what happened to the beloved local crossing guard known as Mr. Penny, who remained on life support at East Alabama Medical Center late Monday night.

“ … And we can’t answer those kinds of things,” Auburn City Schools Superintendent Terry Jenkins said.

Johnny Richmond, a 37-year employee of Auburn City Schools known as Mr. Penny to generations of school children, was found at his Auburn residence with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, according to Auburn Police who responded at the request of a worried relative.

Jenkins said counselors will be available Tuesday for students and staff at Dean Road Elementary School, Auburn High School, and Drake Middle School.

“It was a real shock to all of us,” Jenkins said. “ … You just expect when you walk outside to see that smiling face.”

Jenkins said Richmond underwent surgery Monday afternoon for his injuries.

There were conflicting reports of Richmond’s death Monday on social media and local news outlets after EAMC prematurely reported his passing to Auburn City Schools. The hospital called the announcement an honest mistake.

Jenkins said the system was inundated with calls from parents, former students and others whose lives Richmond had touched seeking information on what had happened to the avid Auburn University fan known for leading students in cheers as they crossed the intersection of Samford Avenue and Dean Road under his supervision.

“I have been amazed today how many adults called us in tears,” Jenkins said. “Mr. Penny is a very active part of the lives of a lot of children.”

Jenkins said Richmond’s influence on young lives stretched beyond Dean Road and the nearby crossing.

Wanda Lewis, president of Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Lee County, said Mr. Penny routinely volunteered to participate in programs that benefited the organization.

“Where Auburn City Schools were involved, he was always willing to be involved,” Lewis said. “My heart goes out to the children. This is sad for all of us, but my concern is for the children and how they will deal with this because they know him and love him.”

Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones said he received phone calls from his children, both Dean Road alumni, who wanted an update about the longtime crossing guard.

“They were particularly sad about that,” Jones said.

Jenkins said the system’s main office learned of the incident late Monday morning.

The only apparent sign that something was wrong Monday was Richmond’s absence from his post at the crosswalk and his custodial job at Dean Road Elementary School, Jenkins said.

Richmond is one of three crossing guards employed by the Auburn Public Safety Department, Auburn Police Division Chief Tommy Dawson said.

Jenkins called Richmond’s job performance with the system exemplary and said his unannounced absence Monday alarmed the staff at Dean Road.

“Everybody he works for would tell you he is always on time,” Jenkins said.

Jenkins said the Dean Road principal drove to Richmond’s home, where she found police investigators.

Mr. Penny was a fixture on the sidelines of Auburn city schools and AU athletic events, a perennial cheerleader for the teams he adored.

“Mr. Penny always gave the impression that he was one of the happiest people you could meet,” Jenkins said.

Staff writer Donathan Prater contributed to this report.

Original post:
UPDATE: No change in Mr. Penny's condition Tuesday

Twitter hashtag: #MrPenny

Mr. Penny remains in critical condition at East Alabama Medical Center on Tuesday, a day after he was found at his home with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

EAMC public relations manager John Atkinson said Johnny Richmond, the Auburn City Schools employee and crossing guard known as Mr. Penny, remained in critical condition at the hospital a day after undergoing surgery for the injuries.

Auburn police, responding to a request from a concerned relative, found Richmond at his Boykin Street home with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head Monday morning.

On Monday, well-wishers began stopping at the corner of Samford Avenue and Dean Road to leave handmade signs, flowers, candles and pennies where Richmond spent his mornings and afternoons escorting children across the road.

Among the people leaving trinkets and messages for Richmond Tuesday morning were school system employees Jan Swiderski and Holly Beck, who walked to the corner from the nearby ACS main office to leave Auburn University shakers.

“He’s just a great guy — this is his corner. He puts a smile on your face no matter what,” Swiderski said.

Beck said children and adults would wave to Richmond as they passed the crossing.

“It’s just sad driving by this corner this morning and not seeing his hand go up — and maybe never again,” Beck said.

Original story
Last update: 11:23 p.m. Monday

Parents and school staff spent the Monday struggling to explain to students what happened to the beloved local crossing guard known as Mr. Penny, who remained on life support at East Alabama Medical Center late Monday night.

“ … And we can’t answer those kinds of things,” Auburn City Schools Superintendent Terry Jenkins said.

Johnny Richmond, a 37-year employee of Auburn City Schools known as Mr. Penny to generations of school children, was found at his Auburn residence with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, according to Auburn Police who responded at the request of a worried relative.

Jenkins said counselors will be available Tuesday for students and staff at Dean Road Elementary School, Auburn High School, and Drake Middle School.

“It was a real shock to all of us,” Jenkins said. “ … You just expect when you walk outside to see that smiling face.”

Jenkins said Richmond underwent surgery Monday afternoon for his injuries.

There were conflicting reports of Richmond’s death Monday on social media and local news outlets after EAMC prematurely reported his passing to Auburn City Schools. The hospital called the announcement an honest mistake.

Jenkins said the system was inundated with calls from parents, former students and others whose lives Richmond had touched seeking information on what had happened to the avid Auburn University fan known for leading students in cheers as they crossed the intersection of Samford Avenue and Dean Road under his supervision.

“I have been amazed today how many adults called us in tears,” Jenkins said. “Mr. Penny is a very active part of the lives of a lot of children.”

Jenkins said Richmond’s influence on young lives stretched beyond Dean Road and the nearby crossing.

Wanda Lewis, president of Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Lee County, said Mr. Penny routinely volunteered to participate in programs that benefited the organization.

“Where Auburn City Schools were involved, he was always willing to be involved,” Lewis said. “My heart goes out to the children. This is sad for all of us, but my concern is for the children and how they will deal with this because they know him and love him.”

Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones said he received phone calls from his children, both Dean Road alumni, who wanted an update about the longtime crossing guard.

“They were particularly sad about that,” Jones said.

Jenkins said the system’s main office learned of the incident late Monday morning.

The only apparent sign that something was wrong Monday was Richmond’s absence from his post at the crosswalk and his custodial job at Dean Road Elementary School, Jenkins said.

Richmond is one of three crossing guards employed by the Auburn Public Safety Department, Auburn Police Division Chief Tommy Dawson said.

Jenkins called Richmond’s job performance with the system exemplary and said his unannounced absence Monday alarmed the staff at Dean Road.

“Everybody he works for would tell you he is always on time,” Jenkins said.

Jenkins said the Dean Road principal drove to Richmond’s home, where she found police investigators.

Mr. Penny was a fixture on the sidelines of Auburn city schools and AU athletic events, a perennial cheerleader for the teams he adored.

“Mr. Penny always gave the impression that he was one of the happiest people you could meet,” Jenkins said.

Staff writer Donathan Prater contributed to this report.

Read more from the original source:
Mr. Penny in critical condiction

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Ann M. Drake, CEO of DSC Logistics, has been selected by the Kellogg School of Management of Northwestern University to receive the 2012 Alumni Merit Award. The award is presented to a Kellogg graduate who has demonstrated outstanding achievement in a field of endeavor and whose accomplishments reflect credit on Northwestern University. Ms. Drake earned an MBA from Kellogg in 1984 and became CEO of DSC in 1994.

As DSC CEO, one of Drake's first initiatives was to transform the company, originally founded in 1960 as Dry Storage Corporation, from an extended family of 22 companies to a dynamic supply chain partner operating as one entity, under one name – DSC. She also introduced a strategy and structure known as sense-and-respond to enable greater flexibility, proactive problem-solving, and achievement of customers’ business goals, such as reducing costs, improving service, transforming business processes, and facilitating growth and change.

Since Drake became CEO, DSC has grown to be one of the nation’s leading supply chain management companies, with a nationwide network of integrated logistics and supply chain management operations. The core of DSC’s business is collaborative partnerships with major companies in a variety of industries, including grocery and consumer goods, health care and medical devices, electronics, paper, and others.

Among the honors she has received for her business leadership are being named “Industry Leader of the Year “ in 2009 by the Illinois institute of Technology; a logistics and supply chain management “Rainmaker” by DC Velocity magazine; and a “Pro to Know” for three years in a row by Supply & Demand Chain Executive. In addition to her DSC leadership, Drake serves on the board of directors of A.M. Castle & Company and the board of directors of the Committee of 200 (C200), an international organization of prominent business women. She also serves as vice president of the Business Advisory Council of Northwestern University's Transportation Center and has been involved for many years with the Metropolitan Planning Council and the Brookings Institution, including serving as part of a Brookings delegation that traveled to Germany to study transportation and governance.

Northwestern’s Alumni Merit Awards, presented to one alumnus from each of Northwestern’s 11 undergraduate and graduate schools, will be held Saturday, March 3, at the Four Seasons Hotel, Chicago.

About DSC Logistics

DSC Logistics, a leading supply chain management company, focuses on designing, integrating, managing, and adapting supply chain solutions. DSC capabilities as a Lead Logistics Partner (LLP) and third-party provider (3PL) include supply chain analysis and design, network optimization and management, Logistics Center management, transportation management and consolidation, business process integration, supply chain visibility, and value-added services. In today’s environment, filled with rapid and unpredictable change, DSC helps customers achieve their goals by being ready for anything!

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Ann Drake to Receive Alumni Merit Award