Min Pak, undergraduate student in engineering science and mechanics, and his team with three other Penn Staters to develop a High Tunnel will provide entrepreneurial opportunities for students at the Children and Youth Empowerment Center; is affordable, durable, easily constructible, and sustainable; and allows Kenyan subsistence farmers to increase productivity.

The High Tunnel is relatively inexpensive to construct with a total cost of a little over two hundred dollars. The return on the investment to its Kenyan farmers is approximately one hundred dollars per crop, per harvest. The tunnel can withstand up to three crops per harvest, thus upon its first harvest, the construction of the tunnel is at its break-even point. At its second harvest, the tunnel is turning a profit. Congratulations Min on a great idea!

Samuel Wilton, undergraduate student in engineering science and mechanics, received the Penn State Evan Pugh Scholar Award. Evan Pugh scholars are juniors and seniors in the upper .5 percent of their respective classes. Awardees have a cumulative grade-point average of 3.99 and above. Congratulations Samuel on your hard work and dedication to your education.

Rob Graboski, undergraduate student in engineering science and mechanics, participated in a Greek pageant for Greek Week 2010 and showcased his ribbon dancing abilities. He opened his act with a sensitive ribbon dance, but after a few twirls, he surprised the audience when he tossed the ribbon aside and broke into the Backstreet Boys’ “Bye Bye Bye.”

After the talent portion of the competition, all twelve contestants were brought back onto the stage. The final six were announced, and the question section began. Angel Zheng, a member of Sigma Omicron Pi sorority, won over the judges with her answer to the question, "What do you contribute to greek life at Penn State?" In the end the panel of judges, including guest judge State College Mayor Elizabeth Goreham, chose Ngobeh and Zheng to be crowned Mr. And Miss. Greek Week 2010.

ESM congratulates Rob for participating in this year’s Greek Week.

Noam Shaham, undergraduate in engineering science and mechanics, finished in sixth place on the high bar in the NCAA individual event finals, earning his first career All-America distinction. The top six finishers in each event earn the honor.

Noam posted a 14.400 on the event, and also posted a 14.750 on the still rings to finish ninth. He was the only Nittany Lion to advance to the individual event finals, after finishing in the top 10 on both events NCAA team championships.
*Source: The Daily Collegian

Noam Shaham, undergraduate student in engineering science and mechanics, and teammate on the Penn State Men’s Gymnastics team, has earned the title Academic All-Big Ten honors. Penn State’s Big Ten Academic All-Conference award winners excel both academically and athletically. Noam’s training contributed to the Men’s Gymnastics squad by landing them third in the Big Ten Conference after the regular season.