Calendar of Events

Faculty colloquium to feature Justin Huffman

Penn State Altoona's Division of Mathematics and Natural Sciences is pleased to announce that Justin Huffman, assistant professor of chemistry, will present "Cyanobacteria: An Emerging Source of Non-ribosomal Peptides and Polyketide Natural Products" at a colloquium on Tuesday, April 9, 2013 from 12:00 noon - 1:30 p.m. in rooms 101-103 of the Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts. The program is open to all faculty and staff. Lunch will be provided.

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Project Hope winner announced, award ceremony planned for Apr. 9

The Depression/Suicide Prevention committee of Penn State Altoona's Health Advisory Board is pleased to announce the winner of the 2013 Project Hope contest. The first prize winner is Mark Leberfinger who won for his short essay titled "The Iron Blanket." The following submissions were also recognized: second prize - Abigail Kurtz, third prize - Samantha Reid, and fourth prize - Rebecca Dively.

Project Hope challenges the stigma of mental illness and conveys the message that it is treatable. Students submitted original short essays, poems, photographs, and other artwork focused on the treatment and prevention of depression and suicide.

An awards presentation will be held on Tuesday, April 9, 2013 at 12:15 p.m. in the Pond View Lounge of the Slep Student Center. Light refreshments will be provided.

Project Hope submissions will be on display in the Slep Student Center on April 8, 9, and 11.

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Gettysburg Filmmaker Jake Boritt to Speak

Acclaimed documentary filmmaker Jake Boritt will deliver a special presentation at Penn State Altoona on Tuesday April 9 at 7:00 p.m. in room 101 of the Misciagna Family Center for Performing Arts. Boritt will be discussing his upcoming film The Gettysburg Story which will air on PBS stations this summer in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the famed Civil War battle. He will be addressing the many rewards and challenges of bringing history colorfully to life via film and the power of new cinematic technology, showing portions of the new film in the process.

The Gettysburg Story dramatically tells the history of the greatest battle fought on American soil using stunning high definition aerial and time lapse cinematography. It is narrated by acclaimed actor Stephen Lang (Avatar, Conan the Barbarian, Tombstone, Gettysburg). Motion graphic animations dynamically and efficiently explain troop movements and military strategies employed in the battle. The history and the land speaks in this unique visual and aural interpretation of America's defining moment.

In 2010 Boritt wrote and produced the The Gettysburg Story: Battlefield Auto Tour, performed by actor Stephen Lang. In 2010 his film 759: Boy Scouts of Harlem was broadcast nationally on public television. Chronicling Harlem boy scouts who venture into the woods for the first time, The New York Daily News called the film "subtle and uplifting." Boritt's short documentary for the United Nations followed Somali refugees in Ethiopia's Ogaden Desert. Boritt also produced several short films for the United Nations Development Program featuring actor Danny Glover. Boritt's 2007 film Budapest to Gettysburg explored the story of his father Professor Gabor Boritt, a world renowned Lincoln scholar who returned to Hungary to find his roots in the wake of Hitler and Stalin. Boritt has worked on productions for HBO, A&E, AMC, PBS, and CourtTV. Ken Burns called Boritt's first documentary, Adams County USA, “a really good film.” Boritt has appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show, in Vanity Fair, and in Newsweek. Learn more at www.boritt.com.

The presentation, which is free and open to the public, is sponsored by the Penn State Altoona History Program and the Division of Arts and Humanities. For more information, email jtf5039@psu.edu or call 814-949-5829.

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