Notable students and on-campus programming for March have been announced by Pennsylvania College of Technology's Residence Life Office.
Selected as the Rising Star of the Month was Robert J. Lamb, a welding and fabrication engineering major from Lansing, N.Y., and a Resident Assistant in York Hall.
"This RA has done an outstanding job this whole semester handling confrontations and issues on his floor," staff wrote. "He has shown tremendous skill in following up and offering support to his residents. A team player who's willing to go the extra mile, this RA is a real asset to the staff."
Dauphin Hall's Jocelyn E. Moyer, of Tower City, and Jonathan M. Norton, of Lebanon, were honored for arranging "Spend a Day in Their Shoes," the Educational Program of the Month. Moyer is a enrolled in pre-applied health studies/occupational therapy assistant; Norton is a pre-physician assistant major.
The RAs' program, attended by about 40 residents, featured an explanation of disability etiquette and the challenges of limited mobility and senses. Kay E. Dunkleberger, coordinator of disability services, was the guest speaker.
"At the conclusion of the information session, students were invited to experience what it would be like to have a disability," Residence Life staff explained. "The RAs put together an obstacle course designed to simulate different disabilities."
Singled out as the Social Program of the Month was a spaghetti dinner organized by Campus View Apartments Resident Assistants (Jaime R. Ackerman, Amanda A. Allanah, Emily Carella, Adam S. Feather, Sarah J. Matczak, Jonathan M. Probst, Azeez O. Salu and Justin M. Weaver) on March 27.
"On the Sunday after Open House, the CVA staff ... cooked spaghetti by the pounds for dinner for (their) residents. (T)o put a new spin on programming, the RAs set up tables and chairs in the small common areas on the first floor of their buildings and brought the program to their residents," staff wrote. "Residents really liked gathering in their own buildings for a family-style meal, where they passed around dinner just like if they were at home. By combining the buildings, residents were meeting new people from other parts of CVA. Dinner lasted over an hour and half because the group of 60 residents just enjoyed spending time with each other and talking."
Not only did the residents enjoy the program, staff added, the RAs enjoyed the interaction and relationship-building that took place.
"What started as a program will continue as a CVA tradition," Residence Life promised.