The University Board of Trustees Saturday selected eight University graduates to receive the Distinguished Alumni Award.

Howard O. Beaver Jr., Charles J. Bierbauer, William A. Hiller, Harold C. O'Conner Jr., Dianne H. Pilgrim, Catherine A. Rein, Warren Washington and Helen D. Wise will receive the University's highest award for an individual.

The award, established in 1951, honors alumni who have made outstanding contributions to their professions and the community.

The awards will be presented in June. If winners cannot accept their awards at that time, trustees may choose two other alumni to replace them.

Bierbauer was nominated last year, but could not accept the award because he was covering Mikhail Gorbachev's visit to the United States for Cable News Network.

-- The Office of the President announced on Friday the appointment of 17 Distinguished Professors.

Paul Baum, Thomas D. Borkovec, Simon J. Bronner, Frederick A. de Armas, M. Elaine Eyster, Gideon Golany, Inyong Ham, Gary L. Lilien, John D. Martz, Julian D. Maynard, Masatoshi Nei, G.P. Patil, Eva J. Pell, Robert Plomin, C. Channa Reddy, Satvir S. Tevethia and M. Albert Vannice received the title.

The award recognizes professors who have an "exceptional record of teaching, research and/or creativity, and service," a University news release said.

Recommendations were made to the Office of the President by college deans following a review by college committees.

The University began naming distinguished professors last year. Forty-five faculty members now hold the title.

-- Construction for the $3.5 million expansion of the Airport Terminal Building at the University Park Airport may begin this spring, according to the University's vice president of business and operations.

James M. Wagner, vice president of business and operations, said work is planned to begin in April and end by October 1992.

The expansion will double the terminal's size and create a new main entrance, a concession area, ticket offices, an arrival and departure lounge, public restrooms and service and storage areas.

-- The dean of the College of Medicine announced Friday that the Penn State Cardiovascular Center will soon be established at the Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.

The Center will provide cardiovascular clinical services including prevention and rehabilitation to citizens of central Pennsylvania.

Dr. John A. Waldhausen, Department of Surgery chairman, will head the center's committees that coordinate 12 different departments, areas and divisions involved with cardiovascular disease and research.