By Andrew McGill

Meeting in a building completed only a week ago, the Penn State Board of Trustees convened at the Hershey Medical Center to discuss new construction, administrative appointments, and the state of the College of Medicine.

Additional funds requested for the construction of a new cancer institute at Hershey Medical Center were also approved. The $130 million institute will help promote cancer research and the treatment of cancer patients in the central Pennsylvania.

Penn State President Graham Spanier lauded the organizers and participants of Thon in his opening address and explained Penn State's new relationship with healthcare company Highmark.

"The partnership, which is unique, provides increased access to health care services for our Penn State employees and their families across the commonwealth while advancing vital research and investing in new facilities that will ultimately benefit the health of everyone we serve," Spanier said.

Highmark recently gave the medical school $25 million dollars for the children's hospital and cancer research.

Barbara Korner and Ann Crouter were both confirmed as the deans of the College of Arts and Architecture and the College of Health and Human Development. In addition the promotion of Bill Mahon to vice president of university relations and the instatement of Albert Horvath as the University's new corporate controller was confirmed.