Brazilian author's work commemorated
Wednesday night, about 20 students and professors gathered to commemorate the life and works of the famous Brazilian author Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis at the Machado 100.
De Assis was "the founder of the [Brazilian] Academy of Letters. He is all in all the father of Brazilian literature. He is considered the foundation in Brazilian letters. If you say Brazil and literature, he's the guy," Mariano Humeniuk, Penn State Americanists president, said.
The event celebrated the 100th anniversary of the author's death.
"It's not so much a commemoration of his passing away but a celebration of his life's works," Mariano Humeniuk (graduate-comparative literature) said during the opening introductions of the evening.
Engineers discuss real-life experiences
Jason Nanna (graduate-biomedical engineering) spoke to members of the Biomedical Engineering Society about his experience working with Engineering World Health last summer in Africa.
Nanna is the third in a series of seven speakers to discuss their experiences with internships, co-ops, graduate school and medical school, according to a flier for the "Career Development Series."
President of BMES Josh Salvi said the club is holding the series to help its members get out into the workforce and "show them what is out there."
Ethics timely during economic distress
Big 4 auditor KPMG presented "The Ethical Compass" Wednesday night at the Nittany Lion Inn to members of the Penn State chapter of Beta Alpha Psi, a national organization for accounting, finance and information sciences and technology students.
Blane Ruschak, KPMG's executive director for campus recruiting, led the session and opened the evening's discussion with mention of the current Wall Street situation.
He said the program is designed to give students a decision-making model to approach ethical situations in their personal and professional lives.
KMPG spokesman Jim McGann said in light of the recent economic downturn, the topic of ethics is "all the more timely."
Strike team to provide survival pointers
The Centre Region Emergency Strike Team will discuss "How to Help Yourself Get Rescued" at 7 tonight at Appalachian Ski & Outdoors, S. 123 Allen St. The group will provide pointers about what to do beforehand and what to take to ensure an outdoor rescue if needed. The event is free and open to the public.
Police Log
Theft: A student's Apple iPhone was stolen sometime Sept. 29 from Rec Hall, Penn State Police said. The phone was left unattended in the men's restroom when it was taken, police said. The estimated value is $600, police said.
