Four free films set for the outdoor screen at Porreco

A magical journey through a video game. A search for a loved one in the Land of the Dead. A superhero action movie from the Marvel catalogue. And a sing-along to a Disney classic.

All you need is a blanket or a lawn chair to see these stories unfold at the free “Movies under the Stars” series at the Porreco College of Edinboro University. Presented in partnership with the Film Society of Northwestern Pennsylvania and hosted by filmmaker John C. Lyons, the free film series features four recent releases for all ages.

“Movies under the Stars” 2018 Schedule:

Thursday, June 7: “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” (PG-13, 1 hour, 59 mins) – Directed by Jake Kasdan (“Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story”), the film follows four teenagers who are sucked into a magical video game, and the only way they can escape is to work together to finish the game. Starring Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart and Nick Jonas, this 2017 sequel to the 1995 film “Jumanji” is set 21 years after the original film.

Thursday, June 14: “Coco” (PG, 1 hour, 45 mins) – Aspiring musician Miguel, confronted with his family's ancestral ban on music, enters the Land of the Dead to find his great-great-grandfather, a legendary singer. The concept for Coco is based on the Mexican holiday of the “Day of the Dead.” The film won two Academy Awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song (“Remember Me”). Directed by Lee Unkrich (“Monsters, Inc.” and “Finding Nemo”), the film stars Anthony Gonzalez, Gael García Bernal and Benjamin Bratt.

Thursday, June 21: “Thor: Ragnarok” (PG, 2 hours, 10 mins) – Thor is imprisoned on the planet Sakaar and must race against time to return to Asgard and stop Ragnarök, the destruction of his world, which is at the hands of the powerful and ruthless villain Hela. The 2017 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character “Thor” boasts an all-star cast of Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Idris Elba and Jeff Goldblum. Directed by Academy Award-nominated Taika Waititi (“Two Cars, One Night”).

Thursday, June 28: “Beauty & the Beast” (PG, 2 hours, 9 mins) – A sing-along version of the Disney classic – a fairy tale about a monstrous-looking prince and a young woman who fall in love. The 2017 remake, directed by Bill Condon (“Gods and Monsters” and “Twilight”), features Emma Watson, Dan Stevens, Kevin Kline and Josh Gad.

Both admission and parking for the films are free. Weather permitting, attendees need only to bring outdoor seating to enjoy the films and the beautiful campus of Porreco College, located at 2951 W. 38th St. in Erie. All movies are scheduled to begin at 9 p.m.

Summer classes begin; second and third session registration open

With convenient scheduling and a wide range of course offerings, EU summer sessions are a great way to catch up, keep up and get ahead. First summer session classes began today, and registrations are currently being accepted for sessions 2 and 3. The registration deadline is the first day of classes.

• Second session: June 11 through July 12
• Third session: July 16 through Aug. 15

Students may take up to eight credits during the second and third sessions. For additional information and to register, visit the Summer Session page on the EU website. Questions may be directed to (814) 732-2761 or (888) 846-2676.

Where in the world will you be this summer?

Members of the Edinboro University community are currently traveling abroad on university-sponsored trips to London, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Belize, France and Japan.

Are you traveling this summer with EU or independently? We want to know all about it! Use #BoroTravel and let us know where on the globe we can find you. Safe travels!

Don't miss out on next year's trips to Edinburgh and London; Dominican Republic; Ireland; Spain, Italy and France; and Japan.

New Sociology track to launch this fall

A new sociology concentration at Edinboro University aims to inspire students to take action in the community and become agents of positive social change.

Edinboro University’s Bachelor of Arts in Sociology – Human Service and Community Development track provides students with the technical research skills and community development experience necessary to design, evaluate and implement client and community-centered programs aimed at promoting social equity and improving social conditions.

“This program will meet a need in the region for human service agencies, as it will educate students to be engaged in program development, management and assessment,” said Dr. Scott Miller, Dean of Edinboro University’s School of Business and College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. “Our talented faculty will work with agencies to ensure that students are receiving the latest tools needed to help those most in need of assistance in our community.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for social and community service managers is projected to grow 18 percent through 2026 – much faster than the average for all occupations – due to increases in elderly population and a rise in demand for substance abuse treatment and mental health and health-related services.

Students in the Human Services and Community Development concentration will learn skills in strategic social planning, policy analysis, community ethnography, community organization, social needs assessment, program development and evaluation, and participatory research methods.

The curriculum involves experiential and classroom education in applied and public sociological practice, ensuring graduates possess the professional skills required to engage in the challenges of 21st century professional employment in human and community services. Under the guidance of expert faculty, students enrolled in the program will gain a deeper understanding of institutional and social transformations through applied social science and human service work. Read more.

Edinboro unveils six Little Free Libraries

Grab a book. Read a book. Leave a book. That’s the premise of the Little Free Library Project at Edinboro University.

Edinboro University unveiled six locations throughout Erie County that will serve as host sites for the literacy project. Directed by Edinboro’s Center for Faculty Excellence, the Little Free Library Project aims to promote literacy, community engagement and public art in these locations.

Throughout the 2017-2018 academic year, Edinboro students and employees have been collecting books through a donation drive to stock each of the libraries. Interested readers may borrow these books from the sites at no cost. Donors can deliver books for the libraries at any time.

“It has been a pleasure to work with each of the host sites to custom design and create the EU Little Free Libraries to reflect the theme of each site,” said Dr. Kathleen Dailey, professor in Edinboro’s Early Childhood and Reading Department and director of the Center for Faculty Excellence. “Each library is so unique and reflects the talents and dedication of our students to this community-based project.”

Each of the libraries was designed by Edinboro student organizations with repurposed furniture and a newspaper box from the Erie Times-News. Karen Ernst, wood furniture professor at Edinboro University, designed and built one custom piece that was installed at the Edinboro Market.

Additional locations include the Early Learning University on EU's campus, Goodell Gardens & Homestead, Sara's Restaurant, Bethany Outreach Center and McKinley Elementary School.

To date, Edinboro has collected more than 2,000 books for the libraries. For more information or to donate books, contact the Center for Faculty Excellence at (814) 732-2333 or visit www.edinboro.edu/cfe.

Edinboro’s Little Free Library Project consisted of students, faculty and administration, including Dr. Dailey; Lindsey Finlan; Dr. Michael Hannan, Edinboro’s Interim President; Marilyn Goellner, vice president for Advancement; Carol Gleichsner, academic advisor in the Academic Success Center; Rosmari Graham, Edinboro’s director of Grants and Sponsored Programs; Pertrina Marrero, director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion; Diane Crandall, professor in the Art Department; Collette DiAngi, clerk typist 2 in the Center for Faculty Excellence; and Karen Tyler, assistant professor in the Early Childhood and Reading Department.

The Little Free Library Project received funds from Interim President Hannan, the Friends of the Baron-Forness Library and the Edinboro University Alumni Association.

EU ROTC commissions two cadets as military officers

Two graduating Edinboro University seniors and ROTC cadets were officially commissioned as officers in the U.S. Army during a ceremony on May 11 at Edinboro’s main campus.

Lyndsey S. Good, from DuBois, Pa., and David Richards, from Ashtabula, Ohio, wrapped up their careers with the Fighting Scots Battalion and will now enter active military duty.

“It still has not fully hit me that I have graduated college and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army,” said Good, who joined ROTC as a first-year student. “It is so rewarding to know that every detail I helped with, every team I was part of, and every training I attended has led me to this day.”

Good received a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Adjutant General Corps, which contains the U.S. Army’s human resources ranks. She also graduated from Edinboro University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a minor in Adaptive Leadership and Military Studies.

Good received her official U.S. Army pin from her parents, Bob and Denise Good, and was sworn in by Captain Paul Sekula. She received her first salute from Sergeant First Class (Ret.) John Shenkle.

Richards was commissioned as an active duty infantry officer in the U.S. Army. At Edinboro, he matriculated and contracted into ROTC during his sophomore year. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and graduated magna cum laude.

“ROTC has given me the training that has developed me into the Army leader I always aspired to be,” said Richards, who earned the Bronze Medal Athlete Award at Edinboro. “And my experiences remind me every day why I joined the Army and chose such a rare walk of life.”

Richards received his pin from his parents, Dave and Ann Richards, and was sworn in by Major Benjamin Kavanagh. He received his first salute from Master Sergeant Jason Dotson. Read more.

Spring 2018 Al Stone Lecture Series concludes Thursday

EU honors Barbian as Advisor of the Year

Dr. Lenore Barbian, professor in the Criminal Justice, Anthropology, and Forensic Studies Department, recently was named Edinboro University’s 2018 Advisor of the Year. Barbian was recognized for her advising skills and prolific contributions to campus programs, events and committees.

Barbian, an Edinboro faculty member since 2006 and a fellow in Edinboro’s Institute for Forensic Sciences, said that she believes teaching and advising are different sides to the same coin.

“As teachers and advisors, our goal is exactly the same – to see our students succeed,” said Barbian, whose areas of expertise include anthropology, paleopathology and mortuary studies. “When I teach, I focus on the intellectual component. As an advisor, I am focusing on the application of that knowledge and the student’s development of skills that they will need to be successful.”

Detroit native Jennifer Martin, an Edinboro anthropology student and artist, has worked with Barbian on her archaeological research of the Great Lakes. Martin, who nominated Barbian for the award, said that she intends to pursue a master’s degree in forensic anthropology due to the excitement she generated from Barbian’s courses.

“Dr. Barbian has been influential in my success at Edinboro University,” Martin wrote in her nomination letter. “She has guided and inspired my research goals. Her experience in the discipline is very apparent, and she is happy to share all she knows.”

Barbian promotes a sense of curiosity and intellectual growth through her advising process. She aims to help students gain confidence at Edinboro and beyond by providing positive experiences in both major and minor accomplishments. She has traveled with students stateside to the Northeastern Anthropological Association meeting in New Jersey and to the PASSHE Anthropology Conference. Additionally, she has traveled the globe with students to Mexico, Ireland and Belize.

“As teachers, we rarely know how much we have contributed to any particular student’s intellectual growth or future success,” Barbian said. “But as advisors, we are often right there with them and have a front row seat. I get to see my students find their focus, see them accomplish things far outside their original comfort zone, see their poise and confidence grow, and see them start to dream much bigger dreams for themselves.” Read more.

In case you missed it: EU in the news

The achievements of Edinboro University’s students, faculty and staff are always making headlines. Here are several recent news stories about excellence at EU:

Edinboro hires Matt Hill as wrestling head coach [GoErie.com]

SportsBlitz interview with Stan Swank [ErieNewsNow]

Running: Race raises more than money for autistic families [Buffalo News]

Edinboro University holds spring commencement [GoErie.com]

Edinboro awarded $429,000 PennDOT grant [GoErie.com]

Edinboro University's Graduate Commencement [YourErie.com]

Hundreds graduate with degrees from Edinboro University [ErieNewsNow]

Edinboro University unveils Little Free Library locations [GoErie.com]

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