EU hosts summer reading program for local children

School may be out for the summer, but learning hasn’t stopped at Edinboro University.

Dozens of local, elementary-age children participated in Edinboro’s fourth annual summer reading program, a 5-week summer camp that took place June 11-July 12. Featuring Edinboro student-leaders from the Early Childhood and Reading Department, the literacy initiative emphasized the importance of daily reading and aimed to prevent summer learning loss.

“Research shows that students who do not participate in summer learning activities are at risk of losing the reading proficiencies and knowledge they acquired during the school year,” said Dr. Erinn Lake, interim dean of Edinboro’s School of Education. “Improving literacy is key to overcoming the challenges of poverty and to helping these students be successful throughout their lives.”

Participants were divided into groups based on their reading levels at the beginning of the program and received individualized instruction from Edinboro University education majors each day. More than 50 children, ages 3 to 12, attended the tutoring sessions.

Dr. Mary Jo Melvin, chairperson of the Early Childhood and Reading Department, said the summer program is a great opportunity for Edinboro students to sharpen their teaching skills and to promote literacy in the Edinboro community.

“This program is one of the many ways that we prepare our students for successful teaching careers,” said Dr. Melvin, who launched the summer reading program in 2015. “The students are gaining hands-on experience and discovering the importance of adapting the curriculum to the learning needs of each child. By teaching these children to love reading, we are establishing a foundation for lifelong learning.”

Edinboro Community Night at the Erie SeaWolves

Outdoor movie series continues at Edinboro University

Edinboro's “Movies Under the Stars,” is set to continue Thursday beginning at 9 p.m. on the lawns behind the Frank G. Pogue Student Center. Attendance and parking are free. Guests may park in the lot across from the McComb Fieldhouse or next to the Baron-Forness Library.

Thursday: “Ghostbusters” (PG, 1 hour, 45 mins) – This is the 1984 American comedy film directed and produced by Ivan Reitman and written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. It stars Bill Murray, Aykroyd and Ramis as eccentric parapsychologists who start a ghost-catching business in New York City. Sigourney Weaver and Rick Moranis co-star as a client and her neighbor, and Ernie Hudson as the Ghostbusters' first recruit.

Thursday, July 26: “The Lion King” (G, 1 hour, 28 mins) – The Lion King tells the story of Simba, a young lion who is to succeed his father, Mufasa, as King of the Pride Lands; however, after Simba's uncle Scar (Mufasa's jealous younger brother), murders Mufasa, Simba is manipulated into thinking he was responsible and flees into exile. Upon maturation living with two wastrels, Simba is given some valuable perspective from his childhood friend, Nala, and his shaman, Rafiki, before returning to challenge Scar to end his tyranny and take his place in the Circle of Life as the rightful King. The film won Academy Awards for Best Original Score (Hans Zimmer) and Best Original Song with “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” by Elton John and Tim Rice.

In the case of inclement weather, the film series will be held in the Scot Cinema of the Pogue Student Center – which is limited to the first 75 moviegoers.

13 reasons to visit the Baron-Forness Library

The Baron-Forness Library isn’t just located in the center of campus. It’s also the center of campus activity, research and collaboration. Although the library does contain thousands of books, it offers much more.

1. All your computer needs in one place
   The library features one of the largest and most utilized computer labs at Edinboro University. Fighting Scots can do research, check campus/personal email and print papers all in one location.
2. Your Edinboro University resource center
   Access over 100 academic databases with just a few clicks. Find streaming video, magazine and newspaper articles and academic journals from our library portal.
3. Take the library with you
   All of the Baron-Forness Library databases, eBooks and many other resources are accessible on your home computer or mobile device. It doesn’t matter if you’re at home, in a classroom on campus, or on vacation – you can access an enormous amount of resources and guides 24/7.
4. Looking for solitude?
   The seven floors of the Baron-Forness Library feature many quiet nooks to find solitude and to study. Find a seat at our many study spaces around the building, with floors 4-7 designated as quiet floors.
5. Meet your fellow Fighting Scots
   The library is a great place to meet other students. Do you need a space for collaboration or team brainstorming? There are five study rooms on the second floor and four rooms on the first floor. Just inquire at the front desk.
6. Find all the help you need
   Whether you need academic support or research assistance, expert librarians and academic advisors are available to guide you through the process. Set up an appointment with a librarian or chat online for immediate assistance.
7. Got technology?
   The library has laptops available for you to check out at any time. Borrow a tablet or a laptop and take it home for up to three days. Additionally, the library has a number of charging stations, headphones, USB drives and other accessories for you to use.
8. Lounging is encouraged!
   Grab a drink from the coffee shop in the library and browse the new and recommended book shelves on the first floor.
9. Be a kid again
   The library boasts a large collection of young adult titles, graphic novels and early childhood education books. And puppets. Yes, puppets.
10. Enjoy the views
    The Baron-Forness Library is the tallest building on Edinboro’s main campus. It is a great location for a panoramic view of our picturesque 585-acre campus and our own Mallory Lake.
11. Perform at your best
    Studies have shown that students who regularly use the library finish their degrees with higher GPAs and retention rates.
12. Access worldwide libraries
    Through services such as Inter Library Loan and EZ-Borrow, students have access to materials located around the world. Also, you can access the New York Times for free by using the Baron-Forness Library resources.
13. Study 24/7
    On the first floor of the library, you can find a 24/7 study room near the library entrance. This is a great place to study – even with the library is closed.

Christian Gehman takes his EU education to Alaska

EU alumnus Christian Gehman is now employed by a company called Saltwater, Inc., which contracts observers for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Gehman, who studied environmental biology at EU, accompanies fish and crab vessels in the Gulf of Alaska as a North Pacific Observer.

"My job is to take statistical and biological samples of the catch and bycatch of the boat I am assigned to. Specifically, I take density and volumetric measurement, species composition samples and biological samples including specimen collection, otolith and stomach collection of all the catch that is brought on board. This enables NOAA to manage the fisheries in Alaska and determine the health and size of populations that are being fished."

"We also collect data on halibut, Bering Sea marine mammals and birds. There are many organizations that use the data we observers collect. So, that is where I ended up after graduating from Edinboro University in December 2017. Ornithology classes at Edinboro enabled me to easily identify birds that I can see from a Bering Sea boat that is listing and pitching and birds that are brought up as accidentals from fishing actions." Check out more success stories.

EU to host free concert featuring international musicians

Junior Achievement recognizes Edinboro University

Members of the Edinboro University community were recognized at the 79th Annual Meeting of Junior Achievement of Western PA on June 21.

Junior Achievement (JA) aims to inspire and prepare young people to succeed in a global economy by providing opportunities for experiential learning. Through a combination of in-school and after-school activities, the nonprofit organization reaches more than 4.8 million students each year. Volunteer-led programming focuses on work readiness, entrepreneurship and financial literacy.

Robin Howell, a faculty member in the Early Childhood and Reading Department, was presented the Junior Achievement Educator of the Year Award. As part of her curriculum, Professor Howell’s classes volunteer for JA each semester by adopting schools in Erie and Crawford counties.

Beth Zewe was recognized for her service to Junior Achievement with the JA National Bronze Leadership Award. Zewe, director of Continuing Education and Workforce Development & EU ombudsperson, sits on both the Erie and Crawford JA boards.

For the second consecutive year, Edinboro University received the Education Leadership Company Award. EU was also granted the JA Innovation Award, which Dr. Mary Jo Melvin accepted on the University’s behalf.

Award winners were chosen from 32 counties in Pennsylvania and 18 counties in West Virginia. Please join us in congratulating Professor Howell and Ms. Zewe.

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