Welcome to December, the month we've all been waiting for! So much happens in December: finals week, graduation, concerts and recitals, the beginning of winter, and the winter break. Faculty submit grades, students contest grades, staff scramble to keep up with everything, and certain Administrative Support Coordinators shoot not one but TWO deer. And then there's the array of holidays, celebrations, and festivals: Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Milad un Nabi, Winter Solstice, Boxing Day, Day of the Ninja (yes, apparently that's a thing), and National Maple Syrup Day. So make yourself some pancakes and enjoy the last newsletter of the semester.
December Goings-On
Writers writing.
Everybody Writes
On Sunday, December 4, from 8 p.m. – midnight, thirty writers gathered in the Mann Assembly Room of Pattee Library to work on their projects with the aid of coffee, snacks (including cheese balls!), librarians, and writing tutors. The event was the International Write-In, and this year Penn State joined 88 other universities from 33 states, Canada, and Switzerland to host the writing marathon for students, faculty, and staff. Of the thirty participants, 22 were graduate students, 3 were faculty members, and 5 were undergraduates. After checking in and stocking up on coffee and snacks, writers posted their goals for the evening on the white board, along with favorite quotes about writing. Goals included, “Finish my research proposal, which is due tomorrow!!!”; “Finishing my personal statement”; “Make my voice come through”; “2nd draft lit review”; “Organizing my data analysis”; and many more. The four hours of writing went by quickly, the silence punctuated by quiet consultations between writers and tutors or librarians, the awkward crunching of carrots (and cheese balls!), and the sinister gurgle of the industrial coffee pot. At the end of the night, writers reported making good progress, achieving their goals in part or in full. Penn State Learning will join Penn State Libraries and The Graduate Writing Center again in April to host a spring semester Write-In. You know you wanna go.
Everybody Wants to Take a Break
Asked what they most look forward to about winter break, PSL staff and tutors list the following:
Everybody Parties
On Friday, December 9, at 5 p.m., approximately 25 tutors, GSG leaders, receptionists, faculty, and staff gathered in 220 Boucke for the 2nd Annual PSL Holiday Party. After we all admired the decorations Ruiyan brought and that Seth, Drew, and Shubham helped hang up, we dined on Noel's knockout mashed potato casserole, Drew & Seth's perfectly ordered pizza, Neill's pungent pickled shrimp, Angelique's zesty holiday punch, Dave's colorful veggie tray, and much, much more (brownies, cookies, chips, salad, hummus, hot chocolate, candy). Shubham then led the group in an icebreaker that required us to pass on three interesting facts about each person we met and devolved to confusion about facts that no one ever claimed about themselves (e.g., that Ruiyan is from the moon, that Ni likes raw meat, etc.). The party wound down after that except for a cohort of tutors playing Taboo and another clustered around the ancient Chinese game of strategy, Go. Because the editor of this newsletter keeps forgetting she has a camera, the pictures reflect only the beginning of the party. Many more people were present than the pictures reflect.
On Sunday, December 4, from 8 p.m. – midnight, thirty writers gathered in the Mann Assembly Room of Pattee Library to work on their projects with the aid of coffee, snacks (including cheese balls!), librarians, and writing tutors. The event was the International Write-In, and this year Penn State joined 88 other universities from 33 states, Canada, and Switzerland to host the writing marathon for students, faculty, and staff. Of the thirty participants, 22 were graduate students, 3 were faculty members, and 5 were undergraduates. After checking in and stocking up on coffee and snacks, writers posted their goals for the evening on the white board, along with favorite quotes about writing. Goals included, “Finish my research proposal, which is due tomorrow!!!”; “Finishing my personal statement”; “Make my voice come through”; “2nd draft lit review”; “Organizing my data analysis”; and many more. The four hours of writing went by quickly, the silence punctuated by quiet consultations between writers and tutors or librarians, the awkward crunching of carrots (and cheese balls!), and the sinister gurgle of the industrial coffee pot. At the end of the night, writers reported making good progress, achieving their goals in part or in full. Penn State Learning will join Penn State Libraries and The Graduate Writing Center again in April to host a spring semester Write-In. You know you wanna go.
Everybody Wants to Take a Break
Asked what they most look forward to about winter break, PSL staff and tutors list the following:
- my bed
- no schoolwork
- free time
- Rose Bowl
- California family vacation (lucky you!)
- "some semblance of peace."
Everybody Parties
On Friday, December 9, at 5 p.m., approximately 25 tutors, GSG leaders, receptionists, faculty, and staff gathered in 220 Boucke for the 2nd Annual PSL Holiday Party. After we all admired the decorations Ruiyan brought and that Seth, Drew, and Shubham helped hang up, we dined on Noel's knockout mashed potato casserole, Drew & Seth's perfectly ordered pizza, Neill's pungent pickled shrimp, Angelique's zesty holiday punch, Dave's colorful veggie tray, and much, much more (brownies, cookies, chips, salad, hummus, hot chocolate, candy). Shubham then led the group in an icebreaker that required us to pass on three interesting facts about each person we met and devolved to confusion about facts that no one ever claimed about themselves (e.g., that Ruiyan is from the moon, that Ni likes raw meat, etc.). The party wound down after that except for a cohort of tutors playing Taboo and another clustered around the ancient Chinese game of strategy, Go. Because the editor of this newsletter keeps forgetting she has a camera, the pictures reflect only the beginning of the party. Many more people were present than the pictures reflect.
Tutoring Opportunity!
December Graduations & Goodbyes
Graduating in December
Jessica McKinley, Math Tutor
"I already have a full time job lined up teaching math at my old high school, Marian Catholic. I finish student teaching on December 9th & I start there on the 12th even before graduation! I miss the face to face tutoring & seeing my fellow tutors (Joanne, Ryan, Trånd!), since I am only tutoring online this semester. I will also miss tutoring finals week. Crazy time of the year but I loved leading those sessions when we'd only have one math class come in at a time."
"I already have a full time job lined up teaching math at my old high school, Marian Catholic. I finish student teaching on December 9th & I start there on the 12th even before graduation! I miss the face to face tutoring & seeing my fellow tutors (Joanne, Ryan, Trånd!), since I am only tutoring online this semester. I will also miss tutoring finals week. Crazy time of the year but I loved leading those sessions when we'd only have one math class come in at a time."
Thad Achmad, Math Tutor & Receptionist
Jillian Acri, Writing Tutor (Jillian will still tutor in Spring 2017)
Jenna Bednar, Math Tutor & GSG Leader
Dana Cinque, Writing Tutor (Dana will still tutor in Spring 2017)
Emma Fivek, French Tutor
Sarah Her, GSG Leader for Econ 102
Oluwatobi (Tobi) Jewoola, Math Tutor
Yanrong (Helen) Mu, Math Tutor
Jake Ruddy, Writing Tutor
Jiawei (Vincent) Yang, Math Tutor & GSG Leader
Ni Yang, Chinese Tutor & Language Tutor Coodinator
Jillian Acri, Writing Tutor (Jillian will still tutor in Spring 2017)
Jenna Bednar, Math Tutor & GSG Leader
Dana Cinque, Writing Tutor (Dana will still tutor in Spring 2017)
Emma Fivek, French Tutor
Sarah Her, GSG Leader for Econ 102
Oluwatobi (Tobi) Jewoola, Math Tutor
Yanrong (Helen) Mu, Math Tutor
Jake Ruddy, Writing Tutor
Jiawei (Vincent) Yang, Math Tutor & GSG Leader
Ni Yang, Chinese Tutor & Language Tutor Coodinator
Graduating in May but leaving PSL in December
Luiza Lodder, Writing Tutor
"In the spring semester, I will be interning with the UN in New York, at the Office of the High Representative for the Least Developed Countries, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States (OHRLLS). Very exciting! I will miss the pleasant and friendly people at the writing center--my fellow tutors, as well as Cindy and Jon and Neill. I will also miss connecting with the students who came in for help." Brian Bondiskey, French Tutor William (Bo) Graber, Math Tutor Joanne Oh, Math Tutor & GSG Leader Colleen Quisenberry, Math Tutor & GSG Leader |
Jessica Murphy, Writing Tutor
"I will be student teaching in a 1st grade classroom in the Mifflin County School District next semester. I will graduate in May with my Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary & Early Childhood Education (PreK-4). I will miss helping other students realize that writing an English 15 essay is not so scary after all. I loved being able to teach my peers different strategies that they could use to improve their writing not just on the piece they brought to the writing center, but for all of their future writing. Lastly, I will miss all of the diverse and talented people that I was able to work with throughout my time at the writing center." |
Also leaving in December
Carol Gaertner, Co-curricular Programs Coordinator, Math Learning Communities
Cynthia Spiegel, Co-curricular Programs Coordinator, Writing & Language Communities
Cynthia Spiegel, Co-curricular Programs Coordinator, Writing & Language Communities
December Birthdays
Meghan O'Leary, Writing Tutor, December 1
Meghan is an English major who will graduate in 2017 and eventually, she hopes, be an editor. What does she want for Christmas? "A puppy! My parents aren't going for it though." If Meghan got a puppy, would she name it after a famous author? (See Chloe, below) 
Chloe Cullen, Writing Tutor, December 22
Chloe is majoring in Broadcast Journalism and English. She's procrastining post-college plans until she graduates in May 2018. The miniature English bulldog in the picture isn't hers, but she has her very own version named Harper after Harper Lee. "If I could have any superpower, I think I would want the ability to fly - not too much responsibility and super convenient to get to class. More December Birthdays...!
Zacharias Ricci, GSG Leader, December 4 Brandon Smith, Math Tutor, December 6 Abby Houston, Writing Tutor, December 8 Nico Taresh, Writing Tutor, December 16 Derek Barnett, GSG Leader, December 20 Kaitlin Maissen, Writing Tutor, December 20 Lauren Pease, Spanish Tutor, December 21 Han Tran, Math Tutor, December 21 Nicole Wang, Chinese Tutor, December 21 Jayme Rhoads, French & Italian Tutor, December 22 Joshua Werns, Math Tutor, December 28 Yardyn Shraga, Writing Tutor, December 28 Rachel Winpisinger, GSG Leader & Math Tutor, December 31 |
Stephen Koellner, Math Tutor, December 18
Stephen is a Mathematics major and expects to graduate in May 2018. He doesn't have post-college plans yet; he's too busy performing stand-up at "Penn State's best and only stand-up comedy club: Second Floor Stand-up." When asked if he would perform at the Holiday Party, he said no. His actual words: "I'm not sure that would be a good idea considering the content of my material." 
Rohan Patel, Math Tutor, December 25
Rohan, a Computer Science major, knows exactly what he'll do after graduation: "Get a job and make some money for my marriage and then marry my beautiful girlfriend whom I have been dating since 4 years." Even though Rohan studied in an English medium school in India, he doesn't listen to English songs or watch English shows and movies. He prefers Hindi movies and songs. Also, he says, "I haven't watched a football match yet, neither in stadium nor on TV." |
PSL Profile: Cynthia Spiegel
Diggity.
Cynthia (Cindy) Spiegel, Co-curricular Programs Coordinator for Writing & Language Communities, thinks her title is way too long. But maybe its length reflects the bounteous nature of the position. The tutors Cindy works with are rich in intellect, creativity, and friendliness, and the position is rich with variety: administrative work, data entry, management, mentoring, teaching, writing, and more. Cindy is leaving PSL on December 16, but not because she hasn't enjoyed her work here. Read the interview below to find out more....
Why are you leaving?
That's kind of a nosy question, but I'll answer it anyway. I have spent too much of my life dodging the work that I know will be the most fulfilling for me: writing. I have a restless nature, and writing pins me down in a way that makes me feel okay about being pinned down. I haven't prioritized it because it's scary to commit to a pursuit that feels so selfish and has so much potential for failure. So anyway, I'll be working on several ongoing projects and maybe starting a few more. If you're interested, my website, www.cindyclem.net, has some of my poems, essays, and blog posts (Clem's the maiden name and also the writing/publishing name).
Why can't you write and have a job? A lot of writers do both.
I can think about this in two ways: first, that something is wrong with me, that I'm somehow energetically defective compared to other writers; OR, I could think that maybe something's right with me, that I'm making a courageous choice for sanity and peace, even if it means sacrificing the extra paycheck. Besides, writing isn't the ONLY thing I'll be doing.
What else will you be doing?
I'm a Reiki Master and fledgling Tarot reader, and I may want to develop a clientele for each. By "develop a clientele," I mean say 'sure' to people who ask if I can give them a Reiki session or a Tarot reading. I'll also be taking care of house, yard, family, and dog (see above). Finally, I'll be doing some freelance writing for the drug and alcohol rehabilitation company where my husband works.
Will you miss us?
Here's what I will miss: the pictures the writing tutors draw on their meeting attendance slips; the lively dialogue at the language tutoring tables in Sparks; the tutors who pop in to chat before their shifts; the math, GSG, and receptionist folks who help me plan PSL parties; seeing all of PSL sitting together at the Fall semester meeting in Sparks; writing this newsletter; overhearing Jon Olson talk about writing with ENGL 250 students; brainstorming solutions to various problems with my co-workers at staff meetings; and, of course, the parties (see "Everybody Parties") above. Much love, PSL. I will remember you fondly.
Why are you leaving?
That's kind of a nosy question, but I'll answer it anyway. I have spent too much of my life dodging the work that I know will be the most fulfilling for me: writing. I have a restless nature, and writing pins me down in a way that makes me feel okay about being pinned down. I haven't prioritized it because it's scary to commit to a pursuit that feels so selfish and has so much potential for failure. So anyway, I'll be working on several ongoing projects and maybe starting a few more. If you're interested, my website, www.cindyclem.net, has some of my poems, essays, and blog posts (Clem's the maiden name and also the writing/publishing name).
Why can't you write and have a job? A lot of writers do both.
I can think about this in two ways: first, that something is wrong with me, that I'm somehow energetically defective compared to other writers; OR, I could think that maybe something's right with me, that I'm making a courageous choice for sanity and peace, even if it means sacrificing the extra paycheck. Besides, writing isn't the ONLY thing I'll be doing.
What else will you be doing?
I'm a Reiki Master and fledgling Tarot reader, and I may want to develop a clientele for each. By "develop a clientele," I mean say 'sure' to people who ask if I can give them a Reiki session or a Tarot reading. I'll also be taking care of house, yard, family, and dog (see above). Finally, I'll be doing some freelance writing for the drug and alcohol rehabilitation company where my husband works.
Will you miss us?
Here's what I will miss: the pictures the writing tutors draw on their meeting attendance slips; the lively dialogue at the language tutoring tables in Sparks; the tutors who pop in to chat before their shifts; the math, GSG, and receptionist folks who help me plan PSL parties; seeing all of PSL sitting together at the Fall semester meeting in Sparks; writing this newsletter; overhearing Jon Olson talk about writing with ENGL 250 students; brainstorming solutions to various problems with my co-workers at staff meetings; and, of course, the parties (see "Everybody Parties") above. Much love, PSL. I will remember you fondly.
