They came east from the Miami Valley (Ohio) to attend the annual Penn State Alumni Association's Volunteer Awards Banquet.  Some of them stayed at a hotel in Altoona; others stayed with relatives in Lewistown; one of them stayed with friends in Middleburg; and some of them stayed with friends in State College.  But they all rendezvoused at the Nittany Lion Inn on Friday, October 13, to participate in the Awards Banquet festivities.

All decked out in sartorial splendiferousness, your Dayton Chapter representatives were:  Bob Gehman, John and Joan Glaser, Vic and Laura Rich, and Lou and Marguerite Sharp.  In the pictures that follow you'll also note an eighth member of our entourage, Bob Kindig.  He and Bob Gehman were roomies in Pollock B (now Hartranft Hall) during the early '60's, and established a lasting friendship over the years. 

And so, dear reader, scroll on down this page for glimpses of our collective experience that weekend.

Our instructions were to assemble at the Nittany Lion Inn by 5:00 PM for photo sessions.  Thank goodness for a photo opp delay, because Lou and Marguerite Sharp encountered a traffic challenge enroute.  We took advantage of the schedule change by posing for this photo opp.  Front row, left to right:  Bob Gehman, Joan Glaser, and John Glaser.  Back row, left to right:  Bob Kindig, Vic Rich, and Laura Rich.

True to its tradition of excellence, the Alumni Association sponsored a pre-banquet reception replete with heavy hors d'oeuvres and an outstanding selection of liquid refreshments.  Several Dayton Chapter members are pictured here as they participate whole-heartedly.

Laura Rich demonstrates the proper use of a blue-lit, message bearing, battery-powered, Nittany Lion fan.  Bob and Janie Gehman purchased the fan at a sports store in Chicago, and thought they'd latched onto a one-of-a-kind item.  Not so, because they learned later it is available at the HUB Book Store.

Thanks to Lou Sharp's willingness to take a path uncharted to get around a traffic tie-up, he and Marguerite arrived in time for refreshments before the official photo-shoot.  Marguerite has her priorities correct as she hoists a tall one and then checks out our table assignment.

Seated at last, Laura  and John discuss the evening's agenda and what might possibly be on the menu.  A bemused Joan looks on.

You might not guess it from this picture, but Bob Kindig and Marguerite got very well acquainted as dinner partners.  Bob lives about 45 minutes from campus, in Middleburg, and was surprised to learn that one of Marguerite's close friends while attending Penn State also hailed from there.

Here's a scan of the evening's agenda.  Note that our Dayton Chapter was one of two organizations to win the Communications Award.  And, of course, our own John Glaser is shown as the winner of the prestigious Volunteer of the Year Award.

Dave Boyer, chairperson of the Awards Committee, makes preliminary comments about the Communications Award as John looks on.

The Communications Award is accorded to any alumni affiliate group that distinguishes itself  through an exceptional communications program.  In accepting the award on behalf of the chapter, John acknowledged the contributions of Edie Kreider (Communications Director) and Bob Gehman (Website Director).  

Here's John at the podium shortly after Dave Boyer announced that he won the 2006 Volunteer of the Year Award.  The award recognizes the contributions of an individual who has provided exemplary service to the Penn State Alumni Association.  John took this opportunity to describe his opportunities to serve.

Here are the words Mr. Boyer's used in announcing the Volunteer of the Year Award winner:  "The Volunteer of the Year Award is given each year to one outstanding volunteer who has given superior service to the Penn State Alumni Association.  I am pleased to recognize this year's Volunteer of the Year — John Glaser.  A 1970 graduate from the Smeal College of Business, John's contributions to Penn State have been primarily through his service to the Dayton, Ohio, chapter.  Beginning in 2002 as the chapter's vice president, John led the chapter to expand its programs to attract more members and raise its visibility in the area."

Here is the crystal Nittany Lion John received.  This beautiful item is the third such individual award accorded to the chapter in the last three years — with Bob Gehman (2004) and Marguerite Sharp (2005) previously winning Diversity Awards.  In addition, our chapter won the affiliate group Website Award in 2004.   

Our after-dinner entertainment was provided by the Hi-Lo's, a select group of young men drawn from the Penn State Glee Club.  They're known for their energetic performances, and earned a standing ovation at the conclusion of their program.  After observing Marguerite's spirit as she sang along with the Alma Mater, one of Hi-Lo's came down from the stage afterward, introduced himself, and embraced her.  

The Alumni Association awards a Volunteer Scholarship in the name of the annual Volunteer of the Year award winner.  Lauren Patton, this year's scholarship winner, receives the award certificate from John.

Although not directly related to the Awards Banquet, the following three pictures have been included to add a bit more color to this update of our web site.  Here's a photo, taken by Bob Kindig, of the aquarium in the HUB.

Everyone will recognize this as a picture of the Nittany Lion Inn. The fall colors were resplendent — vivid reminders of why we love this campus so much. 

I, your  intrepid photographer and web head, had a little extra time on my hands Sunday morning as I approached State College from Middleburg.  Hoping to get some more colorful pictures of the campus before returning to Dayton, on a whim I decided to climb Mt Nittany to see what photo opportunities might present themselves.  Given my pathetic conditioning this turned out to be a big mistake!

I hiked the White Trail from the parking lot to the Mike Lynch Overlook. Actually, the word "hiked" is a bit misleading.  My uphill ordeal was more akin to an unforced death march. After huffing and puffing for 90 minutes I finally reached my objective. Don’t be misled by the hype on the Mt Nittany web site about “the view of Penn State ” from the Mike Lynch Overlook.  The view is a very narrow one that is constrained by trees.  It was only the magical, mystical power of my Palomar-like camera lens that enabled me to get at least partial views of the campus.  The picture above, of Beaver Stadium, is the best I could do. The view should be much improved by the absence of leaves in the winter.  Of course, who wants to hike up Mt. Nittany in January to brave gale force winds and sub-freezing temperatures? L