Sycamore Stories
These Bear blog posts bring good news, short stories and recent accomplishments to the Ursinus community.
English and Theater Double Major Plays with Business Idea and Scores
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, working parents have struggled with meeting the needs of their jobs while simultaneously tending to children who are not only learning from home but also spending less time with friends. Kate Foley ’23 and her family created a business that could help.
World’s First Modern Computer, Born from an Ursinus Professor, Celebrates 75th Anniversary
On February 15, 1946, Ursinus Professor of Physics John Mauchly and University of Pennsylvania Professor J. Presper Eckert unveiled their invention to the public: ENIAC, the first modern computer. Historians, engineers, and tech aficionados are celebrating its creation in a weeklong series of events.
An Alum’s Career Calling: Serving At-risk Youth
Just six years after graduating from Ursinus, N’Namdee Nelson ’02 founded Rising Leaders Global, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing positive role models and mentors for at-risk youth in Camden, N.J. FOX 29 recently spotlighted his important work.
Students Apply Entrepreneurial Thinking to Pandemic Problem-Solving
Challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic were the focus of the UC-Imagine Fest, a 15-hour marathon event during which students work together to find innovative and creative solutions for existing problems.
Ava Compagnoni ’23 Makes Sure Thanksgiving Tables Are Full
Every year as Thanksgiving nears, Ava Compagnoni ’23 and her family help run a food drive to provide families in South Jersey with holiday meals. Things looked a bit different in 2020.
Exemplary Work of Erin Hovey ‘96 and Mike Twarogowski Recognized with Staff Awards
The college is pleased to announce that Digital Content Manager Erin Hovey ’96 and Supervisor of Support Services Mike Twarogowski are the 2020 recipients of the Laughlin Distinguished Administrator Award and the Flora A. Tortorelli Staff Service Award, respectively.
Legal Eagle, er, Bear Returns as Mock Trial Coach
Michelle Stranen ’05, a senior litigation associate at Marcus & Hoffman, P.C., in Media, Pa., recently returned to Ursinus as an adjunct lecturer and coach of the mock trial team.
James Futter Keeps Campus Events Running (Just Not Sure When He Sleeps)
After working in the events industry in Maine, Connecticut and New York, James Futter came to Ursinus for a three-month gig running events on campus. That was four years ago.
Celebrating 100 Years of the 19th Amendment
In this election year, it is important to recognize the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote.
Passion for Vintage Fashion Is About More Than Just Clothes
Holly Hubbs has always loved vintage items. Growing up, she often attended antique sales and old-car shows with her father, “a collector and an overall appreciator of all old things” whom she credits with inspiring her passion for vintage.
LEGO Hobby Is Built for Quarantine
Jade Touam, assistant content marketing manager, has been constructing LEGO sets for 15 years. In the early days of the pandemic, she discovered it was the perfect pastime.
Pandemic Proposal Makes News at PBS
Two months into quarantine, Director of Residence Life Alyssa Caffarelli ’13 had something that seemed hard to come by in 2020: good news.
Knitting, Gardening (But Not Biking) Bring Joy to Newest Psych Professor
The psychology department is excited to announce its newest faculty member, Assistant Professor of Psychology Mora A. Reinka.
Screenside Chat with Shannon Zura
Visiting Assistant Professor in Design and Technology Shannon Zura was recently featured in InterAct Theatre Company’s screenside chat series.
Dear Diary: Journaling Through the Pandemic
Talia Argondezzi, director of the writing and speaking program at Ursinus, is bringing together Ursinus staff to form a summer writing group.
Kids Going Stir-Crazy? Let Off Some STEAM!
Casey Schwarz shares ideas to inspire interest in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics.
Films That Inspire
Faculty and staff collaborate with Jennifer Fleeger on virtual film series this summer.
Upgrade Your Next Game Night
Christine Iannicelli talks virtual escape rooms, trivia and game design tips.
Health Economics Takes on Executive Summaries
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic led to massive changes all around the world. For many Ursinus faculty members, that meant altering their coursework accordingly.
Analyzing the Past in the Present
Junior and senior history majors have been grappling with the history of the Black Death, the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Ursinus Quest: Open Questions Open Minds core curriculum.
Seeking Artistic Inspiration
Kristen Cooney ’22 shares her top five tips for finding artistic inspiration during the stay-at-home order in place for the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Economics of COVID-19
Members of the business and economics faculty are using the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as a learning opportunity for their students.
Positivity Prevails in Videos from Faculty and Staff
Students were welcomed to the virtual spring semester with video greetings from faculty and staff.
Turning Deposits into Donations
Ursinus contributed $100 to the Daily Bread Community Food Pantry for each deposit received during the virtual Admitted Students Experience on April 21-23.
Lantern Launch, Live from Home
The celebration of this year’s long-awaited literary magazine, The Lantern, looked a bit different this year. The launch premiered on YouTube and was streamed to a live, but virtual, audience of peers.
The Show Must Go Online
Ursinus theater class produces “Isolated Together: Stories from the Covid-19 Pandemic” (A Living Newspaper)
