Dean's Community Message

April 6, 2020

Dear College of Engineering Community,

I hope you had a restful weekend! Today, instead of an inspirational quote, I’m sharing an inspirational practice submitted by Kathryn W. Jablokow, professor of engineering design and mechanical engineering.

“I’ve started a practice with my students, friends, and family to think about how the challenges of the COVID-19 situation have actually led us to move beyond where we might have been if it hadn’t happened.

We begin with the phrase: ‘Because I couldn’t …’ and each person finishes the sentence for themselves. So, for example, someone might say: ‘Because I couldn’t deliver my lecture in the classroom, I learned to use some online tools that I wasn’t willing to look at before.’ Or, ‘Because I couldn’t fly to Europe for spring break with my friends, I started learning French using Duolingo.’ Or, ‘Because I couldn’t go to my yoga studio twice a week, I did online yoga classes every day!’

How would you finish the sentence?"

Here’s how I’m finishing my sentence today: Because I couldn’t go to my office to work, I was able to overhear my children practicing the piano, viola, French horn and saxophone.

Email me how you’re finishing your “Because I couldn’t …” sentence!

Remember, you can always reach out to share your individual stories and anecdotes: of challenges, successes, local heroes, etc. You can share those with our response team email address (L-COE_CORONA_CRISIS_TEAM@engr.psu.edu) or, if you prefer, to me directly at dean@engr.psu.edu. In your email, please note if it’s okay to share your submission in the daily email.

Today’s Updates


COVID-19 Notifications

Penn State Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), in coordination with University Health Services and Human Resources, has implemented new protocols related to COVID-19 to help protect the health of employees whose responsibilities necessitate working on campus during the remote-learning period. Employees must contact Penn State Absence Management if self-quarantining, exposed to or develop symptoms of the virus.


Graduate School Virtual Town Hall

The Graduate School will host a virtual town hall at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 9, to provide updates and answer graduate students’ questions about the school’s response to the novel coronavirus pandemic. More information may be found here.


Engineering Peer Advising Leaders (EPALs) Online Hours

EPALs, a cohort of senior-level College of Engineering students, are available to offer technical and advising support to pre-major students who are exploring majors within the college. This week, they are offering online drop-in hours, which are detailed on their webpage.


Penn State updates are available on the University’s coronavirus information site. You can connect with me on LinkedIn and follow the college on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Stay safe!

Justin Schwartz
Harold and Inge Marcus Dean, College of Engineering