Dean's Community Message

April 28, 2020

Dear College of Engineering Community,

As this winding journey of a semester comes to a close, there’s nothing like the “Lord of the Rings” to help capture both the sense of uncertainty and promise we’re all juggling these days. Today’s submission from “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers” comes from Nadire Nayir, postdoctoral research associate in mechanical engineering:

This scene is a conversation between Frodo, who is experiencing a moment of weakness, and Sam, a close friend of Frodo.

FRODO: I can’t do this, Sam.

SAM: I know. It’s all wrong. By rights, we shouldn’t even be here. But we are. It’s like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger they were, and sometimes you didn’t want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad happened? But in the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something. Even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back only they didn’t. They kept going. Because they were holding on to something.

FRODO: What are we holding on to, Sam?

SAM: That there’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo. And it’s worth fighting for.

Here are today’s updates:


Student Resources: GPA Calculator, Alternative Grade Calculator and Request Tool

Penn State is currently working to develop a new LionPATH Alternative Grade Calculator and Request Tool to allow students to make their alternative grade selections once final grades are posted. This will be available starting on May 20, and students will have until May 29 to finalize their selections. In the meantime, students are encouraged to use the LionPATH GPA Calculator to help explore how selections in the alternative grading system will affect their GPAs. More information can be found here.


Remote Teaching Tip

RTT #7: Student exam accommodations such as extended time, permitted breaks, scheduling flexibility, or paper-pencil exams should be adapted for remote exams. Follow these accessibility guidelines for tips on how to build your Canvas exam accommodations. The Office for Digital Learning and the Student Disability Resources Office can provide additional help to ensure that students receive the appropriate accommodation.


As we move through this last week of classes, I encourage those who have questions or concerns to please reach out to our response team at L-COE_CORONA_CRISIS_TEAM@engr.psu.edu.

Remember that you can always connect with me on LinkedIn and follow the college on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Also, note that the University’s Coronavirus Information site has been updated to be more easily navigable. Be sure to bookmark it for the latest updates.

Be well!

Justin Schwartz
Harold and Inge Marcus Dean, College of Engineering