at Saint Francis University
Oct. 17-19th, 2025
The 50th Biennial Convention of Gamma Sigma Epsilon will be held at Saint Francis University (SFU) Curry Center in Altoona, PA on Oct. 17-19th, 2025. The convention is hosted by the Rho Nu chapter and President-Elect, Prof. Rose Clark, the faculty advisor. The main convention will be held Saturday, Oct. 18th and include the society business meeting in the morning, a special guest speaker (Researcher from the Pennsylvania State University), a poster session for chapter activities (2' x 3' poster) and student research (2' x 3' poster), an evening banquet and awards presentation. Anyone flying to the convention can submit their poster to Dr. Rose Clark by October 5th for printing at Saint Francis University (to avoid additional costs for posters on the plane). On Saturday and Sunda,y breakfast is provided by the hotel and lunch and dinner on Saturday are provided by GSE. On Sunday, Oct 19th, we will have a morning excursion to the Horseshoe Curve Railroad Site for those interested (please sign up when you register).
Venue: The convention will be held in SFU Curry Center and the Altoona Railroaders Museum (https://www.railroadcity.org/). The exhibits will be open to view Saturday evening during the dinner and awards session.
One student from each chapter is required to attend as a Voting Delegate in order for the chapter to remain active in the society. The Society will reimburse the Chapter Voting Delegate for travel costs up to $750 (most travel should be significantly less since the hotel is billed directly to GSE). Each Voting Delegate must keep their travel receipts and submit them to the Executive Treasurer, Prof. Gregory Boyce after the meeting for reimbursement. Faculty advisors and additional students from each chapter are welcome and encouraged to attend; however, the Society can only reimburse for the costs of one Voting Delegate from each chapter.
Hotel Reservation: Rooms for the attendees have been reserved at the Hampton Inn (busing to meeting) and Wingate by Wyndham (walking distance to meeting) in Altoona, PA. If you prefer to bus to the convention or have mobility issues please email [email protected] to ensure you are placed in the Hampton Inn. The hotel amenities include a gym, pool, free WIFI, free parking, and free breakfast.
Voting Delegate: The Society will pre-pay one night per Voting Delegate at the hotel. If the Voting Delegate rooms with another Voting Delegate from a different chapter, the Society will then cover the full hotel cost for both delegates. If the Voting Delegate would like to have their own room, or share with another attendee from the same university, the Society will cover half the cost (for the two nights). Please indicate on the registration below which rooming option you choose. If you choose to room alone or with someone who is not a Voting Delegate, please send a check for $135, payable to Gamma Sigma Epsilon, to the Executive Treasurer, Dr. Gregory Boyce, as soon as possible after registration. If the check is not received, the $135 charge will be deducted from the Voting Delegates travel reimbursement.
Faculty advisors and non-voting student attendees: We need to book your room to receive the group rate of $135 per night for either a 2 Queen Beds or One King Bed room and will do so once you register. Please send a check payable to Gamma Sigma Epsilon to the Executive Treasurer, Prof. Gregory Boyce ($270 for 2 nights) as soon as possible after registration. Our group rate is good and tax-free when paid by the Society.
Please send any necessary payment by check to Prof. Gregory Boyce at SciTech 228, 200 Prospect Street, East Stroudsburg PA 18301. If you have any questions, please email him at [email protected].
The deadline to register is Friday Sept 12th. After this point we cannot guarantee you a room. Registering early would be appreciated as this makes the process easier on the planning committee!
TRAVEL
By Train: Attendees should take the Amtrak to the Altoona Train Station, Altoona, PA. If you are taking the train, we will arrange for your stay at the Wingate hotel which is a short walk from the train station. Amtrak makes one stop in Altoona daily from the East (arrives: 5:12 pm) and the West (arrives: 10:02 am).
By Plane: Attendees should fly into the State College Airport, State College, PA or Altoona Airport, Altoona, PA. State College Airport (46 miles from hotel) connects to Chicago, Philadelphia, and Washington Dulles. The Altoona Airport (18 miles from the hotel) connects in Charlotte (Contour Airlines, https://www.onetravel.com/). There are no shuttles and very few flights into these airports so there are likely other GSE members flying in on the same plane. Make some friends and get an Uber together to get to your hotel in Altoona. Voting Delegates are requested to book their flights as soon as possible to keep the cost of reimbursement down so the Society can continue to cover these costs for future conventions. Depending on the number of students flying into the State College Airports we may have some SFU vans to pick you up. Purchasing travel insurance is a good idea for non-refundable flights in case something unforeseen occurs.
By Car: Hampton Inn (180 Charlotte Dr., Altoona PA 16601) is right off of I-99. The Wingate by Wyndham (909 Chestnut Ave., Altoona, PA 16601) is in downtown Altoona.
TENTATIVE AGENDA
Friday, Oct. 17th - Check-In at the Hotels.
Saturday, Oct 18th - 50th Convention of Gamma Sigma Epsilon (9:00am - 9:00pm)
Sunday, Oct 19th - Morning Excursion to Horseshoe Curve. Make sure your flight is at 2 pm or later to do this excursion!
POSTER AWARDS
All posters must be 2' x 3'.
If you are flying, please submit your poster to Dr. Rose Clark for printing ([email protected]) by Oct 5th.
John Conn Award: Each student who presents a research poster will receive $50 and a certificate.
W. Allan Powell Award: The best research poster presenter receives an additional $100 and a certificate.
Outstanding Chapter Award: The best chapter poster is provided with $200 and a certificate.
Additional information regarding the Convention will be provided to registered attendees.
If you have any questions, please contact Prof. Rose Clark ([email protected]) by email.
A Voting Delegate is a student member from each chapter who will be responsible for voting on issues on the chapter's behalf. Voting Delegate travel and lodging is covered by the society up to $750, but please book early and try to get the best deal so the society can continue to offer these opportunities for future delegates.
A student attendee is a member who will be attending the conference but is not a Voting Delegate. Attendees are welcome to present research or chapter posters.
Faculty advisors from GSE chapters are strongly encouraged and welcome to attend. Advisors cannot be voting delegates.
You can walk to downtown hotel from train station. We need to know if you will be arriving by train so we can put you in the correct hotel.
Please fly into Altoona or State College, Pennsylvania.
Parking at the hotels is free.
