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Press Release - February 9, 2005
Professional in Afghanistan Logs on to World Campus
Wednesday, February 9, 2005
Bobby Dowd has been working in several locations around Afghanistan for nearly two years. His employer, construction company Perini Management Services, is under contract with the US Army Corps of Engineers to build facilities for the Afghan National Army (ANA). Dowd is currently near the Uzbekistan border in Mazar-e-Sharif serving as the project engineer for the ANA Regional Brigade facility, which, when complete, will house several thousand troops. In addition, Dowd, with the help of friends, family and colleagues, collects warm clothing donations from the United States to help women and children through the grueling Afghanistan winter.
After work in the evenings, Dowd has other work on his mind: pursuing an associate's degree in business administration. Using a state-of-the-art satellite system, he will log on to his classes at Penn State's World Campus, the University's Distance Education program, where he recently enrolled.
"[The Regional Brigade facility] is my second full undertaking as project engineer, which has a largely administrative role," he said. "I hope to use the World Campus to hone my skills."
Before going to Afghanistan, Dowd's work with Perini took him to several different locations in the United States, including Vidalia, Ga.; Camp Lejeune, N.C.; and Key West, Fla. His busy work schedule led him to research many online programs before settling on Penn State. "I felt the World Campus was the place for me," adding that he is a huge fan of Joe Paterno and Penn State football.
What does Dowd plan to do with his degree? He hopes to continue his education, and "of course, climb the corporate ladder," he said.
Editor contact: Amy Neil, 814-865-7600 or aen4@outreach.psu.edu
Penn State is committed to affirmative action, equal opportunity, and the diversity of its workforce.
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