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Slippery Rock University adding new engineering programs

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Bachelor’s degrees in electrical and computer engineering and construction management designed to prepare graduates for growth economy 

SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. , Dec. 5, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — Engineering jobs are high paying and in high demand. More than 160,000 engineers were employed in Pennsylvania last year with 10,100 job openings.

To address this growing need for highly skilled employees, Slippery Rock University is adding two new degree programs to its current suite of four engineering programs accredited by the globally recognized Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET).

Starting in fall 2025, students at SRU can begin building their future with a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical and computer engineering and a Bachelor of Science in construction management. Prospective students can learn more and start their application process at sru.edu.

The electrical and computer engineering program develops students’ practical skills in areas like digital electronics, communication systems, power systems, computer hardware and software and microelectronics. The construction management program prepares students to lead projects in residential, commercial, industrial and infrastructure construction.

“These programs are designed to train students to be problem-solvers with skills in mathematics, creative design, leadership and communication, both verbal and written,” said Michael Zieg, SRU provost. “Adding new programs is part of SRU’s growth strategy, but more importantly, it is in line with our mission to support the evolving educational and professional needs of the people in our region.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, engineers in Pennsylvania on average earn more than $100,000 per year and overall employment for engineers in the state is expected to grow by 4% from 2020 to 2030, a rate faster than all occupations.

INNOVATIVE LEARNING SPACES
SRU leads the way with a new trend in higher education where classrooms and laboratories are coming together in one space, known as the “class-atory,” as noted in the ABET accreditation review. In addition to being an affordable option for students, this innovative approach embraces the opportunities for hands-on learning in the same spaces where class lectures and group discussions occur.

SRU currently has six industry-leading labs that leverage modular equipment that can readily be reconfigured to meet teaching needs for experiments, demonstrations, testing, analysis and other vital opportunities for applied learning.

THE SRU ADVANTAGE
The focus of an applied education, lower tuition and one-on-one mentorship with SRU professors combine to build a stronger Pennsylvania with graduates prepared to immediately enter the workforce with a highly respected undergraduate degree at a lower initial cost. Additionally, engineering programs at larger research institutions tend to be more focused on theory and graduate-school preparation.

SIX PROGRAMS, UNLIMITED IMPACT
A total of 239 students are currently majoring in engineering at SRU, and there are more than 120 alumni who have earned engineering degrees since the University started its first engineering program in 2016. Those numbers will increase with the added programs. The six programs are:

Mechanical EngineeringCivil EngineeringPetroleum and Natural Gas EngineeringIndustrial and Systems EngineeringConstruction Management (coming fall 2025)Electrical and Computer Engineering (coming fall 2025)

The four-year cost of tuition and fees for engineering at SRU is less than half the average cost of engineering programs at 15 schools within a two-hour driving radius of Slippery Rock at $48,122. SRU’s costs don’t factor in the scholarship and financial aid packages that are available to students. Approximately 85% of SRU students receive some type of aid.

ABET ACCREDITED
SRU’s four current engineering programs meet the rigorous ABET standards. The ABET accreditation ensures program excellence and this accreditation is expected for the two new programs with the first graduating class. An ABET accredited program means that it has passed third-party examination to assure that graduates are ready to enter critical technical fields that are leading the way in innovation and emerging technologies and anticipating the welfare and safety needs of the public. SRU’s programs were found to contain “no deficiencies.”

BACKGROUND
SRU is a nationally ranked regional public university 50 miles north of Pittsburgh. The two recently state-approved programs, one in electrical and computer engineering and one in construction management, complement the ABET-accredited offering within its College of Engineering and Science, giving students six unique pathways to enter the job market. Both programs were approved by the Office of Chancellor of Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education in October 2024.

More information about SRU’s engineering programs is available on the University’s website.

Media Contact:
Justin Zackal
justin.zackal@sru.edu

 

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Lexmark Showcases New Printers and Technology Solutions for Retailers at NRF 2025

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NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Lexmark, a global imaging and IoT solutions leader, will showcase its cutting-edge, retail-ready printers and solutions at NRF 2025, Retail’s Big Show and Expo, Jan. 12 to 14, at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York. The Lexmark showcase will be in booth #6321.

“Lexmark kicks off the year with a bang by showcasing our latest 9-Series family of A3 printers and MFPs at NRF for the first time,” said Tim Speller, Lexmark’s head of retail and manufacturing. “These sophisticated devices will usher in a new era of opportunity for retailers to maximize operational efficiency while increasing sales.”

Here’s what will be on display in Lexmark booth #6321:

New Lexmark 9-Series printers and MFPs are designed for challenging retail environments

Built by evolving Lexmark’s renowned A4 technology, the 9-Series delivers versatility, simplicity and sustainability. These solutions are easy to use and manage – perfect for any retail salesfloor or back office.

Key highlights of 9-Series:

Versatile and easy to use. The 9-Series offers a broad range of media size support (A6 to SRA3), high-volume duty cycles, a common set of modular paper-handling options, finishing capabilities and professional color features including PANTONE® calibration.Simple and easy to manage. The 9-Series’ intuitive interface streamlines workflows by providing simple instructions and prompts. For routine maintenance, toner cartridges can be replaced with one hand, easily understood visual cues are displayed, and serviceable areas are easy to access and identify.Sustainable and easy to feel good about. The 9-Series’ total post-consumer recycled (PCR) content is 56% by weight for all base-model MFPs and 73% by weight for the line’s base-model printer, based on IEEE calculation procedures. *Built to last. The 9-Series is designed and built to last seven years or more. Having few components helps reduce the likelihood of technical failure while also minimizing the service time required for repairs and maintenance. Experienced technicians can perform most common service actions, even highly complex tasks, in less than 15 minutes, according to Lexmark testing.

Lexmark Engagement Automation Platform (LEAP) helps retailers drive sales and foot traffic with hyper-local social media ads

LEAP automates one-to-one promotions that drive footfall to local stores. Store leaders can trigger hyper-personalized sale posts and boost ads based on individual store inventory conditions through loyalty program apps and social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. With advanced analytics and reporting capabilities, LEAP provides the insights needed to measure success and make data-driven decisions.

Key highlights of LEAP:

Engagement: To engage shoppers, center promotions around customer buying patterns with an engagement automation platform that posts localized content – such as store-specific offers, events and locally grown produce initiatives.

Automation: Schedule and manage automatic localization and delivery of corporate promotional messaging with an engagement automation platform to reach consumers through social media with hyper-local content around each store or audience region.

Loyalty: Attract local customers with an engagement automation platform that sends store- and corporate-initiated offers to geo-fenced social media apps like Facebook and Instagram and loyalty program applications.

Supporting resources

Learn more about Lexmark’s booth at NRF 2025.

Read Lexmark’s NRF blog.

Schedule a booth meeting with our retail experts during NRF 2025.

Get more details about the Lexmark 9-Series.

Get more details about the Lexmark Engagement Automation Platform (LEAP).

Watch a video about LEAP.

Get the details on NRF 2025.

Follow us on LinkedIn for live NRF updates.

About Lexmark

Lexmark creates cloud-enabled imaging and IoT technologies that help customers worldwide quickly realize business outcomes. Through a powerful combination of proven technologies and deep industry expertise, Lexmark accelerates business transformation, turning information into insights, data into decisions, and analytics into action.

Lexmark and the Lexmark logo are trademarks of Lexmark International, Inc., registered in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.

* PCR content measured in accordance with IEEE Std 1680.2a™ – 2017 Standard for Environmental Assessment of Imaging Equipment – Amendment 1 — which is the standard used by EPEAT.

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SOURCE Lexmark

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Pricer and Focal Systems Announce Strategic Collaboration to Drive the Next Step in Physical Store Digitalization

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Pricer, a global leader in digital shelf-edge solutions, and Focal Systems, a leader in shelf-edge AI, today announced a strategic collaboration to accelerate the digitization and optimization of the physical store for retailers worldwide.

STOCKHOLM, Jan. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — This collaboration brings together Pricer’s innovations in dynamic pricing and shelf-edge communication with Focal Systems’ advanced computer vision and product availability solutions to maximize shopper satisfaction while optimizing retail operations.

As a pioneer in enabling dynamic pricing and digitizing shelf-edge shopper communication, Pricer has led the first step of the retail digitalization journey. Focal Systems has pioneered the application of computer vision to digitizing what products are available on-shelf or not in near real-time. Together, Pricer and Focal Systems will empower retailers to improve labor efficiency, reduce out-of-stocks, increase sales, and enhance shopper satisfaction like never before.

Enhancing the Shelf Edge Through Collaboration

By integrating Focal Systems’ AI-powered shelf vision cameras with Pricer’s leading electronic shelf label (ESL) platform, retailers will benefit from:

Real-Time Shelf Insights: Automated detection and alerting of out-of-stock or low items powering rapid replenishment and increased shopper satisfactionDynamic Task Automation: Streamlined workflows and prioritized tasks to improve operational efficiency for store staff.Patented Innovation: Camera-based out of stock detection and communication, flashing ESLs, alternate location communication.Seamless Integration: Standardized API connections that deliver out-of-the-box value, offering synchronized ESL flashes, messaging updates, and shelf-edge intelligence.

Together, Pricer and Focal Systems demonstrate that the combined offerings deliver measurable value for the retailers by enabling a fully digitalized shelf-edge ecosystem.

Strategic Collaboration for the Future of Retail

“We are proud to combine our leadership in ESL technology with Focal Systems’ AI-powered shelf vision,” said Chris Chalkitis, CDO at Pricer. “Both companies share a belief in the digitalization of the physical store. Pricer has been a pioneer in dynamic pricing and shelf-edge communication. With Focal Systems, we take the next step, digitizing what’s on the shelf – and what’s not – to drive greater efficiency and performance for retailers.”

Focal Systems’ AI technology transforms retail operations through real-time shelf monitoring and replenishment task optimization.

“Partnering with Pricer, a global leader with groundbreaking ESL technology and innovation, creates tremendous value for retailers,” said Kevin H. Johnson, CEO at Focal Systems. “Together, we deliver an integrated, data-driven solution that reduces operational complexity, automates workflows, and enhances the in-store experience. We look forward to demonstrating this powerful collaboration to retailers and their customers.”

Showcasing the Future at NRF 2025

The collaboration will officially debut at the National Retail Federation (NRF) Big Show in January 2025, where Pricer and Focal Systems will showcase the integrated solution at Pricer’s booth. This marks the beginning of an exciting journey to redefine the shelf edge and set new standards for retail innovation.

For further information, please contact:
Chris Chalkitis, Chief Digital Officer, +46 70 4849812
Finn Wikander, Chief Product Officer, +46 705 233077
info@pricer.com

About Pricer

Pricer is a leading global provider of digital shelf-edge solutions, helping retailers optimize pricing, improve operational efficiency, and enhance the customer experience. With patented innovations like camera-based product identification by ESL, Pricer continues to set the standard for dynamic, intelligent shelf-edge solutions. For more information, visit www.pricer.com.

About Focal Systems

Focal Systems is a leading provider of AI-powered computer vision solutions, helping retailers automate operations and optimize product availability through real-time shelf monitoring. Its advanced technology delivers actionable insights that drive efficiency and profitability. For more information, visit www.focal.systems.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/pricer/r/pricer-and-focal-systems-announce-strategic-collaboration-to-drive-the-next-step-in-physical-store-d,c4090287

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Blue Owl Capital Expands Tennis Player Sponsorship to All Grand Slam Tournaments in 2025

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Blue Owl to place logo patches on dozens of athletes competing across the Australian Open,
French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open

Jordan Thompson named as Blue Owl’s dedicated athlete ambassador for the Australian Open

NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Blue Owl Capital Inc. (“Blue Owl”) (NYSE: OWL), a leading alternative asset manager, announced today a marquee sponsorship agreement to expand their presence at all Grand Slam tournaments in 2025 and become the exclusive financial services partner for professional tennis’ Player Patch Program.

Blue Owl’s logo will be featured on the shirt of select players competing across men’s singles, women’s singles, mixed doubles, men’s doubles and women’s doubles competitions at this year’s Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open tournaments. In addition to Blue Owl’s presence on the courts, the firm will be featured in iconic Melbourne transit hubs, social media and digital media during the Australian Open in an effort to raise brand awareness within the country and the broader APAC market.

Blue Owl Chief Marketing Officer Suzanne Escousse said, “Just as Blue Owl is redefining alternative investing, we are supporting established and emerging professional players who are redefining the game of tennis. Tennis is a truly worldwide sport requiring peak performance in critical, high-pressure moments. This is the same ethos that underpins Blue Owl and allows us to focus on delivering results for our international client base. Following the success of our involvement with the Patch Program at the 2024 US Open, and given Blue Owl’s established presence within the country, Australia is the perfect place to kick off our presence across Grand Slam tournaments.”

Blue Owl has also partnered with Australian tennis professional Jordan Thompson, who will serve as the firm’s Athlete Ambassador at the 2025 Australian Open – January 12-26 in Melbourne. Most recently, Thompson won the men’s doubles at the 2024 US Open, where he was wearing a Blue Owl patch, and was a men’s doubles finalist at Wimbledon in 2024. He has also registered victories over several top-10-ranked opponents in singles competitions and previously represented Australia at the Olympics and the Davis Cup. Thompson will be one of several competitors wearing Blue Owl’s logo throughout the tournament.

Jordan Thompson said: “Blue Owl is focused on delivering excellence for its clients, which makes it a great fit for a partnership with professional tennis players. Support from firms like Blue Owl is tremendously beneficial for players who are preparing for career-defining events, especially the four Grand Slams. Our shared core values, including striving for success in every step of our journeys, whether that be in the financial services industry or competing as a professional athlete, is a perfect match. Alongside my coaches, my doubles teammate(s) and tennis fans, Blue Owl will play a key role for me here in Melbourne at the 2025 Australian Open.”

About Blue Owl

Blue Owl (NYSE: OWL) is a leading asset manager that is redefining alternatives.

With $235 billion in assets under management as of September 30, 2024, we invest across three multi-strategy platforms: Credit, GP Strategic Capital, and Real Estate. Anchored by a strong permanent capital base, we provide businesses with private capital solutions to drive long-term growth and offer institutional investors, individual investors, and insurance companies differentiated alternative investment opportunities that aim to deliver strong performance, risk-adjusted returns, and capital preservation.

Together with over 1,050 experienced professionals, Blue Owl brings the vision and discipline to create the exceptional. To learn more, visit www.blueowl.com.

Media Contact

Nick Theccanat
Principal, Corporate Communications & Government Affairs
Nick.Theccanat@blueowl.com

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SOURCE Blue Owl Capital

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