SLIPPERY ROCK — Slippery Rock University is bridging the cultural gap between east and west by recruiting graduates from four high schools in China.

SRU also will send one of its own to the far east to pursue studies at Shanghai International Studies University — a school of about 8,600 students — in the sprawling Chinese metropolis.

Susan Hannam, dean of the College of Health, Environment and Science, led a recruitment team to Hongda, Haining, Jinling and Zhejiang high schools in China.

From those schools, SRU hopes to glean up to 15 full-time students to join the university as four-year undergraduates.

Hannam also discussed plans for a two-week educator program that would allow Chinese teachers to come to SRU to learn American teaching methods.

"The schools told us that they would like their teachers to come and have a chance to practice the English language as we speak it, to learn a little more about the culture in the U.S and to learn our teaching techniques," Hannam said, from a news release.

Headed to China Aug. 16, is SRU accounting major Christopher Becker of Mars. He will complete a year program at the Shanghai International Studies University.

He prepared for his time in China by taking three Chinese language classes at the university.

Becker hopes the experience will be a valuable tool for developing a career in international relations or business.

"China is obviously a growing part of the world economically," Becker said from a news release. "The experience will present even more opportunities for me when I graduate. Any advantage I can gain would be good."

BRADY TWP — Two guided walks at the Jennings Environmental Center will pay tribute to the blazing star and other blooming meadow flowers.The 90-minute walking tours on July 25 and Aug. 1 will focus on the prairie ecosystem, its animals and geologic history.The small meadow at the ecological center is a small-scale representation of the Midwestern prairie that extended to Pennsylvania until about 2000 B.C., according to a news release.The walks will begin at 2 p.m. from the prairie parking lot off Prospect Road. Participants should wear comfortable clothing because the prairie provides little shade from direct sunlight.For information, call the center at 724-794-6011. It is open from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays and on weekends as scheduled.The trails are open daily from sunrise to sunset.

GROVE CITY — The Organ Historical Society named the Kimball Organ in Harbison Chapel at Grove City College as an instrument of historic merit, worthy of preservation.The organ was dedicated in 1931 and remains in its original condition.The Organ Historical Society is comprised of musicians and organ builders whose goals are to educate the public and document and preserve historic pipe organs.A bronze plaque commemorating the organ will hang in the chapel for the start of the 2010-11 academic year.

GROVE CITY — The Grove City Medical Center's parking lot was reconfigured to prevent drivers from cutting through the lot and endangering patients.Drivers have been using the lot to avoid a four-mile detour for Cranberry Road, which has been closed for bridge repairs, according to a medical center news release.More than 500 cars used the lot as a shortcut during a recent 12-hour period."Our incidence of patient complaints with regard to the traffic in the parking lot has increased to several each day," said Brad VanSickles, vice president of patient safety.The hospital installed speed bumps and rerouted the lot entrance to curb drivers from using the lot as a cut through.The lot will be switched back after Cranberry Road is opened in mid September.

SLIPPERY ROCK — The Slippery Rock Parks and Recreation department will present its summer production of "Twinderella" at 6:30 p.m. July 29 at the Slippery Rock Middle School.Tickets will be sold at the door for $3. No advance tickets will be sold.In other programs, the park will hold free computer classes for adults ages 18 and up at the park building.Classes will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on consecutive Tuesdays starting July 27.Sessions teach basic computer skills and are available for the first 10 adults who sign up.Those interested should call parks department at 724-794-8180.