NEW DEMOCRACIES CAN BE UNDERMINED BY ELITES
Nations with socioeconomic and political elements that sometime retard or disrupt full democratization might benefit from the lessons of Germany during the 1920s, according to a Penn State expert. A study by Michael H. Bernhard, associate professor of political science, shows that an initial brave attempt at democratization was ultimately brought down by the voting power of entrenched elites who preferred Hitler to the rule of law. Bernhard coded each electoral district depending on whether it became part of West Germany, pro-Soviet East Germany, Poland or the Lithuanian or Russian Soviet Republics after World War II. He then tabulated votes for all eight of the Weimar Republic elections between 1920 and 1933, comparing votes cast in the western and eastern parts of pre-World War II Germany. The study appeared in a recent issue of the journal Comparative Politics. For the full story by Paul Blaum, visit http://www.psu.edu/ur/2001/newdemocracies.html.
IST TEAM TO BRIEF STATE SENATE COMMITTEE
A team representing Penn State’s School of Information Sciences and Technology (IST) is briefing the Pennsylvania State Senate Communications and High Technology Committee today (Oct. 17) in Harrisburg. Representing the school are James B. Thomas, IST dean; Marcus Hansen, president of Lockheed Martin Management and Data Systems; and Laura Beck and Luis Valbuena, IST juniors attending the University Park campus. Sen. Jake Corman of Bellefonte presides over the committee. Dean Thomas is expected to describe the development of the school and its goals, while Hansen, a member of the IST Advisory Board, is expected to offer an industry perspective on this innovative Penn State program. Beck and Valbuena are expected to speak on their experiences and opportunities as students. For more information on IST, visit http://ist.psu.edu.
“WORLD HUNGER WEEK” OBSERVED AT PENN STATE
Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences is hosting a series of activities through Friday, Oct. 19, in conjunction with this year’s United Nations’ World Food Day. “World Hunger Week” events aim to draw attention to the broader issues of world hunger, says Deanna Behring, director of international programs for the college. Audrey Maretzki, professor of food science and nutrition, will present the video “Our Food, Our Future” at noon on Oct. 17 at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel. A panel discussion will take place at noon on Oct. 19 in 118 Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building on issues including world hunger, biotechnology and pressures on natural resources. Penn State undergraduate members of the Pre-Vet Club will work with other student leaders to conduct a food drive. For more information, visit http://www.cas.psu.edu/international or http://aginfo.psu.edu/News/october01/hunger.html.
TALK SHOW HOST LING IS NEXT DISTINGUISHED SPEAKER
Lisa Ling, co-host of ABC’s daytime talk show, “The View,” will speak at Penn State’s Eisenhower Auditorium as part of the University’s Distinguished Speakers Series on Tuesday, Oct. 30, at 8 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. Tickets will be available to the general public beginning Thursday, Oct. 25, on a first-come, first-served basis at the Eisenhower box office. Limited tickets may also be available the night of the speech. In addition to being one of five female co-hosts of “The View,” Ling produces “It’s a Ling Thing” and “Lisa's Money Thing” segments for the show. For more information on Ling and the Distinguished Speakers Series, go to http://www.psu.edu/ur/2001/lisaling.html.
DEPARTMENT OF GERMAN CELEBRATING CENTENNIAL YEAR
The Centennial Celebration of the Department of German at Penn State kicks off Thursday, Oct. 18 with a three-day conference, “A Century of German-American Crosscurrents at Penn State 1901-2001.” Among the conference speakers will be novelist and essayist Ursula Hegi; Penn State alumnus Charles Bierbauer, former senior Washington correspondent for CNN; and Roger Cohen, Berlin, correspondent for the New York Times. The department includes the Max Kade Research Institute, which focuses on German-American relations in a region of the country where German heritage and culture are still prevalent, and where the Pennsylvania German dialect is still spoken. Registration details and more information can be found at http://german.la.psu.edu/centennial01/centennial.html.