Commission For Women Begins 15th Year

10-10-96

University Park, Pa. -- The Commission for Women began its 15th year of addressing the concerns of women faculty, staff and students at Penn State this fall with a 1996-97 agenda to increase the number of women in positions of leadership and to establish a stronger voice for staff within the University community.

The commission will also focus on increasing opportunities for professional development; improving salary equity; and examining the successes and weaknesses of the Administrative Fellows Program. Special events on the commission's calendar are the Annual Spring Banquet, scheduled for March 17, 1997, and the second Take Our Daughters to Work Day, tentatively scheduled for April 25, 1997.

Much of the work of the Commission for Women occurs within its committees. Committees are made up of appointed Commission members and volunteers interested in working on Commission projects. The committees are chaired by members of the Commission Executive Committee. The 1996-97 Executive Committee is:

-- Nancy Herron, director of academic affairs at Penn State McKeesport; Chair of the Commission;

-- Mary Ann Chavey, staff assistant in the Center for Sports Medicine, Chair of the Professional Development Committee;

-- Tineke Cunning, career counselor in Career Development and Placement Services, Chair of the Issues and Policies Committee;

-- Mary K. Howett, professor of microbiology and immunology at the Hershey Medical Center, Chair of the Liaison Committee;

-- Margaret Lyday, associate professor of English, Chair of the Committee on Women's Athletics;

-- Deborah Meder, assistant controller, Chair of the Outreach Committee;

-- Ossie Parker, janitorial worker, Chair of the Banquet Committee; and -- Ellen Walker, academic advisor, in the Smeal College of Business Administration, Chair of the Nominations Committee.

Several newly appointed members of the Commission began their three year terms on August 1. New Commission members are: Robin Anderson, senior office information specialist; Eunice Askov, director of the Institute for the Study of Adult Literacy; Helen Caffrey, director, Office of Commonwealth Relations; Wendy Closshey, undergraduate student in biology; Linda Enseki, DUS programs coordinator at Penn State DuBois; Mary Jane Irwin, professor of computer science and engineering; Lynda Goldstein, assistant professor of English at Penn State Wilkes-Barre; Josephine Herrera, director of diversity enhancement programs in the College of Earth and Mineral Science; Coreen Lewis, campus bus driver for business services; Sandra Podgurski, staff assistant for University Safety; Pranita Raghavan, Undergraduate Student in Journalism; Linda Spangler, administrative assistant in department of economics; Noriko Toyokawa, graduate student in health education.

New Ex Officio members of the Commission are Sharon Entenberg, president, Undergraduate Student Government, and Stephanie Shields, director, Women's Studies Program.

Commission for Women meetings are open to the University Community. Fall semester meetings are scheduled for October 10, 1 - 3 p.m., November 14, 1:30 - 3:30 p.m., and December 12, 1 - 3 p.m.. All meetings will be held in 404 Old Main. For more information about the Commission for Women, or to obtain an application to volunteer, call the Commission Office at 865-1683.

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