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The Rev. Jesse Jackson, founder and president of the National Rainbow Coalition and one of America's foremost social and political figures, gives his autograph to Andrea Carr, a freshman from Erie, center, and Sheron Alexander, a member of the Community Advisory Council for Underrepresented Groups at Penn State State Erie, The Behrend College, before his Feb. 12. His talk, "Keep Hope Alive." Jackson's visit was one of the activities at the campus in celebration of Black History Month.
Jim Stania cleans one of the cars at Fleet Operations on
the University Park campus.
Keeping the 400 cars, trucks, vans and buses clean is especially difficult
during the winter months
because of bad weather and road salt.
Photo: Greg Grieco
The following Health Promotion Programs are being offered in the coming weeks. To register for any of them, contact Jan Hawbaker at 865-3085 or JQH3@psu.edu.
* Enlightening Lunch -- Cancers Men Should Know About
Meets Friday, Feb. 28, from noon to 1 p.m., 110 Henderson Building (The Living Center). Cost: None
* Wellness and Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Special Informal Discussions
The EAP and the faculty/staff health promotion division of the Office of Human Resources are offering two programs to help faculty and staff deal with difficult situations in their lives. Cost: None.
-- Juggling the Two-Career Family
Meets Feb. 28 from 9-10 a.m., 125 Reber Building
-- Be Your Own Best Friend -- The Power of Self-Esteem
Meets Feb. 28 from 10:30-11:30 a.m., 125 Reber Building
* Know Your Numbers Cardiovascular Risk Appraisal
The next open session of the Know Your Numbers Program is Wednesday, March 5, in the HUB Gallery Lounge. Program includes screenings for blood pressure, body mass index and total and HDL cholesterol, as well as an explanation of results. This program is open to all faculty and staff. Cost is $15, reimbursable to HMO participants.
Most people feel depressed at some time or another in their life, but some experience major depression. A study being conducted at Penn State is designed to help people with this problem.
If you believe that you are experiencing major depression and would like to be considered for this study, please call (814) 863-4833.
Louis Castonguay, assistant professor of psychology, is the principal investigator in this study.
* Late mail
Mailing managers at universities across the country have reported experiencing mail delivery delays from the United States Postal Service. Locally for example, it has been documented that some mail has required a week between its postmark in Lewistown and its arrival at University Park. Please keep this in mind when using the USPS. All incoming U.S. mail is delivered on campus the same day it is received from the post office. Also, all outgoing first class mail picked up by the campus mail system goes to the post office on the same day.
* UPS ad in the telephone books
Federal Express is the contractual carrier for express package and letter delivery service for Penn State, and Penn State departments receive a substantial discount by using this contractual carrier. You may use UPS international and next-day service for your personal packages, but payment must be made by you for personal packages.
* First-class mail
To ensure that your first class mail gets to the U.S. Postal Service on the same day, please have it into Mailing Services by 4 p.m.
* Change in custom forms
The United States Postal Service has implemented new changes for Canada, Mexico and international packages weighing more than one pound at the first-class rate. A barcoded form must be filled out by the department and attached to each package going to non-domestic locations. The old forms are no longer valid. New forms are available at Mailing Services. Please call (814) 865-7544. All packages that do not have the proper form will be returned to the sender.
The Staff Focus Committee, an advisory group to Penn State that is staffed by Billie Willits, assistant vice president for Human Resources, now has a Web site on the Office of Human Resources home page.
To access the site, go to URL http://www.ohr.psu.edu and click on "Documents." The Staff Focus Committee will appear under the "Informational" section. The Web site provides immediate access to the list of committee members. It is hoped that staff will contact this group with issues and concerns that impact on the University's programs.
Delbert J. McQuaide -- a prominent State College attorney, Penn
State's general counsel since 1970, and 
valued confidante and adviser
to Penn State presidents, trustees and administrators -- has received the
Honorary Alumnus Award from the Penn State Alumni Association.
The award, established in 1973, is the highest award given by the Alumni Association to a non-alumnus. It honors those who have made significant contributions to Penn State's welfare, reputation and prestige and who greatly enhance the University through their commitment and service.
Peter Weiler, associate vice president for development and alumni relations, said that McQuaide has "devoted virtually his entire professional career to the well-being of Penn State. He has guided and counseled Penn State on hundreds of legal matters, large and small, and he has witnessed and helped bring about substantial growth and change at Penn State. In short, for more than 25 years, he has participated in every major decision made at the University."
Over the years, Penn State has turned to McQuaide for counsel on a wide range of issues. He has been involved in decisions involving the development of The Bryce Jordan Center, several expansions of Beaver Stadium, and the expansion of the Palmer Museum of Art, to name just a
few; the governance of the university; changes in policies affecting students; contracts; personnel issues; and many more.
McQuaide is the author of the governance documents by which the University operates -- documents recognized as models nationwide. University administrators say McQuaide's style is understated. He has always played a quiet, behind-the-scenes role, and he has never sought the spotlight. McQuaide is known for his keen legal mind, his careful analysis of the issues, and his sound, dispassionate judgment.
His guidance is viewed as crucial to the success and progress of Penn State, and his dedication to the University is of the kind usually demonstrated only by the most loyal and enthusiastic alumni, according to University leaders.
McQuaide earned his undergraduate degree from Juniata College and his law degree from New York University, where he was a Root-Tilden Scholar. He was admitted to the New York bar in 1961 and the Pennsylvania bar in 1964. He serves on the boards of Quaker State Corp. and Mid-State Bank. He is past president of the Centre County Bar Association and chair of the board of trustees of Juniata College.
Other recipients of the honorary alumni awards include former Penn State presidents Joab L. Thomas (1995) and H. Bryce Jordan (1987), Barbara R. and James R. Palmer (1987), and head football coach Joe Paterno (1973).
The assistant director of admissions and financial aid at Penn State-Behrend, Jane Braedy, is leading a CQI team to review and improve admissions publications. Team members include Bob Light (facilitator), Paul Benim, Kris Motta, Anne Marie Welsh, Mari Trenkle, Paul Newlin, Ed Mulfinger and Katie McClellend. Mary-Ellen Madigan is the team sponsor. The team's major accomplishments include:
-- A review of all the recruitment material distributed by Behrend's Admissions Office;
-- Flow charting the sequence of publications sent to prospective students;
-- Collecting numerous search pieces and view books from other colleges and universities and conducting four student focus groups to evaluate the materials;
-- Based on the "best practices" identified in the material, fine-tuning Behrend's admissions literature.
On March 4, Tom Poole, acting deputy vice provost for educational equity, and Larry Young, director of the Paul Robeson Cultural Center on the University Park campus, will offer a new program on "Introducing New Initiatives in the Face of Resistance." This workshop will examine the relationship between CQI and diversity and ways to make them work in the work place. Those committed to improvement must be able to see the relationship between these initiatives, convey those connections to others and build bridges among component groups. The program will be held in 319 Rider Building from 8:15 - 11:15 a.m. If you would like to attend, please call the HRDC at (814) 865-8216 and ask to register for CQI 053.
Need information about the Quality Expo? Visit the Web site at http://www.psu.edu/president/cqi.
For additional information about continuous quality improvement, please contact Louise Sandmeyer, executive director of the Center for Quality and Planning, (814) 863-8721 or e-mail LES1@PSU.EDU.
The University Faculty Senate will meet Feb. 25 at 1:30 p.m. in Room 112 Kern Graduate Building on the University Park campus.
Items to be addressed include:
--Curriculum Report of Feb. 17.
--Modification of Senate Policy 58-50--Conditions for re-enrollment as a degree candidate (legislative)
--Revision of Article II: Senate Committee Structure (legislative)
--Procedures for terminating tenure-protected faculty (advisory/consultative)
--Access to personnel files (advisory/consultative)
--Status Report from the chair of the Commonwealth Educational System Reorganization Steering Committee (oral informational)
--The effect of excessive alcohol consumption on student life case management by the Office of Judicial Affairs (informational)
Members of the University community are invited to attend this meeting. Any member of the University Community not a member of the Senate may request the privilege of the floor on any item of business already before the Senate. Such a request must be made to the chair, through the executive secretary of the Senate, at least four calendar days before the meeting at which the individual wishes to speak.
Mack Trucks Inc. and the Pennsylvania College of Technology have formed
an alliance to offer an associate 
degree in diesel technology, with
an emphasis on Mack components. The degree program is the only one of its
kind in the nation involving an integrated heavy-duty truck manufacturer
and an accredited college. It is slated to begin this fall.
"Given the severe shortage of qualified technicians, Mack believes businesses associated with the trucking industry have to step up and assist local schools in the development of service personnel," said Russ Raine, Mack's vice president of customer product support. "If the trend isn't reversed, owner-operated vehicles and fleet trucks alike may face significant downtime due to repair and maintenance delays. Today, there is an estimated one technician for every 30 trucks on the road; a tolerable ratio is one technician for every 20 trucks."
The association between Penn College and Mack is designed to provide students with "real world" experience to prepare them for careers as diesel technicians. Mack supplies Penn College with the latest engine, transmission and rear axle components, as well as the latest electronic technology with V-MAC, Mack's vehicle management and control system. They also train the Penn College instructors on Mack components and make available all the training programs and materials used by Mack's service training schools. In addition, dealers can sponsor students. A student sponsorship includes forgiveness of loans of $500 per semester for a total of $2,000 for the two years, payment of test registration fees, an internship and employment upon graduation.
Graduates of the program will receive certification in five areas of Mack specialization. Mack is one of North America's largest producers of heavy-duty trucks, in addition to major product components. The company also markets a line of medium-duty diesel trucks throughout North America. Mack vehicles are sold and serviced in more than 65 countries worldwide. For more information about Mack, visit its Web site at http://www.macktrucks.com.
The Pennsylvania Department of Commerce recently granted the Applied Research Laboratory $82,467 to upgrade the Navigational Research and Development Center (NRDC) in Warminster, Pa. The funds were made available through the Department of Commerce's Infrastructure Development Program. The Federal Lands Reuse Authority (FLRA) of Bucks County applied for the grant on behalf of ARL. The funds will be used to provide the facility with necessary improvements to conduct navigational research operations.
The Commission for Women, an advisory group to the president on matters affecting women of the University, is actively seeking nominations -- including self-nominations -- from all women, particularly those whose cultural, racial or ethnic backgrounds would enrich the understanding of the needs and concerns of women throughout the University. The commission values diversity in its membership and is looking for a broad base of nominations.
In addition to being an advisory body, the Commission for Women also promotes the efforts of women and serves as a forum for the exchange of ideas within Penn State. The entire women's community of Penn State is represented by the Commission for Women and its membership includes faculty, staff exempt and non-exempt personnel, administrators, technical service workers and graduate and undergraduate students. Members of the commission come from throughout the Penn State system and are appointed to serve three-year terms.
Nomination forms may be obtained from the Commission for Women office, 311 Grange Building, University Park, or by calling (814) 865-1683. Nominations must be returned to the commission office no later than April 1. For more information, please call the commission at the above number.
The Commission on Racial/Ethnic Diversity, an advisory body to the University president on matters relating to racial and ethnic diversity, is seeking nominations and applications for positions that will be open July 1.
Membership includes administrators, faculty, staff exempt, staff non-exempt, technical service employees and undergraduate and graduate students. Full members are appointed by the president to serve four-year terms or, in the case of students, until graduation. Associate members serve one-year renewable terms.
The commission, dedicated to enhancing diversity, actively seeks a broad base of nominations-- including self-nominations -- from all racial/ethnic backgrounds.
For more information and a nomination form, call the commission office
at (814) 863-8493 or copy
the nomination form from the
diversity Web page at URL http://www.psu.edu/staff/diversity/racial.html.
Nomination forms must be received in 330 Grange Building by Friday,
Feb. 28.
The Penn State Harrisburg campus of the Capital College is hosting a Feb. 27 Open House Information Night aimed at familiarizing area residents with its list of graduate programs.
The open house, which begins with a registration period from 5:30 to 6 p.m., will feature individual program presentations, explanations from faculty, and information on application and financial aid. Penn State Harrisburg offers 17 master's degree programs in a variety of areas. Also offered is certification in secondary education mathematics, English and social studies, principal's certification, and doctorates in public administration and adult education.
For information or registration, contact Penn State Harrisburg Enrollment Services at (717) 948-6250 or (800) 222-2056.
Micaela Amateau Amato, associate professor of art and women's studies and area head of painting and drawing, presented a paper at the International Conference of the Society for Crypto-Judaic Studies held in Albuquerque, N.M. Amato's paper was titled "Fertile Grounds of Conflict."
Dean Arnold, adjunct assistant professor of aquatic ecology, was recently named a Fellow of the American Institute of Fishery Research Biologists.
The Project on Death in America of the Open Society Institute has selected Dr. Susan McGarrity, assistant professor of anesthesia and director of palliative care at The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, as a Soros Faculty Scholar.
McGarrity and 22 other Soros Faculty Scholars will share approximately $1.6 million to pursue projects dedicated to improving the care of dying people. The term palliative care refers to maximizing comfort, independence and quality of life for people whose disease cannot be cured and for whom prolonging life is no longer the goal. She is one of 10 new scholars named, who represent 10 major medical institutions in the United States and Canada.
Gerald M. Moser, retired faculty member in the Department of Spanish, Italian and Portuguese and the Department of Comparative Literature, edited a special issue of the Luso-Brazilian Review on Luso-African literatures. The issue contains contributions by scholars from Germany, Mozambique, Angola, Portugal, Canada, Guinea-Bissau, Russia, France and the United States. The Luso-Brazilian Review, published twice a year by the University of Wisconsin Press, is the only publication of its type in this country that is exclusively concerned with the Portuguese language and the Portuguese literature of seven countries on three continents.
Robert E. Newnham, associate director of the Intercollege Materials Research Laboratory and Alcoa professor of the solid state, delivered an invited lecture on "Smart Ceramics" at the international meeting on the Science and Art of Ceramics held at the Royal Institution in London.
Jane Ridley, associate professor of theatre arts, played various roles in five new international and national plays at the Festival of New Works for a New World at the La Mama E.T.C. Theatre in New York City. As a member of the acting company of the Shenandoah International Playwrights Retreat (SIPR), Ridley worked with playwrights from Egypt, Israel, Jordan and Vietnam. The SIPR provides a meeting ground for theatre artists of the world to explore the richness of theatrical diversity.
Della M. Roy, professor emerita of materials science, was recently appointed to the Committee on Non-Conventional Concrete Technologies for Renewal of the Infrastructure of the National Research Council Commission on Engineering and Technical Systems. This committee is part of the National Materials Advisory Board.
Weaver Santaniello, assistant professor of philosophy at the Penn State Berks campus, presented a paper on "Nietzsche and Religion" for the Friedrich Nietzsche Society of Great Britain. The annual conference was held at Manchester University in England.
Work developing materials for acid mine drainage abatement done by Barry Sheetz and Michael Silsbee, senior research associate and associate professor of materials, of the Intercollege Materials Research Laboratory was honored with a 1996 Governor's Award for Environmental Excellence for outstanding achievement in technological innovation.
Peter Usher, professor of astronomy and astrophysics,
gives evidence that Shakespeare was interested in astronomy as well as literature.
By Barbara K. Kennedy
Eberly College of Science
Shakespeare's Hamlet has been analyzed by scholars for centuries for its literary significance, but only now has a researcher found astronomical meaning in the play.
Peter D. Usher, professor of astronomy and astrophysics, has presented evidence that Hamlet is "an allegory for the competition between the cosmological models of Thomas Digges of England and Tycho Brahe of Denmark." Usher said his findings are significant because Shakespeare favors the Diggesian model, the forerunner of modern cosmology.
"As early as 1601, Shakespeare anticipated the new universal order and humankind's position in it," Usher said. "The play therefore manifests an astronomical cosmology that is no less magnificent than its literary and philosophical counterparts."
Claudius Ptolemy perfected a model of the universe in the second century A.D. that remained the standard model into the 16th century. In this model, the Earth was stationary at the center of the universe and everything else revolved around it. In 1543, Nicholas Copernicus of Poland published a revolutionary model -- essentially the one in use today -- in which the Earth rotates on its axis once a day and is merely one of several planets that revolve about the Sun. Though the Copernican model had been published before Shakespeare was born, it was not yet in vogue in his lifetime.
However, both the Ptolemaic and the Copernican systems were contained in a crystalline sphere, beyond which lay Paradise and the realm of the Prime Mover. By contrast, in 1576 when Shakespeare was 12 years old, the English scientist and military scholar Thomas Digges extended the Copernican model by suggesting that the stars were like the Sun and were distributed through infinite space. He was therefore the first Renaissance scholar to publish the idea of an infinite universe. Eight years later similar ideas were published in a book by the Italian philosopher Giordano Bruno.
Shakespeare would have known of the existence of these competing cosmological models through his acquaintance with Digges.
This paper suggests that Hamlet dramatizes the struggle of Renaissance scholars to discover the real picture of the universe from the appearances in the sky. "When Hamlet states: 'I could be bounded in a nutshell and count myself a king of infinite space ...' he is contrasting the shell of fixed stars in the Ptolemaic, Copernican and Tychonic models with the Infinite Universe of Digges," Usher said.
Usher listed several other examples of this type throughout the play that support his findings, including the play's climax.
The chief climax of the play is the return of Fortinbras from Poland and his salute to the ambassadors from England," Usher said. "Here Shakespeare signifies the triumph of the Copernican model and its Diggesian corollary."
While the last year of the 16th century saw the martyrdom of Bruno, the first year of the 17th century sees the completion of Hamlet and the Bard's magnificent poetic affirmation of the infinite universe of stars," Usher concludes.
A new way of looking at seismic waves recorded at monitoring stations in Tibet can shed light on the structure of the mantle beneath this immense plateau, according to a researcher.
"Tibet is interesting because of its high elevation and because there, the Indian and Asian continents meet and form the Himalayas," Kevin P. Furlong, professor of geosciences, said. "This makes it a very important site to study the role of plate tectonics in the evolution of continents.
"We tend to know very little about the deformation beneath the crust. If we have some insight into how the crust and mantle deforms where continents collide, we can better model these collisions."
Working with Thomas J. Owens of the University of South Carolina, Furlong looked at individual seismic events that occurred in the southwestern Pacific and western North America but were recorded at one of the 11 monitoring stations in Tibet.
"These seismic events are the proper distance from Tibet so that the seismic wave must go through the Earth's core before it arrives in the mantle beneath Tibet," Furlong said.
The researchers are combining the information they have on the mantle fabric with models of rock deformation to determine the plate tectonic processes which led to the development of the Himalayan and Tibetan Plateau.
By A'ndrea Elyse Messer
Public Information
Investigation of the oxygen and nutrient content of the Arabian Sea could show how monsoons influence ocean productivity and the carbon cycle, according to an oceanographer.
"The monsoons of the Arabian Sea create peculiar ocean currents in the area," Raymond Najjar, assistant professor of meteorology, said.
In the summer, the monsoon blows from the southwest up the Arabian Sea toward Pakistan. Because of a combination of wind and the Earth's rotation, the summer monsoon pushes water away from the Somalian coast and the eastern edge of the Arabian peninsula. The water that leaves these coastal areas is replaced by water that wells up from depths and is very high in nutrients. In the winter, the monsoon reverses and blows from the northeast.
"This monsoon does not have as much impact," Najjar said. "However, the strong winds cause turbulent mixing, which brings up some nutrients."
Najjar is using data compiled by the National Oceanographic Data Center since 1900 to assess the average nutrient content of Arabian Sea surface waters on a monthly basis throughout the year. His goal is to understand the role that the ocean plays in the climate system, especially in regulating the amounts of carbon dioxide -- a greenhouse gas -- in the atmosphere.
