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Penn State Altoona has officially opened Cedar Hall, its
new, 85,000-square-foot student residence hall. Cedar Hall, which will house
320 students, also includes apartments for guests and a live-in staff member.
The building is fully wired for ethernet communications and includes a conference
room, 12 lounge areas, air conditioning and other amenities. The building
is equipped with a card-access security system.
Photo: Courtesy of Altoona College
Team leaders are playing an integral role in the 1997 United Way Campaign
currently under way 
on the University Park campus.
"The volunteer effort by our team leaders in support of the campaign chair and co-chair is the key to a successful campaign," said Karen Rugh, United Way manager.
The team leaders, appointed in the academic colleges and administrative units, coordinate campaign activities, including organizing meetings, determining campaign strategies, goals, educational programs and special events.
Named as United Way Team Leaders for 1997 are:
Drew Hyman, College of Agricultural Sciences; Frank O'Brien and Paul Olivett, alumni and development; Wendy Gilpin, Applied Research Lab; Evelynn Ellis, College of Arts and Architecture; Tom Griffiths, Department of Athletics; Chris Fivek, The Smeal College of Business Administration; Corinna Bressler and Beth Haupt, College of Communications; Shelly Miller, Commonwealth College; Paul Peworchik, Computer and Information Systems; Jean McGrath and Jim Campbell, Continuing and Distance Education; Joan Andrews, College of Earth and Mineral Sciences; Susan Osman, College of Education; George McMurtry, College of Engineering;
Carol Findley and Jane Kone, enrollment management; Phillip Melnick, finance and business; June Stine, College of Health and Human Development; Dick Leah, College of the Liberal Arts; Carol Herrmann and Sharon Becker, Office of the President; Ginny Imboden, Research and Graduate School; Don Genson, Eberly College of Science; Sara Alterio and Betty Moore, student affairs; Carol German, student programs; Donna Meyer and Sue Irwin, undergraduate education; Tina Aumiller, University Libraries; Barb Meeker, University Relations; Paul Rigby, retirees; and Alicia Ellis, students.
J.D. Hammond is chair of the campaign; William W. Asbury is vice chair. Deb Stauffer is serving as assistant to the chair.
The Penn State-Minnesota football game on Saturday, Oct. 18, will be broadcast by ESPN Regional Television to a regional audience.
Kickoff is at 12:20 p.m. EDT from Beaver Stadium for Penn State's 78th Homecoming contest.
The game will be televised by a network of stations in Pennsylvania, the Midwest and parts of the Northeast. Five outlets in Pennsylvania will carry the contest: WTAJ-TV in Altoona (TCI, Ch.10) in the Centre Region; WTXF-TV in Philadelphia; Fox Sports Pittsburgh; WLYH-TV in Harrisburg and WNEP-TV in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
"Lesbian and Gay Issues at Penn State, 1971-1996: 25 Years of Progress" is on exhibit through Oct. 21 in the HUB Research Area on the University Park campus. The exhibit was created by the Commission on Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Equity and University Archives.
Sponsored by the Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity, the exhibit tells the story of how events during the last 25 years influenced the University -- changing it from a homophobic climate into one that today is supportive of its gay, lesbian and bisexual faculty, staff and students.
Other LBG events this month are:
* Oct. 17: Harriet Malinowitz, associate professor of English and director of Women's Studies at Long Island University, Brooklyn, will speak on "Gay, Lesbian and Bisexual Issues in the Classroom," at 10 a.m. in 101 Kern on the University Park campus. She will discuss integrating material concerning gays and lesbians into courses.
* Oct. 18: A semi-formal Homecoming Dance, sponsored by the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Student Alliance, begins at 10 p.m. in The Nittany Lion Inn, Colonial Room, University Park. Cost is $10 per ticket before Oct. 18 and $12 at the door. Tickets may be purchased in advance at the LGBSA office in 310 HUB.
For more information about the lesbian, gay and bisexual community at Penn State, go to the Commission on Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Equity home page at http://blue.ue.psu.edu/psu/ee/lgb/ and the Lesbian, Gay and Bisexual Student Alliance at http://trantor.cse.psu.edu/~mccann/lgbsa/.
To promote the nostalgia and tradition of Penn State, the Lion Ambassadors are again offering guided lantern tours of the University Park campus from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22.
Lantern tours provide students and community members with the opportunity to learn about Penn State's history and listen to anecdotes and discover traditions. The tours, which run continuously during the two-hour period, will depart from the steps of Old Main. The Bell Tower will be open for observation after the tour.
For more information, contact Valerie Lynne Black, coordinator, at (814) 863-3752.
The new $6.5 million wireless technology project launched Sept. 30 on the University Park campus (see Oct. 2 Intercom) offers a unique opportunity for faculty members who could incorporate the use of such technology into proposed research projects.
Faculty who believe they may have a use for the new technology
should check the Web at http://www.otc.psu.edu/
to find out how they can become involved in the wireless technology
trials.
The Commission for Women has once again compiled the Directory of Mentoring Programs for Undergraduates at University Park. The booklet, available in 311 Grange Building, was put together as a service to students and lists programs, a brief description and contact individuals. For a copy or to add programs or report changes, please contact the commission office at (814) 865-1683.
To register for the following program offerings on the University Park campus, please contact Jan Hawbaker at (814) 865-3085 or JQH3@psu.edu.
* Enlightening Lunch -- Hunters ... Don't Leave Home Without Your Orange
Do you wonder if you could be doing more to incorporate safe practices into your hunting trips? Find out on Thursday, Oct 23, from noon to 12:45 p.m. in 105 OPP Building. Cost: None.
* Effectiveness of Positive Thinking
Become aware of negative thinking that you may not realize is encumbering you. Meets Friday, Oct. 24, from 1-2:30 p.m. in 301-A Agricultural Administration Building. Cost: $5.
The University is seeking candidates and nominations for two campus executive officer positions; one at Penn State Beaver and the other at Penn State Hazleton. The person named to fill the CEO spot at Beaver will replace Dennis Travis, who stepped down in July. At Hazleton, the CEO spot was left vacant after Karen Walton resigned.
The CEO is the chief administrative officer of the campus and is responsible for administering all of its programs. The CEO also is responsible for maintaining close relationships with the campus communities, including outreach programs.
On the 100-acre Beaver campus near Monaca, approximately 800 students are enrolled. The residential campus has housing for 300 students and offers the first two years of most of Penn State's 180 baccalaureate degrees. Penn State Beaver, a part of the Commonwealth College, also offers associate degrees in electrical engineering technology; hotel, restaurant and institutional management; liberal arts, and science. The CEO at Beaver is also responsible for collaborating on continuing education activities.
At Hazleton, located on a 75-acre mountaintop site near the intersection of I-80 and I-81, the campus serves the greater Hazleton area in southern Luzerne County and six surrounding counties. The campus enrolls students from communities throughout Pennsylvania and nearby states. A residential campus that houses 490 students, Hazleton has an enrollment of 1,300 full-time students, as well as continuing education programming for adult and nontraditional students. Academic programs include associate degrees in mechanical engineering technology, electrical engineering technology, letters, arts and sciences, physical therapist assistant, medical laboratory technology, business administration and the first two years of most of the University's 180 baccalaureate majors. Hazleton is also part of the 12-campus Commonwealth College.
Candidates for both positions should have an earned doctorate, several years of experience in college and/or university teaching and substantial experience in academic administration.
Those interested in the Penn State Beaver position, should send resumes to: John Leathers, associate vice president, Commonwealth College, 111 Old Main, Dept. CHBR, University Park, Pa. 16802. Anyone interested in the Hazleton CEO post, should submit a resume to: Leathers, associate vice president, Commonwealth College, 111 Old Main, Dept. CHHN, University Park, Pa. 16802.
Applications will be accepted until a suitable candidate is selected. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.
The search committee named for the Beaver campus post will be chaired by John Simpson, assistant professor of chemistry at Penn State Beaver. Other committee members include: Toni Aikens, financial aid representative, Beaver; Ingrid Blood, associate dean for undergraduate education; Jack Ciciarelli, assistant professor of environmental science, Beaver; David Goldenberg, CEO, Mont Alto; James Kleer, SGA treasurer and executive consultant, Beaver; Jim Hetrich, assistant professor of engineering, Beaver; Karen Monath, instructor in hotel, restaurant and institutional management, Beaver; and Sophia Wisniewska, associate dean for academic programs, Commonwealth College.
The Hazleton CEO search committee is headed by David Richards, instructor in computer science at Hazleton. Other committee members include: Kenneth Dudeck, associate professor of engineering, Hazleton; Bill Ellis, associate professor of English, Hazleton; Elaine Graham, lecturer in speech communication, Hazleton; Madlyn Hanes, CEO and associate dean, Great Valley; Michael Jais, director of enrollment management, Hazleton; Jon-Michael Roman, president, SGA, Hazleton; and Kenneth E. Varcoe, associate dean for administration, Commonwealth College.
The Commonwealth College is conducting a search for the position of associate dean for faculty, and requests nominations and applications for the position. The position reports to the dean of the Commonwealth College and, working with the dean's staff, division heads and faculty and administrators, is responsible for the faculty affairs of the college.
The associate dean is expected to provide leadership in such areas as faculty recruitment and hiring, annual review of faculty and faculty development. This includes the promotion and tenure process for the college, as well as promoting research, scholarship and creative accomplishment, teaching and learning effectiveness, and service.
Candidates should have an earned doctorate and an academic record allowing appointment to a senior faculty rank with tenure. In addition, significant leadership and administrative experience is required, as well as the ability to work collaboratively on cross-functional work groups within a complex organization. Candidates should have a demonstrated record of commitment to diversity and be able to work with a diverse faculty, staff and student body.
The Commonwealth College, the University's largest college, is represented at 12 campus locations: Beaver, Delaware County, DuBois, Fayette, Hazleton, McKeesport, Mont Alto, New Kensington, Shenango, Wilkes-Barre, Worthington Scranton and York. There are 14,000 credit students and almost 24,000 noncredit students. The college has 18 academic divisions, 500 full-time and 500 part-time faculty, and 575 staff. Additional information can be found on the Web at http://www.cwc.psu.edu.
Nominations and applications should be sent to Rachel Miller, Commonwealth College Human Resources, 431 Rider Building, 120 S. Burrowes Street, University Park, Pa. 16801. Application review will begin Nov. 17 and continue until a suitable candidate is found. The Commonwealth College embraces the University's statement on affirmative action/equal opportunity. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.
The search for dean of the Commonwealth College is continuing, with the pool of candidates now narrowed to three. The new dean will replace Robert E. Dunham, who will retire in mid-January.
Dr. Anthony Kales, professor and chair of psychiatry in the College of Medicine, has stepped down as chair of the department. Dr. Paul A. Kettl has been named acting chair of the Department of Psychiatry.
Kales, who was named the founding chair of the Department of Psychiatry at the College of Medicine in 1971, has developed one of the premier departments of psychiatry in the country. A number of important milestones have been achieved in the Department of Psychiatry under his leadership and tutelage. These include development of three highly regarded residency training programs in general, child and geriatric psychiatry; the founding and establishment of the Central Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute (CPPI), which serves as the Commonwealth's statewide institute for training mental health professionals; the establishment of three outstanding psychiatric inpatient units (child, adult and geriatric), child and adult partial hospitalization programs and the University Recovery Center for alcohol and drug abuse; and development of an internationally recognized program in research on sleep and sleep disorders.
Kales is chairman of the Section on Psychiatry and Sleep Wakefulness Disorders of the World Psychiatric Association. He has authored or co-authored nearly 300 scientific articles and book chapters and six books relating to the effects of age, medical conditions, sleep disorders and various hypnotic drugs on the basic sleep cycle, as well as other psychiatric topics. Recently, he edited the book Pharmacology of Sleep, which was published in the series, Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology.
His has received numerous awards and honors. Most recently, an endowed chair in psychiatry in the College of Medicine, the Anthony Kales, M.D., Chair in Sleep Disorders Medicine, was named in his honor.
"It has been most gratifying to me to be associated with the evolution of our College of Medicine into one of the finest academic institutions in the country," Kales said. "Now is the right time to pass on the baton of leadership, while the department is strong and flourishing and able to play a major role in the advancement both of Penn State's College of Medicine and the Penn State Geisinger Health System."
Larry Achterberg has been appointed as director of business and
human resources in the College of Earth and 
Mineral Sciences.
In this position he will oversee EMS business and administrative procedures,
coordinate the acquisition and use of support system equipment and facilities,
and direct the operation and security of administrative information systems.
In addition, Achterberg will serve as the college's human resources representative,
supervise budgets and manage the dean's office, and direct the college's
continuous quality improvement initiatives. He has been a member of the
College of Earth and Mineral Sciences' staff since 1992 and previously served
as assistant to the college's financial officer.
Achterberg holds a B.S. degree in biology from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Calif., and an MBA in finance from Penn State, and has completed substantial graduate work in human resources at Cornell University.
Before joining Penn State, he was a manager at Accu-Weather Inc., and served as assistant to the president at Exstar Financial Group, Solvang, Calif. He also has supervised research laboratories at Penn State and Cornell universities.
Susan L. Grimm, a Penn State graduate and former aide to former
Pennsylvania Gov. Robert Casey, joined Penn State's governmental relations
office this summer as director of federal relations.
As director, Grimm reports directly to Richard Di Eugenio, special assistant to President Graham B. Spanier for governmental affairs, and will serve as the liaison between the University and the federal government. Her responsibilities include monitoring and determining the impact on the University of federal legislation and other activities of the federal government, meeting with elected and appointed government officials, and representing the University on a broad range of issues.
A native of Indiana, Pa., Grimm was director of communications and press for the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency in Harrisburg between January 1995 and July 1997. Before that she was deputy press secretary in Gov. Casey's press office, special assistant to the budget secretary for federal affairs in Gov. Casey's office in Washington, D.C., and fiscal policy analyst in the state budget office. She also worked as a reporter and in other positions at WJAC-TV, Johnstown and State College.
Grimm earned a B.A. degree in telecommunications from Penn State in 1984.
Carl Larsen has joined Penn State Altoona's academic affairs team as its assistant director and now will focus on helping the campus as it makes the transition from a two-year to a four-year college.
Among the projects Larsen will address in his new role is the search for new faculty, overseeing part-time faculty and obtaining grants. He also will help the engineering program obtain accreditation and work with the college's Tech Prep program for high school students.
A former political science professor at Drake University in Des Moines,
Iowa, Larsen received his master's degree in political science and Ph.D.
in political science and international relations from Rutgers University.
In addition to teaching at Drake, Larsen has worked for Centre College in
Kentucky and Seton Hall University in New
Jersey.
Deanna Alexander, administrative assistant in telecommunications at Penn State Erie, Behrend College.
Victoria G. Bordi, manager, academic actions in Vice President and Dean for Enrollment Management and Administration.
Terry E. Borg, senior program planner in Continuing and Distance Education.
Joseph S. Broniszewski, manager, network and information systems in Intercollege Research Programs.
Jennifer S. Burns, assistant director at Penn State Harrisburg.
Mary Anne L. Cahir, director of development in Division of Development and Alumni Relations.
Mary E. Cameron, staff assistant V in College of Earth and Mineral Sciences.
Joseph K. Carlson, information technology associate in Eberly College of Science.
Vicki J. Cernansky, manager for business services at The Nittany Lion Inn.
Duane R. Champion, assistant chief engineer for multimedia production, development and support in Continuing and Distance Education.
Margaret Chiaverini, assistant to financial officer I at Penn State McKeesport.
Kenneth I. Clarke, director, student activities in Student Affairs.
Wendie G. Coble, staff assistant VII in Continuing and Distance Education.
Evelyn Connor, staff assistant VI in the Applied Research Laboratory.
Tina M. Craig, staff assistant VII in University Registrar's Office, Vice President and Dean for Enrollment Management and Administration.
Mary B. Crowe, administrative project associate in Office of the Senior Vice President for Administration, Office of the President.
Bonnie L. Dailey, staff assistant VI in Continuing and Distance Education.
Alexandre M. Dasilva, manager, food services II in Housing and Food Services.
Joelle S. Devinney, staff assistant VI in College of the Liberal Arts.
Lisa M. Dibert, staff assistant VI in Eberly College of Science.
Anna M. Doncsecz, assistant director, budget and finance in Continuing and Distance Education.
Carol L. Dreibelbis, staff assistant VII in Continuing and Distance Education.
Karen J. English, research compliance coordinator in Intercollege Research Programs.
Janice Ferguson, marketing communications account specialist in Continuing and Distance Education.
Sandra H. Friedman, assistant director, Alumni Relations at Penn State Harrisburg.
Carol L. Gardner, administrative assistant I in Eberly College of Science.
Michelle A. Garger, assistant campus registrar, College of Medicine, The Hershey Medical Center.
Gail E. Good, assistant director, admissions, graduate admissions at Penn State Altoona.
Amy J. Gordon, staff assistant VI in College of Health and Human Development.
Jo Ann Harris, administrative assistant I in College of the Liberal Arts.
Barbara A. Hartle, staff assistant VI in College of Agricultural Sciences.
Nadine R. Lamb, staff assistant VI in Research and Graduate School.
Ludmilla Landrin, information systems assistant II in Student Affairs.
Michael J. Leonard, senior undergraduate student adviser in Division of Undergraduate Studies, Vice Provost and Dean for Undergraduate Education.
Kimberly M. Miller, staff assistant V in Continuing and Distance Education.
Priscilla M. Miller, staff assistant VI in Student Affairs.
Diana F. Moore, staff assistant VI in Student Affairs.
Lynea A. Morgan, senior applications programmer/analyst in the Applied Research Laboratory.
Andrew F. Ofalt, senior applications programmer/analyst in College of Agricultural Sciences.
Joseph M. Puzycki, director of judicial affairs in Student Affairs.
Kelly J. Rhoades, administrative assistant II in College of Earth and Mineral Sciences.
Michael A. Rogosky, senior research support associate in College of Engineering.
Lori D. Schoch, staff assistant VIII in Student Affairs.
Lisa M. Sennett, research support technician III in College of Health and Human Development.
Brian E. Sickora, financial officer V in Corporate Controller's Office.
Lorene F. Stitzer, staff assistant VII in Eberly College of Science.
Jason L. Swearingen, assistant research engineer in the Applied Research Laboratory.
Robert E. Turner, senior extension associate in College of Agricultural Sciences.
Kelly J. Williams, staff assistant VIII in College of Education.
Barbara Wray, staff assistant VI in College of Agricultural Sciences.
Kimberly J. Zimmerman, proposal and grant aide in Intercollege Research Programs.
Monica R. Zimmerman, service desk coordinator in Office of Physical Plant.
Joseph E. Zuravleff, restaurant's manager in The Nittany Lion Inn.
Patricia D. Miller, operator A, satellite copy center in Business Services.
Mark A. Trautman, tree surgeon in Office of Physical Plant.
John C. Young, lead electrician in Office of Physical Plant.
A relationship that began in 1962 between a Penn State graduate teaching assistant and an undergraduate student has resulted in the largest private gift to the Delaware County campus in its 30-year history.
The 1962 student was David L. Lipson, who graduated three years later with a degree in liberal arts and is now president, chief executive officer and chairman of the board of directors of Integrated Systems Consulting Group Inc. (ISCG), an information services consulting firm with headquarters in Wayne, Pa.
The graduate assistant who taught chemistry at the University Park campus in 1961 is Edward Tomezsko, now campus executive officer at Penn State Delaware County.
A few weeks ago, Lipson handed stock certificates valued at $819,000 to Tomezsko. The gift was made in support of the new classroom building, a $4.1 million Pennsylvania Department of General Services project now under construction at the campus in Media.
In making his gift, Lipson emphasized that his admiration for Tomezsko as a teacher and mentor was key to his decision to support Penn State.
Lipson, former president of the Delaware County Campus Advisory Board, co-founded ISCG in 1988, with two other individuals. The company now is a publicly held corporation with nearly 500 employees.
Long an advocate of major universities' need to stay current in technology, Lipson saw the construction of a new classroom building at the campus as a perfect match for his intended gift to Penn State. The building will be networked completely to enable the application of technology in all classes and is expected to be completed next June.
Lipson also has served as vice president of the board of directors for the Information Technology Services Group of ITAA, a member of the board for the Information Systems Group of the Technology Council of Greater Philadelphia, and vice president of development of the BETA State Foundation, a 501c corporation which provides financial assistance to undergraduates of Penn State.
Gifts totaling $250,000 from Penn State alumnus William A. Jaffe and his wife, Honora, of State College, will support three academic programs and a new alumni center at the University.
A portion of the funds will endow the William and Honora Jaffe Senior Transitional Seminar in the Academic Support Center for Student-Athletes. The one-credit seminar will be offered for the first time in spring 1998. It is designed as a life skills program to help student-athletes channel what they've learned from college-level sports to other aspects of their lives -- such as the job market, graduate school or professional sports.
Other gifts from the Jaffes will benefit the Penn State Hillel Foundation, a home away from home for the University's Jewish student population; a scholarship fund for the College of Communications, which recently named William Jaffe an Alumni Fellow; and the future Alumni Center, which will be developed as an addition to University House at the University Park campus.
William Jaffe grew up in Philipsburg. He earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Penn State in 1960, and a master's degree in management from the University of Illinois in 1962. He heads the Jaffe Group, a State College-based human resources consulting firm. Before forming the Jaffe Group, he spent 28 years with two international consulting companies, Towers Perrin and Alexander & Alexander, and served as an adjunct associate professor of management science at The George Washington University.
For Penn State, he serves on the boards of the College of Communications Alumni Society, the Hillel Foundation and the Nittany Lion Club Advisory Council. He also has held various leadership positions with the Alumni Association Council and the Lion's Paw honor society, and served as regional co-chair of the fund-raising campaign for the faculty chair in Jewish studies. He is president of the Mount Nittany Conservancy, and a member of the Athletic Department's Campaign Committee.
He received a Service to Penn State Award from the College of the Liberal Arts in 1991, and previously created the Reuben Jaffe Memorial Journalism Scholarship in honor of his father, a 1922 Penn State graduate in electrical engineering.
Honora Jaffe serves on the Community Advisory Council of the Center for the Performing Arts at Penn State. The Jaffes' daughter, Robin, graduated in 1995 from the College of the Liberal Arts, and their son, Matthew, attended Penn State as well.
Tameka Simpson, a Penn State graduate, spoke with Craig
Pilant of Fordham University during the recent graduate fair at the Hetzel
Union Building on the University Park campus. The fair brought graduate
school recruiters from universities across the country together under one
roof, giving students the opportunity to see what's available.
Photo: Greg Grieco
Robert G. Balla, associate professor of engineering at Penn State Wilkes-Barre, from Sept. 1, 1958, until his retirement Jan. 1, 1991; died Aug. 23 at the age of 71.
Louise P. Breon, secretary, Health, Physical Education and Recreation, from Jan. 3, 1965, until her retirement Aug. 1, 1982; died Sept. 24 at the age of 74.
George J. Field, manager, manufacturing lab, Computer Science and Engineering, from April 13, 1977, until his death Sept. 25. He was 47.
Max A. Fishel, grounds-keeper, landscape, Office of Physical Plant, from Oct. 16, 1949, until his retirement June 1, 1974; died Aug. 6 at the age of 85.
Jeffrey S. Lannin, professor of physics, Eberly College of Science, from July 1, 1976, until his death Sept. 10. He was 57.
Ivy F. Lytle, residence hall worker, Housing and Food Services, from Aug. 29, 1966, until her retirement May 29, 1982; died Aug. 28 at the age of 76.
Sarah B. McGrew, assistant professor of biochemistry, Eberly College of Science, from Sept. 1, 1946, until her retirement July 1, 1967; died Aug. 28 at the age of 93.
Douglas A. Readler, utility worker, The Hershey Medical Center, from Oct. 22, 1979, until his retirement Jan. 1, 1990; died Sept. 1 at the age of 70.
Harold P. Zelko, professor of speech, College of the Liberal Arts, from Sept. 1, 1936, until his retirement Oct. 1, 1968; died Aug. 1 at the age of 88.
Not only have thousands of students been reading the morning
newspapers provided in their residence halls every day, but they also are
recycling the papers at a record pace. Just two months into the program,
the University has recycled enough papers to earn $2,000 in scholarships
from PennMulch,
The New York Times, USA Today and the Centre Daily Times.
Photo: Greg Grieco
The Penn State Thespians will be celebrating their 100th Anniversary Reunion during the weekend of Oct. 24, 25 and 26. The Thespians are the oldest, continuing student organization on campus and were the first group to perform in Schwab Auditorium in 1903.
The weekend will begin with a reception on Friday from 7 to 11 p.m. in the Colonial Room at The Nittany Lion Inn on the University Park campus.
Saturday's events include an interest group roundtable discussion, and bus and walking tours of campus. Saturday evening events include cocktails and dinner at The Nittany Lion Inn, the induction of President Graham B. Spanier as an honorary member of Thespians, followed by a 100th anniversary revue of original and Broadway music from selected Thespian shows of the past 100 years. There also will be a dedication of two commemorative posters to be hung in the lobby of Schwab Auditorium.
On Sunday morning, a farewell brunch will be held in the HUB Fishbowl to conclude the weekend. For more information contact: Margaret Lloyd at (814) 865-3942 or (814) 238-0287 or by e-mail at MXL8@psu.edu.
Charles Abdalla, associate professor of agricultural economics, and Tim Kelsey, associate professor of agricultural economics, received the Best Feature Article Award from the Soil and Water Conservation Society for "Breaking the Impasse: Helping Communities Cope With Change at the Rural-Urban Interface."
Stacie Bird, photographic/graphics specialist in agricultural information services, received an Award of Excellence for a digital photo series from the University and College Designers Association in the group's 1997 Design Competition.
Simon Bronner, distinguished professor of American studies and folklore at Penn State Harrisburg, recently returned from a year in Japan on a Fulbright grant at Osaka University and has now been named a visiting professor at Harvard University. Bronner will teach two courses -- ethnic history and folklore in American civilization. In addition, he was recently keynote speaker at the Symposium on the History of Folklore and American Civilization.
Daniel W. Conway, associate professor of philosophy, presented a lecture titled "Teleological Suspensions of the Ethical," at the Sren Kierkegaard Forskningscenteret in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Alan Davis, professor of geology, recently served as a member of the U.S. delegation to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) meeting on solid mineral fuels in Cape Town, South Africa. While there, he gave a seminar on coal fluorescence at the School of Process and Materials Engineering at the University of Witwatersrand, and presented a review of coal quality and distribution in the United States at a meeting of the Fossil Fuel Foundation at the Council for Geoscience in Pretoria.
George S. Dulikravich, associate professor of aerospace engineering, delivered an invited lecture on "Inverse Determination of Boundary Conditions in Field Problems" at Advanced Technology in Experimental Mechanics in Wakayama City, Japan. He also delivered invited lectures at Toshiba R&D Center and at Tohoku University; and co-chaired a Symposium on Inverse Problems in Heat Transfer and Fluid Flow at the ASME National Heat Transfer Conference.
Joy Dunbar, program manager for the Pennsylvania Rural Leadership Program in agricultural economics and rural sociology, was reappointed to the Public Utility Commission's Consumer Advisory Council through 1999.
Zachary Irwin, associate professor of political science at Penn State Erie, Behrend College, presented the paper "United States Policy Toward Yugoslavia, 1945-47" at an international conference in Koper and Nova Gorizia, Slovenia.
R. Scott Kretchmar, professor of exercise and sport science, recently presented two papers at international conferences. The first, a keynote address at the International Sport Science Congress in Seoul, Korea, was titled "When Movement Became Too Useful: Rediscovering our Playgrounds." The second, "The Status and Complexity of Sport's Regulative Rules," was read at the Philosophic Society for the Study of Sport meeting in Oslo, Norway.
Charles Krueger, professor of agronomy, was appointed liaison for the National Environmental Initiative, a collaborative project of the State Agricultural Experiment Stations and the USDA Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service charged with building partnerships between USDA and land-grant universities.
Catherine A. Lee, head librarian at Penn State DuBois, is one of America's premiere achieving women according to Marquis' Who's Who. Lee is profiled in Who's Who of American Women 1997-98, 20th edition, along with 29,000 top achieving women from across the United States. Selection to Who's Who is based on both personal achievement and contribution to society.
Albert Luloff, professor of rural sociology, received the Excellence in Research Award from the Rural Sociological Society.
Allen Meadors, dean and CEO of Penn State Altoona, received the Ben Lane Award for his work, efforts and contributions to student life. He was chosen for the award because of his implementation of the CEO Council on Student Affairs and for his progressive work in bettering student life.
The award is given by the Council of Chief Student Affairs Officers, which encompasses all directors of student affairs at Penn State. It is the highest award that can be given from Student Affairs, and Meadors is one of only two who have received this award other than student affairs personnel. President Graham B. Spanier is the other individual who has been honored with the Ben Lane Award.
Gary L. Messing, director of the Materials Research Laboratory and professor of ceramic science and engineering, recently co-chaired the 6th International Conference on Ceramic Processing with professors Fred Lange, University of California-Santa Barbara, and S. Hirano, Nagoya University. Messing also gave a keynote address on "Seeding for the Templating of Novel Microstrutures."
Robert E. Newnham, associate director of the Materials Research Laboratory, was an invited speaker at the Ninth International Meeting on Ferroelectricity in Seoul, Korea. The title of his lecture was "Biomimetic Ferroelectric Sensors and Actuators." He also was an invited speaker at the National Meeting of the American Chemical Society. Recent advances in multilayer capacitor technology were described in his talk on "Size Effects in Ferroic Solids."
Pianist Timothy Shafer, associate professor of music, made his New York solo recital debut in Carnegie Hall's Weill Recital Hall, New York City. His concert, "Romantic Extremes," featured works exclusively by Franz Liszt and Johannes Brahms. A compact disc recording of the music from the recital is due for release in 1998.
Edgar Yoder, professor of agricultural education, was recently named president of the National Association of Colleges and Teachers of Agriculture.
Valerie King, assistant professor of sociology and human
development and family studies, has done research
into the well-being of children in households with nonresident fathers.
Photo: Greg Grieco
By Paul A. Blaum
Public Information
Divorced fathers help their children more by consistent payment of their child support than by the number of visits made to their children.
What is more critical for child well-being in households with nonresident fathers is whether the father pays child support, said Valarie King, assistant professor of sociology and human development and family studies.
"Approximately one-half of all children will live in a single-parent family at some point in their childhood," King said. "This, in turn, has redefined the relationship between parents and their offspring. The nonresident parent, usually the father, often becomes, by default, the less dominant parent.
"My data demonstrates that for nonresident fathers, the critical factor is the level of his child support, rather than the frequency of his visits," said King. "Besides direct help to the child, payment of child support may help indirectly by enhancing the mother's economic well-being and thus her emotional well-being. It may also have noneconomic effects such as improving mother-father or father-child relationships by reducing conflict between the divorced parents."
The level of child support is crucial in that it can significantly increase the resources available to the child. Additional money from child support may allow the child to make use of better educational activities and materials, receive better health care or live in a better neighborhood.
"Compared to mothers, fathers tend to have comparatively little involvement in the day-to-day care of their children, even in intact families," King said. "Therefore, infrequent contact between nonresident fathers and their children seems to be less damaging than many people think."
But the sociologist is not suggesting that the father should stop seeing them or make his visits few and perfunctory.
"Although little evidence exists that visitation by nonresident fathers helps child well-being, these fathers can be important in other ways," King said. "Like all fathers, they can potentially offer material resources, instruction and training; serve as good role models; and provide emotional support. They also can indirectly affect their children by their influence over the mother and the mother's behavior toward the child."
If nonresident fathers stay involved, the parents may be able to better maintain consistent discipline and supervision over their children. Mothers may be relieved of some of their stress from taking sole responsibility.
"Visitation per se can potentially have harmful as well as beneficial effects," King said. "Indeed, if a father is violent or abusive, visitation may do more harm than good. Similarly, if the parents are continually fighting, the father's presence may increase family tensions which in turn do emotional harm to the child."
The data for this analysis is from a National Longitudinal Survey of 6,283 women between 14 and 21 years old in 1979. As of 1988, a total of 3,822 women out of the original sample had borne 7,346 children. King's analysis focuses on the 2,220 children living in households with their mothers but with the father living elsewhere in 1988.
By Gabriel J. Welsch
College of Arts and Architecture
Charles Ives (1874-1954) is an artist most authorities would categorize
among the world's great composers. Unlike many contemporary composers, however,
music was not Ives' main vocation; rather, he went into insurance.
That Ives was so successful at both endeavors -- he invented estate
planning -- is both remarkable, because of his musical talent, and interesting,
because of his professional life's influence over his political and creative
ideas.
"Ives lived at a time of fundamental change in American society, and his creative work mirrors those changes," Michael Broyles, distinguished professor of music and professor of American history, said. Broyles is author of the essay, "Charles Ives and the American Democratic Tradition," which appears in Charles Ives and His World, published this year.
"In particular Ives gives voice to the pervading mixture of anxiety, nostalgia and revolution that did much to shape the late 19th and early 20th centuries."
Ives' compositions were groundbreaking, assimilating elements of high art and the vernacular, layering often conflicting rhythms and melodies into impressionistic pieces of great density. Within his elaborate works, there are choral lines, his own poems and statements of politics and philosophy that arose out of the influence of the world around him.
Due to much of the content of Ives' work, he has been, according to Broyles, misconceived as a populist and progressivist. Broyles said some definitions of populist and progressive are suspect and that, once those corrected definitions are analyzed and compared with Ives' thoughts and actions, the definitions do not apply. As in his music, Ives the man is much more complex than mere political definitions, as contrary and lively as any person of character. In much the same way, it reflects how his music is much more engaging than the quickly applied label of "dissonant" would suggest.
Broyles found that Ives became more bitter and recalcitrant toward the end of his life, facing what he considered a tragic removal from his idealized 19th-century village political ethic to the industrial society. It was at the point where Ives faced this realization that his creative output declined, never to recover. Nearly 20 years after he stopped writing, symphonies began premiering his works and, in 1947, he received the Pulitzer Prize for his Symphony No. 3.
"Musicologists have ... ignored much historical research of the last 20 years," Broyles said. "As a consequence many interpretations of Ives are based on outdated or even naive historical premises. Ives' relationship to his time assumes a very different shape when his political ideas are examined in the context of modern historical research."
