Throughout
his 30 years at Penn State Harrisburg, James D. (Jerry) South's role has been
at the forefront of change. But his prime focus has remained constant: "The
reason I come to work every day is for the students," said South, associate
provost for administrative operations, who is retiring June 30.
South has been on hand for three decades of change that transformed Penn State Harrisburg from a scrapped Air Force base to a major academic presence in the region. South has played a key role in the evolution of the campus. When he came to Middletown at age 25 as assistant dean of student affairs for student activities, the campus still had the physical presence of an Air Force base. Over the years, he has watched the construction and renovation of a number of campus structures.
While his concern has always been for the students, South's areas of responsibility at Penn State have grown and evolved. He was elevated to director of Student Affairs and gained additional duties. He was subsequently named to his current post, responsible for all non-academic college operations, except external relations and development.
Now as he closes out his third decade of service, the campus is in the midst of a "historic physical transformation" with the new $17 million library, new electrical service, new heating system and an expanded Science Tech building which includes an environmental education center. Next in line is $22 million in new student housing, and an Academic Activities Building. During his tenure, enrollment at the campus has grown and changed, with an increasing number of commuters and graduate students attending.
Before coming to Penn State Harrisburg in 1969, just three years after the campus was founded, South was a program director for a student union and recreational facility at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia.
James
Stephenson, director of the School of Visual Arts and professor of art, announced
his retirement effective June 30, after 31 years with the College of Arts and
Architecture. He has been director since 1989 and a professor of art from 1968-1989.
Stephenson will be succeeded by Charles Garoian, professor of art education.
(See appointments on page 8.)
Stephenson is an artist who specializes in architectural ceramics. His work has been reviewed or illustrated in 18 different books and publications including The History of American Ceramics, Clay Work, Form and Idea in Ceramic Design and the Spanish publication Ceramica.
Stephenson's art also has been included in more than 80 exhibitions throughout the United States as well as internationally. His work was included in "25 Americans, Clay as Art," an invitational exhibition at the Arabia Museum, Helsinki, Finland. The exhibition then traveled to Sweden and Norway. Another work was shown in the exhibit, "CERAGENTICS," Graven Graphite-Ceramic Line, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Stephenson was later named the guest artist of the month in Amsterdam for this project.
Stephenson has designed and sculpted brick murals within Centre County for the Church of the Good Shepherd and the State College High School, as well as other locations in Pennsylvania.
In addition to designing and sculpting, he has lectured and presented more than 20 workshops in locations including the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, The Ohio State University, the Kansas City Art Institute in Missouri and the University of Wisconsin at Madison.
Stephenson also has received various grants and fellowships, including two from the National Endowment for the Arts and a junior fellowship from the Institute for Arts and Humanistic Studies.
In retirement, Stephenson plans to return to the studio to design murals, paint and work with architects on various projects.
He earned both his bachelor's degree in painting as well as his master of arts degree from the University of Montana.
After dedicating 25 years of service to the College of Communications, Ned Faust has retired from his position as assistant professor of film/video.
Faust began his career with Penn State at WPSX, where he held several positions that eventually led him to be named head of production. In 1980, he began teaching production part time as an affiliate instructor in the then-School of Communications while continuing his work at WPSX. It was not long before he assumed the role of a full-time faculty member.
During his career with the film/video program, Faust was active in several areas of its development and management. He established and directed a Multicultural Film and Video Workshop for high school students for five years. He also produced "Watch It," a showcase of student production in telecommunications, broadcast journalism and film, and served as faculty adviser to the Student Film Organization.
Faust produced public service announcements, documentaries and retrospectives for several organizations. He coordinated the Native American Film Festival with the Native American and Indian Student Associations and supported the production component for advertising students participating in student competitions.
Upon retirement in December, Faust accepted a position as production manager for Resource Communications Group and taught a course this spring. He hopes his new schedule will allow time to occasionally teach in the college.
Joan M. Emel, staff assistant VI in Intercollegiate Athletics, from Jan. 3, 1972, to April 1.
Barbara F. Gates, staff assistant VII in the College of Health and Human Development, from Nov. 7, 1977, to April 3.
J. David Grebos, associate director of unions and student activities in Student Affairs, from Sept. 4, 1979, to May 1.
Barbara L. Goulart, associate professor in the College of Agricultural Sciences, from Feb. 15, 1988, to April 15.
Robert Hatten, associate professor in the School of Music, College of Arts and Architecture, from July 1, 1989 to June 30.
Reginald E. Kuntz, supervisor-environmental services in the Office of Physical Plant, from Jan. 12, 1981, to May 1.
Dale Monson, associate professor in the School of Music, College of Arts and Architecture, from Aug. 11, 1991 to June 30.
Robert L. Shawley, athletic equipment and facilities worker in Intercollegiate Athletics, from Nov. 18, 1965, to March 27.
Richard A. Wilson, professor of veterinary science in the College of Agricultural Sciences, from Aug. 1, 1980, to April 1.
Margaret M. Wizikowski, accounting and student activities assistant at Penn State Erie, from Nov. 22, 1982 to April 1.
The following individuals have earned emeritus rank from the University for his longstanding and productive years of service:
Joseph E. Dandois, professor emeritus of engineering in the College of Engineering, from Jan. 1, 1971, to Jan. 1.
Eugene R. Melander, associate vice provost emeritus for undergraduate education and professor emeritus of quantitative business analysis in the Office of Vice Provost and Dean for Undergraduate Education, from Sept. 1, 1962, to April 1.
William Merrill, professor emeritus of plant pathology in College of Agricultural Sciences, from April 1, 1965, to May 1.
Richard S. Paul, associate professor emeritus of mathematics at Penn State Hazleton, from Sept. 1, 1966, to Dec. 31, 1998.