THE BEHREND BEACON
Friday, September 9, 2005
Behrend student aids
As the terrors of Hurricane Katrina hurtled towards New Orleans, the citizens of Louisiana were
warned and given orders for immediate evacuation, but no one could have predicted the amount of dam
age that Katrina was about to bring. Many locals chose to ignore the suggestions to seek safety.
Today, more than a week after the horrific storm erased what was notorious to the New Orleans
region, the problems of clean, drinking water, food, adequate shelter and the accountability for missing
persons still continues to plague locals. Once again, Americans have underestimated the powers of for
eign invaders and this time, the forces of nature reigned supreme. Will the American government be
able to rebuild the New Orleans region so that the thousands of victimized individuals will be able to
regain the life they once knew'.'
Men and women from all across the nation are being sent to Louisiana to help with clean-up efforts
and their attitudes about it are nothing short of inspiring. There were a number of students from our
Behrend community that were sent to join the enormous task of restoring peace to a devastated land.
One student in particular, Adam Gorniak of Wattsburgh, PA, was more than willing to recall his expe
rience in the New Orleans area. Gorniak is a current student at Penn State Behrend and is a business
management major, minoring in economics and marketing. Gorniak is also a proud member of the Army
National Guard and was sent to the city of Alexandria, Louisiana on Sunday, September 4. Through a
phone-interview, Adam shared his eagerness to be given this order, and was honored to help with the
clean-up efforts. Gorniak said. "I am just happy to be down here, helping in any way I can.”
When asked to explain the details of his orders, Gorniak revealed that the specifics were not assigned
yet, but his mission could include anything from clearing buildings and searching for survivors to dis
tributing food to the recently homeless population. Gorniak will be in the New Orleans area for approx
imately 30 days, in which he will be going from the hurricane sight to his post city, Alexandria, numer
ous times as efforts to improve the area are made.
The living conditions of the National Guard have been far better than those in the Katrina wreckage.
Gorniak said. “There was no damage done to the area where we are currently located. We have clean,
running water for showering, a roof over our heads and a bed to sleep in. We are very fortunate.” He
also said that the temperature in Louisiana is very hot and almost unbearable, reaching 90 degrees or
above every day. It is certain that in the next month Adam Gorniak will be doing all that he can to ful
fill his patriotic duty and will thus comfort the lives of many Americans who have lost everything.
New walkways, faster routes to class for students
New coffee in Bruno’s, Page 8
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Our offices are located down
stairs in the Reed Union
Building.
By Ashley Bressler
staff writer
It just keeps getting
better. With what is
just the beginning of
the renovations com
ing to Behrend, there
are already the much
appreciated additions
of the new walkways
and signs around cam
pus.
The approximately
$272,000 sidewalk
project cuts down past
Reed and towards the
Science and
Engineering buildings:
“The objective of the
walkway project was
to provide an ADA
accessible walkway
that linked the western
residence areas to the
Reed building,” said
Director of Operations,
John Ream. The
American’s with
Disabilities Act calls for stable, slip-resistant surfaces, specific incline and
decline ratios for ramps, accessible public telephones, specialized doors, and
ramps with landings that do not accumulate water.
The other recent project is the addition of nine new signs, starting down at the
entry drive and progressing along campus. Also, there are fourteen new banners
on the light posts along the walkway to the Junker Center. All in all, they run to
the cost of about $79,000.
...1-3
Students prepare for Welcome Weekend
7-8
...9-10
Every year Penn State Behrend has its annual
Parent and Family Weekend featuring fun events for
all members young and old for the family. This year
is no different with the event starting on September
30 and running all weekend until midday of Sunday
October 2. The weekend kicks off Friday night
around seven with Family Jeopardy. The Mehalso
Observatory will be open from seven thirty to ten
thirty with Dr. Roger Knacke putting on a show for
the whole family. In the Reed building Dreamworks’
film Madagascar will be playing starting at ten on
Friday night and Saturday night.
On Saturday the event continues all day with guid
ed walks of the school and an arboretum tour of some
of the different trees around Behrend. The State Fair
By J. William
McConnell
staff writer
By Jeff Smen
staff writer
A Penn State Erie Student Publication 12 2QQ$ Vol. LIII No. 3
■ -
Construction at Behrend continues around one of the new walkways between Reed and the Carriage Houses
in Katrina clean-up
The National Guard keeps a dose eye on the cities and people effected by Hurricane Katrina
will be in front of Reed with fun for the whole fami
ly featuring games, a petting zoo, and ice cream from
the Penn State Creamery. Later that afternoon a jazz
concert will be playing in front of Reed with the
State Roundup dinner to take place in Erie hall
around six thirty. To wrap up the day families are
encouraged to watch Team Rootberry winners of
numerous international juggling competitions, at
Brunos, Saturday night. Parents and families are also
encouraged to go and cheer on our Behrend Lions as
men’s soccer and women’s soccer take on La Roche.
The men’s game begins at 1, and women’s begins at
3. There will be a TV football party at Bruno’s as
Penn State vs. Minnesota. Finally on Sunday fami
lies are invited to attend service in Smith Chapel and
attend bmnch in Dobbins Dining Hall.
Brenton Kemp a first semester engineer said, “I
think the idea of parent and family weekend is an
of the campus even
more, to parallel the
new walkways in the western areas. Along with the REDC, the Research and
Economic Development Center that’s due for completion in 2006, these should
be very welcome expansions to the Behrend campus.
4 ®W#Jv'
awesome idea. I’m really looking forward to spend
ing some quality time with my parents and showing
them how mature and how much I’ve learned since
I’ve become since I left home.” Josh Paris a fifth
semester aerospace engineer said, “I’m not really
into the whole parent and family weekend idea, I’ll
probably just enjoy my weekend how I always do.”
Chris Barrick a first semester chemical engineer said,
“I think the whole idea of parent and family weekend
is a good idea, but I know my parents already have
plans, so they will not be attending.” Parents and stu
dents who plan on attending the attending the State
Fair roundup dinner need to register by September
10th. The dinner will include a line dance instructor,
a trick-roping show, a country v/estem band, and of
course great food.
This won't be the
end of the renova
tions though; con
firmed projects in
store for the future
are an expansion for
Dobbins Hall, new
sidewalks from
Dobbins to the apart
ments, and a walk-
way between
Aquarius Drive and
the library, that will
run alongside Jordan
Road.
The Dobbins expan
sion reportedly will
include a new eleva-
tor, minimizing the
“hike” up the long
flight of stairs that
anyone entering the
building from the
lower entrance has to
endure. The new
walkways and side
walks should open up
the entire eastern side