Returning Adults Series "Adult learner" encourages others to get busy Debbi Mallek Staff Reporter Our series on "returning students" continues. This perspective was submitted to the Capital Times by Rosemary F lamini. I am a member of the older population who return to college - those designated by this University as "adult learn ers." To be truthful, even though I am surrounded by class - mates two generations younger than myself, I never feel older. How did I get to Penn State Harrisburg? During the ten years I worked at the Hershey Medical Center, I had a goal to obtain an Associate's degree. I earned one, with the bonus of graduating with my daughter and daughter-in-law on the same day, although their degrees were BAs in Communications and Education respec tively. Then I retired from my job at the Hershey Medical Center. After much persuasion from my family - all "Penn Staters" - I decided to pursue my BA. So here I am at Penn State Harrisburg, learning new material and making new, much younger friends. But our age span does not seem to matter to them, nor does it matter to me. Believe me, I was apprehensive before I arrived, but that anxiety disappeared in less than a week. Everyone I have met students, faculty and administrative staff, helped me fit in with ease, all kindly ignoring my orthopedic sneakers, lens implants (from cataracts), and loss of breath when climbing the stairs to third floor classes. To others of my age group who may read this, I can only say: "get busy, enroll, enjoy!" The benefits? You'll still get older, but you'll get smarter. We welcome your comments and additions to this series. If you're interested in participating in this series on returning students, please contact Debbi Mallek at the Capital Times Office (717) 948-6440. We look forward to sharing your stories. One hater of good people Student addresses racial vandalism on campus Throughout the time since the first African set foot on the American continent, a concerted effort has been made to control and subjugate them. As time has progressed, we have seen a gradual diminuation of the number and boldness of white supremacist acts. This progress is an unequivocal endorsement of the efforts of all the good people whom African-Americans have met along the way. Many have had no reason to help, other than their love of humanity and their love of God. Many wonderful Americans have used the pow ers of love and positive education to check the forces of hatred. Recently, an act of racist vandalism on campus has turned more than a few heads. After the initial shock, we should carefully consider this incident as what it really is: a parameter for judging the progress which has been made over the years. As I said before, the boldness of racist acts has decreased. We moved from the whip to the police dog to 1996, when a racist's only recourse is to proclaim his supe riority on the wall in the john. Whoever the poor soul is, he knows that his brand of iniquity will meet no approval in a place populated by good people. Even the fact that an act was committed by a racist individual instead of a racist group bodes well for the cam pus. There is no organized support group for haters. A boatload of haters cannot stay afloat in a sea of decency. We African-Americans have been insulted before. We will neither accept it, nor be bogged down by it. The fact is that others have tried for centuries to hate us into obliv ion, deluding themselves into believing that if they could just hate us efficiently and effectively that we would disap pear. Dr. Nairn Akbar points out that "[We] have proven that we are more powerful than the forces which have sought for so long to destroy us. After they have done their absolute best, we are still here." Having routed the standing armies of white supremacy, what is an appropriate response to an isolated display of hatred on campus? The good people of the campus should be cautioned not to look for a scapegoat in this instance. We have seen first-hand that hate is not a successful tactic. Hating the hater is tantamount to adopting the failed strategy of our defeated foe. That would be foolish, because we know for certain where that leads: straight to the john. Mark L. Walston Senior-Public Policy Coordinator, Minority Academic Excellence Program (MAEPpp) in a sea the shooting does not affect PSH "just because it hap pened on a Penn State cam pus." "Of course my heart goes out to all of the families that are involved," Bankos said. "But, I don't feel unsafe at this campus. If it would have happened at E 1 izabethtown College or another local university, then I think it would have affected my feelings of security more." American studies major, Rosemary Flamini said that despite the distance between the Harrisburg and University Park campuses, her membership and past history with this university connect her to the tragic event. "I was devastated. That is a lawn that I've walked on, and I'm not cer tain that I can walk on that lawn again without remem bering what happened there," she said. "The shooting injured all of us. It really did," Flamini added. Cindy Knaub, public policy and criminal justice major at PSH said, "I don't know how the rest of the stu dent body feels, but you can't Seniors interested in participating in the on-campus recruiting programs at PSH and University Park must attend one of the Career Services Information Meetings that will be held in the Olmsted Auditorium. Meetings are scheduled for: Monday Tuesday Wednesday Wednesday Thursday Thursday Hie new "TeSS" system and procedures will be reviewed and the on-campus recruiting process discussed FeSS -- IT'S HERE!!! Career Services has completed the installation of its new computerized registration/job hotline system. All students interested in accessing the employment opportunities whether part time, full time or co-op/internships are required to register in the new system. To learn more about TeSS, individuals should attend one of the Career Services information meetings or visit Career Services in W-117. Once registered, individuals will be able to dial in and: hear voice recorded job listings (full time and part time) that match their particular career interests learn about co-op and internship opportunities listen to "NEWS" about pending workshops, seminars, and career fairs schedule interview appointments with visiting employers verify future interview schedules ALL 24 HOURS A DAY -- AT THEIR CONVENIENCE! In addition, resumes of students and alumni can be searched by the system and those resumes faxed (by the computer) directly to the employers who have contacted l'enn State Harrisburg regarding their Human Resource needs. Race fans are close to the action at Silver Spring Speedway in Mechanicsburg Kelley Thomas Staff Reporter It i s a place where hundreds of fans gather in the stands as they cheer and shout for their favorite dri - ver - and though it is not NASCAR, it is still a thrill to watch the local weekly race live, rather than staying at home and watch Daytona on your television. Every Saturday evening in Mechanicsburg, fans line up to purchase their tickets at Silver Spring Speedway to see in the end which race car driver will have their picture taken at victory lane. When you walk through the gates, you are greeted by the smell of french fries and pizza that linger from the food stands into the air. Fans crowd around venders looking to buy Official Racing Programs, pictures of their favorite race VIEWPOINT not care." Knaub said that she would like to see programs started and pamphlets dis - tributed at all Penn State campuses that educate stu dents about preventative measures and deterants for violence. She also said that there should have been better communication at PSH to inform students about the shooting at University Park. "I think PSH should have addressed the shooting in the 'This Week,' and they should have 1 isted a contact, like the student assistance center, if students had ques tions they needed answered or if they needed counsel- Chief Supenski said that he has started crime prevention and awareness programs on campus. On Oct. 7, a program was conducted by Police and Safety Services to educate resident students about personal protection. "It's easier to prevent scmeone fran being a victim, but that involves individuals taking responsibility for their own security," he said. Supenski said that students should remember that the campus has an escort service and bike patrol which October 7, 1996 October 8, 1996 October 9, 1996 October 9, 1996 October 10, 1996 October 10, 1996 ATTENTION: ALL JUNIORS, SENIORS, GRADUATE STUDENTS cars and souvenirs. Trailers loaded with sportsman race cars drive into the pits and unload their cars quickly so the pit crew members can look over the race cars. One pit crew may change a tire while another pit crew may put gas into the gas tank Late models and street stocks are two other types of race cars that race at the Springs. They pit behind the racetrack. All of the colorfu 1 cars are numbered and are covered with local sponsors. Some even have national sponsors such as Saturn, Pepsi and Old Milwaukee. Family, friends and fans stand on top of the trail - ers in the pits so they can have a clear view of the quar ter mile dirt track about to be raced upon. After all eyes looking up at the American flag move down to the race cars, you CAREER SERN'ICES INFORMATION MEETINGS TeSS -- YOUR LINK TO CAREER OPPORTUNITIES! can be used to escort stu dents to their cars or dorms. Gordon Moon, pres i - dent of Chi Gamma lota (XGI) said that the PSH campus administration should have been more open with infor mation regarding the shoot- "We're an educational institution. We should be able to discuss this event. We have forums on every thing else on campus, why not this?" Moon said. "Keeping things hushed up won't change a s it - uation. If the students are concerned, then the issues should be addressed," he said. Julie Osborne said that as an alumna she was surprised that the shooting happened at Main Campus because University Park is a low crime area. Osborne is a 1992 speech communications grad uate from Penn State Main Campus. She is now locally employed as a marketing coordinator at the Thousand Trails Hershey Preserve in Lebanon, Pa. She maintains her connection to the univer sity as a member of the Berks chapter of the Penn State Alumni Association. "It's a shame. College 5:15 pm- 7:00 pm 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm 8:00 am - 9:30 am 3:00 pm- 4:30 pm 9:00 am - 10:30 am 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm know that the races are about to begin. Drivers wearing their fireproof racing suits put their helmets on and buckle themselves into the race cars. The engines are start - ed, leaving a roaring echo in your ears. The drivers circle the track s lowly and form the starting line up for the first heat. The white pace car, who leads the pack, puts on its left turn signal and exits the track. Just a straight of way to go, the yellow light flashes to green and the dri vers put the gas pedal to the floor. The ground rumbles and the dust flies. The bill - boards surrounding the track became a blur when you have you eyes focused on a 90- mph race car. There are really fast cars, excellent drivers, slow cars and crazy drivers. Anyone can pick them out. CAPTIMES, October 10, 199+6 is a time when you can enjoy your freedom as a young per - son. I hope that the students can overcome this event and enjoy their education." Chief Supenski said that it is up to the students as to how this tragedy will affect their lives. "You can allow your self to be paralyzed by such an incident, or you can make yourself more aware," he said. Provost Bruhn said that an events like the shoot ing at the State College cam pus make us "especially sen sitive to human frailties." "We are all saddened by the loss of a young 1 ife and must now look forward to a period of healing and for giveness as we seek to rebuild together the sense of sanctuary that is a necessary part of our community," he said. A scholarship has been established to honor the memory of Melanie Spalla. It will be awarded to an under graduate student at the University Park campus. Contributions may be sent to the Office of University Development, 116 Old Main, University Park, PA 16802. After the checkered flag is waved on the tenth lap, four more heats follow. The top four cars from each heat make it to the final race - the feature. The remaining cars from the heats race in a consolation race. Out of the two consolations, the three top cars from each make it to the feature also. This puts a total of 26 cars in the feature event. "All right ladies and gentlemen," the announcer from the press box exclaims. "What time is it?" The fans clap, whistle and reply, "It's feature time!" The water truck fin ishes making its rounds watering the dry dirt track while pit crew members push the race cars out onto the track so the drivers can start their engines and begin the feature. 'The 26 race car drivels farm a double line up. After the green See Race pg. 6
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