Thursday. November 2, 1995
Behrend slated for
“knowledge park”
Penn State gears up up for
the 21st century
by Sean Siekkinen
Collegian Staff
Within the next 5 years,
Behrend will become the site of a
unique commercial complex that
will house research, hi-tech, and
information related companies.
This 'knowledge park', as the
project has been dubbed by
organizers, will act as a liaison
between job-seeking Erie area
college students and the industries
of tomorrow.
The knowledge park will be the
only research site of its kind in
the region, and the only one in
the Penn State Commonwealth
Campus system.
The 200 acres of land
designated for knowledge park
construction are located along a
one mile stretch of Behrend
property bordering Interstate 90.
According to Associate Dean
Robert Light, Jordan Road will
have to be relocated to run
directly through the campus.
Ground is scheduled to be broken
in Spring of 1997. The 21st
century project now appears to be
getting started just in time for the
year 2000.
Hispanic Heritage Month offers a
variety of events and celebrations
by Bryan Harkins
Collegian Staff
Hispanic Heritage Month events are
underway at Behrend. This nationally
recognized celebration will last a month
and a half for Behrend students, having
begun in mid-October and continuing
through November.
Ordinarily, Hispanic Heritage Month
lasts from September IS to October IS.
One of the main reasons this is done, is to
encompass Columbus Day. Penn State
University does not celebrate it during the
same time for two reasons.
First, holding Hispanic Heritage Month
in September does not allow enough time
to organize events. Second, by holding it
in November, "It will encompass Puerto
Rican Awareness Week, which has been
celebrated at University Park for a couple
of years," said Dr. Jaun Fernandez,
professor of Spanish.
Behrend recognizes Hispanic Heritage
Month from mid-October through
November so that it still includes
Columbus Day.
According to Dr. Lidia Diaz, assistant
professor of Spanish, "The main purpose
[of Hispanic Heritage Month] is awareness
/kt *>c 0 ’" s The Behrend College
“ Colie ian
"It’s going to move pretty
fast," Dr. Light said concerning
construction.
Dr. Light thinks that the
addition of a local link between
industry and the college will
translate into internships and hi
tech jobs for Behrend students.
"It could really help the
college," Dr. Light said.
In order to strengthen the
college’s tie to the park, a
Research and Economic
Development Center is planned.
The center will provide a
transition between the park and
the college, according to Dr.
Light.
But acting as a bridge between
the knowledge park
will not be the Center's only
function; it will also help to
alleviate space limitations
currently facing Behrend. The
School of Business and the
School of Engineering and
Technology are only two of the
departments which would move
to the new Center.
Dr. Light accredits conception
of the knowledge park project to
Dean and Provost Dr. John
of Hispanic culture. It is to make people
aware of the significance of Hispanic
culture in the United States."
"With the great amount of Hispanic
people coming into the U.S., Hispanic
culture must be alive,” said Dr. Diaz.
"The melting pot cannot be valued if every
culture loses its identity.”
Hispanic Heritage Month is a way to
point out "the differences and similarities
of cultures," said Dr. Diaz. It is also "a
way to share with communities not of
Hispanic origin, Hispanic products [both
tangible and conceptual] of culture."
However, Hispanic Heritage Month is
not just to make people aware of Hispanic
culture. It is to "give us a chance to shine
and it gives us a chance to celebrate who
we are," remarked Chastity Irizarry,
president of Organization of Latin-
American Students.
Hispanic Heritage Month has been, and
continues to be a worth while celebration.
Irizarry said, "I think it is very effective.
There are many different Hispanic cultures
and it gives HiSpanics [of various cultures]
a chance to meet each other."
There are many events planned
throughout Behrend. Markus Rodriguez
Erie, PA 16563
Collegian File Photo
One of Behrend’s newest additions: The Academic Building has provided more office
and classroom sp dcftion to a larger library as Behrend continues to grow.
Lilley. "He alwaj
ahead," Dr. Light si
"Penn State's ... »n is
teaching, research, and service,"
Dr. Lilley said. "We've had in
mind doing this since 1986."
Dr. Lilley sees the imminent
increase in the level of Behrend's
research and service projects as an
will reunite the cast of “A House on
Mango Street” for a performance on
Thursday, November 2 in the Reed Lecture
Hall. Rodriguez adapted the novel into a
play for his senior project.
Heritage Month
is to “give us a
chance to shine
and...celebrate
who we are. ”
-Chastity Irizarry
O.L.A.S.
President
important benefit of the
knowledge park. Behrend wants
to attract companies who can
make use of the faculty and
senior students, according to Dr.
Lilley.
"[The knowledge park] would
be what you might call
interactive with the University,"
Hispanic
Vol XLIV, No. 8
Dr. Lilley said.
Funding for the knowledge
park will be supplied by the state
and by the city of Erie, who is
working in joint venture with
Behrend on the project
"Neither the college or
University has any funds to put
into this," says Dr. Lilley.
The Wintergreen Cafe will be serving
Hispanic food, such as tacos and
pastelillos. The Cafe will also play
Hispanic music.
Behrend is hosting an international film
series that ends November 13. For this
film series, a Hispanic film is shown on
Monday nights at 7:00 p.m. in the Rccd
Lecture Hall.
O.L.A.S. is holding a number of events
throughout November which are to include
free dance lessons in the Commons from
7-9 p.m. November 7 and 8 p.m.
Other events include "Friday Fiesta"
on November 10 from 9 p.m.-l a.m. and
comedian Jeff Garcia November 11 at 8:30
p.m. These events will be in Bruno’s
Nightclub.
O.L.A.S. and the Human Resource
Programming Council will co-sponsor an
open forum as part of the Open Fora
Series. “Latino: The Other Minority”
will be discussed November IS in the
Reed Lecture Hall at 8:00 p.m.
Hispanic Heritage Month concludes
November 30 with the first annual
“Cultural Day.” The event, sponsored by
0.L.A.5., will include Hispanic dance
performances, mocktails, and desserts.