Page 10 - The Behrend College Collegian Thursday, October 16, 1997
The
"Godfather":
Lee Gutkind
by hut Ashton
News Editor
"The Godfather." as Vanity
Fair chooses to describe Lee
Gutkind. spoke in Reed Lecture
Hall Wednesday night as part of
the Smith Creative Writing
Speaker Series. Gutkind. a native
of Pittsburgh. is an immersion
journalist. He has performed as a
clown with Ringling Brothers,
traveled with major league
umpires. scrubbed with heart
surgeons and toured the country
on motorcycle. He believes that
these life experiences are
necessary for the writing of his
eight books, essays and films.
In one of his newest releases,
"An Unspoken Art," Gutkind
writes about veterinarians and
their patients. Gutkind is also the
editor of creative nonfiction. In
yet another new publication.
"Surviving Crisis," Gutkind offers
essays of other writers and more
personal experience to his
readers.
Surviving a recent divorce,
Gutkind seems to be doing some
healing of his own through his
creative writing style. Gutkind
shared two essays on Wednesday
night, "The Low Clearance" was
about his son Sam's infatuation
with road signs but more
importantly it is about the
closeness they share.
"Greenhorns" is a story about a
family trip to New Jersey. The
trip, despite many trials and
tribulations brought the family
closer together. It is evident in
these writings that Gutkind is still
learning about himself and his
family. Gutkind stated, "writers
MOCK
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find their way into a subject but
I'm still trying to find my way."
As a professor at University of
Pittsburgh, Lee Gutkind suggests
to students interested in writing to
always carry a journal. He keeps
his with him at all times,
"coffeehouses, bookstores,
everywhere." Gutkind also
suggests taking part-time writing
courses if not involved in an MFA
program already and if dedicated
enough, thinks you can possibly
publish a book before others are
even done with their MFA.
One of the most touching
accomplishments of Gutkind's life
is the adoption of his six year old
son, Sam, who is mentioned as
often as possible in his essays.
Gutkind said of traveling to Erie,
"I felt anxious, couldn't find 1-79
and kept making wrong turns.
What was keeping me away?"
He realized the answer was that
the last time he was in town was
for Sam's custody hearing. All of
his trembling and worrying would
pay off.; Gutkind became a father.
by Tammy Freeman
staff writer
"The pathetic. lack of caring
attitude of students. faculty and
staff at Behrend." This is how one
student explained the low turnout
at the performance Monday night
by Alma. a Latin American
musical group. Only about thirty
people showed up. two of which
were staff members. By the final
part of the performance only half
of that total remained.
Chicano: 500 Years of Struggle,
traced Latino mots back to the
Indian civilizations. Through
Sponsored b, the Health ‘ds . isor- Hoard
Alma performs
"Chicano: 500
years of struggle"
songs. stories and poetry Chicano
told the story of an oppressed and
exploited people.
The performers, Ravi Kynpstra,
Agustin Lira and Patricia Wells
Solarzana, opened their
performance with the lyrics, "I
still remember what it is like to
be free," as they sang a song of a
people who were her hundreds of
years before Columbus. This song
was entitled "I Have Been Here
Forever."
As the performance progressed,
the audience was immersed in a
sea of historical recollection, and The intent of this program was
some felt as if they were there to provide entertainment as well
even though some of were not as help students faculty and staff
ALCOHOL AWARENESS WEEK
OCTOBER 20 - 24, 1997
NN ear the "F 4 T.-IL I ISIO:\ GLASSES - and walk the line
Experience the feelinu of a 0.1 - to 0.18 blood alcohol leei
ONSTAGE .AT BRUNO'S
Nlonda. October 20. 12 noon - 1:00 p.m.
Wednesday. October 22, 12 noon - 1:00 p.m.
FREE NIOCKTAILS TODAY
Thursday. October 23. 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Share hos% alcohol has affected your life at the "BRICK WALL"
Sign the contract at tables outside of Bruno's October 15.
PRIZES (compliments of Housing & Food) awarded Monda.
at the Health and Wellness Center
EVE NTS
kll ‘seel. - Brtirm's staue
( . 311 o►u accept the ( . 11.1.1.i.ENG1.?
Be alcohol-free until NlomlaN. October 27.
born at the time of these events.
The songs and stories sung in
Spanish and English ranged from
tales of love and pain, joy and
happiness, poverty and wealth.
Both beautiful and touching,
Chicano presented a variety of
topics which reflected how
Mexicans were and still are
treated in America. Chicano told
of how Americans took their land
deceived and abused them.
Throughout this, Chicanos were
able to preserve their heritage and
culture.
learn about other cultures
Shana Johnson vice president •
MCC stated that, because of th
turnout, she was "ve
disappointed in faculty staff an
students as a whole." s
continued to say that "It is
shame that more students did
take the opportunity to bene
and learn." One of the perform.
commented that out of all t
colleges that he had toured t
Behrend had the "lowest turnou
He further questioned: is this
indication that there
"something wrong w
America?"
1 o & 17
October 27