Behrend Speaker Series
Politics, finance, and a little bit of humor
Carville vs. Buchanan:
“A Look at American Politics”
On Tuesday, November James Carville went head-to-head with Angela “Bay”
Buchanan in the debate, "A Look at American Politics," held in the Reed Commons at
Behrend.
Democrat James Carville. \\ ho is currently serving as a senior political advisor to
President Clinton, has managed numerous political campaigns throughout the United
States, Carville, along with his wife Mary Matalin. wrote the bestselling political
memoir All's Fair: Love, War anti Running for President. Recently, he has been
working on Mexican and Israeli campaigns.
Bay Buchanan began her political career as the national treasurer of Ronald Reagan's
presidential campaigns in 1980 and 1484. and later became the Treasurer of the United
States. Buchanan has served as the campaign chairman for both presidential campaigns
of her brother. Pat Buchanan. She was recognized by George Magazine as one ol the
top 20 political women in the nation.
The day’s activities began with a press conference at 3:45 in Reed 114. Several
representatives from the local news media were in attendance and they had the opportu
nity to ask the participants questions.
Many disagreements between Carville and Buchanan received big laughs and
applause from the audience. They did, however, see eve-10-eye on one thing: the
American public is too apathetic about politics, and i* needs to get involved.
(Be fir end v fays faring down the house
Teibele and Her Demon
The Studio
Theatre
presented
Teibele and
Her Demon
last Novem
ber at
Behrend.
Teibeleand
Her Demon is
a passionate,
mystical story
which takes
place in the
1880 s. The
! play is set in Frampol, a small and detached Polish/Jewish village.
The story revolves around Teibele (played by Wendy McGaughey),
a Jewish woman whose husband has deserted her. Because of this,
Teibele is left hanging, unable to divorce or remarry. She spends time
obsessing over religion, mysticism, and the Jewish folklore about
demons and spirits.
Alchonon (played by Thad Esek), an unemployed, unfavorable
scholar, deeply loves Teibele from a distance. Because of the many
' barriers that keep Teibele from him, he comes to her in darkness,
disguised as a demon, and captures her heart and soul: The demon
(Alchonon) at the right moment tells her that he must leave her and
orders her to marry Alchonon. Teibele, who is in love with the
demon, and not Alchonon, is tom between a deep passion and a
realistic guilt.
. This is a very superstitious and mysterious play. It tries to capture a
completely different world—a dark, alluring, mystical place. Tony
Elliot, the director of the Studio Theatre, described the play as “very
sexy.”
Franken fills Erie Hall
with political humor
On October 6, 1999, A 1 Franken spoke to a large crowd in Erie Hall
many political issues that allect college students today.
Franken, best known for his work on Saturday Night Live, has also worked on many other
projects that have established him as a premiere political comedian and satirist. He has
appeared on many national talk shows as well as taking time to write movies.
Throughout Franken’s day at Behrend, he answered many questions from students on
many different topics ranging from students' political activity to his days on Saturday Night
Live.
The people in attendance at Franken's speech, entitled, “An Evening with A 1 Franken,”
even got to see Franken’s most famous SNL character of Stuart Smalley during the ques-
tion/answer section
Jane Bryant Quinn
Jane Bryant Quinn, a syndicated columnist for the
Washington Post and Newsweek, spoke at Behrend on
April 4. She was the final speaker this year in the
Provost's Speaker Series, “Taking Charge: Politics,
Finances, and Personal Freedom." In her speech, “The
Economy and Your Money.com,” Quinn touched on such
topics as the ever-growing stock market, the boom on
technology stocks, and the recent Microsoft antitrust
decision.
The speech was given at 7:30 p.m. in the Reed
Wintergarden to a full lecture hall of students, faculty,
staff, and guests. Quinn was on campus for other events
as well that day, including a press conference at 3:30 p.m.,
a question and answer session with students, and a dinner
at Logan House before her speech.
Quinn's speech, which was simulcast by Behrend’s
radio station WPSE, was very well received by the
audience.
“I don't know what is going to happen with the Dow
Jones tomorrow, or next week, or next
year," Quinn joked '
the audience.
She discussed the
growing role of the
Internet in our
economy, both as a
new way to do
personal investment
and as a new plaee
to invest money.
The stock market is
continuing to grow
at a tremendous
rate, and a large part
of this growth is due
the great amount
investment being
done in new
technological
stocks, she said
’Expansion is
slowing, but is still
expanding," Quinn
said.
Criminal Hearts
for Ata’s current state of mind,
Ata (played by Jamie Lojewski) soon befriends Bo (Molly
Means), a female burglar/who has broken into Ata’s apartment
and is subjected to her ramblings. Bo decides that she wants to
help her out for Ata’s sake as well as for her own.personal profit
Along with Bo’s accomplice, Robbie (Bruce Waller), the three
soon hatch a plan for revenge.
talks finance
Franken spoke of
The spring production
in the Studio Theatre
was Criminal Hearts.
The story begins in Ata
Windust’s apartment.
Ata is a very nervous
and problematic indi
vidual with several
bizarre habits. She
can’t seem to keep quiet
about her emotional
problems for more than
a couple of seconds,
making anyone near her
an unwilling psychia
trist. She is mostly
distraught Qver her
ordeal with her soon-to
be ex-husband Wib
Windust(played by
Ryan Wsdrig), a very
prominent man who $
seems to be responsible
Behrend students
in search of MLK’s
“Promised Land”
1968-2000: 32 Years After Dr.
King Have We Reached the
Promised Land?
This semester saw numerous celebrations at Penn State Behrend in
honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, which officially was on
Monday, January 17, 2000. Numerous campus organizations came
Ms. Dorothy
Smith, president of
the Erie chapter of
the National
Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). was the
night’s highlighted speaker, expressing her opinion that while America
is on its way to the “Promised Land,’ it still has a way to go before
seeing the light.
On Monday, Jan. 17, the day’s events began early with a symbolic
breakfast in Bruno’s. Dr. King traditionally began celebrating his day
of birth with a breakfast held with friends and family. Behrend
emulated this tradition with its own breakfast, held from 7:15 to 8:00
a.m., hoping to generate a communal spirit.
The events continued on Monday with a Writers Session from 2:00 -
3:15 p.m. with guest Sonia Sanchez. Sanchez is a frequently lauded
poet, activist, and lecturer, and is well-known in international circles. A
group of about 15 students gathered in Reed 1 14 to listen to Sanchez’
advice on writing and anecdotes of her childhood in New York C ity.
Shortly after Sanchez spoke at the Writer’s Session, she appeared as
the featured speaker at the All-College Celebration in the Reed
Commons at 4 p.m. Sanchez entertained the audience for almost the
entire allotted time, speaking of her views on not just racial equality,
but also on economic equality and the elimination of excessive wealth
and materialism.
Ending Monday’s events was a dinner at the Logan I louse with
Sanchez. Students, faculty, and staff packed the mansion, which was
filled just about to capacity with close to 40 participants, including
Provost and Dean Dr. John Lilley.
The last event of the week’s celebrations was the MLK Forum, held
in the Reed Lecture Hall on Tuesday, Jan. 18. The Forum was led by a
panel of students, faculty, staff, and community members. The panel of
six included Dr. Robert Sped, assistant professor of political science;
students Nick Carter and Melissa Davis; Tammy Furyesz, Residence
Life coordinator; and Gary Florton, assistant to Erie Mayor Joyce
Savocchio.
Initially, each member gave his or her views on the current trends and
situations for underrepresented groups in American society. After all
panelists had presented their views, the audience, as well as the panel, was
given the opportunity to comment on or call into question some of the
views brought forth. One of the main issues addressed was the validity
and usefulness of affirmative action.
Dinner for Six
Strangers kicks off
holiday season
On November 17, 1999, Behrend held its Twelfth Annual “Dinner
For Six Strangers” in the Reed Commons, a traditional holiday
celebration at the college. The idea behind the meal is to present
students and faculty with the opportunity to meet new people
on campus, and to partake of some holiday atmosphere.
Historically, the dinner was created in order to provide a sense of
community for those who would not be able to celebrate the Thanks
giving holiday at home with family and friends. Faculty and staff
would invite students to their own homes for Thanksgiving, sharing
their home and family with those who would be without during the
holidays. However, as the student body grew in the late 1980 s, this
setup became unfeasible, and the “Dinner for Six Strangers” as we
know it was bom.
More than 150 students, faculty, and staff participated in this year’s
dinner, including Dr. John Lilley, provost and dean. Tables were
intentionally integrated so that as few people as possible would know
the people they were sitting with.
Also present at the dinner was Suzanne Cascio, executive director
of the Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest Pennsylvania.
Toward the end of the dinner, Sarah Edwards, “Feed the Need”
coordinator, presented Cascio with a tally of 2,283 items of food for
the Second Harvest Food Bank. During the presentation, representa
tives for the organizations participating in the food drive followed
Edwards on stage to receive recognition for their efforts. Participat
ing organizations included Joint Residence Council, Lion Ambassa
dors, Multi-Cultural Council, Science and Success Freshman Semi
nar, Society of Undergraduate Economists, ROTC, Reality Check,
Delta Sigma Pi, Lambda Sigma, and the Beacon.
lorary events that focused on
ihments, and, especially, the
college sponsored a
Candlelight Vigil
which kicked off
the week's
celebrations. The
Vigil was held in
the Reed Commons
and began at
approximately 6:00
p.m.