!V\( I,\ Creative writer waxes poetic Behrend *** to ™ oN 'V by Libbie Johnson by Abby Long assistant sports editor A parody of the creation of earth opened the evening as Marilyn Krysl, poet and author, spoke at Behrend on Wednesday, November 15, in the Reed Lecture Hall. Krysl was featured as part of the Creative Writers Speaker Series. This short story and poetry reading was popular among students and faculty, as there were very few empty seats in the lecture hall. Some students, including Sarah Morrow, attended the reading because, “I’m taking a women’s studies class.” Others came “with friends” like Bryan Trombetta. ; Krysl opened the evening with ;the short story “Extinct Species,” •which was a parody of creation. Pizza Outlet Bohraal College Special Large One Topping Pizza and 2 cans of soda for 4055 Buffalo Road 897-1818 STUDENT ID REQUIRED] She chose to approach this story with parody because, like parody it amuses me.” Many poems were also included reading, such as “Erotic,” “Blessing,” “Manifesto," and “Water and Salt.” Student Amy Wilczynski preferred “Treat Us on Beauty, $7” NOW HIRING Full and Part Time Flexible Hours Competitive Wages Speaker Marilyn Krysl reads to the audience gathered in Reed 117 on Wednesday, Novemberls. Fairness, Honesty, and Possession.” Wilczynski enjoyed this reading because she felt Krysl was very easy to follow. From working at a university, to serving in the Peace Brigade in Sri Lanka, Krysl has had many experiences to inspire her writing. Picking a single event that has most inspired her was impossible, in fact: “Lots of things, events, people, countless things,” she said. Another interesting experience Krysl participated in was helping the sick at Mother Teresa’s house in Calcutta. Her concern for world humanity was quite evident in her short stories and poems. Krysl has written several books including, How to Accommodate Men, Midwife and Other Poems on NEWS Caring, War-scape with Lovers, and More Palomino, Please, More Fuschia. She was also one of many contributing writers to The Best American Short Stories. A story reflecting on the tribulations a woman in Sri Lanka experienced was the basis of her favorite story, “The Thing Around Them.” Krysl enjoyed reading to this large audience. “I loved it! It was a very responsive audience.” She is one of a series of visiting writers that have and will be speaking at Behrend in this speaker series. Wendell Mayo and Stephen Dunn will speak at Behrend this spring. The 2000- 2001 Creative Writers Speaker Series is sponsored by the Clarence and Eugenie Smith Fund. Learning Resource Center here to help by Christine Kleck associate editor When next entering the library, look up; there Ruth Pflueger, Learning Resource Center coordinator, can be seen hard at work in her office. This beneficial department, located on the second floor of the Library, is home to Behrend’s tutoring services, Supplemental Instruction (SI) programs, and many Education Abroad opportunities, as well as several workshops and resource services. Students Amy Super and Rob Weis take advantage of the the learning environment at the Learning Resource Center. “One of the goals of The Learning Resource Center is to make the transition from high school to college as easy and painless as we possibly can,” Pflueger said. “We like to catch kids before they damage their GPA.” Pflueger works with students individually on their study skills. She has also been known to speak to the various First-Year Seminar classes as well as several groups and PHOTO BY LIZ HAYES staff writer THON, Penn State’s 48-hour dance marathon, is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world. THON raises money for the Four Diamonds Fund, a comprehensive fund that alleviates expenses for children treated at the Pennsylvania State University Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, the first ever children’s cancer research center. The 48-hour dance will be held from 7:00 p.m. February 16 to 7:00 p.m. February 18, in the Recreation Building, commonly known as the Rec Hall, at University Park. More than 600 dancers are expected to participate. The families and children with cancer who are involved with the program will also attend the dance marathon so that the dancers and volunteers will have an opportunity to interact with the people they are raising money for. The Dance Marathon is the main fundraiser for the Four Diamonds Fund, but students participate in fundraising activities throughout the year. Students also raise money by solicitation and fundraising activities sponsored by organizations. Only two dancers from each Penn State campus attend THON; Behrend will send the two people who raise the most money before December 4. The theme for this year’s dance a-thon is “Within Reach.” Kelly Croce, the University public relations chair for the dance marathon, said, “we felt that ‘Within Reach’ encompassed so much. We are within reach of fulfilling our $5 million commitment [to the research center], we are within reach of a cure for childhood cancer, we are within reach of dancing for 48 hours...it can mean different things to different people, but it’s all about striving for a goal.” Brandi Hovis, a fifth semester organizations on the importance of time management and how to adapt to college life. She also emphasizes the benefits of studying abroad during the summer and during student breaks to broaden backgrounds, and to make students more well rounded and prepared for their careers. “We are trying to get more students involved in the Education Abroad program, because it is beneficial, it’s the opportunity of a lifetime, and it is more affordable than most students think,” Pfluger commented. PHOTO BY BECKY WEINDORF this year, the LRC has expanded their drop-in tutoring hours and their resources to tend to and accommodate as many students’ needs as possible. The LRC is now home to the Behrend Honors and Schreyers Scholars program under the direction of Dr. John Gamble and assisted by Patty Conboy. Recently the SI Program expanded as well. This international program has been helping college FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 17,2000 management major, is overseeing Behrend’s participation in THON. Her personal goal for this year is to promote awareness of THON. She hopes that next year Behrend students will be more excited about the event. A committee has been formed that meets every week to discuss fundraising ideas. Hovis feels the benefits of participating in THON include being involved with all the campuses and working with people to raise money for the children with cancer. She said THON “opens your eyes to how many people have cancer.” The committee is selling shirts to publicize THON. THON is printed on the front of the shirt and Sabrina Caruthers, a Four Diamonds patient, is quoted on the back: “You only have to endure 48 hours in order to offer future hope and dreams to all those children struggling with cancer.” The shirts are available for $lO. Those interested in purchasing the shirts can stop in the SGA Office or contact Hovis. Another fundraising activity planned for the THON is “canning.” December 1-3, students will collect money in cans at Summit Township. Students can sign up for rides at the RUB Desk. Other projects include collecting pledges, writing letters to local businesses, clubs, and organizations, and door-to-door solicitation. Students can also fill out credit card applications for MBNA America. If accepted, $2O will be donated. Those interested in donating money or volunteering in any of the fundraising activities can contact Hovis at blhl6l @ psu.edu or x 6863. Students are invited to attend THON meetings every Thursday at 5:00 in the SGA office. For further information on THON, visit www.thon.org or email questions to thon@psu.edu. students increase their performance and retention for over 20 years. Behrend is proud to provide this assistance program to students through the LRC. The SI program helps students with particularly difficult classes, so that withdrawls and low grades in those classes are kept to a minimum. The program provides struggling students with scheduled peer sessions that are out of class and more personal. The meetings include students in a particular class that are ranked at all different academic levels, and they usually take place in or near the classroom where the actual class normally meets. The service is voluntary and free to anyone attending that particular class. The LRC is also noted for its peer tutors. “These students are very generous with their time, and they know what they are doing. A lot of them have had the same instructors that you might have now, so they can clue you in on some tips and tricks,” Pflueger said. The various tutors fall under the categories of math, writing, and other. The LRC has a tutor from every school, and if a tutor from a particular area or class is needed, the LRC is willing to find one. Being a tutor also has its benefits, including personal satisfaction, better understanding of the material studied, and excellent credentials for a resume or an interview. “It s really a win-win situation for all who participate in the program,” Pflueger said. Information, hours, and locations for the tutor and the SI programs are available in the LRC, or by e mailing Ruth Pflueger at rcpl@psu.edu, or calling x 6418. Also, visit the LRC website at www.pserie.psu.edu/learnctr for more information on all that the Learning Resource Center has to offer.
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