THE BEHREND
EACON
~o0 °" "w 4?
A Penn State Erie Student Publication
PENNSTATE
Erie
FALL 2001
PAGES 8-9
WHERE DO YOU LIVE?
What's better living in
the residence halls, or
living off campus? Find out
what fellow students have
to say in this week's hous
ing supplement.
PAGE 11
ANOTHER REASON NOT
TO GO TO CLASS
A review of new games
available for Sony
Playstation and Playstation
2 provide a whole new
reason to avoid those
pesky classes.
PAGE.I3
RIDING IN CARS WITH
BOYS
Drew Barrymore shows the
world how to be grateful for
mistakes once regretted.
Behrend News...l-4
National News...s
Editorial... 6-7
Housing Suppl... B-9
Features...lo-11
Calendar...l2
A&E...13
Sports...l4-16
iliCi
NEWSROOM: 898-6488
FAX: 898-6019
E-MAIL:
behrcolls@aol.com
Offices are located
downstairs
in the Reed Union Building
Vol. XLIX No. 11
New H&FS managers foresee future of Behren
Two new faces arrive at Housing and Food
Services: Randy Geering and Michael Lindner
by Erin McCarty
assistant news editor
Behrend's Housing and Food Services is under
the new management of Randy Geering, who
graduated from Penn State with a degree in hotel,
restaurant and institutional management in 1989.
(leering has worked in food service for most of
his life, with duties ranging from dishwashing to
supervising kitchens and dining rooms to
managing operations. His work for Penn State
began in October 1998 when he took a position
with the Housing and Food Services office at Penn
State Berks-Lehigh Valley in Reading. Pa.
"My family and I are very impressed with
Behrend and Erie," said (leering. "The college is
guided with the spirit of cooperation. There is
much to do in and around the area which will brine
many years of enjoyment and opportunity to
myself and family.
"The housing and food industr is constant!)
changing. as well as the college." Goering added.
Although he has made only small changes so
far, he foresees many dynamic opportunities at
Behrend in the near future.
"With the addition of new facilities and more
hed space, the Perry renovation, the complexion
of the campus will change, and the Housing and
Food Services department will grow and change
as well.
"I would welcome suggestions and ideas from
students if there are things that they feel we could
Porac anticipates new role
by Erin McCarty
assistant news editor
- 1 miss doing what I really love:
working with students and doing
research in the field of psychology;
commented Dr. ('lare Porac. ho
recently announced her resignation as
director of the School of Humanities
and Social Sciences.
Although she has been able to teach
one class -- History and Systems of
Psychology -- in addition to fulfilling
her duties as school director, Porac
says the demands of the position have
not allowed her to be as active as she
would like. Now that she will be
moving into a full-time faculty
position, she will have many more
opportunities to interact with students
and to concentrate on her research.
She already has several grant
proposals which she intends to write.
having not had ample time to prepare
them while working as school
director.
The answer: What is
Political Science Jeopardy?
by Paige Miles
interim managing editor
And the question is: What event was held in Reed 117
Thursday night.
Political Science Jeopardy, hosted by Dr. Robert Sped I,
associate professor of political science.
took place for the third year in a row.
Adding a patriotic ring to this year's
contest, a flag that had previously flown
over the United States Capitol adorned
the background.
A quiz was given to audience members
who wanted to participate with questions
about governors and senators of different
states, state capitals, and members of the
United Nations. The nine top scorers
qualified to play the actual game.
Each of the three games involved three
contestants. The best of the three
advanced to the final game. Each game
consisted of three rounds—first round.
double jeopardy, and final jeopardy.
Dave Beicher won the first round with
the final category of Religion and
Politics; Troy Frederick won in the
do better... added (leering, who is ready to work
with the Behrend communit\.
As he prepared for the work ahead. Deering
acknowledged the good work of his predecessor.
[Mulfingerl is hard working, diligent.
honorable and fair.-
Mulfinger has moved on to State College, but
said he won't forget his time at Behrend.
"After spending seven years as the manager of
I lousing and Food Services at Behrend 1 miss
the employees and the students. - said Mulfinger,
who is now Housing and Food Manager for
l'niversity Park. "One forges life-long
relationships at Behrend and although I do not
visit as much as I would like I always feel
welcome at Behrend because that is what Behrend
is all about.
"I am pleased we have Randy (leering at
Behrend College. - Mulfinger continued. "He has
great strengths that will enhance the management
team at Penn State Erie. His experience in fine
dining and his experience at Penn State Berks
prior to this appointment at Behrend make him
an asset to our operation. He is committed to the
welfare of our students and customers and cares
about our successes.-
(leering, meanwhile. credits the Behrend
community with making his task especially
enjoyable
NEW H&FS MANAGERS
continued on page 3
It's a hig job. - she said. "With 66
full-time faculty. a larger and more
diverse group than is found in the
other schools, it's very demanding.-
"I love working
with the new
faculty. They are
very good, very
enthusiastic."
I)itcitot I Itimnillo.
;Ind SOCIZII StlerlCCS
Dealing with the diversity of
interests and backgrounds of the
faculty has been both a rewarding and
difficult task. Since 1999, when Porac
came to Behrend to assume the role
second round with American Political History; and
Steve Webb took the third with Nobel Peace Prizes.
Two of three finalists. Webb and Frederick, were
POLITICAL SCIENCE JEOPARDY
continued on page 3
Steve Webb, Dave Beichner, and Troy Frederick were the three
finalists in this year's Political Science Jeopardy. Webb, last
year's champion, won again. All nine partiLlpants received $25
gift certificates to Erie businesses.
November 9, 2001
of school director. 15 new full-time
faculty have been added. The
challenge of her recruiting efforts paid
off when these excellent new faculty
members were found.
"I love working with the new
faculty," Porac said. "They are very
good, very enthusiastic."
One of her other great successes has
been increasing school spirit in
Humanities and Social Sciences. Her
efforts toward achieving this goal
have included instituting the annual
!MSS report for alumni of the school,
setting up the display cases
showcasing tile publications of I ISS
facult), and nominating faculty for
Unix ersity awards. She has also
assisted in getting raises for faculty
when possible.
"I wits always very sorry to see
faculty resign," said Porac. The
departures of several outstanding
PORAC'S NEW ROLE
( Tarr Potai
PHOTO BY JEFF HANKEY
Randy Geering has replaced Ed Mulfinger as the manager of Housing and Food
Services at Behrend. Geering will oversee all housing and food operations at
Behrend, from food selections at Dobbins and Bruno's to housing renovations in
Perry Hall. Providing assistance will be Michael Lindner,new manager of Bruno's.
continued on page 3
Search continues for
provost and dean
by Erinn Hansen
staff writer
Penn State Behrend is on the hunt
for a new provost and dean after Dr.
John Lilley resigned last spring,
having served the campus for 21
years. A provost is the chief executive
and academic officer for the campus,
functioning similarly to the president
of Penn State. The provost's role is to
represent the community, as well as
the rest of the University.
"The provost has to earn a Ph.D. as
well as a degree in teaching, and has
to he a strong academic leader," said
Dr. Jack Burke, who is currently the
interim provost and dean until a new
one is hired. "The provost needs to
have a vision for the future, set
policies, and interact with the students
as much as possible, especially with
fundraising," he added.
A search committee consisting of
students, faculty, staff, and
administration was created during the
summer with the huge task of finding
Behrend a new leader. There have
only been three executive officers in
the school's 53-year history, and the
new provost will have to live up to
high expectations.
The committee is especially
interested in someone who is
committed to teaching and learning',
so interacting with the students is
important.
The search committee itself
consists of 14 members, including Dr.
William Cale. chairperson and CEO
and dean of Penn State Altoona:
Robert Sector. vice provost for
academic affairs at University Park:
Lisa Harrington. a Behrend staff
assistant; and Christopher Reber,
associate provost for advancement
and university relations at Behrend.
The committee also includes
undergraduate student Nicole Cipriani
and graduate student David Rose. as
well as eight faculty and staff
members. These members include Dr.
Kenneth Fisher, professor of
engineering; Dr. Victoria Kazmerski,
associate professor of psychology: Dr.
John Rossi, associate professor of
history: Dr. Katheryn Wolfe,
professor of French; Dr. Peggy Lee,
16 Pages
associate professor of management:
Dr. John Mageneau, director of the
School of Business; Dr. Pam Silver.
associate professor of biology: and Dr.
Chuck Yeung, associate professor of
physics.
The purpose of the search
committee is to identify, through a
national search, four individuals who
possess the academic and
administrative qualifications to be
successful as provost and dean of
Penn State Behrend. Followin
campus interviews, appointment of
the new provost and dean is officially
made by Dr. Rodney Erickson, senior
vice president and provost of Penn
State.
"Candidates typically submit a
cover letter and a detailed resume. -
said Cale. Erickson then seeks to
balance the committee with sensitivity
to academic rank and consultant
groups
There is a certain process that the
search committee uses to hire a
provost. "Our committee is verN
thoughtful and engaged on this search
process," said Cale.
First, an announcement about thi
position is sent to various outlets with
national visibility. Second, there is a
screening of the candidate pool by the
search committee to identify a
semifinalist group. Third. face-to-face
interviews with the semifinalists are
conducted at a neutral location.
usually at a hotel near a major airport .
Next, the candidates' references are
screened. Then, the search committee
selects finalists, conducts open
interviews at Behrend, and holds a
meeting with central administrators at
University Park. At the point of the
campus interviews, the two student
members will have ample opportunity
to meet and interview the finahsts. as
well. Last but not least, there is the
final selection. According to Cale. this
process usually takes about six to
seven months before a new provost
is hired.
The search process is moving along
quite well, and the committee is dow n
to a list that consists of nine to I()
PROVOST SEARCH
continued,on page 3