March 1,2002 18 Pages, 2 sections Vol. XLIX " No. 22 • a < a nm State Erie: Studen ■■■ u- irucation * pennState Spring 2002 NEWS HOMOSEXUALITY FORUM The fourth weekly Multicultural Council forum addressed issues of homo- sexuality and organized religion. Read about it on page 2. CONCERT The Behrend Concert Band performed a spring concert last night under the direction of Dr. Gary Viebranz. See page 3. SUSTAINABILITY Behrend is making a concentrated effort to preserve the beauty of this campus and encourage students to be environ mentally conscious. Read about it on page 4. SPORTS MARCH MADNESS Test your college basket ball knowledge with the Behrend Beacon’s March Madness contest. Predict the winners and win a prize. See page 68. Behrend News. .. 1-4 Editorial...s National News... 6-7 Calendar... 6 Humor... 9 Features... lo A&E... 11 Health..A2 Sports.. .1-6 B NEWSROOM: 898-6488 FAX: 898-6019 E-MAIL: behrcolls@aol.com Offices are located downstairs in the Reed Union Building THON raises record-breaking $3.6 million by Jen Henderson staff writer Forty-eight hours of dancing, fundraising, and much-needed awareness for a worthwhile cause highlighted the Feb. 22- 24 event known as THON at Penn State’s University Park campus. THON, the world’s largest student-run philanthropy spon sored the event, which raised a record-breaking sum that will be used to help conquer child hood cancer. Approximately 660 dancers took part in THON, which raised $3,613,178.61 from their various sponsors. The money was gathered through various fundraisers that in cluded canning efforts, busi nesses and other sources. The total was almost $3,500 more than last year’s event. Each year THON seems to grow in attendance and strengthen its goal of helping those with can cer. . Penn State Behrend contrib uted to the event in a number of ways. Sara Davis and Lauren Vaught were elected to attend this year’s THON. The two showed their support for the cause through participating in the dancing, fundraising, and the fun that went on. Behrend alone added a total of $5,500. Brandi Hovis, SGA Presi dent, has nothing but praise for the event “It was another life-touching experience,” said Hovis. “Sara and Lauren did a wonderful job and their spirits were high. They did it for the kids!” “With all your heart...” was the theme of THON this year and that idea was displayed through the caring individuals who participated, donated, and attended the affair. Bands played continuously. Throughout the 48 hours there was no sitting or sleeping for any involved. However, time flew by due to the packed schedule that occurred and the visits and events prepared by celebrities, families, students, and children alike. A Tommy Hilfiger Fashion Show in which both Penn State Students and Four Diamonds children modeled, took place. A 1 so ip.emb?.rs:Qf .fi«<lHt MXY television shows, “The Road Rules” and “The Real World” attended the event to show their support. A family hour involved chil dren and parents sharing their own personal stories and their bouts with cancer. Line dances were taught to the crowds and Participants in this year’s THON celebrate breaking last year’s record of money earned. THON is the largest student-run philanthropic event in the world and benefits children with cancer. repeated hourly with chants that kept them moving. The amazing support and participation that occurred at this year’s THON helps to show that despite all of the problems that society has had to face lately there are still people out there taking time out to help those around them. The $3.6 million raised will go towards comprehensive Storytelling a life-long love for English professor Pancake by Lori DeFabio staff writer Dr. Ann Pancake, Associate Professor of Creative Writing and Literature, has published many of her writings, including “Given Ground,” a 2000 Bakeless Prize winner. Pancake, who grew up in West Virginia, spent much of her childhood telling stories in her head, before she was even able to read or write. “My father was a preacher, so I spent many hours in church, where I was usually bored,” said Pancake. “To entertain myself, I told myself stories in my head.” The pastime that she enjoyed may have been the key that inspired her to become interested in writing. Five years after getting her B.A. in English at West Virginia University, Dr. Pancake went to the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, to get her M.A. in English. From there, she received her Ph.D. in English from the University of Washington. Why did Pancake choose to work in Erie after she has seen so many other schools? “I came to Behrend because I liked the other people in the English department whom I met during my interview, and I liked the description of the student profile,” said Pancake. “I also came here because it’s within a day’s drive of West Virginia which is where I grew up and where much of my writing is set. It’s important for me to able to get down there fairly regularly.” Pancake enjoys writing creative nonfiction the most, which is why she is lucky that she is able to teach a PANCAKE continued on page 2 care and support for pediatric cancer patients and their fami lies. It will also enable more research at Penn State Univer sity Children’s Hospital at Hershey Medical Center. THON, in its history, has raised roughly $2O million through the annual work of more than 4,000 collective stu dents. The Four Diamonds Fund, another valuable organi zation, frequently assists Dr. Ann Pancake signs a copy of her book following her fiction reading Thursday night. Her most recent publication is “Given Ground.” Provost search update Penn State President Graham Spanier and Dr. Rodney Erickson will continue the search for the new Provost and Dean of Penn State Erie, The Behrend College. The extensive feedback received on the candidates did not produce a consensus choice. They therefore believe it is in the best interests of the College to extend the search. During the next several weeks, they will seek to identify additional candidates by revisiting other nominations and applications, as well as further networking activities. If other candidates are identified, they will work with the Search Committee to bring them forward. If these efforts are not successful this spring, they will reconstitute the Search Committee in a few months, and plan to bring additional candidates to campus early in the Fall Semester. Dr. Jack Burke, Interim Provost and Dean, has very graciously agreed to continue to serve until such time as the position is filled on a permanent basis. PHOTO COURTESY OF GREG GRIECO THONwith its fundraising ef forts. Four Diamonds was started by the Milliard family in memory of their 14-year-old son, Christopher, who died from cancer. The organization is also a group that raises can cer awareness and is finding ways to help those in need. This year marks 30 years of THON and Four Diamonds working together.
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