behrcolls@aol.com
Q iron
of the week
by Jen Henderson, associate editor
"Yes, she should go to jail."
Amy McElhaney
Psychology, 05
Fraterrigo joins Behrend English Department
by Kassi Hindman
staff writer
Every year Penn State Behrcnd welcomes many
new faces. This year is no exception. One of the
many new faculty members is Melissa Fratenigo,
who joined the English department. You may have
her as a professor if you take English 15, rhetoric
and composition, English 262, Reading Fiction
or English 50.
Fraterrigo grew up in a suburb outside of
Chicago. She attended the University of lowa
before going to graduate school at Bowling Green
Soup for the Soul discuss
sheltering the homeless
by Erinn Hansen
calendar page editor
On Thursday, students, faculty, and staff gathered
in the Smith Chapel for the fifth of this semester's
Soup for the Soul.
This week's series, entitled "Shelter the
Homeless," presented Sister Marie Eileen and
Vaughn Hewitt who talked about St. Patrick's
Haven.
"St. Pat's is a shelter to get men off of the streets
at night so they will have a warm place to stay,"
said Sister Eileen. "Most of our money we use
conies from donations from people in the
community."
St. Pat's was started when a man was found lying
on street grates in order to keep warm. Workers
never used to get paid for this program, however, a
few years ago it was decided that minimum wage
was to he paid. It can hold 23 people 21 men and
two managers and feeds people on Saturdays
because the Soup kitchen is closed.
The event then featured Hewitt, who spoke about
his life and experience at St. Patrick's. Three years
ago, he was an alcoholic and things were not going
right for him.
"I got myself so far down in a hole, that I felt like
I had no way out," said Hewitt. Sister Eileen then
offered him the job to work at St. Pat's that he
volunteered to take. The first year was a little rough
for him, but he made it through ok. It was during
his second year that he began to understand people
PHOTO BY HEATHER MYERS / BEHREND BEACON
Sister Marie Eileen shares her experience about working at St. Patrick's Haven Thursday. Also
speaking was Vaughn Hewitt, who was aided by the shelter.
. A
t
z
t e,
"Whatever the law states. She
shouldn't get an easy rap just
because she's a movie star."
Gerald A. Stevens
Managment, 10
State University. Although this is her first year at
Behrend it is not her first time Working for Penn
State. Out of college, she was a writer and resident
at Penn State Altoona. As she put it, "I wrote a lot
and taught a little.-
Her teaching career began as a high school
English teacher. She also taught seventh grade
while she was taking writing classes. However,
she learned that teaching seventh grade was just
skimming the surface of writing. She wanted to
go into more depth with her students. The answer
to this conflict was to teach at the collegiate level.
Her first job as a professor was at Southern Utah
and that the place was no joke. What helped him
come around was a prayer titled "Just Hang On"
that he said and still says today. After three years of
working at St. Pat's, he has completely changed
from when he first started, and has been sober ever
This week's Soup for the Soul was a huge success,
and the audience's reaction showed.
"It was interesting to hear his perspective on it
because you get a sense of what is happening, - said
Jen Kuntz, student at Behrend.
Soup for the Soul, directed by Sister Mary
Drexler, coordinator of Catholic Campus Ministry,
and Lynn McNeil, coordinator of Protestant
Campus Ministry, was started last spring during
Lent.
"It is an opportunity for faculty, staff, and students
to gather for education and community building,
around a particular topic," said Drexler. "It has been
a wonderful program that has responded to a need
on campus for this type of event."
Soup for the Soul attracts between 20 and 30
people, and occurs for six weeks a semester. It uses
the Corporal Works of Mercy for each of its themes,
featuring different speakers who work in each of
the subjects, while providing free lunch to all that
attend. Lunch included cream of mushroom soup,
hamburger stew, rolls, water, and tea.
The last of this semester's Soup for the Soul will
take place next Thursday at noon in the Smith
Chapel, and will feature Reverend Charles
McClung, who will present "Visit the Imprisoned."
Friday, November 1, 2002
"No, because you have your
average non-superstar person, who
has committed the same crime and
receives a small court infraction of
community service or a
. fint
Justin Bloyd
History, 03
alk
University, where she also taught English.
Fraterrigo has a one year contract with Penn
State Behrend.
When asked about what she likes about
Behrend she said, "I like the students here. They
arc interested in learning and are always
questioning things." Besides teaching English she
also enjoys writing her own fiction. She has
published many short stories.
Teaching three classes occupies most of her
time. However, when she is not busy with her
teaching or writing she also enjoys swimming.
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United
exceeds
(From left) Alan Perez, president of United Way of Erie County; Brenda Bane, operator in the
MISC Copy Center; Dr. James Kurre, associate professor of economics; and Ken Miller, direc
tor of Student Affairs, unveil the grand total for Behrend's United Way campaign. The goal of
raising $40,000 was exceeded by more than $7,000, thanks to the donations of faculty, staff,
and students.
This year saw an increased amount of student involvement. Although about the same num
ber of people donated as last year, most donors gave more money.
Everyone who donated was automatically entered in a raffle, regardless of how much they
gave. Especially large donations made donors eligible for grand prizes, including a new car
and a shopping spree.
Although the incentives were a nice bonus, "We hope people donate because they care,"
said Bane. She said that there was a greater need this year because of the economic situation
in Erie.
"Ninety-nine percent of the money stays in Erie," Bane said. "It's an agency that does a lot of
good. You never know when you might need assistance."
"Yes, because if it were anyone .
else they would No to jail."
•
•
Wendy Rihel •
Communications, 09
Way
goal
The Behrend Beacon
"Yes, just because she is a
ce/ebritv it shoiddn't mean
aril/think"
Ross Klingensmith
Software Engineering, 01
camping, traveling, and spending time with hci
family and friends.
She has two pieces of advice for the students at
Behrend
Fnjoy college. It will not last forevei
"Pay attention and look specifically at who
aspects of classes you like when you are choosin
a career path, - said Fraterrigo.
PHOTO BY JEFF HANKEY / BEHREND BEACON
campaign
Page 3
she said