The Behrend Beacon
„„.
October 3, 2003
14 Pages
) n 0 013
Vol. LI bEHR EN No. 4
Where did the
by Ryan Russell
advertising manager
Recently, students discovered that two of the
stop signs at the Jordan Road intersection have
been removed. Anyone traveling on Jordan Road
now has the right-of-way when it comes to
entering and exiting campus.
Students pulling out of College Drive from the
commuter parking lots, NIC parking or anyplace
else down that road are now expected to wait until
all oncoming traffic has cleared the way.
As far hack as students can remember, the
intersection has always had four stop signs. Then,
approximately two weeks ago. they vanished. This
move had been planned for quite a while,
according to Dan Pellergini. who headed up the
PennDOT construction efforts in and around
Behrend.
"That intersection was never meant to he a
permanent four- way stop," he said. "It was set up
that way only during the time that PennDOT was
working in the area. Since we are done, Jordan
Parents and Families
weekend planned
by Justin Plansinis
stall writer
This weekend is Penn State Erie's annual Parents
and Families Weekend, and an incredible lineup of
events has been organized for the occasion. The
weekend starts with the Harambee dinner on Friday
evening and extends through brunch on Sunday
afternoon.
"It's actually an historical event that's been going
on for quite a few years,'' said Michelle Barhich,
who works for the Office of Student Activities.
"Basically it brings the families onto the campus.
As you know, Behrend has a very family-oriented
feel anyway amongst the students, so it's a nice fit."
In the McGarvey Commons at 5:30 p.m. on
Friday is the Harambee dinner, sponsored by the
Multicultural Council. Harambee is Swahilifor
"Let us all pull together: V‘hich originated in Kenya
as a slogan for national unity. Behrend uses the
tradition as a way to unite the campus as a
celebration of diversity.
In the Wintergarden Lobby of the Reed Union
Building at 8 p.m. is casino night hosted by the
National Society of Black Engineers. Attendees
can come play blackjack, craps and slot machines.
The prizes to he won are quite real, but the money
used is not. Prizes include a DVD player, a stereo,
gift certificates to restaurants and the Behrend
bookstore
In Bruno's Cafe at 9 p.m. on Friday is a concert
featuring a group called the Berlin Project. The I ion
Entertainment Board (FEB) organized this project.
This band has shared the stage with such hands as
Everclear and Green Day.
On Saturday, check-in for all visiting families and
friends will he from 8 a.m. until I I a.m. in the Reed
Union Building Wintergarden Lobby.
From 8:30 a.m. until 9:45 a.m. on Saturday,
students and their families can have breakfast with
Dr. Jack Burke, campus executive officer and dean,
in the Logan House. A free continental breakfast
will be served.
In Reed 114 at 10 a.m. on Saturday is an update
on the state of the college. Burke will cover current
issues and future plans.
"Parents can meet with Jack Burke and talk to
him about the progression and growth of the
campus," said Barbich.
From 10:30 a.m. until noon on Saturday is a
walking history tour of the campus. The tour will
cover the facilities and the histories behind many
of the names. 'Fours will depart continuously from
the Reed Union Building front entrance.
In Reed 113 from I 1 a.m. until noon, the Learning
Resource Center is giving a presentation on the
study abroad program.
For anyone interested in astronomy, the telescopic
observation of the sun may be of interest.
Demonstrations run continuously from noon until
2 p.m in the Mehalso Observatory. This is your
opportunity to observe the sun through a solar
NEWS 1-4 CALENDAR 8
EDITORIAL 5 FEATURES 9
NAT'L CAMPUS NEWS 6-7 A&E 10
SEM
Inside
• Check out the Greek and Health pages•
Road reverted hack to being a township road. -
This means that Jordan Road is no longer a state
road; it belongs to Harborcreek Township.
Basically, Harborcreek Township decided to ha\ e
only two stop signs.
Students seem to he embracing the new setup,
which is just the latest of many changes going on
around campus
As a commuter, Tom Szymanowski, a seventh
semester communication major, welcomed the
change. "It seemed too congested with four stop
he said. "Things seem to 'time easier, not
having to wait for two Other cars to stop, not
having to negotiate who got there first and
whatnot. It helps keep traffic moving when all you
want to do is get home.-
Jason Olshetski, a senior finance major who
lives on campus, also greeted the change with open
arms. He sees a few drawbacks that could occur
during the first few weeks as Behrend students
again become accustomed to yet another new
traffic pattern in what is already a rather confusing
continued on page 3
telescope under the direction of Dr. Darren
Williams, assistant professor of physics and
astronomy
In Erie Hall at noon, scholarship recipients will
he honored ith special awards and lunch. This
event is by invitation only.
- We are set at 495 people and we have a waiting
li,t of hehAeen lOU and 150 people that we just
couldn't accommodate in Erie Hall, - said Barhich.
For those not able to attend the scholarship
luncheon, there is an old-fashioned picnic lunch in
the Wilson Picnic Grove from noon until 1:30 p.m.
"I he rood is tree and so are the activities.
A large portion of Saturday will he used for family
tun activities. These will he held on the Reed Union
Building front law n. Student organizations can do
und-raisers here on campus during this time
without the usual paperwork involved in organizing
a fundraiser. Events include a caricaturist, games,
a petting zoo and more. In the event of rain, the
events will he held in the McGarvey Commons.
It is going to he a little chilly on Saturday, hut
anytime is a good time for ice cream: therefore, the
Penn State 13ehrend Alumni Society is hosting an
ice cream social from 3:15 p.m. until 4:15 p.m. on
the Reed Front Lawn. University Creamery ice
cream will he served on the front lawn. In the event
of rain, ice cream will he served in the Reed Union
13uilding Wintergarden.
In the Smith Chapel from 4:30 p.m. until 5:3()
p.m. is a tree demonstration of the Smith Chapel
From 6 p.m. until 8 p.m. in the McGarvey
Commons, the Murder Mystery Dinner will he held.
Tickets could have been pre-ordered, but they are
also available on a first-come, first served basis.
The cost is $l2 for adults and $6 for children ages
6-12. Ages 5 and under are free. Students with a
meal plan may use their meal cards for their dinner.
There is room for 250 seats and only 212 people
pre-ordered so there are still spaces open if you
come early.
From 8 p.m. until I() p.lll. in Bruno's Cafe, the
LEI 3 kicks oil its tall coffeehouse series with
acoustic guitarists Syd and Eric Hyman.
At 8:30 p.m, at the Behrend Intramural Fields,
Penn State I3ehrend and Harborcreek Township
Present the World-Famous Zambelli Fireworks. The
fireworks were delayed from orientation weekend.
The fireworks program coincides with the
Harborcreek Bicentennial homecoming parade.
With funding from Harborcreek, Behrend was able
to extend the fireworks by almost 12 minutes
creating an impressive I 7-minute fireworks show.
At 9:30 p.m. in Reed 1 17, the Lion Entertainment
Board will show "The Hulk''.
On Sunday. the Smith Chapel will hold a
Protestant Interdenominational Service at 9:30 a.m.
A Catholic Mass will be held at 11 a.m.
Sunday brunch will be offered in Dobbins Hall
from I I a.m. until 1 p.m. Meals can he purchased
on a cash basis or by using meal plan cards.
GREEK 11
HEALTH 12
SPORTS 13-14
stop signs go?
End Zone Summit
hosted by NSBE
by Brian Mitchell
Sian 11 TALI
Last weekend. the National Society of Black
Engineers (NSI3E) hosted the End lone Summit,
a conference held e‘ery year at one of the local
Hui knell University. Penn State
University Park, the link ersity ol Pittsburgh and
the University of West Virginia. The events at
the conference consisted of a sere ice project. a
job search workshop, a discussion about an
upcoming conference in Alexandria. Va.. and an
engineering competition
Friday night after the shin+. in Bruno's, Iteluend
students met students from the Unikersity of
Pittsburgh and dron e to Perkins tor a midnight
snack. On the ‘vay to Perkins. Vernon Whartt, a
student from Rucknell. said, "Out of this event. I
hope to get e‘eryone on the same goal. prepare
everyone for tall regionals and ghe everyone
background on NSIIF." This gave Bchrend
students a chance to get to know them and learn
about their colleges and universities.
Saturday morning, the students from the
University of Pittsburgh. Carnegie Mellon
University, and University Palk and had breakfast
in the Multi-Cultural Resource ('enter. After
breakfast, members from the Erie Heights and
Franklin YMCAs came to the college for some
activities. After introductions, the member., were
broken into groups to begin the actin hies.
One group stayed in the Multi-Cultural
Resource Center and played'Taboo kN. hile the
other group went to krie Hall and played kickball.
During "Taboo. the group often argued NA ith the
referee about kkhether certain points counted or
not. The attendees had a pretty good time ss ith
'Yahoo.
When both teams finished playing. the teams
switched events. James Cochel, an eighth grade
student from Eric Heights, said, "Kickball was
my favorite activity this morning. - On their way
out, NSI3E issued each of them a Penn State
Behrend poster as a way to remember their visit
at Behrend. Jake
Hallman, a counselor at
one of the YMCAs, said,
- The kids had a really
good time and hope to
come back again...
After the children
left, the members
headed out to lunch.
After lunch, seminars
were held in Reed 114.
The first workshop was
a job search seminar.
"How to sell yourself in
three minutes''. Andrew
Watters taueht students
how to approach
companies at job fairs.
He gave their a
presentation that taught
how to approach a
company: preparation
NEWSROOM: 898-6488 E-MAIL: Offices are located
FAX: 898-6019 behrcolls@aol.corn downstairs in the
Reed Union Building
PHOTO SUBMITTED BY DANTE SPAIN
NSBE members from Behrend, University Park, Bucknell
Univeristy, Carnegie Mellon University, University of West Virginia
and the University cf Pittsburgh take a break from their day of
activities in the Reed Union Building.
'D COLLEGE
LIBRARY
communication and followup. Many students
learned a lot from this presentation. President of
NSl3l'. Dante Spain (FEL 071 said. "I believe it
is important to know how to present yourself at a
career fair, and I think Mr. :Winters cleared up a
lot of questions and doubts on ‘N hat to do at a
career fair.-
Next, Gilbert Dussek spoke about the
upcoming fall regional conference and a
background on NSI3F. The NSBE fall regional
conference, held in Alexandria on Halloween
weekend, consists of a masquerade dance on
Halloween night, a ariety of workshops, a step
show and outings to famous places in the
Washington, D.C., area, and other interesting
events.
Alter the two workshops, students broke od .
into Ike groups fora bridge competition. Each
team had to constructdn an limn, a sturdy bridge
that was able to hold as touch weight as possible.
The bridges were tested by putting weight on top.
pound by pound, to see whose bridge held the
most weight. Team two's bridge won. This ev ent
tested the participant's knowledge of engineering.
Atter the bridge contest, the members v,ent
()Id Country 13ultet for dinner. During dinner.
many students talked about the summit and N,~ hat
a good experience it was.
This summit was a good opportunity the meet
other chapters of NSIiF. and sec him, other c
board members arc like. It also taught me tic \\
perspectketi of 1101 k to approach joh lairs, a nd it
was a chance tor me to see other N 5131.: inci nhcrs
and how they connect with other chapters, - Wharf
said.
After dinner, the other colleges dr one hack io
campus with better knowledge of job search and
NSBE. Region Two End Zone Coordinator :ind
Carnegie Mellon student Gilbert Dussek
commended the Behrend chapter of NSI3I:, stating
"Looking hack. I cannot think of a more
successful End Zone Summit. You are to he
commended for all the hard work and planning
put into this past weekend."
Penndot removed
stopsigns from
Jordan Road to
convert it back
into a township
road.
PHOTO BY
COURTNEY
STRAUB