Friday, April 8, 2005 What is your snow storm horror story? "I just stayed in my house all day." Tonya Bonner, PSHBS 02 Plastics Professor Pursues Further Education By Leah Frame contributing writer Martin J. Dropik, lecturer in Engineering, is currently enrolled as a full time student at University Park in order to com plete his master's degree in engineering. "Marty Dropik is one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet," said Bill Zore PLET 08. Since his 1998 teaching debut at Behrend, Dropik has made a great impact on the lives and careers on his students through his compassionate attitude and hands on teaching technique. "He has been a great mentor to us all," said Marc Barrett, PLET 08. "I think I speak for everybody in the department when I say that I wish Mr. Car Accidents Drunk Driving Defense Criminal Defense Grant C. Travis, Esquire Dropik the best of luck in all he pursues in the future." Dropik worked for Fisher Price from 1979-1998, as the Senior CAE Staff Engineer in Product Development Engineering, where he was responsible for many important plastics tasks. He then moved on to work for Behrend's own Plastic Outreach Center from 1998 2000, until he was offered a full time teaching posi tion. He also is the president and creator of his own company, Dropik Design services. Even with all of his success, Dropik considers being offered a teaching position his greatest accomplishment. His philoso phy in the classroom is to work hard, have fun, and leave the room with kindness. "Marty Dropik has really helped sharpen my engineering www.paautoinjury.corn www.duilawyerpa.corn "It took 45 mintues • to clear off my car." • . Jenn Koss, • ACCT 02, 100 State Street Suite 210 Erie, PA 16507 455-3839 Ideas for Question of the Week? E-mail ideas to brsl9l @psu.edu skills," said Chris Lange PLET 08. Dropik's offer to teach here was a result of his hard work and extensive experience in the plastics field. But along with many people the academic envi ronment, he was pressured to take steps to complete his mas ters. It just so happened that this engineer enjoys a challenge. "I believe that academic growth leads to personal growth," said Dropik. With significant support among colleagues and the right timing, Mr. Dropik chose to fin ish his master's degree as a full time student at Penn State. "It's a lot different," Dropik said. "It's harder to take in this kind of information now than when I was younger." On the other hand, there are also benefits of being an older • "It didn't bother me • much." Andres Quinones, SE BD 05 student. "I have more maturity and wisdom, and have experi enced a lot first hand," said Dropik Of course, behind every great man there is a great woman. Mr. Dropik is no exception, as he regards his wife as his greatest inspiration. "I also have three other sources of inspiration," said Dropik. "First are my col leagues and fellow professors. Second, are older students who serve as great role models, like Bob Farrell who went to school for his doctorate and then retired. Finally, there's Mary Anne Geary who obtained a degree at 61." Mr. Dropik plans to graduate this December, and to the delight of his students and staff, will return to his plastics posi tion here at Behrend. Graduation questions unanswered Seniors have been looking forward to graduation all year, some are still unsure of what they need to Insufficient information is being sent to seniors regarding what needs to be done and when it needs to be done. "I wasn't aware that I had to declare that I was graduating because I never got the e-mail," said Dan Lucey, EE 08. According to Lucey, the Bursar's Office was more than helpful straightening things out after he made the effort to call and demand assistance. Seniors that did not receive the e-mail had no idea that graduation had to be declared. Had it not been through word of mouth, over half the seniors would needlessly be here for a extra semester. Gary Bonanno, HIST 08, has not received a single graduation notification at all. Although he will graduate after his ninth semester, he should have received e-mails regarding the ceremony. "I haven't gotten a thing," said Bonanno. "I'm not sure if they're supposed to send me anything. I would think they are. But then again, this school might n0t..." The lack of organization is also discouraging to students other than seniors. It does not give a pos itive outlook to future grads. "If this is how things are going to be run next year, I'm not so sure I want to graduate," said Steve Troglio, POLSC 06. Though nothing is sorted out right now, seniors are fairly confident that a decent ceremony will be thrown together by May. 111likaink liggisig MU" ei 3 "My cell phone didn't • • work all weekened. - • • Scott Schredvr, • FNC 04 • il ( E ) 1 ' ;$.; ' :::,:,,,,,,. •: - -.: :•., ~i', . .'....4. 0 i0:11 y . litgAllo ----- ir . ~ iitlloi,N.o , :, ;ti::',Vi!ii: „ e spvii . .x l inNim i .....- ' iNk5:.4.1...1 . q., : .. 1 . ~:>•-•.-I.iii.O.M'''"":'•''' .A',,::•••••••• , ::::: .. • . • A 0400....::.......:.• ~ • A0w0 .,. '....''' ~,....,,Iwo:NA':, . :.::- : • • . '•!•1p410,%:e........ ...,... . • ..lifig1:::U1:'•""'•''': . -•-'lllllll.lll,l''' ...? .. .:.-......,.. , ..: , .', , .:!JR!...fg:::•' . :••• •-....,-.4--.....1,,•,,,,,, i ....,....,-. , , , ~ ..,..„ ,,,,i., ~ , ..,,.,,,,i‘ ....„--'''''' ' ',.''''' 47;s'' "':;''''. ' .....„01::0; Creative writers on campus By Amanda Allen staff writer Poet Tim Seibles will visit Behrend on April 14 as part of the Creative Writer's Speaker Seibles is an acclaimed poet, winning such awards as the Cleveland State University Poetry Manuscript Award for his collection of poetry, titled "Hurdy-Gurdy", which was published in 1992. Other works include two books of poetry, "Body Moves" and "Kerosene", as well as poems that have appeared in "Ploughshares", "New England Review", "The Artful Dodge", and an anthology called "In Search of Color Everywhere". His most recent work, Hammerlock, was published in 1999. Seibles currently teaches in By Christina Hakel contributing writer The Behrend Beacon I "The driving condi tions were horrible. - Jertt Campbell, CENBD 06 the MFA program at Old Dominion University. Seibles will speak at 6 p.m in the Smith Chapel. A reception will be held beforehand at 4 p.m. in the living room of the Chapel. The event is free of charge and open to the public. Fiction writer Jaimy Gordon reading from her works in the Smith Chapel Thursday night. •ito, r ~~~~,~, i::Y.: :Nit.%...'..4'f.,1:i.4.....,..1V.'..''..:.C.:•'i:::.t.-I'•.-`,:ii..f:':'':-: :.:.' .::':' f:.l/4V:. ......".."":!....Zt....:. ............i.....:.....:: '' . .......................,.,..,, ....... .......,,...... . ..,,,,,,.....,........,......„......, 111.i!...::.ka . ..::'::,:ki..t.i11:-
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers