THE BEHREND BEACON Friday, September 9, 2005 Behrend student aids As the terrors of Hurricane Katrina hurtled towards New Orleans, the citizens of Louisiana were warned and given orders for immediate evacuation, but no one could have predicted the amount of dam age that Katrina was about to bring. Many locals chose to ignore the suggestions to seek safety. Today, more than a week after the horrific storm erased what was notorious to the New Orleans region, the problems of clean, drinking water, food, adequate shelter and the accountability for missing persons still continues to plague locals. Once again, Americans have underestimated the powers of for eign invaders and this time, the forces of nature reigned supreme. Will the American government be able to rebuild the New Orleans region so that the thousands of victimized individuals will be able to regain the life they once knew'.' Men and women from all across the nation are being sent to Louisiana to help with clean-up efforts and their attitudes about it are nothing short of inspiring. There were a number of students from our Behrend community that were sent to join the enormous task of restoring peace to a devastated land. One student in particular, Adam Gorniak of Wattsburgh, PA, was more than willing to recall his expe rience in the New Orleans area. Gorniak is a current student at Penn State Behrend and is a business management major, minoring in economics and marketing. Gorniak is also a proud member of the Army National Guard and was sent to the city of Alexandria, Louisiana on Sunday, September 4. Through a phone-interview, Adam shared his eagerness to be given this order, and was honored to help with the clean-up efforts. Gorniak said. "I am just happy to be down here, helping in any way I can.” When asked to explain the details of his orders, Gorniak revealed that the specifics were not assigned yet, but his mission could include anything from clearing buildings and searching for survivors to dis tributing food to the recently homeless population. Gorniak will be in the New Orleans area for approx imately 30 days, in which he will be going from the hurricane sight to his post city, Alexandria, numer ous times as efforts to improve the area are made. The living conditions of the National Guard have been far better than those in the Katrina wreckage. Gorniak said. “There was no damage done to the area where we are currently located. We have clean, running water for showering, a roof over our heads and a bed to sleep in. We are very fortunate.” He also said that the temperature in Louisiana is very hot and almost unbearable, reaching 90 degrees or above every day. It is certain that in the next month Adam Gorniak will be doing all that he can to ful fill his patriotic duty and will thus comfort the lives of many Americans who have lost everything. New walkways, faster routes to class for students New coffee in Bruno’s, Page 8 Contents News.. Editorial.. Humor. Student Life.. Sports Contact Us Newsroom 898-6488 Fax: 898-6019 E-mail: Behrendßeacon @ aol .com Our offices are located down stairs in the Reed Union Building. By Ashley Bressler staff writer It just keeps getting better. With what is just the beginning of the renovations com ing to Behrend, there are already the much appreciated additions of the new walkways and signs around cam pus. The approximately $272,000 sidewalk project cuts down past Reed and towards the Science and Engineering buildings: “The objective of the walkway project was to provide an ADA accessible walkway that linked the western residence areas to the Reed building,” said Director of Operations, John Ream. The American’s with Disabilities Act calls for stable, slip-resistant surfaces, specific incline and decline ratios for ramps, accessible public telephones, specialized doors, and ramps with landings that do not accumulate water. The other recent project is the addition of nine new signs, starting down at the entry drive and progressing along campus. Also, there are fourteen new banners on the light posts along the walkway to the Junker Center. All in all, they run to the cost of about $79,000. ...1-3 Students prepare for Welcome Weekend 7-8 ...9-10 Every year Penn State Behrend has its annual Parent and Family Weekend featuring fun events for all members young and old for the family. This year is no different with the event starting on September 30 and running all weekend until midday of Sunday October 2. The weekend kicks off Friday night around seven with Family Jeopardy. The Mehalso Observatory will be open from seven thirty to ten thirty with Dr. Roger Knacke putting on a show for the whole family. In the Reed building Dreamworks’ film Madagascar will be playing starting at ten on Friday night and Saturday night. On Saturday the event continues all day with guid ed walks of the school and an arboretum tour of some of the different trees around Behrend. The State Fair By J. William McConnell staff writer By Jeff Smen staff writer A Penn State Erie Student Publication 12 2QQ$ Vol. LIII No. 3 ■ - Construction at Behrend continues around one of the new walkways between Reed and the Carriage Houses in Katrina clean-up The National Guard keeps a dose eye on the cities and people effected by Hurricane Katrina will be in front of Reed with fun for the whole fami ly featuring games, a petting zoo, and ice cream from the Penn State Creamery. Later that afternoon a jazz concert will be playing in front of Reed with the State Roundup dinner to take place in Erie hall around six thirty. To wrap up the day families are encouraged to watch Team Rootberry winners of numerous international juggling competitions, at Brunos, Saturday night. Parents and families are also encouraged to go and cheer on our Behrend Lions as men’s soccer and women’s soccer take on La Roche. The men’s game begins at 1, and women’s begins at 3. There will be a TV football party at Bruno’s as Penn State vs. Minnesota. Finally on Sunday fami lies are invited to attend service in Smith Chapel and attend bmnch in Dobbins Dining Hall. Brenton Kemp a first semester engineer said, “I think the idea of parent and family weekend is an of the campus even more, to parallel the new walkways in the western areas. Along with the REDC, the Research and Economic Development Center that’s due for completion in 2006, these should be very welcome expansions to the Behrend campus. 4 ®W#Jv' awesome idea. I’m really looking forward to spend ing some quality time with my parents and showing them how mature and how much I’ve learned since I’ve become since I left home.” Josh Paris a fifth semester aerospace engineer said, “I’m not really into the whole parent and family weekend idea, I’ll probably just enjoy my weekend how I always do.” Chris Barrick a first semester chemical engineer said, “I think the whole idea of parent and family weekend is a good idea, but I know my parents already have plans, so they will not be attending.” Parents and stu dents who plan on attending the attending the State Fair roundup dinner need to register by September 10th. The dinner will include a line dance instructor, a trick-roping show, a country v/estem band, and of course great food. This won't be the end of the renova tions though; con firmed projects in store for the future are an expansion for Dobbins Hall, new sidewalks from Dobbins to the apart ments, and a walk- way between Aquarius Drive and the library, that will run alongside Jordan Road. The Dobbins expan sion reportedly will include a new eleva- tor, minimizing the “hike” up the long flight of stairs that anyone entering the building from the lower entrance has to endure. The new walkways and side walks should open up the entire eastern side
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