The Behrend Beacon I 8
Dorms named for captians and ships
Most students who attend Penn State Erie would recognize the distin
guished names of celebrities such as Madonna or Michael Jackson.
Hollywood has a way of emhedding the names of those sexy. rich and famous
stars into our memories. E\ en though Behrend's resident buildings are not
named after reputable idols. their significance remains prominent. Many
Penn State Erie students inay he una‘‘ are that all campus dormitories and
apartments arc named after heroic iduals and ships that played key roles
in the fierce Battle of Lake Eric.
Many students questioned that reside in the apartments were completely
speechless when asked it they knew the meanings behind their huikling's
names. Nick Toomey. an engineering student who resides in Porcupine Hall.
had his knowledge tested when asked about the origin of his dormitory.
Toomey foolishly guessed that his residence's name possibly originated from
a porcupine. "Porcupines have phenomenal intelligence. Maybe they want
ed to motivate us." said Toomev
Thirty Perry Hall students were also recently surveyed and asked the rea
soning behind their dorm's name. Seventeen students knew the connection
to Commander Perry while thirteen students developed thunderstruck expres
sions. Students living in Lawrence Hall also failed to make the connection.
Michelle Zill, a freshman art major, said. "1 would guess that it was named
after someone important or close to the Behrend
Freshmen students living in Scnat also had a difficult time recognizing the
basis for their dorm's name. Twenty students were questioned and not one
student could state
a sensible answer. Fourteen students from Ohio Hall were
also asked to recognize what their building ‘,5 as named after. Not one person
tied the name to the Battle of Lake Eric. In fact. sophomore Jason Liehel. in
addition to his 3 roommates, all upperclassmen, had "no idea.''
While it is obvious that many Penn State Erie students have difficulty
determining the historical significance behind resident halls, the specific
names of the buildings are unique to Erie's maritime history and certainly
make Erie County distincti \c. For instance. Perry Hall, the first dormitory to
open on Penn State's campus in 1968. was named after The Battle of Lake
Erie's hero. Commander Oliver Hazard Perry. Niagara and Lawrence Hall,
were named after two of ships that were under Perry 's command. The Brig
Niagara and Brig Lawrence. which both played central roles in the Battle of
Lake Eric. even though the Lawrence was the first ship sunk by the British.
When the apartment buildings were constructed they were given the names
Ariel. Caledonia, Champlin, Packet. Scorpion, Turner. Elliot, Somers and
Yarnall, all of which were either ships or people in the war. Porcupine,
Tigress and Tiffany. the suites. all hearing historical significance. joined the
Behrend community soon after. For example. Tiffany !fall, built in 1990. was
named after Cyrus Tiffany. possihk the most noted African American sea
man in the Battle of Lake Erie.
Almy Hall was built in 1997. acquiring its name from Thomas C. Almy,
who guided the schooner Somers. Even though the Brig Ohio was captured
in battle, Ohio Hall was named after the vessel. The newest addition to
Behrend's campus. Senat Hall acquired its title from George Senat. who com
manded the Porcupine. However, dormitory construction will not end with
Senat Hall. Trippe Hall. a 50-ton ship from Lake Erie's battle, will he the
next addition to the Behrend community, making it evident that naming halls
after dominant figures and forces from the Battle of Lake Eric will continue.
sir
By Kelly Houghton
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FiCIDLOIT Li
Just a little friendly competition
By Jenna Gregory and Earl Gordon
1 ag4640 p , ,u.cdu I cngsoo2Vpsu.edu
Liveliness. loudness and laughter arc all part of Greek Week
here at Behrend. Monday Greek Week kicked off this Monday
with Chimp Races, which were held on the lawn in front of the
Reed Union Building. Chimp Races are a relay style competi
tion in which the runner has to grip the bottom of his or her
pants and run to cross the finish line. The first relay team
successfully across the line wins. Sororities faced off
against other sororities, then fraternities faced off against
other fraternities. The Greek organizations earn points over
the period of the week: these points will he tallied on
Friday to determine the winning sorority and fraternity.
Dawn Wood of Theta Phi Alpha said that the Greek
Week is "for fun and they bring the Greek life together."
The spectacle of the races was an entertaining one. Lots of
spirit, smiles and cheers were what you were likely to have
seen. "[Greek Week] is a great event for people to see what
we're IGreeK life] about," said Wood, "You get to meet
everyone at once."
Amy Hiles of Alpha Sigma Alpha is in charge of the
Greek Week events this year. The points are scored based
on competition performance, appearance (i.e. Greek letters
face paint, etc.), chants. fans and banners. Monday's event had
a lot of letters, face paint, stickers and chants that could be
heard up the
hill quite a
ways. Hiles
said that only
Greek organ-
nations par-
ticipate, hut
the events
are for
Cveryone
Hiles said
that Greek
Week events
arc important
because the
Organizations "don't get together all at once too often."
Pie eating was the name of the game Tuesday evening as live
Penn State Behrend chapters held a competitive, yet friendly
pie eating contest on the Reed Lawn. The groups that partici
pated in this event were Alpha Sigma Alpha, Alpha Sigma Tau,
Delta Chi, Theta Phi Alpha and Kappa Delta Rho. Each frater
nity and sorority entered two people to represent their chapter.
The pies, which consisted of chocolate pudding, whipped
cream and N 4 & M's, comically found their way into each par
ticipant's hair. clothing and nostrils. This event became espe
cially challenging for participants with various facial piercings.
" I couldn't tell if I had an M & M or my tongue ring," said
staff writers
r i vro
p pi
sophomore Omitra Gates, whose grinning face was covered in
pie. The winning chapter of the pie eating contest was Alpha
Sigma Alpha.
The annual Greek Sing event was held Wednesday night in
Bruno's at 8 p.m. Each sorority and fraternity gave their all as
they performed a production of their choice. Alpha Sigma Tau
began the night with a fairytale themed performance. Their
production included famous stories such as Cinderella, Peter
Pan, 3 Little Pi , s, Robin Hood and Puss in Boots. Theta Phi
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KJ Magna Jr./ THE BEHREND
elta Chi brothers actini! Out "Piano Man-
Bon Jovi. Alpha Sigma Alpha chose Michael Jackson's music
for their theme as they strode across the stage dancing and
wearing his signature white glove. As for the fraternities, Delta
Chi used a variety of ideas in their theme, ranging from the
knife fight from Michael Jackson's "Beat It" video, to the
song "Jump Around" sung by House of Pain. Kappa Delta
Rho chose to use the theme from the "Fresh Prince of Bel-
Air" and Mcn at Work, among other things. The crowd at
Bruno's was more than happy to participate with the per
formers and became greatly enthusiastic at the humorous
and unforgettable "oompa loompa - and "free willy
appearances. The judges consisted of SGA president Alex
Henderson, Chris Fox, the Greek advisor. the Theta Phi
Alpha advisor Dr. Champagne, and a Kris Motta Torok.
Although all the groups of performers were very good.
Alpha Sigma Alpha took first place this year, while Alpha
Sigma Tau took second. and Theta Phi Alpha came in third.
For the fraternities. Kappa Delta Rho took first over Delta
Chi.
Thursday night, Greek Week encountered another exciting
event full of rambunctious Greeks. The event was an extreme
relay which showed a display of quickness and resourcefulness
as the sororities and fraternities raced around Reed. The win
ner of the extreme relay for the sororities was Theta Phi Alpha,
and Kappa Delta Rho for the fraternities.
Tomorrow, Greek Week will end with the traditional Chariot
Race, and then the ultimate Greek Week winners will be
announced. Check out the races at 5:20 p.m. on the Reed
Lawn. It will surely he a sight to see, and the Greeks will
appreciate your support.
Friday, October 21, 2005
~~
'~
LO*o° , l^
Alpha fol
lowed with
their theme
of the 70s
80s,
while singing
and dancing
to Immo-
rabic groups
artists, such
as Elton
John, Run
DMC. Carl
Douglass and