THE CAPITOLIST Vol. VII, No. 10 Ford To Address Commencement Audience by R. W. Bonaker Mr. Robert D. Ford, State Director of Selective Service and a Capitol alumnus, will be the featured speaker at today's commencement ceremonies. At 32, Ford is the youngest State Director in the nation. He was appointed to his post by President Nixon in June, 1971. He was born in Washington, D.C., the son of a career civil servant. He lived in several states during childhood before eventually returning to the family hometown of Duncannon, Pa., Perry County, in 1952. Ford is a 1957 graduate of Su squ e nita High School, Duncannon. Upon completion of high school, where he graduated 80th in a class of 81, he worked briefly as a ranch hand and rodeo bronc rider. In September, 1958, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps, serving three years as a clerk, radio operator, and machine gunner. He saw duty in Spain, France, Italy and Greece. He was released from active duty in 1961 and honorably discharged in 1964, achieving the rank of Lance Corporal. In 1966, he entered Harrisburg Area Community College. Upon receiving an Associate of Science degree in 1968, he transferred to Capitol Campus, earning a Bachelor of Business in 1970. He attended college under the G.I. Bill while working fulltime nights and weekends. During this educational period, he was constantly on the Dean's List at both schools. In addition, he was a member of Chi Gamma lota, the veterans fraternity at each institution. Through the XGl's, he initiated a counseling service that is by veterans, for veterans, which eventually became the main thrust of Pennsylvania's Program to Advance Veteran's Education (PAVE). Ford entered the service of the Commonwealth upon his graduation from Capitol. Under the administration of Gov. Raymond P. Shafer, he worked in the Governor's Council for Human Services, writing and directing the PAVE program. Under Gov. Milton J. Shapp, he continued as Director of PAVE, expanding the counseling concept to include 48 schools throughout the state. His efforts on behalf of veterans were twice cited in the CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, by senators Scott of Pa. and Cranson of California. He was appointed to a committee on veteran's education by the National League of Cities—U.S. Conference of Mayors—which also cited his efforts as one of the key elements to be pursued by the committee. He has provided technical assistance to several veterans programs in other states. In today's speech, he plans to give graduating students an observation of his experience in ~` f . y ~ ~ ^ ~ ~ ~ t: / ;~ dd\\k l : > . ~ \ . Mr. Robert D. Ford the two years since he graduated, of what to look out for. "What I think most seniors don't have when they graduate are what the need most, and that is a good knowledge of how to impress people during the job interview. It is so crucial to be able to make a good impression," he states. "There should be course workshops on the techniques of applying for a job and preparing for tests. I would also like to see more practical experience gained through fieldwork," he continued. He plans to give a short speech, believing that a talk loses its effectiveness if it drags out. He says that he does not prepare a manuscript when he addresses a group of people. Ford points out that the Selective Service law affects all men at some point in their lives, yet it is one of the least understood laws. He expects to elaborate on points of the draft laws to explain some main points. He looks to the future, favoring an end to the draft. "I have a plan that would make an all-volunteer peacetime army work, but they haven't adopted it," he says. He is optimistic about the success for an all-volunteer peacetime army, but states "Who knows how it is going to work? He points to problems with the current draft law where "no matter how well educated you are, you go into the infantry, consequently there is a lick of highly trained personnel." Under his plan, young men who cannot afford to go to college straight out of high school, could enlist for two years, and then receive a full four year's allotment for books, tuition plus a living allowance much more than today's vet receives. In the past, the National Guard has been a vehicle by which those who did not want to see two years active duty, "All The News That Fits . . . . We Print" CAPITOL CAMPUS - MIDDLETOWN, PA. could serve in a limited way. An end to the draft will cut down severly the enlistments for the Guard. The Ford plan would promote enlistments in the Guard by "stressing public service such as work in ecology." The performance of veterans in colleges is a record of which Ford displays particular pride. "They have the best attendance and the highest single group grade averages," he states, following a study released from HACC. "That's because they are mature and are disciplined. Close to 50 per cent of those in college right out of high school never fm ish." Ford sees the future role of selective service in the volunteer age as continuing with every operation except that of inducting men into service. "100,000 men will be classified and serve as part of an emergency pool-like reserve who can be called up immediately. However, there will be no volunteer army in time of war," he stresses. When the current draft law expires in June, 1973, he sees Congress as just letting the law run out, but not taking action to officially kill. "We have learned from previous how bad a mistake that would be. In 1947, the law expired and they dismantled the entire system. It was such a hassle to start it back up when we got involved in Korea. Klain To Be Presented Jordan Award Ambrose Klain, associate professor of regional planning, has been cited by the student body for excellence in teaching. Professor Klain was selected by Capitol Campus students as the first recipient of the James A. Jordan Memorial Award for Teaching, established in honor of Dr. James A. Jordan, Capitol Campus faculty member who died in a boating accident last summer. The student body selected Mr. Klain from among nine faculty members nominated for the award. He will be presented with the award at today's commencement ceremonies. In announcing results of the student vote, Leonard H. Thompson, Capitol Campus senior and award chairman, said: "Professor Klain is indicative of what the award represents: effective teaching, enthusiasm and sincere interest in accomplishing above average results in his teaching efforts. "This award is granted to Professor Klain not only for these qualities, but also for his unlimited concern and humanitarian attitude toward every individual student. By voting this award, the students GRADUATION TODAY More than 400 students will be graduated in commencement ceremonies today. Speaker at commencement exercises scheduled for 4:00 p.m. outdoors in front of the Main Building will be Robert D. Ford, Pennsylvania's State Selective Service director. Mr. Ford, at 31 the nation's youngest state Selective Service director, is a 1970 graduate of Capitol Campus with a Bachelor of Business degree. Following graduation, he worked for the Governor's Council for Human Services, where he implemented Pennsylvania's Program to Advance Veterans Education (PAVE). He was named to the Selective Service post last year. Included among the 439 Capitol Campus students scheduled to graduate are 398 candidates for baccalaureate degrees and 41 candidates for master's degrees. Baccalaureate degrees to be awarded are: Bachelor of Business, Bachelor of Elementary Education, Bachelor of Humanities, Bachelor of Social Science, and Bachelor of Technology. Advanced degree candidates will receive degrees of Master of Administration, of Capitol Campus hope to show him their gratitude and esteem." The award, initiated by the Student Government Association at the campus, consists of a plaque and a sculpture done by Oliver LaGrone, a member of the campus faculty. Prof. Klain, a member of the Capitol Campus faculty since 1968, teaches both graduate and undergraduate courses. Born in Czechoslovakia, he received a degree in engineering from the University of Technology in Bruenn, Czechoslovakia. He fought with the Czechoslovak Army on the Eastern front in World War II and was honorably discharged with the rank of captain of artillery. After immigrating to Canada, he studied at Sir George Williams University, Montreal, receiving his B.S. degree in 1957. He received his M.S. degree in city planning from Case Western Reserve University in 1961. Professor Klain served as senior planner with the Regional Planning Commission in Cleveland, Ohio, where he was responsible for developing and preparing studies dealing with Saturday, June 24, 1972 Master of Education in Elementary Education, Master of Engineering and Master of Regional Planning. Most of the baccalaureate degree candidates attended Pennsylvania community and junior colleges and other Penn State branch campuses prior to enrolling at the Capitol Campus an upper-division and graduate campus with undergraduate programs beginning at the junior year level. Ninety-five of the undergraduate students are to be graduated with honors, having attained at least a 3.40 average out of a possible 4.00 average during their two years of study at the campus. Dr. Robert E. McDermott, Capitol Campus provost, will preside at the ceremonies. Dr. Richard H. Heindel, dean of faculty, will present the candidates for baccalaureate degrees. Candidates for master's degrees will be presented by Dr. Ernest H. Ludwig, associate dean of Penn State's Graduate School. The degrees will be presented by State Representative Hardy Williams, a member of the University Board of Trustees. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremonies will be held in the State Farm Show Building. the waterfront of Lake Erie, parks and open spaces, and general aviation in Metropolitan Cleveland. From 1964 to 1968, he taught city planning at Case Western Reserve University and developed the associate degree program in urban technology for. Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland. Prof. Klain is a member of the American Institute of Housing and Redevelopment Officials and other professional organizations. He and his wife, the former Phyllis Johnson, are the parents of two sons. They live in Camp Hill. Student Position Mr. Steven Berry, a senior in Social Science and the past President of the Black Student Union at Capitol Campus, has been chosen for a legislative internship for the Summer of 1972. He will serve on the staff of K. Leroy Irvis, State House Majority Leader. Mr. Berry's option in Social Science is Public Policy. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. R. Berry, of Philadelphia.
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