C.C. reader. ([Middletown, Pa.]) 1973-1982, January 22, 1981, Image 4
Page 4 Black Collegian The following articles are excerpts from the December/January edition of THE BLACK COLLEGIAN, which is available for interested students in the C.C. Reader Office, W-129. Self Developement Information for Black Collegians a) "How To Take Tests" by Russell J. Fornwalt p. 92-96 -- This feature article provides helpful tips on how to prepare for and take tests. Since testing is a necessary evil in every student's life, this article could be a lifesaver for many black collegians. b) "A Guide to Engineering Opportu nities" p. 198-245 -- This compre hensive listing of engineering pro grams for minority students is the most complete directory ever de veloped. Considering the enormous opportunities available for minority engineers, this listing of engineer ing programs at universities throughout the country, along with the contact persons and a descrip tion of the programs, is invaluable. No Handicap for High Achiever Since the age of 19, James McGowan has been paralyzed from the neck down. Nevertheless, McGowan, now 48, has maintained a positive outlook on the world despite being a black man with an additional handicap. According to McGowan, there is no doubt that racism and prejudice are dominant negative elements in Ameri can society. "But in the area of physical disabilities," says McGowan, "its force is somewhat limited. Because physical dis abilities do not recognize race or sex, many doors have been opened to me because I am disabled which otherwise would have been closed, had I been only black." McGowan should know. A recent graduate of Temple University and the winner of the University's highest honor for leadership and personal accomplish ment, McGowan is a published author, a prize-winning photographer, a civic and community leader, and a dominant force in developing positive and constructive images of the handicapped and disabled. James McGowan presently serves as chairman of the Committee for the Disabled for the state of Pennsylvania. He chaired a wheelchair sports spectac ular while attending school at Temple and he frequently lectures on the impor tant differences in the disabilities of people in wheelchairs. These activities, along with his writing and photography, provide McGowan a full and fruitful life. But to listen to McGowan it's only a routine part of his life's work. "I don't want to minimize what I've done because I'm aware that to many people it's good. But in my own perspec tive, what I have done is not that significant because I feel that every human being is obligated in some way to make some constructive contribution toward mankind between the time, he is born and dies, regardless of his life situation -- whether he's black or white, able or disabled, rich or poor. This is his responsibility to life." Internships: An Inportant Learning Experience In recent years undergraduate edu cation has benefited immensely because of the growing popularity and usefulness of a wide range of learning programs which emphasize experience in the field and learning-by-doing. These programs engage college students :n a variety of out-of-classroom and off-campus educa tional activities as part of an overall undergraduate educational experience. While internships, co-operative edu cation, work/study, and apprenticeships are the most well known kinds of experiential learning programs, oppor tunities for cross-cultural experience, career exploration and service learning internships are also included. In each kind of experience, the student is offered . an opportunity to learn by doing in a college-sponsored work-like experience which may or may not involve pay. In the December/January issue of THE BLACK COLLEGIAN magazine a comprehensive listing of intership op portunities is offered. Students are urged to follow up contacts as early as possible. Thursday, January 22, 1981 from page 1 Setting up and coordinating special events at Capitol is another task for the Campus Relations Office. This encom passes, among other things, lecture series, class reunions, and commence ment. Janis admits that "it gets pretty hectic around here in June." One such special event now in the works is a "phonathon." The project, which will involve calling some 4,200 Capitol Campus Alumni for donations, is tentatively scheduled for February. "This is my first one," says Williams, "and I never realized the volume of work required to hold a phonathon." Proceeds from the event will go toward a new entrance sign for the campus. The Campus Relations Office also publishes the dean's list each term as a service to the students at Capitol. "People should realize that our staff is here not just for the university, but for the students too," says Janis. "If a student comes to us with a worthwhile activity or event, we'll be glad to publicize it." During the winter months, as a further service to Capitol students, the Campus Relations Office becomes the Weather Day Center. This means pro viding information about class cancella tions in the event of inclement weather. Williams feels that the work of his staff is more important now than it has ever been. "More and more ,these days the competition for students is increas ing, so it's crucial to project a good image to the public." he says. "Our alumni are very important to us in this respect, as we rely on them to spread the good name of Capitol Campus." New Program As of January 5, Capitol Campus is offering a new master's degree program in environmental pollution control. "The program is an extension of the existing environmental pollution control program offered, to this point, only at University Park," says Provost Theo dore L. Gross. 'Final approval for extending the program to Capitol, granted recently by the University's Graduate School and by Provost Edward D. Eddy, means that the University's commitment to southcentral Pennsyl vania is being further strengthened." • "The program, which will deal with the various aspects of air and water pollution control and solid waste dispo sal, will be structured so that working professionals can study for the degree on a part-time basis in the evenings," Dr. Gross adds. "We expect that graduates of the programs will be available to regional employers in 1982." The program will offer two degree options: the master of engineering in environmental pollution control, open only to students with a baccalaureate degree in engineering, and the master of environmental pollution control, open to students with baccalaureate degrees from disciplines other than engineering who have completed two courses in calculus, two in physics, and two in chemistry. Doctor Charles Cole, professor of engineering at Capitol Campus and one of the prime movers of the program, says,"The program will not only provide an opportunity for undergraduate en gineering students to pursue the master of engineering in environmental pollu tion control, but it will also be a unique opportunity for undergraduates from other disciplines such as chemistry, biology, and physics. "In the past, if non-engineering stu dents wanted an environmentally rela ted master's degree they had to enroll on Campus Relations The Capitol Campus faculty is also relied upon to heighten the school's reputation. The Campus Relations Office maintains a speaker's bureau for local clubs and organizations. When the Rotary Club, for example, needs a speaker on a particular subject they can phone Janis and she will refer them to a qualified faculty member. In another attempt to publicize the excellence of Capitol's faculty, Williams is attempting to get an Op-Ed program going. "What we want to do," he explains, "is to get our faculty to speak out on topical issues. We want to bring their educated views out in the open where people can see them." Williams' major goal at the moment is to make Currents, the bi-weekly newsletter of the Campus Relations Office, a more professional publication. "Since we distribute Currents through out the community, in essence it is our public face," says Williams. "It has to be well done." Amidst all the daily work and the special projects, Williams realizes that results are the bottom line. "You can send out news releases till you're blue in the face," he says, "but you must get results or you aren't doing your job. To do this you have to meet the media on their own grounds. Sitting behind a desk all day just won't do it. You've got to keep plugging. If you let up you're dead." Judging by the dedication of Williams and his staff, the Capitol Campus Relations Office will be alive and well for years to come. our master of engineering science pro gram. This meant that they had to make up several engineering courses at the undergraduate level, " Dr. Cole adds. "Now they will be able to enroll in the master of environmental pollution con trol without an engineering background." Students in either option will be required to pass nine credits of core 3ourses: water pollution control ( which s offered this winter term ), solid waste managem ?nt, and fundamentals of air pollution. In addition, students must select at least 21 credits in engineering, mathematics, regional planning, public administration, business administration, or other approved courses. Students will also be required to schedule the envi ronmental pollution control seminars for three terms and submit an approved master's paper. According to Dr. Cole, Capitol Cam pus already has faculty and courses in these areas, so, the cost of the new program to the campus will be minimal. "The program encompasses many disci plines and provides additional training for solving such environmental problems as municipal and domestic pollution, energy production, toxic chemicals, ground water contamination, and water supply," Dr. Cole says. "Already, con siderable interest has been expressed from our existing student body and from state agencies, industry, and consulting firms." "It will be a good degree to have, " he adds. "Even with the ups and downs of government programs, in the long haul these people will be valuable to our future work force." Admission forms and further infor mation about the program may be obtained by contacting the Graduate Admissions Office in the CRAGS Build ing on campus. C.C.Reader