Humanities Chair Sees Capital College as Unique By Michele Hart Owning a cat named Khadafi seems to be typical for the multi-faceted Dr. William Mahar, chairman of the Humanities division at Capital College. Mahar told a journalism class Nov. 23 that his pet "was born a terrorist." The son of Irish immigrants who settled in Syracuse, New York, this plumber-turned-educator has been head of the division for three years. He was given the position, he said, because it was his turn in the rotation. "As a group, we [the Humanities division] believe that each one of us should have a turn at it because each of us are scholars," he said. Mahar's upbringing did not indicate that he would become a scholar. His family's biggest dream, he said, was that someday he would own his own plumbing truck. He became bored with plumbing and entered Saint Bernard's Seminary as an education major. From there he went to Syracuse University, changed his major, and graduated with a The South Central AIDS Assistance Net work (SCAAN) Announces Free Training for Volunteer Community AIDS Educa- tors The training sessions will be held each Monday evening, beginning Monday, January 11, 1988, through Monday, February 1, 1988, 7:00 - 9:30 pm, Lakeside Lutheran Church, Green and Division Streets, Harrisburg. Volunteers must attend the four training sessions in order to serve as educators. Volunteers available to give presentations Monday through Friday during the day are especially needed!. Pre-register by calling: Rick Schulze 238-2376 or Freddie Cadmus 238-2847 in the evening, or write SCAAN at P.O. Box 11573, Harrisburg, PA 17109-1573. Applications are being accepted now for Juniors majoring in Computer Science or Accounting for the Commonwealth's Computer Systems and Accounting Intern pro grams. In addition to a competitive salary averaging over $7.50 per hour, interns may be able to receive college credit for their participation. They may also be able to return to a full-time management level job after completion of the internship and graduation. Additional information on these opportunities is available from your Career Services/Placement Office OR: Applications will be accepted until December 18, 1987 THE COMMONWEALTH IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Internships in Pennsylvania State Government For Juniors ($567.75 BiWeekly) Mr. Benny Martinez College Relations Program State Civil service Commission Post Office Box 569 Harrisburg, PA 17120-0569 Master's degree in music. He changed his major one more time while at Syracuse and got his Doctorate in Humanities. It was during his years as a student that Mahar became a self described student activist. He took an interest in civil rights and the right to vote for blacks. He was never arrested for his activist activities. "I was a ... , .t.'....: - ...„ .. ... ~... ... - -.- .. . ....... - - IL• '2. 7"...'''!'.•.:.:.:..44,... ... - .' 7) 111* ....,. • ... vw...,, illi Dr. William Mahar middle-of-the-roader in an activist society," he said. As his career as a student came to a close, his teaching career began. His first teaching position was at Syracuse. He stayed there for three years and then moved on to Herbert Leaman College in the Bronx. After three years there Mahar came to Penn State Harrisburg in 1971 to teach music. He was drawn to this campus because of the unique interdisciplinary humanities program, he said. "Capital College was unique in the 60s and 70s and still is in the Penn State system," he explained. Mahar has seen changes in the student body since his arrival here. "I've always thought we had excellent students," he said, but students have shifted their emphasis from education and participation to vocation. He said that in the 1970 s students were very active and "organizations thrived." Now, however, he finds that student organizations struggle to continue. But even if the students change Mahar said that he enjoys his job and will continue as division head until the goals of the division are met. He likes what he does because it enables him to learn about many different areas in the humanities, which he said suits him well. "I have a very short attention span I've been told," he said. Outside of Capital College Mahar has a special interest in 19th century music, a subject that he is writing a book about. He said he will dedicate the book to his wife of 23 years, Connie and their two children Andy and Jenny, "for putting up with me." He also enjoys contemporary music, an interest that began in the 1950 s when he was a vocalist and piano player in a rock and roll band. His favorite artists from the 1960 s include The Beatles, The Who, Led Zeplin, and Bob Dylan "now that I'm older," he said. That is not very surprising to hear from the good-natured Mahar, whose record collection is probably as diverse as his interests and talents.
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