New Faculty Join Engineering
By Dina Walker
Three new appointments have
been made at Penn State Harrisburg.
Provost and Dean Ruth Leventhal
recently announced that two faculty
members and one staff member were
appointed to the division of Science,
Engineering and Technology.
Dr. Alex Aswad of Middletown,
the newly appointed professor of
engineering, holds a doctorate from the
University of Denver where he formerly
taught. Prior to that Aswad served as
head of the structural section in the
Ministry of Public Works for the state
of Kuwait. Aswad has been a
professional engineer in Colorado since
1970, and was a staff consultant for 12
years in the Stanley Structures Group, a
prestresser and precaster of concrete in
Denver.
"I'm very impressed with the
program here," said Robert M. Webler of
Hershey, the newly appointed associate
professor of engineering. He added that
the department is dedicated to producing
engineers with "hands on experience"
King's Birthday Celebrated
By Bernie Mixon
On January 18, 1988, in the
Black Cultural Arts Center members of
the Black Student Union, as well as
administrators, faculty, staff and students
shared in the celebration of the legacy of
slain civil rights leader Dr. Martin.
Luther King, Jr. It was a night filled
with songs, presentations along with
guest speaker, James Jones, Deputy
Director of the Urban League of
Harrisburg.
In his introduction, Wayne
Ravenell, member of BSU stated that
"you, me, we and us must act as
leaders." Following the welcome address
which was given by Crystal Moss, BSU
Treasurer, the audience was led by
Felicia Brown, acting coordinator of
Student. Services, in singing the Negro
National Anthem--" Lift Ev'ry Voice And
Sing." Following the invocation by
Rev. Calvin Favers, pastor, Capital
Presbyterian Church, presentations were
delivered by Wanda Ellis and Nowell
Williams.
Ellis recited the poem "Negro
Mother" by Langston Hughs. This
poem addresses the hopes, fears and
dreams of a negro mother for her
children. The emotion that was evoked
by the power of this poem was evident
by the intensity by which it was
delivered by Ellis. There was a sense of
identification to those who grew up
hearing the stories of oppression that
blacks had to deal with in the south from
the period of time that the poem takes
place roughly from the 1800 s to the
19605. But to those who could not
identify, they could better understand the
obstacles that blacks faced.
Williams' presentation was of a
different kind. He presented an "Open
letter to Martin." In this letter, he
explained the conditions of the world
today. He identified such conditions as
the threat of nuclear warfare, conditions
in Central America, and the realization
that we have not wiped out racism and
who are in great demand in the field of
engineering. Webler served as Vice
President of engineering and technology
at the Pittsburgh-based McGraw Edison
Power Systems since 1972. Webler
taught electrical engineering and
instructed in-house courses and seminars
on electric power systems while earning
a master's degree in electrical engineering
at the Illinois Institute of Technology.
Jerry L. Russ of
Mechanicsburg, appointed coordinator of
extended degree programs, comes to the
newly created position with 27 years of
experience as an industrial engineer with
IBM. Russ said that he is developing a
managerial control system for the
extended degree program, which will
establish consistancy in the program's
documentation. "It's trial and error to
see where the program is going," he
said.
Russ will serve as a liaison
between faculty and administration at the
three Commonwealth campuses
providing extended degree programs in
electrical engineering technology.
that the fight for equal rights is not over,
but that there is still more work to be
done. Williams also reiterated the
message that King is gravely missed.
The BSU Mass Choir made up
of member of the BSU sung many songs
of faith and encouragement. The songs
included "We've Come This Far By
Faith," "Martin Fought the Battle of
Jerico," and "Reach Out and Touch."
With the latter song, the choir reinforced
that belief that we can make a better
world if we reach out and touch by going
out in the audience and clasping the hand
of someone.
Patsye Robinson from the
development office performed an excerpt
from "Free At Last." Using songs,
Robinson depicted the struggles that
blacks had to endure in the times before
King and the pain that was felt when he
was assassinated 20 years ago this April.
One of the songs included "Sometimes I
Feel Like a Motherless Child." Upon
the conclusion, Robinson was greeted by
a standing ovation for her powerful
rendition.
James Jones, deputy director,
Urban League of Harrisburg characterized
the vision of King as being "depicted by
his 'I have a dream' speech" and that
"faith gave him the strength to perceive
what he perceived." Jones identified the
steps that it takes to bring a vision into
reality. The first step is to recognize
"and clearly see the vision and recognize
the details." Understanding is next.
You must "compare yourself to the
vision and question traditions, laws and
rules." Acceptance is necessary to
attaining the vision. This means
"humbling, the needs are bigger than the
needs of I and you should be thankful for
opportunity to make a difference. Most
of all, the vision must be a movement
that addresses the plight of freedom."
Jones left the impression on the audience
that a leader is "a searcher and a molder
for concensus."
Chris Seay Slated for
Gallery Lounge
By Dina Walker
February is Black History
Month and the Capital College calendar
is filled with events to celebrate the
occasion. One such event scheduled for
Wednesday, February 3, is a musical
performance in the Gallery Lounge.
Felicia Hayward-Brown, a staff member
of the college, will be teamed with
recent graduate Chris Seay. The two
will perform songs from various musical
categories including gospel, jazz and
R&B.
Seay graduated from Penn State
Harrisburg in January from the
department of Business Administration
with a degree in management. He is
presently employed by PHEAA,
Pennsylvania Higher Education
Assistance Association, but he admits
that his main interest is in pursuing a
career in classical music.
Seay has been surrounded by
music his entire life. Many members of
his family play musical instruments,
including his mother who plays the
piano. But Seay said, "I just don't have
the patience to study piano." He added
that he always enjoyed singing, but
never thought to develop his voice. At
age 13 he joined the church choir, and
Tony Leach, the minister of music at the
church at the time, recognized Seay's
talent and potential.
"Tony has been my friend and
mentor ever since" Seay added. Tony
has since relocated to Washington D.C.,
but continues to take a personal interest
in Seay's progress. He said that Leach's
interest and friendship help to pursue his
musical interests.
Seay is presently seeking a
position as a local church soloist. "I'm
not looking to make albums; but I
would like singing to be my life. I
enjoy and look forward to it, and would
like to do it regularly," he said.
Seay's schedule is proof enough
of his love for music. He is a
performing member of Wednesday's
Club, a prestigious music society in
Harrisburg, which sponsors area musical
events, recitals, and concerts. The club
also awards scholarships to students
pursuing a degree in music. He also
belongs to the Harrisburg Choral
Society, the Capital Area Music
Association, and the Harrisburg Civic
Opera.
Seay devotes a majority of his
time to rehearsals for events sponsored
by each of these organizations. "It's
necessary to devote time to practice to
develop stamina; even though I'm tired
after work, the only way to perform well
is to practice," he said.
Seay's high school did not
promote the arts, but fortunately Blane
Shrover, concert choir director at
Shippensburg University did. It was at
Shippensburg under Shrover's guidance
that Seay developed his interest in
classical music. It was also at
Shippensburg that Seay met Felicia
Hayward-Brown. These two will share
their talents with Capital College
students on February 3 in the Gallery
Lounge.