Vol. 27, No. 1
Commencement 1991
Founder's Hall site of
graduation ceremony
Karen M. Putt
Capital Times Staff
Heads turned, cameras flashed and even
a few tears were shed as the 263 graduating
students entered Founder's Hall in Hershey
for Penn State Harrisburg's fall semester
commencement ceremony on Jan. 11.
Following a welcome address by
Provost Ruth Leventhal, keynote speaker
Irving Hand, professor of state and
regional planning, took the podium to
congratulate the graduates and offer words,
of caution.
"There's a plague that threatens our
country," Hand said, "and its name is
David Duke."
Hand denounced Duke and the attitudes
of racism that "are not exclusive to Duke
and Louisiana, but running rampant
through our country."
He spoke in favor of "a world united,"
and the need for tolerance and
Prices rise, economy falls in former Soviet Union
Lee Ashton
Capital Times Staff
You're tired and hungry after a morning
of seemingly endless classes. You wander
into the Lion's Den, where you're
astonished to learn that a steak sandwich,
fries, and a large coke will cost you
$13.50 instead of the usual $3.50.
If that price increase of 300 percent
isn't enough to boggle your mind,
imagine standing in line for a couple of
Cap
ital T
Pennsylvania State University at Harrisburg
understanding in today's society.
Hand also praised Penn State
Harrisburg for "shaping its place in the
twenty-first century by dealing with the
issue of cultural diversity.
In closing, Hand encouraged the
graduates to do what they can to make the
world better.
"It is your time now to help shape the
future," he said. "There will be warts and
blemishes, but do it with the love and care
of those who have gone before you."
Following Hand, Mike Hermick,
president of the Student Government
Association, addressed the graduates.
Hermick spoke of the problems with
the environment and what needs to be done
to preserve the earth.
"It is our duty to accept the challenge,”
he said, ’’we have to stop destroying our
planet.
See Commencement, page 2
hours before having a chance to order.
Then, what if the food was gone by the
time you were ready to make your choice?
The scenario just described isn't likely
to happen here, but it's a very real
occurrence in Russia and other independent
states who were formerly members of the
Soviet Union. The move from socialism
to a free market economy has resulted in a
political, social and economic upheaval
that is difficult for the average American
citizen to comprehend.
Penn State Harrisburg students said
they would change their lifestyles if they
faced similar circumstances.
"I probably would become a vegetarian
and not eat meat,'" said Lucretia Young, a
senior humanities/business major. "Meat
would be history. I could still afford
school, but I'd have to cut down on other
expenses, like gas for my car.” Young
added she wouldn't be able to afford new
clothes until after graduating and returning
to the work force.
SGA offers student
leadership seminar
Stacey Simmers
Capital Times Staff
Everybody needs to learn certain skills
to help them on the job and in their daily
lives. The Student Leader Conference on
Jan. 25 will give students just what they
need.
"The conference is aimed at providing
skills that students can actually use," said
Mike Hermick, president of Student
Government Association.
The program runs from 8:30 a.m. until
4:00 p.m. on Saturday in the Capital
Union Building.
The three main topics will be
motivating groups, running etfective
meetings, and completing projects.
Frank Stroup of Harrisburg’s Training
mes
Like Young, most students said they
would have to "scale down" their lifestyle,
only purchasing what they absolutely
need.
"I would just buy basics and wouldn’t
eat at the Lion's Den," said Alice Ogwal, a
junior accounting major. Noting that more
money for food would mean less money
for other things, she said unnecessary
spending would hinder further education.
Store is the conference facilitator. He will
be assisted by Steve Backels, of the
Student Assistance Center, who will offer
a "Stress Management" session.
Stroup said the program is geared
toward student leaders, but also benefits
the average student
"We need to tune the leaders—help them
realize that people who volunteer are doing
it for themselves," Stroup said. "Not just
to be the good guy.”
Other students who attend will leam
skills for school and jobs, Stroup said.
They will learn to be confident when
making any public presentation, as well as
work on their organizational skills.
An added plus to the Student Affairs
January 20, 1992
See Russia, page 3
See Conference, page 9