Exotic food and dance
headline lAA event
Angie West
Capital Times Staff
Dancing and samples of over 50 ethnic
foods attracted faculty, staff, students and
people from different nationalities and
cultures to PSH's Capital Union Building
on Saturday, Nov. 7.
Jason Wingert, a junior secondary
education major and president of the
International Affairs Association, said the
purpose of the event was to "come out and
experience different foods."
Dr. Clemmie Gilpin, assistant professor
of African-American studies, said, "By the
time I got to the dessert table, there was
nothing but crumbs."
Following the food sampling, the
guests got a taste of African dance from
the Jaasu Ballet Company.
Established in 1985, the 11-member
dance group dazzled the audience with
Stoner eyes bright future
Hilary Zeiders
Capital Times Staff
Bill Stoner has brought his experience,
knowledge and unique view of the world
to Penn State Harrisburg. This 50 year
old-student has spent the past four
semesters at Penn State Harrisburg
learning and interacting with his fellow
students.
Stoner feels that living on campus has
given him an in-depth feel for the campus
and its students. This is one of the reasons
he decided to act as the president of the
Black Student Union (BSU) for two
semesters.
"I ran for president because I had the
time to revitalize the club and do some
exciting things," Stoner said. "I also felt
that it needed a change in direction."
Although all black students on campus
technically are members of the BSU, only
Student balances his
ambitions with school
Ann Feeney-McGovern
Capital Times Staff
If overachieving leads to success, Jim
Mullane is well on his way to fame and
fortune.
"Whenever I
get involved in
something, I
like to give 110
percent. I want
everything to
be perfect."
And for the 21-year-old senior,
perfection is a quality that fits quite nicely
with his career plans. Mullane is an
accounting major, and his dream is landing
a partnership in an accounting firm.
To help achieve that goal, Mullane is
serving as treasurer of Penn State
Harrisburg's Student Government
Association. That job alone is a handful,
Jim Mullane
African music and ritual dances from
Gambia, Senegal and Guinea. Kwasi
Agiri, leader of the troup, said Jaasu
means "eternal light."
Each dance featured the performer
dressed in costumes decorated with beads
and traditional African designs.
Although the progam lasted almost two
hours, the crowd was ready for more. As
an encore to their performance, the North
Philadelphia troupe shared a few African
dance steps with the audience.
"I had a great time," said Pat Foote, a
secretary in the Student Assistance Center.
Arek Kemtinski, a senior electrical
engineering major from Poland, said, "I
was trying to sit and watch but I couldn't
watch any longer. I just get into the
rhythm and start wanting to go out there
and do it."
The Internatinal Affairs Association
sponsored the event.
Bill Stoner
about 25 are active participants, Stoner
said.
but Mullane doesn't settle for just a
handful.
In addition to maintaining a full class
schedule, the Norristown native is a
resident assistant in Meade Heights and is
active in three campus groups--SGA,
Association of Student Accountants and
Phi Beta Lambda.
He's a go-getter and it's evident not
only to his fellow club members, but to
professors. According to Charles Kern,
instructor of accountancy, Mullane's
ambition and drive enhance his leadership
skills.
"He's able to get people movitaved and
enthused," Kern said.
Mullane also is fond of sports--
particularly college basketball, and
although he's heading for an accounting
career, his ideal job wouldn't involve
pushing a pencil.
"The perfect job would be to work as a
sportscaster," Mullane said. "I just love all
kinds of sports."
But while he'd like to watch numbers
on the scoreboard, for now Mullane is
content watching numbers in his
accounting journal.
Photo by Tom Wagner
November CAPITAL TIMES FEATURES / 5
23, 1992
The Jaasu Ballet Company from north Philadelphia performs native
African dance in the Capital Union Building.
for Black Student Union
"This club provides cultural awareness
that students traditionally do not get in
high school," Stoner commented.
Stoner said his goal as president is to
make sure that the organization enjoys a
smooth transition when it is time to elect
new officers into the club.
"I want students coming in to be able
to be trained and take over."
Stoner said that what he most likes
about being president of the BSU is
bringing direction and providing others
with new experiences.
The BSU not only benefits students
and faculty at Penn State, but community
residents also, Stoner said.
"Some of our community involvement
projects include tutoring projects and
taking toys to children in hospitals at
Christmas time," Stoner said. "There will
be a bigger emphasis on this in the
future."
The majority of the BSU programs
take place in February, which is Black
History Month.
"Recent events we have provided
include the Intergenerational Luncheon,
bands, panel discussions and speakers," he
said.
Stoner commented on this year's new
strategy of different clubs combining to
20 % OFF
STOREWIDE* APPRECIATION
SALE
December 7-21
*Textbooks and a few other items excluded
Penn State Bookstore
OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE UNIVERSITY
Hours: 8-7 Mon-Thurs., 8-4:30 Fri.
sponsor an event
"This joint sponsorship promotes
cooperation within organizations," Stoner
commented. "It helps with the budget cuts
we are facing."
Stoner began his college career at
Cleary College in Ypsilanti, Mich., where
he earned an associate's degree in business
administration. He completed his
bachelor's degree at Penn State in 1991
and is currently working toward a masters
degree in community psychology.
"I chose this area of study because it
ties in with my activist background,"
Stoner said. "It will allow me to interact
with agencies and people, not just theory
oriented research."
After his graduation in May, Stoner is
making plans to attend a Ph.D. program
in a seminary. He has future plans of
working in some part of the social
ministry.
Stoner is also is a member of the
Psychology Club, Delta Phi Kappa,
Capital Christian Fellowship, Minority
Academic Excellence Program and the
International Affairs Association. Stoner
is also a graduate school representative for
the Strategic Planning Management and
Enrollment Committee.