Student asks seniors to choose class gift Dear Editor, The Senior Class Gift Committee needs the assis tance and input of this year's graduating class. Traditionally each year the Seniors donate a gift to the College on behalf of the graduating senior class. We are asking for gift sugges tions within the $1,500 to $2,000 range which is tradi tionally raised each year. Past gifts have included an electronic bulletin board in the lions den, a television set in the student lounge, and last year's gift, permanent picnic tables. Student says: Women's History Month keynote speaker proves you don't always get what you pay for Deb Mallek Assistant Editor PENN STATE HARRIS BURG You don't always get what you pay for. This axiom was proven once again for those who attended Ntozake Shange's keynote presentation last Wednesday. This was one of the few programs at Penn State Harrisburg that everyone seemed to know about. In fact, so many students expressed an interest in attending this program that Dr. Patricia Johnson decided to bring her class to the program rather than deliver the lecture she has planned for her Western Tradition class. Event organizers were excited. A memo to Women's Studies staff said, "The good news is that we have been awarded $6,000 to bring noted African- American feminist and playwright Ntozake Shange to campus as our keynote speaker for Women's History Month." The excitement was cer- tainly warranted. Forty-eight year-old Shange is an accom plished poet, playwright, novelist, performer, and author. Born Paulette Williams, Shange aban doned her birth name and adopt ed her Zulu name in 1971 because, "as a feminist it was ridiculous to be named after a boy." She earned her B.A. from Barnard College and her M.A. from the University of Southern Califnrnia Cho taught humani ties, women's studies, and Afro- American studies at California - Women for Xesearch flealthv women betmeen the ages or 18 and 4.5 roithout diabetes or other serious health problems with 6 or fewer menstrual periods per year may be eligible to participate. The study mill involve diagnostic testing and medical evaluation at no cost The study is under the direction of Dr. Richard Gegro of the Department of 013/GYN. 1-800-585-9585 This research study has been approved by the institutional ,Revieroßoard under fDA regulations at Penn State's 2 - fershey Medical Center. This year we are encouraging a gift for the new library. Other suggestions we have received include new computers for Meade Heights and the dorms, a lion statue for the new 1 ibrary, new desks for the engineering classroarns, and a TV for the upstairs student lounge. Funds for our gift are derived from both contribu tions and the donation of all or part of your $5O general deposit to the University. The G ift Committee truly wants your suggestions for a class gift as well as a commitment to donate finan cially to the project. Please colleges from 1972 to 1975. In 1975, she achieved widespread notoriety with her theater piece, Far Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf. Fer Cdcred Girls, a group of twenty poems about the power of black women to survive in the face of despair, ran for seven months Off-Broadway. The play then mowed to Broadway and was produced throughout the United States. Far Cciared Girls, was also adapted for television. Shange is one of only two female African- American playwrights whose work has been performed on Broadway. Shange's discussion, how ever, did not meet audience expectations. At 3:35, an announcement was made that Shange was on her way fa the program that was scheduled to begin at 3:30. At 3:45, Shange staggered into the Gallery Lounge and asked which microphone was turned on. She took off her coat and apologized for being late, blaming her tardiness on the hotel's incompetence in making wake-up calls. It was apparent that the speaker was still not completely awake. Shange then explained that her manager had booked her for this discussion about "African-American Feminism," despite the fact that she wasn't comfortable with the subject mat ter. Event organizers had publi cized that Shange would speak on "Feminist Issues and Literature." It was blatantly obvious that Shange was unprepared for for more Information call: Sharon `Ward, Study Coordinator or Joann Sieber. R.N. Nurse Coordinator The General Clinical Research Center The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center The Pennsylvania State University 717-531-5154 or stop in at W-110 and leave your ideas on the "senior gift table." Your support for this project is not just a gift to Penn State Harrisburg, but a gift to future students of our A I ma Mater. The gift will be pre sented at the May graduation and represents the votes of both Fall and Spring graduat ing classes. Thank you for your help and support. Sincerely, Stephanie A. Welch Senior Class Gift committee this presentation. The poet final ly began her discussion by read ing excerpts from Susan Griffith's Parncgraphy and Silence and Belle Hooks' Race. Gender and Politics, which were barely intelli gible because the still sleepy Shange was so slurred. Without any personal interpretation, Shange then opened the floor for discussion. She seemed surprise when there was no immediate response, but she had given the audience nothing to respond to. The speaker entertained several questions, to which she provided broad, contradictory answers. For example, Shange said she believed in "global femi nism" rather than African- American feminism. Then she lauded race restricted female organizations like black sororities fa their work in promoting femi nism. When asked where she saw herself within the current femi nist movement, and where she would like to see the feminist movement in the future, Shange simply responded that the femi nist movement had failed in mar keting itself, blaming this failure on the male-dominated media. She offered no further explana tion nor did she offer any direc tion for the future of the move- Some might argue that we always get what we pay for with campus presentations because they are free to all stu dents. Let's not target, however, that this presentation, which cost the University $6,000, was fund ed entirely by the student activity fee, to which each student con tributes. VIEWPOINT • Ifti • remains undisputed Champ * : "The king of all media" Stacy Swartz Contributor His morning radio show is the number one rated show in syndication. His two autobiogra phies were immediate best sellers reaching number one within days of their release. His nightly tele vision show on cable's E! Entertainment Television is one of the channel's highest rated pro grams. men, I am referring to the one and only Howard Stern and I am pleased to announce that in his most recent attempt at conquer ing the media world, Stern did it again! million motion picture based on Stern's best-selling autobiogra phy, was released the weekend of March 7. Within two days, it became the number one movie in America demonstrating that Stern truly is the "King of All Media." While the film manages to include the unpredictable, raunchy spirit that is Stern, Director Ivan Reitman ("Ghostbusters," "Kindergarten Cop," "Twins") does a wonderful job of revealing the real man behind the radio The picture revolves around two story lines. One could be interpreted as a love story about his wife, Allison (played by "Murder One's" Mary McCormack), depicting the true love and commitment which sur rounds Stern's relationship. The other reveals Stern's struggle in the radio world, the FCC and WNBC's outrageous attempts to erase Stern from radio, and his strong drive and commitment that not only kept him on the air but boosted his ratings to number one. Most importantly, we watch Stern's transformation from the awkward, inexperienced no-name to the confident, outspoken radio personality we know and love today. With release of new CD Fast Eddie will soon be on the fast track Nicole Lynn Meck Staff Reporter Fast Eddie is a local band who is trying for the big time. It started as a hobby and has become an active working group. It has three members. Josh Thompson, Mike Frentz and David Kierce. Thompson is lead guitar and lead vocals Frentz does bass. Kierce is the drummer. However, Frentz and Kierce do sane vocals also. Kierce said all the mem bers take an active role in Fast Eddie. Recently, I got to talk to Kierce who is a fellow PsH student. He transferred down from Main due to the band. oft: Yes, ladies and gentle- "Private Parts," the $2O The entire film is so cap- tivating that while you are not laughing hysterically at the humor that surrounds Stern, you find yourself rooting for his achievements, fan or not Aside from the entertain ing story line, the element which places this film over the edge is its list of actors. The part of Stern is played by none other than himself and no one could play him better. lie has put four years of energy and bragging into this film and believe me, every word of it is well deserved Stern performs everyday while he is on the air while being taped by E! cameras so it was not exactly unbelievable that he could do the same thing for Reitman's cameras. However, the scenes which involve Stern and his wife demonstrate his true acting abili ty, for this is something he is def initely not used to performing. The scene where Stern almost breaks into tears after learning that his wife had a miscarriage is very powerful and heart wrench ing. He pulled it off with the same ease and confidence that we see and hear everyday. Mary McCormack deliv ers a powerful performance as well. In her big screen debut, McCormack is so effective that you no longer find yourself feel ing sorry for Allison because you now see the understanding and love that surrounds the Stern marriage The part of Robin Quivers, Stern's on-air sidekick and long time friend, is also played by Quivers herself. She is every bit as believable as Stern and you would never guess this was her first acting experience. Stern allows Quivers to take the blame for an on-air vio lation of the FCC code which ends up getting her fired. At that point, cblivers lets go and really gives it to Stern and you can see the acting bug has bitten her Just as on air, Norris rarely speaks during the film. However, his facial expressions Kierce is majoring in Health Psychology and expects to get his degree in December of 1997. The 27 year old student is working full time at Fiddler's - a candy distribution compa taking 9 credits here, and runs his own business Bush Doctors Landscaping I asked Kierce how he manages to juggle it and he replied, " The band keeps me Soing•" Fellow band member Frentz goes to Lebanon Valley College. Both he and Thompson work outside of the band. Kierce said balancing every ones schedule, is hard. Recently, the members of the group got together and CAPTIMES, March 27, 1997 and body movements tell you exactly what he is thinking which demonstrates capabilities you never would have assumed this man possessed. However, he does have it and does a wonderful job at showing it. I do not believe that this film would be as powerful and entertaining as it proves to be had anyone else been selected fir these vital roles. The fact that they are filled by the actual radio show members gives this flick credibility, originality, and a sense of the personal touch that we look forward to receiving from Stern. A long time Stern fan myself, I have managed to put my bias aside while viewing the film. In all honesty, I came out of the theater satisfied and extremely amazed at the fact there is noth- ing this man and his team cannot do. The number one element that proved this film to be an entertaining, attention grabbing picture was the fact that while I as left satisfied at the end, I was still in need of more. I was sad when the movie was over and I actually found myself hesitating to leave my seat thinking that maybe something else would come across the screen. Stern has spent the past few years using his on-air time to hype his film and brag about the wonderful job he and his team were doing. As Reitman put it, "Howard's humor comes from an exquisite understanding of the truth..." Understanding the truth and speaking nothing but the truth, the self confidence Stern displays was simply a reflection of his understanding of reality. As usual, Stern knew what he was talking about. This film is defi nitely one for the records. My grade for "Private A+ Parts" recorded their first CD. Kierce said it took much work and effort to get the CD down on disc. I t was recorded at Holland Sound in Scranton on Sunday, March 16th. They have titled their CD, Big Perm. It is scheduled to be released on April 12th. Kierce said the CD will be available at Disc Go Round, IMO (Independent Musicians Outlet), their shows and maybe The Wall. There are seven songs on the CD. All of them are origi nal material. Kierce credits R&B and rock as their prima ry influences. They are quite fond of Frank Zappa. As Kierce explained to me, it is hard to get played without a cd. If want exposure on the air or in clubs, you have to have a CD. Having a tape does not cut i t any more. promoting their CD at the Blue Terrapin on March 27 and again on April 30th. Kierce said they have played there before. They have also They will be
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