If you are looking for excitement, the place to be is the traffic light at the intersection of 230 and University Drive. There is noth
ing more thrilling than watching as an 18 ton rig comes screaming at you. You never know if it’s going to hit your car or run right over
it. The rush you feel as you throw your car in reverse and try to beat the rig. The game of hit or miss is exhilarating, I advise anyone
who needs a little excitement to simply turn left. (I am being sarcastic)
I don’t know if anyone else has noticed but I have had my car scrapped by a truck and almost hit on several separate occasions.
Something needs to be done. This is my last semester on campus so my troubles are over but for those of you who have more years at
Penn State Harrisburg ahead of you I would urge you to start a petition or at least bring this problem before the dean.
Sincerely,
Chris Patterson
To the Editor:
Pete Strella, in his editorial of Dec. 2, called for more music classes at Penn State Harrisburg. As the coordinator responsible for
scheduling music classes, I entirely agree, and am trying to do exactly that, with support from the School of Humanities and the Provost’s
office. Students who want more music classes should vote with their feet, by registering for them, and by communicating their desires to
our administrators.
Background information: our music historian, Dr. William Mahar, became Humanities School Director in 1984. His position was
not replaced, so we’ve relied on adjunct faculty to teach music courses since then. Now, Dr. Mahar is Senior Associate Dean of the
College—and we still have not received a replacement for the music/music history position. We are very fortunate to have Dr. Robert
Lau, former Head of the Music Department at Lebanon Valley College, teaching music courses for us. He is now introducing a range of
lower-level MUSIC courses, carrying GA credit and intended for any interested student, as well as a selection of more specialized upper
division courses—all for non-music majors.
He will be offering an introductory-level theory course next semester: MUSIC 008, Rudiments of Music. There are still some
seats available in this course, and also in his C MUS 327, Romantic Music. Next fall, Dr. Lau will offer MUSIC 007, Evolution of Jazz,
which carries both GA and GI credit. At our Schuylkill campus, this course always fills up fast, and we hope that students at Harrisburg
will like it, too.
To expand students’ options, next semester we are offering MUSIC 089, University Choir. This is a long-standing and very popu
lar course/activity at other PSU campuses. We haven’t had choral music here since the early 1980 s. The choir director, Ms. Marina
Cherepinsky, is exceptionally talented, experienced, and enthusiastic. Students earn one GA credit for each semester they participate—
and we hope that this choir will grow and represent our campus in the wider community. As of today, Dec. 3, there are only 6 students
registered! Students who enjoy singing—whether they have experience or not—should sign up and participate, and revive the practice of
choral music here.
Students who have suggestions about future courses, or questions, are welcome to communicate with me in person or at
<LEH2@PSU.EDU:
As Penn State Harrisburg moves toward becoming a full four-year college, the School of Humanities wants to offer opportunities
in the fine and performing arts. Help from students, demonstrating their desire for such activities, would be wonderful. Write on, Mr.
Strella!
Sincerely,
Louise E. Hoffman
Associate Professor of Humanities and History
Coordinator, Interdisciplinary Humanities Major