February 7, 1992 — LION'S EYE — Page 3 Interview: Dr. Kersnick Offers Experience and Service by Frances Callahan An Interview with Dr. Michael Kersnick. Q. What is your title? Describe your job responsibilities. A. I'm an Associate Professor of Business Administration. Faculty members have four areas of responsibility: teaching, research, scholarship, and campus service. There are sub-headings to these responsibilities, such as membership on committees, being the dean’s representative, etc. + As to the scholarship, it is mandated to keep up-to-date in one’s field. Q. What made you choose teaching for a career? A. When I was in college, I tutored fellow students just to help them out. Later, in Graduate school, I served as a teaching assistant. I also had a family member teaching at Penn State, who served as a role-model/ mentor. I loved the experience so much that I decided to make my career in teaching. I've never been sorry. Istill love it. Q. How long have you been - teaching at Penn State? ; A. I've been here since 1969, when we were in temporary facilities in Chester. I came here directly from college, with the ink hardly dry on my graduate degree. At that time, I was the only business faculty and was teaching so many different subjects, it would make your head spin. I know it did mine! Q.. Why are you teaching here, at this campus? A. As Isaid, I’ve been here since this campus first opened. I've enjoyed watching it grow - and growing with it. As it is now, it is small enough to allow personal interaction with my students - getting to know them - yet give me the resources and the prestige of a large university. Q. What other work would you be doing if you weren't teaching? A. If I weren't teaching, I would wish I were teaching. A second choice might be working in industry—analysis, data analysis, computer crunching of numbers— using my skills in the real world. But it would have to be a large industry or corporation. I could not work in industry without feedback or without the opportunity for personal interaction with others. Q. What do you like best about your job? Least? A. Of course, I enjoy teaching good students, but I most enjoy the ON AFRICAN THEMES AA Ad Y, WA ARAA La — AAAI Sopr007 . pres AAAAAALLY PYAR - - AON [3K] TYVY VY Y v AIA SAPAAAARIAN v CAR) NS STUDENT CONTEST Penn Siate, Delaware Campus POETRY PRIZE Coordinator: J. Alwang, Euglish, Pena State, Delaware Campus VISUAL ARTS COMPETITION Coordinator: C. Kirker, Art History, Penn State, Delaware Campus Deadline: April 2, For details, 1992 12 NOON please see the coordinator triumph of making a breakthrough with a student who is having difficulty. What I like the least is a student who is not responding in the classroom. I want him to verbalize it, to stimulate his, and my, thought processes. Q. What do you like to do in your spare time? Do you have any hobbies? A. My wife and I collect, maintain, and drive old classic cars. We also enjoy travel, music, and dancing. We most enjoy socializing with friends and family members. Q. Do you have a family: wife, children, parents, siblings, nieces, nephews? Are they important to you? A. We have no children. We do have a dog and two cats. My own: family, unfortunately, has dwindled. But I was lucky enough to marry into a large extended close-knit family, which is very important in our lives. All of the things that we enjoy doing—the music, the travel, the dancing, the old cars, and spectator . sports—are enjoyed doubly because they are shared with extended family members. Q. Is there a story or an incident you'd like to share? A. Yes, a student I'll never forget. DR. MICHAEL KERSNICK This was an adult student who returned to school seeking an Associate Degree in Business. He had six children and a full time job. I was teaching him in an accounting class. He had such trouble grasping the concepts of accounting that, every week, he was coming to me two or three times with questions, pounding the books, and still not getting it. He floundered like this until at least half-way through the course, when suddenly, it was like a light-bulb turning on. Everything began to : fall in place for him, and he completed . the . course with a respectable grade. He is now a District Justice. He still comes back to visit me. I really enjoy visits from successful former students. Two Special Programs Planned Spirit of Senkofa By Kemba Vick On Thursday February 13th during Common Hour the Spirit of Senkofa will be performing a traditional African dance and musical concert. Their performance is one of many events sponsored by the Cultures of Africa Program. In addition to their musical talents the Spirit of Senkofa offers lecture demonstrations and dance workshops. “Mandiani is one of the types of dances they perform. It is from thee Old Mali Empire, and is the dance of competition and celebration of harvest throughout West Africa. The other style of dance they will be performing is the Masquerader dance or the Stilt walker dance. It is traditionally performed at the festivals to celebrate good harvest. The person or persons doing the dance are representing the spirits of the trees and air. The rhythms and songs they will perform are classics passed down from generation to generation in Africa since antiquity. This is sure to be an unforgettable event. For more information please contact Connie Kirker in the Learning Center in room. 112 Women’s Sekere Ensemble _ The Cultures of ‘Africa Program has brought some of the finest displays of African art here to Penn State Delco. One of the planned events is the Women’s Sekere Ensemble . The Women’s Sekere Ensemble is a group of female percussionists dedicated to the preservation of the African Culture. Created by Omomola Iyabunmi, the ensemble performs traditional African and New World . singing and drumming using beaded gourds called seker’s. Under the «direction - ‘'of Ms, Iyabunmi, the ensemble recreates the essence of secular and profane percussive music found in Africa and other locals throughout the African Diaspora in countries such as, Brazil, Haiti, Cuba, and Puerto Rico. : This Philadelphia based group has performed in numerous concerts and festivals and thrilled spectators with their unique style of singing. From their traditional African dress to their sekere playing the Women’s Sekere Ensemble present and pass on their culture in the universal way of song. Come celebrate the African culture on Tuesday February 25th during Common Hour.
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