Page 6 — LION’S EYE — February 9, 1996 Pearl Shannon, Staff Assistant in Academic Affairs, Tiz Griffith, Athletic Director in Exercise and Sports Science, and Kathy Artese, 6th semester, American Studies, enjoy Fiesta! Delco Celebrates Latino Culture By David Whiteman Fantastic food, great music, and guest speakers come together for the next three months as Delco celebrates the festive spirit that identifies the Latino/Hispanic culture. January 24, 1996, marked the official start of the program which is being coordinated by Constance Kirker, Assistant Professor of Integrative Arts, to expose the campus community to the many contributions made by Hispanic artists, musicians, educators and scholars. The program’s Opening Ceremonies featured Penn State Executive Vice President and Provost John A. Brighton. Others who helped kick off the semester celebration were Penn State Delco Executive Officer ‘Edward Tomezsko, Pennsylvania Service Scholars Terri Click and Matt Schroeder, Multicultural Club representative Francis Molina, and Madlyn Hanes, Director of Academic Affairs at Delco. During the next couple of weeks many interesting, educational, and enjoyable events will take place, including guest performer Juan Avila, contemporary Latin American musician. He will bring his unique -music to Delco on Thursday, February 22, 10 a.m. in Room 112 of the Vairo Library. Avila is scheduled to make a return appearance on Monday, March 25, 6 p.m. in Room 101 of the Main Building. A highly entertaining musician, Marlon Simon, will seduce Delco’s ears with his progressive Latin Jazz Fusion music on Tuesday, February 13, 10 a.m. in Room 112 of the Vairo Library. In: addition to the Latin, jazz, and fusion elements of his music, Simon will enhance the performance by adding African/Caribbean rhythms to his sound. Simon will make an additional appearance at Penn State Abington/ Ogontz on Tuesday, February 20, 3 p-m. in the Woodland Building. In addition to these special performances by Latino musicians, there will be film seminars, guest speakers, and art exhibits galore. Most of the art that is currently being displayed can be found in the Main Building's Student Lounge, although there are a few interesting exhibits to be found in the Vairo Library on both the upper and lower floors. The variety of art ranges from arts and crafts to unique Latin American objects. Films to be shown are designed to educate as well as entertain. Currently scheduled for showing are Mardi Gras throughout the Americas (Tuesday, February 20, 6:30 p.m. in Room 305 Main), El Mariachi the food and festivities at the Opening Ceremonies of the Latino/Hispanic Cultures Program. \ (Wednesday, February 21, 2:30 p.m. in Room 101 Main), andZoot Suit (Tuesday, February 27, 6:30 p.m. in Room 305 Main). More films will be shown in the later months of the festival. For purely educative aspects, Delco will host a variety of guest speakers and scholars. Those featured are political analyst Catheryn Newling and head of the Philadelphia School District's Office of Education for Latino Students, Tomas Hanna. Newling will moderate a discussion on contemporary politics in Mexico, on Thursday, February 15, 11:30 a.m. in Room 112 of the Vairo Library. Hanna will speak on Thursday, February 15 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Room 112 of the Vairo Library on the current methods of education for Hispanic students in Philadelphia. This is just the beginning of the excitement. For the months of March and April, there will be more of the same variations on the Latino theme. New York and Washington D.C. trips, as well as Latino food celebrations, are being planned. Look for more information on the Latino/Hispanic Cultures Program in next month's issue of Lion's Eye, or call Delco program director Connie Kirker at (610) 892- 1415. Book Discussion Group Caters To Varied Tastes By Jane Elliott Do you like to read books? Like to talk about what you read? Share your opinion and your viewpoints? Then the new “Book Discussion Group ” is for you! The group, begun by Dr. Sybil Severance, Associate Professor of English, was started last July and meets on the third Thursday of each month at 5:30 p.m. in 116 Vairo.Various writing styles and subjects have been covered, including Jane Austen’s Persuasion which was read and viewed on screen and then discussed. Currently, the group is reading Henry James’ Portrait of a Lady for the - February 15 meeting. “Experience evil. Start reading. Join us!” Dr. Severance said in a recent e-mail to the campus community. Although most of the books discussed are by contemporary novelists, classical books and even some non-fiction writings are included. There is no set process for choosing a book, although at times the alumni share with the group books they have read and really enjoyed while attending Penn State. Dr. Severance had been urged by her students to set up a discussion for years. “In class there was never enough time to say itall.” Finally, last spring at a dinner party, Dr. Severance agreed to establish the group. The group includes faculty, staff, alumni and students. The alumni have remained committed to the campus, furthering their friendships with both faculty and students. The group has remained small with a consistent 8-10 participating on a regular basis. Dr. Severance comments, “It remains the same group, the same project, working together. The group welcomes everyone who likes to read, to laugh, and discuss informally what they have read. Everyone is a talker.” Anyone who is interested is invited to come and participate in the active discussions. “Plan to Plan” Brings Hopes of Versatility and Diversity By Janine Furillo A lot of people may be wondering what the “Plan to Plan” for Penn State Delaware County Campus is. The Plan was written to help further the needs of the campus and respond to the University’s challenge to envision the campus’s future. The Plan was put together by the Strategic Planning Committee, co- chaired by Sara Whildin, Associate Librarian and Dr. Edward Tomeszko, ~ Chief Executive Officer of the Delaware County Campus. The Plan addressed four options for the campuses’ future. Many members of the community were involved in weighing the pros and cons. Finally, they decided the best option would be to further the present mission as a lower division undergraduate campus with added enhancements. Additional four year degrees at this campus which would be pursued if the plan is approved include: General Business Administration, Pre- law, Biobehavioral Health, Earth Sciences, and Liberal studies which would be offered in conjunction with Great Valley Campus. Kim Randazo (second semester, DUS) said, “I think that having more four year degree programs would be good for this campus because not all students want to go to the main campus.” However, all classes would continue to be scheduled at Delaware County Campus. An option to cluster, or merger with other campuses was on the Plan to Plan, but it was rejected by the planning group. The possibility of dormitories and new programs are included on the Plan to Plan for 1996. “The new programming is what will be very critical for our campus,” said Dr. Tomeszko. The addition of dormitories could bring more diversity to our campus as well as the possibility of international students. Students seem to agree. “I think dorms will bring a variety of new people to our campus,” commented Amy Bonnett (first semester, DUS) These recommendations are not yet approved. The feedback will be Family Studies, who also retired. given by February 23. “I am very grateful for the students, faculty,and study groups who helped formulate the thinking behind the plan,” Whildin said. “I am also very excited to have the opportunity to move the Delaware County Campus ahead. “ Faculty and staff who were recently honored for 25 years of service to Penn State include Dan Doran, Exercise and Sports Science; John Ousey, Earth and Mineral Science; Bob Black, Biology; Bob Purdy, DUS Counselor; Bruce Stephens, Religious Studies, Sara Wilder, campus librarian. Not pictured: lvan Mayer, Human Development { i i
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