Vol. XXVIII, No. 1 Penn State University, Delaware County Campus August 19, 1996 Diverse Faces From New Places Gather At Delco By Greg Jurkowski This year’s freshman class is going to have a great impact on the campus. Although this freshman class is slightly smaller than last year’s class, they still number approximately 550. That, combined with roughly 450 returning students and and about that number in part-time adult students, will make up the largest student population on campus since 1989. Taking a look at the attributes of the freshman class shows that there are slightly more male students than female students. Comparing the freshmen by major shows that there are 157 students in Liberal Arts, 94 in the Division of Undergraduate Studies (DUS), 80 in Business Administration, 56 in Engineering, 42 in Science, 42 in Education, 35 in Health and Human Development, 22 in Communications, 19 Undeclared, 14 in Agriculture, 7 in Earth and Mineral Sciences, 7 in Arts and Architecture, 3 Behrend College majors, and 1 Capitol College major. The freshman class is a fairly diverse bunch when it comes to high schools. The students come from 20 to 30 different schools, the top five being: Upper Darby with 50 students, Cardinal O'Hara with 46, Ridley with 25, Monsignor Bonner with 18, and Archbishop Prendergast with 4. Although the freshman class comes primarily from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware, there are five students who hail from much farther away, namely Oklahoma, California, Alaska, Puerto Rico, and Ecuador. Welcome! or Welcome Back! Questions? Stop at the INFORMATION TABLES in front of 101 Main or outside the cafeteria in the Commons for answers. the University logo. New addition to campus: a 15-passenger van painted in white and blue and bearing Twenty members of the freshman class relax with instructor Loretta Ramsey during a break from their CNED 297 course in the summer Bridge program. Van Offers A Lift For Commuters, Teams, Clubs By B. Feick Question: What's dressed in blue and white, displays a few Penn State logos, and is new on campus? Lots of things, you say? Including 500 freshmen! O.K. But this recent arrival has four wheels and accommodates 15 people comfortably. No, not a renegade SEPTA bus turned PSU fan. It’s the new campus van, leased for the academic year from University Fleet Services. And it’s at your service. But you'll need to sign up early to reserve this popular addition to campus. “It’s already reserved each morning between 7:00 and 8:45 AM to pick up students in South Philadelphia and bring them to campus, “ explained Barbara Daniel, Coordinator of Student Life. “We are anxious to provide this service because these students have the longest public transportation ride to campus, anywhere from one and a half to two hours each way.” Students interested in riding the van from South Philadelphia to campus should sign up at the Delaware County Transportation Management Photo by Raquel Arredondo Association (TMA) table during Club Rush on Orientation Day, Monday, August 19, or during the Transportation Fair on Wednesday, August 28. The next day, Thursday, August 29, at 11:30 AM, they are invited to meet with Student Life and the TMA to determine one or two convenient pick-up points and times so the van arrives on campus by 8:30 AM. The meeting will take place in the 202 Lounge, second floor of the Commons. The ride will cost approximately $2.00 and will only be offered in the mornings. “In the afternoon the van will be used to transport sports teams to away games, take students to Career Development work site visits, or provide transportation for off-campus cultural events,” Ms. Daniel said. “Any club or class can sign up to use the van through the Administrative Server on the computer or by calling Diane Shorter at extension 279.” Delco Students Hold Camp For Youth From Chester By Beaty Broughton The White Rock Tutoring Program sponsored its first Summer Program on campus started July 1 through August 2. The grade level of the boys and girls was kindergarten through eighth. “We expect this program to expand and grow next year,” said Sean Worthington, Director of the Volunteer Service Center. Each day was a full one for counselors as well as students, beginning at 9:00 AM and going to 4:00 PM. The moming emphasized academics, such as math and reading. The afternoon was recreational. The students enjoyed sports activities with another group from the YMCA camp held on campus. The group also went swimming on Tuesdays and Thursdays and Garnet Valley Middle School. “The counselors did a outstanding job,” emphasized Sean Worthington. The counselors included Penn State Delco students April Best, Summer Program Director and graduate of Chester High School, (third semester), Andy Sherff, SGA Vice President, (third semester), Ottrina Bond, SGA Treasurer, (third semester), Jessica Dattis, (fifth semester), Nick Felici, (fifth semester) and Jennifer McCue, a West Chester University senior in Health Education. Gemma Chandler, an exchange student to Delco in the Fall ‘95 semester from Thames Valley University, London, was the Volunteer Curriculum Consultant and Sean Worthington, (seventh semester, Psychology) was the coordinator behind the scenes. One of the highlights this summer was a visit by Dr. Cecilia Evans, President of the Media Branch of the NAACP. Dr. Evans spoke to the children about their choices in life and what they might want to do when they grow up. Another event was an athletic workshop conducted by two players from the Philadelphia Storm, a minor league football team. They gave the students’ pointers on passing and catching the football. The students also planted a tree by the tennis court and five perennial yarrow plants in the raised garden bed near the Main building. The summer did not go without problems. There was some racial tensions between the students from White Rock and the students at the Y camp. Next year there is a hope that Andy Mozenter, from PeopleTech, will address the group and help the children understand that what they have in common outweighs their differences. First Union, Philadelphia Tribune Charities, Mercy Health Plan, and the many friends of White Rock Summer Program are helping the White Rock Tutoring program turn its vision into reality.
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