February 10, 1998 — LION’S EYE — Page 3 Search for a New DAA Continues at PSU Delco By Aaron Mixson The search for a new Director of Academic Affairs (DAA) continues at Penn State Delco. Almost ninety candidates applied for the position; that number has been boiled down to -a competitive five . ~ The competing candidates are: Dr. Cynthia Hirtzel, Dean of the College of Engineering at Temple University; Dr. George Franz, Penn State Delco’s acting DAA; Dr. Richard Kopley, Associate Professor of English for Penn State; Dr. William Sanders, Dean of Graduate Studies, University of Hartford; and Dr. Jeffrey Senese, Associate Dean of Liberal Arts, ‘University of Baltimore. Each candidate has spent a day on campus meeting with students, faculty, staff , and administration. The DAA’s responsibilities include, among many other jobs, handling any problem(s) students may have with faculty, and hiring new faculty. How would the DAA candidates improve the way students learn? And why is this position important for the candidates? : “I believe that Penn State has a tremendous additional potential through this new system (Commonwealth College) to grow in positive and appropriate ways throughout Pennsylvania, and I want to be a part of its future,” Dr.Senese said. Dr. Sanders commented, “I come from a large institution where there may be 350 students in one class. 1like the fact that Penn State Delaware County is a small institution; you can get to know the students, faculty, and staff at a personal level.” Dr. Kopley said, “Everything about this position interests me, especially the opportunity to encourage and assist faculty, students, and staff in realizing their life goals and the opportunity to help all at the campus to maintain and strengthen their sense of community.” “The mission of the Delaware county campus (and the system in general) is what is needed for students as we enter the next century,” Dr. Hirtzel said. “There are other reasons as well, but the ‘student-centeredness’ and the overall mission are important ~ ones.” Dr. Franz said, “The DAA position is exciting, new, and different things happen when you deal with faculty and students. There is a broad spectrum of issues that makes this position lively.” What about learning? “I wish not to change the way students learn but to try to strengthen the alternatives for student learning and to intensify the students’ sense of engagement,” Dr. Kopley said. “In all classes, I would seek to increase a student's intellectual adventurousness, his or her involvement in exploration and discovery.” Dr. Hirtzel said, “I believe that all students/people can learn, not all in the same way and not all in the same day. But we need to change our ways to facilitate how people learn, not change the ways people learn.” Dr. Franz commented, “One of the purposes of the job is to get the best qualified faculty to teach the students and to support the faculty to do a better job.” “I would like to see good student/faculty interaction, active learning, and collaborative projects by students. When you work in a small institution like this, you learn what the student needs and wants are. Then you know what it is you can offer to the students to make the classes effective,” Dr. Sanders said. Dr. Madlyn Hanes, Penn State Delco’s previous DAA and now Campus Executive Officer at the Great Valley Graduate Campus, gives some friendly advice to the candidates. “The role of the DAA is to be an advocate and champion both for the quality of the campus’ academic programs on behalf of the students, and also for the professional development to the faculty who shape and deliver these programs.” The answer to who will be the next DAA at Penn State Delco will be unveiled in the next few weeks as Dr. Ed Tomesko, Delco CEO, and Dr. John Madden, Acting Associate Dean of Academics in the Commonwealth College, review faculty, staff, and student input on the five finalists and select one to interview with Penn State officials at University Park. Service Corps Presents Leadership Talk at UP - By Christine Heffernan Delco students Nicole Memmo, Melissa Martin, and other members of the Volunteer Service Center and Service Corps will represent the campus at the February 24 Service Leadership Conference at the Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel in University Park. The conference is sponsored by Penn State University and the AT&T Center for Service Leadership. ~ Memmo and Martin are on the Conference program for a presentation on “how to recruit and then maintain volunteers once you have them. We will discuss possible reasons that prevent people from volunteering and what we as leaders can do to minimize or eliminate such rcasons.” Keynote speaker for the Conference is Rev. Dr. Willis, a founding partner and board chairman of Professional Dynamics Inc. This consulting firm specializes in leadership development, education, and training for individuals and for organizations. The student leaders will hear Dr. Willis conduct a speech on spirituality, leadership, community, and economic empowerment. The 1998 Conference Planning tcam designated this year’s theme as “Plant a Seed, Harvest a Lifetime”. The theme “supports the belief that one cannot engage in genuine leadership without understanding one’s self as a community servant.” Staff members at Delco’s Volunteer Center stressed their need for volunteers for in many programs. Students who want to help but can’t seem to find the time should utilize Memmo’s and Martin's leadership to find a solution. Students can stop in the Volunteer Center located across the hall from the Fitness Center in the Common’s Building at anytime. Delco students Michelle Corse and Tina Varallo partying in Spain. Students Studied Abroad Spanish-Style Over Break By Paul Borish Approximately 30 Delco students took advantage of the campus Study Abroad program and traveled to the Andalucia region of Spain during the winter break, December 30 to January 8. ‘Accompanying the students were Drs. Kelley and Graves, and Mrs. Connie Kirker, who offered credit courses in conjunction with the trip on the subjects of Iberian Civilization, Peninsular Literature and Art History. Arriving in the city of Seville on New Year's Eve, the group celebrated in the Plaza in Spanish style, eating 12 grapes at the stroke of midnight to ensure good luck for the coming year. Many of the students later partied into the night in Seville’s fine clubs and discos. Seville contains the largest gothic Cathedral in the world, which had its beginnings as a Mosque. Seville is truly one of the loveliest cities in all of Europe, and is best enjoyed wandering down the balcony and flower-lined alleys the city is known for. The program included a side trip to Cordoba, site of one of the oldest Mosques in the world. The building is on the site of construction from the first century by the Romans. Construction by the Moors began in 780, and the Christians later added a Cathedral. Various phases of construction continued until the 17th century. The arched construction of the Mosque in Cordoba is breathtaking as is the intricacy of the carved wood ceilings and decorative plaster work. The Penn State travelers also visited The Alhambra in Granada, one of the most impressive architectural wonders in the world. It was built by the Moorish kings to represent their impression of heaven on Earth. Usage of space, light and water throughout The Alhambra are magnificent. Also on the itinerary was Torremolinos, on the Costa del Sol, one of the tackiest of Mediterranean resorts. Torremolinos is a resort primarily for retired British middle- class tourists. Interesting side trips were taken to some of the smaller towns on the Spanish Mediterranean coast, as well as Gibraltar and Tangier, Morocco. In Gibraltar the group toured the “Rock” and had a opportunity to view the famous Barbary apes, one of which attacked the travel agent in order to get at her chocolate bar. Morocco was somewhat of a disappointment to the students, since they were led around on a series of opportunities for the locals to sell things. Unfortunately, they did not have the opportunity to view any of the cultural aspects of . Tangier, other than the people encountered. ~ Overall, everyone seemed to enjoy the trip tremendously. The local food was generally excellent, as were the local wines and beer. The Spanish people were extremely friendly, and members of the Penn State group who tried to speak in Spanish were ¢reeted by enthusiasm. The professors on the trip were invaluable sources of information about the places and cultural aspects of Spain, and everyone was grateful for a well organized trip. PSU Delco students Nicole Memmo and Melissa Martin receive the Cross Cultural Understanding Award from Dr. Ed Tomezsko, Campus CEO. Photo by LeaAnne. McGoldrick
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