March 4, 1998 Page 3 - LIONS EYE - Delco Gives Warm Reception to By Ryan Boldosser What do Dr. Gita DeSouza, Assistant Professor of Business Administration, and Assistant Professor Nina Asher of Education have in common? These two exceptional women are both new to Delco this year. Professor Asher began in the beginning of the fall semester while Dr. DeSouza recently arrived in the time for the spring semester. Dr. DeSouza graduated from the University of Bombay in India where she received a BA in Economics and Statistics. Her first Master's degree was also completed in India. From there she attended the College of Business in Ohio State, Columbus, where after being a student for five years she remained as a faculty member for a year. Before arriving at Delco she was a faculty member at Xavier University in Cincinnati. “I've had an extremely positive “...gives students the freedom to explore new areas of research and apply them to what we're learning...” reception from the students in my two classes,” commented Dr. DeSouza. “I have a positive feeling about my students enthusiasm and willingness to learn.” Upon her arrival Dr. DeSouza has received a lot of support from colleagues in the Business Department, specifically Dr. Michael Kersnick, Dr. Richard Barrett, Dr. John Terrel, and Dr. George Franz. Currently Dr. DeSouza is teaching two business courses, Mgmt 341- “Human Resource Management”, and Mgmt 297B- “Enterprise,” which includes special topics relating to small/ medium size businesses. “Dr. DeSouza gives students the freedom to explore new areas of New Faculty research and apply them to what we're learning in the classroom,” said one of DeSouza’s students Karen Tracy (Senior, Business Administration). Dr. DeSoUza is also involved in the planning and teaching for the new four year business degree program. Her research interests include business enterprise, compensation, and groups and leadership. In her spare time DeSouza enjoys listening to music and traveling, and is interested in cars. Professor Asher received her psychology degree in India, as well as her first Master's degree in social work. Professor Asher’s second Master's degree is from the Teachers College of Columbia in New York. Currently Professor Asher is working on finishing her dissertation (“Margins, Center, and the Spaces In Between: South Asian American High School Student's Lives at Home and School”) in order to complete her doctorate. “It has been exciting and challenging to come aboard and work in a program that is new,” explained Asher. “Overall this campus is small and friendly, creating a sense of community among its members.” This spring Professor Asher is teaching the course CI 295- “Introductory Field Experience for Teacher Preparation”, and is co- teaching URBED 401- “Literacy and Communicative Knowledge” with Dr. Kelly Estrada. Shannon Vantine (4th semester, Urban Education) is a student of Professor Asher’s CI 295 class said, “1 think Professor Asher is a very caring teacher and includes all her student's viewpoints in class discussions.” ~~ Aside from her work on campus Professor Asher has studied French as a hobby. Other interests include listening to a wide range of music and hiking. In the future Professor Asher would like to be able to engage in more activities involving the faculty and students. “Student enthusiasm and involvement make for a rewarding teaching experience, and I look forward to seeing more of this in the future semesters,” concluded Professor Asher. Dr. DeSouza, Assistant Professor of Business Administration, is busy at work in her office. Spring College Meetings Provide Vital Information By Aaron Mixson College Meetings are scheduled for Wednesday, March 25, at 12:30 during common hours. The location of each of the College Meetings will be posted a few days before the meetings. Every semester each of the University’s college meets on a campus to give students vital information about degree requirements, course selection for the upcoming semester and changes in requirements. This information helps students meet specific college and major guidelines in order to achieve their degree. Linda Campetelli (Campus Advising Coordinator) said, “I urge all students, especially sophomores, to attend the college meetings.” Yet some students believe that these meetings are a waste of their time. : “They really do not do a great job of explaining everything,” Chris Rudai (4th semester, DUS) remarked. Some people would rather grope through the dark and try to figure things out for themselves, but there is a glimmer of hope shining through the darkness. Not all students ignore the valuable information available from the College Meetings. "1 learned a lot after the meeting. It was clear to me what I had to do,” John McGarvey (2nd semester, DUS) explained. For all those who would like to be guided out of the fog, it is imperative to attend the next College Mectings. Here is a list of College Representatives who will be in charge of the College Meetings: American . ~ Studies, Dr. Phyllis Cole; Business/ 2 Business Administration, Mr. Richard T. Barrett; Letters, Arts and Sciences, Dr. George Franz; Speech Communication, Dr. Wayne McMullen; Urban Education, Dr. Grace Stanford; 2 Letters, Arts, and Sciences, Dr.. Elizabeth Buckmaster; Agriculture/ 2 Agriculture, Dr. Robert Black; Arts and Architecture, Dr. Connie Kirker; Business Administration, Dr. Michael Kersnick; Communications, Dr. Bruce Stephens; Division of Undergraduate Studies and Provisional Students, Ms. Linda Campitelli; Education, Dr. Patricia Van Leuvan; Earth and Mineral Science, Dr. John Ousey; Engineering, Dr. Arya Ebrahimpour; Health and Human Development, Mr. Daniel Doran; Liberal Arts, Dr. Adam Sorkin; and Science, Dr. Peter Georgopulos. Asian American Month: Ignore the Stereotypes By Christine Heffernan Do you stereotype different ethnic students as a cultural group or individually? According to The New Webster's Dictionary stereotyping is defined as “a conventional, hackneyed expression,” while myth is a “fable, legend, or fictitious” story. Do you think stereotypes are taught through myths our parents valued because their parents never sought the truth about different types of people? April is Asian American Month. The Asian American Student Caucus will sponsor many programs to challenge stereotypes of Asian American students. Club members have developed many exciting extra - curriculum activities that will explore the diversity of student life at Delco’s campus and surrounding communities. One Temple University student Hong stated, “Most people stereotype Asian students as kids with two parents that pay their tuition, but sad as it may be there are Asians who struggle to obtain these fees. Therefore, these students apply all their efforts to academic achievement to prove to their parents the best decision was made. For example, my mother will work twelve hours a day in order for me to attend school and not have to work and go to school full-time. My father was missing in action in the Vietnam War when I was born. My mother Nina Asher, Assistant Professor of Education, smiles for the camera during her ¢1295 class. Photo by Ryan Boldosser came to the United States after twelve years of waiting for his return, in the hopes of a secure future for my sister and me.” According to Admissions Counselor Ajay Nair, most Asians are stereotyped as academic achievers but what happens when they are not? “Asians are quiet and submissive. Consequently, they are the last to be helped if they are struggling academically.” Therefore, club members have developed free campus programs to end stereotypes and stereotyping. One student, Bill Benkert (sixth semester, speech communications) suggested, “The most successful way to alleviate incorrect stereotyping is by looking at Asians not as a different culture but as our peers. Get to know who Asians are as people, what they like, and how they feel in order to prevent stereotyping.” Since Bill's parents never taught him myths, this method of learning was his only option. Benkert sympathizes with ethnic minorities like Asians when it comes to stereotyping since his handicap makes him a minority also. On April 3 an Asian Hip Hop Group, Mountain Brothers, who recently signed with Columbia Roughhouse, will perform at the Delco campus followed by a panel discussion about Asian students: and the challenges they face. The group members are Penn State graduates, but none were music majors. Next, on April 7 the Asian Food Fest will give students a “Taste of Asia” for $2 at 11:30 am in the main student lounge. = There will also be a performance, songs, and a dance. | Then on April 17 the highlight event is guest speaker Pheobe Eng, former author of Warrior Lessons and founder of New America Review. She is presenting a multimedia speech on “Cross-cultural Communication and Change” in the large conference room in the commons building from 11:15am to 12:00am. Later in the day the Penn ‘State University Park Asian theater Group “ASAMA” will present skits about ending myths and stereotypes of the Asian Community. All these events will be open to all students.
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