1k September 15, 2005 The Lion's Eye Page 3 Pye on Campus Passing the Executive Torches New PSU-Delco chancellor excited about challenges By M. Bruder Lion’s Eye Staff writer mab522@psu.edu Dr. Sophia T. Wisniewska couldn't be more excited about her new role as chancellor of Penn State's Delaware County Campus. Just a few weeks into the semester, Wisniewska (pronounced Vish-nef-ska) has already met with faculty, students, and even attended a former stu- dent's wedding in Paris. Something she says she was pleased to do. The chancellor is not the only person on campus to be excited about her new position. Dr. Nancy Wyatt, a communications professor, said, "It is more important to be a good listener than a good speaker. We have a new chancellor on campus and she actually listens to me, I would do anything for her." Prior to her coming here, Wisniewska held the title dean and campus executive at Temple University's Ambler campus. Wisniewska also spent 21 years in various roles throughout many Penn State campuses. As chancellor at PSU-Delco, she looks forward to the challenges that face her. Some of those challenges Wisniewska explained include a retiring faculty, recruitment and reten- tion of students, and rising tuitions. These are chal- lenges, she feels, can be dealt with. Many may wonder just what a chancellor is. Though it is an unusual title, a chancellor's role varies depending on the institution. For example, a campus president at Temple University must report to the chancellor. At Penn State however, it is the Chancellor who reports to the President. Referring to the piivic enon of Student Life DR. SOPHIA WISNIEWSKA New Chancellor Letter From the SGA President Dear Campus Community, On behalf of your Student Government Association, I would like to wel- come all of you back to school. The Student Government is here to serve you, so please feel free to approach us at any time. I know: this year will be a great one here at Penn State Delaware County if we work ‘together! All the departments have a plethora of things planned for you throughout the semester. Some of the upcoming events include: Today (9/15) - Ultimate Frisbee - campus lawn @ 11:30 a.m. Tomorrow (9/16) - SGA Info Meeting - 2nd floor Commons bldg.@ 12:30 p.m. Thursday (9/22) - Disability Awareness Day - campus lawn @ 11:30 a.m. Tuesday (9/27) - Blood Drive - Classroom bldg. lounge Wednesday (9/28) - Blood Drive - classroom bldg. lounge Along with the events listed, the Student Government Association and all the clubs on campus are collecting money and supplies for the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Please bring any monetary donations to the Student Life office. Any non-monetary donations can be dropped off in the Club Room (202 Commons). If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please contact the SGA at: Office: 202 Commons Phone: 610-892-1240 Website: www.clubs.psu.edu/de/delcosga Yours truly, Stacie M. Mann SGA President diverse title of chancellor, Dr. Wisniewska jokingly added, "As you know Hitler was also one." As chancellor here at Delco, Wisniewska is responsible for "overseeing all of the functional areas of the campus." This includes the budget, fund-raising and, community outreach. Born and raised in a small Polish town two hours north of Warsaw, Wisniewska immigrated to the United States when she was 11 years old. Following the loss of her brother, who died at age 6, her parents named her Sophia after her late brother's adored babysitter. In 1962, Wisniewska's mother took charge. Sponsored by a distant uncle, her mother moved the family to Manayunk, a suburb of Philadelphia to, "create a better life for the family." According to Wisniewska it was not until she attended the Abington campus of Penn State that she left Terrace Street in Manayunk. As a youngster, Wisniewska developed a love for the Russian language. Despite her almost failing a Russian class during high school, she pressed on. Wisniewska later received a baccalaureate in Russian from Penn State and both a M.A. and Ph.D. in Russian from Bryn Mawr College. Wisniewska feels that one of the biggest issues facing Penn State is the decline in enrollment and retention of students. Penn State currently has one the highest public tuitions in the nation, something Wisniewska feels will make it, "more and more difficult particularly for families that have more than one child to afford a college education." Wisniewska said, "Attracting students and then creating scholarships when necessary to help them pay for that education is going to be a challenge." photo courtesy of Ron Hill The 2005 - 2006 Student Government Association body
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