TIONAL
§ :
TH
M ON
PSU BRANDYWINE
The Lion’s Eves
Vol. 2, Issue 2. Penn State Brandywine
Media, Pennsylvania March 14, 2012
“A Night With The
Pride” Is A Night of
Success
By Robert Ripson- Loins Eye Staff Writer- tlr283@psu.edu
On February 24, 2012, Penn State Brandywine held its fourth annual “A
Night With The Pride” fund raising event at the Ballrooms at Boothwyn in Booth-
wyn, Pennsylvania. The annual event is the brain child of Theresa Walls, IT coor-
dinator for PSU Brandywines IT Department. Co-Chairs that made this event the
success it was are staff assistant Gail Wray and Dr. Susan Fredricks. The event has
grown over the four years with last years’ proceeds totaling six thousand dollars.
Ms. Walls’ goal for this year’s event was to reach $10,000.00, which would ben-
efit both the Tiz Griffith Athletic Fund and the PSU Brandywine Global Programs
Scholarship Fund.
There were over 180 people in attendance and the campus was well represent-
ed. The IT Department, Library Staff, Office of Student Affairs, Career Counseling,
Administrators, Alumni and fellow students all attended in enthusiastic support for this
effort. All this effort and support is to assist PSU Brandywine Athletics and the Global
Programs the campus offers. On average it takes about $250,000 annually to support
the Athletic Department and provide student-athletes to be competitive in Division III
athletics. One such Global program that benefits from this event is the current Barce-
lona trip that is taking place over Spring Break.
This events Master of Ceremonies was Dr. Matthew Shupp, Director of
Student Affairs. After brief opening remarks Dr: Shupp handed the microphone over
to Tiz Griffith, former Penn State Brandywine Athletic Director, who officially started
the gala with brief remarks about the importance of the event and then the festivities
began.
Dinner was catered by Lia’s Catering, delicious food and deserts were
thoughtfully prepared and eagerly devoured by those who savored the delectable mor-
sels. :
Fifty baskets were up for raffle in the money raising efforts, and contained
everything from an X-box lover’s basket to picnic baskets. Additionally, PSU memo-
rabilia of all sorts were up for grabs. Raffle tickets for these items sold for $1 for one
and for a great deal you could purchase thirty chances for twenty dollars.
There were five special items available for a premium raffle of five dollars
per ticket. Those in attendance were thrilled to take a chance on items such as tickets
to Penn State Football, Phillies, Sixers, Flyers games, handyman services and the two
most coveted prizes of the yearly event, beach houses: one in Avalon, New Jersey for
a long weekend getaway., and a week getaway to Ocean City, Maryland in high style.
James A. Morgan, Director of Information Technology Services, happily
won the week stay in Maryland. (So, beware, if you need computer assistance, better
a“
One of almost two hundred attendees at the 4th Annual “A Night With The Pride”
examines the premium prizes up for chance. The yearly event has become a staple
fundraiser at Penn State Brandywine, raising thousands of dollars to benefit the Tiz
Griffith Athletic Fund and, new this year, the PSU Brandywine Global Programs
Scholarship Fund. (photo by Robert Ripson) .
the long weekend stay in Avalon was recent Brandywine graduate, Brittney Walker,
who was flabbergasted, elated, and excited when her winning ticket was pulled and her
name announced. :
Special thanks must be given to the sponsors of the event. The list is long
but kudos go out to the Penn State Alumni Society sponsoring the 50/50 raffle in
which Shawn Manderson, President of the Society, relentlessly assured that he and the
members of his board meticulously scoured the room so-all could participate in the
fun. Over $500 was raised, and the portion that was to-go to the Society was graciously
donated back to the Pride Fund.
Manderson graduated from PSU in 2003 and was honored to be selected to
reestablish the Alumni Society. The Society is also charged with securing funds for the
Victor Spirrizzi ACE Award, a gift awarded to a student who shows academic excel-
lence and exceptional community service for the campus. Recently the Alumni Society
is also in the midst of raising money for a University Trustee Scholarship program.
They are well on their way to achieving this goal. :
Moore Construction a main sponsor of the event was also present. Mr. and
Mrs. Moore graciously raffled their Maryland vacation home for the event. This was
their first year of involvement with the fund raiser and plan on returning again next
year.
Senator William Hacket also made a planned visit to attend the gala. When
asked how he came to learn of the event, Senator Hacket replied, “My son attends PSU
Brandywine and it is honor to be a part of such a worthwhile event.” We are blessed to
have such great support for our PSU community.
get it soon, the IT Department may be closed for a week!) The other big winner of
Impeachment of SGA Chairs Falls Through
By Robert Ripson- Lion's Eye Staff Writer- rlr283@psu.edu
An emergency hearing was held Tues-
day, 21 February 2012 in the Student Affairs
conference room to discuss and vote on the im-
peachment of two Committee Chair persons.
Charges were levied against Ana Elmasllari and
Ryan Ashby, Student Diversity and Academic
Affairs chairs respectively.
The proceedings were monitored by Dr.
Matthew Shupp, Student Government Advisor
and Director of Student Affairs. Dr. Shupp out-
lined how the hearing was to proceed as outlined
in the Constitution of the Student Government.
The charges that were levied were dere-
liction of duty by both of the Chairperson. These
charges were brought by Steve latesta, President
of the Student Government Association (SGA).
In attendance were nine members of the SGA
council who were to vote on whether to impeach
or not.
There was a call for questions prior to
the start of the debate and none were offered.
latesta began the proceedings, offering
his reason for the case of the impeachment. lates-
ta summed up his reasoning stating, “Ryan and
Anna did not perform to their tasks as meeting
the criteria that were discussed in previous meet-
ings.” Tasks that were allegedly not performed
were the organizing and set up of ten diversity
activities and negligent fulfillment of follow up
reports regarding these events. Also allegedly not
performed were repeated requests from email in-
quiries of the progress of Academic Affairs and
Diversity activities which none were presented.
Other allegations presented, time management,
recruiting efforts,
Ryan Ashby was given the first opportu-
nity to respond the allegations that were present-
ed against him. Ashby’s first defense to the al-
legations stemmed from the email inquiries that
were allegedly not responded to. Ashby defiantly
stated that indeed there were responses but any
recommendations or suggestions that were put
forth were unilaterally rejected and therefore, no
further response were necessary, as thought by
Ashby. Ashby also defended that it was not the
responsibility of the SGA to recruit high school
students or other members of the community in
attending PSU Brandywine.
Ashby did admit that he may have not
given his full attention to the activities that SGA
had put out for him to consider, but that Ashby
has cut back on his employment schedule to di-
vert more energy and time to his SGA responsi-
bilities.
Ashby also commented that when Iates-
ta initiates a task, there is almost no call for assis-
tance from the body of the SGA and that Iatesta
does not ask or want any assistance regarding
them.
Next to defend against the allegations
was Ana FElmasllari. Elsmasllari had a prepared
statement and read from it and addressed them.
She stated that she was shocked by the allega-
tions that were presented. Elmasllari also ac-
knowledged that the possibility of the need to put
forth more efforts towards the fulfillment of her
duties. But that she indeed did fulfill some of the
requirements that were requested of her, but for
personal reasons, others could not because those
reasons interfered within the time constraints.
SGA President Steve latesta
charges two of his committee
chairs with dereliction of duty
but was unsuccessful in his
efforts to have them
removed from office.
Elmasllari, also commented that the proceedings
were counterproductive and taking away from
the creation of a positive attitude to framework
for positive change. Continuing from her state-
ment Elmasllari outlined future plans for the
Campus Diversity Chair and the setting of realis-
tic goals was her primary concern.
In summary Elmasllari is concerned
about the way communication or lack thereof is a
one way affair from the Presidency and through
the chain of command. The SGA is a group proj-
ect and all need to participate and no idea should
be owned.
After her rebuttle and comments Dr.
Shupp concluded this aspect of the proceeding
and called for a vote on the impeachment. He
asked that latesta, Ashby and Elmasllari leave
the room as their votes were noted and that dis-
cussion could be deliberated and vote taken.
The executive board did want to make
clear during this deliberation that in contrast to
Iatesta’s assertion that there was a unanimous
call for impeachment, that indeed there were two
abstentions out of five members to go forward.
After deliberation and votes taken and
counted. As the required 2/3 majority needed for
impeachment was not met for either defendant,
keeping Elmasllari and Ashby as Chairpersons
of the respective duties was the final outcome.
Ryan Ashby (iop) anc
Ana Elmasllari (middie)
were accused by SGA
President Steve latesta
(bottom) for failing to per-
form tasks assigned to
them by SGA. The SGA
did not hit the required
2/3 vote to proceed with
impeaching Ashby and
Elmasllari. (photos retrieved
[from facebook.com)