Page 8
Features
Dr. Cupillari
Inspirational
by Missy Mace
Collegian Staff Writer
"She is an inspirational
teacher who is encouraging to
me", says math major Deanna
Goodenow of Dr. Antonella
'Cupillari, a math professor here
at Behrend.
After receiving her doctorate
degree in Italy and teaching math
and physics in high school for a
semester Dr. Cupillari entered the
State University of New York.
Even though she had her
doctorate degree in Italy, she had
to retake the exam once she
entered the United States. It
wasn't difficult because she was
already prepared from her
experience in Italy.
Dr. Cupillari came to this
campus five years ago and found
that she holds different views on
teaching than some professors.
Teaching to her is not just a
lecture relating a lot of facts, but
it is "convincing the students that
this is important information to
learn and it will be of essence
later on in their lives."
What really bothers her about
students in general is that
sometimes students "are passive
in class and you have to feed
them the information you are
presenting." After all, this is the
easy way out, avoiding the pain
of thinking. She feels her
students should "participate in
class and learn the thinking
process in math, not just the
numbers and the equations." She
feels that the philosophy of math
is very important. In fact, many
of the grate philosophers were
mathematicians and phisicists.
As a graduate student, Dr.
Cupillari proved the unanswered
problem of the existence of
functions in complex variables.
She developed this proof and used
the functions to prove other
complex variables. These proofs
are combined in a book she has
Intelligence
established for undergraduate
levels and can be found in the
Behrend bookstore.
Most math books and math in
general are dominated by men,
but in Dr. Cupillari a woman
has now taken a strong place.
"She is a woman with a doctorate
degree in math," states Deanna
with a hopeful look in her eyes.
"I feel that if she could do it, so
can I." The few women who are
math majors at Behrend look up
to her, not only because she is a
good math professor, but also
because she is a female one.
"I am so grateful to have her
as a teacher", Deanna says,
"because she encourages me and
she has the best class to
approaching proofs I have ever
seen." Dr. Cupillari sets a good
example on this campus far those
interested in a math major.
As a teacher she feels that her
educational beginings in Italy
were a help to her career. In Italy
once you decide your major you
take classes in it, and only it, for
four years. "There were no other
basic requirements and you got a
little sick of the classes," said
Cupillari, with a slight smile, of
her college major. She feels that
she learned about as much as she
could.
Dr. Cupillari admits that she
gives a lot of homework
assignments. Her philosophy is
that she knows how to do the
problems and it doesn't help her
students to watch her prove that
in class. "You can't fully learn by
watching someone else do the
problems, you have to practice
them."
Along with her mathematical
ability comes a lot of concern for
her students. She cares that her
students learn and absorb what
she teaches. She takes an active
part in communicating with her
students to get them to
participate in her class. As her
student, Deanna states with a
broad smile, "If I could say
anything more about her it would
have to be good because she is an
all around great teacher."
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Dear Louanne,
I feel a terrible responsibility. My
friend has confided in me that she
thinks about suicide a lot. She's been
depressed most of the time. She's doing
bad in school and broke up with her
boyfriend after Christmas. She says I'm
the only friend she has and she trusts
me with things she won't tell anyone
else. I don't know how to handle this
and it's starting to get me down. I don't
think she would do anything stupid,
but I can't be with her all the time.
Please tell me what to do.
I feel a terrible responsibilit3C. My
in me that she thinks
has confided
suicide a lot.
Dear Overwhelmed,
You are right to take this seriously. I would
confront your friend directly. Ask her if has a
plan. for suicide, and if- so,- does she,
means to implement the plan. Has she stocked
up on pills? (50 aspirin can be lethal and Tylenol
can cause liver failure in 3 to 5 days). Does she
abuse alcohol and drive a car? Has she, or other
members of her family ever attempted suicide
before? Does she regularly abuse alcohol or
drugs. (Three fourths of all suicide attempts are
under the influence of alcohol.)
Other signs of trouble are acting out
antisocially, through cutting classes, sexual
promiscuity, shoplifting, destruction of property,
or verbal or physical aggression. Depression
(hopelessness and apathy) that lasts more than a
week, change in sleeping and eating habits,
Send letters to: Dr. Louanne Barton, Personal Counseling
213 Glenhill Farmhouse, Behrend College. Erie, Pa 16563
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Ask Louanne
The Collegian Advice Column
by Dr. Louanne Barton,
Psychologist
This week:
A Friend Needs Help
suspiciousness, social isolation, and disoriented
thinking are all signals that a person needs help.
Academic failure and experiencing a recent loss
can be precipitating factors.
This is one secret that shouldn't be kept. Your
friend wouldn't have told you if she didn't want
someone to stop her. Are there any others close
to her that could help, such as parents,
roommate, or R.A.? If so tell your friend that
you are going to share this with them. Your
friend may feel that you have violated a
confidence, but will appreciate what you've done
when her thinking is less confused.
Use your best listening skills. Show that you
care. Don't evaluate, advise, moralize, or
minimize her feelings by offering empty
reassurances. Try to help her develop other
options and to understand that suicide is a
permanent solution to a temporary problem.
Help her keep busy by structuring her life,
working up a schedule of daily activities.
Encourage her to b,e with peo,
Make sure she has Hotline numbers - dose by:
Erie Hot Line - 453-5656
Saint Vincent's Hospital - 452-5151
Hamot Hospital - 870-6136
Family Crisis - 456-2014
Most important, encourage her to get
professional help. If necessary, accompany her to
my office.
Last, but not least, take care of yourself.
Remember that no matter how hard you try, you
can not be responsible for another person's life.
They have a choice.
GRADUATING?
friend
about