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BEHREND CtiUJK
# ÜBIJfRir . 1 -
New PSU president visits Behrend
Thomas discusses views on
education and diversity
d J. Csir
by Flo
The Collegian
Dr. Joab L. Thomas, Penn
State's new president, discussed
his views on education and
diversity within Penn State at a
news conference Thursday
afternoon during his first visit to
Behrend.
Thomas has been president for
nearly a month since taking over
for former President Bryce Jordan.
Prior to his current position,
Thomas had been the President of
the University of Alabama at
Tuscaloosa for seven years.
"The more I learn about the
complex of Penn State, the more
I am impressed by the structure
and organization of Penn State ..
. I am delighted to be a part of
The Collegian
Thursday, October 4,1990
such a special organization," said
Thomas.
Thomas outlined his three
major areas where he feels Penn
State needs to work on: diversity,
education and academic standards.
"There is a beautiful and
appropriate balance between
teaching and research [at
Behrend]," said Thomas. Penn
State will focus on this issue of
undergraduate teaching and
graduate research to insure both.
"I feel they are very compatible
and overlapping," said Thomas.
Diversity was another
important topic for the President,
who cited a task force currently
studying the recruitment and
retention of students. Additional
internal funds for minority
(continued on page 3)
Behrend
buys land
for varsity
athletics
Purchased 86 acres
off East 38th Street
Behrend has purchased 86
acres of the former St John
Kanty Prep property on East
38th street for use as varsity
athletic fields.
The sale is conditional on
rezoning of the property by
Harborcreek Township officials.
Behrend officials declined to
estimate the final price of the
sale which is still under
negotiation
According to John Ream,
director of operations, the
college is presently preparing to
to have the township rezone the
property. The land needs to be
rezoned from multiple-family
residential use to a special
category zone for college use.
North of East 38th Street,
58.3 acres of the property span
in an "L" shape from the
southeast section of the City of
Erie east of Bird Drive to
Shannon Road.
The remaining 28.3 acres are
bounded by Shannon Road on
the east. East 38th Street on the
North and the Allegheny railroad
tracks on the west and south.
The sale does not include the
Kanty Village building currently
owned by Kenneth' L.
Lochbaum. The building
presently holds a physical
(continued on page 2)
Mike Schell/T/ie Collegian
Straight from the top: Dr. Joab L. Thomas, the new president of Penn
State, held a press conference with Dr. Lilley, provost and dean,
yesterday on campus.
White-bashing forum held
The discussion, which was goal as"having some people reach
presented by the Human a different level of awareness that
Relations Programming Council, they didn't have when they
was coordinated by Wiley and Dr. walked in the door." Above all,
"We are for difference, for Diana Hume George, professor of the discussion was held to "clear
respecting difference, until English. up misconceptions and let the
difference doesn't make any more According to Wiley, one of restless express their feelings on
difference," said Lillie Wiley, the goals of the discussion was to diversity," said Wiley.
Student Services Assistant, at an open people's minds with White-bashing is defined as
open discussion on racism, "solutions through education and putting the blame on white
diversity, and white-bashing at awareness to understand people for the problems of
Behrend Monday night differences." Wiley stated another minorities.
(continued on page 2)
by Shirl Climpson
The Collegian
Todd J. Irwin/TAe Collegian
Speaking out: Mike Vaughn, a fifth semester plastics engineering
major, voices his opinion to Lillie Wiley, Student Services Assistant, at an
open discussion on white-bashing Monday night in the Reed Building.
JUN 2 e 2001,
Vol. XXXIX No. 5