Thursday, October 28, 1993 Multi-Cultural by John Rossomando Collegian Staff This week Behrend's Multicultural Council sponsored several events to increase understanding of the different cultural heritages represented on campus. The Cultural Awareness Week kicked off with the National Society of Black Engineers featuring an exhibit demonstrating the contribution of black engineers to American history. Then on Tuesday the Asian Student Organization sponsored a table at which they sold fortune cookies, and they also had various items from the Far East as well as various Chinese films. Tuesday evening Women Today sponsored the first film in their women's film series titled "Men". On Wednesday Women Today sponsored an informational meeting on Breast Cancer. Alumnus recogn by Hal D. Coffey News Editor On Thursday, October 21, Erie cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Gary W. Lyons received the 1993 Alumni Fellow Award. Lyons attended Behrend during the 1952-53 academic year. Coming back to the campus has brought back a lot of good memories for Lyons. "I hold a very warm spot in my heart for Behrend," Lyons said. "Although there were only about 200 students, we had a great. sense of camaraderie' He came to Behrend from a small farming town and was happy with the serene surroundings. "The beauty of Behrend is that students get to learn in a peaceful environment." Lyons came to Behrend for his first year to avoid the enormous size of the University Park campus. "I might have gotten lost at the main campus. Behrend gave me the opportunity to participate in more activities." During his first and only year at Behrend, he captained the men's basketball team during their first . year of play in Erie Hall. Lyons considers the Alumni Fellow Award a great piece of recognition from his peers. "I appreciate the award even more because it was given to me by fellow alum," Lyons said. "It's great' for it recognizes one's lifelong interest in academics." After leaving Behrend, Lyons Today ABC is sponsoring an exhibit on African and Carribean culture. Tomorrow evening OLAS is sponsoring the "Friday Fiesta" which will showcase Latin American culture and music and will be held in the Wintergreeen Cafe from 8-11 pm. Gerald Spates the advisor for the MCC stated that, "It is important to promote an appreciation for culture, and the purpose of Multicultural Week is part of that appreciation." Spates also stated that the entire Behrend community needs to be involved in cultural activities, and he encouraged participation in Multicultural activities by whites as well as nonwhites. He also stated that it is important that we understand culture and learn to appreciate it. He said," I would really like it if we were eventually able to see ourselves as Americans , I would really like that very much." Craig BrovmlCollegian Photographer The Lyon Sleeps Tonight..: Erie cardiothoracic surgeon Dr. Gary W. Lyons returned to Behrend after having been a student at the campus 40 years ago to receive the 1993 Alumni Fellow Award. Lyons, pictured at left, was presented the award by Provost and Dean John Lilley. went on to the University Park Campus to complete his bachelor's degree in chemistry in 1956. He continued his education at the - medical school of the University of Pittsburgh. While at Pitt, he was chosen for a prestigious student exchange to study with the internationally known vascular surgeon Dr. • ••'‘' . s 1;A: . . • y . 5, * - - , \• , \ St ~'~ Jeff Zimmerman/Contributing Photographer Behrend Internationale: Three students, (left to right) Yuri Unno, Hubert Saladino, and Dae Kang represent the Asian Student Organization during Multi-Cultural Week. Charles Rob at the University of London. Lyons completed an internship and earned a doctoral degree in surgery at the University of Minnesota, where he studied under Dr. C. Walton Lillehei, a pioneer of open heart surgery in the United Stata: In 1971, he returned to Erie to found Saint Viicent Health Week Center's Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, which he directed until earlier this year. He continued his work at St. Vincent by becoming president of the medical staff from 1986'until 1991, as well as other leadership positions with the Pennsylvania State Board of Medicine, the Behrend Council of Fellows, , e Mellon Bank (North) Boart'cyf ized Directors, the Erie Small Business Investment Company and the American Heart Association. Lyons hopes to continue his career and gradually wind down towards day-to-day patient care. He has been married to his wife Darlene for 35 years. They have four children ranging in ages from 29-33 years old. Lyons received the Alumni Fellow medallion from Dr. Joab Thomas, President of Penn State University, at a ceremony and reception in his honor. The Alumni Fellow Award is the most prestigious award given by the Penn State Alumni Association and is a permanent, life-long designation. Trigon, MI, and other organizations present... " end the Band Played Oh" It'SlFree! Heed Lecture Hall November 6 6pm Page 3
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