Volume 31, No.6
October 1, 1999
Contact: Terry Day (570) 662-4844
tday@mnsfld.edu
Mansfield is on the move and preliminary enrollment figures for the 1999-2000 school year bear out that fact. The four percent increase in enrollment over last year is the third highest among Pennsylvania state system schools and pushes MU’s total enrollment over 3,000.
First time undergraduate enrollment is up 15 percent, the transfer student population shows a 35 percent increase and "Good Neighbor" enrollment is up 76 percent. The "Good Neighbor" program allows students who live in 16 New York State counties to receive a 40 percent tuition discount at Mansfield. In addition to the higher enrollment numbers, the combined SAT scores of incoming freshman are up 17 points. Increasing the academic profile of students is part of MU’s strategic enrollment plan.
Mansfield President John R. Halstead said the increase was anticipated and attributes it to several factors including a greater awareness of Mansfield in the media and the perception that Mansfield is on the move because of all the campus improvements taking place. He also cited a dedicated and hardworking admissions team led by Brian Barden and the individual attention, care and entrepreneurial spirit of the faculty. "When a student comes to Mansfield he or she gets a highly personalized education, where not only professors but staff members care deeply about students. I think it’s a great message we are sending," Halstead said.
Mansfield’s enrollment figures for the school year will be finalized in mid-October.
Marketing Mansfield
How to make MU even better and to let more people know about it will be the topic of a Town Meeting for faculty, staff and students on Tuesday, October 5 at 12:30 p.m. at Manser North Dining Room. Rick Hesel, Arts & Science Group, will make a presentation on his firm’s recommendations and new direction for admissions, marketing, academic programs, student life and facilities. After Hesel’s presentation there will a discussion on the topics covered. A complimentary light lunch will be available at 12:15 p.m., with the presentation following.
Comedy Will Raise Curtain on Theatre Season
The MU Theatre kicks off its 1999-2000 season with the popular farce Lend Me a Tenor, by Ken Ludwig. The name Ken Ludwig may sound familiar to theatre goers, as last fall's first production, Moon Over Buffalo, was also a Ludwig hit.
Just as Moon Over Buffalo poked fun at actors and show business, Lend Me a Tenor takes on the world of opera. It’s a fast paced, hilarious, modern farce sure to keep the audience in stitches.
Set in 1930's Cleveland, the fun begins as world-renowned Italian tenor Tito Merelli (known as "Il Stupendo") arrives to perform Otello for local opera goers but is too indisposed to go on. What follows is a rollicking display of gimmicks and twists as old as farce itself.
The cast includes the pompous and panic-stricken impresario and his jealous, histrionic wife, a charming and crafty American tenor and his star-smitten girlfriend. An opera starlet determined to sleep her way to the Met and a resourceful bellhop among others, create a true comedy classic.
The cast includes: Joel Shade, music education major, as Tito Merelli; Nathan Miller, communication major, as Max; Adam Snyder, a theatre and broadcasting major as Mr. Saunders; Marissa Mickelberg, English education major, as Maggie; Katie Mason, theatre major, as Maria Merelli; Erin Owens, theatre major, as Diana; Amy Bohrer, elementary education major, as Julia; and Tim Mulroy, marketing major, as the bellhop.
Lend Me a Tenor is directed by theatre professor Michael Crum and will be performed at Straughn Hall October 7-9 at 8 p.m. and on Sunday, October 10 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for senior citizens and $2 for students with a Mansfield ID. Call (570) 662-4781 for information.
Another Fabulous Weekend
Fun, food, football and much more made the eighth annual Fabulous 1890s Weekend another great success. One of the highlights of the Weekend was the re-enactment of the inauguration of William Stone as Governor of Pennsylvania 100 years ago. The Scottish band, The Highlanders, did a special performance for the guests and visitors. MU President John Halstead introduced the ceremonies and welcomed the governor, portrayed by Jim Welch. During a photo session afterward, President Halstead congratulated the governor, saying "your inauguration address was considerably shorter than mine . . . and I'm grateful."
The whole day went well with good crowds and outstanding entertainment, said co-chair Dennis Miller. "Again, I thank President Halstead for his and Kathy's participation and support. Also thanks to Bill Koernig and the buildings and grounds crew for all their help on the park, to all the groups and organizations who worked the weekend and to Steve McCloskey and the members of Phi Kappa Sigma, Phi Mu Delta and Sigma Tau Gamma who gave their time to learn the plays and put on a great re-creation of night football."
Dozens of campus and community organizations work together each year to bring to life The Fabulous 1890s Weekend which is sponsored jointly by Mansfield University and the Greater Area Mansfield Chamber of Commerce.
The Weekend commemorates the site of the world's first night football game.
Lynn Pifer, Languages and Literature, and Tricia Slusser, MU's outstanding senior 1995, co-authored an article that appears in the latest issue of Melus (Multi-Ethnic Literature of the United States). The article, "Looking at the Back of Your Head: Mirroring Scenes in Alice Walker's The Color Purple and Possessing the Secret of Joy," was written as part of a student-faculty research project while Slusser attended Mansfield. Slusser earned an MA in English from the University of California - Riverside, and is a PhD student in English at the University of Maryland.
Ruth Anne Miller, Art, has artwork in this year's Arnot Art Museum Gala Exhibition. The closing reception and silent auction will be Friday, October 1, 1999 from 5:30–8 p.m. Miller also has pictures of three of her hand-woven scarves in the summer 1999 edition of Weaver's Magazine.
The MU Forensics Team, under the direction of Sharon Carrish, Communication and Theatre, got its season off to a great start at the 14th annual Bloomsburg Novice Tournament on Saturday, September 25. Junior Carl Madonna took first place and Ja’Nell Natson second in prose interpretation. The one-two finish against a very strong field earned Madonna and Watson a standing ovation from the crowd.
Deborah Cleveland, Academic Advising Center secretary, has been selected to receive a $500 Scholarship from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 13 for her winning essay "How Should Social Security Be Reformed To Satisfy Your Best Interests?" Cleveland is a junior in general studies and is in the Honors Program.
Douglas Bowes, senior English major, attended a professional literature and drama conference this summer at Drew University. The conference was entitled, "Shakespeare in Performance: Shakespearean Performance and Performance Criticism." Bowes, the only undergraduate in attendance at this conference, is scheduled to give a presentation on his experience in Edward Washington's Shakespeare class this fall.
Freshman Gretchen Reschke recorded her second hat trick of the season, including the game winner in overtime, and junior Michele Rohrer added two goals to lead Mansfield University to a 5-4 come-from-behind win in PSAC field hockey Tuesday afternoon. Mansfield will host Shippensburg University, the fifth-ranked team in the nation in the latest NCAA Division II Coaches Poll, this Saturday and then play Elmira College on Sunday at Spaulding Field. Both games start at 12 noon.
MU maintained it's ninth place ranking in the week's NCAA Division II Coaches Poll. Junior Jamie Huffcut tops the PSAC in points per game (3.00) and goals per game (1.39) while Rohrer leads the conference in assists per game (1.00).
"Don't be afraid to take a big step. You can't cross a chasm in two small jumps."
-David Lloyd George