Volume 31, No.6
October 8, 1999
Contact: Terry Day (570) 662-4844
tday@mnsfld.edu 

Getting The Word Out

•       Soon after being named President in the spring of 1998, Dr. John Halstead referred to Mansfield as "an absolute gem." Getting that word out and letting more people know about Mansfield is the goal of a new marketing plan the university is undertaking. Art and Science Group was retained to develop an integrated marketing plan that will better position Mansfield to advances its enrollment and to broaden institutional objectives. Rick Hesel and Kate Cleary presented their firm’s recommendations at a "town meeting" on Tuesday in North Dining Hall. A capacity crowd of faculty and staff were in attendance.
       To know Mansfield is to love it is the good news from the research. However, prospective students and their parents need to know more about MU. Turning that negative into a positive is one of the keys for Mansfield’s future according to Hesel who said, "This is a good opportunity. We are not struggling against negative perceptions. Right now Mansfield is a blank canvas."
       Filling that canvas with positive images is the goal of the new marketing plan and to that end Art and Science Group is making several recommendations. Among them:
• Creation of an "outward bound-type" leadership development program with coordinated content and faculty involvement. This program would take the place of traditional orientation.
• Creation of a Center for the Advancement of Rural Pennsylvania.
• Make internships a required component of a Mansfield education.
• Identifying five or six academic fields as MU’s premier academic strengths.
• More faculty involvement with student inquiries, applicants and visiting families.
       Hesel stressed that his firm’s report is composed of recommendations and the final plan of action will have to be discussed and decided on by the people who will have to make it work, the Mansfield University community. But Hesel added that, "business as usual is not enough. Dramatic steps are needed" to improve enrollment and the university’s image as MU heads into the next century.
       The Art and Science Group’s full report is available for review in the library.

No Place Like Home

     Homecoming ’99 is here as MU alumni, family and friends return to campus for a full weekend of activities. The theme of this year’s Homecoming is "The New Millennium: A Celebration of Diversity."  Patty Hamilton-Rodgers, director of Alumni Relations, says "we’re looking forward to having many of our graduates back on campus for a fun weekend. The activities are designed so our alumni and their families can enjoy all that Mansfield has to offer."
     Among the activities are the Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner and Induction Ceremonies on Friday at 6:30 p.m. in Decker Gymnasium. Saturday the Homecoming parade will proceed down Main Street starting at 10 a.m. An alumni tent party adjacent to Van Norman Field will start at 11 a.m. with kickoff for the homecoming game against West Chester at 1 p.m. At half time the Homecoming Queen and King will be crowned, the Hall of Fame Class of ’99 will be presented and the marching band will perform.
     For a detailed schedule of Homecoming activities check the MU website at www.mansfield.edu . Call extension 4980 for more information.

The Class of ’99

     The Mansfield University Athletic Hall of Fame will welcome eight new members including two new additions to the Legends category during the 17th Annual Induction ceremonies on Friday, October 8 at 6:30 p.m. The Legends category is for student-athletes or coaches who participated prior to 1927 when Mansfield was a State Normal School.
     In a unique twist, the dinner and induction presentations will be held in lobby of Decker Gymnasium in front of the Hall of Fame display.
     This year’s inductees are Bill Bair, Jr. ’93, Glenda Oswald Flynn ’92, Kim Daniels Terrigino '84, Dale Reynolds '80, John Sukenik '63 and John Bobkowski '48. In the Legends category former coach Richard Kichline and Dean Phelps, Class of 1901, will be inducted.

True Surround Sound

     On Saturday, October 9 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, October10 at 3 p.m. the MU Department of Music will present its annual Prism Concert at Steadman Theatre.
     The Prism Concert highlights all facets of the music program including vocal, guitar, percussion, piano, string and wind instruments. The program includes large and small ensembles, featuring everything from a 50-piece orchestra to individual instrument ensembles. Musical styles ranging from jazz to 50s pop vocal to classical will be featured in the hour-long program.
     The audience is literally surrounded by music, in this one of a kind musical experience, as performers are placed around the auditorium to display their skills and the sounds move seamlessly (without applause) from one corner of the hall to the next.
     Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for students & senior citizens. For more information call extension 4710.

Michael Logan, English, was part of a panel discussion on contemporary literary Theory held at the Central New York Conference on Language and Literature at SUNY-Cortland. Logan read his paper titled, "Difference and Cultural Order: Addressing the University's Audiences." He will chair the panel next year.
Roger Maisner, Health, Physical Education and Recreation, has been appointed to theNCAA Baseball Rules Committee. The committee oversees all playing rules for Division One, Two and Three baseball. Maisner is also the chairman of the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Baseball Rules Committee.

• Some employees and students have been parking long-term on Clinton and Second Streets, adjacent to campus. This is causing some concern among our neighbors. Please be considerate and park in designated lots on campus whenever possible.
• On Friday, October 8^th at 8 p.m. in Steadman Theatre Jean-Anne Teal and Michael Galloway will present a faculty recital for soprano and trumpet. The program will include a wide variety of selections both from the classical repertoire to more popular styles.
• There will be a Red Cross Blood Drive at MU on Wednesday, October 13 from 10:45 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. at Manser North Dining Hall. For more information telephone the Tioga County Chapter of the American Red Cross at (570)724-2941 or (814)258-5828, e-mail the Chapter at tcarc@ptd.net or call 1-800-GIVE LIFE to determine if you are eligible to donate.
• For Make a Difference Day on Saturday, October 23 many organizations are sponsoring a toiletries and non- perishable food items drive for the Tioga County Women's Coalition Shelter for abused women and their children. Many items are needed. Call Darcie Goodenough at ext. 5222 to see how you can help.
• The Community Service-Learning Office needs help with two upcoming projects. Committees are needed for Santa’s Gift Bag Christmas project and the Children’s Miracle Network Dance Marathon. Call ext. 4177 for information or to volunteer.
• The 1999 State Employee Combined Appeal (SECA) is underway. All university employees will receive a packet containing the organizations and agencies that are participating in SECA 1999. Please consider making a donation to one of these worthy charities. If you currently give, please renew your pledge through check, cash, money order, or a payroll deduction. If you have questions contact Betsy Brune, 1999 SECA Coordinator, at extension 4809 or John Boselli, Human Resources, at extension 4052.
• A reminder from the University Police to keep your vehicle locked at all times on campus. Police have received a number of reports of items being removed from unlocked vehicles. Don’t be a victim. Lock your vehicle and secure valuables in the trunk if possible.
• A coordinator for the upcoming accreditation evaluation by Middle States is needed. The actual visit will be spring, 2002 however the preparation will begin spring 2000. Anyone interested in applying or getting more information should contact Dr. Sandra Linck, Associate Provost, at ext. 4807 by October 13.
• Dave Doran, a representative of VALIC (The Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company) will be on campus Thursday, October 14 from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Memorial Hall, room 204. University employees are eligible to establish 403(b) accounts for retirement. Doran will explain how VALIC’s tax-deferred annuities plan works.
• The State System of Higher Education Faculty Professional Development Council will offer grant opportunities for the faculty under several categories. See the Grants Development Office web site at www.mansfield.edu/~grantsde/SSHEFPDC99a.htm for application guidelines and forms, or request a print copy from the Grants Development Office at ext. 4809. The internal deadline for 1999 applications is October 8; the SSHE postmark deadline is November 3.
• Fall aerobics are back at the Kelchner Fitness Center. Sessions are Monday and Wednesday at 9:15 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday at 4:30 p.m., Friday at 6:30 p.m., Saturday at 11 a.m. and Sunday at 7:30 p.m. Call ext. 4234 for more information.

SPORTS UPDATE

     The field hockey team maintained its number nine ranking in this week's NFHCA NCAA Division II Poll. The Mounties went 1-1 last week with a 5-4 overtime win over Slippery Rock and a 2-1 overtime loss to fifth ranked Shippensburg. Freshman Gretchen Reschke and junior Jamie Huffcut continue to lead the PSAC in scoring with junior Michele Rohrer topping the conference in assists. The team travels to number seven IUP this Friday night before returning home to host fourth ranked Assumption (MA) on Sunday at 1 p.m. at Spaulding Field.
     Sophomore Nichole Beckel led the women's cross-country team to a first place finish at the 50th Annual LeMoyne College Invitational last Saturday. It marked the third straight first place finish for the women's squad. Both the men's and women's team will travel to the Baptist Bible Invitational on Saturday.
     The football team had its best offensive outing in years in a 43-25 setback to nationally ranked Millersville. Senior running back Lee Brannon rushed for 198 yards, the third highest single game rushing mark in the school's 106 year history, and a touchdown as the Mountaineers outgained Millersville 417-407 in total offense. The Mounties host West Chester this Saturday at 1 p.m. at Karl Van Norman Field.
     Chris McGee will be honored before the start of the football game on Saturday. McGee is the first player in MU history to win two NCAA statistical categories in a season in 1999. McGee, who was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in June, topped the nation in strikeouts and ERA.

The Bottom Line

"It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit."
  --Harry S Truman