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Volume 29, No. 16
January 9, 1998
Scott A. Miller
Contact: MU PR Office 662-4844

NEWS

Presidential Search Committee continues progress
Presidential Search Committee Chair Lewis Lee writes:
The Presidential Search Committee met again on Dec. 15 to continue to review candidates. The primary objective of the meeting was to select a small group of candidates to interview in mid-January at a neutral site. To accomplish this objective, the committee received detailed reports of telephone interviews, conducted by members of the committee, with the references of 20 candidates. These telephone reference checks were carefully planned and addressed questions related to the needs of Mansfield University.

I am pleased to report that the committee has reached a consensus about ten candidates to invite for off-campus interviews with the full committee. The purpose of the interviews will be to help the candidates gain a better understanding and appreciation of Mansfield and for us to become better acquainted with them.

Following the off-campus interviews, the committee will select at least three leading candidates to visit the campus and the local area. An announcement will be made about the campus visit schedule soon after we complete our meetings with the candidates. When a finalist candidate visits the campus for approximately two days, members of the various constituencies of the university will have an opportunity to meet the person. Additional details about these visits will be made available to the campus community once we have selected the leading candidates.

Although we realize that much remains to be accomplished to ensure a successful outcome of our search, we are very pleased about the quality of our candidate pool at this stage. Of course, we are not taking them for granted and will continue to cultivate their interest in Mansfield.

Let me take this opportunity to wish everyone associated with Mansfield a wonderful holiday season and the best in 1998.

Hallelujah! "Messiah" performance wants you!
All MU students, faculty and staff are invited to join the Festival Chorus as it prepares for two performances of Handel's "Messiah."

Composed in a period of three weeks,"Messiah" is indeed one of the most inspired masterpieces in the choral repertory. Rehearsals begin Tuesday, Jan. 13, at 7 p.m. in Steadman Theatre and continue each Tuesday from 7-9 p.m. under the direction of Peggy Dettwiler, director of choral activities. Singers may purchase their scores at the Campus Bookstore.

The performances, scheduled for April 18 and 19, will feature MU alumni soloists who are active singers in their region. They are: soprano Anna Maria Santalucia Meyers, class of 1981, Port Allegany, PA; alto Fran Shumway, class of 1981, McLean, NY; tenor Steve Shumway, class of 1980, McLean, NY; tenor Mark Johnson, class of 1979, New York City; bass Todd Robinson, class of 1992, Johnson City, NY.

In preparation for the event, Dettwiler will coach with Alfred Mann of the Eastman School of Music. The performance will feature Mann's edition of "Messiah" published by Dover Publications. A Handel scholar of international renown, Mann has contributed volumes to editions of the Complete Works of Handel. Mann will be on campus for the dress rehearsal and performances.

For more information, call Dettwiler at 4721.

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Mansfield University News

MUSIC NOTES

(Editor's note: See "Messiah" story above)

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Mansfield University News

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Have an Updater announcement? Send it to Scott A. Miller

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SCHOLAR'S SPOTLIGHT

Tom Fernsler, education, recently taped a spot for Australia's "Today Show," which is Australia's equivalent to the NBC "Today Show," on the topic of triskaidekaphobia (fear of the number 13). This was just one of numerous appearances throughout the nation for Fernsler based on the fact that 1998 has three months with a Friday the 13th (normally there are two). Other media that interviewed Fernsler were the British Broadcasting Company in London, the London Daily Telegraph, Radio 5AA in Australia, Voice of America radio in Washington, D.C., and the Arts & Entertainment Network.

Robert Amchin, music, presented at the recent NYSSMA state conference in Kiamesha NY. At the conference he met with alumni and potential students throughout the state. In addition, he presented a session "Sing a Round, Dance a Round" to a "standing-room-only" crowd.

Sue Laib, music, and three members of her double reed studio traveled to Clarion University for a master class with Thomas Stacy, solo English hornist with the New York Philharmonic. Nine students from four universities (Clarion, Mansfield, Penn State and West Virginia) performed. Among them were MU's Erin Noble, performing the English horn solo from Berlioz's "Roman Carnival Overture," and Megan Fleming, who performed the first movement of the Hindemith Oboe Sonata. Also in attendance from MU was sophomore oboist Bob Rowe.

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Mansfield University News

HILLSIDE CHATTER

Liv Mitcheltree and Santa's Gift Bag sends a "thank you" to the university family for supporting Santa's Gift Bag this year. Through the combined efforts of MU and First Citizen's National Bank, Santa's Gift Bag brightened Christmas for 122 children and 58 families. Mitcheltree says she believes MU is approaching 20 years of helping Santa's Gift Bag.

The university recognizes with sadness the recent passing of Stanley Zujkowski, retired art faculty, and Catherine Watkins, retired secretary for the English department, and sends condolences to all their loved ones.

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Mansfield University News

SPORTS UPDATE

Also check out the Sports News section of our site for more in-depth sports information.

The men's basketball team snapped a four game losing skid with a 81-61 win over Kutztown in the PSAC East opener for both teams. Kutztown scored the first basketball of the game before the Mountaineers ran off nine straight points and to take the lead for good. Mansfield held a 35-29 halftime lead and increased that margin 48-37 early in the second before Kutztown rallied to pull within 50-46 with just over ten minutes to play. The Mountaineers then used a 31-15 run with Pye scoring eight of his game high 22 points for that span. Demontric Doddles scored 18 points and Tommy Harvey, 10. The Mountaineers improve to 3-8 overall and 1-0 in the PSAC East. They host Millersville Saturday, Jan. 10, at 3 p.m.

The women's basketball team could not hold on to an early lead in dropping a 62-46 decision to Kutztown. The Mountaineers jumped out to an 12-4 lead over the first six minutes of the game before Kutztown would rally to take a 27-16 halftime lead. Jill Masker led the Mountaineers with a game high 18 points including four three-point baskets. Tracy Moser scored nine points and pulled down eight rebounds. The Mountaineers fall to 0-11 and host Millersville Saturday at 1 p.m.

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Mansfield University News

THE BOTTOM LINE

"At some point during the year of 1998, Michael Jackson will do something weird."

David Letterman, making his lone prediction for 1998 on a recent "Late Show with David Letterman" (CBS).

Mansfield University News

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