Volume 29, No. 23
February 27, 1998
Scott A. Miller
Contact: MU PR Office 662-4844
NEWS
Former president Dr. Lawrence Park dies
Former MU President Dr. Lawrence Park died Thursday, Feb. 19, 1998, after an extended illness.
Dr. Park served as president of Mansfield State College from 1969-77. In that time he was applauded for his handling of student unrest related to the Vietnam War and the Civil Rights movement. He also provided leadership for the college through the early years of faculty unionization. He developed an ambitious growth plan for the university that included expanding the number of academic programs offered.
"He managed our transition from a single-purpose institution to a multipurpose institution," said MU President Rod C. Kelchner, who served under Dr. Park in various capacities. "We changed the whole mission of this university and overall he managed that as skillfully as anyone could have managed it."
At the state's request he became the interim president of Slippery Rock State College in 1977 in part to lead the college through its search for a new president. He retired from Slippery Rock in 1979 returning to Geneseo, NY, to breed and train thoroughbred race horses.
Upon his retirement, he was honored by the state's Commission of Presidents with a proclamation that read in part:
Larry cares about people. He really cares for their welfare and growth and their opportunity to live in a world that is fair and bright for each one of them. This is a noble type of caring and Larry receives the accolades of the entire commission for possessing this great aptitude.
Dr. Park was born and raised in Newburgh, NY. He was a self-taught saxophonist and clarinetist who became a professional musician at age 13. He earned his bachelor's degree at the State University of New York at New Paltz and served in the Air Force as a meteorology instructor from 1941-45. He earned his master's and doctorate in human relations and administration at New York University.
He began his teaching career in the elementary schools of Long Island, where he also served as an elementary school principal. He became a member of the elementary education faculty at Penn State in 1950 and from 1955-57 he served as chair of the department of elementary education. In 1957 he was name dean of the college at the State University of New York at Geneseo. He remained there, serving also as vice president of academic affairs, until being named president of Mansfield in 1969.
He is survived by Edith Barrowman Park, his wife of 56 years; a daughter, Suzanne LeGrett, and her husband, John; a son, Douglas Park and his wife, Christine; grandchildren Jonathan Welch, Patrick Welch, Andrew Park and Alexander Park; great-grandchildren Samantha and Daniel Welch, and their mother Sherry, former wife of Patrick.
MU Symphony takes to road for second year
For the second year, the MU Symphony Orchestra tour will find the group sharing its concert stage with two of the region's high school symphonies.
The symphony, under the direction of Kenneth Sarch, music, first performs Thursday, March 5, at 7:30 p.m. at Athens Area High School, joined on-stage by the Athens Area High School Symphony. Sharing conducting duties with Sarch will be Vina Miller of Athens.
The second performance is at Lewisburg Area High School, Friday, March 6, with the Lewisburg Area High School Symphony. Dale Orris ad Helen Hower of Lewisburg will join Sarch at the podium.
Both programs will include Mussorgsky's "Great Gate of Kiev," Frescobaldi's "Toccata," Copland's "Outdoor Overture," Bock's "Fiddler on the Roof Reflections," Jenkins' "Palladio for String Orchestra," Gillis' "Short Overture," Anderson's "Pop Selections," and "The American Symphony" from the film "Mr. Holland's Opus."
Admission to each concert is free and open to the public.
Saturday, Feb. 28, 4 p.m., Steadman. Andrea M. Mastrodomenico will perform a voice recital.
Sunday, March 1, 7 p.m., Steadman. Elizabeth Lane and Matthew Kanon will perform a joint flute and guitar recital.
Have an Updater announcement? Send it to Scott A. Miller
Jackie West, Belknap secretary, has been awarded the Neal Mosher award for substantial contributions to recreational opportunities for youth in the Wellsboro area. West, a member of the Wellsboro Little League Board, was cited for the more than 15 years of work in girls softball, Cinderella softball, and as board president. West is also secretary for the district board which comprises 19 Little Leagues. The Little League board was cited for the area's comprehensive youth baseball/softball program and field developmet efforts. The Neal Mosher Award is givne im memory of the late Neal Mosher of Wellsboro, who gave thousands of hours over the years to improve recreation in the area.
Student Alex Miller, a criminal justice administration major from Athens, is working in Gov. Tom Ridge's policy office as part of a 15-week internship sponsored by the State System of Higher Education. He is one of 16 State System students participating in The Harrisburg Internship Semester (THIS) program, which provides students the opportunity to work in all areas of the state government while earning a full semester's worth of credits.
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